McGill Medal Awarded to Thomas Peele and Mary Fricker

A ceremony was held Wednesday, March 24 for the McGill Medal awarded to four journalists who worked on the Chauncey Bailey Project. They were honored for their "journalistic courage." Two of the journalists were Thomas Peele and Mary Fricker.

Thomas Peele is a native of New York and now resides in California. He currently works for The Oakland Tribune/Bay Area News Group. Peele attended Long Island University and received his MFA in writing from the University of San Francisco. Peele has worked in several states across the nation and has over 20 years of experience. In those 20 years, Peele has accumulated a number of awards for his journalistic accomplishments. Some of these include 4 national reporting awards, the 2007 Investigative Reporters and Editors' Renner Award for his work in the Chauncey Bailey Project, and now the McGill Medal for Journalistic Courage. He still claims that his most difficult, interesting and important case was the Chauncey Bailey Project due to the large amount of flawed information and police evidence that he and his team were able to untangle and ultimately solve a mystery and a murder.

The second medal recipient is Mary Fricker. Fricker is a California native. She was an independent reporter retiring in 2006 from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat where she covered business. She wrote a New York Times best-selling book Inside Job: The Looting of America's Savings and Loans. Other accomplishments include the UCLA Gerald Loeb Award, the George Polk Award and now the McGill Medal for Journalistic Courage. Her intense passion for reporting is evident in the fact that she came out of retirement to volunteer countless hours of her time to the Chauncey Bailey Project.

Both Fricker's and Peele's efforts were greatly influential in the Chauncey Bailey Project and its success.

McGill Medal Table Discussion

One Step Closer to a Cure for Type I Diabetes

The 300-person auditorium was nearly filled to capacity. Students, educators and professional biologists listened intently, so silent you could hear a pin drop. World-renowned Harvard professor Douglas Melton, Ph.D., emphasized the importance of research on cell development in order to use stem cells to create a pancreas and recreate human diabetes. “If you watch something develop, it’s very informative of what goes wrong,” he said in his lecture on Tuesday, March 23, part of the Hope Ritter lecture series offered by the UGA Department of Cellular Biology.

Melton, who established his own laboratory at Harvard and conducts research for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, became motivated to find a cure for Type I diabetes after two of his children were diagnosed with the autoimmune disease. He has twice been listed as one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME magazine and for good reason. His research primarily focuses on ways to make insulin-producing cells, otherwise known as pancreatic beta (b) cells, which Type I diabetics do not have. He cited a statistic that made clear why his research is so important: 0.5 percent of newborns in the United States will be fully insulin-dependent by age 18.

Melton wasted no time delving into the lecture. “I’m going to give you an intro to the pancreas – just for fun,” he said. Snickers echoed throughout the audience as he described early thought on pancreatic function. Scientists in the 16^th century believed the pancreas functioned solely as a cushion for other internal organs such as the stomach. Just 100 years later, scientists knew that pancreatic enzymes were involved in digestion. Today, researchers have divided the pancreas into two main components – exocrine cells and the islets of Langerhans.

The pancreatic beta cells that Melton’s research focuses on are located within the islets of Langerhans. He said that there are two main problems that need to be resolved. There is a loss of beta cells, so researchers must figure out how to make more of them. Researchers must also figure out how to stop the body’s immune system from attacking and killing its own beta cells.

How do scientists create more beta cells? “We should plan for success and try to do this in a way that is clinically relevant by using chemicals that tell cells what to do,” said Melton. The process of creating beta cells began by determining which genes were turned on or off during different stages of cell development. By manipulating these genes with chemicals in a lab, Melton has successfully differentiated cells to create definitive pancreatic cells.

Melton believes that within five years, scientists will have the capability to make “buckets” of any kind of cell. “The nucleus in these cells still has the capacity to go back to the beginning. You can erase it, in a sense, and let it start over,” he said. Using this concept, Melton has been able to “reprogram” pancreatic exocrine cells into expressing genes that are essential in beta cell functioning. These new insulin-producing cells closely resemble beta cells, and insulin expression remains strong and permanent over time. The process is fast and efficient – it takes only three days, and fully 20% of the reprogrammed cells become beta cells.

