The Franklin College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest, largest and most academically diverse college at the University of Georgia. In many ways, it is at the heart of UGA, the nation’s first state-chartered institution of higher education.

The first classes were taught in 1801 in a forest clearing on what is now the University’s historic North Campus. In 1806, the first permanent brick building was constructed on campus and named Franklin College in honor of Benjamin Franklin. The building, which was later renamed Old College, is the oldest structure in Athens and houses the administrative offices of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences as well as classroom space.

Franklin College and University of Georgia were often used interchangeably to describe the fledgling institution until 1859, when the College of Law became the second college on a campus that now boasts 16 schools and colleges.

Today’s Franklin College comprises 30 departments in five divisions: Fine Arts, Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, Physical and Mathematical Sciences, and the Humanities. The top five most popular undergraduate majors at UGA—Biology, Psychology, English, Art, History—all are housed within Franklin College. In addition to educating more undergraduates than any college on campus, the Franklin College offers 76 graduate degrees and certificates in 42 fields of study.

Our faculty members are at the forefront of their disciplines, exploring research opportunities and creative endeavors that illuminate the human condition and create a foundation for improved well-being and quality of life. The knowledge they create informs their teaching as well as their outreach to the state, nation and world. Like the man for whom the college is named, the faculty, staff and students of the Franklin College are bound by a shared dedication to advancing the frontiers of knowledge through creative inquiry and expression.

UGA Franklin College of Arts and Sciences

New Row

Contact expert @[Full Name](fullname), @[Job Title](job_title) at @[Organization](organization) for media, speaking, professional opportunities and more.

@[Full Name](fullname) at @[Organization](organization) | Contact Form

Expert Inquiry

Open Sans

AMS Brooks Award

AMS Helmut Landsberg Award

AGU Climate Communication Prize

Mani L. Bhaumik Award for Public Engagement with Science

Southeastern Conference (SEC) Professor of the Year

NASA Earth Science Advisory Committee: chairman

American Meteorological Society (AMS) : Past President

American Geophysical Union

Association of American Geographers (AAG)

International Association for Urban Climate (IAUC)

Sigma Xi

Institute for Sustainable Communities,: board member

A Review of Current Investigations of Urban-Induced Rainfall and Recommendations for the Future

Quantifying the contribution of tropical cyclones to extreme rainfall along the coastal southeastern United States

A global spatiotemporal analysis of inland tropical cyclone maintenance or intensification

The Curious Relationship Between COVID-19 Lockdowns and Urban Heat Islands

Global scale assessment of urban precipitation anomalies

The Case for the Science Popularizer

Cultivating Trust. Contribution - For a More Competitive US Research Enterprise, the Work Begins Now

Impacts of Urbanization on Precipitation and Storms: Physical Insights  and Vulnerabilities

Compounding Disasters in Gulf Coast Communities 2020-2021

Advancing Risk Communication with Decision-Makers for Extreme Tropical Cyclones and Other Atypical Climate Events

RECORDED JUNE 7, 2024 Originally released JULY 17, 2024Guest: Dr. Shepherd & the Creators of Weather GeeksAs long as there has been weather, we have had weather geeks. Before we had the radar to see storms from different layers and the satellites to see hurricanes from space, the fascination of weather has always been there. But only for the past 10 years has there been a Weather Geeks show; first starting as a half-hour geek out on The Weather Channel and now a podcast that you’re listening to wherever you are! And since the beginning, Dr. Marshall Shepherd from the University of Georgia has been your host and he’s sitting down with us to reminisce and regale about the past 10 years of Weather Geeks…Chapters00:00 The Fascination of Weather Geeks02:14 Bitten by the Weather Bug04:28 Creating a Meet the Press for Weather05:07 The Reluctant Host10:39 The Evolution of Hosting16:17 Fascinating Guests21:39 Geeking Out with Ginger Zee and Janice Hough22:05 A Place to Geek Out22:42 The Value of Weather Geeks in the Weathergeek Community24:21 Challenges and Surprises of Hosting a TV Show26:33 Influencing Teaching Strategies through Weather Geeks29:03 The Future of Weather Geeks: AI, Social Sciences, and Immersive Mixed Reality31:27 Exploring the Fascination of Weather with Weather GeeksSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Weather Geeks 10th Anniversary | Re-released

