Vaccination administering events are currently being planned and expected to begin as early as late April for all interested GHC students. 

“Georgia Highlands College is working to provide multiple opportunities for vaccination events for students and employees,” said President Donald Green. “Several are currently being planned.”

Students received an email on Tuesday, April 13 asking them to complete a form indicating their level of interest in receiving a vaccine and preferred location sites by April 16. 

Results from the response forms will help decisions-makers determine when and where the vaccines will be offered.

GHC is partnering with West-End Pharmacy, based in Cartersville, to provide vaccines and administration. The Cartersville campus is currently the only campus that has a confirmed event.

Brenton Bigger, a student from the Cartersville campus said, “Personally, I think that they should be available to all campuses if the students want it.” 

Juliet Kozee, assistant professor of English, said, “Cartersville is a central location to all of our sites… and one of the largest sites, so it makes sense that it was chosen.” 

Kozee said, “It would be ideal if the vaccine administration event could be brought to all campuses and sites, but ideal is not always possible.”

In late February, GHC held a vaccine administration event for its faculty. Some students were not pleased that faculty were given an opportunity to be vaccinated before students.

Cartersville student worker, LaChaz Phillips, said, “To be honest, I don’t think that it’s fair that the faculty could get it and the students couldn’t.”

Some larger USG institutions were able to offer vaccines to faculty, staff and students at the same time because they had Health Services located on their campuses. 

“I do realize that it may seem unfair that faculty and staff were offered the vaccines first, but I also understand that the decisions on who gets in line first must be very difficult to make with supply being so limited in the early stages of the vaccine rollout,” said Brandy Roger, assistant professor of biology. 

“I think it makes sense that the vaccines were offered to faculty and staff before students, simply from the standpoint that there are more individuals who fall into older age brackets, and therefore into higher-risk categories than most students,” said Rogers. 

The possible side effects and newness of the vaccine has some students apprehensive about the vaccine.

Noah Nichols, Cartersville student, is more concerned about the possible long-term side effects of the vaccine than the short-term problems of the virus itself. Nichols relates this to a coworker of his who received an experimental polio vaccine in the 1960s and suffered side-effects.

Nichols said, “[You] don’t want to force a vaccine that may have long term effects that we don’t know on anybody, but also if you’re going to be dealing with masses of people, might as well be safe.” 

“If it’s provided but still a choice, why not?” said Nichols. 

Bigger said, ”I don’t think I’ll be getting vaccinated until later on just due to the fact that the vaccine is still so new. I think once you have the vaccine, masks should no longer be a requirement since the vaccine has such a high rate of success so far.”

“I would like to thank everyone for getting vaccinated,” Kozee said, “You’re not only protecting yourself, but you’re also protecting the most vulnerable members of our society… It’s been wonderful to see our GHC community come together for the greater good and it makes me proud to be part of this institution.”  

GHC is putting on a race for students, faculty and family. On Saturday, April 17th, the Rabbit Run will be held at the Cartersville campus, starting at 11 a.m.

The race is a 5 kilometer, 3.1 mile, run. A free T-shirt and boxed lunch will be provided to participants afterwards.

COVID-19 safety regulations will be in effect. Masks are required before and after the race. Staggered starts and social distancing will allow for individual safety.

Although registration is not necessary, those who are interested are urged to fill out this form to help with planning.

Brother 2 Brother serves GHC’s African American and minority male student population by providing mentorship, scholarship opportunities and resources.

B2B attempts to connect its members with tutoring, mentorship and fellowship.

While the male population at GHC is dwarfed by the female population, minority males consist of an even smaller portion of the student population. B2B attempts to help minority men realize they are not alone in their academic pursuits.

Cartersville student, Drake Nguyen, said “I think it’s a cool club that allows minorities to band together during these days.” Nguyen said, “Especially when, even though it’s 2021, racial tensions are pretty high.”

