AAEC Happenings
Congratulations to Chris Peters who retired on April 1st after 40 years of service to UGA! Chris was our dedicated IT person throughout most of his tenure assisting faculty, staff, and students whenever there was an issue with the equipment. He started in the department as a student working on a computer program to help producers with farm management. Over time, Chris became a beloved friend around Conner Hall, and transitioned to become our sole IT Director before settling into Lumpkin House as an IT Manager at the CAES Office of Information and Technology.
Chris is an avid sports fan and Athens native who loved cheering on the Bulldogs, especially at Sandford Stadium and Foley Field. To celebrate his retirement we had an Opening Day themed retirement party celebrating another favorite team of his, the Atlanta Braves as they opened their season in San Diego.
Please enjoy some of these throwback photos from 2004 in celebration of his tenure. If you see him around campus or at a game, give him a wave.
Farewell Dr. Stanford
We would also like to wish our Post-Doctoral Associate, Dr. Garrett Stanford, a fond farewell and best of luck in his future endeavors at the University of Oregon. We can't wait to see the impact you have on future students there!
When we asked Garrett what he learned, experienced, enjoyed, or encountered while at the University of Georgia, he responded that, "I have learned that the south is not just country music and big trucks—though it isn’t not that. I have a new appreciation for this part of the world and have loved my time in Athens. There are many things that I have enjoyed about my time down here, from the rivers in northern Georgia to the ample supply of pristine tennis courts around Athens. However, what really stands out is the community. It’s always hard moving to a new place: nobody to rely on, nobody to hangout with, nothing to do. Not the case in Athens. Within a week of being here, Hari helped me move boxes into my house, Craig invited me to Athentic to meet his friends, and Susana gave me a full tour of the campus (although she did forget to show me the arch). The friendships we have made here will last longer than the submission process for an econ journal! There are so many things to like about this town, but what I will miss most are the people who have been such a huge part of an incredible chapter of my life. I think I finally know what the expression a “home away from home" means."
We followed up by asking him where he will be going, what he will be doing, and what he's looking forward to, to which he responded that, "I am headed to Eugene (Track Town, USA) with my partner, Claire, and our pet turtle, Tom. In September, I begin a a teaching position in the Department of Finance at the University of Oregon, where I will teach the economics component of the curriculum. Oregon has been home off and on for the last 33 years, and I look forward to returning to the PNW. I have already started to think about when the best time of the year is for my annual pilgrimage to the Classic City."
Garrett Stanford and Dr. Ferreira at a Twilight Bike Race event
Welcome New Staff
While we are sad to see these familiar faces go, we are excited to welcome two new staff members in the Department. Firstly, welcome Jeanne Taylor, our new Graduate Programs Admistrator. She is joining us from the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. Second, welcome Morgan Kang, our new Student Affairs and Communications Coordinator. He is joining us having graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology. Please join us in welcoming them if you see them in the halls this Fall.
Congratulations
We have some exciting internal shifts happening in AAEC. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Yukiko Hashida for her promotion from an Assistant Professor to Associate Professor. We can not want to see how you continue to shape the minds of future students. Additionally, congratulations are in order for Guy Hancock, who is being promoted from his role as a Public Service Assistant to a Public Service Associate. We are so proud of these members of our community and impact they have been and continue to make in Georgia and beyond. Finally, we are delighted to announce that Dr. Greg Colson, after nearly two years as our Interim Department Head, has been named our Department Head as of July 1st. With the department's 100th anniversary on the horizon, we are thrilled to see how it grows under his direction.
Each year, the Agricultural Economics Graduate Student Association (GSA) hosts the Rod F. Zeimer Memorial Lecture in memory and honor of Dr. Zeimer, an alumnus of the Department. As the Vice President of the GSA, Haewon Oh, says, "A key takeaway is the opportunity to remember Dr. Zeimer each year through a special guest lecture, reflect on his contribuitions, and find renewed motivation in our own academic paths. It also makes me proud to be part of a department that honors the legacy of its distriguishes alumni in such a meaningful way." This year, Dr. Sathya Gopalakrishnan, a Professor at the Ohio State University's Agricultural, Environmental, and Developments Economics Department gave the lecture. This lecture was titled "Disaster-Induced Migration Across U.S. States and the role of Income Heterogeneity," in which she was able to focus on her development of coupled moels of complex human and natural systems. Haewon added, "The Rod Zeimer Lecture also brings together faculty, students, and staff. It's a great chance to catch up with each other, share research updates, and enjoy good food and conversations. I was happy to see everyone reconnect and talk about what they've been working on."
