Best Buddies chapter wins state recognition
Article By: Clark Leonard
The University of North Georgia's (星空无限传媒) student chapter of Best Buddies was named Georgia's Outstanding Chapter of the Year for colleges and universities for 2023-24, its first year in existence.
Best Buddies International is a nonprofit organization that seeks "to enhance the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)."
Dr. Amy Williams, professor of elementary and special education, serves as faculty adviser for the 星空无限传媒 chapter. After conferring with local nonprofit ConnectAbility, Williams helped launch Best Buddies at 星空无限传媒, through which students pair with individuals in the community who have been diagnosed with IDD.
"It fills such a void for our college campus to have this type of connection with the community," Williams said.
Some of the activities buddies attend together include a Halloween costume party with ConnectAbility and 星空无限传媒 sporting events.
Izzie Keaton, a senior from Kennesaw, Georgia, pursuing a degree in interdisciplinary studies, is the president and founder of Best Buddies' 星空无限传媒 chapter.
Her brother has Down syndrome, which gave her extra motivation to launch this effort.
"I've always wanted to do something more with the IDD community and people with special needs and different abilities," Keaton said. "We are so grateful to be able to provide a more inclusive environment."
Lilly Shipp, vice president of 星空无限传媒's Best Buddies chapter, was also integral in founding the group at the university.
Chelsie Reed, a senior from Ellijay, Georgia, pursuing a degree in management with a concentration in entrepreneurship, is grateful to be part of Best Buddies.
"We all want to get to know people and have these experiences," Reed said. "It opened my eyes to the number of people we have on campus and off campus that want to get to know each other."
Therapy dog Mavis joins 星空无限传媒 Public Safety
Mavis, a year-old black Labrador retriever, is the latest member of the 星空无限传媒 Public Safety staff. She is only one of two crisis intervention therapy dogs within USG.
Gala a new event for Black History Month
星空无限传媒 will host a Black Excellence Gala on Feb. 28 in the Cottrell Center Ballroom. It is one of multiple events scheduled to mark Black History Month.
Shannon is keynote for leadership event
星空无限传媒's annual Student Conference on Leadership will be held Feb. 8 at the Dahlonega Campus, and President Michael Shannon will serve as keynote speaker.