Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID THE Atlanta, Georgia 1400 Coleman Avenue • Macon, Georgia 31207-0001 Permit No. 2281 MERCERIAN A Publication for Alumni and Friends of Mercer University Summer 2005 • Vol. 15, No. 2 A National Leader www.mercer.edu INSIDE ShareYour Latest News! in Public Service THE Alumni Services would like to keep your classmates up to date on your Story on page 1. MERCERIAN latest news. If you’ve recently moved or are planning to relocate, please send in this form so we can keep our records current. We also want to Summer 2005 • Volume 15, Number 2 know if you have recently married, had a baby, received a promotion, 1 Mercer Named National Leader in Public Service retired or accomplished something else noteworthy. 2 Tutterow Named New Business Dean (Please print) Today’s Mercer Student: Smart, Savvy, Engaged Name ______3 More Than 1,500 Graduate in Macon and Atlanta Grace Hosts New Program on CNN Headline News Maiden Name ______4 Putting Fido’s Nose to the Grindstone Class Year ______Georgia Poet Laureate Serves as Writer-in-Residence Spring Semester School or College ______5 Chemistry Labs, Students Benefit from NSF Grants Degree ______Professor’s Instrument Detects Earthquake 6 Digital Storytelling: An Alternative to Papers Fraternity/Sorority ______Prize-winning Daylily and Insects Named for Mercer Alumnus Street or Box Number ______7 Conducting: Perfecting the Art City/State/Zip ______McDuffie Festival Slated for September 8 Alumnus Helps Entrepreneurs Grow Business Home Phone ( _____ ) ______Gerberding and Jones Close Out 2004-2005 Executive Forum E-mail ______9 MBA Grads Taste Success in Restaurant Ventures Business Name ______MAPS Provides Real-World Experience Title ______10 Emerson Makes ESPN Academic All-America Team Two New Members Inducted into Mercer Athletic Hall of Fame Business Address ______11 Scholarship Honors Winningest Mercer Coach City/State/Zip ______Wesley Duke Slams His Way to Final Four Competition and on to NFL Business Phone ( _____ ) ______Rooke’s Jersey Retired During Homecoming Activities 12 1,600 Join Mercer Alumni Family (pictorial) E-mail ______13 Campaign Volunteers Meet at UC (pictorial) “Chip Off the Old Block” — 14 First-Year Students Face Off in Design Competition Please list any family members who are Mercer alumni. 15 Zipper Project More than Doubles Productivity ______Technical Communication Students Win International Awards ______16 Alumni Move Up with Major Atlanta Firms ______17 Scholarships Enable Students to Pursue Dreams Kelley Leads Florida School in Innovative Education News to Share ______18 Alex II Magnet School Offers Unique Field Experiences ______Tift College of Education Now Offering Dual Certification Program ______19 Master’s in Ed. Leadership Program Off to a Great Start Mercer Students Mentor Virtual Science Fair Participants ______20 Class Notes ______Mercer, Piedmont Announce Partnership RETURN TO: Office of Alumni Services, Mercer University, 21 Alumni Mentor Today’s Students 1400 Coleman Avenue, Macon, GA 31207 • Fax: (478)301-4124 23 Atlanta Campus Gets Extreme Makeover Or visit our Web site at www.mercer.edu Mercer Establishes Estate Planning Website

MERCERIANTHE A Publication for Alumni and Friends of Mercer University Summer 2005 • Volume 15, Number 2 The Princeton Review and Campus Compact

Name Mercer a National Leader in Public Service By Jenny Butkus

ercer University is one of the nation’s best colleges Dennis Drummond, who was Macon campus counseled new home- awarded the Griffin B. Bell Award for owners in financial literacy in conjunc- fostering social responsibility and public service, Community Service at the May com- tion with Habitat for Humanity. Spring mencement, said service-learning has semester, students in Mary Alice according to The Princeton Review and Campus been an important part of his educa- Morgan’s “Women and Gender Studies” tion at Mercer. course worked with the Salvation Army M “One thing I have loved about Battered Women’s Refuge, assisting chil- Compact, a national organization committed to the Mercer University has been the avail- dren with their homework and working ability of service- on the hotline. civic purposes of higher education. The University is one of only two learning projects Through the with which I could Mercer Center for institutions in Georgia — along with Spelman College — featured in the get involved,” the Service-Learning elementary child- and Community book, Colleges with a Conscience: 81 Great Schools with Outstanding hood education Development, a major said. “In my group of four stu- Community Involvement, which was released on June 21. four years, I have dents in the been able to University’s “A college with a “As I worked and such organization or that I could improve my skills Communication conscience,” said in Southeast Asia not speak his language and knew very in leadership, time and Theatre Arts Robert Franek, assisting with little about constructing a house with management and program worked Princeton Review vice tsunami relief, an only basic tools.,” he continued. dealing with peo- with eight high president for Admission older gentleman “What did matter was that I could ple while at the school students to Services, “has both an and I became stand with him and then bend with same time giving develop news administration rather attached. him to pick up another board and back to the com- videos to share committed to social We would both carry it out into the sun to become a munity around with their class- responsibility and a grin wide as I part of the new house being built.” Mercer’s campus. mates. Also spring Mercer senior Jules Toraya teamed up student body actively spoke what little Carroll, who was the recipient of Through these with community activists to restore the semester, students engaged in serving of his native both the Griffin B. Bell award for service projects I Linwood Cemetery in Macon — a 13- from the Depart- society. Education at tongue I could to Community Service and the Louis D. have come to rec- acre cemetery mostly covered by ment of Family Mercer graduate John Carroll these schools isn’t only greet him or part Newton General Excellence Medal at the ognize that we gain vegetation. Toraya is pictured at right with Studies and the received the 2005 Griffin B. Bell Mercer professor Randy Harshbarger, Award for Community Service. about private gain; it’s with him,” Carroll May commencement, added, “Service the most when we who had students in his FYX course Sociology about the public good.” recalled. “From teaches us in immediate and tangible give the most.” assist with the restoration project. When Department The Princeton Review and time to time we would also work ways what we cannot fully learn from Drummond Toraya began clearing brush at the worked with the cemetery, the obelisk pictured was Campus Compact winnowed a list of beside each other on the first house to books, lectures and discussions alone said one of his Earned Income Tax completely covered in brush. 100 schools from a pool favorite community Credit Coalition to of more than 900 col- service projects was the Haunted Forest help people file their taxes at no cost. leges. From this short- — a Halloween event he began as In addition, students enrolled in list, the editors collected president of Circle K community service Mercer’s First-Year Seminar Experien- extensive data about organization. Through this fundraiser, tial (FYX) course tutor children week- institutions’ service pro- his club raised nearly $1,500 and more ly at local elementary schools and par- grams and policies, sur- than 2,000 pounds ticipate in other veying their students, of food for the “Service teaches us in community service faculty and staff. Finally, Middle Georgia immediate and tangible projects throughout 81 schools were chosen Community Food the year. for Colleges with a Bank just before ways what we cannot fully Dr. Peter Brown Conscience. Mercer is in Thanksgiving. He learn from books, lectures, serves as associate excellent company in also enjoyed serving and discussions ... It vice president for this new publication. as the director for the Mercer Center teaches us how to rightly Other institutions the Alpha Tau for Service-Learning included in the Colleges Omega Fraternity implement our gifts ...” and Community with a Conscience Charity Golf Development — a Carroll was so moved by the devastation of the December tsunami in Southeast Asia that he postponed his study include Duke University, abroad experience at Oxford to assist with relief efforts. Carroll is pictured on the right digging pits for temporary Tournament to benefit the Georgia center devoted to fostering student Harvard University and latrines in the displaced persons camps in Banda Aceh. Sheriffs’ Youth Homes. This year, the involvement throughout the greater University of Notre On the cover — Carroll helps construct a temporary shelter for tsunami victims. fraternity donated more than $5,000 to Macon community. Dame. the boys and girls at the youth homes. “Mercer’s inclusion in Colleges John Carroll is a Mercer student be rebuilt in his village. And occasion- — namely, we are not as important or Mercer faculty in all disciplines are with a Conscience recognizes the tens committed to service. The senior ally, when I would pause for a break, as little as we would think ourselves to committed to integrating service-learn- of thousands of hours that Mercer Christianity major was so moved by the he would hold on to my arm with firm be. Service gives us the opportunity to ing into curricula, and students across undergraduates contribute to the com- devastation that afflicted Southeast Asia thankfulness and have a mixture of move beyond the falsities of our self- the University are actively engaged in munity as tutors, interns, volunteers after the December tsunami that he pain and gratitude pour from his eyes perceptions of specialness and inepti- community service projects both and service leaders,” Brown said. “It postponed his study abroad at the — tearing me apart and healing me tude. It teaches us how to rightly imple- inside and outside of the classroom. also is a tribute to the innovative facul- University of Oxford in England to all at the same time. ment our gifts, not as emblems of our Last fall, a group of students in Dr. ty at Mercer who understand that civic spend two months assisting with tsuna- “In those moments it did not mat- self-sufficiency, but as tools for service Atul Saxena’s “Principles of Finance” engagement offers students exception- mi relief efforts. ter that I had been president of such to the betterment of all creation.” course in the School of Business on the — Continued on page 23

MERCERIANTHE CAMPUS TALK Summer 2005 • Vol. 15, No. 2

President and CEO R. Kirby Godsey university Executive Vice President and Provost Horace W. Fleming Senior Vice President for University Advancement, University Admissions and External Affairs Emily P. Myers Senior Vice President for Finance Tutterow Named New Business Dean Thomas G. Estes, Jr. Senior Vice President for Administration Richard N. Goddard ercer University ship. We are York Times CNN, CNBC, NPR, Service Commission. Senior Vice President – Atlanta Richard V. Swindle President R. Kirby extremely Bloomberg Television and CNN-Radio. In 1997, Dr. Tutterow was select- Dean, College of Liberal Arts Godsey has announced pleased to have Before joining Kennesaw State in ed by Georgia Trend magazine as Richard C. Fallis M Dean, School of Engineering that Roger C. Tutterow, Ph.D., has him joining the 1991, he was on the faculty at West one of the “forty under 40” rising M. Dayne Aldridge been named dean of the Eugene W. University.” Virginia University in Morgantown, stars in business, government and Dean, Eugene W. Stetson School of Business and Economics Stetson School of Business and Dr. Tutterow W.Va. He also has served as a visiting academia. In 2003, Georgia Governor Roger C. Tutterow Dean, Tift College of Education Economics. He joined the University currently serves Roger Tutterow, professor at the University of the West Sonny Perdue appointed him to the W. Carl Martray in July. as chairman and new dean of Indies in Trinidad and at the Institute Governor’s Council of Economic Dean, College of Continuing and Mercer’s Stetson Professional Studies “Roger Tutterow has exceptional professor in the for Industrial Policy Studies in Seoul, Advisors, of which he serves as Thomas Kail School of Business Vice President for University academic experience and business Department of and Economics South Korea. chair. In addition, he is a member Advancement Administration Kenny Daugherty, CLA ’80, EDU ’82 expertise,” said President Godsey. Economics and In addition to his work in acade- of the Board of Directors for Senior Associate Vice President for “His numerous professional accom- Finance at Kennesaw State University’s mia, Dr. Tutterow is a consultant spe- Community Bank of West Georgia, the University Advancement Gloria O. Marshall, CLA ’86 plishments demonstrate strong lead- Coles College of Business. He serves cializing in the application of quanti- Board of Governors for the Vinings Vice President for University ership in both the academic setting as director of Econometric Center tative analysis to economic, financial Club, the Advisory Board for Development Jay T. Stroman, SSBE ’91 and the business community. where he oversees the development and business problems. Since 2003, Consumer Credit Counseling Service Senior Assistant Vice President for Development Mercer’s business students, faculty, of statistical models. His analysis of he has served as chief economic advi- of Atlanta and the Board of Visitors at Allen S. London staff and alumni will benefit from his economic, business and political sor to the Henssler Financial Group. Berry College. Assistant Vice President of Development and Planned and Estate Gifts progressive vision for educating the environments have been used by a He has provided expert testimony on The Georgia native holds a B.S. in Richard Spivey, CLA ’94, BUS ’04 Assistant Vice President for Development next generation of business leaders variety of national and regional economic, financial and statistical decision science from Berry College Matthew R. Hall, CLA ’96, LAW ’00 and his steadfast commitment to media, including Wall Street Journal, matters in state and federal courts and a M.A. and Ph.D. in economics Senior Associate Vice President of Alumni Services and excellence in teaching and scholar- Financial Times, USA Today, New and before the Georgia Public from Georgia State University. University Special Events T. Raleigh Mann, CLA ’65 Director of Development Erin Pitts Lones, CLA ’00 Alumni Services Staff Sharon Lim Harle, SSBE ’86, ’90, Today’s Mercer Student: Smart, Savvy, Engaged Jennifer Chapman Joyner, CLA ’95, Jenny McCurdy, Kim Adams Editor Judith T. Lunsford By John P. Cole, other major universities. Mercer students can get their minds a strong selling point to many recruits. Managing Editor Vice President for Admissions Mercer continues to attract more and hands to work — in labs, in the Because of our size, it is hard for a stu- Richard L. Cameron National Merit Scholars, as well. This classroom, in industry — to an extent dent to get lost at Mercer; every student Designer Steve Mosley hree words describe today’s year’s freshman class may have as not possible at other universities, large can get involved in some activity. Writers Jenny Butkus, John P. Cole, Denise Cook, Mercer undergraduate stu- many as 10 of these superior students. or small. Our students perform award- Mercer students compete on the Nancy Fulbright, Rachel Garza, Andy Peters dent (and Mercer’s gradu- Still, high test scores and high- winning undergraduate research, learn playing field (varsity, club and intramu- Photographers T Peggy Cozart, Leah Yetter ate and professional students, as well): school grades are just “predictors” of to dissect and resolve complex issues ral). Mercer students organize, fund, Mercer University Alumni Association President Smart, Savvy, Engaged. college success. Fortunately for through internships across the region and run their own organizations (more G. Faye Dumke, BUS MBA ’92 The market for college students is Mercer, our students are living up to and the country, and discover the world than 100 on the Macon campus NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS more competitive today than ever the predictions. Because of the quality through studies abroad. alone). Mercer students debate public OFFICERS before, and Mercer University has been of our new stu- policy and politics. G. Faye Dumke, BUS MBA ’92, President aggressive in recruiting the next genera- dents and the Mercer students Kathy C. Lynn, MD ’90, Immediate Past-President tion of Mercerians. We want to attract hands-on move into the larger BOARD MEMBERS Stella Jones Patterson, CLA ’83, the best students possible, and in so approach of our community and put CLA President Elijah Morgan, CLA ’83, doing, the new students themselves faculty, today’s their classroom CLA President Elect M. Tyus Butler Jr., LAW ’74, have raised Mercer’s standards. The Mercer students learning to the test. Law President young people in the College of Liberal (1) have better Indeed, the com- Rusty Watts, LAW ’92, Law President Elect Arts, the Stetson School of Business and college grades mitment of our stu- Timothy A. Poole, PHA ’86, Pharmacy President Economics, the School of Engineering than their prede- dents to civic Pamala Smith Marquess, PHA ’93, Pharmacy President Elect and the Tift College of Education are cessors, and (2) engagement was one G. Faye Dumke, BUS ’92, SSBE President raising the profile of Mercer. have higher of the factors in Alison Carwile Webb, BUS ’99, SSBE President Elect retention rates. Mercer’s choice of a Julian K. McLendon Jr., MD ’91, 1. Smart — High-achieving Medicine President These smart students are succeeding in Most of these students are taking quality enhancement project (“QEP”): Beulette Y. Hooks, MD ’93, students want to be with high- Medicine President Elect achieving students. the classroom. advantage of research opportunities, “The Engaged University: Learning Kamlesh M. Desai, ENG ’92, Engineering President Since 2003, Mercer’s freshmen Today’s smart Mercer students help internships and co-ops in business, Together.” Our students and our schools Jackie Smith Baxley, ENG ’98, Engineering President Elect have entered with average scores of recruit the next class, because high- and study abroad not only for the here were already emphasizing “Ethics, William B. Myers Jr., CAS ’85, CAS President 1200-plus on the Scholastic Aptitude achieving students want to be with and now, but also for their future. Service Learning, and Leadership.” The Cheryl Kasper, CAS ’87, CAS President Elect Test (SAT). They also bring an average high-achieving students. Mercer’s rep- Mercer’s students expect to be accept- QEP will build upon the good work of Joy Thompson Callaway, Tift ’68, Tift President high school grade-point average (GPA) utation is on the rise. ed to the best graduate and profes- our students and enhance the role of Elise T. Phillips, Tift ’63, Tift President Elect of 3.6. (Our transfer students are also 2. Savvy — Today’s students sional programs, and they are. Mercer engagement in the curriculum. Richard B. Thomas, EDU ’89, ’91, ’96, students expect to be recruited by No course requirement, however, is Education President the best in our history, entering expect results and know how to April Page Aldridge, EDU ’96, industry and government for high-pay- needed for today’s Mercer student to Education President Elect Mercer with college GPAs of 3.2.) make things happen. E. Michele Deriso, DIV ’99, ing jobs, and they are. build a home for a struggling family, or Theology President Of all the colleges and universities Today’s Mercer students, while James Mackey, DIV ’00, These students are adding value to start a club, or tutor a child. Today’s Theology President Elect in Georgia, only four have such high diverse in backgrounds and interests, Catherine H. Ivory, NUR ’96, their Mercer degrees by adding expe- Mercer student is already engaged, Nursing President SAT averages. Two of those are the have this in common: They expect to Jeanette Wimbish Gaston, NUR ’81, rience to their resumes. Today’s stu- because “citizenship” is more impor- Nursing President Elect large state research universities, one is excel in their fields. These students dents expect results and know how to tant than ever to the best students. The Mercerian is published twice a Emory University, and one is Mercer. choose Mercer for its breadth of pro- year for alumni and friends of Mercer make things happen. University. Comments or questions Even in that list, however, Mercer grams and its personal size, because Conclusion should be addressed to: Mercer University, Office of University stands out. Mercer enrolls more they see the value of private education, 3. Engaged — “Citizenship” is Three words describe today’s Advancement, 1400 Coleman Avenue, Macon, Georgia 31207 Governor’s Scholars (Georgia valedic- and because they know they can achieve more important than ever to the Mercer undergraduate student: Smart, (478)301-2715 or (800)837-2911 www.mercer.edu torians, salutatorians, and STAR stu- great things while at Mercer. Today’s best students. Savvy, Engaged. If you know of any

Mercer University admits qualified students dents) than any other private institu- Mercer students have high expectations. Today’s Mercer student expects to be high school students who meet that without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age or disability. tion, and, as a percentage of total Because Mercer is a comprehensive involved in community service, and description, send them our way. freshman enrollment, more than the university where every student is valued, Mercer’s culture of civic engagement is Mercer will be even better if you do.

