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Spring 2008

Georgia Southern Magazine

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Your Gift. Our Promise.

A gift to your alma mater does make a difference.

It can change a student’s life, underwrite new research, construct a building and more.

In return for a gift, Our Promise is to ensure an outstanding education to students at a vibrant University – one where knowing your professor isn’t a luxury. It is the norm.

Your gift will make a difference. We Promise. the Foundation georgia southern university Foundation Inc. georgia spring 2008 volume 11 number 2 www.georgiasouthern.edu southern

18 Blueprint for the future DEPARTMENTS » 3 campus News As Georgia Southern prepares for an expected 25,000 Nursing doctorate • Meeting the teacher student enrollment within 12 years, campus planners shortage • Braz tours the world • COBA are laying cable, identifying sites for new structures, and reaccredited • Sales experience • Re-branding refurbishing the old. Meeting the needs of the future a company • CHHS’s award-winning Web site • Teachers from England visit • Eagle Executive scholars is paramount in their thinking. Society

10 research news Georgia Southern’s herpetology collection 14 coming home » is a heavily used resource Senior Aaron Eubanks successfully juggles his roles as father, student and starting pitcher for Georgia 12 foundation news Southern’s baseball team. Willingway partnership • Gulfstream Aerospace gift • Backhoe donation beautifies campus • New 26 still wild after 10 great years endowments For a decade, the Wildlife Education Center and G S A. EUBANKS Lamar Q Ball, Jr. Raptor Center have brought a 14 sports scene deeper understanding of our surroundings, a Walter Payton Award winner • Blue-White Game • richer appreciation for creatures of the wild, and some good old Football study nears • Southern Booster parking fashioned fun, too. 30 chronicles 28 wild game supper Ace in the Hole • A passion for pottery • Happy Friends and alumni gather in Atlanta’s Railroad Depot to celebrate as a Blue Jay • Virtually ready • Royal Treatment - Georgia Southern’s successes and bright future. Remembering Jack Averitt A blueprint is more than a sketch. It is a carefully designed plan that represents the result of an idea.

In this same publication more than five years ago, Georgia Southern University presented a new Campus Master Plan that would position the institution to continue to grow and provide a clear outline for future expansion. The timing could not have been better.

As we quickly approach 17,000 students, the plan that was put in place back then has served us well. However, we are now setting a course for our next stage of growth. The University System of Georgia has set a goal for Georgia Southern University to plan Vol. 10, No. 2, SPRING 2008 for an enrollment increase to 25,000 students by the year 2020. What does this mean? How do we manage this increase? What does it mean for everyday life on campus? The EXECUTIVE EDITOR University has been working hard to answer all of those questions. Christian Flathman

EDITOR Our goal is for Georgia Southern University to not only grow, but to grow in the right David Thompson (’81) way. One of our main challenges is how to expand our infrastructure to meet the needs of 8,000 more students. WRITERS Loretta Brandon, Michelle Groover (‘05), Mark Holland (‘85), Reubin Hayslett (’09) As we move forward, we must continue to adjust the “blueprint” of our campus in order to meet the needs of future generations of students. We already see signs of this DESIGNERS growth as we expect another record-setting class of freshmen next fall. Ray Hoffman, Ryan Honeyman, Brian Ollison (’10) If you have not been to campus lately, get ready to be amazed. From the new Zach S. PHOTOGRAPHERS Henderson Library, more than doubling the size of the original facility, to the brand- Frank Fortune, Suzanne Oliver new residential complexes featuring the most desirable modern conveniences, we have Letters to the Editor put a great deal of effort into upgrading our facilities to make them some of the best any and other submissions university in the country has to offer. are encouraged. Send correspondence to As you read this issue, you will see a lot of familiar places, but I hope you are just as Georgia Southern Magazine P. O. Box 8055-01 excited about all of the new additions to campus. Go Eagles! Statesboro, GA 30460-8055 [email protected]

Class Chronicles and alumni updates may be sent to the Office of Alumni Relations P. O. Box 8053 Statesboro, GA 30460-8053 Bruce Grube [email protected] President

For Admissions information contact the Office of Admissions P. O. Box 8024 Statesboro, GA 30460-8024 [email protected]

Georgia Southern magazine is published three times a year for Alumni and Friends of Georgia Southern University by the Office of Marketing & Communications. Georgia Southern University is a member of the University System of Georgia and an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity institution Georgia Southern Magazine © 2008 Georgia Southern University

ISSN 1524-0975 »ON THE WEB: Get the latest news, features and schedules online at www.georgiasouthern.edu Nursing Doctorate comes online in Fall 2008

Georgia Southern will begin offering the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree next fall, one of only two such programs in the state. Approval for the degree came from the Board of Regents at its January meeting. The DNP, the University’s fifth doctorate program, will be offered online in addition to campus classes through the University’s School of Nursing. The University’s graduate nursing pro- grams have been ranked no. 11 in the country by U.S. News and World Report for the past three years. The Family Nurse Practitioner program, which provides the foundation for the DNP, is recognized as a model graduate program by the National Organization for Nurse Practitioner Fac- ulties. The new degree represents another step taken by Georgia Southern to address the statewide nursing shortage. “This is a major milestone not only for the School of Nursing and Georgia South- ern University, but for the profession with- in the state and region,” said Fred Whitt, dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences. “By delivering the program on- line, students will have access to one of the nation’s top nursing programs at any loca- tion with an Internet connection.” The DNP will prepare graduates to pro- vide the most advanced level of nursing care for individuals and communities, in- cluding direct care of individual patients, management of care for individuals and populations, administration of nursing SUZANNE OLIVER systems, and the development and imple- The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree represents another step by the university to address the state mentation of health policy. With addition- nursing shortage. al coursework in education, the DNP will also prepare graduates to serve as nurse Georgia Southern takes a leadership role facing shortages in nursing faculty and ad- educators in schools of nursing. in moving graduate nursing education to vanced nurse practitioners. The shortage has Interest in Georgia Southern’s DNP pro- a new standard,” said Jean Bartels, direc- a negative impact on nursing education and gram is already high, with more than 70 tor of the University’s School of Nursing. on the healthcare industry in general. prospective students on a waiting list for “Georgia faces an unprecedented and Since being classified a doctoral research admission. Prospective students include critical shortage of doctoral-prepared university by the Carnegie Foundation for nurses who currently hold a master’s de- nurses, and the approval of this new de- Teaching in 2006, the University has added gree and work as nurse executives, nurse gree program could not have come at a doctoral degrees in psychology (PsyD) and educators, nurse anesthetists, clinical better time.” public health (DrPH), and now in nursing nurse specialists and nurse practitioners. In addition to a general statewide and re- practice (DNP). Two doctor of education “With the approval of this program, gional shortage of nurses, universities are degrees (EdD) were first offered in 1995.

www.georgiasouthern.edu 3 campus news University program meeting teacher shortage

A recent University System of Georgia report demonstrates that Georgia South- ern is doing its part to achieve the goals set under a plan to double the number and diversity of teachers it prepares by 2010. “Georgia Southern is meeting its ‘dou- ble-double’ goal (double the number, dou- ble the diversity) through both traditional and non-traditional delivery of programs,” said Cindi Chance, dean of the College of Education. “Through classes offered on- campus, classes offered at off-campus sites such as Augusta, Savannah, and Bruns- wick, through on-line classes, our faculty has stepped up to meet the teacher prepa- ration needs of Georgia’s schools.” According to the Regents’ report, the number of new teachers prepared across the System has increased 21.1 percent since 2004. At Georgia Southern, the number of new teachers prepared rose from 237 in 2004-05 to 306 in 2005-06, an increase of FRANK FORTUNE 29 percent. The number of new minority teachers trained by the University rose by 66 percent in 2005-06. The Regents’ report indicates that the number of new minority teachers prepared prepared by the USG system remained in ships and school improvement initiatives. by the System since 2004 rose by 13.3 per- the public education workforce for at least In addition to partner schools, where clin- cent. At Georgia Southern, the number one year,” said Chance. “Keeping both new ical associates oversee field placement of of new minority teachers rose from 30 in teachers and experienced teachers in the pre-service teachers in nearly 60 schools, 2004-05 to 50 in 2005-2006, an increase of classroom has become an important part the College is home to the Georgia Center 66.6 percent. of our role as a college of education.” for Educational Renewal. The Center ad- “One important highlight of the Regents’ The College of Education reduces teach- dresses challenges encountered by leaders report is that 95.3 percent of all teachers er attrition through a variety of partner- and teachers across the U.S. and world.

COBA earns reaccreditation among top international business colleges

The College of Business Administration “We’re looking at being in that top five per- In a separate affirmation, the agency ac- (COBA) has received a glowing report cent that has this stamp of approval. credited the School of Accountancy. from its accrediting agency, the “We are given a set of minimum “Only about 160 of the 550 schools American Association of Col- standards and are expected to around the world have separate account- leges of Schools of Business In- adhere to those standards,” said ing accreditations,” Shiffler said. “Because ternational (AACSB), granting Shiffler. “We feel the major dif- accounting is such an important function renewed accreditation for un- ference in what we deliver versus of any business, there are very rigid stan- dergraduate and graduate pro- what some other schools deliver dards. This says that our accounting pro- grams in the College for a period is the quality of the faculty that is gram is in even rarer company.” of six years. put in front of the students.” AACSB found that the School’s programs “The AACSB has identified about Shiffler expressed his appreciation for “are on the cutting edge of developments in 10,000 schools and colleges of business all preceding deans and faculty on whose the field” and “improves students’ ability to around the world, and there are only about work today’s college is built. “It speaks to think critically about accounting-related 550 of those schools that are AACSB-ac- the rich history and tradition of those who issues and their ability to apply accounting credited,” said COBA Dean Ron Shiffler. came before me,” he said. concepts to real-world problems.”

4 georgia southern sPRING 2008 »ON THE WEB: Get the latest news, features and schedules online at www.georgiasouthern.edu World tour Braz starts sabbatical by teaching in Britain, then completes spring semester in Asia

After two decades of service in Georgia Southern’s Department of Music, Michael Braz decided to try a change of scenery. Braz spent the fall semester teach- To hear a BBC Radio interview with ing music at one of Georgia Southern’s Michael Braz, go to http://www.georgia- southern.edu/strategic/index.php?s=73. partner schools, St. Benedict’s Catholic School and Performing Arts College in Derby, England. “I met students from St. Benedict’s While he was there, two students from when they came to the U.S. last summer, Georgia Southern visited St. Benedict’s as and I was very impressed, so it was an easy part of the College of Education’s Inter- decision to choose the school for the first national Studies opportunity. Braz served part of my sabbatical year,” said Braz. as the Georgia Southern supervisor and Braz spent three months at St. Bene- mentor for student teachers Megan Mc- dict’s, a school that emphasizes the per- Mahon and Katie Jones. Through its Col- forming arts across the curriculum, but lege of Education, Georgia Southern is especially in the sixth form, which is part of the International Learning Com- similar to America’s high school. In ad- munity and has developed a partnership dition to work in the classroom and occa- with St. Benedict’s School. sional recital and concert performances, “The people at St. Benedict’s made sure Braz worked with Marion Chester, musi- my time was filled,” said Braz. He visited cal director for St. Benedict’s, to produce Scotland, London and many sites near the school’s annual show, “Dracula Spec- Derby. He even took part in an evening of tacula,” a musical take-off on the vampire music at a local pub, joining a local group legend. named “Please Yourself” for a half-dozen “The show had music written just for tunes. piano, but we wanted to use an orchestra,” “The people at St. Benedict’s in Derby said Braz. “So I wrote the orchestral parts couldn’t have been nicer to me,” said Braz, FRANK FORTUNE and played piano for the show, which in- who is continuing his year-long sabbatical Music professor Michael Braz volved 150 students.” teaching piano to young people in Nepal.

