SPRING 2020
engage THE GEORGIA GWINNETT COLLEGE MAGAZINE
Volume 7, Issue 1
Dillard is Dedicated to Helping Students Graduate Debt-free PAGE 6
Tyler Overcomes Adversity to Discover Her Dreams PAGE 8
Moore Honored With Scholarship PAGE 15
BENJAMIN COKER
FINDS THE FUTURE HE DIDN’T KNOW HE WANTED PAGE 4
Extracurricular activities are an important part of the college experience, allowing students to pursue and expand their interests. The Equestrian Sports Club enables members to learn how to properly care for and interact with horses. Shown here is Sara Wellborn, ’22, psychology, riding horse Patrick at the Brandywine Equestrian Center in Monroe, Georgia.
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In this issue On the cover: Benjamin Coker, ’19, nursing, is shown in the GGC nursing program’s clinical learning space, which mimics a hospital critical care unit, complete with a nurse’s station.
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President’s Message ..................................................................... 2 College News Notables ...................................................................................................... 3 Fresh Approach to a Common Program ................................................... 17 Our Four Pillars in Action Service Coker Finds the Future He Didn’t Know He Wanted......................... 4 Creativity Dillard is Dedicated to Helping Students Graduate Debt-free ........... 6 Scholarship Tyler Overcomes Adversity to Discover Her Dreams .......................... 8 Leadership Calaman is a Driving Force in the School of Business....................... 18 Advancing GGC A Legacy of Love: The Merri M. Brantley Funds ..................................... 12 Moore Honored With Scholarship ........................................................... 15 Grizzlyfest Fills Campus With GGC Spirit ............................................. 16 The Gallery ............................................................................................ 21 Spring 2020
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President's Message
We are
Unwavering in our Dedication to Student Success
Dr. Jann L. Joseph President
Georgia Gwinnett College was given an opportunity to shine this spring when the University System of Georgia moved to online instruction for the duration of the semester in an effort to inhibit spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
We greeted this change as an opportunity to continue doing what we do best – provide an excellent educational experience, engage with and mentor students, and give students the tools they need to succeed – only now through the digital world. GGC is valued for its student engagement and mentorship, supported by innovation and best practices. Our faculty and staff have always been encouraged to use new technologies and instructional methods to support student success. Some of our approaches have earned publication, or been adopted at other institutions. This experience positions us for success with virtual learning. As we continue modified operations with May and summer semester classes online, the college remains open, with minimal essential staff on-site to ensure continuity of certain services. Every effort is being made to ensure that we remain unwavering in our dedication to student success. Following the direction of the University System of Georgia, we canceled the May commencement ceremony. We look forward to welcoming the spring class of 2020, families and friends at a future special event to celebrate their achievements. I am certain that through this experience we will become stronger and more resilient than ever before. I encourage all Grizzlies – students, faculty, staff, alumni and key stakeholders – to take advantage of today’s technologies to stay connected. Whether gathered on campus, or in touch through digital media, we are all still part of the same amazing GGC family. Go Grizzlies! Dr. Jann L. Joseph
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Notables Award Winning Grizzlies David Araya,’16, business, and Angela Hurtado, ’12, psychology, were both recognized with the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s prestigious 40 Under 40 award for 2019. Hurtado also was named one of 2019’s 50 Most Influential Latinos in Georgia by the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, an honor Araya won in 2018. The couple co-founded the nonprofit HoPe | Hispanic Organization Promoting Education, which seeks to increase the high school graduation rate for Hispanic students.
THE GEORGIA GWINNETT COLLEGE MAGAZINE
We Value Your Input Send your ideas and comments about Engage to engage@ggc.edu or call 678.407.5549. Production Editor-in-chief: Sally Ramey Photography: Rod Reilly, Sally Ramey Graphic design: Todd Buxton Writing: Sally Ramey, Barbara Mann Online team: Rycca Blanton, Educational Technology Server Team Other support: Dan Cassavaugh, LaKeidra Veal Hill, Laurie Hudson, Hoang Huynh, Barbara Martell, Allana Walker Advancement Lori Buckheister, vice president for Advancement Sloan Jones, associate vice president for Communications Jackie Todd, director of Public Relations Mailing List To be added to or removed from the Engage mailing list email engage@ggc.edu or call 678.407.5549.
