Personal(ized) Computers

Very few plain laptop lids exist on the University of Georgia campus in Athens. An array of colorful stickers and covers embellish computers in every classroom, study space, and residence hall.

Whether it’s to share their interests, promote programs and organizations, or just because they think it makes their laptop look cooler, student and faculty computers reflect the individual personalities of the campus community.

Emily Kim, second-year psychology major, Milton, GA

Emily Kim has covered her laptop in stickers that show off her interests and connect her with other students.

“Everyone has the same boring laptop. A lot of people have MacBooks, so I like to put stickers to show some personality and some people will recognize it and then a conversation will come up.”

Kathleen Sullivan, third-year music therapy major, Covington, LAKathleen Sullivan studies outside of the Hugh Hodson School of Music with her stickers on full display, one being a cartoon beet. She loves the vegetable, and it has become a joke between her and her friends.

“Beets are my favorite vegetable, and my friends make fun of me because nobody likes beets.” she says, “we saw this at a bookstore, and they all said I had to buy it. I guess it’s a part of my personality now.”

Mikaela Haast, second-year health promotion major, Leesburg, VA.

Students often display stickers of clubs or organizations they are involved in on campus. Mikaela Haast proudly displays her sorority letters.

“I love being in Tri Delta so I might as well rep it.” she says, “We’re such a big organization, it’s hard to know everyone. It’s nice whenever I’m around campus, or I see someone with a sticker or t-shirt and I don’t know her. I can say ‘Oh, I’m a Tri-Delt too.’ We usually know similar people so it’s nice to have that community.”

 

Phillip Chason BBA ’18, dual MBA and law student, Cairo, GA

Phillip Chason BBA ’18 displays a few of his favorite things on his computer—including Jittery Joe’s and Georgia Law.

“I like local Athens stuff. And I like to support Georgia Law.”

Chason’s Jittery Joe’s sticker has been through a lot, but he is determined to show his love for the local Athens coffee shop.

“I’ve actually replaced this one because it gets so worn. So that’s the second one I’ve had on there.”

Lori Johnston ABJ ’95, MFA ’17, lecturer at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication

Lori Johnston’s personal and work laptops are filled with stickers. She also gives stickers to students as rewards for achievement in her classes.

“We professors have our things, and I want to be known for my stickers” she says, “My thought was when I have my laptop open what do they see? Because I want students to learn about me like I learn about them.”

Johnston loves seeing her students’ stickers as well, and views it as an opportunity to learn something new about them.

As a proud Double Dawg, Johnston displays several UGA-related stickers on her computer, but her arch sticker is her favorite.

“A lot of students have UGA-related stickers for departments or programs that I don’t know about. And so I’m able to learn about that program, through them. It gives me a sense of where students are headed before and after my class.”

Do you have a collage of stickers on your computer? Submit a photo to gmeditor@uga.edu to show them off in our alumni laptop feature! (we may not be able to run all submitted photos.)