2 THE M ERCERIAN / SUMMER 2005

community news More than 1,500 Graduate in Macon and Atlanta

By Nancy R. Fullbright the Fishers Ministry — a ministry in Sheriffs’ Youth Home in Hahira. As pres- a member of the Student Government Rogers also worked to improve the which people take sandwiches and ident of Circle K International, Association since his freshman year, greater Macon community by serving he more than 1,500 students water to homeless people that do not Drummond envisioned and created having recently completed his tenure on the Mayor’s Panel on Race Relations who graduated from Mercer seek help at stationary shelters. Mercer’s first Haunted Forest, which as the 2004-2005 president. He is the and as an intern with NewTown Macon, T University’s 10 colleges and He was so moved by the December included coordinating more than 40 first student to graduate with the new an organization dedicated to restoring schools in Macon and Atlanta last May tsunami disaster in Southeast Asia that volunteers and supervising the market- “Southern Studies” concentration and historic downtown Macon. were diverse in myriad ways, but con- he postponed his study abroad experi- ing/promotion for In addition to the nected by one common thread ence at Oxford University in order to the event. commencement held acknowledged by spend two In 2004, he was in Macon on May 14, President R. Kirby “Your own personal stories have months assisting selected Dean’s other undergraduate Godsey in his charge been shaped, to some measure, by with tsunami Choice and the degrees were awarded to the graduates. relief efforts in Student of the Year at commencements in “Your own per- the rich bonds of this learning Banda Aceh. for the Tift College Atlanta for Georgia sonal stories have place called Mercer.” The second of Education, and is Baptist College of been shaped, to recipient of the known as a kind, Nursing (May 7), the some measure, by the rich bonds of Griffin B. Bell Award for Community personable young College of Continuing this learning place called Mercer,” he Service was education major Dennis man who has an and Professional said. “You did not arrive at this place, Drummond. Drummond maintained astounding ability to Faces of the Mercer University Class of 2005 — For more photos of the Studies (May 21), Tift or to this day, on your own. We are all an excellent academic achievement lead those within Macon and Atlanta Commencements, please see page 12. College of Education children of one another’s caring.” record at Mercer, including three his peer group. (May 21), and the The Macon commencement, held semesters on the President’s List and Joshua Michael Rogers won the was awarded the newly-endowed Eugene W. Stetson School of Business May 14 at the Macon Centreplex, saw seven on the Dean’s List. Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award for his Judge and Mrs. John Sammons Bell and Economics (May 21). the graduation of more than 500 stu- He also coordinated all philanthrop- unwavering commitment to the Scholarship. The Waycross resident For full coverage of commence- dents, the conferring of one honorary ic and community service activities for University, the Macon community and was also a member of the Phi Eta ment activities, and for copies of degree, and the special recognition of his fraternity, Alpha Tau Omega, raising scholarship throughout his four years Sigma, Phi Alpha Theta and Phi Kappa speeches delivered at the ceremonies, three outstanding students. more than $8,000 for The Georgia at Mercer. The history major served as Phi honor societies. please visit www.mercer.edu. Dr. David Bottoms (CLA ’71), poet laureate of the state of Georgia, urged the graduating class to take pride in their accomplishment and celebrate Grace Hosts New Program on CNN Headline News accordingly. “Each of you stands already ‘a long n addition to her duties as host News is a more fast- way above the ordinary world.’ Each of of Court TV’s daily trial coverage paced, adversarial you is already and has been for some I program Nancy Grace: Closing wrap-up of court time a ‘citizen in the city of ideas,’ but Arguments, Grace, CLA ’81, JD ’84, in cases across the this diploma represents your undeni- February began hosting a new pro- country. Whatever able credential of citizenship,” he said. gram on CNN Headline News, happened that day in “But I want to emphasize this: citizen- Nancy Grace, which airs Monday news, we’re there ship in this very special city comes with through Friday, 8 p.m. ET. Grace with analysts to break many responsibilities ... It requires a recently discussed her new program it down and put it willingness to take creative risks, a with The Mercerian, as well as her back together for the willingness to nurture ideas, a willing- new book, Objection! : How High- viewer, and we’re not ness ‘to wake up to ourselves,’ and Priced Defense Attorneys, Celebrity limited to one trial. also, it obligates us to recognize the Defendants, and a 24/7 Media Have Right now we’re cov- sacrifices others have made for us and Hijacked Our Criminal Justice ering the Michael to nurture in our own lives a healthy System, which was published by Jackson trial and the willingness to sacrifice for others.” Hyperion in June. trial of alleged Ohio David Linch, Nancy Grace, Robert and Georgia Hatcher, and President Godsey at Trustees’ Dinner in April Following his commencement sniper Charles Mercerian: Please tell us how your address, Dr. Bottoms was presented McCoy Jr. new show is different from your work They knew they wanted to re-launch I will also be in Atlanta in June for with an honorary doctor of letters on Court TV. Mercerian: What has been the Headline News with a linchpin in the a book signing for my new book degree by Dr. Godsey and hooded by response so far to your prime-time hours. Walton and I met (Objection! : How High-Priced his former English professor, Dr. Ben Grace: It’s very, very new program on CNN? for coffee in New York and shook Defense Attorneys, Celebrity Griffith Jr. different. Court TV’s hands, very much the same way I took Defendants, and a 24/7 Media Have In addition to special University hon- Closing Arguments is Grace: I love it, and the Court TV job from Steve Brill in Hijacked Our Criminal Justice ors, three outstanding students were like covering a sport- the ratings have been Atlanta. Every job I’ve ever had post System), and I will be at the Mercer recognized with prestigious awards. ing event. We are in very good so far. law school has been sealed on a University Authors Luncheon in John Michael Carroll, a Christianity live trials, gavel to We’re just keeping handshake. November. major in the College of Liberal Arts, was gavel, starting at 9 a.m. our fingers and toes I was in Macon recently for a presented with the Griffin B. Bell Award or earlier, and when crossed. Mercerian: How often do you broad- there is a break, we go University Board of Trustees meeting, for Community Service and the Louie D. Mercerian: When cast from Atlanta? in and explain to the and I was just overwhelmed by how Newton General Excellence Medal. did CNN approach Grace: I’ve been shooting from the viewer what’s going on much Mercer has grown. Mercer (the While at Mercer, Carroll was active in you about doing a Atlanta CNN studio quite a bit lately. in the trial, if the judge is Walter F. George School of Law) was numerous campus ministries, including Cover of Nancy Grace’s new new program? There is an exact replica in Atlanta of mad at the lawyers, if the only law school I applied to. If I the Baptist Student Union, the Lord’s book, OBJECTION! Grace: I had lunch the New York set. I’ll be down in hadn’t gotten in, I probably wouldn’t Players church theater group, Ministry there has been a change last year with Jim Atlanta later this year for the trial of be a lawyer today. But I just knew in in Action and Vocational Opportunities in the jurors, etc. It’s Walton (president of CNN News James Vincent Sullivan (Sullivan has my heart that’s where I wanted to be. I in Christian Experience — a student play-by-play coverage of the trial, with Group) and we shook hands on the been indicted on charges of hiring used to drive by the Law School build- organization dedicated to educating stu- experts commenting on the trial. I deal on 54th Street and Madison someone to kill his estranged wife, Lita ing and look up and see students in dents on Christian vocation. The always try to have shrinks on the show. Avenue in New York and that was it. McClinton Sullivan, in 1987.) the windows. Waynesboro native also helped create The evening show on CNN Headline

THE M ERCERIAN / SUMMER 2005 3

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

Putting Fido’s Nose to the Grindstone By Nancy R. Fullbright

n 1989, the British medical journal Lancet published a logic cancer researcher at the George in action. from traditional medicine. Gainesville, Fla., VA hospital. “I arranged a test on my own, with “Scientists are just as desirous of report on a dog that sniffed out cancer in his owner. Walker said his research team at the very old [melanoma] tissue. I ran- conformity as everyone else and get The dog — half Border collie and half Doberman — Sensory Research Institute was the first domized the test, so there would be no nervous by new ideas,” Walker I to develop a methodology for quantifying way to cheat,” Walker recalled. “I did explained. “Plus, Americans love tech- repeatedly sniffed the same spot on his 44-year-old what dogs can do when tested with han- 20 trials. [In] the first trial, I gave nology, and this is a low-tech way to owner’s leg, leading her to seek medical treatment. After dlers. These tools include the use of a George nothing to find. He had to say detect cancer. There has to be a mid- specific type of (Teflon) dle ground between performing a biopsy, doctors confirmed the presence of box to contain a scent, laughing the idea off and melanoma. Researchers wrote, “This dog may have saved her a set number of trials being gullible.” and the necessary con- Dr. Trib Vats, head of owner’s life by prompting her to seek treatment when the lesion centration of a scent. pediatric hematology and was still at a thin and curable stage.” Walker said he can very oncology at Savannah’s precisely control what Memorial Health Five years later, Duane Pickel, an undergraduate degree in psychology the concentration is on University Medical expert dog trainer and former head of from Mercer and a doctorate in exper- every trial, and that the Center, said Walker’s the Tallahassee (Fla.) Police K-9 imental psychology from Florida State instrument (the dog’s research is interesting, Department, began training his stan- University, with post-doctoral research olfactory system) can- and that he should be dard schnauzer, George, to detect can- in reproductive physiology and neuro- not be properly tested encouraged to conduct cer scents. George eventually learned biology. “Dogs have been trained to unless you know what collaborative studies. to detect skin cancer with 99.7 per- detect bombs, sniff out drugs and even you are testing it with Dr. Jim Walker, CLA ’74, inspects a tissue sample as part of his work with Florida “I think it is a fasci- State University’s Sensory Research Institute, where he studies everything from the cent accuracy by sniffing bandages smell gas leaks in pipelines 20 feet (what exact stimuli). nating study, and it should human olfactory system to environmental air quality to animal olfaction. with melanoma samples. below the ground. It’s plausible to ask “The core idea be compared to conven- This research prompted Dr. Jim the question: is there a recognizable here is the bringing together of two to me, ‘No, I can’t find the stimulus.’ tional methods,” said Vats, a professor of Walker, CLA ’74, to pursue new ways to or distinctive odor to cancer?” worlds or cultures that have not inter- He performed well above chance level pediatrics at Mercer’s teaching hospital. detect cancer. As director of Florida Walker has been doing animal odor acted in the past – and have even had with a very weak stimulus.” “Every branch of science should be State University’s Sensory Research psychophysics since the mid-1970s. antagonistic views of each other,” Despite the amount of publicity this given equal opportunity to do research.” Institute, he studies everything from the Along with west coast collaborators, noted Walker. “That of the profession- topic has received (articles in Despite the low-tech aspect of human olfactory system to environ- Walker will be testing animal olfaction al dog handler charged with solving National Geographic and The New Walker’s research, it will hopefully lead mental air quality to animal olfaction. in breath samples of breast cancer real-world problems and the laborato- York Times; segments on 60 Minutes; scientists to better understand how dogs “Historically, physicians have used patients, and will soon be testing urine ry olfaction expert.” a forthcoming BBC documentary, can detect cancer by scent, and could smell and taste to diagnose all kinds of samples from bladder and prostate can- Walker even had the opportunity among others), Walker said it has ultimately result in new technology to diseases,” noted Walker, who has an cer patients in collaboration with a uro- to observe wonder-schnauzer been difficult getting clinical support — Continued on next page

Georgia Poet Laureate Serves as Writer-in-Residence Spring Semester

By Jenny Butkus former English professor Ben Griffith encouraging. Mercer and Macon were (1978), was followed by the widely for the Arts and the John Simon Jr., English professors Diana and John influential during this pivotal time in acclaimed Shooting Rats at the Bibb Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, he hirty-four years after being Stege, English professor Mike Cass, his life as a writer. County Dump, which established was appointed Poet Laureate for the a student on Mercer’s philosophy professor Tom Trimble, “Macon was a place where an Bottoms as a prominent new voice in state of Georgia in 2000. T Macon campus, David Christianity professor emeritus artistic sensibility could be nour- American poetry. He continued his The associate dean of fine arts and Bottoms said the University has much “Papa Joe” Hendricks, and the ished,” he said. prolific poetic output with In a U-Haul the John B. and Elena Diaz-Verson the same aura as it did three decades late philosophy professor Ted “With the Sydney Lanier North of Damascus (1983) and Amos Distinguished Chair in English ago. The spires and the quad are still Nordenhaug. Cottage and houses that Under the Vulture- Letters at Georgia the cornerstones of the campus, and “Anytime you can Tree (1987). Shifting “The character of the State University, the quality of the professors is still top name half a dozen genres, Bottoms used Bottoms was the University is still very much notch. What is different is instead of people like that his poetic gifts in eleventh honoree to sitting at a desk, Bottoms is now in off the top of his novels, Any the same as it was when I hold the Ferrol A. front of a class teaching. your head Cold Jordan was a student. ... I am Sams Jr. Distin- Bottoms, a 1971 graduate of (1987) and Easter proud that the University is guished Chair at Mercer’s College of Liberal Arts and Weekend (1990). Mercer. Georgia Poet Laureate, served as the Subsequently, he still so committed to the Made possible Ferrol A. Sams Jr. Distinguished Chair has returned to his liberal arts.” by a $500,000 grant in English at Mercer spring semester. first literary love from the Lettie Pate He taught a creative writing course with three poetry collections, Evans Foundation, the Ferrol A. Sams and gave four public readings of his Armored Hearts: Selected and New Jr. Distinguished Chair of English works while in residence at Mercer. Poems (1995), Vagrant Grace brings a nationally prominent fiction “Mercer is a special place for me, Georgia Poet Laureate David Bottoms, CLA ’71, returned to Mercer in the spring to serve as the (1999), and Waltzing through writer, poet or dramatist to Mercer and it is a real thrill to be teaching here,” Ferrol A. Sams Jr. Distinguished Chair in English. the Endtime, published last fall. University each spring to teach creative he said. “The character of the University who were influential in your life, you look like they are straight out of Gone The Mercer alumnus has received writing and highlight the literary arts. is still very much the same as it was when know it was a special place,” he said. With the Wind, Macon has a sense of numerous awards for his writing over This endowed chair honors Dr. Ferrol I was a student, which is heartening. I am The Canton, Ga., native said he has history, and it felt like a place of con- the years. His book of poems titled A. Sams Jr., a physician, author and proud that the University is still so com- written since he was a young boy, but sequence. It was possible here to be a Shooting Rats at the Bibb County distinguished alumnus of the College mitted to the liberal arts.” he did not share his writing with any- writer, to be an artist.” Dump was chosen by Robert Penn of Liberal Arts, whose works include, Bottoms recalls with fondness his one in high school. When he came to Since his student days at Mercer, Warren as the winner of the 1979 Walt Run with the Horsemen, The Whisper days at Mercer and the personal rela- Mercer and showed his poetry to his Bottoms’s writings have been numer- Whitman Award of the Academy of of the River, When All the World Was tionships he built with the Mercer English professors Ben Griffith and ous and varied. His poetry book, American Poets. Selected for fellow- Young, The Passing, the Widow’s College of Liberal Arts faculty, including Diane and John Stege, they were Jamming with the Band at the VFW ships from the National Endowment Mite and Christmas Gift.