Dr. Ajay Mallia, assistant professor of chemistry, is the American Chemical Society’s inaugural national Outreach Volunteer of the Year.
Dr. Omar Villanueva, assistant professor of chemistry, was selected as a Governor’s Teaching Fellow for the 2019-2020 academic year.
Dr. Sonal Dekhane, professor of information technology, was selected as a 2019-2020 University System of Georgia Executive Leadership Institute Scholar, and named one of 15 Outstanding Women in Leadership – 2020 by Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan.
Matthew Tatz , ’20, environmental science, published his undergraduate research findings, “Activity Patterns of Feeder Birds at Georgia Gwinnett College,” in the Proceedings of the National Conference of Undergraduate Research 2019.
Katherine “Kat” Kyle, associate vice president – Human Resources, was selected to serve on the board of directors of Mosaic Georgia, a children’s advocacy and sexual assault center. 1000 University Center Lane Lawrenceville, GA 30043 678.407.5000 • www.ggc.edu
See more Notables at www.ggc.edu/notables Spring 2020
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Service
COKER
FINDS THE
FUTURE
HE DIDN'T KNOW HE WANTED
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Coker always had an interest in health care and service to others. During high school, he worked as a life guard for the Collins Hill Aquatic Center. He also taught life guard courses for Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation, where he worked as a as a recruiter, trainer and assistant manager. After his father became ill, Coker contributed much of his earnings toward supporting his family. “I tried to relieve some of my father’s worries,” he said. Coker also helped care for his father at home. At one point, he shared with his father his decision to become a nurse instead of a doctor. Mustering up strength to talk, his father said, “I know you will do well. Trust in God.”
Emilia Coker, Ben Coker, ’19, nursing, and George Coker, ’22, pre-nursing/exercise science, pause for a photo before the fall 2019 commencement ceremony. The framed photo is of Emilia’s husband and the men’s father, Samuel Coker, who passed away from cancer three years ago.
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t was a frigid day in December 2015 as Benjamin Coker waved to the crowd watching the Christmas parade in Dacula, Georgia.
Representing Georgia Gwinnett College as Mr. GGC, he rode in a convertible with Miss GGC, Bethany D'Alessandro, ’16, exercise science. As the car rounded a turn and Coker scanned the people waving back at him, he was shocked to see his father standing among them. That summer, Samuel Coker had been diagnosed with a terminal case of stomach cancer. He should have been at home, yet there he was in the freezing cold, smiling proudly at his son. The significance of the moment was not lost on the younger Coker, who knew how precious little time they had left together. Coker planned to go to medical school to become a doctor. He had enrolled at GGC that fall, intending to study biology for two years and then transfer to another school. His father’s diagnosis not only changed family life, it changed his college and career plans. “As I saw my dad go through treatments, I saw that nurses were the ones providing direct patient care,” he said. “That’s when I realized that what I really wanted to do was nursing.”
After his father passed away early in his junior year, Coker understandably struggled. GGC’s nursing program is highly selective, accepting only about 60 students a year. Coker didn’t make the cut on his first attempt. Deeply involved in campus life by then, Coker was a member of the Elite Scholars Program, a senator in the Student Government Association, a committee chair within the Greenlight Activities Board and a resident advisor. He had found a home at GGC and built a large GGC support system, including friends and faculty mentors, who advised him to take a break. “I had to take some time for myself,” Coker said. He remained in school and took courses in business. “Eventually, I started to find myself again.” Coker was accepted into the nursing program the next year, and graduated in the fall of 2019 with honors and with a minor in business. He plans to get a job in cardiac nursing, and to later pursue a graduate degree and a career in nursing administration. “I like to lead and help people to be the best versions of themselves,” he said. “Their win is my win.” As a nursing administrator, he said he foresees himself helping other nurses be the best they can be. Reflecting on how his plans changed, Coker noted that like so many students who enroll with plans to transfer, he had “fallen in love” with GGC. He had such a positive experience at the school that his brother, George, is now enrolled as a freshman and also plans to go into nursing. “Life takes you places you don’t know you want to go,” said Coker.
