In the New Year, we remain focused on expanding and improving graduate education. We draw inspiration from that which expresses the highest endeavor: innovation.

Where do innovations arise? The answer is immediate for me—they come from the minds of our best and brightest graduate students, collaborating alongside our excellent faculty. These students bring a spark of inquiry to the equation in posing a new idea or a question never before asked.

Graduate education seeds this inspiration.

When speaking about graduate education I always make this point: Graduate students are the intellectual legacy of the University of Georgia. They embrace issues in this ever-changing world and offer solutions to address new challenges. My job is to provide the best opportunities for gifted graduate students to succeed in this, while attracting new talent to UGA.

A primary way we attract and retain exceptional talent is in the form of financial support. We seed inspiration by providing scholars the gift of time, time to ask that unanswered question that will lead to a new discovery. Inside this issue is the story of Bridg’ette Israel, a new PhD and professor. She says her path to becoming a researcher was opened thanks to the Sloan fellowship she received and invaluable mentorship. On our cover is Chelcy Ford, another alumna benefitting from research supported by UGA. Now, these scientists attract national recognition to UGA.

How do you make such important work possible? It is easy—join me in pulling the envelope out and making a gift to support our graduate students. You can make a huge difference in the fate of these inquiring minds. Join me in saying “yes” to the importance of graduate education. Say “yes” to the University of Georgia. Say “yes” to our graduate students!