What does this mean for diabetics? This is when Melton addressed the second problem – how to stop the immune system from attacking beta cells. The body can only make new beta cells by replication. All new beta cells must come from preexisting beta cells, so a Type I diabetic has lost all capability to create new beta cells. The entire audience laughed as Melton “quoted” what the body of a diabetic would say if simply injected with new beta cells. “Thanks! I recognize those cells. I’ve been killing them for a long time. I’m going to keep killing them!”

A major key, then, to cracking the code on Type I diabetes is figuring out why the immune system does not recognize the pancreas as “self” but rather treats it as an invader and tries to kill it. Melton next plans are to study the development of diabetes in mice. These mice are genetically modified so that the cells and tissues are actually human in nature. In this manner, Melton and his research team can find out which type of cell affects the onset of diabetes and how many different ways there are to develop the disease. “If that doesn’t work, I really don’t know what I’ll do,” he said.

Perhaps most relevant to diabetic patients today is finding out what triggers beta cells to divide, however. Melton cited an experiment in which a mouse cured itself of diabetes after having most of its beta cells killed in a laboratory setting. The residual beta cells boosted replication so that the mouse could cure itself.

“We’re very keen on finding signals for beta cell replication that could be useful in newly onset diabetes to boost replication and increase tolerance,” said Melton. Recently diagnosed diabetics often experience a “honeymoon period” in which the body still retains some capability to produce insulin before all of the beta cells have been killed. If scientists can keep the body from killing beta cells and induce replication before the cells are all gone, it is possible that the patient may regain the ability to produce insulin.

Douglas Melton began his lecture with the words, “I wasn’t certain I could do science.” He has clearly proven that not only can he do science, but he can also make a difference and inspire hope in the lives of millions of people.

A Message of Hope Through a New Lens

They were all dressed alike; they swayed from side to side, and sang like angels to Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror”. The crowd gave a standing ovation, some in tears, some feeling inspired, and others in awe at the awesome talent just displayed. Ron Clark makes his way back onto the stage and gives his final remarks, “The only way to end discrimination is to lift up our kids. If you don’t learn anything else from today, I hope you take that”. As the keynote speaker for the 25th Annual Holmes/ Hunter Lecture on Friday at the Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall, Ron Clark followed in the ranks of people like Jesse L. Jackson, Vernon Jordan, and Nikki Giovanni, who have been selected to give this lecture in honor of Hamilton E. Holmes and Charlayne Hunter-Gault, the first two African American students to enroll at the University of Georgia. The Holmes/Hunter Lecture series is given by a distinguished scholar or public figure and focuses on race relations, aspects of higher education with implications for race relations or black history. For Ron Clark, being chosen to give the lecture was a humbling experience, “I don’t feel like I’m worthy of being here” he said to an audience of about 200 people who filled the bottom level of the hall and overflowed into the balcony. During the lecture, Clark focused more on his students than himself and his own accomplishments. As he spoke, he jumped and ran about the stage as audience members laughed and shouted “yes” at points he made throughout his speech. In the front rows were a group of his students, dressed in khaki pants, blue button down shirts with ties, and blue sweaters. Often during the lecture he would acknowledge them by name to tell of their accomplishments to the audience.
To the center of the stage he brought out two projects, one a blue tri-fold board with few pictures and writing. He asked the audience, “What grade would you give this?” Audience yelled out answers that ranged from 50 to 100. “I gave this a 27” he responded.”We are not being realistic with our kids. We can’t accept trash”. He then brings to center stage a pyramid heavily decorated with Egyptian designs. Then he pulled down the flaps of the pyramid and the audience gasped in amazement at the detailed artifacts that were displayed inside. The project that was designed to follow a timeline of Egyptian history was made by one of his students who put together each artifact from objects within her house. “When you have high expectations, you get high results”. Clark said as he brought the young girl to the stage and proudly stood behind her as the crowd applauded. It was this intense passion and intense energy that spilled all from one fair-skinned, tall, lanky man from the Deep South.
“I never thought I would be a teacher” Clark said. It was there that he began telling the audience of his journey to the Ron Clark Academy. Clark, known as “America’s Educator”, is the 2000 Disney American Teacher of the Year, a New York Times bestselling author, the subject of a television movie and the founder of The Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia. Clark first caught America’s eye as the teacher in Harlem who helped turn low achieving students into high excelling students by the end of the year. As Clark spoke of why he packed up and moved from North Carolina to Harlem, he said, “If you feel something in your heart, just go for it”. It was in Harlem that other teachers laughed at him and his methods, and he was told that he would never change the students. But it was to this Clark said, “In life people are always trying to tell you, you can’t do it.” He fought these negative notions when he came to Atlanta and turned a 100 year old factory into a school that is protected by the community. The rest is history. “I don’t wanna be old and look back and have regrets” Clark said. And it is with this notion Clark has changed the hearts and minds of those he comes in contact with.
Lines of students, teachers, and parents lined up after the lecture to take pictures and have Clark sign his autograph in books or pieces of paper. One eager student in line, Jenna Causey beamed from ear to ear, “I’m pretty sure I want to be an educator after being here”. For twenty five years there have been speakers who have sparked hope in others through their lectures and it was on Friday, Ron Clark, took a deserving place in this list.

President Adams Becomes Slide Certified.

by Melanie Turner 

At the University of Georgia’s Twenty-Fifth Annual Holmes/Hunter Lecture held in Hodgson Hall, President Michael Adams’ Assistant Matthew Winston announced during the closing that the University’s President decided on February 25 to create a longstanding partnership with The Ron Clark Academy by founding a renewable scholarship available each academic year to one student.

The announcement, made after about 30 of Clark’s students performed their song “Man in the Mirror”, received a standing ovation from the crowd that filled the bottom level and some of the top level of the hall. The crowd composed of about 30 educators along with students from the university and surrounding public schools whooped and cheered for the 5^th through 8^th graders, who’s test scores on average ranked higher than that of students four years older. This energy only mirrored Ron Clark’s as he waved his arms and bounced around the stage giddy from excitement of describing how he had taught his students to overcome adversity.

The 2000 Disney Teacher of the Year recipient followed in step with the theme of the day, which was created 25 years ago to honor Dr. Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter-Gault for their determination to receive an education at the newly integrated University of Georgia in 1961. Clark described with his southern proper accent how he has pushed his minority students to break racial barriers put on them and their education.

The blonde haired, fair skinned man in a pink tie recounted how he did not let being the only male teacher or person of his race deter him from seeking the job at a school in Harlem and pushing his students there to succeed. The lack of hope the students had for education’s impact on their futures inspired him to raise funds to take the students from Harlem to South Africa in order that they might gain a more global perspective on poverty and racism.

Before the students left, Clark assigned them to read Nelson Mandela’s book “Long Walk to Freedom” so that they might more deeply understanding the race struggle not only in America but also around the world. While touring a small museum one of their last days in South Africa, several black cars pulled up outside the building. When the students glanced outside through the windows and realized that the tall, stately, man in his 80’s walking towards the entrance was the civil rights leader they had grown to respect, many started crying and shaking from the immense honor they felt towards him.

Clark also broke down barriers when renovation on the old factory designated for becoming The Ron Clark Academy began in the South Atlanta neighborhood. After a series of break-ins, Clark decided to get the neighborhood on his side by walking to every door meeting the people in four months, armed only with a backpack, his book “The 55 Essentials” and his energy for students. The response, the neighborhood is now a fortress around the school and the school has not been vandalized since.

With 22 percent of the students at The Ron Clark Academy coming from minority backgrounds, Clark celebrates these differences. He has constantly stressed to students to be proud of their heritage. As Oprah’s “Phenomenal Man”, Clark once a year has the new students perform DNA tests to locate what tribe or clan they are originally descended from. Then, the school holds an assembly, calling each up on stage to announce and praise their heritage. “You must understand your race and other races to become a global leader,” Clark said about the school’s intentional approach towards not just focusing on American history but deeply exploring other cultures.

This attitude towards racial differences can be seen in how the students and faculty recently handled the racism that appeared when a video of their song “You Can Vote However You Like” appeared on Youtube. Coupled with thousands of encouraging comments about the video were thousands of others containing derogatory and cutting remarks about the students. When the students began to report that they had read some of these remarks, the school held an assembly to not only counsel the students through the situation but to decide whether to have Youtube remove the video or not. When given the power to make the decision, students turned to Dr. Martin Luther King’s strength for inspiration, citing that even when people cursed at and threw things at him during marches, he still held his head high and marched on. They decided to leave the video up because they were proud of the work they had done to learn the material and wanted the world to see what they could do.

And did the world see. After the video, the school received numerous visits from the media and celebrities including CNN, rapper T.I., UGA’s president Adams and World News Tonight named the students their Persons of the Week. Somewhere between witnessing the passion the Academy’s teachers have for the students and becoming according to Winston “Slide Certified” by zipping down the giant blue slide into the lobby with students, President Adams and Matthew Winston decided that UGA and The Ron Clark Academy needed to unite under their common ideals for education. During the drive back, past the farms along rural GA-316 to Athens, Adams and Winston discussed how to make this a reality. That one day, one of the students from the Academy would also drive past the same pastures on the way to the University and call it their own. 

Renown Sound Artist Visits Alma Mater

By Rebecca Gentry

A red carpet lined with gold markings lead to the stage. There were two chairs, a stool, and a podium in front of a gigantic painting of a cathedral. The audience mumbled quietly with excitement and curiosity while waiting for the speaker to take the stage in a filled room at the University of Georgia Chapel at 4 p.m. on Thursday. The track lights unexpectedly glared onto the stage and the audience was silenced.

Dr. Hugh Ruppersberg, the Senior Associate Dean of Franklin College of Arts and Sciences walked to the podium to introduce the speaker. Fred Newman, a well-known sound artist and University of Georgia alum, then took the stage after great anticipation. He immediately began his presentation using sound effects and body movements which brought an uproar of laughter and applause from the crowd. “Do you believe a grown man does this for a living,” Newman asked the audience as he finished his last sound effect and began his speech.

Fred Newman, a LaGrange native, graduated from the University of Georgia in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in economics and later earned an MBA at Harvard. As he recalled his years at the University of Georgia, he explained the vast differences of the atmosphere from then to now. Newman remembered the university as “tight fixed”. However on his visit to the university from February 22-25 as a Willson Center for Humanities and Arts Visiting Artist, he realized how much has changed. “It is back to being a child, there’s a sense of wonder and play,” said Newman as he described the sense of a new-found creativity. The audience then applauded as Newman asked them to honor this university and its faculty and students.

Newman is known for his work on the NPR radio show “Prairie Home Companion” as well as shows such as “Doug” and “Between the Lions”, for which he won two Emmys. As he related personal stories, he punctuated them with sounds such as a gargling water, barking dogs, and helicopter noises that caused the crowd to laugh hysterically. He continued to delight the audience as he used the voice of a small baby to explain how he loves to collect voices.

He learned to listen and imitate sounds as he sat under an oak tree with his uncle. His uncle sat him on his lap and told him to be quiet and just listen. Newman noticed that the winds and the whistling of the trees were all different. He then learned that “everyday you gotta listen, gotta stop.”

When it came time for questions, several audience members raised their hands, eager to request a sound effect. One lady asked for a demonstration of a helicopter. Newman laughed and explained, “you do this by inhaling, pucker lips, and then flutter behind it.” Another audience member requested a steam engine which Newman was pleased to exhibit but added that the best way to create these sounds was to shake a box of cans to get the extra metal effect. He then placed his hand over his mouth, moved close to the microphone and began to blow in and out. He then whistled to represent the steam blowing from the engine. Again, the crowd clapped in amazement at his artistic gift.

After many demonstrations of sound effects, Newman moved to a more serious note. He explained that the best corporations in America are investing 20 percent of profits in research and development. “They are willing to take a walk without knowing the destination.” He said that everyday he does something without knowing the results and that is crucial to discovering news ways of creating sound effects.

While he explained the various influences in his life, Newman mentioned a former professor, Dr. Bill Hale. Newman recounted that Hale said “the greatest gift you can give someone is your presence.” He explained how much of an impact those few simple words had on his career. Suddenly, emotions soared as Newman realized that Dr. Bill Hale was sitting in the audience.

Newman received roaring applause at the end of his speech. There was a rush to be the first person to shake Newman’s hand, take pictures and speak with him, hopeful to learn more of his secrets.

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