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Creativity
Dillard Helping Students Debt-free is dedicated to
graduate
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lease Dillard clearly remembers when she learned about the cost of a college degree.
“It was a sunny day and I was in the financial aid office as a high school senior, excited about this next chapter of life,” she said. “Then I was told about the costs and the average amount of student loan debt. My sunny day immediately felt cloudy.” A few months before, Dillard had changed her mind about playing college basketball. Instead, she wanted to focus on her studies in a STEM field. This meant she would not have basketball scholarships for college. “While college is discussed a lot with high school students, the costs are not often included in those discussions,” she said. “Because I made the choice about basketball, I decided that paying for college should be up to me.” Dillard recognized her two choices. One was to take out loans, leaving her in debt. Or she could take action to find a way to fund her education. She chose action. Dillard also chose GGC, which offers very affordable tuition. “I am blessed the cost to attend GGC was less than other schools,” she said. “I earned enough to fund my entire freshman year debt-free. I took action again, and funded my second year debt-free. By this time, I found a groove and duplicated what worked.” In 2015, Dillard walked across the GGC commencement ceremony stage, biology degree in hand and debt-free. While at GGC, Dillard discovered that not everyone knew how to fund their education. She shared tips and strategies with her peers, many of whom went on to win scholarships or obtain other funding for school. 6
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While at GGC, Elease Dillard, ’15, biology, found her calling in helping students graduate debt-free. Photo courtesy of Dillard.
Two GGC experiences helped change Dillard’s career goals. During her junior year, she took a GGC Honors Program course called “How to be a Global Change Agent.” The course caused her to “deeply reflect” on how to make a positive impact in the world. Then two weeks before graduation, she gave a speech in a GGC business course about funding her education debt-free. To her surprise, the class responded with applause ... and questions.
Elease Dillard, left, speaks with a student about The Student Navigator during an exhibition on the GGC lawn.
“ I want to encourage students to dream big. If you have a dream inside of you, don’t quit, your struggle will one day be a part of your success story. You have what it takes!” – Elease Dillard, ’15 “This was a powerful moment because it highlighted a void,” she said. “Students lack a go-to resource to fund their education debt-free. They longed for a program that didn’t exist. So I decided to change that.” Dillard founded her company, The Student Navigator, in 2016 and published a book, Funding College Debt-Free: Your Interactive Guide Towards Living a Life of Freedom, Passion, and Purpose, in 2017. Dillard’s plans did not go smoothly. Her grandfather was diagnosed with cancer, and she devoted much of her time to helping with his care. When he passed away, her savings were almost gone – but she didn’t give up on her calling to help students. “My parents raised me in a household where ‘winners never quit and quitters never win.’ They instilled in me the core value that you do everything with 110 percent effort and with excellence,” she said. “I was not going to quit – on myself, my family and the students
whose lives will be changed by freedom from the bondage of student loan debt.” Today, Dillard hears from students and parents about how they have successfully reduced or avoided debt due to her counsel. “After speaking to a group of students and parents, I met a father of five who thanked me with tears in his eyes because he had hope that all of his children would be able to go to college and fund it debt-free,” she said. “That is what I find most rewarding and is the reason why I do what I do every day.” Dillard maintains close ties to her alma mater, and has served on the GGC Alumni Board for four years and has held the office of secretary. She is often seen participating in campus events, always offering encouraging words. “I want to encourage students to dream big. If you have a dream inside of you, don’t quit,” Dillard said. “Your struggle will one day be a part of your success story. You have what it takes!” Spring 2020
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Scholarship
Shown here and opposite, Gabriella Tyler, ’20, biology, prepares to examine a zebra fish involved in her Parkinson’s Disease research in the Strickland Research Laboratory.
