Letter from Kelly Kerner
Dear Board of Visitors,
I hope you’re all enjoying summer and surviving the heat. Welcome to our new members, and we look forward to seeing you all on campus Tuesday, August 27. In the meantime, I’d like to share a few updates.
We’ve recently closed out the 2019 fiscal year, during which we notably surpassed two Commit to Georgia Campaign goals: raising $1.2 billion and creating 400 Georgia Commitment Scholarships (GCS). The GCS program, through which the UGA Foundation matches dollar-for-dollar any gift in the amount of $50,000, $75,000 or $100,000 to establish an endowed need-based scholarship, has created 451 new scholarships to date, and thanks to additional match funding provided by the UGA Foundation, the program continues. These milestones represent the potential of this campaign, which is far beyond what we imagined a few years ago. The campaign continues through June 2020, and I can’t wait to see how far we can go.
The UGA Foundation has welcomed several new trustees and a new chairman. This year, UGA Foundation Trustee, John Parker, former Coca-Cola executive will serve as the liaison between the UGA Foundation and the Board of Visitors. John most recently served as the chair of the development committee, which are the volunteer leaders of development activities, lead ambassadors, loyal supporters and UGA’s most trusted advisors. John will be present at the On-Campus Welcome as well.
As we approach the fall, I hope you’ll all consider serving as mentors to UGA students by signing up with the UGA Mentor Program. You inspired this program, and more than 1,000 alumni are already participating.
Thank you for all that you do.
Best,
Kelly Kerner
In spring 2019, Latham Saddler BBA ’05, received the Terry College of Business’ Outstanding Young Alumni Award which is one of the many recognitions he holds, and it barely scratches the surface of his accomplishments. Read more about Latham Saddler.
Dr. Rojek taught for 29 years at UGA, retiring as Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus, the university’s highest recognition for excellence in instruction. He founded a student-exchange program with Leicester University in England, famous as the birthplace of genetic fingerprinting (and for identifying the 500-year-old remains of Richard III). Kathy, Dr. Rojek’s wife, earned her doctorate in Education at UGA, then guided the youngsters at an Athens elementary school as principal for 10 years. At age 78, Dr. Rojek runs four miles every day. He’s a certified track official and works all UGA track and field events in Athens … plus meets at other universities. Dr. Rojek generously established an endowment and a deferred gift to support UGA students who want to study abroad.
“I want to ensure future generations of UGA students will get to experience the same benefits.”
“My work at UGA has helped me to see that we have some of the same needs in rural Georgia as we had in India. So many families don’t have equal access to resources. This has been a tremendous influence on my decision to learn health care and become a physician.”
After a tragic experience where Dhairya’s pregnant mother was attacked by a dog with rabies but saved by a vaccine brought from the United States, he wants to solve health problems and close the gaps in the social resource system. Dhairya will graduate in Spring 2019 with a B.S. in Genetics and a M.P.H. in Health Policy and Management. He’ll attend Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. Learn more about Dhairya’s story.
The University of Georgia New Materials Institute is committed to preventing waste through the design of materials and systems that adhere to green engineering principles. The Institute partners with industry and businesses to design materials for their use that are bio-based, fully biodegradable, or completely recyclable and safe for people, animals and our planet. In addition, it works with businesses, governments, foundations and other organizations to redesign systems so that they generate less waste and promote circularity in materials management. The New Materials Institute is also shaping the future by training the next generation of scientists and engineers on the importance of considering green engineering design principles in everything they do.
For more information, visit www.newmaterials.uga.edu.
Professor Jason Locklin is the founding director of the University of Georgia New Materials Institute and a key player in UGA’s partnership with Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA), a public-private partnership funded partially by a $75 million commitment from the U.S. Department of Defense. AFFOA’s goal is to accelerate innovation involving fibers and textiles through advances in manufacturing and engineering.
Professor Jenna Jambeck, an associate professor in the College of Engineering, is internationally recognized for her research on plastic waste in the ocean and for the Marine Debris Tracker app she co-created with fellow faculty member Kyle Johnsen. She notes that being active in research helps bring current environmental engineering issues into the classroom for students. Learn more about Dr. Jambeck’s teaching and research in Focus on Faculty.
Upcoming Events
August 27
BOV On-Campus Reception
October 29
BOV Fall Meeting
For further information on upcoming events, please visit the Alumni Association’s calendar and UGA’s master calendar.
