蜜糖直播鈥檚 Center for Sustainability recently announced that the Sustainability Fee Committee has allocated $198,997 in funding for 11 sustainability projects at 蜜糖直播 in its second funding cycle. The Sustainability Fee committee received 25 proposals requesting $725,836 and funded 11 of these proposals for $198,997. Fifteen academic departments in six colleges, as well as the Garden of the Coastal Plain, Campus Recreation and Intramurals, and the Division of Facilities Services submitted proposals. 鈥淚 was impressed with the quality of the proposals and the diversity of sustainable solutions presented,鈥� said Lissa Leege, Ph.D., director of the Center for Sustainability. 鈥淚 look forward to the sustainability advancements that these projects will offer our campus.” The winning projects represent a range of sustainable solutions from instant savings with LED lighting upgrades, to high-speed computer networks that are designed to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, water bottle filler installations, a green wall for the City Campus, and solar powered trash and recycling compactors. Students can expect to see some of these projects up and running before the end of the academic year. The $10 Student Sustainability Fee was approved in Fall 2012 by a 75 percent student majority vote, and approved by the Board of Regents in April 2013. The fee was collected for the first time in August 2013. This represents the second cycle of funding for Sustainability Fee project proposals. The award recipients and their proposals are listed below: James Grigg, Director of Facilities Operations, BigBelly solar powered compacting trash cans and recycling cans, $18,300. Dr. Danda B. Rawat, assistant professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering, Design of High Speed Computer Networks Aimed at Reducing Energy Consumption and Carbon Emission at 蜜糖直播, $31,065.40. Patrick Reinhardt, golf course superintendent, 蜜糖直播 Golf Course Operation Pollinator, $2,378.80. Dr. Ji Wu, assistant professor, Department of Chemistry, Dr. Shaowen Xu, assistant professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, High Capacity Lithium Ion Battery for Self-powered and Sustainable Street Light Unit on Campus, $13,344. David Faircloth, director of Facilities Planning, Design, and Construction, Division Facilities Service, LED Lighting Upgrade Parking Lot: Hanner Fieldhouse, $32,800. Carolyn Altman, garden director, Safe and Spectacular Smart Energy Lighting for 蜜糖直播鈥檚 Green Jewel: Sustainable LED lighting at the Garden of the Coastal Plain, $17,900. Dr. Dominique Halaby, Bureau of Business Research and Economic Development, Katie Reams & Abbie Pelech, student leaders, Living Wall Downtown, $19,650. Chuck Taylor, campus landscape architect, Facilities Services Stormwater Improvements: Bioswales at Akins Boulevard, $16,600. Stormwater Improvements: Bioswales at Fair Road, $33,400. Dr. Frank Gross, chair and professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, Dr. Rami Haddad, assistant professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, Dr. Youakim Kalaani, associate professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, Sustainable Wind Energy Harvesting from Campus AC Cooling Towers/ Chillers, $11,014.88. Jason Schmidt, facility coordinator for Physical Operations, CRI, Water Bottle Filler Installation: RAC and CRIBB, $2,543.70. For more information, contact Lissa M. Leege, director for the Center for Sustainability at leege@georgiasouthern.edu.  

United States Army Cadet Command, which oversees all Army Reserve Officers鈥� Training Corps (ROTC) programs nationwide, recently announced the top 10 Cadets on the 2015 Fiscal Year鈥檚 national Order of Merit List (OML). The rankings are based on a number of criteria; including college grade point averages, Army Physical Fitness Tests and athletic performances, Battalion OMLs, and ROTC training evaluations held at the Battalion level and at the Leader Development and Assessment Course held at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Of the 5,617 Cadets expected to graduate and commission between Fall 2014 and Summer 2015, 蜜糖直播 Cadet Matthew Horne ranks fourth nationally.聽 Horne is an International Studies major from Stedman, North Carolina and currently holds a 3.94 GPA. Horne serves as the Commander for Task Force SEGA, which encompasses both the Eagle Battalion at 蜜糖直播 and the Coastal Battalion. The Coastal Battalion is comprised of Cadets from 蜜糖直播鈥檚 partnership schools 鈥� Armstrong State University, Savannah State University, Savannah College of Art and Design and East Georgia State College. Horne was also a member of the 蜜糖直播 football program during his freshman year and currently serves as the treasurer for the 蜜糖直播 Arabic Club and the head delegate for the school鈥檚 first Model Arab League team, which will compete in the Spring.聽 He has been named to the President鈥檚 List for the past five semesters, and was a recipient of a three year ROTC scholarship and the Bothwell 鈥淪nag鈥� Johnson ROTC Scholarship at 蜜糖直播. He is the only representative from USACC Sixth Brigade, which spans the Southeastern United States.聽 Horne will commission in May 2015 as an active duty Infantry Officer. a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers more than 125-degree programs serving more than 20,500 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement.聽 蜜糖直播 is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education.

