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T h e e - M A G A z i n e f o r r e c e n T G r A d s spring 2013

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focus on collaborative strategies during state of Public health conference

Allie Chambers ’09, ’11 commented at the recent State of Public Health Conference that, “we [the state of Georgia] don’t look good on paper, but there are ways to move

forward.” And you can bet that Chambers and other UGA College of Public Health alumni will be among those helping make Georgia a healthier state for all.

Leaders committed to improving the health of Georgians joined with over 200 public health practitioners from across the state at the University on March 21, 2013 for the inaugural State of Pub-lic Health conference.

Tyler Norris, Vice President of Total Health Partnerships at Kasier Permanente, opened the con-ference with a keynote address providing a detailed look at forces that impact the public’s health. From dietary choices at the personal level, to the idea that one’s zip code could be as influential as one’s genetic code in terms of health outcomes. Norris’s comments provided realistic observations about the challenges and opportunities facing Georgians. Young alumna and current MPH student Kiersten Roberson ’12 attended the conference with fellow classmates as a way to network with working public health professionals.

“Public health in Georgia could use some work” said Roberson. As a former AIDS Athens volunteer, she currently is focused on studying HIV, nutrition and physical activity.

The conference’s goal is to use the dialogue from the workshops to craft an actional plan to im-prove the health and well-being of Georgians. §

First year MPH students Kiersten Roberson ’12, Miranda Iverson and Scott Dills.

Accepting nominAtions for the 2013 40 Under 40 throUgh April 12thThe UGA Alumni Association is accepting nominations for the 2013 40 Under 40, an initiative that celebrates leaders in business, research, artistic, leadership, community, educational and/or philanthropic endeavors.

Nominations will be accepted through April 12 and must be submitted by someone other than the nominee. Please consider nominating outstanding UGA young alumni!

Nomination Form

Class of 2012 40 Under 40

Twenty five College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) alumni and friends traveled to Cuba in November 2012 to experience a place most Americans have never visited and learn more about the country’s customs, culture, people, and agricultural and environmental history. With an agricultural and environmental education focus, former Vice Minister of Agriculture Pepe Morales joined the group to share the history of Cuban agriculture and the island nation’s economic rise as one of the world’s primary sugar producers.

Participants enjoyed a guided tour through UBPC Vivero Organoponico Alamar, one of the most successful urban organic farms in Cuba, which raises ornamentals, medicinal herbs and seedlings. This cooperative of 400 members provides a variety of healthy organic vegetables to nearby communities.

Zip-lining at Las Terrazas, a community and na-ture preserve in the Sierra Del Rosario mountain range, introduced a tropical landscape for the group to learn more about the sustainability of the plants and animals in the region.

And, a journey to various locations on the island allowed travelers to see first-hand the new Georgia turf grass that is being implemented across the country.

The trip would not have been complete without a walk through Old Havana to explore the cobbled streets and open plazas that connect historical monuments and Spanish architecture, which exposes the rich depth and breadth of Cuban history. And finally, the group enjoyed a ceremonial cigar rolling demonstration inside one of Havana’s most famous cigar stores along with a ride along Havana’s scenic coast in restored classic cars.

To learn about the next CAES alumni and friends trip, contact Juli Fields at (706) 542-3390 or jfields@uga.edu. §

*Reprinted with permission from Southscapes magazine.

Hola, Cuba!

Photographs by Carolina Robinson

2012 CAES Alumni & Friends TripBy Juli Fields and Amanda E. Swennes

some things seem to get more important farther away from home. For soldiers fighting in Afghanistan, one of those is warm, dry socks...”“

some things seem to get more important farther away from home. For soldiers fighting in Afghanistan, one of those is warm, dry socks...”

