Happy Fall, team!
The second half of the semester is here, and our team is DARing to Level Up at every turn. As we continue to engage alumni, parents and friends in the success of the university, let’s remember our three Gs: GROW, GIVE, GUIDE. These are what we invite our external audiences to do as we pursue our vision of every Bulldog committed to Georgia.
A special thanks is in order to our many team members who hosted events and met with alumni during Homecoming and this past weekend vs. Ole Miss. It is wonderful to see so many spirited alumni and supporters around town. October has been a busy month for our division, and I appreciate everyone’s hard work to engage our donors in meaningful ways. Congratulations to all on another successful Beat Week this year, and it was especially fun to beat Ole Miss on AND off the field!
I am looking forward to seeing everyone at our division-wide Town Hall on November 3. We will hear from President Morehead and share details on a new scholarship campaign to establish more need-based and merit-based scholarships. If I can do anything to support you or your team in the meantime, please let me know. |
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Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations and Executive Director of the UGA Foundation |
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What You'll Find in This Month's Pulse |
- Fundraising Update 📈
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Upcoming DAR Meetings 📆
- Events for Target Audiences 🎉
- UGAF@Work Update 💼
- A Decade in the Top 20
- Nomination Links
- Engagement Center Update ☎️
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$2 Billion Milestone for UGA Foundation
- Benefits Open Enrollment
- Happy Homecoming
- Gator Hater Breakfast
- Career Center Events
- Mentor Program Update
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School of Medicine Update
- Digital Accessibility Program
- UGA Learning & Professional Development
- Dawg Day of Gratitude Volunteers
- Spotlight on the Arts
- News You Can Use 📰
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DAR Headshot Schedule 📸
- Ring the Bell: DAR Success Stories 🔔
- DAR Staff Travel ✈️
- Open DAR Positions 🎉
- Staff Announcements 👨💼
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Here is where we stand as of October 20. Questions? Please email Danielle Free. |
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Board of Visitors Meeting feat. Dean Shelley Nuss October 23
Health Sciences Campus, Russell Hall |
Discover DAR: SCUDD Edition
(PSO + Vet Med) October 24 | 8:30-9:30AM Zoom
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DAR Annual Gator Hater Tailgate Breakfast
October 31 | 8:30AM One Press Place |
DAR Town Hall November 3 | 8-10AM Tate Student Center, Grand Hall |
| Scholarship Campaign Discussion
November 3 | 10:15-11:30AM After DAR Town Hall
Optional but attendance is encouraged |
Alumni Directors Fall Meeting November 6 | 8:30-11AM Grady College, Peyton Anderson Forum |
Team Stewardship Meeting November 18 | 11AM-2PM
MLC Reading Room |
Winter Development Team Meeting
February 9 | 2PM Tate Student Center, Grand Hall |
Spring Development Team Meeting May 11 | 9AM Tate Student Center, Grand Hall |
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Events for Target Audiences |
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Mentorship Mondays: Handshakes & Headshots
October 20 | 6:30PM UGA Terry Exec. Education Center (ATL) |
Dawg Day of Gratitude October 22 Athens, GA |
Student Affairs Parent & Family Weekend November 8 |
Georgia Women Give Atlanta Event
November 13 ASW Distillery (Atlanta, GA) |
| RSM Classic November 20-23 St. Simons Island, GA |
Alumni Night at the UGA Bookstore
November 21 |
Dawg Day of Giving
March 26, 2026 |
Class of 2026 Senior Signature Deadline March 31, 2026 |
Advancing the Arch Volunteer Leadership Training Conference July 17-18, 2026 Athens, GA |
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The UGAF@Work project has now entered the Testing stage, where real-world scenarios will be run to ensure everything works as intended before going live on December 31.
At the same time, we are developing training for those impacted by this transition. More-impacted users will be invited to classroom training in November through January while less-impacted users (e.g., those who only run reports or submit Foundation expense reimbursements) will complete self-paced on-demand training appropriate to their needs. Training details will be communicated soon. In the meantime, stay tuned to the UGAF@Work project page.