蜜糖直播 today held its 23rd annual Fall Commencement at Hanner Fieldhouse, 590 Herty Drive. University President Brooks A. Keel, Ph.D. conferred more than 1,700 graduate and undergraduate degrees during three separate ceremonies to accommodate the graduating class. “Good morning Eagle Nation,” said Keel. “My name is Brooks Keel and I am the 12th President of the Greatest University in America!” Twenty-two doctoral degrees were conferred, along with 298 Master鈥檚 degrees,聽33 specialist degrees, and 1,354 Bachelor鈥檚 degrees from the University鈥檚 eight colleges. Commencement speakers for this year鈥檚 ceremonies included University System of Georgia vice Chancellor for Educational Access and Success, Rob Anderson; Col. Thomas Tickner, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District; and 蜜糖直播 alumnus Vic Reynolds (鈥�79), district attorney of Cobb County. “Whatever you do, do it with the best of your ability,” said Anderson. “The manner in which you live your life will be the most powerful message you can give anyone.” Tickner, advised students that their education will serve as the backbone for challenges they will face on the road ahead, and Reynolds offered five pieces of advice to the graduates. “It鈥檚 okay today if you don鈥檛 know what you鈥檙e doing, where you鈥檙e going or where you鈥檙e going to work. It will work out. Take a chance in your life and embrace that change that comes with it. Learn from the inevitable failures that will occur in your life, but take them and harness that strength to your advantage. Work hard. Whatever you do, even if it鈥檚 not something you want to do, work hard at it so you can get to the point where you want to be, and find your moral compass, and once you find it, set it, and then live by it.” a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers more than 125-degree programs serving more than 20,500 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement.聽 蜜糖直播 is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education.

More than 150 outstanding high school seniors were recently invited to attend 蜜糖直播’s Scholars Day in Statesboro, Georgia. The University’s Scholars Day is a unique invitation-only event providing incoming students the opportunity to meet 蜜糖直播 President Brooks A. Keel, Ph.D., learn more about student organizations, participate in campus and residence hall tours, and interview for a variety of academic scholarships and the University Honors Program. 鈥淭his event was intended to help prospective students decide if 蜜糖直播 is the right fit for them,鈥� said Amy Smith, director for the Office of Admissions. 鈥淧rospective students were able to interact with current students, faculty, and staff throughout the weekend and ask many questions. Additionally, some students were offered valuable scholarship dollars to help offset the cost of attendance.鈥� Scholarships can range from one-time $500 awards to four-year renewable full tuition awards.鈥� Previous scholarship recipient Mikaela Shupp, a double major in business management and Spanish, said the scholarship allowed her to take advantage of opportunities she would not have had if not for the program. 鈥淭his opportunity was very significant in my decision to attend 蜜糖直播,鈥� said Shupp. 鈥淎ttending showcase allowed me to talk to current students at 蜜糖直播 and I was able to clearly see that 蜜糖直播 is true to the motto, 鈥榣arge scale, small feel.鈥� 蜜糖直播 welcomed me into a new family and the scholarship allowed for even more opportunities as it helped with the financial burden of college.鈥� To receive an invitation, students were required to score a minimum of 1300 on the SAT, or 29 on the ACT, with a strong academic average of 3.0 or above in high school courses. a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers more than 125-degree programs serving more than 20,500 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement.聽 蜜糖直播 is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education.

