Letter froM the PresiDent
Inspired by others to make a difference
G
eorgia’s current economy has challenged our university. Challenged us to find new ways to limit our costs; to continue improving the teaching and learning process while balancing strained budgets; to help students find ways to pay for their college education; to embark on the university’s first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign. Georgia College has always responded with ingenuity and dedication to the challenges we face. President Dorothy Leland
Nowhere is that more evident than in this edition of Connection. Our cover story is about Dr. Ken Saladin, a professor whose generosity will benefit students, faculty and future generations at Georgia College. His gifts, made possible by his world-renowned textbooks, support student scholarships, improvements to science laboratories, the Natural History Museum and now will create an endowed professorship for premedical advising. I am humbled by Dr. Saladin’s generosity. His generosity, he hopes, will inspire others. Just as he was inspired a year ago when Connection ran the story about alumna Martha Newell and
her pledge to donate $1 million for a visiting scholar, Professor Saladin hopes that his gift to Georgia College will inspire others to give as well. That is the basis for our comprehensive fundraising campaign—that our faculty and staff, alumni, parents of students and friends will support our efforts in whatever manner they can. Georgia College always fares well when US News & World Report issues its rankings of colleges and universities. But did you know that one of the measurements for our ranking is the percentage of alumni who make a donation to the college? It’s not the size of the gift, but the fact that our alumni are willing to support us monetarily in any amount. Your donation not only helps the university and its students, it also helps to raise the prestige and visibility of your alma mater and your degree. We are committed to providing an excellent education for our students at an affordable price. Your support can help us meet that pledge. This spring, you may receive literature or calls asking you to contribute to the campaign. We are counting on you to be our “Pillars for the Future” in our Campaign to Sustain Excellence at Georgia’s Public Liberal Arts University.
Dorothy Leland President
President Dorothy Leland
CONNECTION sPrinG 2011, Vol. XX, no. 2 Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Published by University Communications A Division of University Advancement 231 West hancock street Milledgeville, GA 31061
Vice President for External Relations and University Advancement Amy Amason Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications harry Battson
Associate Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Bill Doerr
Writers Judy Bailey Candace Morrow Al Weston
Director of Alumni Relations herbert Agnew, (’04)
Design Jon scott, (’83)
Editor Kyle Brogdon, (’96)
Photography tim Vacula, (’86) Cover Dr. Kenneth saladin
Please send change of address and class notes to: University Advancement Campus Box 113 Milledgeville, GA 31061 connection@gcsu.edu
gcsu.edu
Contents CONNECTION MAGAZINE
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SPRING 2011
4 Up front 8 homecoming 10 Cover story 13 heritage and history 14 People 16 Campaign 18 faculty 24 sports 28 Alumni Awards 30 Class notes
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Georgia College’s liberal arts mission piqued Dr. Melanie DeVore’s interest in 1999 when she was looking for a teaching career home.
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science to serve strengthens community outreach at Georgia College.
Bobcat statues are on the prowl in Milledgeville.
UP front Georgia College ranks in
‘100 Best Values in Public Colleges’ Georgia College once again has been cited as one of the nation's "100 Best Values in Public Colleges" by Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine. "We're pleased that Georgia College continues to be recognized for both its outstanding public liberal arts education and its affordable cost," said President Dorothy Leland. "This once again affirms our goal of providing an educational experience that rivals the best private schools, but at a public university price." Schools listed in Kiplinger's “100 Best Values in Public Colleges” are recognized for their combination of top-tier academics and affordable costs. Georgia College is one of three Georgia schools included in Kiplinger's rankings, alongside the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech. “Despite rising tuition costs, there are still many first-rate institutions providing outstanding academics at an affordable price,” said Janet Bodnar, editor of Kiplinger’s. “Schools like these on the Kiplinger 100 list prove graduates can enter the workforce with a great education—and without a huge cloud of debt.”
Georgia College launches three-year science degree program Georgia College is launching a program to enable chemistry and physics majors to graduate within three years by joining a residential learning community on campus. By attending year-round classes, students can save at least $15,000 in tuition and housing costs in pursuit of their bachelor’s degrees, according to Dr. Ken McGill, chair of the Department of Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy at Georgia College. “This program should have strong appeal for students who plan to obtain a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or physics before entering graduate school in engineering, medicine, pharmacology or related fields,” McGill said. Enrollment in the program has begun. The initiative will accept about 150 students who all will reside at The Village apartments on the university’s West Campus. “Entering freshmen will be strongly encouraged to enroll in this program,” McGill said. “It’s not mandatory, but it’s overwhelmingly to the student’s benefit to join the residential learning community. The sense of community will be a huge factor for them.” Prospective students will complete the normal Georgia College application process. The university will contact students expressing interest in chemistry or physics about the three-year residential learning community program.
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Georgia College Connection • spring 2011
WRGC:
Georgia College public radio Classical music, in-depth news and local programming now fills the sound waves across middle Georgia. Georgia College President Dorothy Leland flipped the switch Thursday, March 31 to put the university’s new public radio station, WRGC-FM, 88.3 on the FM dial, on the air. “WRGC provides another link between the university and the middle Georgia community, as the station will offer public affairs programming as well as information about Georgia College, its mission and activities,” Leland said. “We encourage our neighbors to tune in and become loyal listeners to all we have to offer.” Through an agreement with Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB), the station will air public radio programs to 62,000 listeners in Baldwin, Putnam, Morgan, Jones, Wilkinson and parts of Jasper County. Broadcasting 24 hours a day, seven days a week, WRGC initially will carry the complete GPB programming package. Gradually, it will add up to 15 hours of local programming, including news items, calendar information, musical entertainment and public affairs shows. “WRGC will fill a void in middle Georgia,” said Operations Manager Mike Wooten, a broadcast journalist with 13 years of radio experience. “This is the first time that many area listeners will have a great signal for GPB and National Public Radio (NPR).” “We’ve got the best-of-the-best equipment to produce and broadcast quality sound for the listeners,” said Bill Wendt, Georgia College manager of television services, who spearheaded the effort to make the station a reality. WRGC Operations Manager Mike Wooten. View the launch of WrGC at
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Colonnade sixth best college newspaper
gcsu.edu/connection
Georgia College’s student newspaper, The Colonnade, earned sixth best college newspaper at this year’s southeast Journalism Conference in troy, Ala. The Colonnade competed with 32 other schools, including Auburn University, Mississippi state University, the University of tennessee and samford University. “the staff, writers and photographers have put in 110 percent to make this year's paper the best it can be, and i think it shows,” said editor in Chief Matt Chambers, who guides the weekly newspaper’s staff of around 30 students. The Colonnade is the official student newspaper of Georgia College. this weekly newspaper informs and entertains students, faculty, staff and alumni about events concerning the campus community. the official Colonnade website is at gcsunade.com.
Georgia College Connection • spring 2011
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UP front
Artistic bobcat statues now prowling Georgia College campus
For the latest news from Georgia College, visit info.gcsu.edu
The Georgia College campus is now home to three new bobcat statues, donated by community members to build school spirit on campus. This project is the brainchild of local businessman Frank Chambers, who has worked on the idea for more than two years. Chambers and his wife, Joann (’80), and Wilkinson County Bank made the first donation for a statue, which now stands in front of Atkinson Hall. Two other bobcat statues have taken their place on campus: one outside Magnolia Ballroom, made possible by the Georgia College Student Government Association; and another in front of the Centennial Center and tennis courts, donated by local business owners Mitch and Debbie Melder. “We felt the statues are just one way the community can show its appreciation for the university and its cultural and economic impact on the surrounding middle Georgia community,” Chambers said. Georgia College students Cara Powell and Hannah Sadowski designed the bobcat statues. Art Department students, under the direction of Chair Bill Fisher, helped sketch, tile, paint and seal the surfaces. “The Bobcats are a great way to inspire Georgia College pride across the campus and our community,” said President Dorothy Leland. Three more Bobcat statues are currently in development.