4 THE M ERCERIAN / SUMMER 2005

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

Chemistry Labs, Students Benefit from NSF Grants

By Katie Derthick the Chemistry Department Research for Undergraduate tunities for faculty to engage in schol- Junior, College of Liberal Arts and and is also available for Institutions Program totaling arly pursuits, eventually bringing this School of Engineering the environmental science $244,752. Mercer will receive research to Mercer students in class- and environmental engi- $178,552 of the total grant. rooms and laboratories. r. Arthur Salido, assistant neering students at The funding has allowed To apply for the grant, Seney col- professor of chemistry, Mercer. Mercer to purchase multiple laborated with Bright of Fort Valley D and Dr. Caryn Seney, asso- “This will promote types of lasers and detectors, State University on a project titled ciate professor of chemistry, recently collaboration between which have been used to “Studies of Antigen/Antibody received grants from the National Mercer undergraduates build sensitive Raman spec- Interactions with Nanoparticles.” Science Foundation (NSF). Each pro- and local high school stu- trophotometers, instruments “I am very excited to have been fessor submitted a proposal to the NSF dents,” added Salido. The used in measuring light and awarded this grant,” Seney said. “It’s a and was awarded a grant based on addition of the ICPOES molecular interactions. great opportunity to further research Dr. Caryn Seney, associate professor of chemistry, is pictured with Mercer merit and availability of funds. enhances Mercer’s rela- “With the addition of this projects with Mercer undergraduates.” chemistry student Josh Yelverton using a new piece of equipment they Salido was awarded a $102,000 tionship with the local were able to secure with the NSF grant Seney was awarded. equipment, students are now Thanks to Seney’s grant, four grant from the NSF’s Course, school system by offering immersed in a research envi- undergraduate students — two from Curriculum, and Laboratory opportunities for high school students arship.” Salido said. ronment similar to what they would Fort Valley State University and two Improvement Program, which has to participate in college-level research. Seney and Dr. Robin Bright of Fort experience in industry or graduate from Mercer — will participate in help Mercer obtain new laboratory To apply for the grant, Salido sub- Valley State University were awarded a school,” Seney said. paid summer research in the lab using equipment. mitted a 50-page grant proposal, three-year grant from the NSF The grant will also provide oppor- the new equipment. Mercer students now have the which included contributions from Dr. opportunity to work with an Ajaz Karim, assistant professor of Inductively-Coupled Plasma Optical Environmental Science, and Dr. Andre Professor’s Instrument Detects Earthquake Emission Spectrometry (ICPOES), a Butler, associate professor of cutting-edge instrument used in deter- Environmental Engineering. “After sev- Individuals could soon have an inex- tem. As envisioned, such an instrument mining metals in samples and investi- eral years working on this proposal, I pensive way to learn of volcanic and would be both inexpensive and user gating air and water contamination. am excited to be awarded NSF funding. earthquake activity from their home or friendly, yet capable of recording the “This is truly a piece of instrumen- I believe that this grant will promote business. Randall Peters, professor and larger earth events that precede a cata- tation the Chemistry Department need- Mercer’s commitment to community chairman of the Department of Physics strophic tsunami or a volcanic eruption, ed,” Salido said. The ICPOES is used by outreach, student learning and schol- at Mercer, and James Shirley, a scientist such as that of Mount St. Helens in 1980. at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Although the mechanical function is have designed a sophisticated plumb analogous to a carpenter’s plumb bob, Dr. Jim Walker graduate environment, Walker said he bob device that records seismic waves used to insure that the walls of a building first became excited at the connection from around the world. The inexpensive stand vertical; the other components of — Continued between brain and behavior while he instrument, located in Macon, recorded this instrument are high-technology. It help detect cancers at earlier stages. was a student at Mercer. the seismic waves from the December was designed by Mercer Professor Peters In addition to his research with “I was a little scared and intimidat- Indian Ocean earthquake that led to the in collaboration with Shirley of NASA, to dogs, Walker is interested in other ed when I first started attending devastating tsunami in Southeast Asia. test predictions made by a new theory olfaction issues, including how Mercer, and had no idea that the The resulting response of the Macon involving gravity and inertial forces. Alzheimer’s disease deteriorates the Mercer University Psychology instrument is shown in the figure above. These results point to the possibility Peters also recently designed an inexpen- sense of smell (thereby leading Department would be so strong,” said From the arbitrarily assigned time of a “volcanic eruption and earthquake sive electronics support package for the researchers to early detection) and Walker, who transferred to Mercer his zero at the start of the record, just detector for the masses.” It would be an capacitive sensor of the instrument. indoor air quality as affected by envi- junior year. “My interest in experimen- before first disturbance, it is seen that instrument designed not to gather scien- Preliminary testing has gone well, and he ronmental contaminants. tal and physiological psychology came the plumb bob moved at levels above tific data, but rather for the purpose of hopes with this new electronics package With nearly 14 years of experience directly from great professors like Jean background noise for a period of more information that could have the potential the instrument could be purchased for in corporate research and develop- Hendricks, Tom Glennon and Charles than two hours. to provide a personal early warning sys- about $200. ment, in addition to years of teaching McBride. It was two of the most and conducting research in an under- intense and greatest years of my life.”

Mercer Students Perform at the Lincoln Center — Music students Monroe County Taps Mercer Alumnus to be Hospital Administrator — The Monroe County Hospital recently welcomed Stephanie Cox, clarinet, and John Jenkins, trombone, along with Dr. Douglas Hill, Oliver Jackson “O.J.” Booker, CLA ’77, as its new Chief Executive Officer. Booker, whose father served as hospital administrator of the center, director of instrumental ensembles in Mercer’s Music Department, pause outside Medical Center of Central Georgia for many years, earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from Mercer University in Macon in 1977, and the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. Cox and Jenkins performed said it was his experiences there that shaped the “landscape of his life.” Feb. 25 in the Center’s Alice Tully Hall. The two Mercer musicians were chosen from Last March, Booker (far right) posed with Dr. William Rawlings (third from left) chairman of the School of Medicine’s Board of universities across the United States to participate in the Small College Intercollegiate Governors, at a meeting of the Forsyth-Monroe County Rotary Club. Pictured with Booker and Rawlings are Mercer alumni Greg Tapley, Band, as part of the College Band Directors National Association’s biannual convention. CLA ’90, and Cheryl Treadwell, CLA ’81.

THE M ERCERIAN / SUMMER 2005 5

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

Digital Storytelling: An Alternative to Papers

By Jenny Butkus writing and expressing themselves major said. intimidating because there was not a She said this should by no means creatively, according to Drake. Drake said she likes using digital set number of pages to fill up, and replace traditional papers because r. Mary Ann Drake, “Throughout their education, stories not only because they lend she was able to express herself they are still extremely important in professor and chair of the students are taught to write from a students to be actively engaged in the creatively with pictures and music as many settings. But she plans to D Department of distant, reserved position,” she said. learning process, but also because of well as words. continue to use digital storytelling Interdisciplinary Studies, is hooked “They end up forgetting how to think the sense of community that comes Drake has also used this teaching with her students when appropriate. on a new teaching tool. It’s called a and feel. Digital storytelling helps with their creation. The students are tool in her Women and Gender “It enriches and enhances digital story, and after taking a them start to think and feel again.” animated and interested when they do Studies courses, and she has applied traditional writing,” she said. seminar last spring with Kelly Jones, For one of Drake’s assignments, peer editing on one another’s scripts, for a grant to allow all of the Women “Students share these with their director of Mercer’s Media Center, Mercer freshman and the technically and Gender Studies faculty to be families and friends. They don’t she rewrote all of her course syllabi Josh Walters creat- “This is technology. The talented ones trained in digital storytelling. share papers.” to incorporate this new tool. ed a digital story students are in their element. assist their peers Digital stories are short films, about a serious car in using the This allows them to use complete with images, music and accident he and his software and sound. The students make them on family were in technology to channel their hardware outside computers using special software, when he was an creativity.” of the classroom. such as iMovie or Movie Maker. adolescent. “The digital Drake asked her students both spring He said a digital story was the stories definitely brought us and fall semesters to create digital perfect way to tell the story of this together,” said Mercer freshman stories that were about three minutes life-altering accident that felt “like I Emily Hill. “We got to see different in length on three different topics. [had] to grow up all in one sides of people because they were It has been a hit with her students. moment.” Through the project, he sharing really personal stories. We “When I assign a digital story, I was able to show clippings from his also got to know one another better don’t get that collective sigh I often local newspaper about the accident as we were all scrambling to hear when I assign a paper,” Drake and images of his parents’ complete our stories and needed said with a laugh. “This is technology. demolished car. He opted to play help using the software or using The students are in their element. Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” as he the mic.” This allows them to use technology to read his script. The journalism major said the channel their creativity.” “To create a good digital story you process of creating a digital story was Student Creates His Own TV Show — Mercer University English major Shane Digital stories provide an excellent have to see it with your eyes, quite challenging because she had to Gottwals and two of his friends created a sketch comedy show that has aired on opportunity for students to gain criti- comprehend it in your brain, feel it in keep her material so concise and Macon’s Cox Cable and Mercer’s Television station, Mercer 99, since May 2004. The show, titled “Tomato Time,” is full of sharp and family-friendly humor and the rising cal thinking skills, make their writing your heart, and roll it up into one focused. But she also believes that it Mercer student edits, acts and produces the show. He is pictured in his studio at home. really focused, and get excited about ball,” the Lawrenceville biology made writing more fun and less Prize-Winning Daylily and Insects Named for Mercer Alumnus by Rachel H. Garza “My mother, Agnes Amerson, used

Binion Amerson stands among the to grow daylilies in the Macon area. I ver wondered how plants and over 700 daylilies in his American tried cross-pollinating a few for my biol- animals are named? Hemerocallis Society (AHS) daylily ogy class and was successful. That gave E “There is a rule that you display garden in Dallas, Texas. me my start with daylilies,” he said. can never name anything for yourself,” Today, he has an official American said Binion Amerson, CLA ’58. Hemerocallis Society (AHS) daylily Amerson doesn’t have to; this display garden with more than 700 Mercer alumnus has made such a daylilies blooming each summer. powerful impact in his work as an The peak blooming season is May entomologist, ecologist, and gardener through June. that others have named their discover- One of the most popular and beau- ies in his honor. tiful varieties is his namesake, Binion After graduating from Mercer Amerson, a ruffled yellow daylily. This University in 1958, Amerson pursued flower was named for Amerson by graduate studies in the Entomology Mrs. Bertie Ferris, a member of Departments at the University of Dallas’ daylily royalty. Mrs. Ferris was Georgia and the University of Kansas well-known in Dallas for her work through teaching and research arthropods, such as fleas and ticks. Blankardii amersoni, a chigger from took Amerson to Texas in 1974, and with daylilies and the AHS. In 1996, fellowships. “There were Navy and Coast Guard the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. he made the Dallas area his home. For this former president of the AHS sur- “While I was working on my ships that would pick us up from one [Since] you can never name anything this company, he spent 1-1/2 years as prised and honored Amerson by nam- degree at the University of Kansas, the island and drop us off on another. We for yourself, I was honored that my principle investigator for a U.S. ing her latest daylily hybrid for him. Smithsonian Institution recruited me would spend a couple of weeks living colleagues recognized my work on the Department of Interior financed study Amerson has even produced his in late 1963 to work under a contract on each island, camping and studying project by naming these two arachnids in American Samoa as well as other own unique and now registered flower from the Department of Defense, the plants and animals. In fact, for for me.” government and private environmental that he named for his mother. The which meant that I was actually doing migration studies, we tagged over a Amerson spent seven years traveling studies in the South Pacific, Central Agnes Amerson daylily won an AHS work for the U.S. Army,” said million birds during our work on from island to island with his team, tag- and South America, and across the US. Junior Citation award in 1998. Amerson. those islands,” he said. ging indigenous animals and identifying A recent retiree, Amerson’s passion More than 600 visitors tour his His charge was to work on a team “For my work, two U.S. Public the native vegetation. He returned to the now centers around his beautiful gar- garden each year, and it is a regular to complete a biological baseline sur- Health officials named a couple of University of Kansas in 1970 where he den and his prize-winning daylily culti- stop on Daylily Growers of Dallas tour vey of the uninhabited islands of the insects after me for my work on the completed his Master’s degree in vars. His interest in gardening began of gardens. For more information Central, West and South Pacific. His survey: the Ixodes amersoni, a tick Systematics and Ecology in 1973. as a high school student while living about visiting Amerson’s garden, con- special assignment was to survey the from the Phoenix Islands, and the An environmental consulting job in Georgia. tact him at [email protected].

6 THE M ERCERIAN / SUMMER 2005

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

Conducting: Perfecting the Art By Denise Cook

t is the hands and baton international conductors workshops involves guiding that people notice. First the person’s individual style a quick tap on the along to make it better, I rather than teaching a sin- music stand, then upward in gle, proper way to conduct. anticipation of that first For example, whether or sound. Pulling in each musi- not a conductor uses a baton is just a personal cian, marking the notes so the preference. During the entire orchestra comes togeth- workshops, we try to get the participants away from er with the same precision of using one all the time a fine clock to bring to life the because they often think masterpiece of the composer. they have to have one to perform well.” When asked The conductor of an orchestra has what are the most impor- a much more complex role than what tant things to remember Keitaro Harada of Champaign, Ill., conducts the Macon Sinfonia during the workshop. audiences see from their seats. Rather while conducting, Gnam than simply cueing certain instruments replied, “Absolutely everything! Gestures, study of conducting at both undergrad- final day. They will have the opportuni- Society July 11-17. The internationally at the right time, the conductor also knowledge of form, the style of music uate and graduate levels. They also ty to guest conduct during the Macon recognized faculty included Yuri interprets the writ- needed adequate conducting experi- Symphony Orchestra’s next season.” Temirkanov, Sian Edwards, Leonid ten musical com- ence. “All 12 of the participants had While other institutions around the Korchmar, Oleg Proskurnya and position and com- experience conducting col- Gnam. “Participants of the municates that lege orchestras, and some “Much of the work we do in the International Academy of Advanced interpretation to had conducted professional international conductors workshops Conducting received ample daily the orchestra orchestras,” Gnam added. podium time to learn advanced involves guiding the person’s individual through body The workshop consist- conducting techniques. A public movements. The ed of score study, podium style along to make it better.” performance was held at Mercer at the way the conductor time with the Macon end of the workshop.” Gnam moves is based on Sinfonia, master classes, and individ- world hold similar events, Mercer’s continued, “Another workshop will be his or her training ual lessons and concluded with a final International Conductors Workshop is held in St. Petersburg, and at the and personal style concert open to the public. The partic- unique. “Our workshop is the only conclusion of both workshops, faculty William McClain, one of the three workshop winners, practices and significantly conducting. McClain is from Exeter, N.H. ipants chose which piece they wanted one that includes a concert and offers members will select one or more affects the sound to perform with the Macon Sinfonia the prize of conducting a professional winners to conduct a concert with the the audience will hear. This summer, they’re conducting, what instruments from a list of 15 works prepared by orchestra,” Gnam explained. Macon Symphony Orchestra and the professional conductors from around they have to help along or cue, tempos, the faculty. Gnam added, “We chose Mercer’s Music Department co- St. Petersburg Philharmonic Society the world will come to Mercer musicality of the work itself, and style of three winners based on their progress hosted its third conductors workshop Symphony Orchestra during the 2005- University for the third time in two the piece they’re conducting.” from day one of the workshop to the with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic 2006 season.” years to study the art of conducting Mercer’s Department of Music and to perfect their own form. recently hosted its second Distinguished Artist in Residence at International Conductors Workshop in McDuffie Festival Slated for September Mercer University, Maestro Adrian the McCorkle Music Building on the Gnam has served as an instructor for Macon campus January 12-16. Mercer ixteen very talented high school nation to serve with him as Master of Music and Director of Orchestra, at the past workshops and will be an presented the workshop in conjunc- musicians will soon have the Teachers for this exceptional event. [email protected] or (478) 301- instructor again at this summer’s tion with the Macon Symphony S opportunity to gain pointers Guest Master Teachers include 5631. All forms are available online at workshop, the International Academy Orchestra and the Academy of from some of the world’s finest concert renowned concert artist Adrés Diaz, St. www.mercer.edu/music. of Advanced Conducting. He has Advanced Conducting of the St. artists at the Robert McDuffie & Friends Louis Orchestra Concertmaster David served as music director and conduc- Petersburg Philharmonic Society in Fall Festival for Strings. Internationally Halen, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra tor of the Macon Symphony Orchestra Russia. The intensive five-day work- renowned violinist and Distinguished Principal Cellist Christopher Rex and since 1983. Gnam explains the typical shop invited conductors from around University Professor of Music Robert The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra academic path to become a conductor. the world of all levels of experience to McDuffie, in collaboration with Mercer Principal Violinist Sabina Thatcher. “In order to become a good conduc- study orchestral conducting styles with music faculty, designed an intense Mercer string faculty members Giselle tor, you need to begin studying con- an internationally recognized faculty. three-day string festival for high school Hillyer, the Caroline Paul King Assistant ducting during early college and con- Faculty for the workshop included juniors and seniors to be held on Professor of Music and director tinue studying through the graduate Oleg Proskurnya, conductor of the St. Mercer’s Macon campus Sept. 8-11. of orchestra, and Nathan Cook, degree level.” After academic require- Petersburg Philharmonic Society The selected junior and senior assistant professor of music, ments are met, Gnam also insists, Symphony Orchestra; Leonid string musicians will be immersed in a will also teach workshops. “You need years of experience to Korchmar, Chief Conductor of the three-day music learning extravaganza Enrollment for this pre- become a good conductor.” Helping Kirov Opera and Ballet and professor with five of the nation’s foremost mier workshop is limited to conductors reach their potential is of opera and symphony conducting at Master Teachers and two outstanding eight violinists, four cellists exactly what Gnam and the other the St. Petersburg State Conservatory; Mercer faculty members. Students will and four violists. For more instructors are aiming to do through James MacDonald, associate dean for have both personal and group lessons information, contact Dr. the conducting workshops at Mercer. the School of Fine and Performing Arts that will advance them to a new level Giselle Hillyer, Caroline Paul The only rule of conducting regard- at Columbia College in Chicago; of music performance. King Assistant Professor ing correct technique is that it should be Douglas Hill, director of the Mercer Committed to providing festival par- easily understood and easy to follow. University Wind Ensemble, and Gnam. ticipants with a superb opportunity to Robert McDuffie, world- “The study of conducting involves devel- To be eligible for the workshop, study with the very best, McDuffie per- renowned violinist and Distinguished University oping one’s own individual style,” Gnam applicants were required to have an sonally selected and invited each of the Professor of Music said. “Much of the work we do in the academic background that includes four concert artists from across the

THE M ERCERIAN / SUMMER 2005 7

STETSON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS & ECONOMICS

Alumnus Helps Entrepreneurs Grow Business

By Nancy R. Fullbright addition to Linch — Wilbur N. Ellis, Buescher said he received “The traditional business managing director and principal; important assistance from ELM Capital. entrepreneur usually falls into two he one regret David E. Linch, BBA ’80, has Timothy C. Mages, vice president and “ELM Capital provided valuable categories. They’re either someone about starting his own business is that he principal, and Thomas D. Chen, senior assistance in structuring and without an MBA or a college degree analyst. Since 1996, ELM’s negotiating this complicated deal. As who started their own business didn’t do it earlier in his career. “My advice professionals have executed 36 private an entrepreneur, I also had to manage because nobody would hire them, or T placement transactions raising they are so ornery and to entrepreneurs just starting out is to do over $1.6 billion, 29 merger and headstrong they couldn’t work it sooner rather than later,” he said. “I certainly wish I had.” acquisition transactions with for anybody else,” he said. combined values of more than “The smart entrepreneur has Waiting, however, didn’t seem to can understand other entrepreneurs’ $6.3 billion, and 35 public good business instincts and impede Linch’s success. After mindsets. He said he decided to start offerings raising more than $3.3 knows how to grow their overseeing business development for his own company in order have more billion. business.” RBC Capital Markets’ media and control over his own destiny and to To date, Linch said the young The Fayetteville native said he communications group and after avoid “spending 20 hours a week on company’s biggest success has had a great experience while he serving as head of Stephens Inc.’s an airplane.” He conceded that getting been Wild Adventures, a theme was a student at Mercer, and it corporate finance a business going park in Valdosta, Ga., that grew was those lessons learned that office, Linch decided requires an from a small petting farm to one helped prepare him for his work “I got a first-rate business to strike out on his inordinate amount of the 50 largest theme parks in today as an entrepreneur. own. In 2003, he and liberal arts education, of patience. the United States, drawing in “I got a first-rate business and two partners and I would rate the “It’s one thing more than one million guests and liberal arts education, and I founded ELM Capital to have office each year. When founder and would rate the education at education at Mercer as good David Linch, BBA ’80 Group, LLC, an space ready, but CEO Kent Buescher had the Mercer as good as, if not better, Chairman of the Board of Governors for SSBE Atlanta-based as, if not better, than another thing to opportunity to sell Wild than elsewhere,” noted Linch, boutique investment elsewhere.” re-connect with Adventures, he sought assistance from my business while completing this who also received an MBA from The bank that primarily former clients and ELM Capital. financing,” he said. “ELM helped me Wharton School at the University of assists entre- network to let “We advised Wild Adventures to analyze and evaluate the various Pennsylvania. preneurs with raising capital and people know you’re in business,” he find a financial partner and expand,” transactions available, and their Today, Linch also enjoys serving as buying and selling businesses. said. “We’ve been more successful recalled Linch. “After raising $79 experience was crucial in identifying a trustee for the University, an “Capital is the lifeblood for than I thought we would be, but million in a leveraged recapitalization, our equity partners and in pushing the experience he described as surreal. entrepreneurs — you have to have it closing that first deal took a lot longer Wild Adventures purchased Cypress deal through to completion.” “I recall being a student and seeing in order to grow your business,” noted than I first estimated.” Gardens, Florida’s oldest theme park. Linch said that after working in the the trustees coming to campus in their Linch, who serves as the company’s As they say, success breeds Cypress Gardens, which closed down same business for the past 14 years, suits and ties,” he said. “It’s a bit managing director and principal. success. ELM is fortunate to have in the spring of 2003, re-opened in he has detected a common thread strange now to realize I’m one of them As an entrepreneur himself, Linch recruited several financial whizzes in December 2004.” amongst entrepreneurs. in the board room.”

