Students return to class, SMIF launches Arch Bond Fund, student entrepreneurs show their summer projects, and faculty recognized for real-world research impact

September 2025

Corey Staughter poses with his arms crossed in a gray suit in front of a historic building on UGA's north campus.

A bright start to the semester

The Business Learning Community sprang back to life with the start of fall semester. Students reconnected after summer internships and travel, while new faces explored Casey Commons and the Coca-Cola Plaza amid the energy of Terry Dawgs ready to tackle the year ahead. [First Day of Class][Back to Business Celebration]

Students tackle new market with Arch Bond Fund

The Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) has long given finance students hands-on experience managing an active stock portfolio. This fall, SMIF added a new portfolio with the launch of the Arch Bond Fund.

Christy Nielson, Tina Carpenter, Margaret Christ and Ashley Austin were presented the 2025 Wildman Medal for their accounting research with real-world impact by the American Accounting Association.

Carpenter and Christ honored for research impact

J.M. Tull School of Accounting faculty Margaret Christ and Tina Carpenter were recognized by the American Accounting Association for research that has shaped real-world accounting practice.

Fridgely wins UGAs 2025 Summer Design Sprint. Design Sprint instructor Don Chambers presents a giant prize check to economics student Gavin Gillespie

Fridgely scores at UGA Summer Design Sprint

Fridgely — a smart device created by economics senior Gavin Gillespie — earned first prize at the Summer Design Sprint. The fridge-mounted tracker sends alerts when perishable foods are about to go bad.

Lane Marie O'Kelley sits in front of a key board in a moodily-lit studio.

Student success is music to associate director’s ears

As associate director of the Music Business Program, Lane Marie O’Kelley helps students find their niche, whether performing on stage or working behind the scenes of the music industry.

UGA Summer Launch finalists including winner Syl founder Maahir Murad

Student organizing site wins 2025 Summer Launch

SylCampus — a student-organization management service developed by management graduate Maahir Murad and MIS senior Huzaifah Malik — took first place in UGA Entrepreneurship’s Summer Launch pitch contest.

Terry alumnus to head UGA Foundation Board of Trustees

Howard Young (BBA ’82), a Terry Distinguished Alumni Award recipient in 2024, was elected chair of the UGA Foundation Board of Trustees for a two-year term.

A female college student in a suit uses the cell phone while crossing the street

USG graduates earn $1.4 million more during lifetime

New research from the Selig Center for Economic Growth shows Georgia public college graduates earn $1.4 million more over their lifetimes thanks to their degrees. And the University System of Georgia contributed $23.1 billion to the state economy in FY 2024.

Tony Barnhart prepares to fist bump Hairy Dawg

Terry alumna helps keep UGA finances on track

Economics graduate Amy Collett (BBA ’14) has developed a reputation as a problem-solver, keeping UGA’s financial systems running smoothly as a senior financial analyst in Accounts Payable.

IN THE NEWS

At the start of summer, Music Business senior lecturer David Lowery released a three-LP musical memoir, Fathers, Sons and Brothers. “Over the years, many have encouraged me to write an autobiography,” Lowery told Musicians Territory. “However, it never really appealed to me. So, in lieu of an uninteresting written autobiography, I’ve made this record.” The albums chronicle his childhood, relationships, and four decades as a working musician, including his time with Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven.

A Selig Center for Economic Growth study, commissioned by the Georgia Ports Authority, found Georgia’s deep-water ports in Savannah and Brunswick contributed $77 billion to the state’s GDP — a 7% increase over the previous year. “Georgia’s ports are one of the strongest economic engines, fostering the development of virtually every industry,” Selig Center Director Jeff Humphreys told The Savannah Morning News. “The ports are especially supportive of other forms of transportation, logistics, wholesale/distribution centers, warehousing, manufacturing, agriculture, forestry and mining.”