Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues,
I hope you have each enjoyed a good start to the semester.
Last week, I had the pleasure of connecting with many alumni at a reception in Washington D.C. It's always great to represent Oxford—and to see Oxford represented—on the road. You can read more about the event in the “Alumni News” section below.
As you may have seen in EaglePost, we recently opened nominations for this year’s Williams Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award. This is one of our most prestigious honors and is bestowed annually at Commencement. Please be sure to nominate your faculty peers who are making an impact on campus. Details are below.
Warmly,
Badia
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Submitting to Campus Update |
To submit items for Campus Update, please email Julia Kim. The newsletter is distributed weekly on Wednesday. Please submit items by Monday afternoon.
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A Message Regarding Campus Update Submissions |
For any Campus Update submissions, please include your most recent headshot, detailed information about what you will be submitting, and a link if possible. Julia Kim will reach out to you with any questions through email.
A reminder to all faculty and staff that Campus Update submissions are due no later than Monday at 5:00 p.m. for the Wednesday edition. Items that are received after that time will be included in the following week's newsletter.
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Oxford Communications is featuring a staff member each week to help us get to know our colleagues. To nominate a staff colleague to answer our five-question profile for publication in future issues, please contact [email protected]. You can also nominate yourself!
NAME: Laura Gafnea
TITLE/DEPT: Director of Community Relations
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How long have you been at Oxford? |
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As Director of Community Relations, I get to build connections between Oxford College and the greater community, including elected officials, community leaders, and local residents. I serve on several local boards and committees and get to connect the resources at Oxford with the local community. I've been at Oxford for five and a half years, and I love getting to share all of the great things we're doing with our community stakeholders! |
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What do you like best about your job and about Oxford? |
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Hands-down: the people! I love the students, faculty, and staff at Oxford and the sense of teamwork and camaraderie we bring to our work. I also love Newton County and really value the friendships I've developed here. |
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What is your favorite song/tv show/movie/restaurant/podcast? |
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Recently I've been enjoying the SmartLess podcast by Sean Hayes, Jason Bateman, and Will Arnett — they have great guests and the three of them together just make me laugh out loud. I'm also a huge fan of Ted Lasso and Parks & Recreation.
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What makes you happy or brings you joy? |
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My son Robert and my husband Trey bring me joy! I also love reading, painting, and crafting with Robert in my down time. |
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Please complete this sentence: It might surprise people to know that I... |
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...was a camp counselor for three summers while I was in college (I was in charge of the zip-line and climbing wall)! |
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David Gowler, Pierce Chair of Religion, served as an associate editor for Volume 27 of the Emory Studies in Early Christianity series, sponsored by Oxford College’s Pierce Program of Religion. The series recently featured a book called Early Christians and Their Art edited by Mikeal C. Parsons and Robin M. Jensen. You can find the book here, and information about Oxford's sponsorship through Pierce here.
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On January 18, Oxford alumni in DC braved the cold, snow, and even the Capitals hockey game traffic to connect with Dean Ahad and faculty/staff who were in town for the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) meeting. There was a great turnout for the event, and everyone was able to enjoy warm conversations. |
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David Coleman 87Ox 89C was named a Fellow of the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) at the November 2023 conference in Chicago. This prestigious career achievement award celebrates his lasting leadership contributions to honors education, both nationally and at Eastern Kentucky University.
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Williams Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award |
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Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues:
We request nominations for the Williams Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award. This award is presented to faculty members in each of the four undergraduate schools in recognition of a record of excellence in undergraduate teaching. Established by Emory Williams, a 1932 Emory College alumnus and long-time trustee, the award designation represents a university honor for teaching.
AWARD CRITERIA:
Award recipients hold a record of excellence in teaching, having made major contributions in their academic discipline to curriculum development, pedagogy, and educational innovation. They have earned the respect of colleagues both at Emory and in the larger academic community. In addition to a stellar academic record and the accomplishments above, and in keeping with Mr. Williams’s wishes, the award honors faculty who:
- Foster participation, inquiry, and creative expression in the classroom
- Exemplify the highest quality of teaching scholarship
- Serve as a mentor to students
- Currently teach undergraduate students
- Retain a continual record of outstanding accomplishment and ongoing commitment to teaching
- Make significant contributions that impact and advance the university through teaching.
To make a nomination, submit a 1–2 page letter of nomination that includes the nominee’s name along with clear and detailed examples of teaching excellence, mentorship of students, and significant contributions that have impacted and advanced the university through teaching. Nominations should be submitted to the attention of Dr. Kristin Bonnie, Dean for Academic Affairs, via email to [email protected] by Friday, February 16, 2024.
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AI.Humanity News is a quarterly email newsletter that showcases how Emory University is shaping the AI revolution to better human health, generate economic impact, and promote social justice. Subscribe to stay updated on Emory’s latest artificial intelligence and machine learning news, research, and media. Subscribe here and read the latest edition here.
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Twin Memorials Project on Fox 5 Atlanta |
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Fox 5 Atlanta recently aired an in-depth piece about Emory University's Twin Memorials project on both the Atlanta and Oxford campuses. Dean Ahad was interviewed for the piece. Watch the piece here. The Twin Memorials project honors the enslaved individuals who are part of the university’s history. Read more about the project here.
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International Holocaust Remembrance Day |
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On Monday, January 29 at 7:00 p.m., President Fenves and ECAS Dean Krauthamer will hold an event on International Holocaust Remembrance Day to reflect on their family stories of survival during the Holocaust. The event is open to current Emory students, faculty, and staff. If you would like to attend, please register by January 26 here.
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Celebration of the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. |
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On January 17, Oxford's annual MLK Celebration was held at Old Church and featured performances by Oxapella, Oxford's chamber ensemble, and the Oxford Soul Collective. The event also featured readings by staff; students; and Tameka Cage Conley, assistant professor of English and creative writing. The celebration was sponsored by the Oxford Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life. Read our story on the Oxford website here, and enjoy these photos from the event.
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Men's Basketball: Emmanuel College Reserve Squad
William's Gym | 7:00 p.m.
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Emory Medical Students for Prison Justice
William's Hall | 7:30 p.m.
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Men's Basketball: Sandhills Community College
William's Gym | 1:00 p.m.
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Take a Break Tuesday
Center for Healthy Living & Healthy Eagles
Oxford Student Center Plaza | 1:15-2:30 p.m.
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Vega String Quartet
William's Hall | 7:30 p.m.
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To submit a news item for the next Campus Update, please email Julia Kim.
The newsletter is distributed weekly on Wednesday. Please submit items by Monday afternoon.
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