CHARTING THE COURSE SINCE 1961
JUNE ORIENTATION SESSION
“Finding His Focus”
By Tiffany King
John Mahas ’16 graduated this spring with a Ph.D. in entomology from Auburn University, and has now started a postdoc position at Cornell University. Mahas’ journey to this accomplishment started at the College of Coastal Georgia, where he discovered the type of research he was interested in exploring.
The Brunswick native enrolled at the College of Coastal Georgia after earning his GED through the Adult Literacy Center. His initial plan was to earn an associate degree in biology, transfer to another institution, and eventually become a veterinary technician. While volunteering at a veterinarian hospital, Mahas realized a career in veterinary medicine wasn’t for him. However, he was still interested in doing research with animals and studying their habitats. Mahas made the decision to stay at Coastal and went on to earn a bachelor’s in biology with a concentration in ecology.
“I developed more of an interest in ecology, which is essentially the study of how an organism interacts with the environment, and I wanted to do that with animals,” he said.
Mahas honed in his interest further through an internship with the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and a research project with Dr. Tate Holbrook, professor of biology. For the project, Mahas and other students investigated predatory fire ants invading loggerhead turtle nests on Jekyll Island. They developed some ideas on the driving factors of fire ant predation in the nests.
“I think the ants were interested in the mucus that surrounds the eggs in the nests. In some cases, they could also attach to the sea turtles that are leaving the nests who may still have mucus on them,” Mahas said.
Through his internship at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Mahas observed ants going into the nests. He collected the ants and recorded the data.
“We were also able to quickly do an emergency excavation
because they (ants) had gotten to the nest earlier than anticipated,” he said. “We got into the nests and did an inventory to rescue any remaining hatchlings.” Their research was subsequently published a great accomplishment for any undergraduate student.
Holbrook’s classes were Mahas’ favorite, not only because of the focus on ecology, but also because of the different opportunities to learn outside of the classroom.
“There were a number of times that we went into the marsh to collect data on things, like the vegetation, trees, other forested areas, and we did some work with snails. We even went to the zoo one time to observe different animal behaviors,” he said.
Mahas’ time at Coastal gave him a good foundation in biology and ecology. When looking into different master’s programs, he knew he wanted to be a part of a program that spoke to his interests in entomology (the study of insects), ecology, and management. While doing his search, he found the advisor he’s come to work with for the past six years.
“She was primarily doing entomology work, ecology, and management with different crops. I never worked with crops before. Being from the coast, I only focused on coastal issues. Her work still had the ecology, management aspect to it, which is what I’m most interested in,” he said.
“We ended up chatting together and she offered me a position as a master’s student.”
Mahas then began his journey as a graduate research assistant at Auburn University. His graduate research focused on the crop pest cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii Glover) and cotton. Aphids are small insects about the size of a pin head that feed on plant leaves and can cause damage. As the name suggests, cotton aphids feed on cotton plants affecting crop production, and are able to transmit cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV) to the plants. Mahas said it is a fairly new virus, having only been reported in the United States since 2017.
“My master’s research focused on how we could more effectively manage for the virus in cotton,” he said.
Read more about John Mahas here.
John Mahas made sure to stay connected with the Coastal Georgia community. He came back to campus to present at the Department of Natural Sciences Seminar as a guest lecturer in Dr. Tate Holbrook’s Invertebrate Natural History class.
“In this way, John has helped inspire other Coastal students to make the most of their college experience and to set their sights high after graduation,”
-Dr. Tate Holbrook
DR. MICHELLE JOHNSTON NAMED
HONORARY
ALUMNUS
Before leaving for her new role at Georgia Southwestern State University, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members gathered together for a special appreciation reception to honor the work of Dr. Michelle Johnston.
Throughout her time at the College, Johnston worked tirelessly to expand community partnerships, drive student success, launched the most ambitious capital expansion and renovation plan in the history of the College, maintained a commitment to affordability and access, and so much more. To honor her dedication and achievements, the Alumni Association named Johnston as an honorary alumnus. Sara Hunsinger-Brazell, vice chair of the Association, presented Johnston with the Honorary Alumni Award for her exemplary service to the College during her tenure, and embodying all that it means to be a Mariner.
