Shining Stars Archive
Posted September 6, 2011
Tom Torres
A student at Gainesville State College, Tom Torres, was recently recognized as one of the nation’s top rising young leaders in the clean energy sector by the national organization Focus the Nation. Mr. Torres is one of 20 students from across the country—five each in the categories of Technician, Innovator, Politico, and Storyteller—who were selected for their dedication, passion, and unique contribution to increasing clean energy in America.
Posted August 5, 2011
Apica Cardiovascular
A Georgia Tech and Emory University medical device startup that developed a system to simplify and standardize the technique for opening and closing the beating heart during cardiac surgery recently received a $5.1 million investment. Apica Cardiovascular has licensed the Georgia Tech/Emory technology and will further develop the system. The goal is to expand the use of surgery techniques that do not require stopping the heart. This would make the surgeries more routine and less invasive when delivering medical devices, including aortic and mitral valves, to the heart.
Posted July 28, 2011
Melody Rodriguez
In 2003 Armstrong Atlantic State University established the Hispanic Outreach & Leadership at Armstrong (HOLA) program. Melody Rodriguez, program founder and director, has spearheaded the effort. Recently, Atlanta-based The Goizueta Foundation awarded Armstrong an $870,000 grant to continue to support the comprehensive Latino outreach, recruitment, progression and graduation initiative. This is the third grant awarded to Armstrong by The Goizueta Foundation—previous grants were awarded in 2003 and 2006.
Posted July 21, 2011
Brandon French
Brandon, who goes by the nickname “Frenchy,” is a junior marketing major at Georgia State University. The aspiring recording artist wrote a song about the start of GSU football, called “Blu-Blitz,” that has garnered thousands of YouTube hits and made him into something of a celebrity around campus. Watch his video at the end of the featured article from Georgia State’s Robinson College of Business.
Posted July 14, 2011
Kristin Kelly
Gainesville State College assistant professor of English, Kristin Kelly, was recently featured on Public Radio International (PRI). Kelly’s essay “Books at All Costs” was broadcast on the PRI program Bob Edwards Weekend and the Sirius XM program The Bob Edwards Show as part of the ongoing series This I Believe.