Dean of Humanities, Jon Hershey, has been involved with the club since its inception 13 years ago. Hershey said, “Brother 2 Brother is a student organization for minority men that focuses on leadership skills, improving academic performance and increasing retention and graduation rates.”

“It’s a student-run organization. The students set their own agendas,” Hershey said, “They plan meetings and activities. While that is happening, they have faculty and staff to advise them. And it has been very successful.”

Brother 2 Brother is part of the Georgia Highlands African American and Minority Male Excellence (GHAME) program. GHAME is GHC’s contribution to the statewide program African American Male Initiative (AAMI).

The AAMI was started due to college minority male success and graduation rates being much lower than any other college group. GHC created the GHAME program shortly after AAMI’s introduction.

Hershey has a vested interest in the initiative. “I think, at a certain level, all teachers are problem solvers,” Hershey said, “So that was an issue [graduation rates] I was made aware of. I had students who I knew needed some guidance.
We have some student success initiatives previously that I was involved in. I had attended some statewide conferences about the initiatives available and I asked if we could try this here.”

“As far as I know, all men are guilty of not asking for help when they need it,” Hershey said. “I do believe very strongly that if we work together to resolve a problem for a group of students, it benefits all students.”

GHC is in its second semester of the Allatoona Lake Research project. Students are collecting water samples and testing for acidity, electrical conductivity and dissolved oxygen.

The project aims to give students hands-on research, both in the lab and field, and give them references and connections. The research project is naturally aimed towards those interested in the natural sciences, but it provides valuable resources to many different fields as well. All GHC students are welcome to participate free of cost.

The project is divided into two primary research opportunities — lab and field research.
Field research consists of gathering field kits from the Cartersville campus, traveling to their designated sampling site, gathering samples and returning them to campus. Those assigned to lab work will use the fresh samples for their research in chemical and microbiological analysis.

Chemistry professor and Division Chair of Physical Sciences, Erin Shufro, is one of the professors overseeing the project. Shufro said, “It’s been amazing.”

“I like being in the lab,” said Cartersville student, Kavan Youngblood. “I am actually looking forward to going into oncology research at a later date. So that is why I am venturing into it [lab research] right now.”

“The students are really into what they’re doing,” Shufro said, “We’ve got 25 students right now. They all come in at different times of the day working on different projects. We have students working on the microbiology aspect… We’ve also got students who come in and take these field kits and go out to the lake to take field samples.”

Although dedicated research tasks are assigned to students, they are free to tackle other areas of the project after they feel comfortable with their currently assigned tasks.

“We gave everyone a dedicated task… Then every student is allowed to cross-train on everything else,” Shufro said. “Each student gets an opportunity to see all aspects of the research project.”

Mary Stevenson, president of Green Highlands and Cartersville campus student, said, “I started work on it at the beginning of this semester and I collect water from two sites every Tuesday.”

“I am a biology major looking to move into a career of research and conservation,” Stevenson said. “I love this project because it gives me a chance to get fieldwork experience as well as equipment knowledge.

“My partner and I went to our sites and collected samples while we took measurements of some chemical aspects of the lake. It was pouring rain the whole time we were out there, but I think that’s half the fun of it. Being able to have those experiences is so important.

“I have done some lab work, which I really enjoyed. It was a slow process, but it’s rewarding to see the patterns in data. I would like to say a big thank you to the professors who have dedicated their time to this project because it gives us this opportunity for undergraduate research.”

Disney Smith, from the Cartersville campus, said, “I’ve been working on it since this semester started because we got to work very quickly after the first meeting.

“I’m a biology major, and I believe this project will help me get a better look into hands-on fieldwork, rather than just research. It will also be beneficial in looking for future career choices.

“We collected water at two sites, which were tested for ph, electrical conductivity and dissolved oxygen,” Smith said, “I’ve tried chemical analysis, but I’m mostly doing the microbiology part, which I enjoy the most. I am so glad I joined this group because it has provided me with new friends, an opportunity to work hands-on with science and a way to help the community.”