Some things seem to get more important farther away from home. For soldiers fighting in Afghanistan, one of those is warm, dry socks. Students, faculty and Extension specialists in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences worked with a Georgia sheep farmer to ensure service members have high-quality wool socks to get them through the end of the Afghan winter. Fashion merchandising students shipped a box containing about 100 pairs of the wool socks to soldiers serving in Afghanistan, where nights can dip below zero degrees Fahrenheit in some areas. The socks arrived at Bagram Air Field in February and "were going like hotcakes," according to a USO representative. "Being a fashion merchandising major, you don't think that there are going to be a lot of opportunities to help reach out into the community," said Lauren Joost, a senior from Washington, D.C. "The combination of working with textiles and helping the troops made this project something I really wanted to help with." Extension specialist Sharon Gibson, who helped to coordinate the effort, hopes the socks-to-soldiers effort will help students make the connection between agriculture and fashion, while helping build the public's appreciation of farmers and members of the U.S. armed forces. The socks that Joost and her FACS classmates sent to Afghanistan are the product of a longtime collaboration between

Gibson, Madison County Extension agent Adam Speir ’06, ’08, senior fashion merchandising lecturer Emily Blalock ’06, UGA textile scientist Patti Annis and Gwen Hustvedt from Texas State University in San Marcos. Hustvedt's search for locally grown wool in Athens led her to Madison County sheep farmer Jan Southers, who with her husband, Cornel Kittell, has a flock of 60 Gulf Coast sheep that they harvest wool from once a year. Southers feels a close connection to the soldiers whose feet she's helping to keep warm. "We have a lot of ties to the military, so when they told us about our socks going to Afghanistan, I thought that was great," Southers said. "The fact our wool was going to be something nice for American soldiers meant a lot." Visit the UGA Socks for Soldiers Facebook page www.facebook.com/ifsockscouldtalk for conversations with deployed soldiers who received the socks. Not only are these students, faculty and alumni giving to the troops through their project, but they also are giving to UGA as donors. What a great tradition to start! §

Sew far, sew goodBy J. Merritt Melancon

4/29-5/5Stadion Classic Golf Tournament at UGA Web.com Tour professional golf tour-nament. www.stadionclassic.uga.edu

May

5/3 An Evening of Writing and Art at the Georgia Museum of Art More information.

5/5Softball vs. LSU Three game series at UGA. More information.

5/8Climate & Society Seminar: The Communications Barrier Between Scientists and Policy Makers More information.

5/10 Spring Semester Commencement

College Commencement Ceremo-nies

5/16-18 Baseball vs. Florida

Save the date!UGA Young Alumni Gathering at SweetWater Brewing Company Friday, June 14More information.

april

4/11 Thank a Donor DayTate Student Center Plaza More information.

4/11-5/23UGA Day EventsApril 11: Dallas-Fort Worth, TexasApril 18: Macon, GeorgiaApril 23: Jacksonville, FloridaApril 24: Tifton, GeorgiaMay 7: Chattanooga/North GeorgiaMay 8: Nashville, TennesseeMay 9: Augusta, GeorgiaMay 15: Atlanta, GeorgiaMay 22: Statesboro, GeorgiaMay 23: Savannah, GeorgiaMore information.

4/11-13, 17-21 University Theatre Presents Macbeth More information.

4/16 Baseball vs. Presbyterian

4/17 UGA Honors Day

4/19 2013 UGA Alumni Association Awards LuncheonMore information.

4/19-21Baseball vs. Vanderbilt

4/21 Georgia Museum of Art Spotlight Tour More information.

4/23 Baseball vs. Georgia Tech at Turner Field

4/24 Farewell to UGA President Michael F. AdamsTate Center Grand Hall

4/25 Museum Mix: William Kennedy and Jace Barter of Reptar More information.

4/26 Lecture: "Who are the Criminals? Iraq and the Crimes of Preemptive War" With John Hagan, Northwestern Uni-versity. More information.

4/26-28 Baseball vs. Arkansas

4/27 Terry College Alumni Awards and Gala

Events

§ Check out the complete Alumni Association Calendar. § Events at the UGA Performing Arts Center.§ Only select athletic events listed above. See the complete athletics schedule.§ There are lectures, seminars, and guests presenters on a wide variety of topics nearly everyday. See the full listing of UGA events open to alumni.

UGa Calendars

April 29 - May 5

§ Check out the complete Alumni Association Calendar. § Events at the UGA Performing Arts Center.§ Only select athletic events listed above. See the complete athletics schedule.§ There are lectures, seminars, and guests presenters on a wide variety of topics nearly everyday. See the full listing of UGA events open to alumni.

