You Deserve the Best! One on One: Meet GGC President Dr. Jann Joseph By Beth Volpert Johansen The first time I met Dr. Jann Joseph, the newly named president of Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC), I completely missed her name and title in the introductions. Since we were in a group, surrounded by the twinkling community-created Christmas trees located in the Aurora Theater lobby, I just smiled, shook her hand, and then tuned my ears to the conversation. The saying, “First impressions are lasting” was an understatement as I continued to listen, and by the time I had used my investigative journalism powers to determine her name and title, I was a fan. Born in Trinidad, West Indies, Dr. Joseph is the youngest of five siblings. Her parents, Sybil and Fred Pantor, raised their children with a strong insistence on the value of education as a means to transform lives. At home, Sybil provided lessons and reading material, and Fred worked as a tailor. Both parents gave Dr. Joseph a rock-solid foundation that would serve her well as she worked her way towards a higher education and a higher calling. “In our home, just outside my bedroom was a sign that my mother had framed,” recalls Dr. Joseph. “It read: Perseverance is the key to success. That was the first phrase I learned to read from my mother.” Statements like that were indeed key to Dr. Joseph’s success in life. Along with her mother’s love of words came lessons from her father on how to stay in touch with her creative side. “I grew up in a place where you made stuff,” says Dr. Joseph. “I could measure you, draft my own pattern, and make you a dress.” As a young wife and mother of three boys, Dr. Joseph continued her educational studies and taught classes. In between she continued to stay in touch with her creative side by making all of her husband’s slacks. “I had made all my own dresses growing up, and as I grew older, I taught myself to knit, crochet, and how to use power tools!” Balanced by family, creativity, and her own higher education, Dr. Joseph found herself teaching and researching in the biological sciences. She began her first full-time faculty appointment at Grand Valley State University in Michigan where she rose to serve as associate dean in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Most recently, she served as executive vice chancellor at Indiana University at South Bend. It was there that she began to serve on a variety of boards for several professional and civic organizations. In doing so, Dr. Joseph realized yet another love for service beyond the campus – love of community involvement and of setting a good civic example to students that had placed her in the lobby of the Aurora Theater the night we met. That night, Dr. Joseph met many new people; mostly those who serve the county through Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful. She had just recently joined the board and was obviously enjoying her time getting to know the other members. Her smile captivated both her small audience as well as others in the lobby waiting for shows to begin. It was no accident that the trees decorating the scene represented the many service related opportunities available in Gwinnett. “Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful is the first board I joined,” says Dr. Joseph. “My predecessors had both served, and there was a space on the board for me. I was happy to say yes! My late husband, Dr. Edwin Joseph, was a professor of sustainability. My son also has a degree in sustainability. This allows me to honor their work.” Welcoming Dr. Joseph to the Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful board was a natural for Executive Director Shelley Marlatt. “We are honored and excited about Dr. Joseph joining Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful’s Advisory Board,” says Shelley. “With her passion of paying it forward, she is a perfect addition and will bring so much knowledge and experience to our organization. The partnership and relationship we have with GGC is truly a special one, and Continued on page 22
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