Joann and frank Chambers with their Atkinson hall Bobcat statue.
Psychology major tapped for prestigious scholarship The Society for Research in Child Development chose Georgia College sophomore Raisa Martinez to participate in its March conference and its program that pairs minority undergraduate students with both a graduate student and senior scholar mentor for six years. The psychology major researches child development in Georgia College’s infant development lab, alongside psychology professor Dr. Karen Bendersky. “She has the characteristics of a student who will be successful in graduate school and in the field,” Bendersky said. “She's an exceptional student who embodies the concept of learning outside the classroom.” That focused interest took Martinez to a psychology conference in Canada as an undergraduate scholar among an elite worldwide fraternity of psychologists specializing in child development. “I am overwhelmed in a good way," Martinez said. “This is fantastic to meet and learn from others about childhood development. It's my passion.” sophomore psychology major raisa Martinez with Dr. Karen Bendersky.
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Georgia College Connection • spring 2011
see the unveilings of all three Bobcat statues at gcsu.edu/connection
‘The Cartoons of Flannery O’Connor’ published by Georgia College The Cartoons of Flannery O’Connor at Georgia College, a 112-page, soft-cover coffee table book, provides the never before assembled and published collection of the author’s cartoons that appeared in four Georgia College publications during her undergraduate years, 1942-45. “the humor is silly, even outrageous,” wrote Dr. sarah Gordon, Georgia College professor emerita of english, in her introduction to the book. “the same impulse that would later lead flannery o’Connor to create the sharp-edged and often wickedly funny characters in her fiction drove her popular cartoons (mostly lino-cuts) in her years at GsCW…” the book cover features a graphic signature that o’Connor used, combining her initials, M, o’C and f (Mary flannery o’Connor) to create a caricature of a bird. While some of the cartoons were digitally enhanced for the publication, care was taken not to alter the art. the cartoons originally appeared in The Colonnade student newspaper, The Spectrum yearbook, The Corinthian literary magazine and the Alumnae Journal. Also included are cartoons that o’Connor drew earlier for The Peabody Palladium, the student newspaper of Peabody high school in Milledgeville.
gcsu.edu/flannerycartoons
The Cartoons of Flannery O’Connor at Georgia College is on sale for $16.99 plus shipping and handling. orders may be placed by emailing flannerycartoons@gcsu.edu or at gcsu.edu/flannerycartoons.
Georgia College nursing graduates top national exam Georgia College nursing graduates who took the national licensing exam for the first time in 2010 earned the highest overall pass rate among public colleges and universities across the United states. “our scores represent a great benchmark for our university and the nursing program,” said Georgia College Director of the school of nursing Dr. Judith Malachowski. “i attribute our success to a combination of a dedicated pre-nursing adviser, an awesome faculty and students who really care about obtaining the knowledge and skills they need to excel in the nursing profession.” the licensing exam scores and the high percentage of nursing graduates obtaining desired positions are two good measures of a quality nursing program, Malachowski said. “When parents are investigating a nursing program for their students, they ask two questions: ‘What are your state exam pass rates?’ and ‘Do your graduates get jobs?’” Malachowski said. “We have excellent answers to both those questions.”
Washington County tourism impacted by Georgia College students Eight Georgia College marketing seniors developed a strategic marketing campaign for neighboring Sandersville and Washington County as their senior capstone project during fall semester 2010. The students worked with Kim Jackson of Washington County’s Archway Partnership and alongside city and county elected officials and senior staff members to develop a comprehensive marketing campaign to bring more tourists into Sandersville and Washington County. Their campaigns included the annual 50-plus-year-old Kaolin festival but also highlighted area hunting opportunities, the area’s rich history and the community’s proximity to Athens and Augusta for sports fans traveling through the county. (L-r) Allison stewart, Brittoni Davis, Dustin hawkins, Gracie Jackson, Andrew harris, Alex spivey, Martin Dewald and Joe Jackson.
Georgia College Connection • spring 2011
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hoMe CoMinG
Alumni homecoming 2011 the 2011 homecoming and Alumni Weekend were a tremendous success – with the most alumni registrations ever recorded and the largest turnouts on record for many homecoming events. thanks for making Bobcat nation stronger than ever! save the date for homecoming 2012 in february. exact dates to come soon. Contact the Alumni relations office to make sure you are connected to your alma mater! email alumni@gcsu.edu or call (478) 445-5771.
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Georgia College Connection • spring 2011
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1. Jeff Brittain and erin Gant were crowned Mr. and Ms. Georgia College at the homecoming basketball game. 2. the homecoming concert was a huge success, with more than 4,000 in attendance at the Centennial Center. 3. President Dorothy Leland spends time getting to know alumnae from the class of 1961 at the honor roll Luncheon. 4. Alumnae from the Peabody school enjoy getting back together each year at Alumni homecoming. 5. the 7th Annual Bobcat ramble 5K and fun run had its most successful year ever, registering more than 350 runners. 6. the class of 1961 hit the 50th anniversary mark as Georgia College alumnae. 7. the winning team from the residence hall door decoration contest, Parkhurst hall, makes its way down hancock street during the homecoming parade. 8. thunder gets into the spirit of the homecoming basketball games, where both the women’s and men’s teams beat Columbus state University in front of a tremendous crowd of Bobcat fans and alumni.
see the homecoming and Alumni Weekend
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recap at gcsu.edu/connection
Georgia College Connection • spring 2011
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CoVer story
TEXTBOOK
Example Dr. Ken Saladin has turned personal success into a generous spirit By Harry Battson
see the rest of our interview with Dr. saladin at gcsu.edu/connection
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Georgia College Connection • spring 2011
“WHEN YOU INVEST IN STUDENTS,” said Dr. Ken Saladin, professor of biological and environmental science at Georgia College, “especially our top-notch students, you’re helping someone who will give back in a similar fashion in their own careers. So, I think the investment becomes magnified in that way.” And invest he has. Saladin, the author of award-winning and best-selling textbooks on human anatomy and physiology, has donated or pledged more than $1.5 million to Georgia College, much of it for scholarships or programs to enhance the student learning experience. His combined contributions are the largest from any single individual to the university. “Georgia College has been the centerpiece of my adult life, and I’ve gotten so much from this place that I find more satisfaction in giving back to it than in owning a boat or vacation home or anything like that.” His most recent donation, a $1 million pledge to endow a chair for mentoring pre-medical students, was prompted in part by a similar donation last year from alumna Martha Daniel Newell (’42). The Newell gift will create an endowed visiting
COVER STORY
“(teaching is) what gets me out of bed in the morning and makes my blood flow,” saladin said.
professorship in the arts and sciences. The story in the Spring 2010 edition of Connection magazine about her donation “inspired me to match it,” Saladin said, “so you could say it amplified the value of her gift.” A three-time recipient of the Phi Kappa Phi “outstanding mentor” award, he is held in high regard by students. One wrote on the Rate My Professors website: “By far the best teacher I’ve had at (Georgia College)! He’s adorable and really funny! He makes anatomy so interesting and makes you want to learn about it! His tests are pretty
“Had it not been for Georgia College, I never would have had the opportunity to write the textbooks that have proven so surprisingly successful,” –Ken Saladin rough and you really have to work, but it's completely worth it to take his class!” That reaction gratifies Saladin, who appreciates being able to invest in such students. “I feel like, to use that cliché, I’m kind of paying it forward to the next generation,” Saladin said. “I hope other faculty will donate what they can to help the institution and our students.”