Speaking the universal language…

Music professor Michael Braz welcomed “Now, I am running courses for the 2008 in Nepal, where he worked with mu- teaching staff, which includes some of the sic students of all ages in the capital city of “While I thought I was country’s finest performing artists, as well Kathmandu. as assisting them with their individual in- Braz taught young Nepalese scholars at coming over here primarily terests and projects,” Braz said. Nepal Sangeet Vidhyalaya (Nepal Music Braz is helping to develop Nepal’s first Center), a community school serving 250 to teach piano, my entire primary music curriculum, and has done students. two studio sessions laying down back- “Two years ago, the school existed only job description changed the ground musical tracks for several tunes on on paper,” said Braz, “and in the mind of a Nepali rock album and what he termed its founder, who runs Nepal’s largest non- moment I landed.” “a Kenny-G-type saxophone album focus- governmental recording studio. While I ing on new interpretations of folk tunes.” thought I was coming over here primarily – Michael Braz He returned to Statesboro in February to teach piano, my entire job description before departing for the China leg of his changed the moment I landed. ongoing global sabbatical.

www.georgiasouthern.edu 5 campus news Sales experience teaches and boosts athletics

Given the increasing costs of operat- ing professional sports franchises and university athletic departments, learning how to sell effectively has become a vital part of a sport management education. Recognizing his students’ need for “real world” sales experience, Tony Lachowetz, associate professor of sport management in the College of Health and Human Sci- ences, found a way to help his students while boosting the University’s basket- ball and baseball teams. “In 2001, I began teaching a class that sells, in collaboration with the Georgia Southern athletics department, tickets for both the basketball and baseball sea- FRANK FORTUNE sons,” said Lachowetz. “In 2007, our sales Athletics Marketing Director Brent Jones (at left) and Tony Lachowetz celebrate a successful pre- campaign reached total sales of $22,901, season baseball ticket campaign. and our grand total of sales since 2001 has been $126,739.” in sales tactics and marketing strategies. back from colleagues around the nation. The fall semester class sells full season One assignment calls for students to col- “I have found talented and motivated tickets, 10-game and 20-game flex plans lectively generate a list of the attributes sales and service people through the for baseball, memberships to the baseball and benefits of their products, helping sport management program at Georgia boosters’ organization, Eagle Dugout them to develop a sales pitch. Once stu- Southern,” said Bradshaw. “The front of- Club, and Luxury Suite rentals. The most dents establish the pitch, they participate fice of any sports organization typically popular products are BallPark Bound and in mock telemarketing under the critical has an eye out for nothing but the best.” Courtside Bound, season ticket packages eyes of other students and faculty. The “The most recent hires out of the pro- for individuals and businesses which are class also got a visit from Keith Brad- gram have verified that Georgia South- then distributed to underprivileged chil- shaw, manager of inside sales for the ern prepares their students extremely dren. Atlanta Hawks, who shared some of the well. Word has spread and it is quickly Before they start their campaign, La- tactics used by his staff. becoming a ‘first look’ throughout the chowetz makes sure the class is steeped Lachowetz has gotten positive feed- i n du s t r y.”

CHHS Web site drawing national honors College of Health and Human Sciences active Media Awards competition. Dean Fred Whitt has been getting a few The site is loaded with elaborate graphics more e-mails and phone calls ever since his content and contains some interactive fea- college’s new Web site went online. tures to entertain and inform users. Whitt, Assistant Dean Alan Woodrum, “One of the real highlights of the site, and and health and kinesiology professor Dan one that seems to catch everyone’s atten- Czech began developing ideas for the new tion, is the CHHS Challenge Game,” said interactive site more than a year and a half Whitt. ago. “It’s a great way to get prospective stu- They wanted a visual, student-centered dents to check out the site. It provides im- site that would resonate with “echo boom- portant facts about our College, and it en- ers,” the genetic offspring and demographic spective students, faculty, staff, and cur- gages them while we tell the CHHS story.” echo of their parents, the baby boomers. rent students, it earned the Outstanding Learn more about the site at www.geor- The site is so effective at reaching pro- Achievement Award in the National Inter- giasouthernhealthscience.com.

6 georgia southern sPRING 2008 »ON THE WEB: Get the latest news, features and schedules online at www.georgiasouthern.edu The value of brand University marketing students take on campaign to re-brand south Georgia company

Marketing students at Georgia South- ern have re-branded an established Geor- gia company, changing its name, look and Web site to reflect the company’s growing list of clients and offerings. At the start of 2008, the former South Georgia Computer Solutions (SGCS) be- came known as Georgia Technologies Inc. “When SGCS contacted the Center for Retail Studies, they explained that they were no longer serving only South Geor- gia, but had developed a national client database, including NASA,” said Kathleen Gruben, associate professor of marketing and director of the Center for Retail Stud- ies in the College of Business Administra- tion. “They were looking for help in devel- oping a new face for the company. I asked three hard-working and capable students FRANK FORTUNE to take this project and run with it, and the Kandayce Lee, Amy Kirkland and Ashley Ferguson led a project to re-brand Georgia Technologies Inc. result has been phenomenal.” Three students who took the lead: Ash- of our project to her advertising class,” she opened our eyes to the need for a new ley Ferguson and Amy Kirkland of Savan- explained. “They helped us out by brain- look,” said Joseph Eason, Georgia Tech- nah and Kandayce Lee of Augusta. storming brands, slogans and logos, to help nologies’ vice president of customer re- “We began by planning what we needed us out with a new look. With their help, we lations. “They gave us lots of concepts to to do – market research, what research took the company to a more modern look work on, and we think the changes they methods we’d use, and meetings with cli- in its Web and advertising presences.” created will be beneficial. When we saw ents,” said Lee. “The marketing students surveyed their presentation, we knew they had done “Dr. Gruben allowed us to assign part our clients, gave us fresh ideas and really a great job.”

COBA revs up Eagle Executive Society The College of Business Administration The Eagle Executive Society serves as a tion’s business leaders by providing today’s (COBA) has revamped its Business Ex- means to build communication between students with the best faculty, technology, ecutive Society as the new Eagle Executive COBA and its larger community of alum- facilities, and learning opportunities avail- Society, providing the basis for investment ni. Annual memberships are being extend- able,” said Dean Ronald Shiffler, “but we’ve and interest by alumni and friends of the ed to alumni and friends who invest $50 reached a point where increased alumni College. in the students and faculty, the programs, support is essential to keep us moving to- By raising the level of giving to COBA, and the future success of COBA. Members ward our goal of national recognition. The the Eagle Executive Society will help ex- receive a non-negotiable stock certificate Eagle Executive Society is designed to en- pand activities beyond the classroom, verifying that they have “taken stock” in courage annual giving to COBA that will such as travel scholarships, student com- COBA, a subscription to COBA’s news- close the gap between tuition and the total petitions and graduate assistantships. Fac- letter, The Eagle Executive, and personal cost to educate a student.” ulty will benefit from increased funding to invitations to special receptions and semi- For more information about the Society, augment research and increase scholarly nars sponsored by COBA. visit http://coba.georgiasouthern.edu or e- activities. “COBA is preparing the next genera- mail to [email protected].

www.georgiasouthern.edu 7 CAMPUS news Visiting international teachers hone skills

A select group of English teachers from nine nations are honing their skills on campus this semester through a U.S. De- partment of State program. The College of Education is hosting the 18 teachers on an International Leader- ship in Education Program (ILEP) grant. The visitors are from Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco and Tunisia. “During their time in Statesboro, the ILEP Fellows participate weekly in school- based internships, and attend classes at Georgia Southern,” said Cordelia Zinskie, head of the Department of Curriculum, Foundations and Reading. Zinksie and colleagues Jennie Rakestraw, associate dean of the College of Education, and Judi Repman, professor in the Department of English teachers from nine nations are visiting Georgia Southern through an International Leadership, Technology, and Human De- Leadership in Education grant. velopment, serve as co-coordinators of the ILEP. Initiated in 2005, the ILEP brings out- Cultural Affairs. “Georgia Southern has standing secondary teachers from the “Last year was our first funded ILEP Near East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia grant, and we are delighted that this strong international ties, to the United States to further develop year’s grant was also funded,” said Cindi and each group of ILEP expertise in their subject areas, enhance Chance, dean of the College of Educa- their teaching skills, and increase their tion. “Georgia Southern has strong in- Fellows we host strengthens knowledge about the United States. ternational ties, and each group of ILEP those connections.” ILEP is a program of the U.S. State De- Fellows we host strengthens those con- partment’s Bureau of Educational and nections.” Dean Cindi Chance

University welcomes six student-teachers from England Six students from Sheffield-Hallam Uni- preparation. only a day is the difference in prices. Items versity in Sheffield, England, have come to The British students received their in the U.S. are much less expensive than in Georgia Southern for an extended field ex- school assignments from Patricia Parsons, England. perience in Bulloch and Effingham Coun- who directs undergraduate teacher field Buildings seem larger, they said, and ev- ty schools this spring. placements. erything is newer. But, after listening to a Georgia Southern’s College of Educa- Sheffield-Hallam students Lisa Poole discussion on Georgia Professional Stan- tion welcomed them with an orientation and Danielle Hilton are assigned to fifth dards for teachers, they saw many similar- session, a campus tour and lunch at States- grade at Bulloch County’s Brooklet El- ities to the standards that are also required boro’s Beaver House Restaurant. ementary School. Kirsty Blazquez and Ga- of teachers in the U.K. Following a welcome from Dean Cindi brielle Stanley are assigned to Effingham Georgia Southern also welcomed ele- Chance, the orientation included COE Çounty’s Springfield Elementary; Siobhan mentary education faculty member Tricia faculty presentations about public edu- Wilkinson and Amie Dickinson are as- Young from Sheffield-Hallam this spring cation in Georgia; learners with special signed to first grade at Sallie Zetterower semester. She is observing the visiting stu- needs; media centers and instructional Elementary in Statesboro. dent teachers in their schools and review- technology; and early childhood teacher The first thing the visitors noticed after ing the students’ teaching portfolios.