We are also beginning cutover planning for go-live, which includes identifying system blackout dates, plans for user support, and other go-live activities. More info. will be shared in the coming months.
Questions or feedback? Contact us at UGAF@Work or reach out to your UGAF@Work Change Network representative, trusted colleagues across UGA who will support you through this transition.
And many, many thanks to this dedicated group for their ongoing commitment to this important project! |
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For the 10th consecutive year, the University of Georgia has placed in the top 20 among the nation’s best public universities, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 rankings. UGA shares the No. 19 ranking with Purdue University. Read more. |
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Nomination Links - Reminder |
The division has rolled out two nominations links that many colleagues may find useful, especially those working in donor/external-facing roles:
Donor Spotlight & Story Recommendations – Help elevate meaningful donor stories throughout the year by recommending individuals in your portfolio. This will help streamline communication with central DAR teams and ensure every unit has an opportunity to participate in division-wide storytelling.
Volunteer Board/Award Nomination Ideas – Do you know someone who might be a strong candidate for a university-wide board, award, or other DAR volunteer opportunity? Volunteers are essential partners in advancing UGA's mission, and your nominations help us identify meaningful engagement opportunities.
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Annual Giving's small (but mighty) team of student ambassadors began revenue calling late last month and we saw great participation from alumni. Our callers have been training diligently, and they are excited to begin making connections with alumni and families. Daily calling hours will be 1 to 5 or 6 p.m. and there will be no calling on October 30-31. If you need the Engagement Center’s assistance in calling for a special campaign, please contact your Annual Giving liaison or J.J. Thomas.
We have also sent several texting campaigns with our new platform this year. So that you are aware, we will be sending monthly “Happy Birthday” texts beginning in October. These will go out on the first of every month and the audience will include May/August 2025 grads and donors to the Georgia Fund in FY25. Current prospects with plans or opportunities will be excluded from the Happy Birthday text messages. |
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$2 Billion Milestone for UGA Foundation |
We are pleased to share that the UGAF investment portfolio has surpassed $2 billion in value. While UGAF's overall assets have been above this mark for some time, this is the first time the investment portfolio itself has reached this milestone.
This achievement is remarkable. Founded in 1937, the Foundation didn’t cross the $1 billion threshold until 2017 — 80 years later. With the extraordinary generosity and support from UGA supporters, we’ve doubled the portfolio’s value in just eight years.
The true significance isn’t the number itself, but the impact it creates on campus. Record levels of portfolio spending are already benefiting students, faculty, and programs — and next year’s support will grow even further.
RING THE BELL! |
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There were so many Homecoming events held across campus in early October, not to mention a big W for the Dawgs against Kentucky while our supporters were in town. If you have not already, be sure to send follow-up emails to attendees thanking them for attending and sharing ways they can GROW, GIVE, and GUIDE to support their alma mater. |
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DAR's Annual Gator Hater Tailgate Breakfast |
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Upcoming UGA Career Center Events
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Since July 1: # of mentors – 6,429 (402 new registrations) # of mentees – 6,071 (1,013 new registrations)
# of connections – 1,210 (includes 16-week, quick chats, and circles) Introducing the Employer Toolkit!
The UGA Mentor Program Employer Toolkit makes it easy for companies to encourage their alumni to become mentors. With ready-to-use resources and messaging, it helps employers activate their Bulldog community and drive more alumni to the platform. Kudos!
Thank you to Grady and Franklin Colleges for welcoming the UGA Mentor Program for Advice with Alumni, a speed mentoring event with their respective Alumni Board and Board of Advisors. We’re grateful for your partnership in creating meaningful connections between students and alumni!
