KSU students revive beloved ‘bathtub races’ as video game
A quirky campus tradition is returning to Kennesaw State University — this time in digital form. Nearly 30 years after the last bathtub race at the former Southern Technical Institute, students in the College of Computing and Software Engineering are reviving the event as a fast-paced video game.
The project, led by computer game design major Sasha Melbourne, will debut at KSU’s upcoming Hornets Homecoming. Developed in collaboration with alumni, faculty, and the KSU Office of Alumni and Constituent Engagement, the game pays homage to the famed races where students once sped across campus in engine-powered bathtubs.
The idea came from alumni director Frances Beusse, who pitched a virtual version after repeated requests to resurrect the tradition. She and CCSE’s Will McKenna worked with students and alumni like Lee Miller — a 1980s race participant and former Bathtub Racing Association president — to bring the game to life.
Developers aimed to balance historical accuracy with playability, replicating the energy and spirit of the original races. “It’s not just about recreating the past,” Melbourne said. “It’s about making something people can enjoy now.”
The project has sparked new connections between students and alumni while celebrating a beloved slice of campus history.
— Derek Prall
Open Hand earns national accreditation for medically tailored meals
Open Hand, one of the largest community-based providers of medically tailored meals and nutrition services in the U.S., has received national accreditation from the Food is Medicine Coalition (FIMC). The recognition affirms Open Hand’s implementation of the coalition’s Medically Tailored Meal Intervention Accreditation Criteria and Requirements.
The accreditation places Open Hand at the forefront of a growing national movement to integrate nutrition into healthcare. Medically tailored meals are prescribed by healthcare professionals and designed by registered dietitian nutritionists to meet the specific needs of individuals with serious illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and kidney disease.
“This accreditation is more than a seal of approval — it’s a powerful affirmation of our mission,” said Matthew Pieper, CEO of Open Hand. “It sets the gold standard for what medically tailored meal providers can and should be.”
FIMC accreditation is based on rigorous standards, including medical nutrition therapy, food safety, HIPAA compliance and timely meal delivery. The process includes an on-site audit and review by the FIMC Membership and Accreditation Committee.
— Derek Prall
Muppet veteran Steve Whitmire to lead puppetry at immersive show
Steve Whitmire, the longtime voice behind Kermit the Frog and Ernie, is joining “Mirth & Mischief” as director of puppetry. The immersive theatrical experience opens May 2 at Uhuburg Castle in Helen, Georgia, and runs Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the month.
Whitmire brings more than 40 years of puppetry expertise to the project, which blends live performance, storytelling and virtual reality across 2.5 acres of castle grounds. He will lead the design and performance of the show’s fantasy creatures, integrating subtle expression with theatrical movement.
“This isn’t just puppetry — it’s living mythology,” Whitmire said. “Stories shaped through movement, heart and imagination.”
Whitmire is best known for his decades with “The Muppet Show,” including voicing Kermit the Frog for over 25 years. He also performed in “Fraggle Rock,” “Sesame Street” and “The Dark Crystal.”
“Mirth & Mischief” invites guests into a whimsical, after-dark world filled with interactive characters and unexpected encounters. Creator and executive producer Kelly Nelson said Whitmire’s influence elevates the production: “His extraordinary talent brings a unique sense of wonder to our world.”
Tickets, including VIP options, are available here.
St. Vincent de Paul Georgia to honor volunteers at annual awards reception
St. Vincent de Paul Georgia will host its annual Volunteer Awards Reception on Tuesday evening to recognize individuals and organizations for their exceptional service during National Volunteer Month.
The event will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at the nonprofit’s Service Center in Chamblee, with an award ceremony scheduled for 5:40 p.m. Executive Director Mike Mies and Board President Denise Fisher will present honors to this year’s top volunteers.
In 2024, more than 612,000 volunteer hours helped the organization serve over 293,000 people across the state. The reception celebrates those who played a vital role in delivering food, housing support, and other critical services to neighbors in need.
Honorees include Mirian Hernandez and John Nicol, both named Individual Volunteer of the Year. PNC will be recognized as Corporate Volunteer of the Year, while Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Beta Lambda Omega Chapter will receive Civic/Community Volunteer of the Year. Finalists for the Vincentian Top Hat Award will also receive special recognition.
St. Vincent de Paul Georgia has served communities since 1903, offering emergency support and long-term stability programs through its Hunger, Housing and Health initiatives. For more information, click here.
— Derek Prall
Georgia Rivers offers free river adventures for families through scholarship program
Georgia Rivers is offering low- to moderate-income families the chance to explore the state’s waterways through a scholarship program that provides free registrations for upcoming canoe and kayak trips. The program covers day trips and weekend paddling adventures across Georgia, with events running through November.
Scholarships range in value from $100 for day trips to nearly $500 for the organization’s signature event, Paddle Georgia — a seven-day journey along South Chickamauga Creek and the Tennessee River beginning June 15. Most trips are suitable for beginners and include locations such as the Chattahoochee River in Atlanta, the Yellow River in Covington and the Okefenokee Swamp.
