College Update 2/2/2026

Congratulations to Anne Sweaney, the Josiah Meigs Distinguished Professor Emerita, on receiving the UGA President’s Medal, one of the university’s highest honors. 

The President’s Medal recognizes individuals, not currently employed at the university, who have made extraordinary contributions to the UGA community by supporting students and academic programs, advancing research or engaging in public service to enhance the quality of life of citizens in Georgia.  

Dr. Sweaney received the award at the Founders Day luncheon on Jan. 28. Please read the press release for more information on Dr. Sweaney and her amazing career. We are so grateful for her many contributions to our college and for her ongoing support! 

Mary Creswell honored 

Mary Creswell, our founding dean and the first woman to receive an undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia, will be inducted into the Georgia Women of Achievement Hall of Fame at a ceremony March 11 at Wesleyan College’s Pierce Chapel in Macon. 

The GWA was organized in 1988 to honor exceptional women who have made significant contributions to the state of Georgia. Creswell broke barriers in higher education and laid the foundation for generations of women to follow. We’re so proud to see her legacy honored this way. For more information, visit https://www.georgiawomen.org/ 

AI update 

With interest in AI, I note with pleasure that Interim Assistant Dean Melissa Landers-Potts has organized several sessions in conjunction with the Teaching Faculty Learning Community on the issue of AI. These are described below. These sessions are open to all! 

When I asked department heads to query the faculty on their use of AI, I received many very interesting and systemic examples of how AI was used in a variety of academic programs. FACS faculty are doing amazing work in this regard. I am happy to let you know that many of your peers are deeply engaged in the thoughtful incorporation of AI into their teaching. 

Our upcoming sessions are planned as places to share examples, spark future use, and discuss how, across a student’s arc of their degree, they can be exposed, practice, and lead the way in using technology appropriate for their career.  

I will also put a plug in for the April Faculty Learning Community and monthly deans discussion in which I will present on the Enduring Skills we in FACS teach students, skills that last beyond any specific new technology.   

FACS Alumni Awards 

Join us as we honor those who have shared their time and talent with FACS at the 47th FACS Alumni Awards on Friday, February 20 at the Athens Country Club. The event begins with an 11:30 a.m. luncheon honoring outstanding alumni and friends of the college. 

This year's honorees include:  

Courtney Koop - Pacesetter (Early Career) Award  

Kristine Cooke - Emily Quinn Pou (Mid-Career) Award  

Jenna Black - Distinguished Alumni Award  

Josh Whitfield - Outstanding Service Award  

Carol Britton Laws - Creswell Award  

Commissioner Kevin Tanner - FACS Appreciation Award  

Brenda Cude - Honor Hall of Recognition  

Tickets are $40. Register here: https://gail.uga.edu/events/facs/47th-alumni-awards 

 

Anne Barge Clegg Event 

Join the UGA Special Collections Libraries on Tuesday, February 24 at 6 p.m. for Fashioning the Classic Bride with Anne Barge Clegg. A reception and exhibition tour will follow in the hallway and galleries.  

Anne Barge is a world-renowned bridal fashion designer, philanthropist and UGA alumna. Barge will discuss her life and career in conversation with Noel Corbin, curator of the new exhibition "Fashioning the Classic Bride: The Life and Career of Anne Barge" on display in the Hargrett Library Gallery of the UGA Special Collections Building from January 26th-July 3rd, 2026. This event is co-sponsored by the UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences and the Special Collections Library.  

This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Register here: https://gail.uga.edu/events/libs/fashioning-the-classic-bride-a-conversation-with-anne-barge-clegg-2026 

Please contact Meredith Young at meredithbyoung@uga.edu at least 7 days in advance if you require accommodations. 

 

Update on OTIS server shutdown during storm 

During the winter storm that blew through last weekend, we made the decision to shut down OTIS servers for safeguarding. This was due to the potential for both a lengthy power outage combined with a network outage as well as ice-covered roads preventing physical access to the servers. When we shut down OTIS servers, everyone loses access to their specific services. 

Notably, the FACS website (fcs.uga.edu) goes down, along with licensing for classroom software and FACS email distribution lists. 
 

Here is what does NOT go down: VPN to UGA; your ability to use Remote Desktop; the UGA website; internet access to and from our rooms; eLC, and UGA EITS services. 