Thank you to those who have opted in to help with I’m a UGA Mentee Day in January. Your support is vital to the success of this special day, and we are grateful for your partnership in making the inaugural launch a success. Together, we’re creating a meaningful experience for our students — and it wouldn’t be possible without you! |
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School of Medicine Update
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In September, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) completed its preliminary accreditation site visit for the UGA School of Medicine. The review is a necessary and significant process for the school to obtain official accreditation. A team of surveyors spent two days on site, conducting a thorough review of policies, educational programs and facilities. The purpose of the visit was to determine if the educational program has made sufficient progress toward compliance with relevant accreditation standards and has developed satisfactory plans for its ongoing operations. Read more.
If you have a prospective donor who you would like to receive the SOM's quarterly e-newsletter (The Scope), please email Daynes Parker to have them added to the mailing list.
Check out a story from Business Engagement about industry support for SOM. Please continue to reach out to Hudson Clare early in your donor conversations, especially around scholarships. His involvement is essential as the School of Medicine finalizes the structure of scholarships for students. |
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Digital Accessibility Program
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A new Department of Justice rule published in 2024 requires state entities to make web content and mobile apps accessible to individuals with disabilities by April 24, 2026. The rule applies to all programs, services, and instructional materials delivered through websites and mobile applications and requires compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. Digital accessibility, under this rule, means designing web content and mobile applications to provide equal access, regardless of ability or circumstance. At its core, it is about removing barriers so that individuals do not face unnecessary obstacles when engaging with our resources.
To meet this requirement, UGA will adopt a Digital Accessibility Policy in October 2025 and launch a Digital Accessibility Program through EITS to provide tools, training, and support.
Support Resources |
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UGA Learning & Professional Development |
UGA’s Learning and Development team has launched the latest L&D Catalog, offering a range of opportunities to grow your skills and advance your career. Whether you are interested in personal development, financial wellness, or earning a leadership certification, there's something for everyone. Explore the full catalog and register for courses through the Professional Education Portal (PEP).
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Georgia Magazine Fall Issues |
Copies of the fall issue of Georgia Magazine have arrived. The publication is available online, and there are plenty of print copies on the publication wall by the second floor breakroom in One Press Place should you need them for an event or personal outreach. If you need additional copies, please email Lacey Creech.
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Dawg Day of Gratitude Volunteers |
Dawg Day of Gratitude will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tate Plaza and DW Brooks Mall on South Campus.
Donor Relations and Stewardship is looking for volunteers for both locations to help recruit students to write thank you notes. Volunteers will be the first people students see and speak to as they approach the tents. You will explain what the event is – writing thank you notes to generous donors and educating them about the importance of private giving to UGA. From there, the registration table workers will direct students how to write their notes and receive prizes. If you are interested in helping, click here to snag a spot. Once you select a time/location, please be sure to add a “comment” with your T-shirt size.
Once the spots are full, we would still love for you to stop by to see the event in action!
Questions? Please email Katie Snipes. |
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UGA's annual Spotlight on the Arts festival will run throughout November, with a variety of arts-related events on the calendar. A few of the highlights include: - Student Spotlight (showcases student talents through various acts such as singers, poetry readers, etc.); November 5 (10AM-1PM) @ Tate Plaza
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Family Day (hosted by GMOA); November 8 (10AM-2PM) @ GMOA
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4'33" Contest (students present their arts-related research for 4 minutes and 33 seconds); November 17 (4-6PM) @ Athenaeum.
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Some updates from across campus and the division: |
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📸 DAR Headshot Schedule 📸 |
Have you scheduled a headshot with Edwin Hammond? Fill out a scheduling form below; headshots are taken in front of One Press Place. |
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A generous UGA Engineering donor that works with Jan Blaine read a Georgia Magazine article this summer about the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and reached out to request a visit with the research faculty. He owns property in Newton County and has an interest in natural grass, seeds and plants and how they affect wildlife. Bot Garden's Johnathon Barrett
helped to coordinate a fantastic visit in late September. Turns out the research team is looking for private landowners to partner with, so the donor plans to welcome them to his property to explore what a partnership might look like. His network since serving on the Conservation Easement Board of Georgia and Alabama may also serve the research team well. Congrats to Jan and Johnathon on collaborating to lean into this donor's interests; we're excited to see where this development may lead!