TYLER OVERCOMES ADVERSITY TO
DISCOVER
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Every time life knocked her down, she got back up again. Homeless at 22, she found herself sleeping outside a library one night. Libraries had always provided her a sanctuary. Naturally a broad-minded and curious person, she spent many hours in libraries, sometimes reading every book on a randomly chosen shelf to pass her free time. But on this night in 2011, being near a library made her reflect on what she wanted out of life. Tyler became determined to get an education. or most of her life, Gabriella “Bella” Tyler’s dream was simply to survive. Growing up in foster care in California, she didn’t really have a support system. At 15, she was emancipated from the foster care system and given only $1,000 to set out on her own. She tried to stay in school, but because she had to work to support herself, she dropped out. Over the next several years, Tyler experienced periods of independence and homelessness. She moved to North Carolina, where she had a successful career in automotive sales until the Great Recession caused sales to slump.
The next morning, she went to a local community college to ask how to enroll and was told she had to first earn her GED. All those years spent in libraries paid off, as she passed her GED placement test in the 98th percentile, earning the program’s “scholar graduate” status. “I still had to put in a minimum number of hours studying something, so they told me to just read some books,” Tyler said. “Two and a half weeks later, I had my GED.” Her first semester in community college didn’t go well. Tyler had to get a job, find a place to live, get a loan, buy a car and adjust to college demands. continued on next page >
HER DREAMS Spring 2020
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Scholarship continued from page 9
“I had to work to support myself, but I couldn’t make it to class because of my job,” she said. “I didn’t know how college worked, so I didn’t know how to withdraw. I failed every class.” Once settled, she achieved a 4.0 the next semester. However, she was then sidelined by an emergency appendectomy and a subsequent, life-threatening infection that lasted six months. With college on hold, Tyler worked as a ranch hand and a farrier. She also worked at an auction house, using the connection to buy antique furniture she sold through her own business. “I was just trying to survive,” she said. Life dealt her another blow when she came home one evening to find that her roommate had suddenly moved out, stealing Tyler’s few valuables. A man then came to the door, claimed her roommate owed him thousands, and threatened Tyler’s life if she didn’t pay off her roommate’s debt when he returned. Tyler immediately packed up and fled to a friend’s home in another city. Due to a sudden and severe radiator leak, it took five hours to make the 60-mile trip to safety.
“ I’m in the dream, I’ve been among the homeless and the wealthiest one percent. The life and path I’ve lived have a reason.” – Gabriella Tyler, ’20
The next morning, she discovered that her vehicle had been stolen, and with it, all of her clothes and other belongings. “It was the worst day,” she said.
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Biology majors Martin Penaherra Merizalde,’21, Hannah Staley,’19, Kyra Brewer,’19, Gabriella Tyler,’20, and Vincentiu Olteanu,’20, all made research presentations at the 2019 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students in Anaheim, California. Photo courtesy of Tyler.
Although Tyler had to deal with the legal aftermath of her roommate’s actions, things soon changed for the better. She got a job at a call center and was quickly promoted to supervisor. She also met and married her husband. In 2016, the couple moved to his home state of Georgia, settling in Sugar Hill. Tyler got a job as a private security guard at the Country Club of the South in Johns Creek, where she regularly encountered its wealthy and famous residents. “One resident became a friend and encouraged me to go back to college,” Tyler said. Georgia Gwinnett’s location, accessibility and affordability made it the perfect choice, and Tyler enrolled in the spring of 2017, unsure of her career goals. “I was not ready,” she said of becoming a student again. She discussed her challenges with Dr. Michael Erwin, associate professor of biology, who explained how she was defeating herself. The frank discussion inspired her to change her perspective and to major in biology. Tyler said “everything clicked” in the spring of 2018 when she took a special “BioBridge” course for freshman, sophomore and nontraditional students needing to learn basic laboratory skills. Each student had to conduct a research project.
Intrigued by plant-based medicine and looking forward to a study-abroad trip to Thailand that summer, Tyler chose to research the antioxidant potential of jackfruit and durian, two fruits native to Southeast Asia.
against neuroinflammation and the progression of PD. She also is interested in comparing the effectiveness of a plant-based precursor to dopamine to the lab-produced version of the drug in managing PD.
