One on One: Meet GGC President Dr. Jann Joseph

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One on One: Meet GGC President Dr. Jann Joseph

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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

Grand Opening The Mansions at Gwinnett Park Assisted Living & Memory Care

Saturday, April 4th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Join the festivities as we celebrate a new season and a new option for seniors in Lawrenceville. We’ll have live music, a carving station, heavy hors d'oeuvres and celebratory drinks for everyone! is will be a party you do not want to miss! WE'RE HAVING A SPRING FLING!

RSVP to Stacey Donald at (770) 901-2477 or SDonald@eMansionsatGwinnettPark.com.

2450 Buford Drive Lawrenceville, GA 30043 www.eMansionsatGwinnettPark.com

During an average week for any high school junior, schedules include physics exams, calculus packets, and figuring out weekend plans. However, for Parkview High School junior Abby McCulloh, her weeks also consist of preparing for the 2020 US Olympic Swim Trials.

After classes, McCulloh drives to swim practice at Swim Atlanta for two hours. She may have a lifting session from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. or go for another swim. Then it is time for completing homework and hopefully squeezing in some downtime. Saturdays require two swim sessions. “Occasionally my coach, Chris Davis, likes to throw in a Sunday workout too,” McCulloh says with a laugh, “but most of the time we have Sundays off.”

And what does a nationally ranked swimmer watch, especially in an Olympic year? McCulloh, a self-professed swim nerd, says, “I watch swimming a lot of times. But more often than not, my guilty pleasure is The Office. I also love to watch The Bachelor with my mom.” When she’s not at school or swimming, McCulloh enjoys spending time with teammates, who also double as best friends. “Chick-fil-a is my go-to spot, but we will hang out anywhere,” jokes McCulloh.

With so much time dedicated to swimming, McCulloh says the swim experience has been very beneficial. She likes to talk about all of the lessons she has learned through intense training. These lessons apply to all areas of her life, including her relentless work ethic and the highest expectations she has for herself. “But the most important lesson is the value of a team and the relationships you make through a sport,” explains McCulloh. “Whether you have a good or bad race, people aren’t going to remember that. What they remember is how you treated them, and that sticks with me. I know that the friendships that swimming has given me will last a lifetime, which is incredible.”

As a sophomore, McCulloh was Gwinnett’s Co-Swimmer of the Year, after winning high school state championships in the 200-yard and 500-yard freestyle as well as Gwinnett County titles. This year, she successfully defended her county titles in the 200-yard and 500-yard-freestyle. Additionally, she broke the county-meet record in the 200-yard-free and her all-time county and county meet records in the 500-yard-freestyle from 2019. She won the 500-yard and 1650-yard-style at Junior Nationals in December. And this year at Georgia High School State Competition, she anchored Parkview’s 4x100 relay. The team of Abby McCulloh, Sarah Livingston, Maggie Nguyen, and Sydney Walker won first place, setting a new school record. “Abby is one of the best high school distance swimmers in the country,” says Eric Brown, Parkview High School’s swim coach. “She has an incredible internal drive and work ethic. I also love how she cheers on her teammates. After Abby broke team and county meet records, she was standing at the side of the pool cheering on her friends.” In November, McCulloh committed to swim for the Auburn Tigers in the fall of 2021. “I chose Auburn because it is a good balance of academics and athletics for me. I feel like Auburn allows me to gain a quality education while also growing as an athlete and achieving my goals. I love the team culture, the coaching staff, and the beautiful campus,” said McCulloh. Her dad, Andrew, is also an Auburn alumnus. McCulloh has not yet committed to a major. “I will likely end up studying something in the field of science, but I’m still exploring my interests and don’t have a specific major in mind.”

Continued on page 22

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By Traci Sanders One of the most notable things about this practice is that patients don’t just come and go – the Smiles by Simmons team has served many of their patients for decades, and is

Burger lovers, mark your calendars! Explore Gwinnett is hosting their fourth annual Burgers and Brews Week between March 15 and March 21. They are passionate about sharing local cuisine with visitors and Gwinnettians by offering specialty, one-of-a-kind burgers for a limited time. Their mission is to encourage people to try a new restaurant and hopefully become a repeat customer.

Another cool addition to the event this year is something called Burgers and Brews Battle, where visitors can try all the burgers at once and decide on their favorite. Only one will be named the best burger in Gwinnett. This will take place on March 21st from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The following restaurants will participate in Burgers and Brews Week and the Battle: Public House, ArtBar (Sonesta Gwinnett Place Atlanta), The Crossing Steakhouse, La Belle Vie, Local Republic, McCray’s Tavern on the Square, Parkside District, Parma Tavern, Ten Bistro, and Uncle Jack’s Meat House.

Farm Burger, Peachtree Corners, and Firebirds Wood Fired Grill will only be participating in the Burgers and Brews Week.

Entry is free for the restaurants and Explore Gwinnett provides all of the marketing as well as the materials (aside from ingredients) for the Battle event. They are partnering with Laundry Events and City of Lawrenceville for the Burger Battle as well.

The specialty a la carte burgers that are served during the Burgers and Brews will be $7 each. These are not your everyday burgers. For example, Uncle Jack’s Meat House will be serving the Vito Corleone – William Jack Degel’s signature prime beef blend of pork and veal featuring Pecorino Romano and Grande Mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, San Marzano Continued on page 22

More than 50 years ofMore than 50 years of Value Print Ad – US & Canada Value Print Ad – US & Canada able to create and maintain a relationship with each patient that goes far beyond dental care. In fact, it was this high level of quality patient relationships that inspired one of Dr. Simmons’ young patients to go into the dental practice himself. Dr. Robert French, who began seeing Dr. Simmons as a child, recently graduated from dental school, and has since joined Dr. Simmons as a partner in the Smiles by Simmons office.

“Everyone has been so welcoming,” said Dr. French of his experience at the practice so far. “I look forward to getting to know every patient the same way Dr. Simmons does.”

Dr. French, who hails from Gwinnett, has quickly become known for his gentle approach to new patients, and his sense of humor that puts everyone at ease. Dr. Simmons noted that his partner picks up new techniques quickly, and is “ahead of the game” when it comes to both his skill and knowledge level.

Both dentists credit a wonderful staff as a huge factor in their success. Dr. French also noted that they take special care to give each patient the time they need to have all their questions answered and feel comfortable with their plan of care.

“No one is rushed or made to feel like we are in a hurry,” said Dr. French. “We want to be very thorough and give everyone the attention they need.”

When Drs. Simmons and French aren’t helping people in their office, they are helping people both inside and outside of their community. They each participate in a missionoriented service project that allows them to provide dental care to people in other countries who would otherwise not have access to that type of treatment. Dr. Simmons also spends time serving his community through his church.

The Smiles by Simmons team practices what they preach – each morning, the staff gathers to pray for their patients and go through a biblical devotional together.

“This is like a ministry for me,” said Dr. Simmons. “We want to serve people the best we can.”

More information at www.smilesbysimmons.com.

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