AJC On Campus: Perdue’s pay, professor aids Ukraine via social media

It’s official. Former two-term Georgia governor and former U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue will be the next University System of Georgia chancellor. The board voted Tuesday, without any no votes, to appoint him to the job, effective April 1.

In this edition of AJC On Campus, we provide details about Perdue’s salary, admissions fee waivers at several dozen Georgia colleges and universities, and an effort by two members of Georgia’s congressional delegation that could help Fort Valley State University.

We also note a big achievement for one Georgia Tech professor and how another professor there is using social media to help the Ukrainian people.

Gold Dome update

Georgia legislators made news on several fronts involving higher education last week.

The House of Representatives on Friday passed HB 1, also known as the FORUM Act, which prevents “free speech zones” on public college and university campuses. House Republicans have led the charge on that bill, saying the zones and other measures targeted in the bill have made it tougher for conservative students and groups to speak on Georgia campuses. Several students spoke at a hearing against the bill, arguing it could make it easier for extremist groups to speak on campus.

Meanwhile, the House’s higher education committee held a hearing Wednesday on HB 1435, which would provide up to $2,500 to low-income students who are close to completing their degrees and are having trouble paying their tuition.

Georgia Tech professor champions Ukraine

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is personal for Georgia Tech professor Ilya Kaminsky.

The Ukrainian-born Kaminsky, who came to America with his family in 1993 as a 16-year-old refugee, has been using his social media accounts to share dispatches from poets and others in his homeland. He’s also sharing information about ways Americans can help Ukrainians. His posts typically draw several hundred likes and retweets.

Kaminsky is an award-winning, critically acclaimed poet who directs the Poetry @ Tech program.

Sonny Perdue’s salary

So how much money will Perdue make as the University System’s chancellor?

His annual compensation package will be $523,900, system officials said Friday.

System officials noted that’s the same amount as Perdue’s predecessor, Steve Wrigley.

Perdue visited the system offices late last week. Acting chancellor Teresa MacCartney has agreed to stay as executive vice chancellor for administration.

Coming soon to Emory: Tyler Perry

Entertainment mogul Tyler Perry made news on several fronts last week. Perry brought his most famous character, Madea, out of retirement with his new Netflix film “A Madea Homecoming.” He also agreed to be the keynote speaker at Emory University’s spring commencement on May 9.

Emory increases tuition

Emory made another important announcement last week. Tuition for undergraduate students will increase by 4.5% from $54,660 to $57,120 for the 2022-23 academic year. The combined undergraduate tuition, fees, room and board will increase by 4.4% from $71,771 to $74,964.

Emory, the state’s largest private university, noted in its announcement that it’s starting a new effort this fall to provide more grants and scholarships for students from lower-income households and eliminate its need-based loan program.

Georgia congressmen demand more support for HBCUs

Two Georgia congressmen recently signed a letter pushing state governments nationwide to better support historically Black colleges and universities that specialize in agricultural education.

The two-page letter says there are funding disparities for what are called 1890 HBCU Land-Grant institutions, colleges and universities that specialize in developing technologies for the agricultural and food industries. The schools, the letter says, get less state funding than land-grant predominantly white schools. There are 19 1890 land-grant HBCUs, including Fort Valley State University, which is located near Macon.

“For 1890 Land-Grant institutions to reach full potential, reliable and equitable state matching funds … is critical,” the letter says.

The letter was signed by U.S. Rep. David Scott, D-Atlanta, House Agriculture Committee chair, and U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Albany.

Application fee waivers

Several dozen public colleges and universities are waiving application fees this month, including the Technical College System of Georgia and the University System of Georgia.

Georgia Military College is also waiving fees this month.

The fees at some of the colleges and universities participating in the effort can range from $25 to $60. Most students fill out applications in the fall.

“As the parents of three daughters who have all pursued higher education, we know firsthand as a family what goes into college prep, and we will continue working to ensure our students and parents have every opportunity to succeed and pursue their education goals,” Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement.

KSU presidential search update

Kennesaw State University last week interviewed a handful of candidates hoping to become its next president.

The fast-growing university has nearly 43,000 students, the third-highest enrollment in the state.

KSU’s last president, Pamela Whitten, left in June to become Indiana University’s president.

Reinhardt University’s new president

Credit: Photo Contributed

Credit: Photo Contributed

Reinhardt University, located in Waleska in North Georgia, has a new president. The university recently held an inauguration for its new leader, Mark A. Roberts.

Roberts, who came to Reinhardt in 2013, has held many titles at the university, including writing center director, executive vice president, vice president for academic affairs, dean of students and provost.

His goals include improving the quality of its academic programs.

UGA breaks ground on new learning center

The University of Georgia began construction last week of a $1.8 million facility that will focus on studying topics such as ecology, archaeology, geology and environmental planning.

The center will be located on the Isle of Hope, a coastal community near Savannah.

UGA officials said the project will primarily be funded through private donations.

STEM program extends to Spelman College

An effort aimed at getting more students involved in science, technology, engineering and math has extended to Spelman College.

SMASH, a national education nonprofit, recently announced it will work at Spelman, the historically Black college for women near downtown Atlanta. The program is geared toward high school students. It is the organization’s second such effort in Atlanta. SMASH began a program five years ago at Morehouse College.

While Black women make up more than 6% of the nation’s population, they represent just 2% of America’s STEM workforce, according to some statistics.

Georgia Tech professor inducted into U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame

Credit: Associated Press

Credit: Associated Press

Georgia Tech professor Sandy Magnus, who made several space missions as a NASA astronaut, will be inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame at a ceremony in June.

Magnus was on a shuttle mission in 2002, and on the final shuttle flight in 2011. She flew to the International Space Station in 2008.

Magnus joined the Georgia Tech faculty in April.