Durian is said to taste like chives, garlic and caramel mixed with whipped cream. Its odor is famously overwhelming.
She hopes the work will lead to useful findings and publication of a scientific paper. It has already led to several conference presentations, as well as a national poster presentation at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students.
“It smells like gasoline-soaked onions,” Tyler said. “I got kicked out of the lab to work with it under a hood in the prep hallway.” The students were required to develop a poster presentation on their research for the spring semester CREATE Symposium, giving them experience discussing the material with a broad audience. This experience came in handy during Tyler’s 29-day trip to Chiang Mai and Kamphaeng Phet Rajabat (KPRU) universities in Thailand. Combined with four weeks of pre- and post-trip work at GGC, the intensive, interdisciplinary excursion combined 16 credit hours in mathematics, statistics and biology courses.
Her college experience also enabled Tyler to build leadership skills. She served as president of the GGC chapter of the Minority Association of Premed Students, which grew significantly in membership and programming under her leadership.
The GGC students were invited to a science conference at KPRU involving mostly graduate students from multiple universities in Southeast Asia. However, they learned that they were expected to make a poster research presentation. Fortunately, Tyler had her durian poster file on her laptop and prepared a talk on her research. To her surprise, she won third place among 30 conference presenters. Tyler has since presented her durian research at nine conferences and won honors at two. Planning a career in conducting biomedical research, she knew that presentations, publications and research are needed to augment her academic record so she could gain admittance to a doctoral program in graduate school.
Gabriella Tyler,’20, biology, photographs a zebra fish she has selected from its tank in the Allied Health and Sciences building.
She has done research with three of her faculty mentors, and now works with Dr. Cindy Achat-Mendes, associate professor of biology, on Parkinson’s Disease (PD) research in the Strickland Research Laboratory. PD research at GGC includes investigating nicotine’s apparent protection against the inflammation related to this disease. Tyler is working on a multisemester project using zebrafish to study the neuroprotective effects of nicotine
Tyler has come a long way since sleeping outside of that library only eight years ago. After graduating in May 2020, she will begin the neurobiology doctorate program at the University of Notre Dame, on a full scholarship with a living stipend. She credits the support of her multidisciplinary team of GGC faculty mentors who have encouraged and advised her along the way. “They have my back,” she said. “Every one of them has made a real difference for me.” Today, her favorite place to be is in the lab, and she looks to her future with excitement and determination.
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Advancing GGC
Art by Brian Buxton, 2020
A Legacy of Love
The Merri M. Brantley funds 12
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Scholarshipand professional preparation funds provide student support
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very University System of Georgia (USG) construction request undergoes rigorous planning before being included in the USG budget, which the state legislature must approve annually.
renovation funding, within only a few years. So many requests from one institution was highly irregular – after all, GGC was the first public college established in Georgia after more than 100 years. “Merri was critical to the development of the campus,” said former Georgia Sen. Don Balfour, who represented the 9th District for 22 years. “Many times, the college wanted four or five projects, and Merri would help strategically prioritize the projects so we could get things done. GGC is what it is today largely due to her efforts.”
“ She would come home and talk about the college. GGC was her life and she was devoted to it. They were her kids and she would have given them the clothes off her back.” – Lucia Brantley
The secret to her success was that she knew how to engage with legislators and their staffs due to previous work as press director for the Georgia Senate and other positions in the political and communications arenas. Former Georgia State Sen. Preston Smith pauses for a photo with Merri Brantley at the capitol in an undated photo provided by her family.
