Featured Students
Campbell Kirbo Inducted into AGHON
Campbell ("Cam") Kirbo was recently inducted into AGHON, the honor society for agriculture, forest resources and veterinary medicine which promotes leadership and spirit in South Campus students. Of his induction, Cam states, "It has been an experience I will never forget. It has changed my perspective of life and preparing for the future and makes me look forward to tomorrow."
A senior from Albany, Georgia, Cam has been at the university for almost two years. He was awarded a CAES Congressional Scholarship/Internship in Washington, D. C. where he analyzed the impact of legislation, met with lobbyists and attended congressional hearings. His numerous activities include Kappa Sigma - house manager/secretary, Merchandise chairman, Students for American Red Cross, and member and liaison of the Greek Leadership Committee.
Cam's ambition is to be self-employed but, "hopefully, not at a desk." He plans to go to law school, return to his home town and work with his dad and brother who are both lawyers.
Cam is president of Ducks Unlimited and in his leisure time enjoys duck hunting, fishing and racquet ball.
Ken Eason Inducted into AGHON
Ken Eason, a junior at UGA with a major in agribusiness, was recently inducted into AGHON, the honor society for agriculture, forest resources and veterinary medicine. Ken expresses excitement with his induction into AGHON and is very proud to be a member, but he finds the experience "humbling." The purpose of the society is to promote leadership and spirit in South Campus students.
Ken is from Claxton, Georgia and has been a student at UGA since fall of 2001. He is an honor graduate and a CAES academic scholarship recipient. He is a member of the Block and Bridle Club, Collegiate 4-H, chairman of CAES Ambassadors, and treasurer of the Ag Hill Council. In addition, he is active in intramural sports and a Gaines Elementary School mentor. For the past three summers, Ken has been a counselor at Rock Eagle 4-H Center and had the opportunity to influence the lives of thousands of kids from all over the state. Last summer, he was a lead counselor and was able to mold and teach a group of younger counselors who, in turn, enjoyed the same experiences as Ken.
His goal for the future is to be successful in whatever he endeavors to pursue and he strives to be an "admirable" person. Ken has become interested in commodities trading, especially on the international market. He hopes that through this type of work, he will be able to "travel and see the world." He is also "interested in the policies that make us able to feed the world."
Leisure time is limited for Ken, but, when time permits, he enjoys an array of outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, canoeing, camping, riding horses, riding motorcycles, and playing sports. He also enjoys "hanging out" with his friends and "seeing the Dawgs win."
Featured StaffJo Anne Norris
Jo Anne Norris was presented the Outstanding Staff Member of the Year Award for 2002 - 2003 by the Agricultural and Environmental Economics Club at the Conner Connects Celebration in April. This was her fifth time to receive the award. Also, she was presented the 2002 - 2003 Outstanding Staff Member of the Year Award by the Graduate Students Association.
Jo Anne is the first person visitors to the Agricultural and Applied Economics Department meet. She is helpful in providing information and directing visitors. With a welcoming smile and friendly greeting, new students are quickly set at ease and made to feel "at home." Their seemingly insurmountable problems are approached with her typical statement, "Come in and have a seat. Let's see what's going on." Jo Anne is an expert in helping students meet their graduation requirements and "overcoming problems." Her vast knowledge of departmental operations is called upon numerous times daily by students, faculty, and staff.
Jo Anne received an Associate Degree in Secretarial Science from Hobson State Technical College in Thomasville, Alabama. She is proficient in numerous computer applications, including web page development. Jo Anne began working at UGA in 1988 as a senior secretary and was promoted to degree program assistant in 2000. The list of her responsibilities was expanded in October 2002, to include daily departmental operations, including planning and coordinating special events. In addition, she has done a great job coordinating the renovations and updating of the Conner Hall facilities.
Reading, needlework, and spending time with her family are Jo Anne's favorite leisure time activities. She is actively involved in numerous activities at her church, Grace Baptist in Watkinsville, Georgia ,where she is the food and fellowship coordinator.
The demands on Jo Anne are often great, but she is more than "up to the challenge." Her dedication and efforts are acknowledged and truly appreciated by students, faculty, and staff.
Dr. William D. Givan Recognized for Teaching Exploits
Dr. William (Bill) D. Givan teaches a farm management course (AAEC 3010) that really caught the attention of students. The Environmental Economics Club presented Dr. Givan the Outstanding Faculty Award at their banquet in April 2003. Also, he was presented the Outstanding Faculty Member Award by the UGA Chapter of Future Farmers of America at its spring banquet in April 2003. As a result of taking his farm management course, the agricultural education students began to understand the relevance and importance of economics to agriculture. Having an undergraduate degree in agricultural education himself, Dr. Givan was able to relate the course to agricultural education majors in a way that few other instructors could.
With twenty-seven years of service at the University of Georgia, Dr. Givan retired in 2002 but wanted to keep active by teaching a course. His program areas in extension and research included economic analysis and commodity budgets related to farm production decision making. Dr. Givan offered counseling to farmers and was involved in educational programs in 156 Georgia counties. He worked on numerous ACDI/VOCA volunteer projects in Eastern European countries assisting with financial planning on former state-owned farms that are now privately owned. Dr. Givan drew heavily from many years of experience in farm management with these real world experiences in developing the farm management course. The approach was certainly well received by students.
Enhancing Cultural Awareness
Jack Houston, Agricultural and Applied Economics Department and Julia Marlow, College of Family and Consumer Sciences used funds from International Development Education Awards (IDEAS) and other sources for a study tour in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico during Maymester 2002. The goals were enhancement of cultural awareness of students and public service faculty to help them assist the growing Latino population in Georgia and to increase the number of students participating in study abroad programs in Mexico. Over forty students participated in the study tour and lived with families in Xalapa. Participants report that the experience did indeed increase their cultural awareness of Latinos. The IDEAS grant also enabled Drs. Houston and Marlow to further enhance their linkages with the University of Veracruz in Xalapa, Mexico. Graduate student Kathryn Hammond participated in the study tour and prepared a training video to help participants become more aware of Mexican culture.