8 georgia southern sPRING 2008 »ON THE WEB: Get the latest news, features and schedules online at www.georgiasouthern.edu Students visit New York for winter break

About 180 Georgia Southern students kicked off their 2007 winter break by see- ing the sights and sounds of New York City. The trip was sponsored by Southern Travel, one of Student Activities’ Eagle Entertainment teams. The group left on a chartered bus, -ar riving in New York City Dec. 9. They stayed close to Manhattan, heading in by bus each morning to take in sights such as the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, museums and local eateries. While some members of the group chose to attend a New York Knicks game, others chose Broadway shows such as “Stomp!” and “The Color Purple.” On Dec. 11, some early-rising mem- bers of the group hopped on the bus at 5:30 a.m. to be part of NBC’s “Today” show. “We saw the day’s show being set up and got to meet Al Roker and Matt Lau- er,” said Activities Coordinator Sriravong Sriratanakoul, one of the staff members who traveled with the students. “We also NBC’s “Today Show” was one stop for a group of students visiting New York last December. met singer-songwriter John Ondrasik, better known as Five for Fighting, who collected Toys for Tots gifts on the show until our last day, Dec. 13,” said Srira- The group arrived home on Dec. 14, that morning. tanakoul. “We got out just in time – right with most of them happy to be back “It was cold, but it didn’t really snow before the nor’easter came through.” where it was a little warmer.

Students hear oral arguments at U.S. Supreme Court Georgia Southern students from a Col- fees. The taxpayer argued these expenses lege of Business Administration tax re- should be fully deductible, while the Inter- search class recently attended oral argu- nal Revenue Service argued they are only ments for a tax case at the U.S. Supreme partially deductible. A decision is expected Court in Washington, D.C. sometime in the spring 2008. Accounting professors Cheryl Metrejean In addition to exploring the Supreme and Jill Lockwood accompanied the group Court Building, a member of Georgia Sen. and provided instruction. Johnny Isakson’s staff gave the group a Students who participated, all of whom guided tour of the Capitol. They also vis- were accounting majors, included Mar- ited the Washington Monument, the Lin- qukia Barnes of Sandersville, Ga., Diane coln Memorial, the World War II Memo- Roberts of Statesboro, and Warren (Trae) rial and Arlington National Cemetery. Marchant of Tifton, Ga. Metrejean expressed gratitude for the The group heard arguments in Knight v. generous support of the trip’s sponsors, Commissioner, a case that involved how who are members of the School of Ac- trusts should deduct investment advice countancy Advisory Council.

www.georgiasouthern.edu 9 RESEARCH news Snakes, and lizards, and frogs, oh my: Georgia Southern’s herpetology collection contains thousands of specimens

By Mark Holland “The collection gives us a record of what herpetological

Lance McBrayer’s job description re- diversity was like in this region over the last 40 years.” quires him to spend part of his day sur- rounded by thousands of dead snakes, liz- Lance McBrayer, curator ards and frogs. Such a working environment may seem like a nightmare for most people, but for a biologist who has devoted his career have Appalachian fauna in the mountains was transferred to Georgia Southern when to studying these kinds of animals, it’s a of North Georgia, which means a lot of the museum closed its doors in 1999. dream job. salamanders and snakes and frogs. In ad- Since then, Williamson has donated McBrayer is the curator of the scientifi- dition, Georgia is the eastern-most point about 2,000 additional specimens from cally renowned herpetology collection at in the distribution of many central and the Savannah-Ogeechee Canal Museum Georgia Southern. western species, like the alligator snap- and Nature Center to the University. Herpetology is the branch of zoology ping turtle and the bird-voiced treefrog, as “The real benefit to Georgia Southern that deals with amphibians and reptiles, well as the southern-most point for many is that, for the most part, this is a Coastal and the collection managed by McBrayer northern species, such as hellbenders and Plain collection,” McBrayer said. “Since includes approximately 38,000 specimens the Ocoee dusky salamander. we’re located in the Coastal Plain, I think that were gathered over the course of four “When you move into the Coastal Plain, it’s appropriate that the collection is here, decades. you have animals like the gopher tortoise too. We are very fortunate to have it.” Some 160 different species are part of and indigo snakes. And as you move from The herpetology collection is housed in the collection, which is the second-largest South Georgia into Florida, you find spe- a room on the second floor of the Herty such menagerie in all of Georgia. A few of cies that are typical of sub-tropical cli- Building. Depending on their size, the the specimens came from other parts of mates, such as the mole skink and the is- specimens are kept in containers that the country, but the overwhelming major- land glass lizard.” range from a four-ounce jar to a 30-gallon ity of them are native to this state. The state’s remarkable diversity was rec- vat. Most of the containers are filled with a In fact, approximately 95 percent of the ognized by Gerald Williamson and Robert 70 percent ethyl alcohol solution that pre- herpetological species that live in Georgia Moulis, the two southeast Georgia men serves the specimens. are represented in the collection. whose labor of love resulted in the herpe- “Specimens used to be kept indefinitely “The collection gives us a record of what tology collection that now resides at Geor- in formalin or formaldehyde,” McBrayer herpetological diversity was like in this re- gia Southern. said. “But scientists learned that if you gion over the last 40 years,” said McBrayer, Williamson and Moulis started the col- leave a specimen in formalin, the minerals an assistant professor in the Department lection around 1960. For the next four will leach out of the bones and the skeleton of Biology at Georgia Southern. “We can decades, they spent untold hours walking will soften over time. look at how species’ distributions have through countless acres of forests, fields “With ethyl alcohol, which is essentially changed over that time, and how develop- and yards, searching for salamanders and rubbing alcohol, the specimens tend to ment has affected the distribution of dif- turtles as well as snakes, lizards and frogs. lose a little bit of the color they had in life, ferent species.” They focused most of their time and ef- but the benefit is that it’s more stable, it Georgia is one of the best places in the fort on the area that ranges from the Low lasts a longer period of time, and it doesn’t entire U.S. for herpetological research. Country of South Carolina, to the Fort destroy the bones.” According to McBrayer, when it comes to Stewart military reservation, to the Oke- Of course, all of the specimens won’t be number of species, only a few states like fenokee Swamp on the Georgia-Florida spending the rest of eternity in a jar. The Florida and Texas rival Georgia in the total border. primary purpose of such collections is to number of amphibian and reptile species. The Williamson and Moulis collection let people examine or, in certain circum- “Georgia is located in kind of a transi- eventually became a part of the Savannah stances, dissect the specimens. tion zone, so we have ‘herps’ from several Science Museum. Numbering approxi- “Scientists and students make use of our different regions,” McBrayer said. “We mately 36,000 specimens, the collection specimens on a regular basis,” McBrayer

10 georgia southern sPRING 2008 »ON THE WEB: Get the latest news, features and schedules online at www.georgiasouthern.edu

said. “Occasionally, we allow someone to dissect a specimen, or extract DNA so that it can be compared to other species. “For the most part, though, the people who use the specimens are taking mea- surements of the head and limbs, or study- ing the shape of the animal, or conducting scale counts for systematic analysis.” Within their containers, the specimens are stored on specially designed, electroni- cally controlled mobile shelves that can slide apart to provide easy access to the specimens. Arranged according to family, and then genus and species, most of the specimens have a unique identification number, but some are grouped together in a “lot” with a single number. For about 90 percent of the specimens, the ID number can be used to reference pertinent information, such as the date, time and location of the speci- men’s capture. “Williamson and Moulis were very thor- ough,” McBrayer said. In addition to fully formed specimens of different species, the herpetology collec- tion contains a variety of odds and ends: snake skins, turtle shells, frog eggs and salamander larvae. The collection also includes a number of photographs of am- phibians and reptiles that were taken by people who encountered the animals in the wild. Since taking charge of the collection in 2005, McBrayer has spent most of his time organizing and conducting an inventory of its contents. All of the information about each specimen was originally written on paper, which makes data storage and ac- cess cumbersome. “If you wanted to know what kinds of specimens we have from here in Bulloch County, for example, you might have to search through thousands of pieces of pa- per,” McBrayer said. To bring the herpetology collection into Frank Fortune the 21st century, McBrayer and his student assistants are transferring all of the data Biologist Lance McBrayer curates more than 38,000 specimens residing in the Georgia Southern herpetology collection. onto computer files. At some point, they hope to have individual photos of each specimen, too. gia’s tremendous herpetological diversity,” and students who are interested in it, no The collection will eventually be online McBrayer said. “Because it is such a valu- matter where they are. We hope to achieve and available to people all over the world. able resource, our ultimate goal is to make this – or at least get close – in the next one “This is a great representation of Geor- sure that it is accessible to any scientists to three years.”

www.georgiasouthern.edu 11 foundation news Partnership founds campus Addiction Recovery Center Georgia Southern and the Willingway Foundation are teaming up to better the future of current and potential college stu- dents who are battling the diseases of alco- holism and drug addiction. The Foundation, the non-profit affiliate of Statesboro’s Willingway Hospital, has do- nated an initial gift of $25,000 per year for three years as start-up funding to develop The Center for Addiction Recovery on the FRANK FORTUNE Georgia Southern campus. The new center, Pictured, left to right, are Professor Karl Peace, Dean Charles Hardy, Senior Director of Corporation housed within The Jiann-Ping Hsu College and Foundation Relations Carole Smith, Provost Linda Bleicken, Jimmy Mooney and Robert of Public Health (JPHCOPH), will primar- Mooney, MD as Bleicken accepts a check from the Willingway Foundation. ily serve as the hub for a collegiate recovery community and will provide students re- covering from alcohol, drug and related ad- community-wide outreach partnerships. tal and a board member of the Willingway dictions the opportunity to take advantage “Many of the patients treated at Foundation. “With this gift, the Jiann-Ping of the full collegiate experience while mini- Willingway Hospital choose to remain in Hsu College of Public Health can take steps mizing the risk of relapse. The Center will Statesboro, and many of those people end up to develop a cutting-edge program that will also work to develop student and faculty re- pursuing higher education,” said Robert W. support those in addiction recovery in the search and educational resources as well as Mooney, MD, medical director of the hospi- Georgia Southern community.”

Gift of new backhoe boosts campus progress Tim Evans, founder and president of come from this tremendous gift which was so Evans General Contractors with offices badly needed. Their generosity has made an in Roswell and Savannah, has provided a immediate impact on our ability to maintain new 2007 backhoe from Atlanta JCB to the the beauty of the Georgia Southern campus.” University’s Physical Plant division. The backhoe has already been used to in- Evans, a long-time supporter of the stall irrigation line, to clean up at the RAC, University Foundation who has established install water valves, construct a retaining multiple scholarships, purchased the back- wall, excavate for concrete footers, install ero- hoe and made it a gift to the University. sion control, plant large hollies at Sweetheart “While I did not attend Georgia Southern Circle, shape a slope at Kennedy Hall, and University, I have recognized both the need FRANK FORTUNE dredge Beautiful Eagle Creek, Dennis said. and importance that this college plays in the Pictured from left are donor Tim Evans, Atlanta Evans General Contractors provides con- JCB representative Katie Kistler, President Bruce State of Georgia as well as the entire country,” tracting and design and build services to cor- Grube and JCB The Americas President Graeme said Evans. “There has been a long-standing Macdonald. porate and institutional clients and develop- need for another academically strong alter- ers. Their lengthy list of clients has included native for the kids of this state and region, Gulfstream Aerospace, IDI, Northpoint Real and it has now been filled by GSU. Pittman and Billy Griffis of the University Estate and Cummins. “The school and faculty have done their Foundation providing this opportunity for Atlanta JCB is a Kennesaw, Ga., -based part to raise the academic level of GSU, and our company to participate.” dealer handling sales and rentals of JCB now it is time for both individuals and corpo- “The JCB backhoe is a wonderful addi- construction equipment, including rough rations to join hands and support this effort tion to the equipment of our division,” said terrain forklifts, backhoes, telescopic han- financially,” he said. “I truly see my involve- Ron Dennis, director of physical plant. “Our dlers, mini and standard excavators, and ment as a privilege, and appreciate Michelle entire division will benefit for many years to loaders.