Saladin is a classic example of achievement. Developing a passion for “nature studies” as a child, he was encouraged by his teachers to go to college to pursue his interest in zoology, particularly freshwater animals. The first in his family to attend college, Saladin graduated from Michigan State University and went on to graduate school with a teaching assistantship at Florida State University. “The thought of getting in front of an audience and talking like I was an expert in something just tied my stomach in knots,” Saladin said. “I desperately needed the money so I thought, ‘Well, I’m going to have to teach, I guess – teach, or starve.” “But from the very first five minutes in the classroom, I just knew that this was really my calling,” he said. “I knew this was what I’d really like to do the rest of my life.” Just as he was finishing his doctoral degree, he learned that Georgia College had an opening that would match his specialties. He was appointed a temporary assistant professor, but that “temporary” appointment has now spanned 33 years. “I guess they liked me enough to keep me,” he said. Georgia College has been the perfect fit. At the end of his second year teaching here, a graduating student who had just finished one of his classes asked him to have dinner with her. “So I did, and three months later we were married,” he said. Saladin’s wife, Diane, is a nurse and they have two grown children: son Emory, with a degree in interior design who specializes in repurposing buildings for new uses; and daughter Nicole, with degrees in marine science and
Georgia College Connection • spring 2011
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COVER STORY
environmental management, working for North Carolina State University. “She picked up on my zoological interests,” Saladin said. As a biologist, Saladin also has developed a special interest in the Galápagos Islands, a site crucial to Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection. “I had become somewhat enchanted with the Galápagos as a teenager. Then, decades later, getting the opportunity to go, I just had to jump on that.” On that initial trip with his family, Saladin was impressed with “the animals there being so docile and almost indifferent to any human presence—you can observe so much at practically arm’s reach.” He felt the experience “was something I really needed to share with my students, so I’ve been taking students down there ever since.” From his earliest days at Georgia College, Saladin taught courses in human physiology, later adding human anatomy. In the early 1990s, a publisher invited him to write his own
textbook in the field, an opportunity that has since become a major focus of his career. He now has two textbooks in print with McGraw-Hill Higher Education, and a third in progress. He not only writes the texts but plans the illustrations and concepts for the artwork. His conversational, storytelling writing style have made the texts into best-sellers throughout the world, and Saladin often receives emails from students, not just in North America, but from regions such as Africa, India and Australia. A group of Australian medical students created a Facebook interest group on Saladin’s book. “I derive great fulfillment from my students and colleagues every day I teach at Georgia College, and my contributions are but a small token of gratitude for the career that I have had here.” In fact, teaching remains his greatest joy. “It’s what gets me out of bed in the morning and makes my blood flow,” Saladin said. “I feel usually at my happiest when I’m in the classroom.” ■
Key Projects supported by Saladin donations • AN ENDOWED CHAIR FOR PRE-MEDICAL MENTORING. As a highly regarded mentor himself, Saladin has played an influential role in helping many Georgia College students advance to medical school. “It’s hard to imagine any better investment than exceptional students who will undoubtedly contribute so much to society.” • AN ENDOWMENT FOR THE DORIS C. MOODY HONORS SCHOLARSHIP FOR LIFE SCIENCES for biology majors in the Honors Program. Dr. Moody, a former biology professor and director of the Honors Program, was “an exemplary colleague.” Saladin wished to honor her contributions to the university. “I always considered her a role model – the way she reached out to students and the graciousness of her character.” • TO REMODEL AND MODERNIZE THE HUMAN ANATOMY LABORATORY in Herty Hall “to bring it up to contemporary standards for this discipline.” The upgrades will include an instructor’s demonstration bench and enhanced computer and projection equipment, and will make it easier for instructors to circulate among the student work benches.
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Georgia College Connection • spring 2011
• AN ENDOWMENT TO SUPPORT THE PERPETUAL MAINTENANCE OF THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM in Herty Hall and to curate its display and research collections. The endowment is in honor of Dr. Bill Wall, who plans to retire as biology department chair this year, and “whose dream was to bring the natural history museum at Georgia College to fruition. He worked very hard to create the museum and Saladin’s gift will ensure its continuing operation.” • THE WILLIAM HARVEY MEDICAL SCHOLARSHIP for a Georgia College graduate attending medical college. • ADDITIONALLY, Dr. Saladin has made smaller donations to many other programs, including the Honors and Scholars Endowment, the Pre-Medical Program, the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, study abroad for students to the Galapagos Islands, the 1200 Club, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Heritage Fund, Georgia College Bands and the Dance Minor Program.
history and heritage
Herty Hall: Now and then By Judy Bailey
IT LOOKS LIKE THE TOP OF A GRAIN SILO and weighs as much as a pickup. It rotates 360 degrees and opens to the heavens. And it offers identity. It’s a 15-foot-high, corrugated aluminum dome lifted by crane to the top of a new observatory, three stories up as part of the $3.4 million, 17,000-square-foot expansion of Herty Hall, the science facility at Georgia College. “There’s no mistaking now where the science building is located,” said Dr. Ken McGill, chair of the chemistry, physics and astronomy department. “This building and observatory should help get people excited about science.” The expansion to Herty Hall includes new labs, classrooms, office space and a studio lab to accommodate the growing science degree programs at Georgia College. The roof is home to a greenhouse, a space for small telescope stargazing and the observatory. “The studio lab on the third floor gives students a hands-on approach to learning,” said McGill said. “Too often students forget important parts of the lecture when they move from laboratory to classroom.” The new space, set to open in June 2011, will connect to the existing 57-year-old structure. That three-story, redbrick building is undergoing a renovation to upgrade labs and classrooms. Built in 1954 as The Science Hall, the building’s name changed to Charles H. Herty Science Hall in 1956, memorializing the inventor best known for his method of collecting tree resin with a metal cap to spare the tree’s life. Herty was born in 1867 in a house that was located on what is now Georgia College front campus. Herty also headed a Savannah laboratory that focused on the conversion of pine pulp to newsprint. In March 1933, the first newspaper was printed using paper created with the Herty process. Herty Hall underwent a renovation in the 1970s and was rededicated after a $5 million renovation in April 2002 to enhance the science programs. ■
View the installation of the observatory dome at gcsu.edu/connection
for more information about the history of Georgia College, search “archives” at gcsu.edu Georgia College Connection • spring 2011
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PeoPLe
Faculty duo
receives national recognition A HUSBAND AND WIFE FACULTY TEAM from Georgia College received the highest honor awarded by the Association for Experiential Education (AEE) Board of Directors this past fall. Dr. Lee Gillis, chair of the Department of Psychological Science, and Dr. Jude Hirsch, chair of the Department of Outdoor Education, were invited to copresent the Kurt Hahn Address at the national AEE meeting in Las Vegas, Nev. Their keynote address, the first-ever copresentation, focused on sharing their history with experiential education to highlight how their collaboration with one another and with other entities was useful for the association to examine how it could collaborate more effectively among its members and with the outside world. Experiential education is based on intentional use of direct experience supported by reflection, critical analysis and synthesis. Hahn was considered the founder of Outward Bound and, by proxy, experiential education. Gillis, a Georgia College faculty member since 1986 and a licensed psychologist, focuses on the practice and study of adventure in therapeutic settings. He has conducted psychological assessments and individual and group psychotherapy with adjudicated and social service
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Georgia College Connection • spring 2011
youths. He has been a member of the AEE Board of Directors and previously won the AEE Michael Stratton Practitioner Award and the Distinguished Professor Award from Georgia College. Hirsch was instrumental in launching Georgia College’s Bachelor of Science in outdoor education degree program in 1996 and establishing national recognition of the Master of Education in kinesiology: outdoor education administration. In 2010, Georgia College elevated the outdoor education program and the Outdoor Center at Georgia College to the Department of Outdoor Education, thought to be the only such department at a public university in the United States. The program has gained national distinction. In 2006, AEE recognized the program with its Organizational Member of the Year award for a five-year record of excellent programming, contributions to the field and exemplary ethical standards. The next year it was awarded a GC Program of Excellence Award and later was named a Program of Distinction at Georgia College. The Outdoor Education Program and the Outdoor Center at Georgia College continue to be one of only two jointly accredited programs of their kind in the nation. ■
Powerful Educators
PEOPLE
THROUGH THE GEORGIA POWER NEW TEACHER ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM, Georgia College alumnae Susan Wells (’10), and Nicole DelBosque (’10), received $1,000 each to purchase materials and supplies for their classrooms. So far Wells has expanded her classroom library and is looking into a few programs to enhance her students’ speaking and reading skills. “I’m honored and thankful,” said Wells, a third-grade teacher at Greensboro Elementary in Greensboro, Ga. “I had a vision of a classroom that students could thrive in; I knew this grant would help me get there.” DelBosque used her grant to purchase more children’s books, plus organizational and fun center tools. “I wanted to buy educational items that will last a long time and benefit students no matter what grade I teach,” said DelBosque, who teaches fifth-grade reading, English and writing at Agnes Barden Elementary School in Macon, Ga. “We are extremely pleased that Georgia Power is so involved in helping new teachers set up their classrooms and get off to a good professional start,” said Dr. Carol Bader, assistant dean and professor in the College of Education. “Both of these outstanding teachers were in the early childhood cohort led by mentor leader Dr. Holley Roberts. It’s with great joy we congratulate these fine new teachers and wish them the very best.” ■ Wells and DelBosque earned bachelor’s degrees in early childhood education from GC’s John h. Lounsbury College of education.