During legislative review, individual construction projects can be deleted from the budget. Members of the house and senate require information about the projects so they are kept in the budget all the way to the governor’s desk for signature. In light of this process, it is no small feat to build a new college from the ground up. Merri Brantley, executive director of governmental relations, managed GGC’s interactions with city, county, state and federal officials in cooperation with college and USG leaders. While her role included many activities, her most significant impact was facilitating the build-out of GGC’s campus. Brantley worked diligently with state elected officials, particularly members of the Gwinnett legislative delegation, to ensure they had all the information they needed to support GGC’s construction requests, which were timed to support the college’s meteoric enrollment growth. However, GGC needed several new buildings, as well as
Brantley built relationships that persisted throughout her career. When she passed away unexpectedly in 2018, several members of the Georgia house and senate took time from the legislative session to attend her memorial service. Some even shared favorite stories about Brantley with the congregation. It is impressive to look around campus and realize that everything one sees is part of Brantley’s legacy to the college. However, there is a more personal side to her service. Brantley would seek out 12 underprivileged students each year and purchase Christmas presents for them. She regularly mentored students and sought opportunities at the capital for student interns. An expert in etiquette, she also offered advice on dress, manners and professional conduct. She took great personal pride in GGC and its students. “She would come home and talk about the college,” said her mother, Lucia Brantley. “GGC was her life and she was devoted to it. They were her kids and she would have given them the clothes off her back.” continued on next page > Spring 2020
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Advancing GGC Brantley’s family has honored her memory and her love for the college by establishing two funds with the GGC Foundation to support three needs close to Brantley’s heart. The endowed Merri M. Brantley Scholarship Fund provides support for full-time students with a minimum GPA of 2.5, with preference to first-generation students and those with financial need.
Merri Brantley’s mother, Lucia Brantley, and sister, Sandra Creighton.
The Merri M. Brantley Professional Preparation Fund supports two existing programs to be named in Brantley’s honor. The Merri M. Brantley Professional Attire Closet supports students who need appropriate clothing for job interviews, conference presentations and other professional activities. The Merri M. Brantley Etiquette Meal is a training activity for students, operated by the Career Development and Advising Center.
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“It was the air that she breathed,” said her sister, Sandra Creighton. “She loved every minute of it.” Brantley’s mother recalled that a student approached her after the memorial service to tell her, “I would have never gotten through college if it hadn’t been for Merri. She touched me more than anyone else.” “Merri told me that students like me are all the reason she did her job,” said Melly Hiciano, ’17, political science, another student mentored by Brantley. Today, Hiciano is a recruiting supervisor for the U.S. Census Bureau.
“ Merri had a great heart for GGC and gave it 110 percent, she was a wonderful person and dedicated the last years of her life to Georgia Gwinnett College.” – Don Balfour
“I am a first-generation college graduate. My family never saw the value in education so, I had to figure out how to get through college without debt. My GGC mentors, like Merri, gave me the encouragement to finish my degree,” Hiciano said. “If Merri hadn’t continually knocked down my anxiety over breaking through the box people put me in, I probably would not have had the courage to pursue leadership roles like the one I have now.” 14
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Merri Brantley and former Georgia Sen. Don Balfour take one of their many tours of campus during its construction years.
“It would tickle Merri to know that the closet and etiquette meal will be named after her,” said Lucia Brantley. “She was a perfectionist and believed that appropriate dress and etiquette were her way of honoring people. I think she would be very happy that these programs will pass this down to students.” “Merri had a great heart for GGC and gave it 110 percent,” Balfour said. “She was a wonderful person and dedicated the last years of her life to Georgia Gwinnett College. We should all be very proud of what she accomplished for the college and its students.”
Advancing GGC
Moore Honored With
P
Scholarship
each State Federal Credit Union (PSFCU) has established a scholarship fund to honor Dr. Cathy Moore, charter dean of the School of Education, who recently retired. “Peach State was founded by local educators nearly 60 years ago. Dr. Moore paved the way for future educators in Gwinnett through hard work and dedication to GGC,” said Peach State’s President/ CEO Marshall Boutwell. “We are proud to honor her legacy and our organization’s roots by supporting future educators.” “I’m humbled and deeply appreciative that Mr. Boutwell has chosen to honor me in such an amazing way,” said Moore. “This scholarship will impact not only its recipients but also the children and youth who will be taught by the recipients once they graduate. I can think of no better way to invest in the future of Gwinnett County and surrounding region.” Moore joined GGC in 2006 and led the creation of its education program, which now offers bachelor’s degrees in elementary education, middle grades education and special education, as well as teaching certificates in biology, chemistry, English, history, mathematics and political science. Moore was instrumental in developing an innovative partnership with Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS), ensuring quality student-teacher experiences that result in workready graduates. Through this pipeline, more than 800 graduates have been prepared to pursue a career in teaching, with the largest portion of those teaching in GCPS. The Cathy Moore Scholarship will be awarded on an annual basis and cover tuition, books and/or required program supply expenses. Applicants must be admitted into one of the educator preparation programs at GGC and have a grade point average of 3.0 or above.
