March 2021

Light at the End of the Tunnel 

 

The pandemic is not over, but vaccinations are increasing across the country. Assuming the vaccine rollout goes as planned, UGA plans to resume normal operations this fall. These are hopeful pronouncements, and I, for one, am energized by them.  

 

I want to once again express my amazement and gratitude for all that this team has accomplished through these trying times. Fresh procedures, novel offerings and innovative techniques may have been developed out of necessity, but many are so beneficial that they will remain in place. More importantly, the can-do spirit and collaborative teamwork that drove these developments will continue to make us all better.   

 

I’m reminded of a line from our latest development style guide: The issues we face today are bigger than any one of us. But they are not bigger than all of us. I am grateful to be a part of this team. Thank you for being unflappable and unstoppable.

 

SIC ‘EM,

Coming Soon

University Health Center Prepared to Ramp Up Vaccine Administration  

UGA’s Health Center is already administering COVID-19 vaccines to eligible faculty, staff and students. UHC is working with with USG and the Georgia Department of Public Health on the state’s vaccination plan so that it is prepared to move forward quickly as vaccine eligibility expands. Watch a video of how this is going to work. 

Upcoming Development and Division Meetings

Generations at Work Presentation 

Mar. 22 | 2-3 p.m. Register

Open to all DAR employees, this professional development session will be facilitated by Lauren Healey of the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development. An invitation to register will be emailed to the division in early 2021. 

 

Division Meeting 

Apr. 12 | 10 a.m. Register

 

DAR 101  

Apr. 20 | 9 a.m. 

 

Development Meeting 

May 24 | 10 a.m. 

Learn from Experts Down the Hall

Continue sending your DAR site blog posts to any DARCOMM communications team member!  

DAR Kudos

Career Center announces career outcomes for Class of 2020 
Of Class of 2020 graduates, 91% were employed or attending graduate school within six months of graduation despite the pandemic and its economic effects. See more about where the Class of 2020 landed and who hired them. 

 

Fall Scholarship Gratitude Reports  

Lauren Schlesinger managed a successful fall scholarship stewardship campaign. Scholarship Gratitude Reports reflecting fall semester’s awards were mailed February 25. This season saw a huge jump in participation with ~800 students writing thank you notes and 600 donors receiving a report for a 40% increase in funds and donors stewarded since last year. Spring semester messages are still being collected. Questions? Contact  Lauren Schlesinger. 

Diversity and Inclusion 

March is Women’s History Month 

It is Women’s History Month. A time to celebrate, reflect and honor the indelible contributions women have made in this world, including UGA. It is impossible to chronicle all of the contributions of women on campus, so I’m focusing on the history of how and when women were first admitted to our institution: 

• Opening a Door: 100 Years of Women at UGA (2018) 
• 2018 Marks 100th Anniversary of Coeducation at UGA 

 

MICHELLE N. CARTER

Chief Diversity Officer 

Recent Events

Inaugural William T. Robie III Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lecture & Award 

On Feb. 25, the College of Pharmacy hosted the culminating event of their 60 at 60 celebration, which commemorated the University of Georgia’s 60th Anniversary of Desegregation. Robie, the first Black graduate of the College of Pharmacy, spoke on his experiences at the college and his life as a pharmacist before an audience of more than 300 individuals. 

 

National Engineer Week (Feb. 22-26) 

The College of Engineering celebrated with professional development programming for students that included speakers like Nancy Juneau (BSED ’82), CEO of Juneau Construction and a UGAF Trustee; John McCormick (BSBE ’99), an orthopedic spine surgeon; Anish Kattukarn, head of product development at YouTube; and Roderick McClean, VP and GM of the F-16/F-22 Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin. 

 

Another Successful Alumni Leadership Assembly 

250+ alumni volunteers participated in ALA using the online event platform Whova. Chapter leaders, alumni board members, leadership council members and some trustees trained for their roles through pre-recorded and live sessions. The keynote address was given by Dr. Tonya Harris Cornileus (MED '04, PHD '10), and the awards ceremony was hosted by Drew Butler (ABJ ’11, MS ’13), who interviewed surprise guest Rodrigo Blankenship (AB '18).  

 

Women of UGA Hosted the First Mentorship Monday of 2021 

The Feb. 22 session, entitled “Finding Your Authentic Purpose,” featured moderator Janelle Nicole Christian (BBA ’11) leading a discussion with panelists Rear Admiral (U.S. Navy Retired) Wendi B. Carpenter (BS ’76) and April Crow (BSEH ’95) about finding your passions and living those inside and outside your career. Over 120 alumnae tuned in to hear nuggets of wisdom from this notable group! 

Mark Your Calendars

RPM Refreshers – Wednesdays at 10 a.m. ET 

The Research and Prospect Management team offers RPM Refreshers each Wednesday. Join us on Zoom to discuss topics like the new RPM Snapshot, FY21 Metrics, quarterly agenda items, contact reports, virtual meetings and more. Questions? Contact Dajana Guerrero. 