A GEM meets a President
Meredith Carpenter with former President Jimmy Carter.
For more information, visit
www.gcsu.edu/gem
GEORGIA COLLEGE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE Georgia Chamber of Commerce, developed the Georgia Education Mentorship (GEM) program—a yearlong mentorship for Georgia College students to hone their leadership and professional skills by shadowing selected leaders in business, politics, education, law, health care and industry. Currently, Georgia College senior Meredith Carpenter is mentee to Alex Gregory (‘78, ‘79), Georgia College alumnus, foundation trustee and president and CEO of YKK Corp. of America. Carpenter is a Spanish major who plans to travel to a Spanish-speaking country for humanitarian and mission work. Since Gregory serves on The Carter Center’s Board of Councilors, Carpenter had the opportunity to attend the board’s quarterly meeting, where she met former President Jimmy Carter, Consul General of Japan in Atlanta Takuji Hanatani and other dignitaries. “To be introduced to a president and have him shake my hand is one of the biggest honors I can think of,” she said. “I was so inspired to find out that at age 86 he is still traveling the world to help improve world peace. Each business professional I met showed me that successful leaders truly care about every person in and outside their organization.” The GEM Program is one of Georgia College’s most powerful leadership programs, said Gregory. “The meeting was a great way for Meredith to meet many business leaders,” said Gregory. “The program allows bright students like Meredith to connect with today’s business world through rare, meaningful experiences.” ■
Georgia College Connection • spring 2011
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foUnDAtion
Pillars for the Future
Inaugural fundraising campaign announced by Georgia College President Dorothy Leland has announced the first fundraising campaign in the university’s history, with a goal of $10.35 million by the end of 2012.
THE PUBLIC PHASE IS OFF TO A STRONG START with $7.68 million raised to date. During the past two years, Georgia College has been quietly building the foundation of philanthropic support in anticipation of this campaign, which will affect lives across the campus, capitalize on our existing strengths, expand upon our mission and lead us to extraordinary accomplishments. “Pillars for the Future: Campaign to Sustain Excellence” is led by Stan Wilson (’77), and a committee of friends and alumni who are trustees of the Georgia College Foundation. Their leadership and support through rough economic times has led Georgia College to this announcement, much further along than they originally would have imagined. “As Georgia College’s most ardent supporters,” said Tad Brown, chair of the Foundation Board of Trustees, “we want to help grow and sustain the university’s academic excellence and the quality of the student experience. Through this campaign, we are focusing our efforts on those areas of highest priority to do just that for the university.” The campaign is focused on six funding priorities: • endowed scholarships • endowed professorships and chairs • endowed undergraduate research • endowed lecture series • program support and facilities • facilities “The reductions in state support that we have endured during the past few years make it all the more important that we develop additional revenue sources to maintain our excellence as Georgia’s designated public liberal arts university,” Leland said. A recent report prepared by a panel of business, labor, philanthropy and policy leaders issued by the Association of American Colleges and Universities concluded: “In an economy fueled by innovation, the capabilities developed through a liberal arts education have become America’s most valuable economic asset.” As Georgia’s designated public liberal arts university, Georgia College demonstrates repeatedly that it prepares students well for the challenges of the future and the responsibilities of leadership.
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Georgia College Connection • spring 2011
“We are confident that our alumni and friends will help us to achieve that goal in the very near future.” –Stan Wilson (‘77) “To continue to attract Georgia’s best students, we need to increase our ability to offer scholarships that assist these students in pursuing their degrees,” Leland said. Funds also are needed to support undergraduate research projects under faculty guidance, a key element in providing strong undergraduate teaching and learning experiences. Georgia College is known for providing real-world, outside-the-classroom learning environments where students can apply theory to reality. The Pillars for the Future campaign will help to ensure those opportunities exist for Georgia College students well into the future. Endowed chairs and professorships enhances significantly Georgia College’s ability to compete with other universities for attention of the world’s brightest minds. Attracting top scholars through chairs and professorships adds prestige to the university, opens avenues for collaboration across the campus and community, and helps in attracting exceptional students. Guest lecturers (scholars, writers and artists) will enrich the intellectual and cultural lives of the students and the community. Each lecture series will engage the university community in deep and sustained reflection. To enhance opportunities for meaningful engagement, the university will sponsor appropriate events throughout the year in the academic area of the guest lecturer. Donors contributing $10,000 or more will be acknowledged as Georgia College “Pillars for the Future” donors on a campaign marker, according to Wilson. Gifts and pledges to the campaign may be paid over a five-year period. “Georgia College has established a tremendous record as a top public liberal arts university,” said Wilson. “We are known for providing the educational experiences expected at the best private colleges while offering the affordability and resources of a public university. “To sustain that level of excellence, we have embarked on this fundraising campaign, and we are confident that our alumni and friends will help us to achieve that goal in the very near future.” “You have the opportunity to be a pillar of support for Georgia College’s future,” said Brown. “Your gift will make a qualitative difference in Georgia College’s ability to sustain excellence in achieving its mission.” ■
in addition to the $10.35 million campaign, Georgia College also hopes to raise funds for three capital projects:
F O U N D AT I O N
Georgia College ranks third among the state universities, behind only Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia, in the average SAT scores of entering freshmen.
• Completing the Graduate and Professional Learning Center in downtown Macon: The center has grown to nearly 700 current students. People from across middle Georgia are taking classes in more than 20 master’s degree programs. The university’s goal is to raise $2.4 million to complete the Macon Center and meet future expansion needs. • Restoring the Old County Courthouse: Georgia College seeks $1.5 million to renovate the interior of this historic 1887 building on front campus. This gift is needed to match funds from the State of Georgia. • Renovating the Sallie Ellis Davis House: The 1890 structure on South Clarke Street will become an African-American Cultural Center. It was the home of Sallie Ellis Davis, a local educator who touched the lives of hundreds of children. One of 10 sites on the 2009 “Places in Peril” list of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, the house served as the residence of the Davis family from 1912 until Mrs. Davis’ death in 1950. The effort is in partnership with the Sallie Ellis Davis Foundation.
“Pillars for the Future” campaign committee: Mr. Stanford G. Wilson, chair (’77) Mr. Tad Brown Ms. Melba Cooper (’73, ’75) Mr. E. Max Crook Mr. E. Alex Gregory, Jr. (’78, ’79) Dr. Paul Jones President Dorothy Leland Mr. Hugh Peterson Dr. Susan Stewart (’70) Ms. Jo Slade Wilbanks (’69) FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN, contact Amy Amason, vice president for external relations and university advancement, at (478) 445-1945 or through email at amy.amason@gcsu.edu. Or, visit the Georgia College Foundation website at www.gcsu.edu/foundation.