GEOG 8120 | Seminar in Climatology

GEOG 4/6160 | Applied Climatology in the Urban Environment

Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd is a leading international weather-climate expert and is the Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Geography and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Georgia.  Dr. Shepherd was the 2013 President of American Meteorological Society (AMS), the nation’s largest and oldest professional/science society in the atmospheric and related sciences. Dr. Shepherd serves as Director of the University of Georgia’s (UGA) Atmospheric Sciences Program, the Associate Director of Climate and Outreach for the Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems, and Full Professor in the Department of Geography. In 2023, he was appointed Associate Dean for Research, Scholarship and Partnerships in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Georgia. His areas of research include urban climate, hydrometeorological extremes, weather-climate risk, and innovative outreach strategies.

In 2024, Dr. Shepherd received the National Academies’ Eric and Wendy Schmidt Award for Excellence in Science Communication and was honored with the American Association of Geographers Presidential Achievement Award. In 2023, he received the prestigious Environmental Law Institute Award. In 2023, Dr. Shepherd also moderated a discussion with Vice President Kamala Harris on climate change. He was selected as the 2022 Southeastern Conference (SEC) Professor of the Year following a historic accomplishment the previous year. In 2021, Dr. Shepherd was elected to the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. 

Dr. Shepherd is frequently sought as an expert on weather, climate, and remote sensing. He is host of The Weather Channel’s Award-Winning Weather Geeks, Senior Contributor to Forbes Magazine and routinely appears on CBS Face The Nation, NOVA, The Today Show, CNN, and Fox News. His 3 TED Talks have nearly 3 million viewers, and he is also frequently asked to advise key leaders at NASA, the White House, Congress, Department of Defense, and officials from foreign countries. Dr. Shepherd has attracted several millions of dollars in extramural research support from NASA, National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, U.S. Forest Service and the Ray C. Anderson Foundation.

Hurricane and Tropical Storms

Climate

Weather

Data Analysis

Climate Change

Remote Sensing

English

University of Georgia Faculty Profile

Personal Website

Google Scholar Citations

Wikipedia page

ResearchGate

Orcid

Applied Hydrometeorology and Urban Climate Lab, Department of Geography

2 Hour Lead Time For Tornadoes Is Possible But Do We Want It?

Why A New Weather App Is Causing Such A Buzz

Late-season tropical threat taking shape in the Caribbean, forecasts show

Meteorologists Face Harassment and Death Threats Amid Hurricane Disinformation

As Disinformation Swirls, Meteorologists Are Facing Threats

The Bullying Of Meteorologists During Hurricanes Helene And Milton

I’m an atmospheric scientist. People do not control hurricanes.

5 Things To Watch For With Future Hurricane Helene

Can We Expect More Flooding and Extreme Weather Because of Climate Change?

Effect of cities on rainfall and the implications for drainage design

Urban effects on rainfall variability:  Potential implications for Georgia’s water supply

You see it every day. It’s the subject of poetry, literature, art and film. It can inspire spiritual experiences, and it can destroy everything you have ever worked for. It is the weather, and no one knows it better than we do. Join us every week for the agony and the ecstasy of the one story that the entire world participates in and the science behind it. From the people behind The Weather Channel TV network.

Weather Geeks

Engineering With Nature ® Initiative

Cooperative Institute for Satellite Earth System Studies (CISESS)

Towards Conceptualization and Predictability: A Multi-scalar Analysis of Urban-Influenced Hydrometeorological Processes

Towards Conceptualization and Predictability: A Multi-scalar Analysis of Urban-Influenced  Hydrometeorological Processes

Advancing Sustainable Poultry Production through Climate-Smart Farming Practices and Large Animal Phenotyping Foundation Models.