 

TEDxUGA is March 19 

UGA's leading thinkers and doers take the stage to embrace bold questions, innovative scholarship, and untold stories as the keys to rising beyond what we think is possible. Alumni event participants include:  

• Cristen Conger (ABJ ’06) & Caroline Ervin (ABJ ’06)  
• LaKeisha Gantt (MED ’03, PHD ’10)  
• Matt Stevens (AB ’03, MPA ’14)  

Registration: $5 (students), $10 (non-students)  

 

Collaboration Station  

Twice a month, colleagues present 90-second “commercials” while sharing fundraising priorities and opportunities for collaboration. Watch Pharmacy’s using passcode rbZ8ycq=, Georgia 4- H Foundation’s using passcode 87FYW8+d, and CED’s using passcode 49q*^FX3. 

Coming Up … 

Friday Mornings | 8:30-9:30 a.m. ET 

Zoom Meeting ID:  979 2321 3764 | Passcode:  929938  

• Apr. 2 – Student Affairs 
• Apr. 16 – Honors 

Registration not required. Use the same Zoom Link for each meeting. Sessions are recorded for playback.   

 

Women of UGA Mentorship Monday  

March 22 | 12 p.m.  Register 

Moderator Cat Hendrick (AB ’20) will speak with Suzy Deering (BSFCS ’92), Global Chief Marketing Officer of the Ford Motor Company, about the Imposter Syndrome, moving beyond it, and leading with confidence.  

 

Between the Pages with Charlayne Hunter-Gault 

Mar. 24 | 7 – 8 p.m. EST Registration Required.  

This month’s virtual book club will feature Charlayne Hunter-Gault (ABJ '63) and will be moderated by Angelique Jackson (ABJ ’12), a film and media reporter with Variety. The event is in partnership with the Presidential Task Force on Race, Ethnicity, and Community. Encourage your donors, alumni, students, faculty and staff to join us! Optional ongoing discussions of the book will take place on Goodreads.  

 

Georgia Questival – the State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s Newest Festival  

Participants of all ages will explore the Alice H. Richards Children's Garden through a series of adventurous activities showcasing Georgia's natural history and resources. $20 per family. Register.   

• Mar. 18-21  
• Mar. 25-28  

 

PLC Insider Series: A Closer Look at Academic Success at UGA 

Mar. 23 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. 

This information session will provide a “closer look” at academic success and support at UGA. The event will feature a panel of speakers, including Julia Butler-Mayes from Academic Advising Services, Erin Benson from the DRC, and Maggie Blanton from DAE. If you have a parent prospect who is interested in joining PLC, invite them! Contact Kate Lovin to view a recording of the January PLC Insider Series event with the Career Center, or if you have questions. 

 

Review of Funding Priorities for the Office of Instruction  

Mar. 24 | 3-4 p.m. ET  

The Regional Team is hosting Dr. Rahul Shrivastav, UGA’s vice president for instruction via Zoom. Adam Prescott will share a Priority Menu. Invitations have been extended to all senior directors in Central Development to invite their teams. Questions? Contact Beth Zimmerman. 

 

Thriving as a First-Generation College Student: A Mentor’s Point of View 

Mar. 25 | 6-7 p.m. | Register on Handshake.  

 

UGA Young Alumni Host Decorated Chef and Restauranteur Peter Dale (ABJ ’99) for a Virtual Cooking Class  

Apr. 8 | 7 p.m.  Register 

Meet the former 40 Under 40 and Bulldog 100 honoree whose passion for food has fueled more than a few of Athens's favorite restaurants while learning a new dish that's sure to impress. Attendees will also learn about the UGA Campus Kitchen and ways they can help with food insecurity on campus.  

 

UGA Mentor Skills: Lessons From 40 Years of Mentoring for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging 

Presented by Dr. Dawn D. Bennett-Alexander 

Apr. 21 | 12-1 p.m. | Register 

Announcements

Calling All Dawgs: Georgia Giving Week 

Plans for April’s Georgia Giving Week are shaping up. Get the scoop and learn how you can help!  

 

40 Under 40 Nominations Open 
Nominations for the 2021 Class of 40 Under 40 are open. We need DAR’s help nominating excellent alumni for this honor. Please take a few minutes to nominate today. Also, the first bi-annual 40 Under 40 newsletter has been sent. To submit stories for the fall issue, email Nyaboke Machini. 

 

May Commencement 

Details about spring commencement have been released. Questions? Email Lindsey Copus.

 

Giving Voice to the Voiceless GA Funder 

Grady College is hosting a crowdfunding campaign to recruit 100 donors to the Giving Voice to the Voiceless Fund established by Charlayne Hunter-Gault (ABJ '63) and her husband, Ron Gault. The campaign will run throughout March. Questions? Email Kathryn McHugh. 

