DigestDigest the faculty and staff newsletter Vol. 11, No. 15 www.ngcsu.edu/digest Dahlonega, GA 30597 March 31, 2003 Parents-Alumni Weekend features Fearon receives the dedication of Owen Hall Distinguished On April 5 at Professor Award 2 p.m. during Parents-Alumni On Dr. Frank Fearon’s 10th Weekend, the anniversary as a North Georgia John H. Owen faculty member, the associate Residence Hall, professor of physical therapy has the university’s been named the 2003 Distinguished newest student Professor. dwelling, will be “I was dedicated to the pleasantly former North surprised to Georgia presi- receive this dent of 22 years. award and am The building excited and project, under- The John H. Owen Residence Hall opened in August 2002. honored to have taken by the NGCSU Foundation, was completed and opened to students been selected,” Fearon said. fall semester 2002. Ground was broken for the building in November 2001, Frank Fearon less than a year earlier. The campus community watched last spring and “Like many summer as the construction steadily changed the North Georgia skyline. faculty, I do not try to do a good job for any award, but it is very reward- (Continued on page 3) ing to receive such a recognition. “My motivation is very much an performs at North Georgia internal drive to do well at whatever task I am given,” Fearon said. “I The award-winning trio Rascal Flatts will bring their contemporary style of enjoy the challenge of teaching, country music to North Georgia on April 4 at 8 p.m. in the Memorial Hall always striving to improve.” gymnasium. The group recently landed their first No. 1 song on the Billboard Country Singles Chart with “These Fearon also has a positive outlook Days,” from their platinum-selling on his duties beyond teaching. “I sophomore album titled “Melt.” would recommend that service be The trio was named the 2001 New seen as an opportunity to have fun. Vocal Group of the Year by the Even the Traffic Appeals Commit- Academy of Country Music. tee can be fun!” The event is sponsored by the Fearon unofficially came to Student Activities Board. NGCSU NGCSU in 1991 from Northeast faculty and staff may purchase Georgia Medical Center in tickets for $20 at the Hoag Student Gainesville as an “on loan” assis- Center Director’s Office. For more information, call student tant to North Georgia’s vice presi- Rascal Flatts consists of Jay DeMarcus, activities at x1643. dent for Academic Affairs. The Gary LeVox and Joe Don Rooney. (Continued on page 2)

Nix Series concert p. 2 NGCSU Wellness Expo p. 3 Maj. Gen. Perry Smith p. 4 Page 2 the Digest www.ngcsu.edu/digest the Digest Campus in Action Concert embraces roots of bluegrass

Dr. Marc J. Gilbert, history, was The nationally acclaimed group Chris Jones and the Night Drivers will selected to occupy one of the two bring the rich earthy tones of traditional bluegrass music to the Hoag places reserved for faculty members in Student Center Auditorium on April 8 at 7:30 p.m. the University System of Georgia’s new The concert, which is online course in Russian language free and open to the offered via Georgia Tech. Gilbert plans public, is sponsored by to use the program to be able to identify the Nix Living Heritage classroom resource materials in world Fine Arts Series at North history and explore materials in Russian Georgia. about Afghanistan. The group’s music takes Dr. Gerald Skelly, School of Business the simplicity of bluegrass and Government, published an article and flavors it with the titled “Developing and Delivering an story-telling nature of Undergraduate International Business country and the soulful Course Abroad: Observations and spirit of southern gospel. Experiences From the Land of Big Chris Jones and the Night Drivers are Kristin From sorrowful ballads to Ben” in the Fall 2002 issue of Journal Scott Benson, Casey Driessen, Chris Jones, Mickey Harris and Brad Meinerding. lively tunes, each of their of Business and Training Education. songs reflects the joys, trials and tribulations of the working class. Their music is inspired by early Dr. Elizabeth Combier, language and literature, presented the paper “Corpses masters of bluegrass, like Flatt & Scruggs and the Stanley Brothers. on the Golden-Age Stage” at the Jones’ rustic baritone overlays and vividly contrasts with the dynamic Association for Hispanic Classical harmonies of his band mates. In addition to lead vocals, Jones is a Theater conference in El Paso, Texas, songwriter and guitarist. His hard-driving band, the Night Drivers, consists March 7-9. She also presented a paper, of Kristin Scott Benson on the banjo, Mickey Harris on the upright bass, “Staging an Adaption at NGCSU,” at Casey Driessen on the fiddle and Brad Meinerding with backup vocals. the National Symposium on Theater in Academe held on March 13-15 at Distinguished Professor Award 2003 Washington & Lee University in (Continued from page 1) Lexington, Va. physical therapy program was being proposed at that time. In 1992 he Dr. Gordon E. McNeer, language and began teaching part-time in the newly established PT graduate program literature, delivered the paper “When and was lured to taking a full-time faculty position the following year. Tropes Become Traps, a Translator's Fearon is the coordinator of physical therapy’s admissions, chair of the Dilemma” in a session that he chaired department’s Curriculum Committee and Outcomes Assessment Commit- at the conference on “Tropology: Text tee and the CAPTE accreditation coordinator. He serves on his school’s and Context” held at Binghamton Promotion and Tenure Committee and the university’s Grievance Commit- University in New York on March 21. tee as well as multiple search committees. Fearon is presently vice presi- Also on March 21, McNeer's bilingual edition of “Jose Hierro's Libro de las dent of the Physical Therapy Association of Georgia and is also a commit- Alucinaciones” was presented at the tee member of Boy Scout Troop 111 in Cumming. Universidad Popular Jose Hierro in San He says what he enjoys most about his involvement at North Georgia is Sebastian de los Reyes, Spain. the process of teaching. “It is remarkably rewarding to see students be- come excited about learning,” he said. “This university truly values Dr. Grace Newsome, nursing, was excellence in teaching and its students.” elected as president of the Georgia Since 1971 the NGCSU Alumni Association annually selects a member League for Nursing at the annual of the faculty to receive the Distinguished Professor designation, and this conference in February. She will serve is the second year in a row that a graduate program professor has received as president until February 2005. the award. Dr. Barry Friedman, coordinator of the Masters of Public Newsome also had the article “Intersti- tial Cystitis” published in the February Administration Program was the 2002 Distinguished Professor recipient. issue of the Journal of the American Fearon will receive his award at the noon luncheon on April 5 in the Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Dining Hall during Parents-Alumni Weekend. March 31, 2003 the Digest www.ngcsu.edu/digest Page 3

