Cedric Knight never underestimates the power of hard work. Knight transferred to the University of Georgia his junior year. After graduating, he served two decades in the Navy and retired as commander. In 1995, at the cusp of the internet age, he launched New Directions Technologies Inc., an IT, software, engineering, and cybersecurity services company, where he’s still CEO.

The National Academy of Inventors has selected eight University of Georgia researchers as 2025 NAI Senior Members, surpassing its own record of five inductees set last year. UGA now has 24 Senior Members overall. “We are thrilled to celebrate these latest UGA elections to the country’s leading organization for groundbreaking inventors and innovators,” said Chris King, interim vice president for research. “Their dedication to translating research into tangible impact embodies the university’s land-grant mission and our commitment to serving society through innovation.”

Fourth-generation farmer, Air Force veteran and mental health advocate Connie Baptiste will give the keynote address at the 2025 Farm Stress Summit in Statesboro, Georgia, on March 13. For the third year, University of Georgia faculty, farmers, farm family members, agricultural community members, and agricultural mental health stakeholders will convene at the 2025 Farm Stress Summit to network and strategize ways to safeguard the well-being of Georgia’s farmers and farm families.