The quintessential Paris photo. L to r: rachel hobgood ’10, d'Arcy Andrews ’10,

and sarah forman ‘10

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Help Your Garden GrowSpringtime brings thoughts of lush plants and juicy vegetables picked straight from the garden. The UGA Cooperative Extension has some basic tips for gardeners.

• Prevent pests from invading by planting as early in the spring as the weather will permit.

• When watering your garden, use a method that delivers water directly to the soil and water thoroughly to encourage plant roots to seek moisture and nutrients deep in the soil. Soak the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. A thorough soaking every five to six days is usually sufficient.

• If you do not have space for a garden, there are a number of vegetable varieties suitable for growing in containers that have small plants and produce either full-sized or miniature fruits. Containers should be at least 5 gallons to prevent rapid loss of moisture and provide adequate room for root growth. Remember to properly water and fertilize!

• Watering early in the day reduces water loss by evaporation and allows the foliage to dry quickly. Watering in the late afternoon or evening can leave foliage wet overnight and encourage diseases.

• Do not overwater. Overwatering not only wastes water but also waterlogs the soil.

More information on gardening can be found by calling 1-800-ASK-UGA1 or visiting www.ugaextension.com §

robert ’01 and samantha ’05 Johnson welcomed future dawg Mary Wells to their family. Baby Mary plans to be part of UGA's class of 2034.

KAtie JAcobsABJ ’05 Magazine Journalism, Emphasis in PhotojournalismOwner, Cheeky PeachAthens, GAcheekypeachathens.com

Why i give to UgA...I give to UGA because UGA students are the future of fashion, and to chat with them, work with them, and conceptualize with them is just entirely inspiring. They're not jaded yet by "the grind;" they're full of ideas and verve. It's important as an alumna

to connect back to that stage in life.

currently reading...Andy Cohen's Most Talkative. His ability to poke fun at himself is refreshing.

in 10 years...I'd love to expand the Cheeky Peach brand; I daydream about it regularly. I want to be a Tory Burch in the working-Mom-building-an-empire sense. I'm a dreamer.

favorite part of your job...Working the floor of my store keeps me interacting with my customers. I love meeting new people and styling women who may be intimidated by the boutique shopping scene. It's invigorating.

can you share any UgA traditions of your own? I love driving down East Campus Road on the Friday before a game and walking around near my store downtown. You feel the pulse of this town light up and quicken on that first Friday—there's nothing like the electricity in the air.

inspired by…empowered women, in the business sense. Women who've taken a simple concept and due to straight grit and hard work made their way.

brAdford sWAnnBBA ’03 EconomicsState Director, StudentsFirst www.studentsfirst.orgAtlanta, GA

currently reading…There are so many interesting true stories out there. No Easy Day by Mark Owen is a fascinating account

of the Bin Laden raid in Pakistan.

in 10 years...I hope to continue enjoying a career that is challenging but allows me to balance family life, and hopefully gives me time to get back to Athens for a few football games!

favorite part of your job...The fact that I can make a positive difference in the public school system (grades K-12), not just for my son but for every child in Georgia, is rewarding.

great UgA memory…There are too many to count, but what comes to mind are the fun times with good friends whom I still keep in touch with today. And, of course, meeting my wife at UGA is up there on my list!

can you share any UgA traditions of your own? I started watching UGA Football games on TV with my son, William, in the hospital when he was born. At 1, he’s now way more interested in barking than watching the game.

inspired by…Earl Leonard, a Grady graduate and benefactor of the Terry College’s Bebe and Earl Leonard Leadership Scholars Program. Mr. Leonard is an amazing mentor, career coach and, most importantly, friend since I was a student at UGA.