Don McLemore, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Chemistry and director of the Office of Industry Relations and Economic Development, has been appointed acting vice president for the Division of Research & Economic Development. 鈥淚t is critical that responsibilities of the Division of the Vice President for Research & Economic Development and the 蜜糖直播 Research and Service Foundation, Inc., continue uninterrupted in Dr. Charles Patterson鈥檚 absence,鈥� said President Brooks Keel. 聽鈥淧lease join me in supporting Dr. McLemore in this new role.鈥� Patterson, who is currently 蜜糖直播鈥檚 vice president for the Division of Research & Economic Development, will serve as the interim president of Georgia Southwestern State University from Jan. 1 through June 30, 2015. Prior to joining 蜜糖直播 in 2011, McLemore served as chief operating officer for Herty Advanced Materials Development Center in Savannah, Georgia, where he launched new programs in biofuels development and restructured and expanded toll-manufacturing programs. Before joining Herty, he served as director of Polymer Industry Relations at Georgia Tech. McLemore earned his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and polymer science, a Master of Science in polymer science and physics and a doctorate in polymer science from the University of Southern Mississippi. He is also a graduate of the American Graduate School of International Management, Executive Education Program in Business Management. The promotes research and scholarship efforts of the University鈥檚 faculty, staff and students.聽The Division provides startup funding, support of undergraduate research, intellectual property and technology transfer, economic development outreach and oversight of research integrity and research compliance. McLemore will also serve as the acting chair of the Research & Service Foundation.

鈥淚t鈥檚 On Us,鈥� that鈥檚 the initiative President Barack Obama and other leaders in Washington, D.C., have taken to encourage both men and women to become a part of the effort to stop sexual violence on college campuses throughout the nation. While the initiative was made official by the White House in September, and recent media attention on college students and student athletes being accused of sexual violence has shed more light on the topic, Jodi Caldwell, Ph.D., director of 蜜糖直播鈥檚 Counseling Center, believes this has always been a very important subject on college campuses. One in four college-aged women are sexually assaulted while they are attending college, she said. 鈥淪tatistics go up if you look at sexual victimization more broadly than rape in and of itself. The statistics go as high as 50 percent of women experience some type of sexual victimization.鈥� Sexual victimization is defined as attempted rape, sexual harassment, unwanted sexual contact, etc. At 蜜糖直播, officials are dedicated to educating students about sexual violence, and officials strive to be an ally for those affected by such incidents. 鈥溍厶侵辈� is passionate about keeping all of our students safe in every capacity, so anything we can do to remedy, prevent and educate our students concerning sexual assault or sexual violence, that is what we鈥檙e passionate about doing,鈥� said Patrice Buckner Jackson, dean of students. Incoming freshmen at 蜜糖直播 are first introduced to the topic during SOAR, the University鈥檚 orientation program for new students. When the semester begins, new students鈥攆reshmen and transfer鈥攁re then required to attend 鈥淪ex Signals,鈥� a play that explores social pressures, gender stereotypes, unrealistic fantasies and false preconceptions that contribute to tensions often found in dating. Other educational efforts are hosted throughout the year for all students, ranging from educational programs and campus events such as Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, the Take Back the Night March, The Clothesline Project and Sexual Assault Awareness Week each spring, among others, Caldwell said. 鈥淭he approach we take has always been what we call a 鈥榖ystander intervention鈥� approach,鈥� she said, which is more than how to protect oneself from being sexually assaulted. 鈥淲e emphasize that sexual assault is an issue that impacts everyone, whether you鈥檙e a victim yourself or not, you will be impacted by it. Just given the statistics, everybody on this campus–whether they realize it or not–knows at least one survivor of sexual violence.鈥� This method of education also encourages men to join together with women to be aware of the issue, 鈥淏ecause we don鈥檛 want it to seem like men are bad and they鈥檙e sexual assailants,鈥� Caldwell said. 鈥淭he vast majority of men would never sexually violate someone, so we want that majority of men to really work with us in the education and risk reduction methods.鈥� The 蜜糖直播 Office of Public Safety also offers crime prevention classes, one of those being the Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) Women鈥檚 Self Defense Classes. 鈥淲e offer and include sexual violence prevention and awareness information in almost every crime prevention session we conduct, whether it鈥檚 a SOAR session, a general crime prevention class or a First-Year Experience (FYE) class,鈥� said 蜜糖直播 Police Chief Michael Russell. In addition, faculty and staff are trained to contact University officials if they receive information concerning an act of sexual violence or other crisis situation, Jackson said. Student Government Association President Azell Francis added the SGA is also involved in helping educate fellow Eagles about the seriousness of sexual violence. 