Education

GingerSnap and MoonPie, two beloved therapy goats, are making a significant impact in Statesboro. Recently, GingerSnap brought comfort and joy to students at Bulloch Academy during final exams, showcasing the profound benefits of animal-assisted therapy, where their presence alleviated stress while encouraging emotional support and social skills development in students.

Natasha Goss, associate professor of accounting and business, and Jennifer Fields, director of admissions, recently completed the 14th cohort of the program. University presidents nominate academic and staff leaders to participate. From the nominees, individuals are selected for the program and participate in a leadership development curriculum that includes content, personal reflection, job shadowing and cross-mentoring.

Keen’s appointment follows an announcement last fall by AU President Brooks A. Keel, PhD, that he would retire following the 2023-24 academic year, ending a 40-year career in higher education. Keen will become president of the university effective July 1, 2024.

Dr. Ernst, the first president of Ogeechee Tech, and his wife Diane, a nurse and educator, recently visited the campus and remember their time in Statesboro fondly. Their generous endowment, totaling $56,000, will support students by providing two annual scholarships over the next three years and creating a lasting legacy through a permanent endowment.

In addition to earning a full ride at Mercer University, Chloe has been given an automatic seat at Mercer School of Medicine upon completion of her undergraduate degree.

Budget discussions continued at the Bulloch County Board of Education work session last week. The draft budget will go up for tentative approval on June 6.

Adults can now nominate rising 10th and 11th graders for the 2025 Youth LEAD Georgia class. Nominations are due by September 1.

Lee will attend Notre Dame in the fall to study finance, something he's been interested in since he was a child. He has an impressive list of academic and extracurricular accomplishments but counts his friendships and memories made as equally important parts of his high school experience.