“This is especially meaningful for families,” said Rena Ann Peck, executive director of Georgia Rivers. “We’ve seen how these adventures create lasting memories and make nature more accessible for those who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity.”
The program is funded by Colonial Pipeline and other Georgia Rivers supporters. Applications are open now and can be submitted here.
A full schedule of trips is available here.
Atlanta Habitat for Humanity welcomes three new board members
Atlanta Habitat for Humanity has appointed three new members to its board of directors: Stephen Harrison of Deloitte Tax LLP, David Neal of Georgia-Pacific and Sarah Post of The Home Depot. The new members bring decades of leadership and a strong commitment to community service to support the organization’s mission of advancing affordable homeownership.
“Through their lived experiences and active service, our board members help us go ‘beyond the build’ to empower homeowners with resources for financial planning, education and entrepreneurship,” said Rosalyn Merrick, president and CEO of Atlanta Habitat. “We’re grateful for their enthusiastic commitment to helping us positively impact families and revitalize communities.”
Harrison is a partner at Deloitte and has over 30 years of experience in corporate tax consulting. He has also served as president of the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta and raised $9 million as finance chair for Oak Grove United Methodist Church.
Neal, executive vice president at Georgia-Pacific, led a $300 million expansion of the company’s gypsum facility and serves on advisory boards at Georgia Tech and the High Museum of Art.
Post, vice president of online product management at The Home Depot, leads the Interconnected Experience team and first volunteered with Habitat as a high school student.
— Derek Prall
Children’s Museum of Atlanta expands access for Title I Schools
Children’s Museum of Atlanta has announced a major expansion of its Access It! program, doubling subsidies for Title I schools and increasing the number of subsidized tickets available to schools and community groups. The initiative, effective Jan. 1, is supported by the Molly Blank Fund of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Publix Super Markets Charities and other donors.
Access It! has provided free or reduced admission to more than 75,000 children and caregivers from Title I schools through partnerships with organizations such as Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Covenant House of Georgia and Make-A-Wish. The expansion strengthens the Museum’s mission to eliminate financial and social barriers to early childhood learning.
“We know that early learning experiences shape a child’s success in school and life,” said Executive Director Edwin Link. “Thanks to generous support, we’re able to welcome more children from economically challenged neighborhoods into our space for discovery and play.”
The expansion includes increased subsidies through 2025, broader ticket availability for partners and a focus on reaching underserved communities.
The Museum’s action follows findings from the United Way of Greater Atlanta showing declines in academic performance in high-need areas since the pandemic.
More information is available here.
— Derek Prall
High Museum launches fashion initiative backed by gift From Lauren Amos
The High Museum of Art has announced a multimillion-dollar gift from Atlanta entrepreneur and philanthropist Lauren Amos to establish the Lauren Amos Fashion Project—its first initiative solely focused on fashion design in the museum’s nearly century-long history.
The project will fund fashion exhibitions, a new curatorial position and related programming over the next five years. Its inaugural effort will support “Viktor&Rolf. Fashion Statements,” the first major U.S. retrospective of the Dutch couture duo, opening at the High on Oct. 10.
Amos, a longtime board member and founder of fashion boutiques ANT/DOTE and wish ATL, has been a key supporter of the arts in Atlanta. “Supporting the arts is incredibly important to me, and this opportunity to showcase fashion as a true art form inside one of the nation’s premier museums is a dream come true,” Amos said.
The museum will soon begin its search for a dedicated fashion curator to lead new exhibitions and scholarship, including a major show anticipated for 2028–29.
Past fashion exhibitions at the High include “Iris van Herpen: Transforming Fashion,” “The Rise of Sneaker Culture” and “Virgil Abloh: ‘Figures of Speech.’”
More details are available here.
— Derek Prall
Former Chairman and CEO of Georgia Power named to board of Exelon
Exelon Corp. announced Tuesday that W. Paul Bowers has been appointed as the company’s independent board chair, effective immediately. Bowers succeeds John F. Young, who is retiring after serving in the role since 2022.
Bowers has been an independent director on Exelon’s board since 2021 and brings more than 40 years of experience in the utilities industry. He previously served as chair and CEO of Georgia Power and is recognized for his expertise in finance, regulatory strategy and risk management.
“We are privileged and delighted to welcome Paul Bowers as our next board chair,” said Exelon President and CEO Calvin Butler. “As we approach Exelon’s 25th year, his leadership will help guide our strategy and growth during a transformative time for the energy industry.”
In addition to his role at Exelon, Bowers serves as lead non-management director on the board of Aflac and holds board positions with EnviroSpark, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Brand Safway.
“John Young’s dedication has ensured that Exelon is well-positioned to remain an industry leader,” Bowers said. “It’s been an honor to serve alongside him.”
Exelon is the nation’s largest utility company by customer count, serving more than 10 million people across six jurisdictions.
— Derek Prall