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Painting the Nation GC art professor’s work is shown across the United States By Candace Morrow
Michael Murphy
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Not your normal subway station The experimentalist, sculptor and multimedia artist often works throughout the night to create unusual artwork. Nowadays, he spends late nights tackling his next challenge, which he will install in Cleveland, Ohio. “I’m creating three-dimensional animations that will serve as handrail fences for the East 55th Street RTA station,” said Murphy. “One fence will reside in front of the station, one will cascade down a 50-foot staircase and one will be positioned on the train platform.” Later this year he will collaborate with violinist and multi-instrumentalist Emily Wells in a New York street-art performance. “I’m embarking on a period of mass production,” said Murphy. “This Manhattan show will consist of an entirely new body of work. I’m anticipating 18 new pieces by August 2011—sculptures, paintings, drawings and three-dimensional animations.” Getting students in the picture Murphy often takes his students on his out-oftown, pop-up shows. He took a group of Georgia College art students to New York City in October for RE:FORM SCHOOL, a high-profile group art exhibition that addressed the
shortcomings of the U.S. education system. Murphy and his students drilled approximately 20,000 holes in the shape of the U.S. map. Then they strategically plugged in 10,000 No. 2 pencils and 10,000 neon erasers to represent the percentile average of high school graduation rates in each state. “My students helped me all day and night to create ‘High School Graduates,’” he said. “It was an amazing experience for us all. The students got to network with a number of top-shelf, professional artists; some even received job offers.”
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EORGIA COLLEGE ART PROFESSOR Michael Murphy started a recent piece of art in a most unusual way — by filling mustard squirt bottles with house paint. With bottle in hand, he approached his 8-foot-tallby-6-foot-wide test canvas leaning against the wall inside his studio garage. He delicately stroked his subject’s long locks with a reddish-brown hue. Next, he added pinks, greens and blacks, bringing her tattoos to life. “This painting is of Norah, a friend of mine who lives in New York,” said Murphy, assistant professor of art and technology at Georgia College. “My goal with this work is to depict a contemporary urban woman.” Murphy recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to show off Norah’s inner-city beauty at the street art show “Wall Snatcher’s Ghost Market.” The exhibition challenged artists to create artwork using vintage doors and wood, giving new meaning to home improvement. “I had a 20-foot-tall-by-30-foot-wide wall of doors assembled to create Norah,” Murphy said. “It was basically a giant paint-by-numbers project, which I had to complete in two days. It was a long but fun night.”
Presidential appointments Murphy’s work has been exhibited across the nation and featured in New York Magazine; TIME Magazine; Washington Life; Uptown Magazine; the blog site, Art for Obama; artist Shepard Fairey’s book, The Art of Obama; Obama Campaign design director Scott Thomas’ book, Designing Obama; and The Washington Post. Before President Barack Obama took office in 2009, Murphy produced Barack-inspired artwork and illusionary pieces displayed at the Obama Inaugural art exhibit, Manifest Hope: DC Gallery. Murphy used 1,000 feet of high-tension steel wire to create a silhouette of the president-elect. TIME Magazine featured the sculpture in its Barack Obama story, “Person of the Year 2008.” “During the election, anything Obama was going viral,” said Murphy. “At that time I was researching what was popular on the web. I wanted to try to create the most interesting image that would come up in a search for Obama. My work is based on the creation of an experience, and in order for that to occur, people need to see the work.” From the Midwest to Milledgeville Murphy earned his bachelor’s degree from Kent State University and his master’s from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a full-time professor at Georgia College, he attributes Milledgeville’s small-town feel for his ability to produce unforgettable work that frequently opens doors for his students. “Living in an area like Milledgeville provides very few distractions and really helps me concentrate and involve my students on these projects,” he said. “Most of my projects deal with sociopolitical topics, and fortunately, I’ve had the opportunity to involve my students with issues and artwork of national or global importance.” ■
for more information about Michael Murphy, visit mmike.com
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Dr. Melanie DeVore
Georgia Power Endowed Professorship for Environmental Science By Judy Bailey
Melanie DeVore holds the Georgia Power endowed Professorship for environmental science.
Dr. Melanie DeVore talks about her endowed professorship at gcsu.edu/connection
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DR. MELANIE DEVORE USES HER FIELD experience and environmental research to baptize students into the world of science. “What I do at Georgia College is take the hands of our future scientists, guide them through the learning phase and expose them to hands-on field research,” said Dr. Melanie DeVore, a scientist, plant biologist and teacher. “And when they are ready, I pass them off to the next level — into the fraternity of science.” She uses her knowledge and hands-on experience to teach students how people and cultures impact the environment and how the environment affects people. “Teaching environmental science instills in students how humans interface with the environment,” she said. “Everything every human does is impacted by the environment.” DeVore holds the Georgia Power Endowed Professorship for Environmental Science. Funding from the endowment enables Georgia College to attract an eminent scholar and teacher to the university. “The endowed professorship is a great privilege,” she said. “It allows me creative freedom to engage my students in research and provide them more field-based study opportunities.” DeVore leads students into field research just up the highway to Flannery O’Connor’s Andalusia Farm, where students study land use and how crops affect the soil. “Visiting Flannery O’Connor’s home place and talking with students about the author’s use of descriptions and analogies about her land combines experimental science with literature,” DeVore said. “That’s a liberal arts education.” Her students get their hands dirty in the badlands of North Dakota, digging through the dirt for 57-millionyear-old fossil plants.
Endowed Professorships Georgia College has several endowed professorships. Connection plans to feature a faculty member holding one of these professorships and the donor that created each one in the next several issues. With support from an endowment, the university can attract top scholars and teachers in their fields to teach at Georgia’s public liberal arts university.
Everything every human does is impacted by the environment. –Melanie DeVore Students learn about England’s Thames River by exploring the centuries-old waterway and visiting museum exhibits chronologically displaying river artifacts from the New Stone Age to the present. “It’s a great experience to teach Darwin’s origin of species on his back porch at Down House just outside London,” she said. DeVore’s environmental science program in the Bahamas allows students to learn first-hand about the intersection of environment, people and cultures.
As part of the o’Connor environmental-science-themed capstone course, Allison hughes and Daniel sitaras are learning to collect data from trees on flannery o'Connor's Andalusia farm.
San Salvador Island provides students an opportunity to investigate ecology and environmental science using the island’s unique history and environments. “All that we talk about with science is worthless unless you put it into a cultural context,” she said. “What is always interesting to me is the intersection of the two.” DeVore became inquisitive about the world around her while growing up in the Great Lakes area. “As a small child in the early 1970s, environmental issues were being brought to the forefront of our nation,” she said. “I wanted to know how we were going to deal with them.” As an undergraduate student in Wisconsin, DeVore did geology fieldwork in the Yukon Territory of Canada and in Mexico. “That experience really shaped how I think about education,” she said. “The best way to teach is to expose students to field research.” While working on her doctorate at The Ohio State University, DeVore spent three terms researching in South America, primarily in the Andes. Georgia College’s liberal arts mission piqued DeVore’s interest in 1999 when she was looking for a teaching career home. “One of the best joys of serving on the faculty here is the close interaction and the cool things we get to do with students,” DeVore said. “The international studies and study abroad opportunities complete the package.” ■
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During one trip, student Witt Taylor became interested in an odd plant belonging to the pecan family that produces winged fruits resembling flying saucers. He chose that plant for his dissertation topic and recently completed his advanced degree at Arizona State University. DeVore also teaches study abroad programs through the European Council of the University System of Georgia, taking students to England for their lessons.
DeVore and student Andrew Davis examine the bedrock surrounding Lake sinclair and chat about microearthquakes that occur in the vicinity of sinclair Dam every two to four years, often associated with sudden changes in water level.
