2004 journalism major Josh Darnell ‘04 has endured several surgeries is currently undergoing intensive rehabilitation since being wounded in Afghanistan earlier this year.  The U. S. Army lieutenant was leading a routine patrol through a market in Kabul January 8 when a suicide bomber struck, killing five and injuring several others.  Josh sustained a severe injury to his right arm when the blast sent shrapnel through his elbow.  Last week, NBC aired a story of the unique rehab and hospital set up for his recovery.  Read about the Kabul attack here.  The Alumni Association wishes Josh a full recovery. 

New York Metropolitan Opera star Anne-Carolyn Bird ‘99 will be in concert at UGA’s Performing Arts Center Saturday night, singing what she calls a non-operatic performance.  About to begin her third season at the Met, Anne-Carolyn will sing selections in four different languages from several composers ranging from Richard Rogers to Sergei Rachmaninoff.  Click here for more information about this talented Bulldog.

The UGA student chapter of Habitat for Humanity’s Act! Speak! Build! Week begins March 29 in Athens and runs through April 5.  Activities kick off at midnight Sunday with a street painting celebration between the Tate Center and Memorial Hall.  Other events include a poverty panel discussion, Habifest, participation in the Athens Area Habitat’s 5K, and screening of the documentary “Kicking It.”  The Alumni Association is proud to be a sponsor of the UGA Habitat chapter and all the good things these students do.  If you’d like more info about next week’s Habitat festivities, please click here.  Many of our alumni chapters and clubs throughout Georgia and across the country take part in Habitat builds each year as a way to give back to their respective communities.

Applications are being accepted through the end of March for our Student Alumni Council, the governing body of the 3,000-member Student Alumni Association.  The main duty of the SAC is to enhance the relationship between UGA students and the Alumni Association, at the same time being good will ambassadors for us at numerous events throughout the year.   They coordinate student-only activities including “Beat Shirts,” Ring Ceremony, 100 Days Before Graduation, and Dinner with a Dozen Dawgs.  In order to be on the SAC, you must first be a member of the SAA, the largest student organization on campus.  For all the information and to complete an application form, click here.  To join the Alumni Association, please visit our web site.

1988 UGA law grad and current law school professor, Anne Proffitt Dupre, has just published a new book about free speech in public schools.  Speaking Up: The Unintended Costs of Free Speech in Public Schools uses court rulings throughout history to paint a clear picture of school speech, including the tumultuous civil rights and Vietnam War era of the 1960s.  Anne joined the UGA law faculty in 1994 and is known as an expert in education law.  She currently holds the J. Alton Hosch Professorship, and in 2004 became just the fourth woman in Georgia Law history to be appointed to an endowed position.  Congratulations, Anne, on the new book.

2001 graduate Keith Nesbitt has awarded $1,000 scholarships each of the last seven years to deserving minority students at the annual UGA National Pan Hellenic Council “Faceoff” step show.  Since 2003, 15 Black undergrads have received the Keith J. Nesbitt NPHC Scholarship, an honor he won in 1998.  After graduation Keith decided to fund the award and it was subsequently named in his honor.  Asked why he supports the award, Keith said he “understands the many issues and financial pressures facing Black students attending the university.  Awarding this scholarship is my way of giving back to my university and those with whom I share a unique experience.”

In an effort to further connect and engage our alumni, we have several events planned this week.  I invite you to choose ones you can attend. 

- Business After Hours at The Taco Stand in Atlanta, March 23.  Sponsored by the Fulton County Alumni Chapter.

- Business After Hours at Urban Flats in Lawrenceville, March 24.  Sponsored by the Gwinnett County Alumni Chapter.

- Rebound Program Career Panel in Decatur at the Gregory A. Adams Juvenile Justice Center, March 25.  Sponsored by the DeKalb County Alumni Chapter.

- Multicultural Leadership Reception at Wray-Nicholson House, March 25

- Women of UGA Lunch Group: Perimeter, Wildfire Restaurant in Dunwoody, March 27

- Women of UGA Lunch Group: Downtown, Azio Restaurant in Atlanta, March 27

For more information about the Alumni Association, please visit our web site.

Last fall we enlisted your assistance in the Food 2 Kids Ravioli Roll and more than 5,000 cans were collected!  And now, we are pleased to again be a drop off station for the latest food drive effort, the Chili Corral.  The Food 2 Kids program sends meals home with children who likely will go hungry over the weekend.  These kids get a box of food as they leave school on Fridays so they won’t have to start the new week on an empty stomach.  In Athens alone, this program feeds nearly 200 children each week.  Project coordinator Deby Sorenson says the goal is to collect 5,000 cans of the pop-top chili by the end of the month.  Drop off your cans by the Wray-Nicholson House and they will be picked up by the Foodbank of Northeast Georgia.  Click here for more information and other drop off locations for the Chili Corral.

If you’re looking for a great lunch Friday, spend it with the Alumni Association as we host a Women of UGA Lunch Group in Atlanta.  Guest speaker for this event is Dominique Holman ‘01, ‘04, Assistant Director of Compliance for the Georgia State University Athletic Department.  I invite you to exchange ideas and mingle with other Women of UGA in the casual atmosphere of Fuego restaurant on Crescent Avenue in Atlanta’s Midtown section.  Click here form more information.

I am so excited to announce that we will again have Corey Smith in concert at Chastain Park this summer.  A 2001 graduate, Corey’s music echoes his love for UGA.  Tickets for Alumni Association members include an exclusive meet-and-greet session with Corey, so don’t miss your opportunity July 18 to be introduced to a rising star in the music business.  Click here for all the details for An Evening with Corey Smith, and here to join the UGA Alumni Association.