Shown holding a ceremonial check for $25,000 from Peach State Federal Credit Union (PSFCU) are Jennifer Hendrickson - GGC’s associate vice president of Development, Dr. Cathy Moore, and Marshall Boutwell - president and CEO of PSFCU.
“The School of Education has enjoyed a wonderful partnership with PSFCU since 2010, when it established the first scholarship for education majors. This new scholarship will further that commitment by providing additional funding for students seeking to serve their community as educators,” Moore said. “We are deeply appreciative of the commitment that PSFCU, under the leadership of Marshall Boutwell, has shown to education,” said Dr. Jann L. Joseph, president. “It is especially meaningful that Peach State honors Dr. Cathy Moore with one of the first scholarships named for one of our faculty members because her leadership in particular has forever changed the face of education in Gwinnett County.” You can help support students, too. Gifts of any size make a real difference. See enclosed envelope for more information.
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Advancing GGC
Grizzlyfest fills campus with
GGC Spirit L
ast October, nearly 450 enthusiastic alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends gathered for Grizzlyfest – A GGC Homecoming. The event’s activities included musical and dance entertainment and crowning of the 2019 Homecoming king and queen. Guests of all ages enjoyed arts and crafts, balloon artists and displays. Children playing bubble soccer bounced around the lawn. The popular Deans’ Chili Cook-Off offered samples of nine recipes ranging from Thai turkey to vegan Georgia peach to hearty white. The crowd picked a Southwestern style beef chili by Tyler Yu, dean of the School of Business, as the favorite – making Yu a three-time champ. “The Chili Cook-Off raised over $1,100 – for the GGC Fund, 44 percent more than 2018,” said Holly Lisle, director of Alumni Engagement. “The GGC Fund helps support student financial aid, scholarships, honors programming, service recognition and campus events.” The event ended with the Baseball Experience, which included batting and catch practice for community children with current GGC baseball players and coaches.
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College News
Fresh Approach to a
Common Program perseverance, she excelled, winning fellowships to Cambridge and Harvard universities and eventually receiving a doctorate from Cambridge. Though “Educated” is an intensely personal memoir, readers can relate to a variety of themes including what it means to be educated, the importance of resilience, strength-based identity, sense of loss and reconciliation, racial identity, social integration, mental illness, naturalism and others. “Because ‘Educated’ touches on so many experiences universal to college students, many faculty are creatively using it as part of their curriculum, including courses in education, English, sociology and history,” said Mann. “Our Center for Teaching Excellence created workshops to help faculty wishing to integrate the book into their courses.”
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any colleges and universities present a common read program for their campuses, selecting a specific book to provide a unifying, integrative campus experience via explorations of the book’s content and themes through various programming opportunities. “GGC is taking a fresh approach to the program under the new name, GGC Reads,” said Dr. Barbara Mann, dean of Library Services. “This year’s title is the New York Times bestseller, ‘Educated’ by Tara Westover, winner of many literary awards and a finalist for multiple literacy prizes.” “Educated” recounts the author’s personal higher education journey after growing in a survivalist family from Idaho. Westover, who had no formal schooling, followed an older brother’s path to college. She studied for the ACT, passed, and was accepted to Brigham Young University.
The GGC Reads committee created strategies to raise awareness of the program, including hosting tables at fall semester events, a majors/minors information session and an official launch event. Other activities included informal book discussions, as well as a Make Your Mark Student Success Fair and Imposter Syndrome Panel co-sponsored by the Council to Advise Transitional Studies and First Generation Task Force. “We appreciate the generous funding from GGC Student Affairs that enabled students to obtain free copies of 'Educated',” said Mann. Copies also are available for checkout from the library.
