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Land Surveying in Georgia

Fred Peters — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 04:38:15 +0000

The first surveys begun in what would become the state of Georgia were conducted by Spanish explorers who charted the coastline. Next, French Jesuits would survey the lands further inland. One of the first British settlers, Dr. Henry Woodard, would later be credited with mapping and exploring much of present-day Georgia. Later surveying efforts were related to land distribution following the Revolutionary War, followed by rebuilding infrastructure that had been destroyed during the Civil War. During the depression of the 1930s, thousands of unemployed land surveyors were put to work surveying the entire state. As a result, Georgia was the first state in the country to have a complete survey of all boundaries and land, with complete measurements and monuments.

Since 1937, all professional surveyors within the state of Georgia have been governed by the Georgia State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. This agency has the power to adopt standards for licensure and practice. Surveyors who do not follow the accepted land surveying standards are subject to investigation and discipline by the Board. Many land surveyors in Georgia also join the Surveying and Mapping Society of Georgia, a voluntary professional organization founded to support the interests of professional mappers and surveyors within the state. Known as SAMSOG, this organization was founded in 1947 and is affiliated with the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM), a national society for surveyors. There are currently over five hundred professional members of SAMSOG.

The role of the Surveying and Mapping Society includes scholarships and information for aspiring surveyors, as well as continuing education opportunities for current surveyors, who are required to obtain fifteen hours of continuing education study over each two-year period to renew their land surveying license. Other resources for current or aspiring surveyors include conferences, discussion forums, and publications such as “Georgia Land Surveyor,” released six times per year with articles pertaining to surveying in the state of Georgia. The Annual Plat Contest rewards land surveyors who create exemplary plat maps of Georgia lands.

SAMSOG also works to strengthen and refine the land surveyor profession through work with the Georgia State Legislature, the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, and national surveying groups such as ACSM and the American Land Title Association (ALTA). Bills passed at the urging of SAMSOG include recording plats in superior courts, monument protection, and improvement in the county surveyor’s laws. The Surveyors Reference Manual for Georgia Land Surveyors, originally made available over 20 years ago, is currently being updated as a professional manual for modern surveyors in Georgia, outlining regulations and practices for surveys within the state. SAMSOG was also instrumental in the drafting of a professional code of conduct for surveyors.

Georgia Tech College Football

Fred Peters — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 08:33:34 +0000

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are always a force to be reckoned with in the tough Atlantic Coast Conference. Although this may well be considered a rebuilding season after the loss of four top players to the NFL draft, the team’s record is 3-2 as of the first week of October. There have been wins over South Carolina State, North Carolina, and Wake Forest. Their losses have been to Kansas and ACC rival NC State. The Yellow Jackets still have a tough conference schedule ahead of them, with upcoming conference games against Virginia, Clemson, Duke, Miami, and Virginia Tech. The Yellow Jacket’s last game of the season is traditionally played against in state rival University of Georgia. There are four remaining home games this season.

Paul Johnson has been the head football coach at Georgia Tech since 2008. He previously served as the head coach at Georgia Southern University from 1997-2001 and the US Naval Academy from 2002-07. Johnson amassed a 20-7 record in his first two years at Tech, and led the team to the ACC Championship in 2009. The Yellow Jackets also went on to play in the Chick fil-A Bowl in 2008 and the Orange Bowl in 2009.

The Yellow Jackets play their home games in Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field, in the heart of the Tech campus. Built in 1913, the stadium is the oldest on campus stadium in Division I football. The stadium is named for Georgia Tech coaching legend Bobby Dodd, the head coach for 22 years, from 1945-66. Bobby Dodd stadium provides fans with a magnificent view of downtown Atlanta’s skyline. A major expansion of the stadium was completed in 2003, adding additional seating at both end zones, new locker rooms, a player’s lounge, a media room, and coach’s offices. The current seating capacity is 55,000 seats.

Georgia Institute of Technology was founded in 1885. It is considered one of the leading research universities in the country. Located on 400 acres in the heart of Atlanta, Tech has an enrollment of over 20,000 students. US News & World Reports has consistently ranked Georgia Tech among the top ten public universities in the nation. The university offers degree programs in 36 undergraduate majors, 47 master’s programs, and 30 doctoral programs.

Interior Design Schools in Georgia

Andy Johnson — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 07:24:01 +0000

Interior design schools gradually began to see a rise in the number of applicants a few years ago as worldwide TV channels began to pay more attention to homes and the way in which they were designed and decorated. Consumer culture actually had a massive impact on this trend, but nobody expected the explosion in popularity that was to occur in the last two or three years. More companies are employing designers, public services and private facilities, while homeowners are employing experts rather than giving in to the call of DIY. As such, there are career options for designers out there but before you can start looking into that, you need to look into the best design programs in Georgia to attend instead!

Design programs are predominantly associated with northern cities, such as New York and Boston, as a result of the coverage they have received in the press and on various websites in recent years. However, that is not to say that southern states do not have their fair share of top schools. In fact, those in the southern states are often just as good as those in the north. With expansive schedules and fantastic classes that encompass all aspects of such practice, the best interior design schools in Georgia have given many successful designers the education they need to forge an illustrious career.

Georgia’s design schools are mainly located in Atlanta, the state capital. However, there are some of note elsewhere in the state. The information outlined below will give you a little information about the best interior design schools and courses available to you there so you will be able to begin your research on your options with a firm foundation. American InterContinental University in Buckhead – The interior design programs at this particular school are of a more basic nature than those elsewhere but can give you a firm foundation to build on. The practical basic skills are taught in a hands on way so you are able to build your confidence and your portfolio at the same time. They offer courses in drafting, materials, color, lighting, building systems, detailing, residential design and commercial design, amongst others.

Bauder College in Atlanta – A career based school, this is amongst the best interior design schools in Georgia because all classes are designed around the premise that to learn you have to be taught the theory and put it into practice. With day and evening classes available, the flexible program is ideal for those working as well as full time students. The Art Institute Of Atlanta – The ultimate in hands on degree courses can give you the best possible start in your interior design career and this is here to find it. The curriculum is honed to perfection and has been praised for its success rates so you can have absolute peace of mind if you enroll in this particular institution. Westwood College in Atlanta is perhaps the best interior design school for a comprehensive degree program. In addition to the usual basic design principles, drawing and drafting elements, there are also classes on safety, interior construction, space planning and computer aided design amongst others.