12 georgia southern sPRING 2008 »ON THE WEB: Find out more about your giving options at http://welcome.georgiasouthern.edu/foundation/givingoptions/plannedgifts.shtml MET program boosted by Gulfstream gift

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation tary standard environmental criteria,” said has made an in-kind donation to the Mohammad S. Davoud, the chair of the Department of Mechanical and Electrical Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Technology. Engineering. “It is also mechanically rug- Gulfstream presented the department ged and electrically noise-hardened.” with VME rack-mounted instrumenta- Gulfstream designs, develops, manu- tion equipment that is designed to mea- factures, markets, services and sup- sure and monitor a multitude of physical ports the world’s most technologically quantities which relate to the operation of advanced business-jet aircraft. A wholly electronic and industrial equipment. owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, Comprised of more than 250 data in- Gulfstream has produced some 1,600 terface modules, the equipment will be aircraft for customers around the world used for instruction and research by fac- since 1958. ulty and students in the Department of COST is named in honor of the late Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Allen E. Paulson, the former president Technology, which is part of the Allen and CEO of Gulfstream as well as a long- E. Paulson College of Science and time supporter of Georgia Southern. Technology (COST). Davoud and professor Frank Goforth, “The faculty in the Department of observed the equipment during an Mechanical and Electrical Engineering August 2007 visit to Gulfstream’s facility Technology are reaching out to region- in Savannah. FRANK FORTUNE al industry to establish research part- MET Department Chair Mohammad Davoud, “Upon evaluation of the equipment, nerships. The equipment donated by left, and professor Frank Goforth examine we decided that it could be used for Gulfstream is an excellent example of instrumentation equipment. both instruction and research at Georgia such a partnership,” said Bret Danilowicz, Southern,” Davoud said. the dean of COST. Following the installation of additional “With this donation, several projects on test aircraft, simultaneously monitor- interface components, the equipment involving our students and faculty can ing thousands of points of in-flight data will be operational in its new home on be initiated to address research needs at in real time. The University’s Department the University campus in Fall 2008. The Gulfstream, which also increases the abil- of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering equipment is expected to be used by fac- ity of our graduates to thrive in the highly will use the equipment to measure and ulty and students in a variety of engineer- skilled engineering workforce of our re- monitor industrial equipment. ing courses, including Control Systems, gion.” “Besides being capable of 500,000 sam- Mechatronics, Programmable Logic The equipment donated to Georgia ples per second, the VME rack-mounted Controllers, Industrial Electronics, and Southern has been used by Gulfstream instrumentation equipment meets mili- Rotating Machinery.

New endowments “Writing the words took minutes. Bill Carmichael Family Scholarship It gives me pleasure knowing that Brittany “Ally” Harbuck Memorial Scholarship today’s preparation will help the future Bryan R. and Elizabeth A. Burke Endowment for the College of Business Administration students of Southern’s tomorrow.”

Dr. C. Emory Bohler Memorial Scholarship With a few simple steps, and careful planning, I Judge Faye Sanders Martin Pre-Law added the Georgia Southern University Foundation, Scholarship Inc. as part of my estate planning. It gives me great Robert S. Haywood Family Scholarship joy knowing that a portion of my estate will provide Ron and Barbara Shiffler Instructor Award educational opportunities for Georgia Southern Russell and Aliese Priddy Master of Health students of the future. For more information on the Services Administration Scholarship different ways to leave a legacy, call 1-888-GSU-1906. Marshal Mize (’68)

www.georgiasouthern.edu 13 SPORTS SCENE Coming Home Senior Eubanks successfully juggles roles as father, student and Eagles pitcher

By Mark Holland

Aaron Eubanks doesn’t get nearly as much sleep as he used to. That’s what happens when a full-time college student and varsity athlete accepts the additional responsibilities of being a husband and father. But you won’t hear Eubanks complain- ing during his senior season with Georgia Southern’s baseball team. In fact, the righthanded pitcher from Moultrie, Ga., seems to relish every aspect of his hectic life. “I don’t have a lot of time to go and hang out with the boys and do the kind of stuff that typical college students do,” Eubanks said. “But that’s never been a big priority of mine, anyway. “I’ve got everything I need at home.” Eubanks and his wife, Katheryn, who is also a student at the University, will cele- brate their third wedding anniversary this summer. Their son, Gabriel, is 18 months old. Despite the demands of his young fam- ily, Eubanks is thriving as both a student and an athlete. A secondary education major, he made the Southern Conference all-academic team in spring 2007, and the University Dean’s List in fall 2007. Meanwhile, after a promising junior season, Eubanks is expected to anchor the Eagle pitching staff this spring. “Aaron really came into his own in the middle of last season,” Eagles head coach Rodney Hennon said. “He gained a lot of confidence in himself, and his teammates gained a lot of confidence in him. “We think he’ll be one of our leaders this season.” The son of a pastor who graduated from Georgia Southern, Eubanks signed with Clemson University after leading Colquitt County High School to the Class AAAAA state championship in 2003. Accompanied by his high school sweet- heart and future wife, Eubanks spent two FRANK FORTUNE

14 georgia southern sPRING 2008 »ON THE WEB: Get the latest news, features and schedules online at www.georgiasoutherneagles.com

years at Clemson. He excelled in the class- I just know how to love them.” room, making the academic honor roll His wife and child are a big part of what three times, but neither he nor his fiancee motivates Eubanks to succeed academi- were content. cally. “Katheryn and I were paying out-of- “There’s something inside you that state tuition and feeling a little homesick, gives you a drive to do well,” he said. so we started thinking about Georgia ‘With me, it’s being a husband and fa- Southern,” Eubanks said. “A lot of my rela- ther. My focus actually got better after tives had graduated from there, and it had I got married.” been one of my top choices coming out of Eubanks is set to graduate this high school. spring. He wants to remain in Georgia “So I said, ‘Why don’t we get married as a history teacher and high school and move to Statesboro?’ Our wedding was baseball coach. Aug. 13, 2005, and I enrolled on Aug. 15.” “Some of my greatest role models With three seasons of eligibility remain- were teachers,” he said. “They were ing, Eubanks earned a spot on the Eagles’ bold individuals who stood for some- roster as a preferred walk-on. In the spring thing. They didn’t ride the fence. of 2006, he started one game and made 15 “I’ve always had a heart to help appearances out of the bullpen. kids. Sometimes it feels like our so- A few months later, in the fall of 2006, ciety is crashing down around us, Gabriel Eubanks made his first appearance but by being a teacher and coach, I anywhere. hope I can make things a little bet- “We had been thinking, ‘we’ll wait un- ter.” Aaron til we get out of college to start a family,’ “ BNS 44 Eubanks recalled, “but the Lord said, ‘how about we do it my way?’ “I’ve lost some sleep, but our son has been a true blessing to my wife and me. We “Aaron really came into wouldn’t change a thing.” The new father pitched in 17 games last his own in the middle of season, including 11 starts. He posted a modest 3-5 record, but his earned run av- last season,” “He gained erage of 4.32 represented the best ERA of any starting pitcher on the team. a lot of confidence “I’m a parent myself, so I know the chal- lenges you’re faced with when you have a in himself, and his young child, but Aaron never used it as a crutch or an excuse,” Hennon said. “He’s teammates gained a always where he’s supposed to be, when he’s supposed to be there, and you know lot of confidence in he’s going to give you everything he has. “As a coach, that kind of dependability him. “We think he’ll be gives you a great feeling.” Eubanks is quick to give Katheryn, an one of our leaders this early childhood education major, a lot of the credit for his success in the classroom season.” and on the field. BNS “I’ve learned so much from her,” he said. – Head Coach “She really knows how to take care of kids. PICR Rodney Hennon FRANK FORTUNE

www.georgiasouthern.edu 15 SPORTS SCENE Independent study to define football options

It is a debate that has consumed a signifi- Once the company is hired, Baker ex- cant portion of the Eagle Nation: pects the study to begin this spring and Should Georgia Southern remain in the take anywhere from three to six months to NCAA Football Championship Subdivi- complete. sion (FCS, formerly known as Division According to Baker, the study will feature I-AA), where the Eagles have won more na- a comprehensive and detailed assessment tional championships than any program in of the University’s state of readiness for FBS the country? Or does the University possess football. the resources to make the move up to the The study will also serve as a fact-finding Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS, formerly mission that determines the overall costs known as Division I-A)? and programmatic implications of such a Georgia Southern administrators and move, including: supporters expect the answers to these than a football issue,” Baker said. “The eq- questions to be provided by a feasibil- uity conferences have become concerned • Title IX requirements ity study that will be conducted during the about some of the institutions that have • Financial projections of revenue course of the next several months. moved to Division I are playing with a lim- and expense “Over the past several years, we’ve done ited financial commitment. • Conference affiliation some internal calculations,” Georgia South- “The moratorium gives the NCAA and • NCAA legislation ern Athletic Director Sam Baker said. “But its members time to re-assess what should • Scheduling when you’re looking at a decision of this be expected from institutions that want to magnitude, it’s good to have as much data compete in Division I. Of course, the mora- Georgia Southern’s loyal fan base will as you can get.” torium has a spin-off effect of all sports, have a voice in the process, thanks to a The feasibility study coincides with an with football being the one that we’re inter- market assessment that will accompany the NCAA moratorium that prohibits any cur- ested in.” feasibility study. rent Division I institutions from moving As Georgia Southern magazine went to The University will analyze the potential from the FCS to the FBS. Created in August press, the University had filed a call with level of financial support for FBS football 2007 and set to run through August 2011, the State of Georgia purchasing officials for in crucial population markets that include the moratorium also prohibits any institu- bids from interested companies to conduct season ticket holders, major gift donors, tions from moving up to Division I. the study. Baker indicated that a successful corporate sponsors, media partners, an- “From the NCAA’s perspective, the mor- bidder should be identified in a matter of nual fund contributors and key constituent atorium is really more of a basketball issue weeks. groups.