North Georgia Jazz holds concert

“It don’t mean a thing…if it ain’t got that swing!” Duke Ellington’s popular theme will resound in the Hoag Student Center Auditorium on April 3 at 12:30 p.m. and April 4 at 7:30 p.m. as "North Georgia Jazz" hits the stage with a program of big band swing. The 15-piece jazz ensemble from North Georgia will perform a variety of classic tunes made popular by jazz artists such as Ellington and Glenn Miller, along with contemporary swing music and a patriotic tribute. The concert also includes Latin selections. The ensemble recently completed it’s first spring break tour to the Georgia coast. For more informa- Dr. Joe Chapman (l) directs the North Georgia Jazz band. tion, call 864-1423. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ North Georgia hosts Wellness Expo Parents-Alumni Weekend North Georgia will host a Wellness Expo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Continued from page 1) on April 3 in the Memorial Hall gymnasium. It will include free During the dedication ceremony, a health-related treatments including blood pressure checks, glucose plaque with the likenesses of Dr. John H. testing, nutrition information and eye vision screenings. Owen and his wife Margaret Owen will be Representatives from more than 20 health and wellness organi- unveiled in the residence hall’s commu- zations will be at the event, including the Dahlonega School of nity room. All faculty, staff and students Massage, Life Line Screening, Chestatee and Northside Hospitals, are invited to attend the ceremony. the Lumpkin County Health Department and Sheriff’s Department Also, planned for PA Weekend is a and Mountain Eye Clinic. speech by retired Army Gen. William J. NGCSU faculty and staff Livsey, NG ’52, at the 20th anniversary of giving out information the NGCSU Memorial Wall dedication, the ○○○○○○○○○○○ about their services include the 25th Annual Parents-Alumni golf Digest Student Counseling, tournament, the Distinguished Professor [email protected] Nursing, Physical Therapy, and Outstanding Student presentations NGCSU President: Health & Physical Educa- and Alumni Awards Banquet. Nathaniel Hansford tion Department, Library For more information, contact Alumni Director of University Relations: and Recreational Sports. Affairs at 864-1547. Annette Hannon Lee Editor/Writer: Joshua Preston Upcoming Events All free and open to the public Designer/Writer: Debbie Martin State Sen. Carol Jackson, D-Cleveland, and Dr. Elizabeth Plunkett- Photographers: Butimer, owner of Bowden Manufacturing, will participate in the next J. Preston, A. Lee “Forum on Female Leadership Across the Curriculum: Business and Government” at 12 p.m. on April 1 in Newton Oakes Center room The Digest is published biweekly, 019. except holidays, during fall and spring semesters and monthly during North Georgia’s 8th annual Honors Day Academic Conference will the summer semester by University feature student presentations and academic panels throughout the day on Relations. Submit material to the campus April 15. Faculty and staff are invited to attend. above e-mail address. The next scheduled publication date of the The National Shakespeare Players will perform Shakespeare’s “As Digest is April 14. Deadline for You Like It” on April 17 at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Hall gymnasium. The submissions is April 7. event is sponsored by the NGCSU Cultural Events Committee. March 31, 2003 the Digestwww.ngcsu.edu/digest Page 4

LESSONS ON WAR AND LEADERSHIP: Mrs. Faye Clegg Hoag(l), the widow of Merritt E. Hoag, and her son George CAREER SOLDIER COMES TO Clegg with wife Dale Clegg were among those who had books CAMPUS: Sgt. Maj. Byron Baron, the signed by retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Perry Smith, follow- new senior non-commissioned officer for ing his March 25 talk for the Merritt E. Hoag Lecture series. the ROTC program, spoke at a “change Smith, seen frequently on the CBS Early Show as the military of responsibility” ceremony on March analyst, is the author of “Rules & Tools for Leaders,” “A Hero 24. Baron will take the post from Sgt. Among Heroes – Jimmie Dyess and the 4th Marine Division” Maj. Matthew Shortencarrier, who is and other books. “This will be a war of enormous consequence retiring from the U.S. Army after 30 for world events in the next 20 to 30 years,” Smith predicted as years of service. Baron’s responsibilities he engaged his audience with his commentary on the War with will include training cadets in the Iraq. He responded to wide-ranging questions from students, officer-commissioning pre-camp pro- faculty and others among the approximately 200 attending the gram, the Ranger Challenge intercolle- lecture. Smith encouraged educators to “Get people involved in giate military team and the NCO Acad- real issues with real experiences as part of the educational emy, which prepares sophomore cadets process.” The next morning, he spoke with students in two for leadership positions. classes on campus before departing for New York and his television analyst duties.

COMMANDER’S CALL: The steady rainfall during the March 17 St. Patrick’s Day parade in Savannah forced the Golden Eagle Band com- mander, cadet Captain Dallas York (r), to make a decision whether or not the military band would perform. Maj. Chris Dare, the unit advisor and ROTC program executive officer, told the business management senior that it was the band’s call. Jack Dillard, in the background, did get the chance to play his festively decorated sousaphone that day in the parade.