Campus News

Ten undergraduates selected to attend inaugural SEC Symposium

The Bioenergy Systems Research Institute and the Office of Sustainability have selected 10 undergraduate students to serve as UGA’s University Scholars at the inaugural Southeastern Conference Symposium, which will be held Feb. 10-12 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta.

As part of a campus-wide competition, the students were selected for their leadership, service and academic scholarship related to advancing renewable energy in Georgia and beyond.

UGA’s University Scholars are Cassia Adams, a senior biochemical engineering major from Adairsville; Sara Black, a junior ecology and anthropology major from Mountain Brook, Ala.; Kathryn Clark, a
freshman biology major from Fayetteville; Tyler Faby, a sophomore finance major from Milton; Travis Fetchko, a junior biochemistry and molecular biology major from Stevensville, Mont.; Alexander Gomez, a senior biochemical engineering major from Roswell; Garret Herrin, a junior geography major from Brunswick; Samantha Morton, a sophomore environmental sciences major from Atlanta; Scott Saunders, a junior biology and ecology major from Marietta; and Travis Williams, a junior microbiology major from Carnesville.

The first-ever SEC Symposium, “Impacts of the Southeast in the World’s Renewable Energy Future,” will highlight the role of the Southeastern U.S. in the world’s renewable energy future. Led by UGA, the symposium will showcase academic excellence as well as educational and economic contributions made by the 14 SEC member universities to positively impact the vitality of the region, nation and world.

“I am continually impressed by UGA undergraduates and their commitment to renewable energy and environmental sustainability,” said Robert Scott, associate vice president for research and chair of the local organizing committee for the symposium. “We are pleased to send these 10 outstanding students to represent UGA as University Scholars in Atlanta.”

The symposium is part of the SEC’s academic initiative known as SECU. Through SECU, the conference sponsors, supports and promotes collaborative higher education programs and activities involving administrators, faculty and students at its member universities.