In the weeks before the Thanksgiving holiday break, and in honor of the wonderful mentors and mentees at UGA, members of the Graduate School community submitted messages of GRAD-itude for those who have made a positive impact on their UGA graduate experience.
Responses collected from the survey were shared on the Graduate School’s social media outlets and are listed below.
Gayatri Basapuram and Shavindi Ediriarachchi (photo courtesy of Shavindi Ediriarachchi)
Gayatri Basapuram (Department of Geology), thanks so much for being that amazing friend and comrade in grad school. I truly appreciate our times together having conversations about grad school and everything else. Whenever I need some enlightening space to put-it-all-out (and vice versa), I know who to go to. You always help me remember my persistence and what made the person who I am today. Thanks for being that encouraging sister figure to me. Our friendship really means a lot to me, especially as an individual who is navigating (and powering) through a third-culture black-sheep situation. My grad school (and life in general) experience has been incredible so far with a lot of twists and turns in my learning and adjustment curves. The presence of you, your vibe and our empowering friendship has enhanced my journey even more. Keep being that everlasting power of optimism in my life. Thank you so much. — Shavindi Ediriarachchi, Department of Cellular Biology
Dr. Virginia Frederick (Department of Kinesiology) goes above and beyond not only as a professor both in and outside of classroom hours, but as a mentor as well. When I first made the move down to Georgia from Minnesota, I felt very insecure and very nervous in starting my masters program. I took one of her courses online over the summer (where she was very helpful in office hours as I needed help understanding the content), and it was so nice to know a familiar face by the time I started the fall semester! I’ve grown a lot since then, and I’m proud and honored to have her serving on my committee as I complete the process of my masters thesis. I feel empowered and encouraged as a graduate student because of her and her support across the three semesters I’ve known her! — Emily Kern, Exercise Psychology, Department of Kinesiology
I’d like to thank Megan Westbrook (School of Social Work) for helping me thrive in graduate school. She has been so kind and supportive in my first semester and deserves to be recognized for her ongoing commitment to her work and students. Professor Megan, you’re SLAYING. — Lassie Stiles, School of Social Work
I’ve only known Emily Piotrowski (Terry College of Business OMBA program) for a few days now, and I already feel like I’ve known her all my life. Emily reached out to me because our program director connected us so we can work on improving the OMBA student experience. We have plans to do game nights, have football watch parties, movie nights, and networking events. This is all to strengthen our bonds as a community and enhance the UGA graduate student experience even more. I want to thank Emily for her time and commitment to doing this. I know she is very busy right now, and she didn’t have to reach out. So, thank you, Emily! I’m looking forward to working with you and hopefully, becoming friends. Thank you! — Brandi Zenker, Terry College of Business
Dr. Elizabeth Browne (Department of Art History), changed my school experience. She is kind, engaged, and supported me both as a student and a person. The art history program is a better place because she is there! — Teddy, Department of Art History Lamar Dodd School of Art
I would like to thank Dr. Santanu Chatterjee (Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence, International and Master’s Programs, Terry College of Business) for all he does for his students. He really shows he cares about our education and development. Just to give an example, he put his lecture notes into an app that transformed them into a podcast. I, for one, really appreciate this because some people are audio/visual learners. I also appreciate his weekly office hours. He is willing to spend the whole hour with us to answer questions and even gives a brief synopsis of the week’s material. It’s such a great way to connect with him and TRY to absorb his knowledge. It makes me feel like I’m really there on campus. While office hours aren’t novel, it is his passion for teaching and economics that makes it different. So, thank you, Dr. Chatterjee! — Brandi Zenker, Terry College of Business
Linda Harklau (Department of Language and Literacy Education), I feel so lucky to have you as my advisor. Thanks a lot for your wholehearted support, kindness and insights! Your guidance helps me improve my professional development step by step during my time at UGA. — Anonymous, Mary Frances Early College of Education
I wanted to give a shoutout to Anish Subedi (Department of Crop & Soil Sciences) for being a wonderful TA who went above and beyond helping the students in his classes. He is incredibly generous with his ability to help and puts his all into teaching. I would not have been able to graduate in undergrad without his help in that class. I was able to use the data he helped me record in that class for my undergraduate research project, which helped me finish undergrad. That project helped me obtain the graduate research position I am in today. It is not only me; I remember him helping students for hours and hours in that class with their labs and project work. He is truly a dedicated and commendable PhD candidate at UGA. — Madelyn Willis, CRSS, College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences
Dr. Diann Jones (Department of Learning, Leadership, and Organization, Mary Frances Early College of Education), I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks for all of your support, guidance, and encouragement throughout the course. Your dedication to teaching and genuine care for your students has made a significant impact on me. I appreciate YOU! — Mariharden McElheny, LLOD/Mary Frances Early College of Education