Gerberding and Jones Close Out 2004-2005 Executive Forum

By Andy Peters Gerberding, a infec- Company, spoke at length about the historic Cloister hotel and rebuilding tious-disease specialist, company’s founding in 1926, and the it; and developing the Frederica com- The 25th anniversary season discussed her agency’s challenges that were faced in the munity and golf course on the north of the Executive Forum ended response to the 2003 building of a hotel in the Golden Isles. end of St. Simons Island. outbreak of severe acute “The perception of the Georgia The introduction of the 350 single- with on a high note, as Dr. Julie respiratory syndrome coast in the 1920s was that it was family-home Frederica development to L. Gerberding, director of the (SARS) in Asia, by form- swampy, mosquito-ridden and of little St. Simons Island will be seamless, Centers for Disease Control ing a new venture with economic value,” Jones said. “The Jones said. the UN’s World Health market today for the Georgia coast is “We’re excited about Frederica, and Prevention, and Bill Jones Organization to open a as intense as it has ever been, and because it really will not have an III, chairman and chief execu- lab-response network in we’re responding to that demand. impact on the roads and infrastructure hospitals in Canada, He also discussed his family’s of St. Simons Island,” he said. tive of the Sea Island Co., gave China, France, Hong efforts to achieve its goal of creating Mercer’s Executive Forum was intriguing presentations in Kong, Singapore and the world’s finest resort, while at the founded as a way to link the Macon Macon and Atlanta. Tokyo. same time conserving the delicate and Atlanta business communities to “We see this as environment that makes the Georgia the University and the Stetson School everal public-health crises were essential,” she said. coastal area special. of Business and Economics. in the headlines when Gerberding’s “We’ve tried to balance develop- The Forum’s steering committee Bill Jones III S Gerberding made her visits to tenure at the CDC has ment with the need to protect the natu- has met in recent weeks to discuss a the Macon and Atlanta campuses in been praised by health-care and gov- Atlanta, located just a few miles to the ral resources,” Jones said. program for the 2005-2006 season March: the tsunamis hit Southeast Asia ernment officials. southwest of Mercer’s Atlanta campus, The extremely high quality of the and the slate of speakers will be in December, and the avian flu virus “Under her leadership, the agency was also highlighted by Gerberding. Sea Island experience led the resort to announced later this year, President R. outbreak in Asia this spring. has soared to new heights,” said The CDC is in the midst of a $1.65 bil- be named host of last year’s G-8 Kirby Godsey said. “We’re doing a surveillance of Mercer Trustee Kellie Appel, who lion capital-improvement plan, with Summit, which brought President The other speakers featured in the birds to prevent the virus from being introduced Gerberding at her visit to five new buildings being constructed, Bush and other world leaders to the 2004-2005 season of the Executive introduced in the U.S.,” said the Atlanta campus. “She has a passion including a new communications cen- Georgia coast. That milestone has not Forum were: George Tenet, former Gerberding, who in June 2002 was for health protection, and she is the ter that is targeted to children and led to stagnation at the Sea Island director of the Central Intelligence named as the first woman to lead the person the nation turns to during a tourists. Company, however, as Jones has Agency; William Cohen, former U.S. Atlanta-based agency. “We’re not now health crisis.” Jones, the fourth member of his embarked on new ambitious plans, Secretary of Defense; and Anderson seeing any evidence of an epidemic.” The growth of the CDC facilities in family to manage the Sea Island including tearing down most of the Cooper of CNN.

8 THE M ERCERIAN / SUMMER 2005

STETSON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS & ECONOMICS

MBA Grads Taste Success in Restaurant Ventures

By Andy Peters What do Maalouf and Messerall Ice Cream in LaGrange, Mercer graduates John Hudson Messerall have in common? They are both Messerall used the extensive (left) and Charbel Maalouf (right) have used s the daily lunch line Mercer business graduates. knowledge he gained while their business education to succeed in the food service industry. Messerall has opened a forms inside Maalouf, a native of the Elchouf earning his MBA from Bruster's Ice Cream store in LaGrange, Ga., Mediterranean Bakery district of Beirut, Lebanon, never Mercer to create a detailed while Maalouf owns Mediterranean & Sandwich, Charbel thought he’d open a restaurant when business plan to present to Bakery & Sandwich in Atlanta. MaaloufA slides a piece of lahmajoun he was majoring in computer science into a large metal oven. at Mercer’s Stetson School of Business Aficionados of Middle Eastern cui- and Economics on the Atlanta sine across Atlanta have learned that Campus. But he always knew he’d run Maalouf’s restaurant near Mercer his own business. University’s Atlanta campus is one of “Mercer helped me know how to the best places to find baba ghannouj, search for what I wanted to do,” said the 33-year-old Maalouf, who also owns Carpet Design, Inc., a flooring “The MBA gives you the tools to company with his brother, Salim Adib be more well-rounded. This has Maalouf, a 1997 Mercer business been about taking that graduate. In particular, two business classes, knowledge I got from Mercer and managerial accounting and business building a business plan.” law, helped the 2001 Mercer graduate plan the opening of his restaurant in October 2003, and its upcoming addi- falafel and similar fare. In a recent tion of a bakery in the same space. banks, complete with marketing and enterprise. He’s also picked up some smart investments,” he said. “And the review, Atlanta Magazine called “Accounting helped me learn how demographic research and an analysis new knowledge along the way. Mercer MBA gives you instant credibil- Mediterranean Bakery & Sandwich one to prepare a database for purchasing of how long it would take to recoup “I’ve learned more about real ity in the community.” of the city’s best new small restaurants. groceries, and the business law class our return on our capital investment estate development I’ve ever wanted to But it’s his venture with Meanwhile, farther south in helped me learn how to read con- and a forecast of profitability. know,” he said. Bridgewater, Pa.-based Bruster’s that LaGrange, John Hudson Messerall has tracts,” Maalouf said. “I had to learn “The MBA gives you the tools to be Like Maalouf, Messerall also holds really gets Messerall’s blood going. opened his first outlet of the upstart how to plan for a business, how much more well-rounded,” said the 34-year- down more than one job. Although his “There are few things in life that chain Bruster’s Ice Cream Inc. Since I could spend. Without Mercer, I old Messerall. “This has been about Bruster’s is in LaGrange, Messerall you’re passionate about, and I know its opening last year, Messerall said his don’t think I would have been able to taking that knowledge I got from works in private wealth management this will sound hokey, but ice cream is Bruster’s is ahead of schedule in do this.” Mercer and building a business plan.” for Merrill Lynch in Columbus. He’s one of those things for me,” he said. reaching profitability, and its success When he decided to join with his Messerall has drawn on his busi- also used his Mercer MBA in that job. “When you go to a party and people has Messerall consulting with his part- sister and brother-in-law, Anthony and ness classes in finance, marketing and “The tools I learned in the busi- find out you own a Bruster’s, they get ners on opening future locations. Jennifer Westbrook, to open a Bruster’s business operations for his Bruster’s ness program have helped me make really excited.”

MAPS Provides Real-World Experience By Daniel Cole, Sophomore, Stetson School of Business

hether they chose to Abroad Program. For the first half of Nancy David of Fayetteville has also When the MAPS program was sored by the American Cancer Society. intern with exciting his senior year, he was in Oxford, gained valuable real-world experience introduced to Mercer business stu- Eager to get as much experience as Wcompanies and organiza- England, and second half, in through the MAPS program. With a dents in 2002, Jennifer Elsey, BBA ’03, possible before graduating, she did tions, such as Pfizer and the American Queensland, Australia. MAPS focus in marketing and finance, quickly signed up for as many of the not stop with one internship. During Cancer Society, or to study abroad at “There are a variety of different the Mercer junior did a pharmaceuti- MAPS offerings as she could. Her her last semester at Mercer, she Oxford in England or the Down Under, skills and lessons that I [have taken] cal sales internship with Pfizer last MAPS focus was healthcare manage- interned at Upson Regional Medical students in the Managed Academic Path away from my study abroad experi- summer. After completing training in ment. She not only spent a summer Center. Her responsibilities included to Success (MAPS) program at ences,” Howell said. “I am much New York City, David worked at Pfizer’s studying abroad, but also participated shadowing every department, Mercer’s Stetson School of Business more understanding of various cul- Atlanta office. For two weeks she shad- in two separate internships. submitting a written report to the and Economics are getting a feel for the tures now than I ever In her sophomore CEO of Upson, and preparing a real work world before they graduate. was before. I have “From our first semester at Mercer, we begin defining our year, Elsey studied in management project for the board MAPS is unique academic program learned to appreci- course focus that will carry on into our careers. Employers Italy, and like Howell, of directors. in that it allows students to graduate ate, listen and under- appreciated the “Having two internships at different see we have created a unique degree that shows that we with a BBA with a specific area of stand, rather than opportunity to learn organizations allowed me to experi- focus that fits each student’s interests make assumptions. put thought and consideration into our schooling.” more about another ence extremely separate environments and goals. Students enrolled in the My independence has culture. and the logistics of both,” Elsey said. “I program are also required to com- also risen to remarkable heights.” owed one of Pfizer’s pharmaceutical “There is no better way to learn learned how to work in a professional plete an experimental component He said the international experi- representatives. She was then allowed about another culture than to immerse setting and how to be a team player.” either through an internship, co-op, ence gained through the MAPS pro- to venture out by herself into the world yourself in it,” Elsey said. “Studying The two separate internships service activity, or study abroad. gram, combined with the unique focus of sales for three weeks. David was in abroad is an experience that I will allowed her to experiment in the Thomas Howell, a 2005 School of of his degree, will give him a competi- charge of presenting three drugs and always treasure.” working world to determine her true Business graduate, had literally a world tive edge in the marketplace their benefits to doctors. During the second semester of her interests. Elsey is currently working as of experiences at Mercer. His MAPS “From our first semester at Mercer, “Through my internship, I learned junior year, she completed an intern- a staff assistant for Senator Saxby focus was international corporate law. we begin defining our course focus that I enjoyed sales, and I think this ship with the American Cancer Society. Chambliss. Howell, who transferred to Mercer in that will carry on into our careers,” he experience has opened the door for Elsey’s duties included assisting with “My business classes through the fall of 2003, spent his first two said of the MAPS students. “Employers future opportunities after I graduate,” various health fairs, putting together Mercer’s MAPS program coupled with semesters on Mercer’s Macon campus see we have created a unique degree David said. “It was a great source for information for Relay for Life, attend- my internships prepared me for prac- and his last two semesters in other that shows that we put thought and networking, and it gave me an idea of ing board meetings, doing clerical tical and vital avenues of the real countries through the University’s Study consideration into our schooling.” what a professional career is like.” work and attending functions spon- world,” Elsey said.

THE M ERCERIAN / SUMMER 2005 9

MERCER ATHLETICS UPDATE

Emerson Makes ESPN Academic All-America Team By Andy Peters A three-time really seem to care about me as a per- Dolphin Swim Program for disabled n a time when superior performance in athletics and Atlantic Sun aca- son and they make sure that I have a children and with His Able Hands demic all-confer- chance to succeed.” Respite Care Program, Emerson has academics don’t always go hand-in-hand, Mercer ence honoree, He also thanked Assistant Coach helped Boy Scouts earn chemistry merit University men’s basketball junior forward Will Emerson started Jerry Luther for his help. badges. Elected senior class president every game for “[Coach Luther] is always willing to with Mercer’s Student Government I the Bears this Will Emerson sit down with me on road trips and Association, Emerson has also served on Emerson has successfully combined the two. season and led work with me on any problems that I the SGA’s academic affairs committee. In early March, Emerson was Emerson, a biology major from St. the team in scoring, averaging 15.7 might be having with schoolwork, The other four players chosen by named to ESPN the Magazine’s Mary’s Ga., was one of only three play- points per game. Emerson scored in whether it is a paper I am writing or the College Sports Information Academic All-America first team, the ers named to the ESPN the Magazine double figures in 26 of 28 games and processing scientific calculations,” Directors of America to be named to day after he was named to the Atlantic Academic All-America teams with a per- recorded five double-doubles. Emerson said. “I have been very lucky the ESPN the Magazine Academic All- Sun All-Conference first team. Emerson ranked third in the to have a coach with such a strong aca- America first team were: Eric Castro of Emerson is the first men’s Atlantic Sun in scoring and demic background as Coach Luther; he Southern Methodist University; “Will represents the very best of Mercer and Division I college basketball fourth in rebounding at the con- is really like a traveling teacher for me.” Johannes Herber of West Virginia player from the state of the student-athlete. He is not only clusion of the regular season. He Not only is Emerson a star on the University; Chris Hill of Michigan State Georgia named to an academic committed to success on the basketball was twice named Atlantic Sun basketball court and in the classroom, University; and Derek Winans of all-America team since Georgia court, but also to excelling in his academic Player of the Week this season. he’s also very active in the community. A Southeast Missouri State University. Tech’s Matt Harpring in 1998, Emerson’s leadership on the volunteer with the according to the NCAA. studies in the classroom.” court has contributed to the Conference Student-Athlete-of-the-Year — “Will represents the very Bears’ successful play: this is the Will Emerson in June was named the Atlantic Sun best of Mercer and the student-athlete. fect 4.0 grade point average. Emerson third-consecutive season that Emerson Conference Student-Athlete-of-the-Year after starting all 28 games for the Bears, averaging 15.6 He is not only committed to success on is also the only player from Georgia, and the Bears have played in the points and 7.5 rebounds, while carrying a 4.0 the basketball court, but also to and one of only two from the Southeast, Atlantic Sun conference tournament. average. He was named to the 2005 ESPN excelling in his academic studies in the along with third-team member Chris “We knew Will was the Magazine Academic All America first team. classroom,” said Mercer University Paul of Wake Forest University, to be an outstanding stu- President R. Kirby Godsey. “He sets a given the honor this year. dent, and he took his fine example for all of our student-ath- “It’s quite an accomplishment,” basketball game up a letes to follow.” said Mercer head coach Mark level this year,” said ESPN the Magazine’s Academic All- Slonaker. “We’re extremely proud of Mercer Athletics Director Bobby America first team, consisting of five how Will represents Mercer, both on Pope. “If you’re looking for the players, is the premiere academic all- and off the court.” ideal student-athlete, it would be America team in the U.S. While Emerson loves sports, he’s him. He’s the total package.” “This the ultimate honor for me as also dedicated to his coursework. He’s Emerson cited the support a student-athlete,” said Emerson, a often seen studying in the stands dur- of his Mercer professors as rea- biology major from St. Mary’s Ga. “I ing women’s basketball games, and sons for his success. never expected to be considered for pouring through textbooks on bus trips “My professors here at something like this, but it definitely to games. Emerson also scored a 39 Mercer have been always been feels good to be recognized for all the on the MCAT medical-school entrance supportive and willing to help hard work I have put into basketball exam, a score that placed him in the when I miss class on road and schoolwork.” 99th percentile nationwide. trips,” Emerson said. “They

Two New Members Inducted into Mercer Athletic Hall of Fame

wo former athletes Houston Lake, he finished second. He was the low amateur in the became the newest T 1968 Macon Open. inductees into the He is a member of both the Albany Mercer Athletic Hall of Fame at a and Macon Sports Halls of Fame and dinner in the President’s Dining long-time golf professional at Doublegate Country Club in Albany. Room at the University Center Among his titles as a professional preceding the men’s homecoming was the National PGA Senior Club basketball game. The two newest Professional Championship in 1997. inductees joined 131 other illus- He won the Georgia Senior Open ing 1997, 1999 and 2000. He won the trious athletes who previously Emma Mumphery is congratulated by Director of Athletics Bobby Pope. President Godsey, right, awards Ed Everett his plaque. Georgia PGA Senior Championship in were enshrined into the Athletic season average was during the 1982- She played in 115 games while at Championship in 1965, 1966 and 1994, 1996, 1997 and 1998. Hall of Fame. 93 campaign when she averaged 21.8 Mercer and was a finalist for the 1968. He won the club championship He was awarded Teacher of the points per game. Margaret Wade Trophy in 1983, pre- at Idle Hour Country Club in 1965 and Year from the Central Chapter of the Emma Mumphery She is the all-time leading rebounder sented annually to the top women’s won the Middle Georgia Tournament Georgia PGA in 1995. Emma Mumphery was a member in Mercer history with 1,355 rebounds basketball player in the nation. in 1965 and 1968. At halftime of the men’s homecom- of the women’s basketball team from for an average of 11.8 per game, which At the State Amateur at the Savannah ing basketball game, Mercer President 1979-83. She is the third all-time lead- is second best in school history. Ed Everett Country Club in 1966, he finished R. Kirby Godsey and Director of ing scorer in Mercer school history She is second in Mercer career field Ed Everett was captain of the eighth; at the United States Amateur at Athletics Bobby Pope presented the with 2,098 points and a career average goal percentage at .564 making 859 of Mercer golf team from 1965-68. While Broadmoor, he finished 33rd; and at newest inductees with plaques signify- of 18.2 points per game. Her highest 1,524 shots during her four seasons. at Mercer, he won the Macon City the Georgia Amateur Golf Classic at ing their accomplishments.