Installation Multi-Natural Hazards Risk Assessments under a Changing Climatic Conditions

Establishing the Research and Education Programs on Convergent Safety Science and Engineering at UGA

Rubber-Modified Asphalt- A Potential Urban Heat Island Mitigation Strategy

Incorporating Principles of Environmental Justice into Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations, a Climate and Flood Adaptation Strategy

Investigating the Role of Land-Surface Conditions on Landfalling Tropical

why-college-students-are-storming-fields-more-often

UGA Franklin College of Arts and Sciences' Marshall Shepherd is a leading expert and regular media contributor to Forbes Magazine

Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor and Director, Atmospheric Sciences Program |  Associate Dean

  In his most recent  Forbes article, Dr. Marshall Shepherd takes a scientific look at why college students and fans storm football fields, blending insights from psychology, meteorology, and social dynamics. He explains that field-storming is not simply a burst of emotion—it’s a predictable outcome of collective excitement and shared identity. After an unexpected win or a high-stakes rivalry game, thousands of people simultaneously experience what psychologists call “emotional contagion,” amplifying feelings of unity and celebration. This shared surge, combined with environmental cues like stadium acoustics and crowd density, transforms the act into what Shepherd calls a form of “social weather event.”

“Storming the field isn’t chaos—it’s choreography fueled by emotion and crowd physics.”  Shepherd also examines the logistical and safety implications. He notes that while universities often celebrate these spontaneous displays of school pride, they carry risks ranging from crowd injuries to property damage. Yet, institutions are reluctant to ban them outright because these moments reinforce fan loyalty and media attention. Shepherd suggests that the solution lies in better understanding crowd behavior: designing stadiums with safe egress routes, training security teams to manage surges, and anticipating emotional tipping points rather than reacting afterward.

“Understanding the science behind fan behavior lets us manage energy, not suppress it.”  Ultimately, Shepherd’s piece reframes field-storming as a fascinating mix of culture and physics—where joy, identity, and momentum collide. He urges universities to see these moments not as mere rule-breaking but as opportunities to study human behavior in motion, and to design environments that celebrate passion without compromising safety.


 Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd is a leading international weather-climate expert and is the Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Geography and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Georgia. Dr. Shepherd was the 2013 President of American Meteorological Society (AMS), the nation’s largest and oldest professional/science society in the atmospheric and related sciences. View his profile here  Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd is available to speak with the media about this interesting topic - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.



Why College Students Are Storming Fields More Often

covering-hurricane-melissa-our-expert-is-here-to-help-with-your-coverage

  Hurricane Melissa has exploded into a record-breaking Category 5 storm, tearing through the Caribbean with catastrophic force. It made landfall in Jamaica with sustained winds near 185 mph, unleashing torrential rain, landslides, and widespread destruction across the island — the strongest storm ever recorded there. The hurricane has already caused fatalities in Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, and now barrels toward eastern Cuba and the Bahamas, where mass evacuations are underway. Meteorologists warn of up to 30 inches of rainfall in some areas, storm surges reaching 11 feet along southern coasts, and a severe risk of flash flooding and mudslides due to the storm’s slow, grinding pace. 

 Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd is a leading international weather-climate expert and is the Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Geography and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Georgia. Dr. Shepherd was the 2013 President of American Meteorological Society (AMS), the nation’s largest and oldest professional/science society in the atmospheric and related sciences. View his profile here While Melissa is expected to weaken slightly as it moves north, its enormous size means destructive winds, life-threatening flooding, and dangerous coastal waves will persist through the week — with Bermuda now bracing for potential impact and the U.S. East Coast monitoring for high surf and rip currents as the storm churns offshore.

Covering?  We can help.

Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd is a leading international weather-climate expert and is the Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Geography and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Georgia.

His expertise has been sought recently by ABC News, Forbes Magazine and The New York Times. He's available to speak with the media about this ongoing story and storm - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.



Covering Hurricane Melissa? Our Expert is Here to Help with Your Coverage

expert-insight-uga-franklin-college-of-arts-and-sciences-marshall-shepherd-was-recently-featured-in-forbes-magazine

Nonprofit Launches Tool For User-Tailored Climate Solutions was published September 28, 2025

In a September article featured in Forbes, Marshall Shepherd reports on a new tool launched by Project Drawdown that aims to deliver personalized climate-action strategies to different users—including policymakers, businesses, and individuals. 

