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University Relations Tip Sheet - February 17, 2009

Education experts cheer school funding in Obama’s stimulus plan
President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus plan is expected to bring about $1.2 billion to Georgia schools to serve disadvantaged and disabled children, fund school renovations, prevent teacher lay offs and increase support to Head Start and other programs. Educational experts are grateful for the influx of resources, particularly for educating students with disabilities. “We have consistently been underfunded in IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and if you’re ever going to make a difference with children with special needs, you need to start at a young age,” said Peggy Gallagher, chair of the Department of Psychology and Special Education. To speak with Gallagher, contact Liz Babiarz at lbabiarz@gsu.edu or 404-413-1356.

Boys experiencing sexual assault are more likely than girls to have PTSD
Boys who experience sexual assault are less likely to report it, and are more likely than girls to show signs of post-traumatic stress disorder, according to a Georgia State University professor. Shannon Self-Brown, associate director of the National SafeCare Training and Research Center at Georgia State's College of Health and Human Sciences, and her colleagues examined gender differences in violence exposure, major depressive disorder and PTSD. The difference might occur because boys might be ashamed to report such abuse, and without reporting it, they cannot receive the necessary interventions to help prevent mental health problems, she said. "This is an area where much more research is needed, and we need to understand what environments make it easier to reach out to boys who have experienced such violence," Self-Brown said. To speak with Self-Brown or her colleagues, contact Jeremy Craig at 404-413-1357 or jcraig@gsu.edu.

Georgia State celebrates centennial of author Eudora Welty
Georgia State associate professor of English Pearl McHaney is available to speak on the life and works of renowned Southern author and photographer Eudora Welty. This year marks what would have been Welty’s 100th birthday, and McHaney will be traveling to libraries throughout Georgia to deliver lectures in celebration of the author’s centennial. “Welty’s contributions to the world, through her literature and photographs, continue to impact and address important cultural avenues evident throughout Southern history,” McHaney said. Georgia State will also be hosting events celebrating Welty’s centennial, including a lecture given by internationally recognized Welty scholar Daniele Pitavy-Souques, a birthday party and an exhibition of Welty’s books and photographs. More than three dozen photographs will be on display at the exhibition in the Rialto Center for the Arts from March 30 until May 22. For more information, contact Lisa Spires at 404-413-1353 or lspires@gsu.edu.

Happenings at Georgia State University

Forecasting conference examines challenges facing economy
As the national economy winds its way through the debris left from the subprime fallout, Lehman bankruptcy and subsequent economic turbulence, the one question on everyone's mind is "are we there yet?" This quarter’s Georgia State University Economic Forecasting Center conference will feature a detailed analysis of the economic outlook for the nation, Southeast, Georgia and Atlanta, from 8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Feb. 25 in the speaker’s auditorium of the Georgia State Student Center, 44 Courtland Street. The presentation will combine economist Rajeev Dhawan's own expertise with the latest computer-based econometric models. The program also offers presentations on topics ranging from stock market performance and international events to real estate conditions and local growth. For more information, visit http://robinson.gsu.edu/efc/conferences/upcoming_conference.html.

Georgia State takes the Polar Bear Plunge
Georgia State faculty, students and staff will take the Polar Bear Plunge at 2 p.m. on Feb. 22 at the Indian Creek outdoor pool. This year’s turn out is expected to be bigger than previous years. Students on several floors in the University Commons are challenging each other and ROTC will be there in full force. For more information, contact Liz Babiarz at lbabiarz@gsu.edu or 404-413-1356.

U.N. board member to discuss human rights
United Nations Advisory Board on Disarmament Chair Carolina G. Hernandez will present the lecture “Human Rights in Association of Southeast Asian Nations Community Building” from noon to 2 p.m. Feb. 23 in the Troy Moore Library, 939 General Classroom Building. For more information, contact the Georgia State Department of Political Science at 404-413-6159 or polsci@gsu.edu.

Georgia State's Hard Labor Creek Observatory holds first 2009 open house
Georgia State University's Hard Labor Creek Observatory will host its first open house of 2009 on March 14.Tours and observations will be held from 8 to 10 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the facilities will still be open for a tour and a brief slideshow. No reservations are required, but organizers of groups of more than 20 people should confirm visit times with the Department of Physics and Astronomy at 404-413-6033 at least one week prior to the open house. The observatory is located at Hard Labor Creek State Park in Rutledge, Ga., about 50 miles east of Atlanta off of Interstate 20. Open houses will be held one Saturday each month through October. The dates are April 4, May 2, June 27, Aug. 29, Sept. 26 and Oct. 24. For more information, call 404-413-6033 or visit http://www.chara.gsu.edu/HLCO.

 

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