10 THE M ERCERIAN / SUMMER 2005

MERCER ATHLETICS UPDATE

Scholarship Honors Winningest Mercer Coach

or future reference, the name of Barry Myers will not only be synonymous as the “win- F ningest” baseball coach in Mercrer history with 660 wins in his stellar 26-year career. Thanks to a scholarship established by Robb Myers and Emily Myers, each year a Mercer baseball player will be presented a $1,000 scholarship in the former coach’s honor. For the first year, two players — Kyle Johnston and Sean McCahill — were selected to receive the Barry Myers Endowed Scholarship. The announce- ment of the first year’s recipients was made May 3 prior to the Bears’ game against Georgia College and State University. Coach Myers threw out the ceremo- nial first pitch for the game and then joined Johnston, McCahill and current head coach Craig Gibson for the presentation. Myers’ many accolades include three conference championships and three divisional titles. His success LEFT, former baseball head coach Barry Myers throws out the ceremonial first pitch against GC&SU. on the field was more than matched by the perform- ABOVE, coach Myers shares a laugh with scholarship recipients (left to right) Kyle Johnston and Sean ance of his players in the classroom. One season, 24 McCahill, and head coach Craig Gibson. of his 30 student-athletes were named All-Academic.

Wesley Duke Slams His Way to Final Four Competition and on to NFL

he icon of Mercer basket- basketball games. As his stellar career First, Duke was invited to partici- Duke a “10” for his effort that helped cle-bound physique. After being con- ball player Wesley Duke for slowly wound down in early March, pate in the Slam Dunk Competition at propel him to an overall fourth place tacted by several NFL scouts and a visit T the past several years has looking back it now seems he was, in the Men’s Final Four at St. Louis. In finish in the competition. to the Mercer campus by several team been his thundering dunks at Bears’ reality, just on the brink of stardom. the second round, Duke representatives, Duke was wowed not only those in Duke wowed not only those in attendance at the offered a free agent contract Give Him a 10 — attendance at the event, event, but a national television audience on ESPN. with the Denver Broncos fol- Wesley Duke showed a capacity but a national television lowing the NFL draft. crowd and a nationally-televised audience on ESPN. On ... As the crowd went into a frenzy, the judges all Duke is currently in audience why he was known for his second dunk, he awarded Duke a “10” for his effort ... training with the Broncos in his thunderous dunks during his Mercer career. tossed the ball in the air, hopes of making the team as stripped off his white and orange The national exposure did not make a tight end. If hard work and a big Mercer jersey and caught the ball Duke a national sensation overnight but heart will allow for the transition, keep above the rim just in time to rip it it did also catch the eyes of some your eyes on the former basketball through the net. As the crowd went National Football League scouts who player who just may slam his way into into a frenzy, the judges all awarded certainly could not ignore Duke’s mus- a football career.

Rooke’s Jersey Retired During Homecoming Activities

President R. Kirby Godsey and • He was a three-time All • This past season, while coaching Director of Athletics Bobby Pope Conference and All Tournament at Tatnall Square Academy, he joined men’s soccer coach Tom team member; was named the GISA coach of Melville during halftime of the men’s • He was a four-time Academic the year in 2004. homecoming basketball game Jan. 28 All-Conference honoree; Rooke was presented a resolution to honor one of Mercer’s all-time • He represented Great Britain at from the President and the Mercer greatest athletes. the World University Games, Board of Trustees as well as his Max Rooke, who played at Mercer serving as captain in 2003; framed number 17 jersey. from 1998 through the 2002 season, had his jersey retired following an out- standing career for the Bears. Among his accomplishments: • Rooke was the Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year in 2002;

L to r: Tom Melville, President R Kirby Godsey, Max Rooke and Bobby Pope

ESPN Photo

THE M ERCERIAN / SUMMER 2005 11

SPECIAL P HOTO SECTION MACON COMMENCEMENT 2005 1,500 Join Mercer Alumni Family

n nine commencement ceremonies over a three- week period, Mercer graduated approximately I 1,500 students from the University’s 10 schools and colleges in May.

Tyler McCurry and other excited graduates seated in the Macon Coliseum await the beginning of the ceremony.

The Macon commencement saw the graduation of more than 500 students, the conferring of one honorary degree, and the special recognition of three outstanding students. Drew Cravey of Hawkinsville (center) poses with identical twins Jennifer and Carla Paschke of Macon at the Macon Commencement on May 14. All three graduated from the School of Engineering with perfect grade point averages.

Dennis Drummond, one of two recipients of the prestigious Griffin B. Bell Award for Community A new graduate Service, listens proudly displays his intently to the diploma following the commencement business school address by commencement in Dr. David Bottoms. Atlanta.

Excited graduates from the Tift College of Education file into Sheffield Student Center at their Atlanta commencement.

View more photos of commencement by visiting www.mercer.edu Under “Department & Services:” Click on “Community,” Click on “University Advancement,” Click on “University Relations & Marketing,” Click on “UR&M Photos.” Just select the event you would like to view!

12 THE M ERCERIAN / SUMMER 2005

SPECIAL P HOTO SECTION ADVANCING THE VISION CAMPAIGN Campaign Volunteers Meet at UC

any volunteers assisting with President and Mrs. Godsey to be Honored at President’s Club

Phase III of the Advancing the Vision With the ensuing retirement of Dr. R. will be held at the Saturday morning Campaign gathered April 13 at the Kirby Godsey on June 30, 2006, this brunch in the ballroom of the Piedmont M fall’s annual gathering of The President’s Driving Club, beginning at 11 a.m. The University Center to hear updates Club will honor the President and his program will include the election of officers from Campaign Chairman Griffin B. Bell and Vice Chairman wife, Joan. The 2005 President’s Club and the recognition of new life members The Celebration will be held Oct. 28-29 at annual golf outing for President’s Club Robert L. Steed. A joint meeting was held in the UC Arena and the new InterContinental Hotel in members is being arranged for Friday Buckhead and the Piedmont Driving afternoon, with the winning foursome then break-out sessions for all components of the Campaign Club in Atlanta. recognized at the dinner. were held later in the afternoon. The Friday event will include a Other events to honor Dr. Godsey during reception and dinner in the Windsor Ballroom, beginning at the 2005-2006 year are being planned and will be announced Mercer has more than 1,000 volunteers participating in 6 p.m. The annual meeting, with Eli Morgan, CLA ’83, presiding, at a later date. the Campaign, which has now reached 72.89 percent of the $350 million goal.

Trustees David E. Linch, BBA ’80, and Thomas W. (Chip) Barron, JD ’74, discuss campaign with former Trustee Preston Williams, ’47.

Nancy and Judge Griffin B. Bell, LLB ’48, LLD ’67, with Robert L. Steed, AB ’58, LLB ’61, LLD ’79. Judge Bell and Steed, who are both Trustees, are chairs for the Advancing the Vision Campaign.

Nancy and Judge Griffin B. Bell, LLB ’48, LLD ’67, with Robert L. Steed, AB ’58, LLB ’61, LLD ’79. Judge Bell and Steed, who are both Trustees, are chairs for the Advancing the Vision Campaign.

Becky and John Shoemaker, who serve on the Grand Opera House Campaign Committee, review some of the books published by Mercer University Press.

Trustees Sidney A. Hopkins, BA ’66, and Timothy G. Millwood, BA ’93, discuss the CLA Scholarship portion of the Campaign.

Robert W. Haney Jr., BA ’85, Adela Ford, BA ’91 and Elijah “Eli” Morgan, BA ’83, serve on CLA components of the Campaign. Morgan is currently the president of The President’s Club.

THE M ERCERIAN / SUMMER 2005 13

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

First-Year Students Face Off in Design Competition By Jenny Butkus

he University Center was abuzz on April 22. compete in one of the competitions, prompting the event organizers to Parents and students sporting Mercer t-shirts consider creating a new decathlon and hats sat in bleachers and huddled in event next year. Michael Whatley, Andy Kalliat and T Vu Lu placed first in the “Rampster” clusters to see the action. But something was competition. They said the key to their different about this competition. The crowd wasn’t there to see success was teamwork. the Mercer Bears basketball team. They were there to watch “We all got along with one another really well,” said Lu, a freshman from engineering students compete in the annual Mercer University Lawrenceville. They also had a crafty design. School of Engineering Introduction to Engineering Design When their vehicle hit the other Competition. vehicle on the ramp, the mouse trap would clamp onto the opponent, Approximately 110 first-year and from Suwanee, said figuring out what slowing it down and sometimes transfer students put their engineering the client needed was challenging breaking a piece of their opponent’s designs to test when they competed in because the professor did not come contraption. one of six unique events. Students straight out and tell the team what Charles Dreblow, a freshman enrolled in Engineering 107 — was needed. mechanical engineering student “Introduction to Engineering Design” “They tried to make this as realistic from Temple Terrace, Fla., said the — were divided into teams of three as possible, and we realized that the key to his team’s first place win in the and then assigned a professor who client often doesn’t know exactly “Boat” competition was speed, served as their client. It was the what he wants. He just knows the noting their vehicle moved at students’ job to talk with their client final product he envisions. We had to 216 RPM. and find out what type of product ask a lot of questions before we “We were also praying all the way needed to be created. Each student really figured out what he needed,” through,” his teammate, Erica Eaton, a Freshman Eric Sims of Jacksonville prepares his vehicle for the Introduction to Engineering team was given the same materials she said. Design Competition, which took place at the University Center on April 22. freshman computer engineering with which to build — a building kit Condra’s team built a vehicle that student from Virginia Beach, Va., said featuring K’Nex rods and connectors, competed in the “Rampster” starting at opposite ends and moving on this one, which their client said with a smile. rubber bands, motors, a mouse trap competition. In this event, vehicles toward each other. The vehicle closest did, in fact, comply with the rules. Their third teammate Robert and more. climb up a ramp, cross a horizontal to the opposite end at the end of two “We learned to know our limits Capellaro said the process of Crystal Condra, a freshman section and then go down another minutes wins. and where we could stretch them,” designing and building their own mechanical engineering student ramp. Two vehicles compete at once Across the University Center floor, Husak, an electrical engineering vehicle gave him a good idea of how Kyle Steele and Joshua student from Stockbridge, said. engineering calculations are used and Husak prepared their Unfortunately, two hours before the how much writing is involved in vehicle for the competition, Steele discovered they engineering design projects. “Chicken Race,” a had forgotten one thing. They were Dr. Philip McCreanor, associate competition similar to still using a test motor from one of professor of environmental the “Rampster” in their personal K’Nex building kits engineering, is the course which two vehicles start rather than the motor from the official coordinator for “Introduction to at opposite ends and building kit. They had done hours of Engineering Design.” He said this move toward each competition is other on a tiled, “We learned to know our limits and where we intended to help horizontal surface. The students learn could stretch them ... I realized I definitely I one closest to the about the opposite end within two have a lot more to learn, but I enjoyed learning design process minutes wins. At a about the engineering design process and its in a fun and towering 5 feet and 10 practical applications.” challenging inches, their vehicle environment. It Boeing Gift Benefits Scholarships and Lab, Technology Upgrades — Obie Jones, site leader-general manager of The Boeing Company, (pictured on the right) presents a check to President was the tallest in the is also a great R. Kirby Godsey, who accepted the check on behalf of the University. competition, and some testing with that motor, and to their way to expose them to the engineering of their competitors dismay, when they switched out the design process early in their questioned whether it motor, it cut the speed of their vehicle engineering careers. was “legal.” The in half. They competed and lost “In the design process, engineers competition had length both times. combine imagination, technical and width limits, but no “I realized I definitely have a lot knowledge, and communication skills height limit, so Steele, more to learn, but I enjoyed learning to supply a client with a desired Husak and their other about the engineering design process product. This course demonstrates to teammate Zsauquez and its practical applications,” said students how these three seemingly Flucker opted to make Steele, an industrial management separate concepts come together and the tallest vehicle student from Meriwether County. “I provides a frame of reference for how possible, thinking when also feel good because my professor students will ultimately apply the it fell that as long as the said I made the right ethical decision technical knowledge they develop tip of their vehicle was in using the regular motor.” through the study of engineering,” closer to the opposite There were many victories at the McCreanor noted. “Finally, it sets them end of the runway, they competition as well. One student up for success when they encounter Imerys Supports Mercer for 23rd Consecutive Year — Ernest Gay, executive vice president of Imerys Pigments and Additives Group, (pictured at left) presents a check to School of would win. They discovered his vehicle worked in each their senior design projects during Engineering Dean Dayne Aldridge, who accepted the check on behalf of the University. devised seven different of the six unique events, even though their capstone senior design course designs before settling the vehicles were only designed to sequence.”

14 THE M ERCERIAN / SUMMER 2005

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

Zipper Project More than Doubles Productivity By Jenny Butkus

aura Brown Mock and this project was truly outstanding. impressed with the students’ work. The new work configurations that $43,000 annually. Amanda Parish could not help “These types of results without “YKK is a technically oriented man- Mock and Parish developed after Parish and Mock, who graduated L but sing “Zippity Do Da!” spending any money on capital ufacturing company seeking to improve extended video and time studies can during spring commencement in May, when they learned of the success of improvements are almost unheard of,” our processes so we can be more com- also be implemented at other YKK facil- credit their Mercer education for their their recent senior design project. he said. “Usually plants get excited with petitive on a global basis. These indus- ities, increasing the scope of their pro- success. Last fall the two Mercer engineering 5 or 10 percent increases.” trial engineering students are helping ject’s success. Stamps said it is too early “At Mercer, we not only received a students were assigned a process Robert Stamps, vice president of us achieve that goal,” he said. “Amanda to determine the actual cost savings solid understanding of engineering the- improvement project at one of YKK USA’s manufacturing planning at YKK and a and Laura have demonstrated a high Parish and Mock’s recommendations ory, we also gained a lot of practical Macon plants for their senior design 1974 graduate of Mercer’s College of degree of technical expertise and engi- have afforded the company, but a con- experience,” Mock said. project. Their task was to improve the Liberal Arts, said, he, too, was neering know-how.” servative estimate of the savings is Parish said Mercer challenged her productivity and efficiency of the final throughout her four years, and this has metal zipper assembly process in which Laura Brown Mock (left) and Amanda Parish recently completed a senior design project with YKK USA that caused the assembly area productivity prepared her to tackle the challenges at the Macon plant they observed to increase by more than 70 percent and the machine efficiency to rise by 30 percentage points. workers use a machine to cut the zip- she will face in industry. pers to the appropriate length, add the Both students also say they enjoyed zipper “top stops,” inspect the items for working with the other engineers at YKK. quality, and package the zippers for ship- “They really listened to what we had ment. The project was a perfect fit with to say, and they seemed to value our their engineering studies. Mock of input,” Parish said. Waycross was completing an engineering The two students appreciated the degree with a specialization in industrial efforts of Dr. Joan Burtner, assistant engineering, and Parrish of Macon, a professor of mechanical and industrial degree in industrial management. engineering and their technical advisor Mock and Parish aimed at increasing for the project, who was helpful in the productivity of the assembly area they keeping them focused. were told to observe by 20 percent and “She would ask us a lot of questions, the efficiency by 30 percent. Much to but she would not give us the answers. their delight, within two weeks of making She made us think,” Parish said. recommendations to YKK management Burtner said she was pleased that about how to improve the process, the the students had statistically significant assembly area productivity increased by improvement in production levels. more than 70 percent and the machine “The analytical skills of the student efficiency rose by 30 percentage points. team, combined with the professional- Dr. Scott Shultz, assistant professor ism and cooperation of the YKK of mechanical and industrial engineer- employees has resulted in a win-win sit- ing and the students’ senior design proj- uation for Mercer School of ect manager, said the students’ work on Engineering and YKK,” she said.

