UGALLA News

Dear Adult Ed/HROD faculty,

Greetings from the Lifelong Learning Association at UGA (UGALLA)! As you may know, the mission of this student-led organization is to provide a communication network for students, faculty, and professionals interested in lifelong learning; to facilitate social and professional interaction among lifelong learners; and to support adjunct learning experiences such as seminars, field trips, workshops, and other opportunities.

The spring 2008 semester was a time of learning and rejuvenation for UGALLA. Some of our activities included a meet-and-greet for UGALLA members in the River’s Crossing sunroom, a lecture by Dr. John Dayton on academic freedom, a spring party for UGALLA members and faculty at Dr. Laura Bierema’s house, and providing information about travel and lodging for the AERC conference. With the help of OD consultants from EADU 8200, students, and faculty in our department, we spent a great deal of time reflecting on how UGALLA can function most effectively and best fulfill its mission.

On April 20, 2009, the Adult Ed/HROD faculty approved UGALLA’s proposal to give all current students in the Adult Ed/HROD programs free, automatic membership in UGALLA. This organizational structure will increase the amount of funding we can request from the College of Education—thereby increasing the scope of activities that UGALLA can sponsor—and will provide a ready-made community for students to belong to from the moment they join the department.

Possible activities in 2009-10 may include (depending on funding) a fall orientation retreat for students and faculty, assisting with the winter research symposium, a spring team building training at Lake Herrick, a peer mentoring network, research and writing groups, a lecture series, social events, community outreach activities, and more. We hope we can count on your input as we plan these upcoming activities.

There will also be leadership opportunities for students in 2009-10 on the UGALLA board as we continue to build the organization. Available positions will include Secretary, Fall Retreat Chair, Winter Symposium Chair, Development Chair, and others as needed. We are especially interested in expanding the diversity of the board. If you would like to nominate a student for one of these positions, please email Rebecca Cheney at rcheney@uga.edu.

A UGALLA listserv has been created for both formal and informal communication among members. It will be a way for UGALLA leaders to ask for ideas and to let people know about upcoming activities and for all UGALLA members to find roommates, babysitters, friends to meet for happy hour, and answers to burning questions like “What is postmodernism, really???” If you would like to join the listserv, please email Fred Prasuhn at fprasuhn@gmail.com. Anyone can join the listserv, regardless of membership status…

…but we would love for you to become a member! If you would like to show your support of UGALLA’s mission and the Adult Ed/HROD community at UGA, please complete the attached membership form and deliver it with a check made out to “Fred Prasuhn” for 2009-10 dues. There is a UGALLA mailbox in the River’s Crossing 4th floor mailroom/kitchen. (Please note: Because we chose to have an off-campus checking account, only individuals can be listed as account holders. Laura Bierema and Fred Prasuhn are the account holders for UGALLA.)

We look forward to sharing this year with you and working together to enrich our community of students, faculty, alumni, and others interested in lifelong learning. If you have any questions about UGALLA, please email Rebecca Cheney at rcheney@uga.edu.

Sincerely yours,

Rebecca Cheney, President
Jeremy Schwehm, Vice President
Fred Prasuhn, Treasurer
Hsiao-Hui Chen, Executive Member-At-Large
Nan Fowler, Social/Lecture Chair
Kisha Shelton, Communications Chair
Dr. Laura Bierema, Faculty Advisor