Blue-White Game, baseball Eagles share April 12 ‘doubleheader’

Georgia Southern sports fans are invited to letters of intent for the coming year. annual Clements Crazies tailgate party. to enjoy a rare football/baseball double- The Eagles will open their 2008 season The tailgate party is scheduled to start in header on April 12. at the University of Georgia in Sanford the stadium parking lot at 4 p.m. The day will begin at Paulson Stadium Stadium on Aug. 30. Sponsored by Southern Boosters and with the annual Blue-White spring foot- Gametime against the Bulldogs, who are the Talon Club, the tailgate party will fea- ball game, which is scheduled to kick off expected to be ranked in the Top 5 nation- ture free hot dogs, hamburgers and soft at 1 p.m. ally in FCS competition, has not yet been drinks. After bouncing back from a rare los- announced. There is no admission fee for the spring ing season to post a 7-4 record in their On April 12, once the spring football football game. first campaign under head coach Chris game is over, Georgia Southern support- Single-game tickets for the baseball Hatcher, the revitalized Eagles are hoping ers can make the short drive over to J.I. game range from $8 for reserved and adult to build upon that momentum in 2008. Clements Stadium for the baseball team’s general admission to $4 for youth general The Eagles will also be coming off the contest against Southern Conference rival admission. largest spring signing class in Georgia Appalachian State. For more information, visit the Georgia Southern football history, as Hatcher and The first pitch is set for 6 p.m., but the Southern athletics Web site at www.geor- his staff inked 32 freshmen and transfers fans are encouraged to arrive early for the giasoutherneagles.com.

16 georgia southern sPRING 2008 »ON THE WEB: Get the latest news, features and schedules online at www.georgiasoutherneagles.com Eagles’ Foster captures 2007 Payton Award

Georgia Southern quarterback Jayson of total offense. That was just one of sev- Foster is the 2007 winner of the Walter eral school records he set during the 2007 Payton Award, which is given to the top campaign. NCAA Football Championship Series The Sports Network announced on Nov. (FCS) player in the country. 26 that Foster was one of three finalists The Canton, Ga., senior was presented for the Payton Award. San Diego quar- with the honor on Dec. 13 during The terback Josh Johnson and Northern Iowa Sports Network’s annual awards dinner at quarterback Eric Sanders were the other the Chattanooga Marriott. finalists. In the Payton Award balloting, Foster is the first Eagle to earn the Pay- Foster received 24 first-place votes and 224 ton Award since running back Adrian points. Sanders was second with 21 first- Peterson captured the honor in 1999. The place votes and 184 points, and Johnson winner is determined by a national vote of was third with 10 first-place votes and 166 FCS sports information directors and se- points. lected members of the media. The Payton Award was the biggest high- The voters recognized Foster for helping light of several national honors bestowed Georgia Southern’s team stage one of the upon Foster following his final season as an most impressive turnarounds in the coun- Eagle. He was selected as the College Sport- try. The Eagles were 3-8 in 2006, but Foster ing News FCS National Offensive Player led them to a 7-4 record last season. of the Year; he made The Sports Network In the process, he set an NCAA Division FCS All-American team as a quarterback; I single-season record for quarterbacks he earned a spot on the American Foot- by rushing for 1,844 yards. It was the sec- ball Coaches Association FCS All-America ond-highest single-season rushing total in team as an all-purpose player; and he made school history, and the third-best in South- the Associated Press FCS All-America ern Conference history. team as a running back. FRANK FORTUNE At 5-foot-9 and 164 pounds, Foster led In February, Foster was honored by the the SoCon with 24 rushing touchdowns. Walter Payton Award winner Jayson Foster Georgia General Assembly at a Capitol cer- He also completed 109-of-170 passes for emony, where he was given a proclamation 1,203 yards and six touchdowns. of the Year by the league’s head coaches, recognizing his accomplishments on and Selected as the SoCon Offensive Player Foster finished the season with 3,047 yards off the field.

Southern Boosters implements new game day parking plan

Just like Beautiful Eagle Creek and the bers don’t attend our games,” said John Order forms for season and single-game yellow school buses, the tailgating scene Mulherin, executive director of Southern parking passes were mailed to members of in the Paulson Stadium parking lot has Boosters, “but we want to make sure that Boosters in March. Members will be able become a treasured part of Georgia South- everybody who does come has a place to to request a specific parking space, if they ern’s glorious football tradition. park.” so desire, and have until May 31 to return In an effort to make the convenience and For $50 above their annual contribu- their order forms for season and single- atmosphere of the parking lot even more tion to Southern Boosters, a member can game parking passes. At that time, priority enjoyable, Southern Boosters has unveiled purchase a single parking space that is 10 points for each member will be calculated a new parking plan to take effect in 2008. feet wide and 15 feet deep. A member who based on their contributions to Southern Members may purchase a season park- drives an RV to the game, or who simply Boosters, and the season parking passes ing pass guaranteeing them the same park- wants more room for socializing with his will be allocated accordingly. ing space for every home game. fellow fans, can pay $300 for a large park- “In the majority of instances, the prior- The new system is a response to there be- ing space that measures 30 feet by 30 feet. ity points system should closely resemble ing more members of Boosters than there “The fee is simply a way to identify those the old system and allow individuals to are parking spaces at Paulson Stadium. people who are committed to using the park in the same general area they’ve been “Obviously, 100 percent of our mem- parking lot every game,” said Mulherin. parking,” Mulherin said.

www.georgiasouthern.edu 17 The new Center For Art & Theater, opened Spring Semester 2008

18 georgia southern spring 2008 If you shake your head in amazement that Georgia Southern’s enrollment is nudging up to 17,000, you’ll be truly amazed at what University System officials are expecting to come. Georgia Southern is projected to reach 25,000 students by the year 2020.

combination of births and in-migration made like both today and tomorrow,” said President Bruce Georgia the third fastest-growing state in the U.S. Grube. “When you step on our campus, you know last year behind Texas and California, a trend that you are somewhere special, and our goal as we ex- is expected to continue. The University System be- pand is to capture that feeling in everything that we lieves statewide student enrollment will increase do. The plans that we are setting in place will serve by more than 100,000 in the next 12 years. Georgia as the foundation for future generations of Georgia Southern’s share of that growth is being factored into Southern University students, faculty and staff.” every decision University planners are making about About 40 percent of Georgia Southern’s fresh- the future. men hail from metro Atlanta. At least that many will “We are taking a very strategic and thoughtful look come from Atlanta in future years, while increasing at what we want Georgia Southern University to look numbers will also come from fast-growing coastal

www.georgiasouthern.edu 19 Georgia and the neighboring states of The Master Plan ing up, you spread out,” Franklin said. Florida and South Carolina. Florida is con- Effective planning is essential to meet- “You have to balance that with walking templating capping enrollment at its state ing the challenges to come for a University distances. Also, we want to have flexibil- universities, creating a group of potential that is just catching its breath after the en- ity in the plan, so it’s not absolute that we students who are looking for affordable rollment boom of the 1980s and 1990s. decide today where buildings are going to out-of-state colleges. Georgia Southern’s campus master plan go 10 years from now. We want to consider Add to that an expected jump in gradu- is extensively revisited every five years walking distances and we want to keep our ate enrollment as additional programs – tweaking here and adjusting there – as architectural standards that have given us come online and efforts to market master’s programs and enrollment patterns shift. an identity,” he said. and doctoral programs increase. Factor in The latest update is almost complete, and Some new considerations for the plan, the recent Carnegie Doctoral-Research addresses expected growth, but also keeps said Franklin, are structured parking, an designation, and the University is rethink- an emphasis on maintaining the attributes expanded transit system, refurbishing ing everything – academics, administra- that draw students to Georgia Southern. older buildings, careful placement of large tion and facilities. “I have often heard students say, ‘I came new buildings, and balancing the use of With enrollment growth comes added to visit and the place was beautiful. I just inner campus space along the Pedestrium pressure for more classrooms, housing, like the way it felt.’ We can’t go away from with some smaller new structures. additional faculty members, parking, stu- that,” said Joe Franklin, vice president for “I would say this is probably the most dent services and infrastructure. business and finance. “That is about main- transformative master plan we have Taking their cue from University leader- taining our architectural standards, the ever had,” said campus architect Haroun ship, Georgia Southern’s facility planners placement of buildings, and the develop- Homayun. “All segments of the Georgia are laying the groundwork for meeting the ment and maintenance of our landscap- Southern community have had a voice in demands of a larger campus. ing. it.” And, he added, “It’s not just Georgia “We’re trying to maintain lower-height Southern, but the city of Statesboro, also.” buildings, and that means instead of go- The new plan moves the campus away

Zach S. Henderson Library expansion will be completed Summer 2008.

20 georgia southern spring 2008 Renovating buildings smarter than starting from scratch It’s smarter to re-use than rebuild. the Office of Admissions. starting from scratch. That might sum up the philosophy of Up for renovation this year is Hendrix “We’re not likely to do much tearing down University planners who are turning to Hall, which will be converted to faculty of- of older buildings,” Dipple said. “Generally renovating older campus buildings for new fices and meeting space. “The year after will speaking it’s more cost effective to renovate uses rather than tearing them down and be either Sanford or Brannen depending and repurpose than to build new, assuming placing new construction on the site. on the needs at that moment,” said Michael that the new isn’t some kind of specialized “Philosophically we are more sensitive to Dipple, associate director of Physical Plant. building.” keeping buildings,” said campus architect I don’t know if Sanford or Brannen will go Down the road, Dipple said he can see Haroun Homayun. “Cost has a lot do to do first, but it will be one and then the next. Anderson Hall going through complete with it. But also, giving a building a chance The whole Circle will end up being office renovation, taking it back to its historical to survive rather than demolish it is a good buildings, from Hendricks and Veazey status as one of the three original campus mindset. A lot of campuses are not doing on Forest Drive, all the away around to buildings. There is also discussion of reno- t h at .” Sanford, Brannen and Cone.” vating and converting the Williams Center. Several campus buildings have benefit- Converting 50- to 70-year-old buildings One of the renovation projects on the ho- ted from that philosophy in recent years, for today’s office use is not a simple process, rizon is converting the Biology Building to including Veazey Hall, now headquarters given the need for dedicated computer and general classroom use, a $10 million project for the Department of Communication electrical cabling and meeting state build- scheduled to begin when the new $36 mil- Arts, Cone Hall, which houses the College ing codes and energy efficiency require- lion Biology Building is completed within of Public Health, and Lewis Hall, home to ments. Yet, it’s more cost effective than the next five years.

