COSM WEEKLY THE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS
ISSUE 68
UPDATES FROM THE DEAN COSM Faculty and Staff, Happy New Year and welcome to the Spring 2026 semester. As we begin this new year, I want to recognize the incredible dedication you have shown during a period of tremendous growth and transition for our college. THANK YOU!! Our collective efforts are reflected in our enrollment data; total COSM enrollment has reached 1,883 students, a nearly 16% increase over last spring. We also officially welcome 11 new Science and Mathematics faculty members following the consolidation with East Georgia State College, which became a Georgia Southern campus on January 1, 2026. To support this integration, we are currently updating COSM manuals and bylaws to account for East Georgia faculty status, where their tenure and promotion standards will remain unchanged. Regarding our academic and research mission, we are seeing immediate success with our Ph.D. in Materials Science, which launched this semester, and our BS in Biomedical Science, which already serves 168 students. Looking toward Fall 2026, we have received 83 applications for the new Biomedical Science Ph.D. and 91 for Materials Science. To support research excellence, we are entering the Shimadzu SPARQ program partnership, which will bring five new instruments to our Core Research Labs. Look for more details soon. Additionally, renovations are complete at the Herty Building, and we are expanding our biomedical research footprint at Savannah Research Complex Building 3. As we move forward, please keep the following administrative priorities in mind: Strategic Planning: All departments are asked to complete their individual Strategic Plans and "Planon-a-Page" documents by the end of this semester. Student Responsiveness: USG requirements now include new syllabi and faculty CV standards. Please ensure timely responsiveness to students, particularly regarding grade appeals, where we should use the language of "denying" an appeal rather than stating it "cannot be appealed". Dual Enrollment Support: With approximately 1,800 dual enrollment students this semester, please be mindful that many cannot attend traditional office hours due to high school schedules; extra guidance regarding the SMART Center or MASTER Lab may be necessary. Budget Outlook: We are anticipating over $700,000 in new funds for FY2027, including increased GTA funding and operational funds to combat inflation. Our newly formed COSM Staff Council is already active, focusing on professional development and the upcoming Annual Staff Day. We are also preparing to launch the 2026 COSM Alumni Awards, with a call for nominations coming in the next few weeks. Thank you for your tireless work in positioning COSM as a center for academic excellence. Sincerely,
Mike
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COSM DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Alex Wagner will serve as Director of Development for the College of Science and Mathematics—office based in Statesboro. Alex joins us with a strong background in sales leadership, collaborative fundraising, and relationship-driven engagement. Most recently, he served as Manager of Group Sales for Zawyer Sports & Entertainment – Savannah, where he led ticket sales operations and supported corporate partnership efforts for the Savannah Ghost Pirates and affiliated organizations. Under his leadership, the organization is on track to generate more than $8 million in ticket sales and $11.5 million in total revenue for the Ghost Pirates alone. Earlier in his career, Alex served as Director of Ticketing & Fan Engagement for South Georgia Tormenta FC and as an Email Marketing Analyst at Targeted Victory, where he helped analyze donor data and develop digital engagement strategies supporting more than $115 million raised through online campaigns. A Statesboro native and former Georgia Southern dual-enrolled student, Alex has long felt a strong connection to Georgia Southern and our community. He currently serves as President of the Behavioral Pediatrics Resource Center Board, supporting local youth with autism, ADHD, and anxiety. Alex holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Emory University and a master’s degree in Sport Management and Policy from the University of Georgia. He and his wife, Emily, reside in Brooklet, GA, with their three dogs and are excited to continue building their future in our community. Email: awagner@georgiasouthern.edu
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LAB SAFETY WEEK FEBRUARY 9-13 Safety First. Science Always. Lab Safety Week is coming up soon! Lab Safety Week is a time to pause, refresh, and recommit to the practices that keep everyone safe while supporting great science. Whether you’re a student, staff member, or faculty researcher, safety is a shared responsibility—and it starts with everyday habits.
Why Lab Safety Matters A safe lab protects: People – your health and the health of others Research – reliable results and protected data Facilities & Equipment – fewer accidents, less downtime One small shortcut can lead to big consequences—awareness makes all the difference.
Lab Safety Basics to Remember Wear appropriate PPE at all times (lab coats, gloves, eye protection) Know the location of emergency equipment (eyewash stations, safety showers, fire extinguishers) Label all chemicals clearly and store them properly Never eat or drink in the lab Keep workspaces clean and uncluttered Report spills, hazards, or near-misses immediately
Be Prepared Review Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for chemicals you use Understand emergency procedures before you need them Ask questions—there’s no such thing as a “silly” safety question
Safety Is a Culture Lab safety isn’t just a checklist—it’s a mindset. Look out for one another, speak up when something doesn’t seem right, and model safe behavior for others.
Lab Safety Week Challenge Take a few minutes this week to: Review your lab’s safety protocols Check that PPE and emergency equipment are accessible Share one safety tip with a lab mate
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Together, we can make safety second nature. Click here for Lab Safety Awareness Week Resources
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Last week we had an eventful day on campus. During routine pre-semester cleaning, a faculty member discovered legacy chemicals that had been left behind by a former employee. Among these was picric acid that had crystallized, which is highly unstable and potentially explosive. University authorities were immediately notified, and the situation was handled quickly and professionally under the leadership of GS Director of Emergency Management, Erick Riner. As a precaution, the building was evacuated, and the GBI Bomb Disposal Unit responded alongside university police, local fire, and emergency medical personnel. The material was safely removed from the building and rendered harmless at an off-site location (some community members may have heard the controlled detonation around 6:15 p.m.). The response followed established emergency protocols and was executed exactly as intended. Thank you to everyone involved for their calm, efficient, and textbook response. This incident serves as a strong reminder of the importance of proper chemical management and ongoing lab safety awareness.
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COSM NEWS & INFORMATION Last week, several COSM faculty members gathered in Statesboro to participate in a collaborative faculty workshop, engaging in professional development and shared learning.
A MESSAGE FROM ASSOCIATE DEAN OF RESEARCH AND GRADUATE STUDIES I am excited to begin my role as the COSM Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies. As I prepare for this transition, I would like to gain a clearer understanding of the diverse research expertise, interests, and expectations across our College. To support this, I have created a brief Google Form to gather input from faculty in each department. Thank you in advance for your time and insights. I look forward to working with all of you and supporting the continued growth and success of research in COSM. Thanks for the help. Best Stephen
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COSM MEETING AND INFORMATION Presentation: Spring 2026 COSM College-Wide Meeting Recorded Meeting: Presentation: Spring 2026 COSM College-Wide Meeting Passcode: 2MHB8g5#
Spring 2026 Enrollment Data
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COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS VISIT US ONLINE AT GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/COSM
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