October 23, 2008

UGA's Interdisciplinary Advantage in Infectious Disease
Bringing together well-established strengths in veterinary medicine, ecology, agriculture and forestry with its new College of Public Health has uniquely positioned the University of Georgia to tackle emerging infectious diseases. Because most microbes that cause human harm can be transmitted from animals, much of UGA's work is centered around the College of Veterinary Medicine and its state-of-the-art laboratories. Collaboration among different disciplines is yielding results that could avert an avian flu pandemic, produce a better tuberculosis vaccine and test for latent TB, or discover how West Nile Virus moves between species. Along the way, UGA is training young scientists to confront diseases of the future. Full story >
 
Laura Mendenhall to End Her Tenure at CTS
Laura Mendenhall has announced that she will conclude her tenure as president of Columbia Theological Seminary at the end of the 2008-2009 year. She will return to Texas to be with family and serve as an advisor with the Texas Presbyterian Foundation. Mendenhall became the seminary's eighth president in 2000. During her administration, the seminary has seen growth in enrollment and fund raising and invested in information technology and new facilities, including a student residence hall that will be ready for occupancy next summer. More >

SCAD Reopens Ivy Hall for Atlanta
Savannah College of Art and Design has reopened the midtown Atlanta mansion Ivy Hall as a cultural arts and writing center. SCAD fully restored the historic home, previously known as the Mansion restaurant and the Peters House. The project was honored this month by the Georgia chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Lectures and events are under way, on topics ranging from Indian cinema to antebellum architecture in Georgia to famous fashions in literature. Atlanta public TV station PBA 30 chronicles the work in a five-part documentary airing Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. through Nov. 22.   More >

Local Colleges Help Make Sense of Economic Crisis
Atlanta-area colleges and universities are inviting the public to campus for forums on the turbulent financial markets and global economic downturn. CPAs, economists, historians and faculty experts in international business, real estate, finance and public policy are shedding light on what has happened, what to do, and what might happen next. Clayton State, Georgia State, Mercer, University of Georgia and University of West Georgia have all arranged events.

Evolution Revolution: How Science Changes Life  
A public symposium beginning today at Emory University brings some of the world's leading scientists together to explore the future of evolution and how technology and research may transform our lives. "Evolution Revolution" anticipates the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of "On the Origin of Species." Among those featured are E. O. Wilson, known as "the father of biodiversity," and New York Times columnist Olivia Judson. The event includes panels of Emory and Georgia Tech faculty and a workshop for high school teachers. More >
 
On the Ballot: Future of Atlanta-Fulton Libraries
On Nov. 4, Fulton County citizens will vote on a $275 million bond referendum to expand and renovate their public libraries. The bonds would fund eight new libraries, expand two, and renovate 23. The referendum would also include a major expansion of the Auburn Avenue Research Library and significant funding for a new Central Library. The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System is an ARCHE affiliated library and participates in ARCHE's interlibrary loan sharing. More >

What Sort of Child Grows up to Be President?
As the country prepares to select its next leader, a president of the future is riding a bike, taking music lessons, or going to high school. National Archives items from 12 Presidential Libraries shed light on leaders from Herbert Hoover to George W. Bush at an exhibit at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library (an ARCHE affiliated library). "School House to White House: The Education of the Presidents" displays report cards of Lyndon Johnson and Jimmy Carter, a photo of Bill Clinton's kindergarten class, and an essay on the political career aspirations of 12-year-old Richard Nixon. More >

Please share this issue with your colleagues, who may subscribe via the link below. And let us know what you think.

Photo credits: Atlanta-Fulton County Public Library System, Columbia Theological Seminary, Georgia State University, Savannah College of Art and Design-Atlanta, University of Georgia, University of West Georgia.