from a “vehicular” campus and toward one “Everybody would park in select areas and to the surrounding landscape is important relying more on mass transit to move stu- you’d catch the bus to your building or de- as well.” dents, faculty and staff to buildings. “This sired location,” he said. “It’s going to be a In deciding how to use the space, Taylor plan is suggesting a much more pedestri- change for everyone.” takes into account what existing features an-oriented university,” said Homayun. “We’ve visited bigger institutions dur- are present. “We consider what we have to “We are trying to put vehicular traffic to ing this process and every one of them has work with in the way of space or trees and the outside of the campus to create a core parking pushed to the perimeter,” Dipple make sure there is adequate drainage at in the middle of the campus that is pedes- said. Years ago, universities like Georgia the site. We ask, ‘What is its desired func- trian. Tech and Emory, he said, “were forced tion, and is it maintainable?’” “We can achieve that by providing some into what we’re going to face in the next Taylor is well aware that the beauty and structured parking on the outskirts and five to seven years. We should learn from function of the campus are among the taking out most of the surface parking.” good models and we should learn from keys to student recruitment and retention. “I think that it’s inevitable. That’s just bad models, and we’re trying to accom- “There have been studies demonstrating what it’s going to take,” said Michael plish both.” that landscaping is important in attracting Dipple, associate director of Physical Plant, Once on the core campus, students and retaining students,” he said. the University department that oversees must be able to access their classrooms in “We’ve done some walking studies that the campus master plan. “Today, there are a timely manner. show it takes about 10 minutes from one parking lots on some of the prime build- Landscape architect Chuck Taylor end of the Pedestrium to the other,” said ing sites.” echoed Dipple and Homayun on the de- Dipple. “That’s getting to be about the As the plan de-emphasizes campus sirability of a pedestrium-friendly cam- maximum that you can expect someone to parking, it supports mass transit. “Right pus. Taylor prepares landscape ideas for walk when they’re changing class. We are now, what we have is a shuttle system,” new construction from the early stages of looking at every aspect of our campus as said Homayun. “What we need in the fu- planning. “We look at how we can use the we develop this plan so we are prepared ture is a mass transit system.” It would be space around the building for walkways or for the future.” utilized by everyone – not just students. gatherings,” he said. “How the space relates “The student housing is pretty well set

www.georgiasouthern.edu 21 Veazy Hall was opened in Fall 2008 as the new home of Communicataion Arts.

now on the eastern side of the campus, has gone far to catch up with past growth Building for the multipurpose classroom and I think you will see most of the re- and lay groundwork for future needs: the building. mainder of that growth is going to be in Nessmith-Lane Continuing Education As soon as Spring Semester ends, the de- the Chandler Road corridor,” Homayun Building addition and Performing Arts molition of Winburn, Olliff and Johnson said. Center in 2002; the College of Education Halls will clear the way for the construc- “Academic buildings are not going to Building in 2000; the Nursing/Chemistry tion of Centennial Place, a four-building be scattered like some other universities,” Building in 2003; and the College of mix of traditional rooms and apartment- said Homayun. “Housing is going to be on Information Technology in 2003. style housing. It will include computer one side, academic buildings in the core, Last year’s Recreation Activity Center rooms, classroom and meeting spaces, and and services will be pushed to the edge of expansion brought the student-oriented retail areas on the ground floor. Centennial campus.” facility to 215,000 square feet with basket- Place is a “payback” project financed by Planning for the infrastructure – roads, ball/volleyball courts, an 11-lane compe- student user fees. electrical, water, sewer and communi- tition swimming pool and diving well, a Design is ongoing for the Alumni and cations lines – is essential to managing 42-foot high climbing wall, group fitness Welcome Center on Akins Boulevard growth. “We predict building sites and rooms, multipurpose rooms, indoor soc- near the Recreation Activity Center. It will then once you’ve established the sites and cer courts, outdoor leisure pool and rac- house the University’s Alumni Relations what their needs are, then that starts to quetball courts. and University Advancement staff. drive your utilities,” said Dipple. Two major state-funded construction While relatively small, the building will projects loom on the horizon in the next be highly visible. “That’s going to be just Footprints, large and small half-decade: a $36 million biology build- a gorgeous building,” said Dipple. “As you “We have about three or four really good ing and a $40 million multipurpose class- come in Akins Boulevard from the bypass, building sites left, and I’m talking about room building. Those are “large footprint it will be the first building on campus that sites that can house good-sized buildings,” buildings,” Dipple said. you see.” said Dipple. “There’s a lot of potential for The leading sites for those structures are The Henderson Library addition and infill with smaller buildings.” the corner of Akins Boulevard and Forest renovation is scheduled to be complete The list of recent major construction Drive for the Biology Building, and on this summer, providing a 103,481 square projects Georgia Southern has enjoyed the Pedestrium across from the Newton foot addition and bringing the total area

22 georgia southern spring 2008 University, city collaborate on water project

When you need more water, but can’t “Depending on the season, probably treatment facility at Bird’s Pond, which is drill a well, where do you look for relief? about a third to 50 percent of our wa- where their outflow goes into the stream Georgia Southern is turning to its old ter bill goes for irrigation,” said Michael system. It will come up Lanier Road friend, Statesboro. Dipple, associate director of Physical through an existing, but abandoned, wa- The University and City of Statesboro Plant. “We’re on a well, and regulations ter main that will be converted for this are cooperating on a plan to pump treated make it difficult to drill any more wells. use, at which point the University piping wastewater to campus from Bird’s Pond, a “Reuse is important, because it will off- will pick up. We’re going to run piping reservoir south of town. Water that would set the water we’re going to need for cam- from that corner out to the pond at the eventually flow downstream and into the pus growth. So everything ties together. RAC, reuse the water from the city to re- Ogeechee River will be used to irrigate “The plan as it’s taking shape right charge those ponds, and use those ponds Georgia Southern’s outdoor playing fields now,” said Dipple, “is for the city to build for irrigation on all the playing fields out and landscaping. a pumping treatment chemical injection there.

to 239,099 square feet. Functional com- Since the University’s accelerated growth the feasibility of moving to the Football ponents include an entrance lobby, an of the mid-1980s, modular buildings have Bowl Subdivision (formerly I-A) level “Information Commons” capable of been a fact of life on the campus. As per- in football. One of the requirements of 24-hour operation, an increase in shelving manent facilities have caught up with the moving up would be a major upgrade of space, an automatic storage and retrieval demand for more classroom and office Paulson Stadium. system, group study rooms and staff of- space, those temporary buildings have be- “At Paulson, the issue of expansion is fices. The original building was gutted and gun to be removed. really not a problem,” Dipple said. “It’s revamped inside and out, including a red Both the South Building and Building going to take some work, but it’s sim- brick facade. 806 were removed last year. Dipple said pler than Hanner. There are three or four The Center for Art and Theatre opened that the fervent hope is that the remain- ideas. Where do you put those seats? in February with 29,850 square feet hous- ing modular buildings, including Building What would the press box look like? How ing art galleries, an experimental Black 807 (former Nursing Building) and those tall will the stadium be? That is a concern Box theatre, administrative offices and remaining along the Pedestrium, will be for us.” support spaces. Located adjacent to the gone within one to two years. The estimate of an expansion for Bowl Fine Arts Building, it occupies the space of Subdivision football would be a facility of the former Marvin Pittman Gym. The sporting life 30,000-35,000 seats, he said. Paulson cur- Just after celebrating its 10th anniversary, “Other items of interest to the campus rently seats 18,000. the popular Center for Wildlife Education will be the future of the sports arenas,” The many recent sports facility up- is preparing to open an eight-acre expan- said Homayun. grades have positioned the University sion that includes an ornithological center, “Most important will be Paulson well for the future, said Dipple. He cited model wetlands system, passerine aviary, Stadium and Hanner Fieldhouse. Both of the Cowart Building in 2000; the Parrish herpetarium, camp ground and restrooms, them are challenging projects,” he said, Building in 2000; the soccer and track and a food storage and preparation build- “but the basketball arena is much more stadium in 2005; the Bishop Fieldhouse ing. challenging as to how we can create a in 2006; the Bennett-Ramsey Golf Center “That’s a highly used area,” said Dipple. modern facility offering all of the game- in 2007; renovations to J.I. Clements “It really adds something to the campus.” day experiences, from the seats to the Stadium in 2005, and ongoing softball fa- The Foy Building, now dedicated to the concession stands.” cility improvements. Department of Music, is undergoing ex- The difficulty comes because replace- One thing Dipple said he has learned tensive renovations. In 2009, it will reopen ment costs make Hanner Fieldhouse in discussions with University officials is with a renovated Carter Auditorium and likely to remain the home to basketball. how pivotal good sports facilities are to new lobby. The building’s mechanical and The ability to expand the arena is limited athletics success. “Facilities are incredibly electrical infrastructure is being totally re- because of the size of its current site. important when you’re trying to attract placed. An independent study is determining top talent,” he said.

www.georgiasouthern.edu 23 Centennial Place to set new standard for residence halls

As the last students exit the three tradi- will have rooms for two students all the “We’re hoping that the building will be tional residence halls opposite Landrum way up to two-bedroom apartments for both wireless and hardwired,” Hawkins Center, a new era enters. two students. said. “Hopefully, it will stream out to the Construction on the massive 377,000 The hope is also that having more ma- courtyard so students can use their laptops square-foot 1,001-bed Centennial Place ture students living among the first-year there, too.” residence hall project gets underway this residents will provide a positive academic About 600 of the residents will be first- summer with the demolition of Olliff, influence, said Hawkins. year students, she said. Winburn and Johnson Halls. The project “We also have some super-suites, simi- “Going along with the opening of has a projected completion date of July lar to those in Eagle Village and Southern Centennial Place will be the reinstatement 2009. Pines. Each student has his or her own bed- of the freshman residency requirement,” “In May, we will be salvaging all the fur- room, a shared living space, and a kitchen.” said Hawkins. “We’re looking at 2,750 to niture and equipment,” said Director of It all works out to two students per bath- 2,800 first- year students living on campus, Housing Vickie Hawkins. “On June 2, we room – no community baths. and that’s about 95 percent of the fresh- actually start demolition.” The complex includes academic class- man class. Right now we only house 70 to All classifications of students – from rooms, a computer lab, tutorial center, 75 percent.” freshmen through grad students – will multipurpose room with a kitchen, and Most other universities in Georgia are be welcomed to the new facility, Hawkins recreational areas with flat screen TV, requiring first-year students to be resi- said. couches and chairs, computer games, pool dents, too, she said. “Students are not go- “We wanted to ensure that the students tables, and ping pong tables. “We’re trying ing to find it earth-shattering that they who live in Centennial Place will be from to give them some amenities that will pull have to live on campus, because if they at- all socio-economic levels,” she said. “We them out of their rooms,” said Hawkins. tend college anywhere else in Georgia they

