News from the Chronicles - April 2025

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2025 Franklin College Alumni Awards and Donor Celebration

The Franklin College honored donors and alumni April 11 at the annual Franklin College Alumni Awards and Donor Celebration. Philanthropic support for new professorships and expanded Study Away opportunities and scholarships for students, as well as facilities and instructional innovations in the Jill and Marvin Willis Center for Writing and the Layton Design Studio provided a snapshot of an outstanding 2025 and the building blocks for new…

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Senior Russian Flagship double-major named a 2025 Truman Scholar

University of Georgia senior Mercedes “Sadie” Bengs is one of 54 undergraduates from 49 colleges and universities across the nation to be selected as a 2025 Truman Scholar, a prestigious award given each year to students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential and commitment to a career in government or the nonprofit sector. Bengs is from Aberdeen, South Dakota, and is studying international affairs in the School of Public and…

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UGA wins Regents Cup Debate Series

The Georgia Debate Union won the overall team title at this year's Regents Cup Debate Tournament on Thursday, April 17. The Regents Cup was created by Chancellor Sonny Perdue in 2024 to support civil dialogue and debate amongst USG colleges and universities. The competition was hosted by the University System of Georgia at Middle Georgia State University in Macon.    The Georgia Debate Union is housed in the Franklin College of Arts…

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New research suggests 'unique duality' of wild and domesticated yeasts

New research from the University of Georgia suggests our familiarity with yeast traces back to the footsteps of our ancestors. Humans domesticated baker’s yeast as early as 7000 BCE to make bread, beer, wine and sake. However, wild varieties of the same yeast species also live on trees. These domesticated and wild yeast look different genetically, but UGA researchers wanted to explore possible links between the two: “Other studies had just…

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Franklin College Innovation Initiative 2025 – the next quarter-century

Part 2 of 3 – Research Partnerships and Public Engagement Franklin College has introduced a three-part Innovation Initiative guiding its efforts and focus into the next era of American higher education. The initiative consists of three pillars designed to complement each other and work together: 1) Academic Innovation, 2) Research Partnerships and Public Engagement, and 3) Student Success. In the second of a three-part series of interviews,…

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Student Q & A: Alexa Bill shows the power of 'and'

Alexa Bill, double major in history and social studies education in the Mary Frances Early College of Education, and triple minor in classics, European studies & historic preservation in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences shows the power of the ampersand with her multiple academic pursuits as well as many interests on and off campus. 1. What advice would you give to high school students who are preparing for the college…

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UGA student thrives in Layton Design Studio

Ally Smith, 2025 Dodd commencement speaker and recipient of Art Director’s Award for Outstanding undergraduate student, is a fourth-year graphic design student with a minor in studio art, design and media at UGA’s Lamar Dodd School of Art. Smith has worked closely with alumna Kelly Layton (BFA graphic design, '90) and credits her own interests in participating in the newly introduced Layton Design Studio to Layton herself. Layton Design Studio…

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Franklin Forward Research Grants

The Franklin College announced the latest round of funding through the Franklin Forward graduate student seed grant program. In the spring 2025 cycle, six projects were funded, with donor support. The six Franklin Forward recipients for spring 2025, and their projects: Carsynn Miller, doctoral student, industrial/Organizational Psychology: Effective Talent Management Strategies for Autistic Employees Sloan Garner, doctoral student,Theatre and…

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Dawgs In the Desert – Morocco Connect Abroad Reflections 

Dawgs make their mark wherever they go, and now their prints are left behind in the golden sands of Morocco. For three first-year students — international affairs major Brady Hawkins, regenerative bioscience major Bram Rosenblatt and music education major Nichole Botsoe — the opportunity to take their studies overseas through the University of Georgia’s recently-introduced Connect Abroad program provided an unforgettable experience.  We…

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