We do not usually shut down any of those servers for the typical winter weather and stormy weather even if power outages are expected.  

Facilities was prepared for the storm and ensured all backup generators were fully charged and ready in the event of a power outage. Our priority is to protect and secure all research materials. 

New ticketing system 

OTIS is launching a new support ticketing system! You should find it easy to work with, dependable, and solid. We will still have emails integrated into every support ticket update, and you can expect the same excellent service from OTIS staff.  

If you have questions, please contact David Floyd, director of information technology, at dfloyd@uga.edu 

Staff Council  

The FACS Staff Council is excited to announce the launch of a new, FACS-focused wellness program – WellDawgs! This is a 12-week well-being initiative that will provide you with opportunities and strategies to enhance various aspects of your mental, physical and social wellness. 

The program will start with an introductory week at the beginning of February and run through April. Each week will focus on a different area of personal wellness, such as personal growth, work/life balance, physical well-being, and more. 

Along the way, you will have opportunities to track your progress and share feedback on what tools and strategies worked best for you. Some activities associated with the weekly themes will also offer chances to win prizes! 

If you would like to participate in the program, click the registration link provided below. We also encourage participants to fill out the optional pre-survey, also linked below. The input we gather from this and additional surveys provided later will be invaluable to our efforts to support this program and help it grow. 

Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/1vc9P4SCQB  

Pre-survey link: https://forms.office.com/r/ySPmekEDMk 

Regards, 

Dulce Minaya 

Staff Council Chair 

Undergraduate research opportunity 

The Journal for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (JURO) is a student-run, faculty-reviewed journal that provides University of Georgia undergraduates with the opportunity to present their research in digital publication. We are currently looking for completed manuscripts to be added to our fall 2026 issue in the following categories: 

Papers are evaluated by faculty and considered for inclusion in the issue. Submissions are received through the CURO Best Paper Award and are due February 27. The submission portal and guidelines can be found on the UGA CURO Symposium Awards page. 

If you have any questions regarding submissions, please reach out to hanif.zaman@uga.edu or carter.kim@uga.edu. 

Georgia Center for Developmental Science 

The Georgia Center for Developmental Science continues its vision to advance interdisciplinary knowledge on human development to understand and promote healthier children, youth, and families. Read the GCDS Newsletter here. 

Political activity and media inquiries 

As we enter political season, please be mindful of guidance from UGA Government Relations on political activity for faculty and staff. 

Keep in mind that a USG employee engaging in political activities and/or associated political expression must do so only in their personal capacity and shall not speak on behalf of the USG or its institutions or hold themselves out as representing the USG or its institutions, unless specifically authorized by the USG or the employee’s institution, as applicable. 

In addition, please refer any university-related media inquiries to UGA Marketing and Communications at media@uga.edu 

Support our We Are FACS campaign 

Please continue to amplify our We Are FACS student recruitment campaign on your social media channels and within your professional networks. We launched this campaign in the fall, showcasing alumni from each department to demonstrate the wide variety of careers available to FACS graduates. 

A full playlist of videos is available here and we encourage you to check out all the posts on the FACS social media channels and visit the landing page at wearefacs.uga.edu  

Find FACS logos and templates 

Please visit our Marketing Materials page if you’re looking for college and department logos, templates and guidance on ordering branded swag and merchandise. Contact Brandi Herrin (brandi.herrin@uga.edu) if you have any questions. 

Upcoming events 

February 4 – Student Engagement Conversation, 9:30-10:30 am 

February 9 – FCCLA Week 

February 11 – FACS Day at the Capital 

February 20 – FACS Alumni Awards, Athens Country Club, 11:30 a.m.  

February 23 – Deans Series/FLC, Copilot and AI, 12-1:30 pm 

March 19 – ADA Course Content Compliance Workshop, 12-1:30 pm 

March 20 – 3 Minute Research (3MR), 3-5 pm, 110 Dawson Hall 

March 27 – Deans Series: Health and Education, Dawson 216 

April 13 – FACS Awards Luncheon 

April 23 – Deans Series/FLC, Teaching in the Age of AI, 12-1:00 pm 

May 8 – FACS Spring 2026 Convocation 

Sincerely,   

Anisa M. Zvonkovic 

Dean and Georgia Athletic Association Professor in Family and Consumer Sciences