Westover was unprepared for the educational, social and cultural requirements of a college student. During class discussions, for example, she showed no knowledge of the Holocaust or the Civil Rights Movement. Through Spring 2020
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“ My life has never been a cake walk. These last four years have been no different, but I refuse to fail.” offering charter and school contract services. This afforded a mildly comfortable living for the family of three. Calaman relocated her family to Georgia in 2015 after witnessing a murder in her community. “That was it for me,” she said. “I was tired of having the bare minimum, and I knew for us to have more, I needed a change of environment.” In 2016, Calaman’s life finally started to take a turn for the better when her partner encouraged her to go to college.
Photos courtesy of Calaman.
“I had always wanted to get a degree, so there was no debate,” Calaman said. “Learning has always been a big deal to me. And doing well in school has always been one of my gifts.” She enrolled at GGC that summer.
Last summer, Aries Calaman,’20, business, attended the world’s largest conference for women in technology, The Grace Hopper Celebration in Orlando, Florida. Her networking skills resulted in a job offer.
ries Calaman came to Georgia Gwinnett College determined to build a better life. Fueled by this resolve, she has succeeded. One of four siblings, the New Jersey native will soon be the first to graduate from college. Raised by a young, single mother, Calaman experienced several life changes and misfortunes, one of which caused her to drop out of her senior year in high school. After graduating the next year, Calaman was the first woman to complete the carpentry program at Job Corps Center in Gainesville, Florida. She decided she would be the master of her own fate. In late 2007, she gave birth to fraternal twins. “I knew at that moment I had to make something of myself,” Calaman said. Now a single mother working various jobs, sometimes two at a time, Calaman earned her CDL license, enabling her to drive buses for companies
“ I was determined to get the most out of my college experience. If they needed a volunteer, a student representative, or just someone to help handout flyers, I would be the one they’d call on.” – Aries Calaman, ’20 A business major, Calaman found herself drawn to the management information systems (MIS) concentration. She added a minor in information technology and sought opportunities to be involved. “In my life, it has never been about what I knew but who I knew,” she said. “I was determined to get the most out of my college experience. If they needed a volunteer, a student representative, or just someone to help handout flyers, I would be the one they’d call on.” continued on next page > Spring 2020
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Leadership
“I am always learning something about myself, like how I never knew how much this community meant to me until I realized that I would do anything I could to assist in its success,” she said of her time and experiences at GGC.
Photos courtesy of Calaman.
Last summer, Calaman completed an internship at Genuine Parts Company and soon after attended the world’s largest conference for women in technology, The Grace Hopper Celebration in Orlando, Florida. Her undeniable drive, passion to be the best, and networking skills led to a job offer with Cisco Systems in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park. She and her family will relocate after she graduates with honors this spring.
Aries Calaman,’20,poses with a Google logo at The Grace Hopper Celebration in Orlando, Florida, last summer.
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True to her word, Calaman has served on the School of Business Student Advisory Board, and with the school’s AACSB Accreditation process. The school also chose her to speak at the dedication ceremony for the Stephens Family Executive Forum. A standout student leader, she served as chapter president of the National Society of Leadership and Success Honor Society. She also was elected vice president of philanthropy for the Four Pillar Society. She has volunteered for numerous activities, ranging from hosting campus tours for VIPs to helping facilitate a session for Leadership Gwinnett to representing GGC at onand off-campus events. She also attended Grizzly LEAD conferences and received recognition as a presenter.
As a member of GGC’s Four Pillar Society, Aries Calaman attended Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful's 13th Annual Environmental Address at the Infinite Energy Center in 2019.
“When students ask me how to be successful, I tell them to be the person someone else thinks of when an opportunity arises,” said Dr. Jason Delaney, associate professor of economics and interim assistant dean of faculty development. “Aries has exemplified success. Her dedication to service, excellence in scholarship, and commitment to leadership are everything one hopes for in a Grizzly.” “I am forever grateful for the support of all of my GGC family and friends,” said Calaman, who looks back on her challenging life with a new, positive perspective of the future.
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