In a déjà vu moment fit for an action-packed Hollywood script, the Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team completed a rally for the second straight year to capture the opening round’s Lawrenceville Bracket and propel the program to the Avista NAIA World Series for the seventh straight season.
The Grizzlies are scheduled to play the University of British Columbia (Canada) in their Avista NAIA World Series opener on Friday, May 23, in Lewiston, Idaho, starting at 7 p.m. PST. The World Series is scheduled to conclude on Saturday, May 31.
Facing two must-win situations in the recent championship round at the Grizzly Baseball Complex, the top-seeded Grizzlies scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to turn a 10-5 deficit into an 11-10 victory against Keiser University (Florida) in the first game of the day.
Then, the tournament hosts came back from trailing 7-6 by scoring six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to defeat the Seahawks 13-8 to lead the way to the NAIA World Series in Lewiston, as one of the 10 remaining teams in this year’s tournament.
Georgia Banking starts retail mortgage channel
Georgia Banking Company (GBC) announces the launch of its Retail Mortgage origination channel, another significant step in the company’s strategic growth plan. The expansion is set to provide comprehensive mortgage solutions to homebuyers and homeowners across metro Atlanta, reinforcing GBC’s commitment to enhancing its service offerings and market presence.
Leading this initiative are veteran mortgage banking professionals Doug Casbon and John Steele. Casbon will serve as managing director. He will work closely with John Steele, the director of retail mortgage.
Bartow Morgan, CEO of Georgia Banking Company, expressed his enthusiasm for this new venture, stating, “We are excited to welcome Doug and John to GBC. Their expertise and leadership will be instrumental in establishing GBC as a premier provider of mortgage services in Atlanta. The expansion aligns with our strategic vision of offering diverse financial products and exceptional service to our customers.”
GBC will offer a wide range of mortgage products, with purchase and refinance options, including fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages, home equity loans, and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs). GBC Retail Mortgage provides personalized service and competitive rates tailored to each customer’s needs.
Ethics charge brings statement from Holtkamp
Holtkamp
Recently County Commissioner Matthew Holtkamp has been accused of unethical conduct when he made a video opposing the county’s transit plan in 2024. This week Commissioner Holtkamp released this statement to GwinnettForum:
“The videos I made were as a private citizen. When you also serve in the role of a commissioner, you have to keep one word in the top of your mind. That word is ‘resource.’
“I was very intentional to not use county resources at any time. I went so far as to not disclose any of my actions so that no special accommodations or effort by any county employee would be made for me. I boarded a normal Gwinnett bus route, paid my fare, and shot a video.
“Thank you to all who voted against the referendum. While we do need some sort of transit for our future, this plan used old data. Thankfully the voters recognized this and we saved ourselves $17 billion!”
Johns Creek Symphony names new music director
Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra (JCSO) announces that Henry Cheng has been selected as the orchestra’s new music director, beginning in September 2025. He was selected from a field of 106 applicants. Cheng conducted two concerts with the JCSO as a guest conductor in the orchestra’s 2024-2025 season.
Cheng
Peter Hildebrandt, president of JCSO’s Board of Directors, says: “Henry Cheng has both the experience and the passion to make that happen, and we couldn’t be happier with the choice. The entire board is excited to work alongside him to make Johns Creek an even more vibrant place.”
Cheng is an internationally recognized conductor whose work brings together musical excellence, cultural curiosity, and a deep commitment to community. He is the winner of the Antal Doráti International Conducting Competition and the European Union Conducting Competition, Cheng has led performances across Europe, Asia, and North America with ensembles such as the La Scala Chamber Orchestra and the Tonyeong International Music Festival Ensemble.
His projects often reimagine the concert experience — whether through Classical K-pop, which bridges the worlds of BTS and Beethoven, or Minecraft x In C, a music education initiative merging minimalist composition with digital interactivity. Cheng has also collaborated with Justice Desk Africa, a South African human rights organization inspired by Nelson Mandela’s legacy, using music as a tool for healing, empowerment, and cross-cultural understanding.
In addition to his work on the podium, Cheng composes and produces interdisciplinary performances that fuse sound, movement, and visual storytelling. Often developed in collaboration with dancers, technologists, and visual artists, his work has been featured at venues such as the Berliner Festspiele, the Singapore Art Museum, the Steirischer Herbst Festival, and the Kaohsiung Performing Arts Center.
Cheng’s artistic leadership is shaped by a simple question: how can an orchestra be of greatest service to its community? Whether through interdisciplinary programming, school partnerships, or creative audience engagement, his work reflects a belief in music as a shared space for connection, reflection, and imagination.
Cheng studied at Georgia State University, the Eastman School of Music, Indiana University, and the University of the Arts in Berlin.
Cheng looks forward to his new role: “This isn’t about making music – it’s about building something meaningful and lasting, and serving a community that truly values innovation, education, and the arts. Orchestras grow when they serve, and my vision is for JCSO to become a place where people feel connected, inspired, and proud of what we create together – not just on stage, but throughout the city. My family and I are looking forward to becoming part of Johns Creek’s cultural and civic life, and to building on the strong foundation JCSO has established – helping it grow artistically, strategically, and in service to the people who call this place home.”
Latin American Association reopens Outreach Center
Gwinnett County officials joined the Latin American Association(LAA) this week to mark the grand re-opening of the LAA Gwinnett Outreach Center in Norcross at 5320 Jimmy Carter Boulevard. The facility, formerly known as The Resting Spot, will serve as a resource for families and individuals facing housing insecurity across the County.
Earlier this year, the Board of Commissioners approved a more than $1 million contract with the Latin American Association to operate the center. The funding supports expanded services designed to prevent homelessness and promote housing stability for families throughout the region.
Santiago Marquez, who is CEO of the Association, says: “Our ultimate goal Gwinnett Outreach Center is to end homelessness in Gwinnett County. One of our organization’s many priorities, all of which are rooted in dignity and empowerment, is to continually assess the needs of our community and strive to meet folks where they currently stand.”
The LAA Gwinnett Outreach Center offers temporary shelter, case management focused on financial stability, emergency rental assistance, tenant advocacy, legal support for eviction or housing discrimination, and direct referrals to permanent housing solutions. The center brings these critical services under one roof, connecting residents with the tools and resources they need to rebuild their lives with dignity.
PCOM graduates 287 new health professionals
On May 20, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Suwanee graduated 287 students in a commencement ceremony at the Gas South Convention Center. The ceremony honored graduates earning degrees from all doctoral and graduate programs within the medical, pharmacy and health professions.
Following graduation, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine graduates will begin residency training in a wide range of specialties, including emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, and others.
PCOM Georgia Class of 2025 highlights:
- Youngest graduate: 23 years old;
- Oldest graduate: 60 years old;
- Most popular first names: Daniel, Sarah
- Most common last name: Patel
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