Happy New Year! I hope everyone enjoyed a nice holiday break before returning to the office last month. A big thank you to the staff who processed gifts and deposited checks until the end of the year. We appreciate your hard work!
Congratulations to our colleagues who were nominated and selected for the inaugural DAR Leadership Cohort that began this month. I'm excited for them to begin this journey and look forward to seeing how their participation will positively impact their teams and our division.
Please take a moment to nominate a colleague for a Level Up Employee Recognition Award (details below) before February 12. I look forward to recognizing this year's recipients during our DAR Town Hall on March 24. We are tracking ahead of our fundraising progress as of this time last year, and I encourage everyone to continue to collaborate on our path to $300 million by June 30. Last, but not least: as we celebrated UGA's 240th birthday last week, I want to thank you for helping to make our university and DAR so special. |
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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 |
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Here is where we stand in fundraising as of Jan. 28. Questions? Email Danielle Free. |
New fund agreements are essential to our fundraising success, and the UGA Foundation team has worked diligently to improve this process. To enhance communication and reduce the time to complete new fund requests, DAR is launching a weekly email each Monday detailing open fund agreement requests and their most recent updates. We ask that you review the updates promptly and provide feedback or action items to the Fund Agreement Team. This regular review will keep the process on track and ensure we meet donor expectations when creating new funds. Questions? Please email Jason Burdette.
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Winter Development Meeting February 3 | 1:30PM Tate Grand Hall |
Monthly Dashboard Deep-Dive
February 6 | 11AM-12:30PM (Drop-In) One Press Place, SIC 'EM Conf. Room |
Dawg Day of Giving Workshop (1 of 2) February 7 | 10-11AM Zoom |
UGAF Board of Trustees Meeting
February 20-21 Athens, GA |
Discover DAR February 28 | 8AM Terry College - Innovation Lab |
Dawg Day of Giving Workshop (2 of 2)
March 10 | 9-10AM Zoom |
| DAR Town Hall
March 24 Athens, GA |
Discover DAR March 28 | 8AM Pinnacle Room |
Discover DAR
April 25 | 8AM Athens, GA (Location TBD) |
Spring Alumni Board Meeting May 2 Rusk Hall |
May Development Meeting
May 12 | 8AM Tate Grand Hall |
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Events for Target Audiences |
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Spring PLC Weekend
February 7-8 Athens, GA |
Dawg Day of Giving Solicitation Hiatus March 3-30
Questions? Contact Ashley Crain. |
| Georgia Women Give Signature Event March 20-21 Athens, GA |
Honors Week March 31-April 4 Miscellaneous Events |
Alumni Awards Luncheon
April 4 |
Advancing the Arch May 2-3 Athens, GA |
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2025 State of the University Address |
President Morehead shared his annual State of the University Address on Jan. 29. You can view the full speech as well as a shorter highlight reel online.
During the speech, President Morehead reflected on the UGA community’s shared accomplishments this year and our bright and boundless future. Thank you for your continued support of the university and the role you play in that bright future! The address was emailed to most UGA donors, but feel free to share it with your contacts and prospects. Questions? Email Lacey Creech.
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School of Medicine Update |
Construction will begin on the new Medical Education and Research Building in May, and the goal is to complete construction and open the building in December 2026. The School of Medicine submitted its application for LCME accreditation in late November and hopes to welcome the first class of students in Fall 2026.
Thank you to everyone who helped us raise private funds to match the state’s $50 million allocation for the new Medical Education and Research Building. We are also grateful for the $25 million allocation from the UGA Foundation and the UGA Research Foundation. Fundraising is still a priority and we ask that everyone continues to collaborate on donor support for the School of Medicine.
Reminder: please use the MED prefix for all DMEs, plans and opportunities tied to the School of Medicine in GAIL. |
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UGA Mentor Program Update |
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40 Under 40 Nominations (Feb. 1-28) |
Nominations will be accepted for the 40 Under 40 Class of 2025 from February 1-28. Please consider nominating key alumni from your area of campus and promoting the program to your audiences using this digital toolkit. Questions? Please email 40u40@uga.edu.
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Monthly Dashboard Deep-Dives |
Starting this month, DAR is hosting Monthly Dashboard Deep-Dives to help educate and empower our teams in using tools like Qlik. These sessions will provide a dedicated time to: - Spotlight new dashboards
- Answer questions
- Brainstorm new ideas together
As part of DAR's ongoing commitment to enhancing data accessibility and fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making, these workshops are designed to ensure everyone feels equipped and confident in leveraging the tools at our disposal. By making data more accessible, we can continue to make informed, strategic decisions that drive our success forward. -
When: First Thursday of every month from 11 a.m to 12:30 p.m. (Starting February 6)
- Where: 1 Press Place (SIC 'EM) + Zoom (link to be provided ahead of each session)
These will be informal, drop-in workshops, open to everyone in the division. A week-of reminder email will be sent each month. Lunch will not be provided, but you're welcome to bring your own. Questions? Email Danielle Free.
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Footsteps Award Nominations Close Feb. 9 |
UGA is accepting nominations for the 2025 Footsteps Award, which recognizes a UGA graduate who embodies the same pioneering spirit of Charlayne Hunter-Gault (ABJ ’63), Hamilton Holmes (BS ’63) and Mary Frances Early (MMED ’62, EDS ’67). Members of the UGA community are invited to submit nominations for the award by completing a brief online form
. The nomination period ends February 9, and the recipient will be announced in late spring. Questions? Email Realenn Watters.