(photo courtesy of Shannon Hostetter)
A huge shoutout to Klao Runcharoon, Shaun ven den Hurk, Haley Starr, Jordan Parker, Sean Ray, Nicole Sallaberry, and Jane Huang — the student leadership team behind the recently established Graduate Student Association for Comparative Biomedical Sciences! We deeply appreciate your efforts to unite our students through social and educational opportunities. Thank you for nurturing our program’s community! — Shannon Hostetter, Comparative Biomedical Sciences program, College of Veterinary Medicine
Portuguese Graduate Students, thank you for all the amazing work you do! — Cris Lira, Department of Romance Languages, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
Dear Elisa Braga (Department of Romance Languages), thank you for allowing me to participate in your graduate school journey. It is a true joy to see you thrive. I can’t wait to see all the amazing things you will do out in the world as a future professor. Parabéns! — Cris Lira, Department of Romance Languages, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. David Chiesa (Department of Language and Literacy Education), I just wanted to express my sincere gratitude for the incredible experience this class has been. What could have been just another requirement turned into an exciting journey; one I didn’t even know I needed but ended up being exactly what I was looking for. Your enthusiasm and passion shine through every single week, creating an atmosphere that’s not only engaging but also inspiring. Thank you for making the material come alive and for sharing your genuine love for what you do. Your energy is contagious, and it’s clear that you’re dedicated to your students’ growth. I feel lucky to have been part of this class, and I’ve walked away with so much more than I expected. Thank you for everything, Dr. Dave! — Adriana Alarcon, Mary Frances Early College of Education
I always appreciate Dr. Amanda Murdie’s (School of Public & International Affairs) enthusiasm for the work and her constant support of her students. Her kindness, dedication, and intelligence have had such a positive impact on me and all of my peers! — Ellie Loventhal, SPIA
PMBA Admissions, thank you for all the guidance. — Jack, Terry College of Business
Dr. T.J. Kopcha (Workforce Education and Instructional Technology) is an amazing professor to learn from. He always provides relevant and authentic learning experiences for us in an online setting. His personality and teaching style make the online learning environment welcoming and supportive. — Zach Taylor, Department of Education Instructional Technology, Mary Frances Early College of Education
Thank you, Dr. Brian Frost (Director of the Professional Industrial-Organizational Psychology Master’s Program), for having such a positive impact on my education and career. You introduced me to the I-O side of Psychology and really made me fall in love with the subject. I look forward to learning so much more from you in the near future! — Dev Gandhi, I-O Psychology Professional Master’s Program, Department of Psychology, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Joseph Fu (Department of Mathematics), thank you for being a caring professor. — Webster Wong, Department of Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Education, Mary Frances Early College of Education
Hi Natalie Crutchfield (College of Engineering), Thank you for your friendship, kindness, and generosity. I wish you the best in all your future endeavors. — Aasma, CMBE, College of Engineering
Dr. Curt Harris (Institute of Disaster Management), thank you to IDM for a great fall semester! We appreciate all the knowledge and care you pour into your students. — Rachel Segal, College of Public Health, Institute of Disaster Management
Dr. Emily Bell (Public Administration and Policy/SPIA), I want to thank you for the tremendous warm welcome you gave me into the MPA program here at UGA. The tireless efforts and work you put into your policy process course for your students does not go unnoticed. It is because of your guidance and teaching that I have gained confidence in my writing for field work. I could not be more thankful for your support and the help you’ve been in shaping my abilities as a future policy consultant. — Emerson Moon, Public Administration and Policy/SPIA
I worked a third shift job and had a part-time job as well; Dr. Sheba MohanKumar (Comparative Biomedical Science) would answer my late night texts about subjects, without frustration. She would find times that not only work around her teaching schedule but would have crept into her personal time with her family. I’m forever grateful for her willingness to put her students first. UGA is very lucky to have such a supportive professor. — Adrienne Simmons, Comparative Biomedical Science, College of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Pat O’Connor (Kinesiology) is an incredible mentor. He is thoughtful, kind, and responsive to his students and it has been a privilege to work with him so far. I greatly value his input to my studies and he makes it his mission to be whatever the graduate student needs. Will forever be grateful for learning under him. — Richie Augenstein, Department of Kinesiology, Mary Frances Early College of Education
I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank my advisor, Dr. Catherine Logue (Population Health), for her belief in me, her dedication, and her unwavering support. You have truly encouraged me not only in my research but also in other aspects I wish to pursue. Your open-door policy and willingness to meet during challenging times mean so much to me. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be one of your students. UGA and UGA VetMed are truly fortunate to have you. — Klao Runcharoon, Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine
