Thanksgiving Over—Now Ready for Spring!

by Dr. Ashwani Monga

12/3/2024

Dear Wolves,

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I certainly appreciated the break, and I hope you are feeling refreshed as you enter the final phase of the Fall semester. 

If you are graduating this December, congratulations! I look forward to talking more with you at commencement. 

In this message, let me speak to those of you continuing your journey in the Spring. By staying committed to your education, you are investing in your future. UWG graduates earn an additional $1.4 million in their lifetimes relative to those who do not complete a bachelor’s degree, and this number is even higher for those completing graduate degrees. Moreover, UWG is ranked third in Georgia for social mobility—so your education is truly the ticket to elevating you and your family.

We deliver great value because of the student experience that we offer. We complement excellent classroom education with learning opportunities in laboratories, collaborative spaces in our recently renovated Humanities building, business discussions at the Richards College of Business, and so many other student engagements. Coupled with such experiential learning opportunities are enriching experiences, such as Division 1 athletics. While D1 is certainly about sports, it is also about student teams ranging from the Marching Wolves to our championship-winning cheerleaders, to the student crew that sends a live national feed to ESPN+, all of which together enliven the UWG campus.

Your experience is only going to get better in the Spring. Here are a few changes that you will notice when you return.

  • We are elevating your food experience. In the Spring, dinner will be served not only at West Commons, but also at East Commons, with both locations offering an improved and consistent food experience throughout the day. The food court in the UCC will provide a more pleasant eating experience, thanks to aesthetic enhancements including new flooring, lighting, and sound system. Our bookstore, UWG Outfitters, will start offering Heirloom Donuts. And do visit the Momentum Center’s lounge area to relax in between classes and grab a snack for a quick energy boost.

  • We are enhancing technology to support you better. We are developing an AI-powered virtual assistant, Wolfie, to provide a single unified assistance platform on UWG webpages. As we transition to the Microsoft ecosystem, you will have free access not only to standard products such as Word and Excel, but also Teams for remote collaboration, OneDrive for cloud storage, and an AI-powered personal assistant, Copilot. Also, through the Student Solutions Appointment Scheduler, you will be able to make personalized appointments at the Momentum Center.
  • We are making improvements to on-campus housing. Over the course of the Spring semester and beyond, you will see a lot of work happening across multiple housing units. There will be a gradual transition from window units to central heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems in The Oaks and Center Pointe. You will also notice new furniture in the housing lounge spaces.
  • We are elevating your recreation options. UCC will offer a new social experience, including virtual reality, video gaming stations, billiard and ping-pong tables, an air hockey station, and a student lounge. You will also see improvements in University Recreation, and consistent times for the fitness area—open for 16 hours on weekdays and 8 hours on weekends.
  • We are enhancing your academic experience. We will ensure that you have the courses available to help you make progress, including sufficient in-person classes, and advisors are ready to assist as needed. Our academic spaces continue to improve. Be sure to visit the third floor of the library. With renovations and new furniture, you will enjoy the spaces for quiet study as well as group collaboration. 

As I hope is clear, we are excited to serve you in the Spring, to help you cross the finish line to graduation. Thanksgiving may be over, but you will always have my deep gratitude for choosing UWG and my promise to support you in your journey.

Go West and Go Wolves!

 

Dr. Ashwani Monga 

Interim President 

University of West Georgia