This project is open to all students at GHC, regardless of major or career path. It is intended to give students a proper research experience without incredibly high expectations.

“It is not a huge time investment,” Shufro said. “We ask students to commit to at least one semester and four hours a week.”

“The one thing I really want to emphasize, we want every student at Georgia Highlands to have access to this kind of experience,” Shufro said, ”You don’t have to be enrolled into a science course. You don’t have to be a science major. You don’t have to have experience.”

For project details and information on joining, contact Erin Shufro at eshufro@highlands.edu

The University System of Georgia will be saying farewell to its chancellor, Dr. Steve Wrigley, on July 1. Dr. Wrigley has served the USG as chancellor for three years and worked in public service for 36 years. Although he has only served as chancellor for 3 years, Dr. Wrigley held the position of vice chancellor of the USG from 2011 until his appointment as chancellor in 2017.

“Chancellor Steve Wrigley has served as the 13 Chancellor of the University System of Georgia since 2017,” said President Don Green, “It has been a pleasure to work with him in that time. Chancellor Wrigley and the Board of Regents continue to support the efforts of Georgia Highlands College and its primary mission to provide affordable access to a college degree across northwest Georgia.”

Green continued, “The continuous support of the chancellor, the USG and the Board of Regents help make it possible for GHC to remain a place where high-quality curriculums did instruction are provided at one of the lowest tuition rates in the country. I know I extend appreciation from both GHC and our surrounding communities when I say how thankful we all have been for Chancellor Wrigley’s devotion to college affordability and efficiency.”

Dr. Wrigley has worked with the USG to serve its students. By consolidating 36 colleges in Georgia into 26, he saved an estimated $30 million, which was then reinvested into the USG and its programs. During his residency, the USG has seen a nearly 10 point raise in four-year graduation rates. Dr. Wrigley also has been a major proponent of increasing the usage of low-cost or free textbooks and ebooks for students, alongside utilizing eCore programs more heavily.

Tara Mathis, a Cartersville campus student-faculty, said, “A lot of classes are trying to get out of having students pay so much for textbooks,” Mathis continued, “all my textbooks are online for the most part… and that’s really great for students who pay out of pocket. And then tuition, it is a lot lower than what it could be. As far as Wrigley retiring, it’s great, but it makes me wonder what’s going to change and if they do, how much are they going to change.”

The USG is currently embarking on the search for the next chancellor and has formed the Regents Search Advisory Group to perform a national search.

Cartersville student, Whitney Harris, said, “The state of Georgia has been blessed to have him as our chancellor and to have him serve as long as he did. A person who has worked in the system for as long as he has should be recognized… I believe that person will also do a great job. Everyone is placed in a position for a reason. I wish the best of luck to both of them.”

“I appreciate his efforts for cheapening the costs,” said Cartersville student Fernando Juarez, “I have high hopes for his next successor.”

Before working with the USG, Dr. Wrigley served as the Chief of Staff to governor Zell Miller and assisted in the creation of the HOPE Scholarship. Dr. Wrigley will be leaving his position as chancellor with 36 years of public service behind him.

Today, February 1, marks the first day of the Next Step Fair at Georgia Highlands College that will continue through Thursday, February 4. The fair is an event where a collection of other colleges come and present their available programs, facilities, explain why students should consider transferring to their college and how to do so. This event provides a way for students to compare college offerings while making transfer decisions.

Professor Cindy Wheeler, an advising specialist for the School of Humanities said, “This is a good opportunity to get concrete answers to important questions regarding transferring, for example, the admissions process and deadlines, GPA requirements and financial aid and scholarship opportunities.”

Wheeler wants students to realize the opportunity the school is providing them.

Unlike previous years, this year’s fair will be a little different. The fair is entirely virtual and each college has their own dedicated Zoom and presentation times. Despite this, students should expect to be able to fully interact with the presenters and ask any questions they have.