Technical Communication Students Win International Awards By Jenny Butkus

ercer University’s Society accepted the two awards on behalf of dent newsletters to make a significant year she won an Award of Excellence. University.” for Technical her chapter. Paschke, who graduated showing; after all, they compete with This year, winning the Best of Show, is The Society for Technical MCommunication (STC) at the May commencement, served as all the professional newsletters from the highest accolade possible. She is a Communication is a 25,000-member Chapter in the School of Engineering the newsletter editor and chapter around the world,” she said. “Carla credit to her chosen profession of organization dedicated to advancing recently received two honors at the president. Paschke has done a spectacular job technical communication, and an out- the arts and sciences of technical STC international conference in “I feel so very honored to have with our Mercer STC newsletter. Last standing ambassador for Mercer communication. Seattle, Wash. Mercer’s STC chapter received these awards,” she said. “I received the Student Chapter of have served as newsletter editor for Distinction Award, the highest honor three years during which time I have given to a student chapter in this pro- been continuously working to improve fessional society. The award is only the publication. I still find it unbeliev- given to one student chapter in each able that a small student chapter from of the STC’s two chapter size cate- Georgia could win such a prestigious gories. The student group also award. The chapter has come so far received the Best of Show Award for during my three years on the board, its newsletter, “Connections,” in the and I am confident that the new exec- STC Newsletter Competition. utive board will continue the tradi- Thirty-eight organizations submit- tions we have started.” ted entries for the international Dr. Marjorie Davis, chair of newsletter competition, including 31 Mercer’s Department of Technical professional chapters, four student Communication, senior member of chapters and three special interest STC and Mercer student STC chapter groups. The newsletter was judged advisor for many years, said being based on its content, design and abili- honored with these two awards is a ty to communicate news and informa- tremendous honor for a small student Alumni Host Careers in Engineering Roundtable — The Mercer School of Engineering Alumni Association recently hosted a roundtable discussion on careers in engineering for current engineering students. Front row from left, are Barry Hollis, BSE ’95 (Board tion between STC chapters and special chapter like Mercer’s. Member), David Tribble, Akshay Patel, a Mercer electrical engineering graduate student, and Selina Mustafa, BSE’97. Back row, from interest groups and their members. “In all the years that the interna- left, are Jennifer O’Neal Tribble, BSE ’03, Kamlesh “Kenny” Desai, BSE ’92 (Alumni Association President), Anant Bhushan, BSE ’94 Mercer technical communication tional newsletter competition has been (Board Member), Sam Martinez, BSE ’97 (Alumni Association Past President), and Adam Wofford, BSE ’02. student Carla Paschke of Macon held, I have never known many stu-

THE M ERCERIAN / SUMMER 2005 15

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

Alumni Moving Up with Major Atlanta Firms By Jenny Butkus

ercer engineering alumni other design teams. This lesson has engineer with Georgia Power, agrees. being,” she noted. graduate, went a different direction with are climbing the corpo- helped him a lot in the working world. The 2000 engineering graduate said, Scott Morgan, a 1994 School of his Mercer degree. After working as a Mrate ladder with a variety Several Mercer engineering alumni while her specialization was in biomed- Engineering graduate who works as a computer programming and process of large Atlanta companies thanks to work with Georgia Power Company. ical engineering, she has not missed a senior engineer at Georgia Power, said analyst with Accenture technology serv- the strong engineering foundation they Chris Caldwell has worked with the beat with Georgia Power. She is in charge he is grateful that he was able to jump ices firm for two years, he entered law gained as students at Mercer. electric utility company since he gradu- of maintaining a $250-million support into engineering coursework early in school at the University of Georgia. He Josh Brookshire has been working ated in 1999. He currently serves as facility tracking system that allows engi- his college career. now works as a patent attorney in the at Scientific Atlanta since he graduated transmission supervisor for the West neers to do cost analysis and estimates “I have heard of some places where Intellectual Property Section of Smith, from Mercer’s School of Engineering in Atlanta territory. A team of 13 engi- for various electrical facilities. students did not begin thier coursework Gambrell and Russell, LLP in Atlanta. 2000. Currently working as a senior neers responsible for maintaining facil- “I felt like I had a leg up on what to until their sophomore year. We were He said his Mercer degree set his electrical engineer, Brookshire has the ities in the trans- seeing practical appli- career on a great path by enabling him job of designing cable electronics for mission grid “My position is highly technical, but it involves a variety of cations of engineering to get a challenging position with a rep- Scientific Atlanta, a leading supplier of report to him. theory in our freshman utable company like Accenture straight different disciplines ... Thanks to Mercer’s program, I have a digital content contribution and distri- “My Mercer year,” he said. out of college. The company targeted bution systems. degree has paid broad base of knowledge in each of these areas.” Morgan, who spe- Mercer engineering students because He said that he has had an advan- off big for me,” cialized in electrical they knew that Mercer students would tage over graduates from larger schools Caldwell, who specialized in mechani- expect after I graduated,” Grant said. engineering, did a co-op with Southern have the right skills to solve the prob- because he was able to get one-on-one cal engineering, said. “The broad area “The cross-training we received Company at the Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear lems of their clients, Nixon noted. attention from his professors. covered through Mercer’s general engi- through Mercer’s program was excel- Plant in Baxley throughout his time as a And the specialized education he “At Mercer, if I had questions, I neering degree program has been lent. My professors challenged me, and student at Mercer. He said that he felt gained as an engineering student at could actually get answers,” the Grayson extremely helpful in my job. My posi- I learned to be very detail-oriented.” extremely comfortable working at the Mercer has helped him a lot as a resident said. “And I still keep in touch tion is highly technical, but it involves a Grant said in addition to arming her plant when he was as young as a sopho- patent attorney. To write a patent appli- with some of my professors today.” variety of different disciplines, some- with a strong engineering philosophy, more with the electrical engineering cation or enforce, defend against or Brookshire added that through times electrical engineering, sometimes her professors also gave her tips on knowledge he had gained from Mercer’s advise a client about an issued patent, projects like his senior design project mechanical engineering, and some- long-term career planning, like telling program. Morgan was so successful in Nixon said he has to familiarize himself in which he and team members built a times civil engineering. Thanks to her to take advantage of her 401k. his co-op that by the time he reached with the technological field to which video camera sensor for an Mercer’s program, I have a broad base “When a professor gives tips on his senior year, he was supporting the the application or patent relates and autonomous car, he learned early that of knowledge in each of these areas.” career planning, that shows he really emergency diesel generator system on then develop an understanding of why, what one design team does affects Angela Sullivan Grant, a senior cares about the student’s overall well- his own. This also proved a good inroad or whether, the subject matter of the to the company. Morgan has worked particular application or patent quali- with Georgia Power since he graduated. fies as a novel improvement over what His job is to oversee transmission has been done before. line and substation construction for the “You are constantly learning how Alumni... Commemorate Your Time at Mercer. North Atlanta area, the Hartsfield things work and how to recognize and Jackson International Airport expan- appreciate why other things work bet- Mercer University is in the process of designing and building a brick- sion, and the relocation of transmission ter. You are always challenged,” he lined plaza that compliments the new University Center. Alumni, students, facilities for the Georgia Department of said of his work. parents and friends of Mercer have the unique opportunity Transportation and county projects The Atlanta attorney said Mercer to preserve their memories by purchasing a brick that will statewide. Morgan said Mercer set him School of Engineering’s reputation has be a one-sentence tribute to your days at Mercer. up for success in his career. also bolstered his career. Your $100, tax-deductible gift secures a “When I graduated, I had already “People seem to recognize and personalized brick that can include your name, year applied theory to real-life problems, and value that I have an engineering degree of graduation, and even your primary student I had the skill set necessary for success,” from Mercer, especially in the Atlanta organization, such as a fraternity, sorority, BSU or he said. “Mercer School of Engineering area,” Nixon said. “Such recognition is SGA — up to three lines on the face of the brick. gave me a road map that I could use important for my job, where develop- As part of this offer, Mercer University will send a when presented with problems.” ing clients and earning their confi- written acknowledgment of your gift, including the Coby Nixon, a 1998 engineering dence is a major aspect.” wording as it will appear on the brick.

YES, I want to participate in this unique opportunity! Alumni Student Recruitment Referral Your Name Class Year If you know an outstanding prospective student, please complete and mail this Address Phone form to Mercer’s Office of University Admissions, 1400 Coleman Ave., Macon, GA 31207. You may also call in your submission at (800) 840-8577 or e-mail City/State/Zip us at [email protected]. Please print your name as you would like it to appear on the brick. One character (including letters, spaces, punctuation marks, etc. — Greek letters may be used) per block and a maximum of 14 characters per line. Your Name ______Student Name ______Line 1 IIIIIIIIIIIIII Hometown ______Line 2 IIIIIIIIIIIIII High School ______Line 3 IIIIIIIIIIIIII Year of graduation ______SAT/ACT ______GPA ______Activities ______Abbreviations for Colleges & Schools CAS College of Arts and Sciences EDU College of Education NUR College of Nursing ______CCPS College of Continuing and ENG School of Engineering PHA Southern School of Pharmacy Home telephone number ______Professional Studies LAW School of Law THEO McAfee School of Theology CLA College of Liberal Arts MD School of Medicine TIFT Tift College Address ______BUS School of Business & Economics ______Please return this form with your check, payable to Mercer University, to The Office of Alumni Services, 1400 Coleman Ave., Macon, Georgia 31207. Questions? Please call Kristi Dobbins at (800) 837-2911 for more information. E-mail address ______

16 THE M ERCERIAN / SUMMER 2005

TIFT COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Scholarships Enable Students to Pursue Dreams By Jenny Butkus

hen Sanjuana Carrillo and Miguel ences in the field have wet their appetites for what is to come. Garcia moved to the United States Carrillo had the opportunity to from Mexico as third graders, they did work with a fourth-grade student W from Mexico at Vineville. She said the not speak any English. They recall feeling teachers knew the student was having confused and scared as children in a foreign country where difficulty with his schoolwork, but they thought it was because he did people were talking in a language they didn’t understand. not know how to speak English. Carrillo discovered the boy did not They also recall the kind teachers who arship from the The Goizueta know how to read or write in helped them learn to speak English Foundation, and the two came to Spanish, either, and she was able to and learn to read. They remember Mercer in fall of 2003. alert the teachers to his needs. with fondness the teachers who took Carrillo said words can hardly “It was really rewarding working extra time to serve as their mentors express her gratitude to The Goizueta with that student,” she said. “I have a and support them as they acclimated Foundation for enabling her to attend real heart for kids who do not know Sanjuana Carrillo and Miguel Garcia were the first in their families to graduate from college to the United States and began to think Mercer. English.” when they graduated from Mercer’s Tift College of Education in May. They graduated with the about going to college. “Without The Goizueta Foundation, Garcia said he also has found assistance of scholarships from The Goizueta Foundation. They were so inspired by their attending a private college would not being in the classroom rewarding, teachers that the two decided that they have been an option,” the early child- and he feels like he is already making through the Ronald McNair Post Creek School in Dalton, said. “She wants wanted to become teachers so that hood education major said. “The a difference. Baccalaureate Achievement Program at to succeed, so she can give back to the they could help Hispanic/Latino stu- tuition at Mercer is as much as my “One of the high school students I the University of Tennessee Knoxville, community. She truly believes that it is dents who do not speak English as parents make in a year.” was working with in the fall came up and she really enjoyed it. She will be possible to do well and to do good.” The two students have thrived at to me on my last day and said, entering a master’s program in the fall, Finn, who shares Carrillo’s interest “Miguel will be such a good Mercer. Garcia joined the Pi Kappa Phi ‘Meeting you has made me have a dif- and she hopes to further research in helping Hispanic/Latino students, is role model for young men in fraternity, worked in the fitness center ferent outlook on Hispanic people,’” ways to help Hispanic/Latino students completing her dissertation on “Literacy his future classes as well as and was active in intramural sports, he recalled. be academically successful. Practices of Academically Successful while also serving as a referee for a His academic advisor at Mercer, Angela Finn was a student teacher Mexican-Origin Girls.” an inspiration to all students volunteer soccer league. Carrillo joined Carolyn Garvin, said she is “There is so much still to in his future classes.” the Educators in Action club, was a confident Garcia will succeed. “The characteristics that have always be learned about creating an member of the Kappa Delta Epsilon “Miguel will be such a stood out with Sanjuana are her eagerness to academic environment in their first language to succeed in honor society, volunteered with the Girl good role model for young which Hispanic students can school. Both students fulfilled that Scouts of Middle Georgia and worked men in his classes as well as learn and her sense of civic responsibility.” succeed, and I am sure that dream and graduated from Mercer’s as a teller at Wachovia Bank. an inspiration to all students,” Sanjuana will contribute to Tift College of Education in May. They said they have enjoyed the she said. “His positive attitude, his perse- at the elementary school Carrillo the body of research and to the prac- But their path to college was not personal attention they have had from verance, his commitment to a task and attended in the third grade. Finn tice of teaching,” she said. an easy one. In their families, college their professors at Mercer, and they his spirit of cooperation all add up to a helped Carrillo learn to read, and she Both Carrillo and Garcia said they was not a typical topic of conversation, value the lasting friendships they have person who will make a difference in the has kept in touch with the student look forward to helping fellow Hispanic/ as their parents were not college grad- developed with their classmates. lives of the students he will teach.” throughout the years. Latino-American students succeed. uates. With their parents working in Carrillo did her student teaching at Garcia hopes to teach high school “The characteristics that have always “I really want to let students know the carpet factories in the North Vineville Academy with a fourth grade Spanish in the Macon or Dalton area. stood out with Sanjuana are her eager- that higher education is possible Georgia town of Dalton, finding money class; Garcia recently completed his Carrillo is planning to earn a Ph.D. ness to learn and her sense of civic regardless of their situation,” said to attend college was also an issue. professional practicum at Southwest Last summer, she researched writing responsibility,” Finn, an Early Garcia. “What better way to get to But the two students were deter- High School. They said their experi- samples of Hispanic/Latino students Intervention Program teacher at Park them than teaching.” mined to go to college. “I remember one summer I was helping at the factory, and I was helping dye the carpet,” Garcia said. “I went to Kelley Leads Florida School in Innovative Education By Andy Peters the break room and looked in the mir- ror and I was covered in dye. It was all ituated on the Atlantic ow a physician during his or her Beach High School, which Kelley said Kelley, who was involved with the over my hands and clothes. Then, a man coast about 15 miles rounds at a hospital. Or, if a student is is “almost unheard of” for a high Upward Bound program at Mercer, walked by in a suit, and I thought to interested in another field of health school, is the alumni program. Last said she learned numerous lessons at myself, ‘That’s going to be me one day.” S south of Daytona, the care, from nursing to medical technol- year the alumni association provided Mercer that she still applies in her Garcia began his college career at small city of New Smyrna ogy, shadowing opportunities are avail- 32 college scholarships for students, work today. Specifically, Kelley cited Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College able there as well. New Smyrna Beach mostly lower-income students, worth Papa Joe Hendricks, AB ’55, as one of Beach, Fla., with a population on a scholarship through the migrant students with an interest in her biggest influences. assistance program. Carrillo began her of about 20,000, might not entering the field of culi- “I learned that you could make a difference, that “I learned that you career at Dalton State College with the seem to be a place where some nary arts also have shad- you had some obligation to care about people who could make a difference, assistance of the HOPE scholarship. owing opportunities. that you had some obliga- of the nation’s most innovative were less fortunate than you were.” Then Garcia learned about The The high school’s med- tion to care about people Goizueta Foundation scholarship at ideas in education are being ical academy and culinary academy about $1,600 per year. who were less fortunate than you Mercer. “I knew Mercer had a presti- implemented. are just two of the small learning com- Combined with the academies and were,” she said. gious reputation, and that this was a munities developed in New Smyrna with the school’s test-score perform- Kelley said she and her husband, great opportunity, so I applied for the But because of the leadership of Beach that helped the school recently ance, New Smyrna Beach has racked Arden W., Kelley, CLA ’67, were richly scholarship,” he said. Dr. Carol W. Kelley, CLA ’68, New win a $450,000 grant from the Smaller up some awards in recent years, rewarded with their Mercer education. After he received the scholarship, Smyrna Beach High School students Learning Communities program of the including the National Blue Ribbon “We learned a lot about leadership he told his friend Carrillo that she benefit from a bevy of rewarding aca- U.S. Department of Education. School citation and in 2001, Kelly was and a lot about giving back,” she said. should apply for it as well. The two demic and career-oriented programs. “This practical experience has named Secondary Principal of the Year “I don’t think that’s a lesson that can be had known each other since middle New Smyrna Beach students inter- been great for kids,” Kelley said. the Commissioner of the Florida measured by money. I got far more than school. She was also awarded a schol- ested in becoming a doctor can shad- Another facet of New Smyrna Department of Education. I paid for when I went to Mercer.”

THE M ERCERIAN / SUMMER 2005 17

TIFT COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Alex II Magnet School Offers Unique Field Experiences

By Jenny Butkus These experiences have been in,” she said. “If they are hyper, he has public school classrooms of today, found at Alexander II Magnet School them dance. If they are quiet, he sits our students clearly learn to value the he holistic child major at Mercer’s Tift College in Macon. Through a partnership them down and talks with them about individual and authentic worth of the of Education is unique in that when students between Mercer and the elementary the sport they are going to play. He is young child through the inclusive lens school, holistic child majors are able really sensitive to the students’ of all of the experiences they graduate they have both P-5 certification to rotate among a wide variety of personal needs.” encounter in this program.” T teachers with various specialties. During another rotation, Nather Carolyn Garvin, director of field and special education certification. This dual Rather than the traditional field had the opportunity to observe placement/certification and assistant certification equips graduates to meet the varied needs of experience of shadowing and assisting Leolene Tate, the EIP teacher at the professor of education, said Mercer one teacher in a one classroom, school. Tate goes into general has long had an informal partnership today’s diverse learners. To prepare these students for both Mercer students assigned to Alexander education classrooms to help students with Alexander II, but this year Mercer areas of education requires the College of Education to provide II watch and assist an Early Interven- who may be struggling with specific and Alexander II entered a formal tion Program (EIP) teacher, a science skills. Nather explained that she partnership. In addition to allowing them with unique and diverse field experiences. lab teacher, a math lab teacher, a enjoyed watching Tate work with 17 holistic child majors to do their speech-language pathol- students and observing the various fieldwork at the magnet school at the ogist, a gifted teacher techniques she uses to help the same time, Alexander II’s principal has and a physical educa- students grasp the material. The 21- partnered with Mercer to allow for tion teacher. year-old student wants to work with faculty exchanges in which an Alex II Mercer junior special needs children after she teacher comes to Mercer and teaches Nicole Nather recently graduates. She said several of her a workshop while a Mercer professor observed the Alexander fellow classmates have also II physical education really enjoyed watching the “Our students clearly learn to value teacher. “I learned a lot speech-language pathologist the individual and authentic worth about classroom because they are interested in of the young child through the management,” said the taking their careers in that Fayetteville resident, direction after graduation. inclusive lens of all of the experiences adding that she enjoyed “Rotating between various they encounter in this program.” seeing Coach Jim Mills teachers at Alex II has interact with the allowed us to see the different goes to the elementary school and students. possibilities for our major,” Nather teaches a class. “When the students said. “It also has given us insight into “Through the faculty exchanges, enter the gym, he plays the school community. It’s been really we’ve been able to get the expertise of soundtracks from cool to see the different parts of the people who are out in the field,” popular movies. He school and how they work together. It Garvin said. “This also gives us a cadre then checks to see what takes so many people to make a of teachers in the field who can give us Mercer junior Nicole Nather goes over a journal assignment with Alexander II student Elysicia Whitehead. kind of mood they’re great school.” feedback on how we can improve our Erin Thompson, a junior holistic programs.” child education major, said she has Alexander II Principal Rochelle particularly enjoyed her time Sims believes having the students Tift College of Education Now Offering observing and assisting teachers in the observe various teachers throughout math and science labs at Alexander II, her school is important because it Dual Certification Program at Centers which is the science and math magnet will allow them to work better as a school for Bibb County. team player once they enter a school By Rachel H.Garza Smyrna Beach students with an years, including the National Blue “I’ve been able to see some great full-time. interest in entering the field of culinary Ribbon School citation and in activities in the math and science labs “It increases collegiality,” she said. he Tift College of arts also have shadowing 2001, Kelly was named Secondary at Alex II that I can’t wait to use in my The principal added that having the Education of Mercer opportunities. Principal of the Year the own classroom,” she said. “I had Mercer students at the school brings is now offering its The high school’s medical Commissioner of the Florida never had an experience in a magnet an extra dimension to the classroom. T academy and culinary academy are Department of Education. school before, and I did not know “We always believe that two heads are innovative Early Childhood/ just two of the small learning Kelley, who was involved with the much about them. Alex II has provided better than one,” she said. “The Special Education General communities developed in New Upward Bound program at Mercer, me with a wonderful opportunity to Mercer students bring fresh, new Curriculum dual teacher Smyrna Beach that helped the school said she learned numerous lessons at learn more about these type of ideas. This is a pretty energetic school, recently win a $450,000 grant from Mercer that she still applies in her schools.” but when you bring in 17 young certification program at the Smaller Learning Communities work today. Specifically, Kelley cited Margaret Morris, associate people, it brings the energy to the Mercer’s Regional Academic program of the U.S. Department of Papa Joe Hendricks, AB ’55, as one of professor of early childhood education next level.” Centers. Education. her biggest influences. and chair of the teacher education Mercer also has partnerships “This practical experience has “I learned that you could make a programs in Macon, including the with Burke Elementary School, But because of the leadership of Dr. been great for kids,” Kelley said. difference, that you had some Holistic Child Program, said Alexander Skyview Elementary School, and the Carol W. Kelley, CLA ’68, New Smyrna Another facet of New Smyrna obligation to care about people who II has been an important avenue for Butler Early Childhood Center, where Beach High School students benefit Beach High School, which Kelley said were less fortunate than you were,” students to experience teaching and holistic child majors have benefited from a bevy of rewarding academic is “almost unheard of” for a high she said. learning in various settings. from field experiences. Morris and career-oriented programs. school, is the alumni program. Last Kelley said she and her husband, “When we use the term ‘holistic,’ summarizes the spirit of the New Smyrna Beach students year the alumni associated provided Arden W., Kelley, CLA ’67, were richly that is exactly the focus of everything partnerships that have been interested in becoming a doctor can 32 college scholarships for students, rewarded with their Mercer education. these students experience,” Morris established by adding, “The mission shadow a physician during his or her mostly lower-income students, worth “We learned a lot about leadership said. “Whether this includes of Mercer University is to reflect an rounds at a hospital. Or, if a student is about $1,600 per year. and a lot about giving back,” she said. observing children from the physical, ‘engaged community of learners.’ interested in another field of health Combined with the academies and “I don’t think that’s a lesson that can emotional, cognitive and social Tift College of Education takes care, from nursing to medical with the school’s test-score be measured by money. I got far characteristics of development or seriously this challenge by extending technology, shadowing opportunities performance, New Smyrna Beach has more than I paid for when I went to evaluating the perspectives of the the Mercer community to embrace the are available there as well. New racked up some awards in recent Mercer University.” diverse populations inhabiting the community of public schools.”