Gift and Estate Planning

Announcing Innovators’ Pledge – A New Breed of Donors 

Innovators’ Pledge is a community of innovators – creators, equity holders, and entrepreneurs – who have made a non-binding promise to share their future success with UGA. Prospects who let us know that they’ll make a gift to UGA once they go public, sell their company, etc. are ideal candidates for this group. The Innovators’ Pledge website is live. Have questions or know a donor who might be interested? Contact Clint Travis. 

Alumni Relations

Senior Signature is in full swing!  

All undergraduate and graduate students graduating in 2021 have the opportunity to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Senior Signature by making a minimum gift of $30 to UGA. Students will be recognized by having their names listed on the Class of 2021 Senior Signature plaque in Tate Plaza. The deadline to give is March 31. Questions? Contact Terrance Smith. 

 

Metro Atlanta Alumni Chapter Food Drive 

Join the Metro Atlanta Alumni Chapter Mar. 1-31 for a food drive through Second Helpings Atlanta, a non-profit food rescue organization whose mission is to reduce hunger and food waste. Visit the Amazon Smile Wish List to purchase items, and write UGA Alumni x SHA in the gift message box. We look forward to your help in fighting food insecurity! 

Advancement Services

Take the Hassle out of Scheduling Meetings with Microsoft Outlook Calendar 

Scheduling a meeting shouldn’t require a dozen emails back and forth. Rather than all your meeting participants listing their availabilities for the week, use the Scheduling Assistant for a quick, overall view of everyone’s schedules.  

 

Reminder! 

Please periodically check your MS Teams chats, group chats, and pre-scheduled meetings for employees who have left the university or retired, and remove them from these lists. 

 

Schedule a Group GAIL Refresher for your Team 

Client Services is scheduling GAIL Team Refresher Trainings. To schedule a group refresher in any of our courses for your team, email askit@uga.edu. 

 

Annual Giving

2021 Faculty/Staff/Retiree Campaign 

In March, faculty, staff, and retirees will receive mailers that encourage them to take part in this year’s campaign (which ends June 30). PAWS members who have already donated to UGA this fiscal year will get a thank you mailer. Everyone will receive UGA-themed stickers to show their Bulldog Pride. 

 

Best Practices to Solicit Leadership Annual Gifts 

If you’ve ever wondered about the thought process behind Leadership Annual Gifts (LAG)—What they are? How they are managed? How to maximize your solicitation efforts? Check out A Look into Leadership Annual Gifts with UGA’s Central Annual Giving Team, an informative blog post from Joey Lynn. 

Career Center

Top 25 Employers for Class of 2020 

An ad on the back of the Spring issue of Georgia magazine celebrated the top 25 Employers for the Class of 2020. A digital thank you is being planned for these employers to receive later this spring.  

 

Real Talk: A UGA Mentor Program Podcast 

Check out the latest episode of the podcast and subscribe today! Listen here or wherever you find your podcasts. Upcoming episodes will discuss being a first-generation student at UGA and imposter syndrome. 

 

UGA Mentor Program Participation 

2918 mentees – "The UMP has really shaped everything I love about the university. Mentorship and its impact have been intertwined in my everyday college life." – UGA Student Mentee 

  

2754 mentors – “I hadn't had much engagement with UGA in a while, and this was the perfect way to give back and become more involved.” – UGA Alumni Mentor 

  

AY 2020-2021  

• 1007 mentorships  
• 66 informational interviews  

Communications

Top 9 UGA Alumni Social Posts of 2021  

Ever wondered what content performs the best on the UGA Alumni social media channels? Now you don’t have to wonder, thanks to a blog post by Caitlyn Richtman. 

 

Spring Georgia Magazine 

The spring issue is available online. DAR's copies are in the upstairs break room in One Press Place and by the printer in the DARCOMM suite. Need copies or have questions? Email Elizabeth Elmore. 

 

State Botanical Garden of Georgia 

Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum Offering Timed Access  

The garden's newest building holds the personal collection of Deen Day Sanders, a charter board member of the State Botanical Garden. Develop your ideas on art and nature and celebrate the natural environment through the lens of the many artists on display. Register for a time to visit.  

 

Private Adventures with Garden Education Staff 

Choose from four 90-minute programs that include games and activities through the gardens and trails, focusing on the natural world and the magic of the forest. Parents or chaperones must accompany children and are included in the participant numbers and cost. $10/person with a maximum of 10 participants. To register, email Audrey Stadler or call her at 706-583-0894. 

Human Resources

Open Positions 

This is to make you aware of current position postings in the Development & Alumni Relations division. We encourage anyone interested in applying to do so. All UGA HR policies and procedures will apply. If you know of any potential candidates who may be a good fit for an opportunity, please contact Michelle Carter. 

 

DAR – Career Center 

Working Title:  Career Consultant 

Posting:  S05785P  

 

DAR – Office of Principal Gifts

Working Title:  Senior Director of Principal Gifts 

Posting:  S05465P 

Transitions

• Welcome to Kathy Adams, Administrative Associate for Special Events (new hire)  

Do you have information that you'd like included in the April or May edition of the Pulse? Send it to Emily Munnell.

 

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