Wheeler said, “Students just starting at GHC or those who are getting close to graduation will all benefit from the information that the representatives have to share. These sessions help ease fears or anxieties that students might have about the transfer process.”

To view the meeting times for specific colleges, click here. For the Zoom link, click here.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be celebrated differently due to Covid-19. While Atlanta won’t be packed with live events this Monday, people are still finding ways to celebrate the memory and message of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.

This year, the MLK March Committee will not be hosting a physical march in Atlanta. Instead, the organization has opted to host a virtual rally through its website on MLK Day at 2 p.m. But for those more interested in a physical movement, the MLK 5K will be held at Stone Mountain Park on Jan.18. Registration for the race includes a pass to the park.

As in the past, the MLK Commemorative Service will still be held. However, it will be virtual and live streamed on the King Center’s website, Facebook page and Fox 5.

For those inclined to the outdoors, all national parks permit free admission to everyone on MLK Day.

Hands On Atlanta is hosting its Sunday Supper virtually and is welcoming a long list of Georgia’s leaders to speak during the event.

Three vice presidents will mark February 2021 as their final days at Georgia Highlands College before retiring. Jeff Patty, Gini Siler and Mary Transue will be leaving after a combined service of 47 years at GHC.

Jeff Patty, Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer, first started his career at GHC in 1990 and has been operating in the Information Technology department during his 30 years of employment. Patty has personally seen the college grow through the age of the internet, and has been thankful of the team that the IT department has cultivated.

Ginni Siler, Vice President for Human Resources and Chief Human Resource Officer, has been servicing the college since 2009 and has worked to maintain the efficiency of the GHC Human Resources’ technology.

Mary Transue, Senior Vice President for Advancement and Enrollment Management and the Executive Director of the GHC Foundation Inc., has been working and advocating for GHC and its students’ success since 2014. Transue has ensured the availability of scholarships and programs for GHC students.

President Don Green ended a congratulatory message by saying, “Enough cannot truly be said about how much each of these individuals have accomplished for our college. I’ll miss their expertise, guidance, leadership and above all else, their absolute commitment to our students, faculty, staff and college community.”

On Saturday, Dec. 5, the GOP headquarters in Rome, Georgia, held an event that welcomed Senator David Perdue and Congressmen Dan Crenshaw. The event started officially at 12:30 p.m., where the attendees awaited Sen. Perdue’s campaign bus outside the GOP HQ. The occasion was a state-wide excursion held by the Senator’s campaign in his ongoing battle to win reelection due to the runoff.

He was supported by Congressmen Crenshaw and former Governor of Mississippi, Haley Barbour. The main topic of the event was the need for Georgia voters to get their vote in by Jan. 5. The election went to runoff since no candidate received a majority vote.

Sen. Perdue spoke mainly on securing Congress for the Republican party. He talked about how the runoff is more important than the original Nov. 3 election. He mentioned that the voter block is larger now due to citizens turning 18 since voting day. Rep. Crenshaw also emphasized the importance of the younger voters in his speech.

When asked to make a statement about Sen. Perdue’s appearance, Douglasville student Christina Nelson said, “Any appearance I’ve heard him at was to campaign, it’s never been about the students. To keep it short, I will not be voting for him in January, he’s made too many mistakes and Georgia is finally seeing it. It’s time for a new leader, it’s time for change.”

Highlands student, Joseph McDaniel, gave a similar quote in opposition to Perdue, “Perdue seems like a pretty cowardly dude,” he said, “After being totally annihilated by Ossoff in the debate they had, and clips of it going viral, he’s refused to accept any future challenges. I vastly prefer Ossoff because his youth represents my interests way more.”

When asked whether the event could be considered a success, Luke Martin, the PR director of the local GOP, said, “Senator Perdue has been here several times, this is probably his biggest crowd.”

Martin highlighted Rome as being a popular stop for candidates when campaigning in Georgia, as seen by President Donald Trump’s visit prior to the Nov. 3 election. He also said that on Dec. 13, Ohio Congressman and founding member of the Freedom Caucus, Jim Jordan, will be making an appearance in Rome. Senator Loeffler is also expected to make an appearance on Dec. 15.

