During his annual speech on the state of the University of Georgia, President Michael Adams stressed the college's role in the state and called on lawmakers and alumni to help the institution succeed.
"Georgia's success depends on UGA's success," Adams said Thursday.
He thanked Gov. Nathan Deal for recommending public colleges receive full funding next year to cover increased enrollment. But he said lawmakers must help the college provide more competitive salaries, saying UGA has lost ground to peer colleges.
Adams also called on alumni to increase donations, noting student financial aid requests increased by 34 percent over the past five years. LAURA DIAMOND
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Georgia’s public colleges will have more money to build dorms, parking decks, student centers and other non-academic buildings under a bill the Senate Appropriations Committee passed Thursday.
Senate Bill 302 increases from $300 million to $500 million the cap for the Georgia Higher Education Facilities Authority. The group has already issued $294.9 million in revenue bonds, said Sen. Cecil Staton, R-Macon, who sponsored the bill.
The projects must have a set source of money for repayment. Students are the main source, often paying thousands of dollars a year in fees and other charges.
Some lawmakers questioned whether they will have to increase the cap again in a couple of years. Sen. Bill Heath, R-Bremen, cast the sole vote against the bill, expressing concern about the rising costs of college. LAURA DIAMOND
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Winning is sweet! Marcia Adams, 33, of College Park matched all of the winning numbers in Tuesday's Mega Millions drawing and claimed the $72 million prize Thursday.
After final sales were tallied, the jackpot increased from the advertised $71 million. Adams selected the cash option amount, which is $52 million.
Her boyfriend was craving a Hershey’s with almonds chocolate bar on the night of the drawing, but at her urging he purchased two Quik Piks instead when they stopped at a Chevron Food Mart on Buffington Road.
“We found out this morning while he was taking me to work,” said Adams, who works in accounting. “I almost lost my mind.”
For now, she plans to keep working. She and her boyfriend have dated seven years.
“We’re going to plan for our wedding and buy a house,” she said. “We just want to be happy.” BOB HOWARD
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