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DARing to Level Up Awards |
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Dawg Day of Giving Workshop Dates |
Please join the Dawg Day of Giving planning team for the following workshops to prepare for our 2025 Dawg Day of Giving on March 27. Question or need Zoom links? Email Ashley Crain or Sherry Abrams.
DDOG Workshop #1
Friday, February 7 | 10-11 a.m. You’ll learn about DDOG, campaign phases, how you and your area can participate, digital toolkit, next steps and Q&A time. DDOG Workshop #2
Monday, March 10 | 9-10 a.m. We’ll cover additional direct marketing plans and solicitation items. • Solicitation Hiatus: March 3 to March 30 • Custom Challenge Commitment Deadline: Monday, February 10 |
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Senior Signature: Two Months Left |
The Senior Signature deadline for any student earning a degree in May-December 2025 is March 31. The campaign is underway with a goal of 3,250 student donors — we are at a record for this time of year at 735! Please continue to use the digital marketing toolkit to promote this giving campaign in your area's student-facing channels. That page also includes the email marketing schedule for 2025. Questions? Email Terrance Smith.
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We are pleased to announce that DAR now has a book club, Let the Big Dawgs Read! The group meets in One Press Place on the second Wednesday of each month at noon (bring your lunch!). The February book is The Last One at the Wedding. Readers should secure their own copy of the book.
Email Abbie Jones to be added to the calendar invite and the Teams chat for the group — even if you're just curious and not ready to dive in yet! New books will be selected during each month's meeting. |
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Grady Launches Corporate Engagement Program |
Alumni, industry partners and organizations that are looking to support Grady College, facilitate projects with a Gen Z perspective and engage with students, now have one central place to connect. The new Grady College Corporate Engagement program features opportunities to speak with students in classes and clubs, recruit students for professional jobs, provide learning experiences for students through classroom projects and attend continuing education programs. Learn more.
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DAR Site Directory Updates |
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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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DAR hosts successful Founders Day Celebration
Kudos to Drew Flaherty, the Alumni Relations team, and the Student Alumni Council for hosting another wonderful Founders Day Celebration in Tate Center on Jan. 27. There were 14 school/college/units tabling and 1,300+ students joined in while learning about UGA and the importance of philanthropy. Thanks to everyone for collaborating to educate and engage our students in giving back to UGA on their journey as Bulldogs!
View the full photo gallery from the event.
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Chris Jefts Macon, GA (Feb. 12-13) Valdosta, GA (Feb. 27-28) |
Vince Thomas
Jacksonville, FL (Feb. 11-14) Columbus, GA (Feb. 26-28) |
Rob Carrico Greenville, SC (Feb. 5-6) Charleston, SC (Feb. 18-21)
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Ellie Engquist Athens, GA (Feb. 2-5) |
Christina Varnedoe Athens, GA (Feb. 3-5 + Feb. 20-21) Bluffton, SC (Feb. 27-28) |
Katie Adams Athens, GA (Feb. 3-5) Birmingham, AL (Feb. 6 + 7) Tampa, FL Area (Feb. 18-20) |
Chandler Boyle
Athens, GA (Feb. 3-5) |
Kyle Bryson Athens, GA (Feb. 3-8) Dallas, TX (Feb. 12-14) Houston, TX (Feb. 17-20) |
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Courtney Hart Athens, GA (Feb. 3-4 + Feb. 21) |
Hannah McIntosh Athens, GA (Feb. 3-4) |
Alysse Capitanelli Athens, GA (Feb. 1-4) New York (Feb. 10-14 + Feb. 27) |
Elizabeth Kozak Athens, GA (Feb. 3-4) |
Michelle Versfeld
Atlanta, GA (Feb. 5) |
Michelle Rotondo Athens, GA (Feb. 3-4 + Feb. 21) Orlando, FL (Feb. 16-18) |
Weldon Kolker Gainesville, GA (Feb. 12 + 13) *daytrips
Atlanta, GA (Feb. 25-27) |
Madi Cox Birmingham, AL (Feb. 5-7) |
Matt Brown Athens, GA (Feb. 3-4 + 21) Athens, GA (Feb. 12) *tentative |
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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 Sandeep Reddy Guthireddy, Application Programmer Specialist, Advancement IT
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Welcome to Rohan Bhavsar, Data Analyst, Business Intelligence & Analytics
- Welcome to Kaylin Jones, Assoc. Director of Alumni Relations, Alumni Relations
- Welcome to Melissa Rackley, Career Consultant, UGA Career Center
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Welcome to Ashley Denman, Administrative Specialist, Alumni Relations
- Welcome to Erin Collins, Financial Accountant, UGAF Financial Accounting
- Welcome to Kaylin Wells, Administrative Assistant, Career Center
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Best wishes to Kimberly Glover, leaving UGAF Financial Accounting
- Best wishes to Allison Davis, leaving DAR Records
- Best wishes to Ben Baugh, leaving Advancement IT
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Name: Peach Cobbler ("Peaches")
Owner: Ashley Crain (Annual Giving)
Fun Fact: This cute calico loves sunbathing, attacking feet and snuggles. She joined the family as an early Christmas gift from Santa in Dec. |
| Name: Maz Kanata ("Mozz") Owner: Elizabeth Elmore (DARCOMM) Fun Fact: Maz found her furever home as a pandemic pet in 2021. She loves naps by the fireplace and drinking out of unmonitored glasses of water. |
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The HR, Talent Management and Finance teams participated in a planning retreat on campus last month. In addition to eating lunch together at Bolton Dining Commons, they also participated in a campus tour through the UGA Visitor's Center. We appreciate the support they provide our division throughout the year as we all are DARing to Level Up! | |
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Do you have information or a suggestion for an upcoming edition of the Pulse? |
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