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“With science you can explain and do almost anything,” says Dr. rosalie richards
Science to Serve Initiatives
Science Serve t o
Using science to strengthen community outreach at Georgia College
By Candace Morrow
YOU ARE JUST AS LIKELY TO FIND DR. ROSALIE RICHARDS designing anti-cancer drugs in a chemistry research lab as you are to discover her making slime with youngsters at a local elementary school. Her love for science is contagious. “With science you can explain and do almost anything,” said Richards, Kaolin-Endowed Chair in Science and director of The Science Education Center. “It is this idea that we want to share with others. Science to Serve connects our campus to our community, engaging students, parents and educators in interesting, relevant, real-world ways that deal with science.” During 2008 Science to Serve officially became one of six Georgia College Programs of Distinction—providing a distinctive niche in an academic area of state, national and international significance. Three years later, the program has strengthened its infrastructure to accommodate diverse needs in science. “Since inception our biggest challenge has been infrastructure,” said Richards. “How do we build capacity in science and mathematics in our region? Fortunately we have a rich history, an excellent foundation in terms of resources and the best combination of faculty and staff.” Science to Serve is supported by the Department of Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy; Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences; Office of Academic Outreach; Science Education Center; and faculty from Middle Grades Education. Partnering with state and national organizations also strengthens the local program. “Whether faculty are interested in designing courses that link science to social issues or undergraduates are helping teachers in K12 classrooms, Science to Serve provides a framework to make these interests possible,” she said. Moving forward, the program plans to develop new talent and interdisciplinary approaches to science. “Our current initiatives have impacted the community,” said Richards. “Right now Science to Serve is in a unique position to assess our status so that we can look toward new, exciting directions.” ■
see the science to serve video at
From Fossils to Space educates public school teachers about Georgia College natural history Museum and Planetarium resources.
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PROGRAMS OF DISTINCTION:
here’s how science to serve is making an impact in Milledgeville, Baldwin County and beyond.
SMART provides middle grades science teachers opportunities to increase teaching skills and knowledge in mathematics and science. STEM Initiative promotes science, technology, engineering and mathematics to high school students, parents and educators. PRELIMS Academy explores math, science and teaching as a career option with high school students during a two-week residential experience. Innovative Course-Building Group uses a social network to help faculty and staff across various disciplines develop engaging courses for students. Building a Community of STEM Educators is a national science foundation project that provides mentoring, training and community events for master-level teacher candidates and practicing middle grades steM teachers. Active-Learning in STEM provides steM and education faculty at Georgia College and northeast high school in Bibb County with workshops, teaching circles and collaborative course-building activities to broaden the implementation of more active-learning strategies into courses. Institutionalizing Undergraduate Research in steM at Georgia College is a Council on Public Liberal Arts Colleges-sponsored project to engage Georgia College faculty, staff and students in building a sustainable framework for supporting undergraduate research in steM. Developing Sustainable STEM Programs: one innovative Course At A time is a national workshop where Georgia College steM faculty explore and share strategies for designing sustainable, innovative steM programs during the network of Academic renewal Conference.
for more information visit www.gcsu.edu/sciencetoserve.
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Hall of Fame GeorGiA CoLLeGe inDUCts fiVe On Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011, the Georgia College Department of Athletics was pleased to induct the 2011 class into the Georgia College Athletics Hall of Fame.
Bobcat and Colonial tennis player These five new members are joined in the Hall of Fame by previous inductees softball • Jennifer Joiner (‘04) Baseball • Phil Arp (‘86) • John Kurtz • rusty Kea (‘93) • Greg Winters (‘96) • tom Gorman tennis • Duward Whelchel (‘84) • Julia roudkovskaya Dimitrov (‘02, ‘04) • Anna (haggkvist) sundstrom (‘01) • Jay torrence • Lilia Biktyakova (‘02) Men's basketball • robert Williams (‘77) • Leonard scott (‘79) • Julius Joseph (‘00) Women's basketball • sherita Ballard (‘91) Golf • David robinson (‘04) • Alex McMichael (‘00) Gymnastics • Missy (thomas) swicord (‘92) and former athletic director and golf coach Michael Peeler.
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nancy Groesch (‘96, ‘99) A three-time NCAA All-American in 1995, 1996 and 1997, Groesch was also twice named to the NCAA/ITA Scholar-Athlete list. She was a three-time All-Peach Belt Conference (PBC) choice, selected to the PBC Presidential Honor Roll and named the GC Senior Female Athlete of the Year in 1997. Groesch is the fourth honoree from the GC women’s tennis program. Colonial tennis player
Lars Lindblom (‘96) An All-American in 1991, Lindblom was the 1993 Peach Belt Conference Outstanding Student Athlete. He was a two-time NAIA/ITA Scholar Athlete and the Regional Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship Award recipient in 1992. Lindblom swept both the Rolex NCAA Division II Southern Singles and Doubles Championships in 1992, was NAIA All-District and a two-time member of the PBC Presidential Honor Roll. Lindblom is the second Hall of Fame selection from the GC men’s tennis program.
scott MacLeod MacLeod, a Michigan native, made his GC debut in 1978 broadcasting Georgia College baseball, and he has since earned the title of “Voice of the Bobcats.”
SPORTS
the voice of the Bobcats and Colonials
Highlights of his more than 30 years behind the GC microphone include trips to the NAIA baseball World Series in 1985, the NAIA basketball national championship tournament in 1990, trips to the NCAA Division II College World Series in 1995 and 2010; and to the NCAA Division II Basketball Tournament in 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2010. He’s a three-time winner of the Georgia Association of Broadcasters Award and is an active board member of the Bobcat Club. MacLeod and his wife, Susi, have two daughters, Heather and Leigh. Scott is the first inductee for the GC Hall of Fame from outside the Georgia College athletic department.
Colonial baseball player
Keith slocumb (‘86) A First Team All-American in 1985, Slocumb owns top-10 marks in multiple offensive categories for GC, ranks that have stood for more than 25 years. He is the sixth inductee from the baseball program at Georgia College. He ranks third in RBI with 253, third in hits with 313 and fourth in runs with 221. The 1985 All-District 25 selection ranks fourth in career home runs (41), second in doubles (63) and third in total bases (527). His batting average of .364 places him ninth, while his .613 slugging percentage is sixth. Slocumb is also the father of current Bobcat basketball player Abby Slocumb.
Colonial gymnast
yeini (Gutierrez) thompson (‘86) A four-time NAIA All-American from 1983-86, Thompson also brought home NAIA Academic All-American honors each of those four seasons. She also picked up the NCAA National Gymnastics Coaches Association All-America Award all four seasons and was named the NAIA’s Outstanding National Gymnast of the Year in 1986. The award was given to the top studentathlete nationally for highest athletic, academic and leadership qualities in gymnastics as voted on by the NAIA Executive Committee. Thompson represented Georgia College internationally as well, competing as a member of the Mexican National Olympic Team, Pan-American World Championship Team, World University Team and the Central American Team. A National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches (NACGC) All-American, Thompson was a Summa Cum Laude Graduate in pre-medicine. She is the second gymnast to be named to the GC Athletics Hall of Fame.
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Hurst, Huffin named to Peach Belt All-Academic team The Peach Belt Conference (PBC) released the PBC All-Academic basketball teams recently, with Georgia College’s Josh Hurst and Dominique Huffin each earning a spot on the five-member teams. A senior forward, Hurst has put together a 3.32 GPA in marketing in four seasons at Georgia College. He is a three-time honoree to this list, making it as both a sophomore and junior. The senior averaged 6.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game and finished second on the team in blocks (17). Huffin garnered a 3.40 GPA in her four years at GC in health education. She was also the second leading scorer on the Bobcats, averaging 12.3 points per game and finishing with 358 on the season. Huffin shot 124-of-353 (.351) from the field and 65-of-186 (.349) from three-point range.