鈥淎s SGA President, I sit on the University System of Georgia鈥檚 Campus Safety Committee and the subcommittee focuses on Title IX which also addresses sexual assault,鈥� Francis said. 鈥淪GA has worked with the National Campus Leadership Council to interact with other SGAs across the country to exchange ideas and tips on how to raise awareness.鈥� Francis said the SGA is participating in the It鈥檚 On Us campaign and encouraging other students to take the pledge and take responsibility to help prevent sexual violence on campus. 鈥淪exual assault prevention is the responsibility of every member of Eagle Nation,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e must hold ourselves accountable to stand up, speak out and take action to prevent sexual assault.聽I encourage students to sign the pledge at itsonus.org聽because it’s on us, Eagle Nation, to prevent sexual assault at our house.鈥� In the student code of conduct, sexual assaults and acts of sexual violence are clearly outlined, in addition to resources for victims of sexual assaults or violence. Caldwell recommends that any student who has been a victim of sexual violence seek immediate medical attention, whether it鈥檚 at University Health Services or local medical facilities. The University employs three full-time forensic nurse examiners in the University Health Services Center. These specially trained nurses provide examinations and treatment for free to students who have experienced a sexual assault. 鈥淭he forensic exam serves two purposes. It allows for collection of any evidence that might be present, and it also allows victims access to medications to prevent the contraction of sexually transmitted diseases, and for females, a medication to prevent contraception,鈥� Caldwell said. 鈥淢ost universities do not have forensic nurse examiners, and I don鈥檛 know of any others that have three on staff.鈥� In addition to a forensic exam, victims are offered a victim鈥檚 advocate, which is someone the victim can call on any time of day. Advocates are specially trained and are essentially a 鈥渓ifeline鈥� for victims, Caldwell said. The University also has a peer education team that speaks to other students on campus to provide a similar perspective. If student victims are still uneasy about contacting campus officials or visiting the University Health Services Center, they may also contact the Statesboro Regional Sexual Assault Center, which provides the same services. Legislation in Georgia allows for victims to have a forensic exam done without having to decide immediately whether they want to press charges, Caldwell added. Victims are allowed up to one year to decide if they want to take legal action. 鈥淭hat takes the pressure off during that immediate time following the trauma, and the victim is not having to decide if they want to press charges because that is not a time when you鈥檙e making the most informed decisions,鈥� she said. Russell believes the term 鈥渞eport鈥� is not the best way to explain why it is important to seek help after an act of sexual violence. 鈥淭o most people, this means an 鈥榦fficial鈥� police report and this is not the case,鈥� he said. 鈥淟aw enforcement is only one aspect of the response and it can range from an anonymous report where the victim is never identified, up to and including a criminal prosecution. It鈥檚 important that the victim seek help and be able to benefit from the medical assistance and the many other support functions that are made available.鈥� If a victim chooses to contact the Office of Public Safety, they can expect assistance in receiving medical, legal and emotional advice and support. 鈥淲e use a victim centered response that includes medical professionals, counselors, law enforcement, prosecutors and other social services professionals all who have been specifically trained to deal with sexual assaults,鈥� Russell said. It is not uncommon for victims not to report an act of sexual violence, Caldwell said. Some reasons being the stigma associated with the topic, fear of repercussions and fear of what loved ones would think. 鈥淚 think the nature of the crime survives because as a culture, we aren鈥檛 comfortable talking about sexual activity, even the best sexual activity,鈥� she said. 鈥淪o we really aren鈥檛 comfortable talking about traumatic and inappropriate sexual activity. I think that keeps a lot of folks from wanting to come forward.鈥� Should someone confide in you, however, Caldwell said, it is always important to not re-victimize the victim. Believe the person, listen, encourage the person to seek help and offer to help. 鈥淭here is a myth that鈥檚 out there about people crying rape, or that it鈥檚 regretted sex or getting back at someone,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut the Department of Justice reports that less than 2 percent of reports of sexual violence are false. So if someone is able to come to you and confide in you, all you have to do is believe them.鈥� Caldwell also said it is important not to show anger. 鈥淗uman nature of reaction, especially when it鈥檚 someone we care for, is to get angry for that person. But it鈥檚 hard to remember that person has already experienced violence, and anger–even well-intentioned anger–is going to be retraumatizing.