This week: A sociology class project aims to illustrate the number of U.S. murders, Military and Veteran Services at Augusta University is honored for their efforts and a political science professor weighs in on 2020 election fallout in the Peach State.

Chalk the walk to demonstrate the number of murders in the U.S.

At 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, students will chalk sidewalks at Allgood Hall to represent the number of murders in 2020. The activity is part of the Sociology of Murder course taught by Dr. Kim Davies, dean of Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. For over 15 years Davies has conducted this exercise to help shed light on America’s violent crime rates.

“Several years ago I decided to follow advice I gave to others using my textbook on murder and I started doing an activity that makes the numbers more real for my class and for those in the community,” said Davies. “Every year that I do this activity, it seems to bring the attention and focus I want, and it helps bond our class.”

A national honor for Military and Veteran Services

Augusta University’s Military and Veteran Services was recently awarded a Military Friendly School Bronze recognition for the 2022-23 academic year. Institutions earning the Military Friendly School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey.

“The designation is a public recognition of the great work that we’re doing here at Augusta University for our military students,” said Dr. Stefane Raulerson, director of Military and Veteran Services. “While our work on campus will continue to support a transition and support the academic success of our military students, it is nice to have our efforts recognized on a national level.”

2020 election fallout in Georgia heads to the courtroom

The fallout from the 2020 elections in Georgia continues, and it’s headed to an Atlanta courtroom. Both Rudy Giuliani, former advisor to President Trump, and South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham have been summoned to appear.

“When politicians are involved, there are almost always political calculations,” said Dr. Gregg Murray, professor of political science in Pamplin College. “But there’s a lot of information suggesting there may be problematic behavior that Giuliani was heavily involved with.”