Joe Young wins individual title, Bobcat golf ranked no. 7 in nation Georgia College senior Joe Young shot a final-round 68 to take the individual title at the Bearcat Golf Classic in March. Young's first title of the season powered GC to a third-place finish in the tournament. Young’s recent performance on the links earned him the honor of Peach Belt Conference golfer of the week for two consecutive weeks in March 2011. As of early April, the golf team is currently ranked the No. 7 team in the nation in NCAA Division II play.
Bobcat baseball team ranked in nation’s top 10 THE GEORGIA COLLEGE BASEBALL TEAM (21-7, 6-3 PBC) kept spots in the top 10 of all three national polls as of early April. The highest spot GC owns is the No. 3 position in the College Baseball Lineup top 30. The Bobcats maintained the third slot in the College Baseball Lineup poll. In the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Division II Rankings, the Bobcats stay at No. 5. In the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Top 25, GC slipped from seventh to ninth. The Bobcats are led at the plate by senior rightfielder Shawn Ward, hitting .432 with four home runs and a team-best 46 RBI. Senior righty Eric Pettepher is an impressive 4-0 with a 3.77 ERA and 34 strikeouts over six starts.
for the latest on Bobcat sports news, visit GCBobcats.com and follow us at facebook.com/GCBobcats or twitter.com/BobcatSports.
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The women’s basketball team finished the 2010-11 season with a 22-7 overall record, while going 11-6 in the PBC. The Bobcats went on to win the PBC Tournament Championship and participate in the NCAA Division II National Tournament, bowing out in the first round to Barton College.
SPORTS
Women make NCAA tournament; Jordan named All-American
Senior guard Chimere Jordan of the Georgia College women’s basketball team was named to the Daktronics Women’s Basketball AllAmerican Third Team as recently announced by the organization. The only two-year player in Bobcat women’s basketball history to eclipse 1,000 points in her career, Jordan becomes just the second AllAmerican in program history. The Daktronics All-America program is maintained by and voted on by the nation’s sports information directors. The 5-foot-8 guard ranked second in all of Division II with 21.8 points per game. The senior pulled down 8.3 rebounds per contest as well as ranking 17th in the nation in steals with 3.1 per game. Jordan posted double-digit scoring in all 29 games this season, including 16 games with 20-plus scoring. She had double-doubles over her final three games, the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) semifinals, finals and the first round of the NCAA Tournament. She also had three 30-point games. Chimere Jordan
Wiedeman selected to PBC Second Team It’s been quite a career for Georgia College men’s basketball senior forward Reece Wiedeman, from redshirt walk-on to an All-Peach Belt Conference (PBC) Second Team selection. Wiedeman was named to the second team at a recent conference awards banquet. Wiedeman’s 12.0 points per game and 5.4 rebounds per contest overall are boosted slightly to 12.9 and 5.6 in PBC contests. Where Wiedeman made his mark this season was playing in some of the more important games of the year for Bobcat men’s basketball. On the biggest stage, when GC took on the then-No. 7 and eventual PBC Champion Augusta State University squad, Wiedeman dominated the front line of the Jaguars, posting 25 points and eight rebounds to lead the Bobcats to a stunning 73-69 upset. In the midst of the Bobcats’ six-game win streak that solidified GC in the PBC playoff picture, Wiedeman had double-digit scoring in five of the six, including the ASU gem and a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double against Columbus State University for Homecoming. The Bobcat men finished the 2010-2011 season 16-10 overall and 10-7 in the Peach Belt Conference. reece Wiedeman
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Alumni Awards 2011 The 2011 Georgia College Alumni Awards were presented on April 22 in Magnolia Ballroom. This year’s recipients are:
Alumni Achievement Award Bobby Pope (’70) Pope earned a Bachelor of science degree in physical and health education in 1970 and has been involved in middle Georgia athletics for more than four decades. he worked 20 years as a sports reporter and sports anchor at WMAZ-tV. During the late 1960s and early 1970s he worked at Mercer University as the “Voice of the Bears” before serving as athletics director at Mercer. he was inducted into the Macon sports hall of fame in 2006. Pope has served as a member of the Macon touchdown Club, the Mayor’s recreation Master Plan Committee and Georgia sports hall of fame Authority. since his retirement, Pope continues to serve as executive director of the Mercer Athletic foundation, the fund raising organization for Mercer athletics. Bobby Pope
Alumni Heritage Award Dr. Lucretia Coleman (’69, ’71) Coleman was among the first African-Americans to attend Georgia College. she earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education. she went on to teach for the richmond County Board of education and fort Valley state University before earning her doctorate in education at the University of tennessee. she returned to her alma mater in 1977 to serve as a faculty member in the J. Whitney Bunting College of Business. While serving on the faculty at Georgia College, she earned the 1997 Distinguished Professor Award. Currently, she serves as the director of the Management resources Center in Macon, offering consulting and mediation services. her work in the field of management and mediation has earned her numerous awards and accolades, including the Greater Macon Women Business owners’ 2008 Business Woman of the year Award.
Dr. Lucretia Coleman
Outstanding Recent Alumni Award Lenzy “Kyle” Hood (’06, ’08) in 2006 he completed his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in history. he continued at Georgia College to earn his master’s degree in public administration in 2008. he currently serves as county manager of Upson County, where his contributions are praised as innovative and have helped in the growth and expansion of the local economy. After graduating, he served as the assistant to the chairman of the Wilkinson County Board of Commissioners. While attending Georgia College, hood was a cheerleader. he also worked as the student coordinator for orientation programs. Lenzy Hood
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Alumni Service Award Betty Pettigrew Smith (’75, ’76, ’78)
Betty Pettigrew Smith
smith earned an associate degree in business administration in 1975 and went on to obtain both a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and a Master of Business Administration from Georgia College. she attributes her successful career in business and accounting to her degrees and has been a longtime supporter of her alma mater as an expression of her gratitude. smith continues to give much of her time and energy to Georgia College. she serves as an accounting faculty member in the J. Whitney Bunting College of Business. she also serves on the Georgia College foundation audit committee and Georgia College Alumni finance committee. During the past five years smith has served as the Peabody school representative to the Georgia College alumni board. she was instrumental in the endowment of the Peabody scholarship and helps plan two Peabody reunions each year. smith continues to represent her fellow Peabody alumni and alumni board members while serving on the Peabody garden rededication committee.
Ethel Rae Mozo-Stewart Alumni Community Award Johnny Hurt (’77, ’81)
Johnny Hurt
hurt earned Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and a Master of Business Administration at Georgia College. realizing the potential of owning his own McDonald’s franchise, hurt went on to learn the business by earning a degree in “hamburgerology” from McDonald’s hamburger University. today, hurt owns and operates 19 McDonald’s restaurants in metro Atlanta and serves as chief executive officer of hurt & hurt restaurants in Conyers. hurt has served as president of the Wheels of Dreams youth foundation, an organization he helped found in 2001. hurt also volunteers as a board member of the Greater Atlanta inner City foundation.
