Classes are back in session across Georgia’s universities, and so is the AJC On Campus Roundup.
With the Spring 2025 semester underway, here’s what’s new on some metro Atlanta and Georgia campuses:
Construction underway
Credit: Contributed
Credit: Contributed
Georgia State University is making a nine-story addition to Atlanta’s skyline. The 155,000-square-foot research tower off Decatur Street on the university’s downtown campus is set to be completed in 2026, with the cost of construction estimated at $76.5 million.
The university says the new facility will include updated laboratories, flexible research space and modern teaching environments, representing a crucial step in GSU’s “strategic commitment to research and innovation and to increasing placemaking efforts in the downtown community.”
Gov. Brian Kemp and University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue were among the officials who joined Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremony.
Battling addiction
The University of Georgia received just shy of $1.2 million to help combat the opioid epidemic in rural Georgia.
Using the grant from the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust, UGA will partner with at least 50 rural community pharmacists to provide training, support and compensation for distribution of naloxone, a medicine that can save a person experiencing an opioid overdose.
The state experienced an increase of about 56% in drug overdose deaths from 2019 to 2021, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. During that same time period, it saw a 218% increase in deaths from fentanyl, a highly addictive synthetic opioid.
A half century of medicine
Credit: Ariel Hart
Credit: Ariel Hart
2025 marks 50 years since the founding of the Morehouse School of Medicine, and the historically Black college in Atlanta will be holding events throughout the year to celebrate. The first will be a symposium on maternal mortality, taking place on Thursday.
The school had an inaugural class of just 24 students. Since then, nearly 1,900 physicians have graduated from the school, with the majority going on to practice in Georgia, “significantly impacting health care access in underserved communities,” according to the school.
Diversity award
Credit: Jenni Girtman
Credit: Jenni Girtman
Spelman College’s department of economics received an award for “Outstanding Achievement in Diversity and Inclusion.” The all-women school received the award from the American Economic Association because of initiatives that address the intersection of race and economics.
That includes a summer program for women in science, technology, engineering and math and a scholars program that offers mentorship and resources to Black women entering economics.
Art in Milledgeville
Credit: Georgia College & State University
Credit: Georgia College & State University
While Flannery O’Connor is best known for her work as a Southern writer, the renowned author also dabbled in art. Some of that artwork, never before seen by the public, will be available for viewing at her alma mater of Georgia College & State University as the school celebrates the centennial of her birth.
The exhibit totaling 39 pieces will be open to the public on March 26. The art will be relocated from the school to O’Connor’s former home, Andalusia Farm, the following day.
“She’s taught as an example of literature — but scholars are starting to look at her as a visual artist, as well. These paintings reveal that she never stopped creating visual art until her death,” said Katie Simon, interim director of GCSU’s The Flannery O’Connor Institute for the Humanities.
New MBA at KSU
Starting next fall, Kennesaw State University will kick off the first rural management MBA program in the country. The University System of Georgia approved the program in December, and the school hopes graduates will enter business and government leadership positions in rural communities.
“Rural management involves solving challenges around sustainable agriculture, building and maintaining infrastructure, and ensuring access to health care, education, and employment,” reads the KSU website.
Academic freedom
The American Association of Colleges and Universities recently released a survey which shows professors across the country are concerned about academic freedom. More than a third of faculty members said they have less academic freedom today than six or seven years ago, and half said their colleagues are more careful to avoid controversial topics when revising curricula. Ninety-three percent believe that faculty should be intentional about inviting student perspectives from all sides of an issue.
Similar questions were asked to Georgia faculty members in a survey done by the state’s conference of American Association of University Professors. More than half of respondents said they would not recommend the state to colleagues. Among those who desire to leave the state, half cited academic freedom as a reason.
“These findings serve as a wake-up call for policymakers and administrators, emphasizing the urgent need to address the concerns raised by faculty members,” wrote Matthew Boedy, president of Georgia AAUP. “Failure to do so may result in a significant exodus of faculty and a decline in the quality of higher education in these states.”
If you have any higher education tips or thoughts, email reporter Jason Armesto at jason.armesto@ajc.com.