24 georgia southern spring 2008 are going to have to live on campus their halls will be saved and will become part first year.” of “Centennial Mall,” a green space be- Hand-in-hand with the residency re- tween buildings from Watson to Georgia quirement is providing academic sup- Avenue. port for first-year students, said Hawkins. And, there’s more. Centennial Place will have tutors living Two of the buildings will have retail Alumni can place their order for a on-site and will house two full-time staff shops on the ground floor. In one building commemorative brick on line at http:// members and 33 resident assistants. there will be two food service units. Plans www.gsuhousing.com/housingbricks or As in other residence halls, Centennial call for a clothing store and a convenience by calling the Department of Housing at (912)681-5406. Place will be host to living/learning com- store in the other building. munities – students grouped by major or “We want to have a food court area interest. where you could walk up, order your food, Grab a “We wanted to make sure that we have and then have a central location where ev- housing that is modern, up to date and full erybody can sit down,” Hawkins said. little nostalgia… of amenities, which is what students are The campus print shop will also be mov- expecting ” Hawkins said. ing to Centennial Place from the Williams Long gone are meeting your date in The four-building brick and stucco Center. the lobby, trekking down the hall to complex will match other new campus “These retail spaces will be for every- use the telephone, and shouts of “Man buildings. body, not just the students living in the on the hall!” When complete, Centennial Place will complex,” said Hawkins. “Facing Georgia Looking back, it seems more adven- be Georgia Southern’s largest residence Avenue, the thinking is that the street will ture than inconvenience. hall. Eagle Village is currently the largest become a retail corridor featuring the Alumni who still have a little bit of with 796 students. shops of Centennial Place, restaurants of Winburn, Olliff or Johnson living in The building will be equipped with ele- Landrum, the University Store, and the their hearts can now hold a piece of vators, but that doesn’t mean students will shops of the Russell Union.” their old dorm in their hands. miss out on staying fit. A planned remodeling of the Landrum Bricks from the three residence “We have a basketball court and sand Center will make it more like Centennial halls slated for demolition this sum- pit volleyball court that will be shared Place. “That will make that whole area very mer are on sale for $50, each featuring by Centennial Place and Watson Hall,” nice,” Hawkins said, “and Georgia Avenue a plate with lettering with the Georgia said Hawkins. “The park-like area be- will become a pedestrium with one lane Southern logo. “We will start mailing tween Watson and the existing residence for buses.” bricks out in June and we’ll probably go through October or November,” said Director of University Housing Vickie Hawkins. “Alumni can send in their advance orders and we’ll mail the bricks out as soon as the demolition process is complete.” “In addition to having a keepsake, their purchase will help us provide training and development activities for staff and additional furniture and equipment for Centennial Place,” said Hawkins. Current students living in those buildings can buy one for $25 that reads, “Last resident of…” “We want alums and other interest- ed individuals to have a little piece of Georgia Southern history – to be a little nostalgic about these three buildings,” said Hawkins. “Think how many people have lived in these three residence halls, going back as early as 1966. I began working at Georgia Southern in 1979 as a hall director in Johnson, so seeing those buildings being demolished is go- ing to be really bittersweet for me.”

www.georgiasouthern.edu 25 after 10 great years The Center for Wildlife Education moves forward into a new decade of service

It all started with a case of mistaken iden- tity. Center for Wildlife Education Some local fans were dismayed to hear a Approximately 16.5 acres TV sports announcer mistake a turkey vul- Animals living at the Center: 100 ture for an eagle as the bird circled Paulson Snakes include: red tail boa, Burmese python, Eastern Stadium during the 1991 NCAA Division King snake, red rat snake, indigo snake and variety of I-AA Championship Game. venomous snakes; lizards, frogs, Madagascar hiss- That got the ball rolling for what would ing cockroaches, millipedes, salamanders, rats; become the Center for Wildlife Education Birds: Eurasian eagle owls, barred owls, barn and Lamar Q Ball Jr. Raptor Center. owls, great horned owls, red-tail hawks, red- “After the game, I was approached by shoulder hawks, Mississippi local alumnus and businessman Harry kites, kestrels, turkey vul- Mathews to investigate the possibility of ac- tures, four bald eagles and quiring an eagle at Georgia Southern,” ex- one golden eagle plained Steve Hein, director of the Center. “As a licensed falconer, I made a few phone Bald eagles: Freedom, Glory, calls, and found that state agencies could Patriot, Seattle obtain one of the many injured eagles need- Golden eagle: Phoenix ing a home.” A donation from the Mathews family and the Statesboro Telephone Company provided the seed money to fund a feasibil- ity study, and a joint Georgia Southern and tion, the University signed off on the notion the present-day Center on my kitchen community committee was formed. of building a raptor center.” table during his many visits to Georgia The group was charged with ensuring Hein’s kitchen table served as the drawing Southern,” Hein said. “We literally worked that the presence of an eagle on campus board as the Center for Wildlife Education late into the night, sharing a common vi- would be rooted in education. began to take form. With help from inter- sion for the Center and fueled by a passion “We wanted to make sure that this noble nationally known naturalist and “Mutual of for wildlife.” creature, our national symbol and icon of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom” host Jim Fowler, Family and friends of the late Lamar the University, would be displayed with Harry Mathews’ dream took flight. Q Ball Jr. donated the initial major gift to dignity,” Hein said. “With an eye on educa- “Jim and I actually designed much of launch the Center’s construction. “The

26 georgia southern spring 2008 Center would not have become reality with- the surrounding pavement. The water will out that first major gift,” Hein said. Ball’s course from that location, sweeping around son, David, was a founding member of the the existing amphitheater through the wet- first advisory board and today serves as its lands and feed into the waterfowl pond,” chairperson. Hein explained. “The waterfowl pond will The doors opened in October 1997, and showcase some 25 different species of wa- the handful of birds and snakes Hein had terfowl that are endemic to Georgia, either been keeping at his home became the first as full-time residents or migrants. permanent residents. “I delivered over 500 “The wading bird cypress swamp, located programs before the Center ever opened on the other side of the Wetland Preserve, its doors,” he said. “There was already an will showcase a shallow ecosystem. One awareness of the Center, so when it opened exhibit will be wading birds, such as the it was standing room only!” heron, egrets and spoon bills. And the crowds are still flocking to get “The theme of the expansion is water – a close to creatures normally only viewed resource critical to Georgia’s environmen- from a distance. About 15,000 schoolchil- tal and economic future,” Hein said. “The dren visit the Center each year and thou- waterfowl pond, cypress swamp and simu- sands of other individuals and civic and lated stream are educational tools. We want church groups come to witness the flighted to educate future generations of Georgians raptor demonstrations, reptile shows, or on the wise use of our water resources. just to gaze at an eagle, hawk, falcon or “Our objective is to emphasize the ben- suzanne oliver owl. Another 180,000 witness shows the efits of healthy ecosystems to both wildlife Center’s staff takes on the road each year, "Jim (Fowler) and I and man. To assist in this goal, future plans from regional alumni gatherings to wildlife actually designed much may include a songbird aviary and a her- and environmental events from New York of the present-day petarium to house reptiles and amphibians. to Florida. Success starts with a dream and Georgia “It quickly gets around if you deliver Center on my kitchen Southern University is a place where dreams a quality product,” said Hein. “Certainly, table during his many can come true,” said Hein. within Georgia and the Southeast, we’ve visits to Georgia As a young boy who grew up watching developed a very good reputation for de- Southern. We literally “Wild Kingdom” and having adventures in livering quality environmental education. worked late into the his own back yard, the creation and evolu- We really don’t do a lot of advertising. Our night, sharing a common tion of the Center for Wildlife Education is success is based on filling a need, word of the realization of a dream for Hein. It is the mouth and repeat visitors.” vision for the Center only center of its type in the nation, and is a Hein, like all Georgia Southern alumni, and fueled by a passion priceless resource for the region. is an admirer of the late coach Erk Russell, for wildlife." “Contrary to what many might believe, and remembers Russell’s admonition that, Steve Hein, Wildlife Center Director the Statesboro-Bulloch County area has “You’re either moving forward or falling not experienced an influx of raptors,” Hein back – getting better or worse. You never said. “Rather it is a testimony to the raised stay the same.” Taking that philosophy to cases three water features: a babbling brook, awareness by the community of our native heart, Hein and the Center are moving for- waterfowl pond and a seasonal wetland. and migratory raptor populations. This ward. “We are fortunate to have a natural cor- shows that we are having an impact, people The Center’s expansion, the wetland pre- ridor made up of very mature hardwoods are more aware. Their sense to their sur- serve, is a new 12-acre tract focusing on and pine trees that have been sampled to be roundings has been heightened to the point hydrology, the natural flow and function of over 80 years old. These trees separate the they’re seeing these avian predators, includ- water, and is scheduled to open this spring. existing center from the Wetland Preserve,” ing eagles.” Given the statewide focus on water short- Hein said. Ten years after the Center’s first visitors ages, the project is timely. “Starting at the Center’s entrance is a strode the winding boardwalk among the The expansion includes Army Corp of simulated beaver pond, a small impound- birds of prey, many fewer are mistaking Engineers-delineated wetlands and show- ment that will capture run-off water from eagles for turkey vultures.

www.georgiasouthern.edu 27 foundation news 2008 Wild Game Supper

ore than 700 MUniversity alumni, friends and state officials attended the 2008 edition of Georgia Southern’s Wild Game Supper, co-hosted by the Statesboro- Bulloch County Chamber of Commerce, the City of Statesboro and Bulloch County.

Guests included Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and members of the Georgia General Assembly who met and mingled at the old Railroad Depot at Underground Atlanta.

28 georgia southern spring 2008 »ON THE WEB: Find out more about your giving options at http://welcome.georgiasouthern.edu/foundation/givingoptions/plannedgifts.shtml

2008 marked the

23rd year friends

and supporters have

gathered for the

Wild Game Supper.

www.georgiasouthern.edu 29 chronicles

1930s Verna Lassetter Beard (’37) lives in Hawaii Georgia Southern Eagles with her daughter, Barbara. Barbara writes that Verna is 92 and is in great shape. “Verna quit water aerobics about four years ago, and started walking about 1.5 miles four VS. times a week. She also plays bridge twice a week and wins a lot of the time.” She moved to Hawaii about five years ago. Her son and Georgia Bulldogs grandchildren also live nearby. 1960s Aug. 30, 2008 Tom Martin (’63) has been inducted into the Georgia Recreation and Park Association Hall of Fame. Tom began his career in recreation Kickoff time: TBA 50 years ago as a part-time recreation leader in Statesboro. His career has taken him to jobs with the State of Georgia, Georgia Southern, the National Recreation and Park Pre-game events Association, and the Georgia Recreation and Park Association. He was a member of Friday, Aug. 29 the University faculty from 1968-72. From 1978 to 2000, he was the Southeast Regional Alumni & Friends Social Director for the National Recreation and Park Mellow Mushroom Association. The past seven years, he has served as executive director of GRPA. He and 320 East Clayton St., Athens his wife, Marcia, live in Conyers, Ga. Time: 7-10 p.m. Admission: free Bobby Green (’64) is a retired minister who has written four books. His latest, In God’s Crosshairs, was released in August 2006. Saturday, Aug. 30 His wife, Martha (McBride ’66), is a retired teacher. The couple lives in Register, Ga. BBQ and Pep Rally Classic Center Jeri Prince Stapleton (’66) is an instructor at Middle Georgia College. She recently 300 North Thomas St., Athens published her first book, Taylor Visits the Time: TBA Farm, an inspirational book for young children. For more information on her book, Admission: $10 at the door visit www.taylorstories.com. Her husband, Robert (’67) is a basketball coach with the Telfair County Board of Education. The couple resides in Alamo, Ga., and can be Eagles Fans Don't forget! reached at [email protected].