Honorary Alumni Award Hugh Cheek Cheek moved to Milledgeville after serving in World War ii and graduating from Mercer University, joining the public relations staff of Georgia state College for Women (now Georgia College). Cheek was charged with bolstering the public’s view of the college after its post-war drop in enrollment. Cheek’s passion was in the classroom, teaching psychology courses. he accepted a teaching position at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, but returned to Georgia College to see the school through its transition to a co-educational college in 1967. he served Georgia College 30 years before retiring during the 1980s. Hugh Cheek
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CLAss notes 1970s Mary Jean Ellington Stafford (’76) retired on March 1, 2010, after 34 years of service as a casework supervisor with the Georgia Department of human resources. 1990s Dr. Frances Carter (’91) earned her master’s of psychology from Georgia College before continuing on to Mercer University, where she received a Doctorate in educational Leadership in higher education. she has recently been named the president and Ceo of Union Mission in savannah, Ga. Union Mission aims to reduce and eliminate homelessness in and around savannah via residential, educational and counseling programs focused on the individual. the board of directors at Union Mission selected Carter based on her exceptional leadership skills and her commitment to community service. Carter has previously worked at Mercer University as the associate director for academic program development at the school of Medicine, as the assistant director of the Master of Public health Program in the Department of Community Medicine and as an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Community Medicine. she has also worked for the Central Georgia Cancer Coalition as the program coordinator and she has served on the boards of directors for the Central Georgia Affiliates of susan G. Komen for the Cure, the Georgia Public health Association and the Martin research institute. Christopher Watkins (’91, ’94) is the principal at treutlen elementary school in soperton, Ga. he earned his Bachelor of science and MPA from Georgia College before continuing on to earn his Doctorate of education in educational Administration from Georgia southern University in Dec. 2010. his dissertation topic was “effective school District recruitment strategies of African-American teachers.”
Thomas Thomas (’92) earned his MPA from Georgia College and presently works as the chief administrative officer of the city of Macon, Ga. Previously, thomas worked as the assistant county administrator of Dougherty County, Ga. he is an active member of the Georgia City/County Managers Association (GCCMA) and international City/County Managers Association (iCMA). he currently lives in Macon with his wife and three children. Charlie Ross (’93) was appointed one of three new board members of Central Georgia technical College. ross is the employee development coordinator for Georgia Power and a board member for the oconee regional Medical Center. Richard Blevins (’97) became a partner in the law firm of rickman & Blevins, P.C. on Jan. 1, 2011. the law firm is located in Marietta, Ga.
2000s John Steensland (’00) and his wife Kelsey celebrated the birth of their daughter Avery Claire on sept. 8, 2010. L. Jill Adams, CPA, (’01) and husband Phillip Adams of Gordon,
Ga. welcomed daughter Aubrey Grace on Jan. 10, 2011. Drew Jahr (’02) is engaged to be married on oct. 13, 2012. Windy Marie Caviness (’02) married Christopher Andrew reeves in Atlanta on June 19, 2010. they were married at the Catholic shrine of the immaculate Conception and their reception was held in Piedmont Park. Caviness graduated from Georgia College with a bachelor’s in mass communication; she then continued on to complete her Master of Arts from ellis University. she currently works for feld entertainment as a director for event marketing and sales, promoting events throughout the southeast such as the ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Disney on ice, Disney Live and Monster Jam. Jamie Whitehead Bennett (’07) married Michael Bennett on June 5, 2010, in ocho rios, Jamaica. Bennett works as the assistant director at Primrose school at sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville, Ga. the couple lives in Jefferson, Ga. Tammi Sheppard (’07) became a nationally certified athletic trainer shortly after graduating from Georgia College with a Bachelor of science in
Matt Davis (’02, ’04) and his wife Lisa Ann Pepple Davis (’03) would like to announce the birth of their son Aiden Matthew Davis. Aiden was born on sept. 27, 2010. he is their second child, joining the couple’s daughter Addison who was born in 2007.
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Georgia College Connection • Spring 2011
reach us by email at alumni@gcsu.edu
health education. in 2009, she completed her doctorate in physical therapy and graduated with high honors from the University of st. Augustine. Currently, sheppard works as a traveling physical therapist, traveling the country to work with individuals whohave an immediate need for physical therapy. she has worked in Georgia, California and hopes to get her next assignment in hawaii. Devie Wilder Archebelle (’09) earned her specialist degree in curriculum and instruction from Georgia College. Presently, she is working as the instructional math coach at an elementary school in Macon, Ga. Tyler Bennett (’09) is beginning his career with the United states secret service. he has completed a 12-week training program at the federal Law enforcement training Center in Glynco, Ga., and is currently undergoing training at the secret service training Center in Beltsville, Md. Bennett received a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice from Georgia College.
Mandy Chandler (’09) works as the assistant coach of the Georgia College softball team. Chandler is an alumna of the Georgia College softball team. Jared Tolton Williams (’10) is a first-year law student at stetson Law school in Gulfport, fla. he graduated from Georgia College with a Bachelor of Arts in political science.
1930s Evelyn Oglesby Childs (’31) died Jan. 10, 2011 Verzilia Boatright Turner (’34) died Dec. 4, 2010 Virginia Phelps Fulford (’34) died feb. 4, 2011 Audrey White Collins (’39) died Dec. 7, 2010
Eula Heard Windham (’40) died feb. 1, 2011 Grace Hoover Prather (’40) died March 9, 2011 Lillian Lawson O’Bryant (’41) died Dec 13, 2010 Anne Rawlings McCarty (’43) died Jan. 3, 2011 Arlia Tomlinson Bailey (’43) died feb. 15, 2011 Jewell Inez Griffin Wilkerson (’47) died Dec. 12, 2009. After graduating from GCsW, she taught continuously from 1947-1982. Tommy Jean Dowda Griffith (’48) died Jan. 4, 2011 Lois Cooper Spillers (’49) diedfeb. 1, 2011 Lydia Kirkland Mosely (’49) died Jan. 20, 2011
Lindsay Kate Webb (’10), who graduated with a Bachelor of science in nursing, is engaged to scott orion teague, a law student at Mercer University. Webb is working as a registered nurse in the pediatric intensive care unit at the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon, Ga. the couple plans to wed in May.
Tiffany Timmerman Tanner (’10) and Corey Tanner (’09) were married on March 27, 2010, in Martinez, Ga. tiffany is currently employed as the music teacher at turner Wood elementary in Gray, Ga. Corey is the band director for Jones County high school in Gray, Ga. the couple currently resides in Milledgeville.
In Memoriam
1940s
CLASS NOTES
Jennifer Trotter Smith (’06) has been named the 20102011 Baldwin County teacher of the year. After graduating from Georgia College with a Bachelor of science in special education, smith earned a Master in education from Walden University while working at Blandy hills elementary. she credits her husband for his love and support throughout her endeavors.
1950s
1970s
Mary “Fay” Hoyle Bennett (’52) died feb. 12, 2011 Mary Yarbrough Daniel (’53) died Jan. 1, 2011 Lydia Bray Pool (’55) died Dec. 5, 2010 Sophie Clark Oxley Thompson (’57) died feb. 12, 2011
Stephen Edwin Jones (’74) died May 9, 2009. he received his MBA from Georgia College. his wife says he attributed his career success at Georgia Power—where he worked for 33 years before retirement—with the strong education he received at GC. William Ralph Craig (’76) died feb. 2, 2011 Wendell Guy Fulford (’78) died Jan. 25, 2011
1960s Pennelle “Penny” Jones Scheffler (’61) died Jan. 9, 2011 Edmund Franklin Dukes (’64) died feb. 28, 2011 Audrey Graham Newsome (’65) died feb. 13, 2011 Jane Seal Cotton (’68) died feb. 17, 2011
1990s Kenneth Howard Kelley (’94) died Jan. 13, 2011
Friends Brian Patrick Lauer died feb. 5, 2011 Charles B. Hodges died March 21, 2011
Georgia College Connection • Spring 2011
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gcsu.edu/alumni Georgia College is Georgia's designated public liberal arts university,combining the educational experience expected at esteemed private liberal arts colleges with the affordability of public higher education.
Georgia College is headed your way! The alumni relations office is exploring hosting regional events in the following cities: s s s s s s s s s s s
Atlanta Albany Brunswick Columbus Macon Savannah New York York City Washington, D.C./Northern Virginia Virginia Jacksonville Tampa Charlotte
Possible event ideas include: museum tours, sporting events or networking socials.
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AS S OCI AT I ON
If you have an interest in helping plan an event in your area, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (478) 445-5771 or alumni@gcsu.edu.