Aaron Green, a Cartersville student, gave his support when asked to about Sen. Perdue, “I feel Senator Perdue is a great leader in our state. I will be voting for him and he has my full support.”

Martin’s closing note was a statement on the alleged voting fraud in the current election, saying, “People are trying to tell the Republicans the election is rigged. Well, you can overcome that by turning out and voting.”

November marks American Diabetes Awareness Month, a time where diabetics come together to raise awareness of their disease, struggles, stories and success. Last Thursday, Kimberly Roberts, Assistant Professor of Nursing, hosted a webinar that explained what diabetes is, what types exist and how to treat it. During the webinar, Roberts focused on the detection and prevention of type 2 diabetes. Roberts also went into depth on the management of the different forms of diabetes.

Diabetes is commonly stereotyped and misunderstood. Many confuse type 1 and type 2 or simply do not realize there is more than one type of diabetes. However, the truth is that it afflicts millions of Americans, radically changing their way of life. For me, cultivating a better understanding of the disease for both those with and without it is very important.

Roberts emphasized the importance of diet and exercise for every type of diabetes. She talked about a dieting technique that has been modified for diabetics: the diabetes plate method. This is an aspect that I, a type 1 diabetic, can attest to personally.

As a diabetic of 16 years, life has been a constant race of trial and error. Every morning is the beginning of a brand new trial. For those who are newly diagnosed, this can make life seem daunting. However, one of the best treatments I have been able to utilize is safe self-treatment: exercise and diet. Life as a diabetic is even more sporadic and unpredictable, which makes the factors that can be controlled so important.

Exercise is important to everyone’s health, but for a diabetic, it is even more so. The complications of uncontrolled diabetes are terrifying and life-threatening. But regular exercise lowers blood sugars, insulin resistance and improves metabolism, giving more control over the diabetic’s life.

Diet is even more important, given that you eat more than you exercise. Diet is also one of the hardest things to control as a diabetic. Getting into an exercise routine requires time and willpower, but diet is influenced by too many factors and too heavily by chance. You might not be able to control every meal you will ever eat. This makes diet the most important aspect to control as a diabetic.

Roberts talked about the importance of fiber and starches in the diet of a diabetic. Dietary fiber is a complex carbohydrate that is not broken down by the body for energy. Starches, however, are broken down by the body for use as energy. Simple sugars — labeled as “total sugars” in nutrition facts — are directly absorbed by the body. Starches are an excellent carbohydrate source of energy for diabetics, as their impact on blood sugar is much slower than simple sugars, which makes them easier to control.

For newly diagnosed diabetics, carbs may easily be mistaken as the enemy. The issue with carbs is that they are necessary for a diabetic’s diet plan. The distinction is the importance of eating a diet high in fibrous and starchy carbohydrates and low in simple and added sugars. Roberts suggests eating a large diet of leafy green vegetables, like broccoli and spinach. She also utilizes a test to help those who fear they may be pre-diabetic: a term to describe someone at risk for type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes is an umbrella term for three different known diseases that are characterized by decreased or halted insulin production in the body. The general idea of diabetes is usually associated with either type 1 or 2.

Type 2 is more common, preventable and manageable. Age, weight, underlying conditions and race all play a part in the likelihood of becoming type 2. Individuals with type 2 are what is known as insulin resistant. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, is used by the body to properly regulate sugar levels in the bloodstream.

Gestational diabetes is a disorder that afflicts women during pregnancy by increasing insulin resistance. It is typically lost shortly after birth.

Type 1 is less common, afflicting over 1 million Americans. Type 1 is typically diagnosed in childhood. Type 1, unlike type 2 and gestational, is an autoimmune disease. This means the immune system of a person with type 1 attacks its host body, specifically the beta cells in the pancreas, which produce insulin.