Profiles

milAn pAtel BBA ’03 Management Information SystemsMBA ’12 Emory UniversityFounding Principal Indusa Investmentswww.indusainvestments.comAtlanta, GA

currently reading...The 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss and Time Magazine.

in 10 years...I will be teaching college students the “how” in making money by retiring from my investment business to become a professor at UGA.

favorite part of your job…Our company motto: “To strive to make a positive difference for the communities in which we do business.”

great UgA memory…Volunteering my time and working the concession stands at UGA football games—a humbling experience that provided a sense of pride.

can you share any UgA traditions of your own? To always bleed red and black. From my car color, to sneakers, I strive to represent UGA whenever possible.

inspired by…Struggles and the determination to prove that I can accomplish anything that I am faced with. Whether the struggles are internal or presented from external sources, I get inspired by the challenge. Favorite quote: “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”

erin porterAB ’08 International AffairsMA ’09 Nonprofit OrganizationsExecutive Director Global Samaritanswww.globalsamaritans.orgAthens, GA

currently reading...Mukiwa, A White Boy In Africa by Peter Godwin and anything by Michael Connelly

in 10 years...I would love to have a happy and healthy

family, spend time in the U.S. and Zambia, travel extensively, and continue to have season tickets to UGA football.

favorite part of your job…Taking teams to the Global Samaritans in Livingstone, Zambia. I love seeing them meet the children and experience all that Africa has to offer for the first time.

great UgA memory…Having the opportunity to take courses by Dr. Gabriel Ruhumbika, a professor of comparative literature at UGA whose firsthand knowledge of colonial Africa was riveting. I took three of his African literature classes!

can you share any UgA traditions of your own? My husband and I eat at either The Varsity or The Grill Friday nights before home football games. I also wear red and black every Friday in the fall.

inspired by…Bo and Ruby Cheves, the founders of Global Samaritans Children's Home. I am inspired by their vision and their passion for improving the lives of the children in Zambia.

Why i give to UgA...UGA provided a wonderful experience for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees and continues to offer so much as I still reside in Athens. I give back because I want others to have that same experience.

Continue your own UGA tradition...

Make a GeorGia Fund

gift today!

The University of Georgia’s Musical Alumni

By now, you know that UGA is home to the beginnings of R.E.M. and Widespread Panic, but did you know that Bulldog alumni are stars in all genres of music?

The University’s Hodgson School of Music and the Athens music scene are a winning combination. If you’re a country music fan, you’ve surely heard of Lady Antebellum, who has produced many chart-topping songs, including “Need You Now” and “American Honey.” And did you know that Charles Kelley and David Haywood, the Georgia natives in the vocal trio graduated from the University of Georgia in ’04? Or maybe you love rock ‘n’ roll? The Whigs, a “garage-rock” band, had its beginnings in Athens with alumnus Parker Gispert ’07, lead singer and guitarist. After signing with Dave Matthews Band record label in 2006, they have appeared on nearly every late night show on television, and have toured with the U.S.O. and with many bands including Kings of Leon. In a totally different spectrum are two successful singer-actors, Shuler Hensley ’89 and Tittus Burgess ’01. Both are Broadway actors. Hensley is known for his 2002 Broadway portrayal of Jud Fry in Oklahoma!, which followed with winning Tony and Olivier Awards for best supporting actor. Burgess studied music at UGA and, while now is known best for his role in 30 Rock, was praised for his high tenor voice and performances in the original Broadway casts of Jersey Boys, The Little Mermaid, and the revival of Guys and Dolls. No matter if you are an opera connoisseur or don’t know a forte from a piano, you can appreciate the beauty of Jennifer Holloway’s mezzo-soprano voice. A 2000 UGA Music Education graduate, Holloway pursued opera at the Manhattan School of Music. She made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in 2010 in Verdi’s La Traviata, and has sung in numerous roles and concerts throughout America and the world. §

KAreemA grAyMSW '03 Social WorkPhD '09 Social WorkAssistant Professor Winthrop UniversityRock Hill, SC

currently reading…Fearless by Max Lucado and Sister Citizen:

Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in America by Melissa V. Harris-Perry.

in 10 years...I would like to be happy, healthy and see improvements in my tennis game! I would also like to see that our country has made significant progress in closing the income gap, creating jobs that provide workers with a living wage, and funding education.

favorite part of your job…Developing great working relationships with my students encourages me.

great UgA memory…Graduation both as an MSW and PhD. It was a tremendous honor to be the 100th graduate from the PhD program in the School of Social Work.

can you share any UgA traditions of your own? Now that I live in Charlotte and cannot regularly participate in tailgating or attending games, on game day I wear a special UGA t-shirt; it is my own way of feeling connected to the University and Athens.

most valuable lesson you learned at UgA...With hard work, anything is possible. I try to set that example for my students not just in what I teach them, but to model it for them as well.

