UGA Community Relations

05/28/2026

Everything is bigger in Texas! 🤠 The University of Georgia and Clarke County had a strong presence at the Annual Conference in College Station. The group engaged in meaningful discussions with fellow college-town professionals, attended insightful sessions on community impact and even shared some of the great work happening in the Classic City.

Until next year! 🎉

05/14/2026

Congratulations to University of Georgia junior and Cedar Shoals High School alumna, Melanie Frick, for being one of 65 undergraduates nationwide to be recognized as a 2026 Udall Scholar. This award is given for leadership, public service and commitment to issues related to the environment. 🌱

Frick was first introduced to gardening and sustainability in middle school, and the threads of both have woven themselves through her time at UGA. She continues to invest in her community on top of her academic commitments.

As a member of the Ecology Student Ambassador sustainability team, she helped establish a drop-off site at the ecology building for the local Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM). Additionally, Frick collects 200-plus pounds of trash monthly, presents ecological information at local schools through EcoReach and helps with maintenance tasks around UGArden, UGA’s student-led organic farm. Frick can also be found working in the State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s Children’s Garden as a student assistant. 🪴

🔗You can learn more about Frick and the Udall Scholarship at the link in the comments!

05/13/2026

Way to go show up and show out at the new Spec Towns Track! Go Glads! 🏃💨

🏆🥇 Boys 5A GHSA 4x800 State Champions! 🥇🏆

Congratulations to Jackson Brooks, Ryker Comstock, Waylon Vaughn, and JD Daniel on bringing home the GHSA 5A State Championship in the 4x800 relay! 🔥💪

What an incredible performance by these Gladiators on the biggest stage!

Let’s go GLADS!

05/13/2026

It’s always nice to take a walk down memory lane. Congratulations to the 2026 high school graduates! 🎓

05/11/2026

The University of Georgia is hosting 2026 GHSA track championships this week. Here’s everything you need to know before you go!

👟When: Monday, May 11, - Thursday, May 14
📍Where: Spec Towns Track; 2330 S. Milledge Ave., Athens, GA
⏱️Time: Events will begin each day at 9 a.m. and will conclude around 8:15 p.m. Spectators will be permitted to enter the grounds at 8 a.m.
🚗Parking: There is NO parking available at the Spec Towns Track, or across the street at Jack Turner Stadium. All patron parking will be at UGA’s East Park and Ride (E23) located on North Oconee Access Road. A shuttle which has been provided by Prince Avenue Christian will ferry spectators to the track at different intervals.

Other things to be aware of:
🎒Clear bag policy in effect
📱Cashless venue
🚫No outside food or drink, to***co products, tents, oversized umbrellas, coolers or pets allowed

Due to the scale of the event, heavy vehicular and pedestrian traffic is expected. Patrons and neighbors of the area should anticipate delays and plan accordingly.

Follow the link below to purchase your tickets today! https://gofan.co/app/school/GHSA

05/05/2026

The Office of Government Relations team tee’d up for a great cause benefiting the Clarke County Mentor Program last month at the 6th Annual Jackson EMC and Walton Gas Swing into Spring Golf Tournament!⛳️

04/28/2026

Today, in honor of the International Town and Gown Association's Day, we celebrate the power of partnership and engagement between Athens-Clarke County, GA Unified Government and the University of Georgia.

Whether its students interning with ACCGov offices, working summer camps, or volunteering at events; professors inviting speakers into their classrooms or consulting with a department on a specific project; or staff collaborating on logistics for a big football weekend - connections between campus and the Athens community are happening all the time, and they make us all stronger.

Happy , and GO DAWGS!

04/20/2026

Have you ever wanted to run on a state of the art track? Now’s your chance! Check out the new Spec Towns Track during their public usage hours. 👟💨

Athens, Spec Towns is officially open to everyone ‼️

04/16/2026

Chloe Hastey, Communications Specialist for the Office of Government Relations, participated and completed the ACCGov101 program, a 10-week community government academy that was recently redeveloped by ACCGov.

Each week, the spring cohort visited different facilities around the city, heard from various departments, and learned more about the services they provide to residents.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn more about how our local government functions and have meaningful conversations with department employees about the work that they do. By participating, I have enhanced my understanding of Athens-Clarke County and look forward to sharing with my colleagues and fellow community members,” said Hastey.

04/09/2026

The 2026 Bobbi Meeler Sahm Service and Outreach Awards will provide nearly $33,000 in new funding to four collaborative local projects, deepening the partnership with Athens-Clarke County and the University of Georgia.

The 2026 award recipients are:

UGA Cooperative Extension/Marigold Collective/City of Winterville: “Get Fresh: Chronic Disease Management and Prevention”

UGA J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development/Clarke County School District: “Georgia Possible”

UGA Mary Frances Early College of Education/Love.Craft Athens: “Communication in Community: Love.Craft and UGA Speech and Hearing Clinic”

UGA Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources/Extra Special People Inc.: “Junior Ranger Leaming Lab with ESP”

🔗You can learn more about the award recipients and the Sahm Award at the link in the comments!