During her remarks, Hunsinger-Brazell said,
“I would like to bestow the highest honor allowed by the Alumni Association, by making Dr. Johnston an Honorary Alumnus for her dedicated service to the College, through her advocacy and leadership. Though her tenure ended shorter than expected, the impact that she has had on our campus and culture is unquestionable. Her legacy has been one of student success and ensuring that our campus is welcoming to all who enter our doors, seeking to change the trajectory of their lives and families. We wish her nothing but smooth sailing on this next adventure.”
CLASS NOTES
Heather Tucker (‘23) is a paralegal for Tucker & Browning Law, P.C., and is studying for the LSAT.
Conlan Bertram (‘23) is a short-term miner planner for Chemours
Harriett Beth Thompson (‘90) is the director of human resources for Marsh’s Edge.
Elizabeth Cobb (‘22) is a marketing strategist for 365 Total Marketing.
Taylor Holland (‘22) is an experience and design manager for Ethos Event Collective, managing large events for high clientele corporate groups.
Loriana Cuevas Ferrer (‘22) is a registered nurse for Liberty Regional Medical Center.
Steven Smith (‘08 and ‘16) is a pediatric nurse practitioner for Pediatrix Neonatal Associates of Atlanta.
James Ardoin (‘22) is an operations supervisor for Cleco.
Johnathan Mitchell (‘22) is attending Jacksonville University College of Law, working towards a juris doctorate degree.
Laura Grantham (‘92 and ‘01) is an assistant professor of nursing and is the BSN program coordinator for the College of Coastal Georgia. She received her BSN in 2002, MSN in 2004, and DNP in 2020.
LET’S CONNECT
To update your information with the Alumni Association and share what’s happening in your life, please click here.
Let us know how you’re doing and how you would like to get involved on campus.
The family of Brunswick Junior College alum Clara Jane Williams contacted the College of Coastal Georgia after her passing to donate a few items from amongst her cherished possessions, and to help preserve a part of the history of the College. The items included a copy of “The Crest” 1965 college yearbook, the April 9, 1965 edition of the “The Lion’s Tale” newspaper, and some photos.
Clara Jane Williams was born in Ashland, Alabama, and graduated from Clay County High School there. Upon graduation in 1964, she attended what was then Brunswick Junior College, followed by a transfer to Jacksonville State University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Education, and later her Master’s of Science in Education.
Until her retirement in August 2005, Williams was a wellknown teacher for many years in Ashland, where she touched the lives of hundreds of students over the years. She loved to travel, was an avid reader, a devoted Auburn Tigers fan, and she loved to attend the annual Alabama Shakespeare Festival. She was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Ashland before she temporarily moved to Homewood, Alabama, where she resided at Mount Royal Towers.
She passed away on January 22, 2024 and is survived by many cousins, spread across the country.
During her time at BJC, Clara Jane was a member of The Crest yearbook staff. Pictured above is Cara Jane (middle) and staff members (left to right) Nancy Blackerby, Johnny Sanders and Joye Williams. The staff was busy proofreading copy sheets before final approval by the Editorial Board.
If you have memorabilia that you would like to share with the College please contact, Casey Hanak at alumni@ccga.edu to get started.
HIGHLIGHTING YOUR BUSINESS
Alumni, we want to highlight and help promote your business/product. If you have your own business, please reach out and let us know. Contact Casey Hanak at alumni@ccga.edu.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: JULY 2024 CAMPUS CLOSED FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY OBSERVANCE
JULY FIRST FRIDAY, 5 P.M., IN DOWNTOWN BRUNSWICK, LOCATED AT MACHEN SQUARE EAST, IN BETWEEN
Alumni Basketball Game on Oct. 26. More information to come
Check out the College of Coastal Georgia Calendar for all events.
STAY IN TOUCH
We would love to stay in touch with you. Please tell us about yourself and what you’ve been up to after college. Update your contact information here. Questions? Contact alumni@ccga.edu.