鈥� The University also offers counseling services to victims when they are ready, and for as long as they need to get through the aftermath of the trauma, Caldwell said. Jackson added any student who is accused of sexual assault is also provided with a conduct advocate who serves as a resource for them. They can be present during any meetings or hearings that may result from the accusation to explain the process and the person鈥檚 rights. They鈥檙e also there to provide academic resources in case the accused isn鈥檛 allowed back in class, and counseling is also available for them as well, she said. How does 蜜糖直播 compare with other universities around the state when it comes to being prepared for sexual violence on campus? 鈥溍厶侵辈� is not one of those universities scrambling on how to respond and how to help our students or what to do,鈥� Jackson said. 鈥淭his is something we鈥檝e been doing for a long time now so we find ourselves in leadership roles making recommendations to our colleagues around the state on how they should respond and what remedies they should have in place to support their students. In fact, Dr. Caldwell was recently appointed to the Board of Regents Violence Against Women Steering Committee, specifically tasked with reviewing how Georgia universities are responding to sexual violence on their campuses. 鈥淲e always pay attention to new regulations and guidance, but I feel very comfortable we are in a good position to offer support and to respond appropriately to sexual assault situations on this campus.鈥� If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual violence, contact the or for further assistance. Victims may also contact the Statesboro Regional Sexual Assault Center at 912-486-6060 or srsac.org. To learn more about how sexual violence is handled at 蜜糖直播, reference the      

A 蜜糖直播 MBA, Global Business Strategy capstone class student team, recently finished in the top 4 percent of more than 1,200 graduate-level, worldwide student teams in the Capsim Capstone simulation program; a competitive, interactive simulation that provides students with the opportunity to test assumptions and learn from mistakes so they are better prepared for a business career. Randy Brunson, Kimberly Collins, Phil Helmey, Matthew Lovett and Matthew Repella, collaborated to run a successful business in the simulated program finishing ahead of the class. Students were able to practice the financial, intellectual and human skills required for successful business management. More than half of the student teams in the fall semester MBA class scored in the top 10 percent worldwide for the final round of the simulation. “Having such positive and objective feedback from the simulation confirms our view that the 蜜糖直播 MBA is a top quality program that attracts very talented students who seek an MBA educational experience that is highly relevant to their careers,” said John Leaptrott, Ph.D., professor. The academically rigorous simulation, widely used by MBA programs throughout the world, involved making decisions for a fictitious electronics component manufacturing company over several time periods. Teams made decisions related to each functional area of the company throughout the course of the simulation, by utilizing complex data from a variety of sources and employing analytic tools taught during the MBA program. The decision-making processes required by the simulation prepares students for real world decision-making responsibilities that upper-level management typically encounters in their leadership roles. For more information on the 蜜糖直播 MBA program, visit . a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers more than 125-degree programs serving more than 20,500 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement.聽 蜜糖直播 is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education.

The Office of Marketing and Communications and the Media Development Center have kicked off 鈥�Faculty Spotlights,鈥� a new video series showcasingfaculty members inside and outside the classroom, highlighting their research and the impact it has on students. Produced every other month, the second video in the series features Melissa Garno, Ed.D., RN, associate professor in the School of Nursing. Dr. Garno discusses her role in 蜜糖直播’s nursing program, which has been nationally ranked among the best nursing schools for several years.

Around 8 a.m. 蜜糖直播 officials received a report of a suspicious person dressed in dark clothing and a mask walking inside of the Math, Physics and old Biology building, 65 Georgia Ave. Within minutes, the Office of Public Safety responded by notifying students, faculty and staff, and securing, evacuating and clearing the building. Other buildings on campus were locked down as a precaution. Students, faculty and staff were requested to shelter in place, or to avoid the area. No weapon of any kind was involved in the incident. 鈥淥ur team acted swiftly by immediately responding, cordoning off the area and evacuating the building,鈥� said Michael Russell, chief of police. 鈥淪tudents, faculty and staff were notified within minutes by phone, text and email that there was an incident on campus and to stay put while officials investigated.鈥� The Office of Public Safety and other local and regional officials received a tip that a graduate student was involved. Upon further investigation it was confirmed that a student wore the mask as a prank and did not intend to cause alarm. At approximately 12:30 p.m. the University issued an all clear. Officials from the Office of Public Safety will continue to investigate the incident. Classes have resumed in the Math, Physics and old Biology building and the University is operating as normal. Arrangements are being made for students who were affected by the evacuation and closure of the building this morning.