Thank you to all of the recent graduates who made their mark at the University of Georgia through senior signature. Be sure to take a picture by the plaque next time you're in Athens. you might see your picture in an upcoming publication. Please continue the tradition of supporting your alma mater!

Thank you student donors!

you started a tradition, now keep it going.

TedxUGA: A Quest for Ted In February 2012, a group of University of Georgia students succeeded in their grassroots campaign to introduce TEDxUGA. Hosted by the Grady College’s New Media Institute and TEDx student organization with sponsorship from the UGA Alumni Association, TEDxUGA recently provided students and alumni opportunities to learn from UGA’s best and brightest students and faculty. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, the backgrounds of the original participants of the first TED conference in 1984, and is now a thriving nonprofit organization dedicated to “ideas worth spreading,” TEDx is lingo for an independently organized TED event, which came to UGA in the form of “conferences, student speaker series, screenings, and talks.” In addition to TEDx, TED Talks provide short, informative talks. The most common sharing of knowledge are TEDTalks. They include an incredible number of topics—everything from “The thrilling potential of SixthSense technology” to “How great leaders inspire action” to “Stroke of insight.” If you have five minutes, any TEDTalk is worth watching; search the full list here. Besides alumnus Greg Smith, other UGA alumni who have been involved with TED are Bonnie Cramond, David Fincher, and Logan Smalley. While Cramond and Fincher are involved in TEDxAtlanta, an independently organized event like TEDxUGA, Smalley is a TED Fellow and is Director of TED-Ed, an educational program of TED dedicated to “lessons worth sharing.” TED-Ed videos “aim to capture and amplify the voices of the world's greatest educators.” You can view TEDxUGA Storified, here. Here’s to life-long learning! §

Teacher of the year Triple Dawg Brandon Mitchell ’04, ’07, ‘09 was named a finalist for 2014 Georgia Teacher of the Year. The winner will be announced on

May 3 at the Georgia Teacher of the Year banquet and will represent Georgia in the National Teacher of the Year contest. Brandon has been teaching physical and environmental sciences at Winder-Barrow High School since 2005, and is a certified Adopt-A-Stream reporter. In 2012, his dedi-cation to field work (including becoming certified to bus students to science field trips) earned him the Adopt-A-Stream Extraordinary Volunteer Watershed Effort Award.

We’re proud of you, Brandon! §

Brian ingham ’09 visits with UGA football legend herschel Walker at fort Bliss, TX.

Bulldogs everywhere!p e o p l e � p l a c e s � p r i d e

clockwise from top middle: Katie shaver ’09, ’11, Kalen Garrison ’09, Kathryn Brannen ’09, charlotte donaldson ’09, ’11, faren Jolley ’09 stroll hand in hand through campus reminiscing about their college days; caitlin crowley ’10, who coordinated the kick-off press conference for the 2013 ncAA Men's final four, stands next to the championship trophy; Lauren edmunds ’11, Miss conyers cherry Blossom, poses at the Arch during a photo shoot for the 2013 Miss Georgia scholarship Pageant program book; Matt szambelan ’11, Jori McMurtrey ’10, connor Mccarthy ’10, chris Lecraw ’09 trek through the Bwindi impenetrable forest in Uganda to observe gorillas in their natural habitat; sumbul Babar ’06 at the south rim of the Grand canyon; david hol-combe ’05 dons a UGA cape while bungee jumping in Queenstown, new zealand.

on the cover: (Top left): As spring wrestles with winter, bright Pansies color the landscape behind old college on north campus at the University of Georgia. Photo by robert newcomb. (Top right): Andrew Taylor ’09, ’12 proposed to Kaitlin spooner ’10, ’11 at north campus’s herty field and rang the chapel Bell after she said 'yes'; (Bottom row left to right): Tabitha West ’10 and her son Trenton at G-day; chad cottle ’00 displays his Bulldog pride during his deployment to Kuwait; Morgan cogswell ’09, hadas Peles ’09, Tim Anderson ’08, Bailey Maxwell ’09 stop for a pic at hadas’ wedding. hadas married fellow dawg Grant fiddyment ’09, ’11 (not pictured).

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