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Congrats to Mallory Moye, Brenda Bryant and Patrick Knowles
on collaborating on a $500,000 planned gift with a couple that has chosen to support Vet Med. In 2023, the wife called Brenda to inquire about Vet Med's first honey campaign. Brenda informed Mallory about their conversation and Mallory has been working with the couple, who are big animal lovers, ever since. Mallory on the lead, " I so appreciate Brenda's collaboration and thoughtfulness to take that step to let me know about their conversation!" The donors' planned gift will support the Vet Med Dean’s Discretionary Fund.
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If you would like to schedule a visit with Jill, please contact Carol Barach to avoid double-booking. Thank you! |
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Chris Jefts Valdosta/J'ville, FL (Oct. 30-Nov. 2) |
Vince Thomas Jacksonville, FL (Oct. 29-31) |
Christina Varnedoe Savannah, GA (Month of October) |
Katie Adams Chattanooga, TN (Oct. 28-29) |
Chandler Boyle Charlotte, NC (Oct. 21) Raleigh, NC (Oct. 23) |
Kyle Bryson Dallas/Houston, TX (Oct. 21-24) |
Courtney Hart Athens, GA (Oct. 21, 23) |
| Alysse Capitanelli NY Area (Month of October) |
Kate O'Reilly Washington, DC (Oct. 20-24) |
Elizabeth Kozak Athens, GA (Nov. 2-4) |
Michelle Rotondo Athens, GA (Oct. 23) |
Weldon Kolker
Charlotte, NC (Oct. 27-28) |
Madi Cox Washington, DC (Oct. 20-23) |
Matt Brown Athens, GA (Nov. 3) |
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Parent Giving Team Travel
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Courtney Ayers Tennessee (Oct. 27-29) Various ATL Trips |
Meredith Glenn
Augusta, GA (Oct. 23) |
| Andrea Parris St. Simons Island, GA (Oct. 30-31) |
Eric Schmidt Tampa, FL (Oct. 28-30) Various ATL Trips |
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Mason Black Golden Isles, GA (Oct. 30-31) |
Kaylin Jones Golden Isles, GA (Oct. 30-31) St. Simons Island, GA (Nov. 20-23) |
| Mary Beth Mallard Augusta, GA (Oct. 23) Gainesville, GA (Nov. 1) |
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Open Position Postings in DAR
We encourage anyone interested in applying to do so. All UGA HR policies and procedures apply. If you know of a potential candidate who may be a good fit for an opportunity, contact Christy Dasher.
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Welcome to Janelle Simms, Director of Annual Giving, Annual Giving
- Welcome to Christi Porto, Assoc. Director of UGAF Internal Control & Business Process Improvement, UGA Foundation
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Welcome to Janie Bohannon, named Development and Alumni Relations Coordinator, Franklin College
- Congrats to Melanie Lewis, named Career Consultant, Career Center
- Congrats to Suzanne Griffeth, named Sr. Director of Development, FACS
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Congrats to Alison Godley, named Assoc. Director of College Engagement and Annual Giving, Vet Med
- Congrats to Kathy Bangle, retire-rehired as Sr. Director of Development & Alumni Relations
- Congrats to Catherine Arra, named Asst. Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, Law
- Best wishes to Karina Tumen, leaving UGAF Financial Accounting
- Best wishes to Matt Mize, leaving Principal Gifts
- Best wishes to Rob Carrico, leaving Regional Development
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Best wishes to Kate Arnold, leaving Franklin College
- Best wishes to Elizabeth Elmore, leaving DARCOMM
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Do you have information or a suggestion for an upcoming edition of the Pulse? |
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