18 THE M ERCERIAN / SUMMER 2005

TIFT COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Master’s in Ed. Leadership Program Off to a Great Start

By Jenny Butkus candidates heard presentations from Dr. School in the Fayette County School practices across the region and country enrolled in educational leadership Beth P. Reynolds, program coordinator System, knows the value of a Mercer and made sure the curriculum met the programs at other institutions and their aculty and candidates for Georgia’s Leadership Institute for program. She earned her initial standards of the Georgia Professional programs have not measured up to agree that the first School Improvement, and Harvey certification, her master’s in education Standards Commission and the National Mercer’s. Franklin, assistant superintendent of degree and her specialist degree at Council for the Accreditation of Teacher “When I told them that Mercer’s semester of the new F curriculum and instruction for Walton Mercer’s Tift College of Education in Education. In fact, the program is based program is based on the latest national Master’s in Educational County Schools. The Leadership Atlanta. She is now standards and that we each Leadership Program was a Academy also allowed them to ask acquiring “add-on” “The leadership program is rigorous, but relevant. have a mentor that we questions of panel members Linda certification through shadow throughout the We want to equip leaders with the necessary knowledge tremendous success. The Daniels, director of special projects and Mercer’s Educational program, they have said, program, which is designed for former principal in Gwinnett County; Leadership Program and related skills to impact and transform education.” ‘That would be really in-service teachers looking to Ronald T. Trussel, principal of Creek at the Henry County nice,’” she said. View Elementary in Fulton County; and Regional Academic Center. on the most current national standards Martin Wright, a fifth-grade teacher move into administrative roles, Dwala Nobles, principal of Duchtown “Having already been through three in educational leadership –– those of at Hampton Elementary School in the began in January on the Macon High School in Henry County. Mercer programs, I knew this program the Education Leadership Constituent Henry County School System and a When asked to write feedback on was going to be top-notch,” she said. “It Consortium. candidate in the Educational Leadership and Atlanta campuses and at the first Academy, students seemed to has exceeded my expectations.” Mercer’s Educational Leadership Program, said having classes two the Regional Academic Center really value the information gleaned Much research was put into the Program blends theory with practice by evenings a week has been conducive to in Henry County. from the workshop. The evaluations creation of this Mercer’s Educational requiring all leadership candidates to his busy schedule. But more from the students included comments Leadership Program. The Tift College of participate in internships each semester, importantly, he said is the depth of Forty candidates are enrolled in the such as “Powerful commitment - and Education faculty who designed the giving them hands-on experience in information he has already learned. first cohort, with a new cohort great accomplishment!”; “Thanks for program consulted with many local dealing with current issues faced by “The assignments have been beginning this fall. Dr. Penny Elkins, ‘empowering’ us to go out and school system leaders to get educational leaders. extremely meaningful and practical,” he chair of the new program, said she is ‘empower’ others.”; and “I thought the feedback on how they could Scott-Simmons said she said. “We aren’t just learning theory.” particularly pleased with the highly diversity of presenters was awesome. best prepare candidates knows teachers who Elkins said students will have many qualified educational leadership Each one provided valuable information for the challenges of tangible documents and artifacts that candidates in the program. The from many perspectives.” today’s schools. Faculty will assist them as they participate in candidates represent a diverse array of Wynetta Scott-Simmons said hearing researched best interviews after completing the program. disciplines and school districts. Twelve the different perspectives of the three “At Mercer University, we are school districts are represented in the principals who were each at a absolutely committed to quality,” she Mercer program, including Houston, different level in their different said. “That means that the leadership Bibb, Barrow, Clayton, DeKalb, Fulton, counties at the Leadership program is rigorous, but relevant. Gwinnett and Spalding counties. Academy was priceless. The We want to equip leaders with the One of the special elements of the candidates will have the necessary knowledge and graduate program is the Leadership opportunity to participate in related skills to impact and Academy that provides opportunities for five more Leadership transform education.” the students to hear from top Academies during the two- educational leaders from across the year program. Wynetta Scott-Simmons, second from left, is enrolled in the master’s in educational leadership state. The first Leadership Academy, Scott-Simmons, a reading program at the Henry County Regional Academic which was held March 12, brought specialist at Hood Avenue Center. She works as a reading specialist at Hood together the candidates from all three Primary School and Avenue Primary School and Fayetteville Intermediate locations. Educational leadership Fayetteville Intermediate School in the Fayette County School System.

Mercer Students Mentor Virtual Science Fair Participants By Jenny Butkus

everal years ago the annual process as they prepared for the primary language, but this did not could maintain the most stable According to Spaid, the 6th, 7th and science fair at the American competition. This pilot project was so impede the learning of the Mercer and trajectory while also achieving the 8th grade students seemed to really International School in Israel successful that Fleischer was awarded a AIS-I students. greatest in-flight distance. He found enjoy the interaction with the American (AIS-I) was eliminated due $25,000 seed grant from the U.S. State “Through this project, we’re really many “teachable” moments as an e- mentors. He thinks they probably even Sto the logistics of storing the traditional Department to expand this new virtual breaking down borders,” Spaid said. mentor, including helping the students worked a little harder in an effort to tri-fold cardboard displays and finding science fair to include 10 international “Essentially, the distinctions between stay on task and encouraging them to please their e-mentors overseas. qualified judges. This year, the school’s schools in the Near East and South Asia cultures disappeared. We learned that limit their variables rather than Fleischer agreed. science fair is back, but with a twist. (NESA) region in 2006 and then branching off in other directions “The initial success of the NESA AIS-I middle school science teacher Dr. to include 11 countries in 2007. “Through this project, we’re really during the experiment. Virtual Science Fair rode on the Stuart Fleischer re-introduced the Spaid, an assistant professor of breaking down borders. Essentially, the “I enjoyed learning the participation of Dr. Spaid and his science fair back into the curriculum secondary and science education similarities that children from students,” Fleischer said. “Their distinctions between cultures disappeared. by developing a virtual science fair in at Mercer, will be the principal around the globe share with invaluable contributions as mentors in which students’ projects are displayed investigator for the project. He We learned that science really is a students I have taught right here science increased tenfold the final and judged online using digital images will investigate how this concept universal language of inquiry.” in Macon,” the May 2005 product produced by our middle and streaming video with Blackboard of a virtual science fair and e- graduate from Cedartown said. school science students. No single interactive software. mentors affects the learning of the science really is a universal language “I learned that all children have a science teacher could have ever guided Twenty-eight Mercer Tift College of college and middle school students of inquiry.” propensity to wonder and are innately his or her class to the level of Education students in Dr. Randy Spaid’s involved. Dennis Drummond, an early curious. If we as educators can exploration and research without the “Science Education Methods” course Spaid thinks this e-science fair childhood education major in Spaid’s somehow tap into that curiosity, I think help of Dr. Spaid.” served as e-mentors to the virtual project has positively affected both the scientific education methods course, we would be amazed at the increased The students who placed 3rd, 5th science fair participants. Their role in Mercer students and the AIS-I students mentored a group of three students in a motivation the students would show in and 6th in the virtual science fair this innovative pilot project was to assist involved. The majority of the students at project in which they were trying to discovering the answers to their own were mentored by Mercer students students throughout the scientific AIS-I do not speak English as their determine which paper airplane design questions rather than someone else’s.” and Dr. Spaid.

THE M ERCERIAN / SUMMER 2004 19

CLASS NOTES

MERCER ALUMNI N EWS

ACHIEVEMENTS 1976 1989 Future of Shopping, for Philips MARRIAGES & Anne Broughton Kerr, BA, of Neil Stevens, BS, of Alpharetta, has Design. Over the last year, Regienczuk 1964 Lakeland, Fla., was selected as the 17th been named Georgia area executive at has taken on managing design services BIRTHS , AB, M.Ed. ’68, of John N. Hayes president of Florida Southern College. Iron Stone Bank, assuming overall provided to Philips’ Medical Systems 1993 Summerville, received a doctor of min- management responsibility for retail, and Lighting divisions and Corporate 1978 Crystal Meadows Hughes, BA, istry degree from Covington Theological mortgage, business and commercial Marketing in North America. He also William Keith Baker, BA, and his BM, and her husband, Doug, announce Seminary in July 2004. Hayes was banking. has two patents pending. wife, Evelyn, purchased The Trailhead the birth of their daughter, Tori Dawn, ordained at Trion First Baptist Church Reggie Lewis, BS, of Union City, (www.TheTrailHeadCO.com), a spe- 1992 on Sept. 13, 2004. The family resides in Nov. 7, 2004, and is pastor of Silner Hill was named Mr. United American cialty outdoor retail business in Buena Marci L. Bozeman, BA, of Decatur, Milledgeville. Baptist Church of Summerville. 2004-05. Vista, Colo., in May 2004. was named associate campaign direc- Michael E. Lake, BS, and his 1965 Rozine Britt Bickel, TIFT BSED tor at Coxe Curry & Associates, Atlanta’s 1998 wife, Susan, announce the birth of Tom Oliver, AB, of Chestnut Mountain, ’74, M.Ed. ’78, retired in March 2004 oldest fund-raising consulting firm. Allen T. Waldrop, BA, of Winston, has their son, Patrick Russell, on Nov. 18, was elected chairman of the Hall after teaching for 30 years at Crawford been appointed as chaplain to the 2004. The family resides in Atlanta. 1993 County Board of Commissioners in July County Elementary School. She remar- Department of Homeland Security for Tom McKlin, BA, of Decatur, received 1994 2004. He will serve a four-year term. ried Don Bickel on Aug. 20, 2003. Georgia by Gov. Sonny Purdue. A his Ph.D. in instructional technology Douglas Maddox, BA, and his wife, Toni Vissage Sweeney, AB, of ceremony was held Feb. 17 at the 1981 from Georgia State University. Cathy, announce the birth of their first Laguna Woods, Calif., has published her State Capital. William D. Blosch, BA, received his child, Elizabeth Ann, on Oct. 19, 2004. fifth book, The Rose and the Dragon. 1995 doctor of ministry degree from New They in Warm Springs, where Douglas “Dark Lover,” a piece written while she Heather Warren Kleinmeulman, Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary 1999 is a fourth and fifth grade EIP teacher at was a student at Mercer, will be includ- BA, of Dublin, graduated Dec. 11, Dec. 18, 2004. He is serving as senior Keta Jones Barnes, BA, of Knoxville, George E. Washington Elementary and ed in the anthology Vintage Wine. 2004, from Georgia College and State pastor of First Baptist Church of has joined the Litigation Practice Area was selected the 2004 Teacher of the University with a master’s degree in 1968 Plantation, Fla. at Bass, Berry & Sims PLC in the law Year for Meriwether County Schools. interrelated special education. , BA, of Leesburg, Edward L. Everett John T. Forrester, BA, is serving firm’s Nashville, downtown office. 1995 recently won his fifth Georgia Senior 1996 as a church starter strategist mission- Todd M. Eldridge, BSE, was suc- Ralph B. Smith, BA, married Open title, bringing his Georgia PGA , BA, of Gainesville, ary with the North American Mission Nora L. Kilroy cessfully licensed as a professional Vanessa Etheridge Smith, PHMD senior victories total to 12. Board of the Southern Baptist Fla., was recently hired as assistant engineer in the State of Georgia. He ’03, on Sept. 25, 2004. The couple dean of students/director for off-cam- 1971 Convention in Kotzebue, Alaska. received the project manager of the resides in Alpharetta where Ralph is a pus life at the University of Florida. year at Prime Engineering, Inc. Andrew Perry, BA, of Mt. Pleasant, 1984 senior technical sales specialist with Tyler H. Simmons, MSE, recently S.C., is in independent practice in psy- David A. Weber, BA, of Marietta, pub- 1997 IBM and Vanessa is a clinical pharma- accepted a position at Kinetic Concepts chotherapy. He is married and has lished his first book, Sticks and Stones Brian S. Regienczuk, BA, of Atlanta, cy specialist at Kaiser Permanente. located in San Antonio, Texas, as sen- four daughters. Exposed: The Power of Our Words. co-authored a positioning paper, The Charles Tutt, BA, and his wife, ior product development engineer. Chandra Carter Tutt, BA ’90, Tyler recently was employed at Altea announce the birth of their son, Mercer, Piedmont Announce Partnership Therapeutics as research engineer. Cameron Carter, Jan. 29. 2000 1997 iedmont Healthcare and ed to need 80,000 nurses by 2020 to tional faculty opportunities. Piedmont Thomas D. “Tommy” Meador, Jr., Tyrone A. Hill, BA, and Adrienne Mercer University have formed meet the state’s healthcare needs. and Mercer will share resources and BA, of Franklinton, La., received his Harris-Hill, BA ’98, announce the a partnership that will create a Current projections estimate there will costs, hold community activities to pro- P Masters of Divinity from New Orleans birth of their daughter, Tyra Ginia number of joint initiatives, including be only 48,000 nurses, 40 percent mote healthcare/nursing careers and Theological Seminary. He serves as pas- Christina, on Oct. 2, 2004. nursing, pharmacy, research and other below what will be needed. establish an annual nursing research tor at Bethel Baptist Church in Erik D. Varnadoe, BS, and his medical and allied health education “We are pleased about the opportu- conference. A Piedmont Scholars pro- Franklinton, La. wife, Lori, announce the birth of their programs as part of a Center for gram is being established to Darrell W. Tullis, BS, of Lompoc, daughter, Abigail Grace, on March 27. Health and Learning. attract highly qualified students Calif., is working as a radar technician The family resides in Gray. to enroll at Mercer to study While the partnership is not for InDyne Inc., a contractor on nursing and to receive clinical 1998 exclusive, both institutions have Vandenberg AFB. identified potential areas of col- experience at Piedmont. Dustin J. Heizer, BS, married laboration. Piedmont Healthcare aims to nity to work with Mercer. Healthcare Mercer also has partnership 2001 Jennifer Jenkins on June 21, 2003. enhance its teaching environment and continues to change and requires us to agreements with two other major Stephanie A. McClung, BA, of They currently reside in Atlanta. expand on-campus research that is find innovative solutions for the deliv- hospital systems: the Medical Center of Conyers, received her Masters of 1999 focused on outcomes and improved ery of care as well as patient out- Central Georgia in Macon and Education with a specialization in Glen Behrend, BSE, married Christi patient care. Piedmont also seeks comes,” said R. Timothy Stack, presi- Memorial Health University Medical social work from New Orleans Sizemore Jan. 15. The couple resides increased access to students and poten- dent and CEO of Piedmont Healthcare. Center in Savannah. The two medical Baptist Theological Seminary in in Atlanta. tial employees in nursing, pharmacy and “We want to attract and influence the centers are the teaching hospitals for Dec. 2004. Todd M. Eldridge, BSE, married other allied health fields. Long-term, number and quality of individuals the clinical education of Mercer Stacy D. Robinson, MBA, of Allison Williams on Nov. 26, 2004. Piedmont hopes to establish unique hos- entering healthcare and bolster interest medical students. Atlanta, accepted a position with They currently reside in Norcross. pital/university integrated programs. in the profession, which is why the Celebrating a century of health Medtronic as senior manager of Hai Nguyen, BA, married on May Mercer University seeks to establish nursing initiative is an ideal first step.” care service, Piedmont Healthcare is a human resources. 21. He will attend the Southern School a more vigorous research presence R. Kirby Godsey, president and CEO not-for-profit organization comprising 2002 of Pharmacy in the fall. and to deepen program offerings in of Mercer University said, “Piedmont three acute-care hospitals, outpatient Beatrice L. Holmes, BS, of Tyler H. Simmons, MSE, and his nursing and pharmacy. Mercer also has been one of Mercer’s educational clinics with a 460-member physician Ellenwood, is the 2005 Teacher of the wife, Rebecca, announce the birth of expects to broaden its medical residen- partners for almost 20 years. Our network and a 72-member primary Year for Roberta T. Smith Elementary their son, Garrett Edward Simmons, on cy program. In addition, Mercer aims pharmacy and nursing students have care physician group with 20 offices in Clayton County. She is also one of 29 Nov. 12, 2004. He joins sister Morgan. to broaden its non-clinical education gained invaluable clinical experiences throughout metro Atlanta. Piedmont educators selected from a pool of 68, The family resides in San Antonio, Texas. programs, such as chaplaincy, health at its hospitals. The new Center now Hospital, a 500-bed acute tertiary care the only one from her county, to 2000 management and health law. enables Mercer and Piedmont to facility located in the north Atlanta participate in the PAGE Teacher , MSE, One of the first initiatives under the broaden and enhance that strong foun- community of Buckhead, and Academy. Damon Eric Woodson married Jennifer Lynn Stoudt Aug. 14, Center for Health and Learning will be dational relationship through new ini- Piedmont Fayette Hospital, a 100-bed Jocelyn Z. Hunt, BS, of Macon, was 2004. The couple resides in Macon. a collaborative nursing partnership tiatives and partnerships so the health- acute care community hospital in recently awarded the American between Georgia Baptist College of care needs of Georgians can be better Fayetteville, are the only two Georgia Waterworks Association’s Meritorious 2001 Nursing of Mercer University and met for generations to come.” hospitals on the 2005 list of Solucient Operator Award, recognizing the best John P. Land, BSE, and his wife, Piedmont. This partnership will help The nursing partnership will include 100 Top HospitalsR. The health care water plant operator in the Georgia. Kelley, announce the birth of the recruit, educate and ultimately place efforts to increase the number of nurs- system also has the Piedmont Hunt was also promoted to assistant daughter, Samantha Carol Land, on more nurses at Piedmont and in the ing graduates, an enhanced nursing Mountainside Hospital, a 35-bed com- manager of the Macon Water Town Nov. 5, 2004. The family resides in community at large. Georgia is expect- clinical practice at Piedmont, and addi- munity hospital in Jasper. Creek Plant. Macon.