 In the piece, he explains that the tool helps match context-specific emissions reduction or resilience options to the particular needs, geography, and capacities of the user, rather than prescribing one-size-fits-all solutions. 

Shepherd also emphasizes that tools like this can help bridge the gap between climate science and real-world decision-making. He argues that equipping stakeholders with tailored pathways could accelerate uptake of effective interventions by making them more relevant, feasible, and compelling. Ultimately, Shepherd presents the new Drawdown resource as a promising model for democratizing access to climate solutions, enabling individuals and organizations to engage in strategies best suited to their specific circumstances.

  Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd is a leading international weather-climate expert and is the Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Geography and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Georgia. Dr. Shepherd was the 2013 President of American Meteorological Society (AMS), the nation’s largest and oldest professional/science society in the atmospheric and related sciences. View his profile here Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd is a leading international weather-climate expert and is the Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Geography and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Georgia.

He's available to speak with the media about this topic - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.



Expert Insight: UGA Franklin College of Arts and Sciences' Marshall Shepherd was recently  featured in Forbes Magazine

[Content to be added]

What shapes our perceptions (and misperceptions) about science? In an eye-opening talk, meteorologist J. Marshall Shepherd explains how confirmation bias, the Dunning-Kruger effect and cognitive dissonance impact what we think we know -- and shares ideas for how we can replace them with something much more powerful: knowledge.

Check out more TED Talks: http://www.ted.com

The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more.

Follow TED on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TEDTalks
Like TED on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TED

Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/TED

3 kinds of bias that shape your worldview | J. Marshall Shepherd

This talk uses the "wealth gap," as a metaphor for the weather gap. He discusses how he has "weathered," the journey to close the weather gap. Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd is Director of the University of Georgia’s (UGA) Atmospheric Sciences Program and professor in the Department of Geography. He is the Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Geography and Atmospheric Sciences. Dr. Shepherd is a leading international expert in weather and climate. Dr. Shepherd was the 2013 President of the American Meteorological Society (AMS); only the second African American to hold this post. Prior to UGA, Dr. Shepherd spent 12 years as a research meteorologist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and was deputy project scientist for the Global Precipitation Measurement mission, a multi-national space mission that launched in 2014.

President Bush honored Dr. Shepherd in 2004 at the White House with the Presidential Early Career Award for pioneering scientific research in weather and climate science. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Closing the Weather Gap | James Shepherd | TEDxLeDroitPark

Marshall Shepherd is an American meteorologist, professor at the University of Georgia's Department of Geography, the director of the university's atmospheric sciences program, and was the president of the American Meteorological Society in 2013.

Dr.  Marshall Shepherd

The Weather Channel's "Weather Geeks" Dr. Marshall Shepherd interviews Dr. Jane Goodall.

Learn More: 
The Jane Goodall Institute - www.janegoodall.org
Weather Geeks - www.weather.com/tv/shows/wx-geeks

"Weather Geeks" interview with Dr. Jane Goodall

Meteorologist Dr. Marshall Shepherd joins "Forbes Newsroom" to discuss the failure of messaging for Tropical Storm Hilary, the deadliest aspect of tropical systems, and more.

Fuel your success with Forbes. Gain unlimited access to premium journalism, including breaking news, groundbreaking in-depth reported stories, daily digests and more. Plus, members get a front-row seat at members-only events with leading thinkers and doers, access to premium video that can help you get ahead, an ad-light experience, early access to select products including NFT drops and more:

https://account.forbes.com/membership/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=growth_non-sub_paid_subscribe_ytdescript


Stay Connected
Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes
Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbes
Forbes Video on Instagram: http://instagram.com/forbes
More From Forbes:  http://forbes.com

This Is The Most Deadly Aspect Of Tropical Storms: Dr. Marshall Shepherd Discusses Hilary

Dr. Marshall Shepherd discusses the National Climate Assessment.

Climate Change Is Here

Select Inquiry Type