Uga VI will be laid to rest today, just one month shy of turning 10.  Fans and well-wishers are filling up blogs and guest books by the dozens.  In fact, as I write this, there are already 89 pages of comments on the Athens Banner-Herald web site.  One UGA Alum, Kevin Wuzzardo ‘00, WWAY-TV Anchor in Wilmington, North Carolina filed this heart felt commentary on his station’s web site.

The Bulldog Nation is in mourning today.  Uga VI passed away Friday in Savannah from congestive heart failure.  He would have been 10 years old July 22.  I know you join us in sending condolences to the Seilers…a family who has taken care of Georgia’s beloved mascots for more than 50 years. 

“On behalf of all loyal UGA alumni and the Alumni Association, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the entire Seiler family.  UGA VI was indeed a ‘damn good dog.’  Alumni of all ages had a special relationship with him and he always drew a crowd of alumni faithful, whether at the Sugar Bowl, the Homecoming Parade, or simply running into Sanford Stadium before leading us to victory.  We will miss him and all he stood for.”

Statement from UGA Alumni Association President Trey Paris ‘84, ‘85

UGA alum Richard Tucker ‘72 has been elected Chairman of the University System Board of Regents.  The Suwanee resident was appointed to the BOR by Gov. Perdue three years ago and will serve a one-year term beginning July 1.  Richard is the Principal and Managing Partner of Arlington Capital LLC and currently serves as Chairman of the University System of Georgia Foundation.  He also chairs the Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau.  Richard is active in his community as well.  He serves on the Boards of Directors of Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful and the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce where he has served as President, CEO and Chairman.  Richard also is a giant in the business landscape of Georgia.  He’s been recognized four times by Georgia Trend magazine as one of the state’s 100 Most Influential Leaders.

I use this blog daily to promote the good things going on with UGA Alumni.  But today I want to take personal privilege to congratulate one of our staff, Marcus Jennings.  Yesterday, at our division’s fiscal year end celebration, he was recognized, out of nearly 250, as the External Affairs Employee of the Year.  Marcus is an administrative assistant and is one of the hardest working individuals we have.  His pleasant demeanor and can-do attitude make him the ideal employee.  Many of you have likely had interactions with Marcus when you called our office and I am sure you agree he is an asset to the Association and UGA.  Join me in congratulating him on this well deserved honor.

“Helping to turn lives around” is the motto of the East Lake Foundation in Atlanta.  Founded 13 years ago by Cousins Properties Chairman of the Board and UGA alum Tom Cousins ‘52, it is the Foundation’s belief that “everyone deserves a chance to succeed.”  We, too, share Tom’s desires and are an active East Lake Foundation Partner.  We routinely participate in the Read Aloud program at the group’s Charles R. Drew Charter School.  Please contact Chardina Choate ‘05 (cchoate@uga.edu) in our Atlanta office for more information about this wonderful program.

UGA’s Office of Admissions has launched a new effort to help recruit the best students to Athens. The Admissions Referral web site is designed to help the admissions office identify talented high schoolers to include them on a prospective-student mailing list. As you know, competition among the nation’s top universities for this young talent is increasing every year and UGA wants to be on the cutting edge as we seek to bring these sharp minds to campus. For more information please contact Patrick Winter in the admissions office at pwinter@uga.edu.  I also should mention the Alumni Association, in a recent collaboration between us and the admissions office, now has an admissions presence at the Atlanta Alumni Center.  Alumni Admissions Counselors Jackie Pearson (pearson@uga.edu) and Lindsey Dean (learn@uga.edu) are equipped and ready to answer any and all questions about the UGA admissions process.

Every summer UGA’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication shines brightly on the largest stage in the world, New York City.  Last week was no exception.  The 67^th annual Peabody Awards, administered by Grady, were held at a packed Waldorf-Astoria ballroom where the most coveted prize in broadcasting is bestowed to the most gifted in the business.  There were 35 winners this year including Bravo’s reality TV show “Project Runway,” NBC sitcom “30 Rock” and Comedy Central’s news satire “The Colbert Report.”  The death of NBC’s “Meet the Press” host Tim Russert, who died just days before the event, cast a somber mood over the ceremony.  Master of Ceremonies Brian Williams canceled at the last moment to console NBC colleagues but Lesley Stahl, of CBS’ “60 Minutes,” stepped in to emcee.

The College’s star also shines brightly in Athens, boasting more than 1,300 students and a world class faculty led by Dean Culpepper Clark.  Grady alums include ABC News correspondent Deborah Roberts, former CNN CEO Tom Johnson and National Geographic Society’s Sr. VP for Communications Betty Hudson.  Join me in celebrating Grady’s success.

Being a member of the UGA Alumni Association has its benefits.  A yearly membership of only $35 entitles you to a host of discounts including 10% off general admission tickets to the Georgia Aquarium in downtown Atlanta.  If cycling is your passion, Alumni Association member Richard Bedgood ‘91 is offering a 10% discount at his A Trail of Wheels bicycle shop located in Smyrna, Ga.  If it’s boutiques you like, City Salon and Spa in Athens is giving a 20% discount on accessory purchases to include purses and jewelry.  This is just a sampling of the great benefits your UGA Alumni Association membership provides.  For information about many other discounts we offer visit our Bulldog Benefits web page by clicking here.

Congratulations to the University of Georgia College of Education as it celebrates 100 years on campus.  One of the largest of its kind in the country, the UGA College of Education has more than 200 faculty members who lead and teach nearly 5,000 students each semester.  Situated in the 300,000-square-foot Aderhold Hall on South Campus, the COE offers 16 undergraduate majors and more than 34 graduate programs.   It supplies not only the greatest number of K-12 educators in Georgia, but also the largest provider of teachers in the Southeast.  Just recently at a centennial celebration, nearly 600 supporters and well-wishers turned out to mark the milestone anniversary.

Emeritus professor Andy Horne is serving as the College of Education’s interim dean while the university conducts a national search for a successor to Louis Castenell who stepped down last December after eight years as dean.

Click here for more information about the UGA College of Education and its centennial celebration.

With summer in full swing I want to pass along some information about our first Summer Reading list.  We recently compiled this catalog from alums who submitted their favorite book titles.  I want to thank all who gave us their suggestions and hope you find this list exciting and, through it, find some great summer reading.  To view the list click here.

I also would encourage you to check out our list of UGA Alumni Authors.  If you are an alum who has recently published a book, please email our Communications Director Bob Taylor ‘83 at btaylor@uga.edu.

Have an enjoyable and safe summer.  Happy Reading!