20 THE M ERCERIAN / SUMMER 2005 CLA CLASS NOTES

CLASS NOTES

MERCER ALUMNI N EWS

IN SYMPATHY 1949 1959 1972 1982 Robert L. McCommon, Jr., AB, of Walter Kenneth “Ken” Smith, AB, Alfred C. Lindstedt, of Mableton, Ronald F. “Buck” Alexander, BS, of 1930 Macon, died Feb. 15. of Cullman, Ala., died Feb. 19. died Dec. 24, 2004. Atlanta, died Jan. 1. Braswell E. Collins, AB, of Macon, Peter Massey, of Fayetteville, died 1950 1961 1983 died Oct. 25, 2004. July 8, 2004. George A. Horkan, Jr., AB, of Shirley Sanders Collier, of Lizella, John B. Wright, BA, of Waynesboro, Doris Greyson Wellborn, M.Ed., 1935 Valdosta, died Feb. 2. died Oct. 30, 2004. died May 25, 2004. of Macon, died Dec. 12, 2004. J. Carlton Warnock, BA, of Isaac F. Salter, AB, of Warner 1962 Soperton, died Feb. 4. Robins, died Jan. 7. 1973 John C. Spivey, AB, of Beaufort, S.C., 1985 Annie Shook Dyer, of Blairsville, 1937 1951 died Jan. 30. Beverly N. Tharpe Haines, BA, of died April 2, 2004. Allan R. Bloodworth, AB, of Fort Barney L. Garrett, III, AB, of St. Darien, died Dec. 31, 2004. 1966 Myers, Fla., died Jan. 3. Simons, died Jan. 2. 1975 Ann Benton Culpepper, M.Ed., of 1995 Isaac F. “Rastus” Salter, AB, of D. Timothy Estes, BA, of Warsaw, Ky., 1940 Warner Robins, died Nov. 16, 2004. Duane L. Pace, Jr., MSE, of Warner Robins, died Jan. 7. died Aug. 18, 2004. Frank H. Edwards, AB, of Atlanta, Alton W. Ellis, AB, of Dexter, died Monterey, Calif., died March 17, 2004. died Feb. 3. 1955 Nov. 9, 2004. 1979 1999 Sidney L. Hancock, BS, of Cairo, Ida Young Walker, M.Ed., of Macon, 1969 Fred C. Davison, HDLW, of Athens, Delois Ann Brown, BA, of Macon, died Jan. 6. died Nov. 9, 2004. Judith Force Wilbanks, BS, of St. died April 28, 2004. died Jan. 12. Roy C. Smith, AB, of Eatonton, Wesley Lee Wilson, of Gordon, Petersburg, Fla., died Dec. 20, 2003. died Jan. 6. died Dec. 2, 2004.

1944 1956 BRIGADIER GENERAL GEORGE J. WALKER, BA ’56, United States Army Lanier Beasley, AB, of Hawkinsville, Everett L. Waters, AB, of Mauldin, Retired, died April 11 at his home in Niceville, Fla. He was born Jan. 16, 1934, in Rome, died Nov. 13, 2004. died Nov. 6, 2004. Ga. General Walker had been a resident of Niceville, Fla., since 1998. William L. “Shep” Sheppard, BA, 1957 General Walker was a graduate of Mercer and received a master’s degree in political of Greensboro, died Dec. 29, 2004. Minton E. Williams, M.Ed., of science from Auburn University, Montgomery, Ala. Following his graduation from Mercer, Crowell W. Stewart, of Macon, Macon, died Feb. 17. he was commissioned a second lieutenant and entered active duty in November 1956. died Dec. 29, 2004. General Walker served six years in the Quartermaster Corps of the Army and the remain- 1958 1947 der of his active service in Military Intelligence. He served tours in France, Germany, Mildred Witherington Malaier, Walter E. Kirkland, AB, of Douglas, Korea and Vietnam as well as stateside assignments at Seneca Army Depot, Romulus, N.Y.; Fort Holabird, Md.; Fort M.Ed., of Pineview, died Feb. 23. died March 10. Leavenworth, Kan.; Fort Huachuca, Ariz.; Fort Hood, Texas; Washington, D.C.; and Fort McPherson, Ga.

UNIVERSITY NEWS B RIEFS Alumni Mentor Today’s Students By Nancy R. Fullbright hink back to being a new program and making sure they know Brown also pointed out that not only Eugene W. Stetson School of Business and Economics The Eugene W. Stetson School of Business and Economics will introduce a college graduate. Fresh- how to utilize it.” alumni can participate, but also parents new MBA for Physicians program on its Macon campus in January. Designed faced and full of optimism, Mike Crook, CLA ’69, a partner at of Mercer students are welcome. to equip physicians with the business knowledge they need for a successful T you may have found your dreams Proctor, Crook and Crowder, P.A. in “If parents are willing to serve in medical practice, classes will be held every other weekend on Friday and Saturday evenings. sidelined for a while when you realized Stuart, Fla., was one of the first Mercer this capacity, we would be happy to that landing that first job required not alumni to support the program. He said have them,” he said. “It only broadens Tift College of Education The Tift College of Education will introduce a new master’s program in only an esteemed degree, but also the career mentoring program is a win- our scope to have more people educational leadership in January. This program will be offered on the experience and networking skills. win for alumni. mentoring students.” Atlanta and Macon campuses and the Regional Academic Center in The Office of Career Services at “The program makes all kinds of If you are interested in registering, McDonugh and is designed for in-service teachers who want to become Mercer University is attempting to sense and is very sound,” he said. “I please visit the Career Services Web site school administrators. bridge that gap with an alumni encourage Mercer professors to use at www.mercer.edu/career, and click on School of Engineering mentoring program, made possible by this tool when they are assisting “Parents and Alumni.” Directions are The School of Engineering is ranked 12th nationally in the percentage of female undergraduates enrolled in engineering programs, according to the MonsterTrak, the largest job search students with finding internships.” provided for registering online. latest report of the Engineering Workforce Commission. At 30.6 percent, engine in the industry. Interested Mercer is 12.6 points above the national average of 18 percent in this area. Mercer alumni can register online to be Please complete the form, detach and mail to Mercer University. College of Liberal Arts partnered with Mercer students who The College of Liberal Arts American Chemical Society Student Affiliate have similar professional aspirations. Mercer University alumni, students and friends have chapter received an Outstanding Award for the second straight year. This is “The program is designed to allow an opportunity to proudly display their school loyalty by the highest award given to a student affiliate chapter by the national organization. alumni the opportunity to be accessible purchasing a Mercer University commemorative tag. to undergraduates who may be interest- Southern School of Pharmacy ed in the field the alumni are working If you would like to Henry Nettey became the University’s first graduate of the Southern School of receive a Mercer University in,” said Steve Brown, director of the Pharmacy’s Pharm.D./Ph.D. dual-degree program at commencement last commemorative tag, please May. The 43-year-old native of Accra, Ghana, works at the Centers for Disease Office of Career Services. “The alumni complete this form and return Control and Prevention in Atlanta, where he performs drug analysis on — often business owners and leaders counterfeit drugs obtained from third world nations. The Southern School of it to the Mercer University Pharmacy offers the dual degrees as a way to give students a chance to within their communities — can help Office of University Relations pursue careers in both the professional and research areas of pharmacy. It is students answer questions, provide at 1400 Coleman Avenue, the only one of its kind in the state. advice and develop a career network.” Macon, GA 31207, along with a $25 check made payable to Mercer University “Commemorative Tag.” The database is structured so School of Medicine Mercer will mail you a release form to take to your county tag office, which The School of Medicine was ranked among the top schools in the nation in alumni can indicate how they prefer to the annual “Best Graduate Schools” rankings released April 1 by U.S.News & will have your tag shipped from the Bibb County Tag Department. be contacted by the student, whether World Report. In the new category of Family Medicine, Mercer School of COMMEMORATIVE LICENSE TAG INFORMATION Medicine ranked 17th among the nation’s 126 accredited medical schools. through e-mail or by phone. The year- The School of Medicine is the only medical school in Georgia to be and-a-half old program currently has (Please Print) Name recognized in this category. U.S.News & World Report considers several 51 registered alumni. According to quality indicators, including reputation as determined by surveys of medical Address school deans and senior faculty; amount of research funding from the Brown, the greatest support has come National Institutes of Health; primary care rate; student selectivity; and from the College of Liberal rts alumni. City State Zip faculty/student ratios. “We wanted to have a diverse Phone cross-section of professions in the Walter F. George School of Law County in which vehicle is registered U.S. News & World Report, in its newest edition of "Best Graduate Schools," database, and I believe we have that,” ranked the Mercer Law School first in the nation in legal writing. Brown noted. “Now, the challenge is * Your local tag office may require additional fees for commemorative tags. making the students aware of the

SSBE CLASS NOTES THE M ERCERIAN / SUMMER 2005 21

ALUMNI INFO

MERCER ALUMNI N EWS

Calling all alumni home for ... Homecoming & Alumni Reunions ’06 February 10-11 Alumni and friends are invited to Homecoming 2006 featured events: • Friday, February 10 — Alumni Pre-game Reception followed by the Women’s Basketball game vs. Stetson, 5:15 p.m., and the Men’s Game vs. Stetson to immediately follow • Saturday, February 11 — Homecoming Parade, Alumni College, Cookout, Greek and other student organization reunions, Reunion Year Gatherings, and the Homecoming Dance (Tentative plans — subject to change) Look for more information late fall! But, mark your calendar now for the first Alumni Reunion on Mercer’s campus in seven years!

Have You Registered in Mercer’s New Alumni Online Directory? No? Well, why not?

This secure service is provided at no cost to you by the Mercer Alumni Association! You can... • search for other alumni • update your record • receive a permanent e-mail address • post and read class notes • receive e-mail about your Alma Mater How to Access the Online Community Visit www.mercer.edu, click on the Alumni Menu and choose the Directory link. This link takes you to the Alumni Online Community. There you can register by using your unique Mercer Alumni Identification Number. The six-digit number that you need to register for the online community is the last six digits of your Alumni Identification Number, located on the top of the address label on the back of this publication.

If you have any problems accessing or registering in the Alumni Online Directory, call Jennifer Joyner at 1-800-837- 2911, ext. 2131.

22 THE M ERCERIAN / SUMMER 2005 ENGINEERING, EDUCATION CLASS NOTES

CAMPUS IMPROVEMENT

Atlanta Campus Gets Extreme Makeover By Andy Peters

has a new saline water system At right, workers from ValleyCrest rom the swimming Landscape Development make instead of a chlorine one. pool to street signs, improvements to a sidewalk outside • Upgrading cracked, broken and the Davis Administration Building on F flood-prone sidewalks. Two new the Atlanta campus. Upgrades on the Mercer’s Atlanta sidewalks will also be Cecil B. Day Graduate and campus is in the midst of Professional Campus include new constructed. New benches will sidewalks, improved storm-drainage significant enhancements. be placed throughout campus. systems and additional landscaping The projects, which started in • Installing new directional signs and irrigation. Below left is the reno- for vehicles and pedestrians. vated swimming pool in the Sheffield December and are scheduled Center. Below right is the installation Current directional signs at all of new fiber-optic cables, and new to be finished in August, will campus entrances and within vehicle and pedestrian signs. The the campus are being replaced improvement projects started in give Mercer students, faculty December and are scheduled to be with larger, easier-to-read signs. completed by August. and staff a much more Pedestrian signs will include pleasant place to study campus maps at three different The campus improvements the integration of the Georgia Baptist Atlanta campus, a road will be locations. are part of the University’s capital Convention building into the Atlanta constructed to allow vehicular traffic. A and work. • Installing new lighting and improvement program. After the campus. Once Mercer takes possession new sidewalk and a staircase are also “This is really all about bringing emergency phones in strategic completion of the current projects, the in summer 2006 of the building, which planned, probably near the Southern the whole campus up to a uniform locations across campus, next scheduled improvement will be sits on a hill overlooking Mercer’s School of Pharmacy building. standard,” said Dr. Richard V. Swindle, including parking lots and along senior vice president – Atlanta. “Over sidewalks. the years, we have been constructing • Landscaping parts of the campus buildings and renovating spaces and that have not already received a so some of the campus has received professional landscape upgrade attention and other parts have not.” and installing an irrigation Among the projects are: system to preserve the quality of • Renovating the swimming pool current landscaping. in the Sheffield Student Center • Repairing the roof of the and building a new outdoor Monroe F. Swilley Jr. Library. deck next to the pool. The pool • Installing a fiber-optic ring around the campus, to create a redundant system for telephones and computer networks, in case the existing line is damaged or broken.

A National Leader can elicit change.” FROM THE OFFICE OF PLANNED AND ESTATE GIFTS — The Princeton Review partnered in Public Service with Campus Compact to develop Mercer Establishes Estate Planning Website — Continued from page 1 Colleges with a Conscience and choose the schools featured in the book. The Are you con- of attorney allows about the above examples. There is a al learning opportunities that strongly book’s editors also invited dozens of cerned about you either per- glossary of terms, a question and complement classroom instruction.” organizations with expertise in campus your legacy? Do manently or tem- answer page, a page just for essentials, Randy Harsh-barger has taught FYX community service and student you want to plan porarily transfer and much more. for the past four years, and his class engagement to nominate colleges for your estate, but to a named indi- Every month, the site is updated recently completed a project in which inclusion. Criteria included: the are not sure vidual, the ability with the latest tax changes and plan- they researched and memorialized college’s admissions practices and where to start? Claude Smith, to act on your Richard Spivey, ning strategies. We will also feature a individuals buried in the Macon’s scholarships rewarding community This spring, CLA ’74, LAW ’82, behalf to handle assistant vice story on a Donor who has made a Lynwood Cemetery, which dates back service; support for service-learning Mercer’s Office is special counsel matters concern- president for estate commitment to Mercer through a for planned and gifts and to the 1800s. The students wrote pro- programs, student activism, and student of Planned and estate gifts ing your financial development planned gift and the influence it makes files of individuals buried in this ceme- voice in school governance; and level of Estate Gifts estab- affairs as well as on the life of a student. tery, much of which was covered in social engagement of its student body. lished an Estate Planning website to your healthcare needs. While the website does not substi- brush, and created a book, which they Each institution in Colleges with a assist Mercer’s alumni and friends that Another ex-ample concerns the tute for good advice from your attor- shared with the community in honor Conscience has a two-page profile that will answer many, if not all, of your integration of charitable giving into ney and financial advisor, it should of those buried there. Mercer students provides detailed information about general questions about estate and gift your estate plan, which you may not open a world of information for you. are continuing to assist the community civic engagement and service-learning planning. We think in terms of a sim- ever have considered. Interestingly, you For more information, contact in clearing brush from the cemetery. programs on campus, in the classroom, ple will, and for some of us that may may have the ability to assist future Claude D. Smith, Jr. “We have an obligation to the com- and in the community, as well as advice be adequate. The problem, though, is Mercer students with scholarships you Special Counsel for Planned and munity around us,” said Harshbarger, for applicants. The book also includes a that approximately half of us do not establish either through lifetime income Estate Gifts, Mercer University an assistant professor of interdiscipli- section on researching colleges with have one at death. gifts such as a gift annuity or charitable Or nary studies at Mercer. “Our students service-learning programs and gaining Also, many of us do not understand remainder trust, or through your will, Richard C. Spivey are going to be leaders, and as lead- financial support for service. Profiles of that good estate planning can help us revocable living trust, or life insurance. Assistant Vice President for ers, they need to be active citizens in 15 students share perceptions and feed- while we are living. One example you By clicking on Mercer’s gift plan- Planned and Estate Gifts and the community. We must expose them back about their civic engagement activ- will see in the information provided ning website in the privacy of your Development to the realities around them so they ities, advice, and experience. concerns powers of attorney. A power home or office, you can learn more (800) 837-2911, (478) 301-2172

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