Georgia Southern Jim Dooley (’68) plans to retire from the vs. UGA gameday T-shirts U.S. Air Force in October. He holds the rank of colonel. Jim and his wife, Deneal, will Available at the University Store relocate to Utah this summer, where he will begin a new career as a teacher. Upon his or at www.gsustore.com retirement, Jim will have over 28 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. two styles, $14.99 each Air Force. The couple currently resides in Yorktown, Va. He would enjoy hearing from friends at [email protected].

For the latest information call 912-478-ALUM Lounelle Merritt Beecher (’69) is social For football tickets call 1-800-GSU-WINS studies and foreign language curriculum coordinator for the Richmond County, Ga., Department of Education. Over the last nine years, she has become known as the

30 georgia southern spring 2008 »ON THE WEB: Get the latest news, features and schedules online at www.georgiasouthern.edu

“It’s an incredibly stunning place,” she said. “I look out of my window and I can see part of this wonderful mountain on the east side of the valley that’s called ‘Sleeping Indian.’ I have a friend who has a ranch right under the nose of that particular mountain fea- special to georgia Southern ture. Jackson Hole is a really Lokey Lytjen (’75) serves as executive director of the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum. beautiful place and there’s a lot of history and culture Ace in the Hole here as well.” Lytjen’s passion for history finds a voice in the Old West Lokey Lytjen (’75) Lokey Lytjen earned her education de- museum professionals. located, and we have a wide variety of peo- gree in 1975, and the rest really is history. “It’s an incredibly stunning place,” she ple who come to use that facility. Filmmak- Lytjen, executive director of Wyoming’s said. “I look out of my window and I can see ers, professional writers and scholars come Jackson Hole Historical Society and Mu- part of this wonderful mountain on the east in,” as well as amateur researchers whose seum, always wanted to be an educator, and side of the valley that’s called ‘Sleeping In- families lived or passed through there. is, in the broadest sense of the word. Her dian.’ I have a friend who has a ranch right School and youth groups visit the museum, interest in understanding and imparting under the nose of that particular mountain she said, and it offers curriculum-based the who, what, when, where and, most im- feature. Jackson Hole is a really beautiful units for teachers about the history of the portantly, why, of historical events led her place and there’s a lot of history and culture valley. “We can involve students in learning to posts at historical sites and museums in here as well.” about history in a fun way and hope that North Carolina, New Hampshire and now The valley is bounded on the west by the that will transfer to maybe a larger interest the Big Sky country of Wyoming. 14,000-foot Tetons and the east by the Gros in American history,” said Lytjen. When her husband accepted a position Ventre range. It was named Jackson Hole A native of Savannah, she and her hus- as a city planner in Jackson, she gladly took (originally Jackson’s Hole) by locals because band, Bill, enjoy hiking and skiing and have the leap, but needed her own job. “We knew it was the trapping grounds of mountain ample opportunity see the abundant wild- that there was a little art museum down on man Davey Jackson. In American West life in the area: bear, bison, moose, elk, deer, the town square and that it was going to be homesteading terms, it was settled relative- mountain lion, coyote and wolves. significantly expanded. I went there to see ly late – after the turn of the 20th century. “Becoming a non-traditional educator – what was going on, visited the historic mu- Because of that, it offers unique opportuni- I kind of fell into that – but I really enjoyed seum and met with the then-director. The ties to study its historical contexts. it and made a conscious choice to stay in art museum offered me a new position they “I actually get to interact with the chil- the museum field working through educa- had started,” she said. dren of the families who homesteaded the tion rather than going back into the class- Three years later, the directorship of the area,” said Lytjen. “And that’s very, very in- room,” said Lytjen. “The fact that I was able historic museum opened. “I applied and got teresting to hear the stories of what their to find a position that fulfilled my desire to that position,” said Lytjen. “I’ll have been lives were like.” be an educator in a setting that allowed me here 11 years in May. Most of the museum’s visitors come from to enjoy the other aspects of my life was a “I work really closely with our board and the more than three million people who real gift.” staff so we can accomplish our goals, our visit the area every year for skiing and sight- To learn more about the Jackson Hole vision and our mission – where we want seeing, she said. “We also have a research Historical Society and Museum, visit www. to go and what we think we need to do as center where our photographic archives are jacksonholehistory.org.

www.georgiasouthern.edu 31 chronicles

“Grant Lady of Richmond County.” She estimates that she earned close to $5 million through grants for Richmond County, its social studies and foreign languages teachers, and the social studies and foreign language program.

Harper C. Daniell (’69) lives in Colorado Springs, Colo.

1970s Bill Terrell (’71) is a senior director of business development with Aramark Uniform Services. He and his wife, special to georgia Southern Debbie, live in LaGrange, Ga., and can Ben Freakley (’00), at left, is head coach of the Virginia Military Institute Keydets’ soccer team. be reached at [email protected].

Former Eagle Freakley 1980s Charlie Nutt (’82) has been named executive director of the National Academic Advising Association leads VMI’s soccer program (NACADA). Nutt, who has been with the Executive Office since 2002 as associate director, was actively involved There are people who love soccer, and His passion led him to work with 30 to in a variety of association leadership then there’s Ben Freakley. 50 youth players each week. “It’s so much roles prior to assuming the associate “I definitely remember my first day of fun to get out there and work with a differ- director position. Prior to coming to soccer more than I remember my first day ent set of players,” he said. the NACADA Executive Office and in any other sport,” said Freakley (’00), Freakley and his wife, Melissa (’03) like Kansas State University, Nutt served in various capacities for 17 years at Coastal head coach of the Virginia Military Insti- to travel when their schedules allow, and Georgia Community College, including tute Keydets. “I played basketball, I played Melissa is completing a bachelor’s degree vice president for student development, baseball and I played tennis. But nothing in nursing. But the big news is that they director of advisement/orientation, ever gave me the feeling of being alive or are expecting their first child. “That’s what registrar, and assistant professor of just having so much fun as being out on we’re excited about the most,” Freakley English. the field. said. Sandra T. Dominy (’84) was named “I guess because I stuck with soccer so As much as he is focused on his coach- Affiliated Georgia School Leaders long, my experiences along the way led ing and service to his sport, Freakley is Assistant Principal of the Year for me to love it more and more and more,” always mindful of those who helped him 2006. She represented Georgia at he said. get where he is today – like former Geor- the NASSP Assistant Principal of the Year competition in Washington, D.C. “In the last five or six years, soccer has gia Southern head coach Kevin Chambers, Dominy is assistant principal at Appling taken me all over the world,” said Freakley. who gave him his first coaching experi- County High School in Baxley, Ga. “It’s the world’s game and you really don’t ence at the collegiate level. “Without the She and her husband, Andy, have a see that until you get out of the U.S. and opportunity that Kevin gave me, I never daughter, Taylor. see what it means to other people as well.” would be sitting here at VMI. I owe a lot Bonita Pitts Jenkins (’86) is the Freakley has taken youth players from to that man.” director of marketing and college his area to Mexico and Trinidad, trips His days of competing as a player at communications for Piedmont Technical focused on letting youngsters see soccer the national level are done, but Freakley’s College in Greenwood, S.C. She and her on a bigger stage. “They see kids from a competitive drive goes on. “I guess that’s husband, Jay, live in Martinez, Ga., with less privileged background that are much the thing that ties me to any sport. I love to their two children, Jaida and Jayden. They can be reached at bonitapj@yahoo. better soccer players than they are,” said compete,” said Freakley. “I like to have the com. Freakley. “Those kids’ abilities are their opportunity to go against somebody, and I best ticket to a better life. You can see it in think that’s what I like about coaching, too. Leslie Thompson Taunton (’86) writes, the way that they train with one another I try and improve my players, get them all “After living our entire lives in the and against one another and the way they on the same page, and when we win, noth- South, we moved to southern Alaska due to a career move. Please visit us compete. They really want to be there.” ing replaces that feeling. Nothing.”

32 georgia southern spring 2008 »ON THE WEB: Get the latest news, features and schedules online at www.georgiasouthern.edu in Homer, Alaska, the Halibut Capital of the executive assistant with Ogeechee Area World.” She and her husband, Eddie, have a Hospice. The family lives in Statesboro Time capsule to be daughter, Lauren. They would enjoy hearing and would enjoy hearing from friends at from friends at [email protected]. [email protected]. buried to close out Stephen James (’87) and his wife, Tina Delaine McGaha (’94) is a nurse therapist (Archer ’88), recently adopted a daughter, with Ogeechee Mental Health. She is dual centennial observance Justine Jennifer Marie. She joins siblings certified by ANCC as a psychiatric clinical Christopher, Nicholas and Rebecca. The nurse specialist and as a psychiatric nurse As a part of the celebration of Geor- family lives in Statesboro. practitioner. She is also certified by NAADAC gia Southern’s centennial celebration, as a master addiction counselor. She a time capsule will be buried at the Lisa Wiggins Wilson (’87) was recently lives in Statesboro and can be reached at new Alumni and Welcome Center on presented the Health Care Heroes Award [email protected]. from the Georgia Medical Society for Akins Boulevard. her work as school nurse at White Bluff Martin Sauls IV (’94) has been named Sealed until the year 2106, the time Elementary in Savannah. She joined the public relations director at Tradition Hilton capsule contains significant artifacts Savannah-Chatham County Public School Head, S.C., a 5,600-acre, master-planned familiar to today’s students and fac- System as the school’s nurse in 1999. She community being developed by Core ulty but which might not be around organizes dozens of educational activities Communities. He has been extremely active at the school each year for its students and in local civic organizations. He is also an 100 years from now. staff, and spends her spare time speaking accomplished motor cycle racer and has “We make history every day,” said at school functions, serving on health care competed nationally, including his 1998 Dean of Students Georj Lewis, “It’s committees and serving as mentor to senior national championship victory on board important to revisit the past and see RN students at Armstrong Atlantic State his Ducati superbike at the famed Daytona Georgia Southern’s great tradition.” University. International Speedway. Sauls and his wife, Anissa, have two daughters. To assemble the time capsule, the dean of students’ office worked hand- Susan B. Puryear (’94) has joined The in-hand with the faculty, student 1990s PrivateBank-Atlanta as an associate body, alumni and the community. managing director. She will be managing Lewis also praised Ann Hamilton John Benton is a commercial advisor with private banking relations and private Mopper-Stapen Realtors in Savannah. banking business development out of the of the Zach Henderson Library and PrivateBank’s Buckhead Banking Center. She Brent Tharp, director of the Georgia Bradley Chapple (’92) was recently serves on the board of directors of Druid Southern Museum, for their contri- promoted to general manager of Racing Hills Child Development Center and is a butions to the project. Milestones magazine, a division of member of the Georgia Women’s Business Suggestions for items to be put in AutoTrader.com. He and his wife, Amy (Fisher Council and the Gwinnett Chamber of ’94), are the parents of quadruplets, Alaina, Commerce. the time capsule were taken from Kirsten, Tyler and Jake. The family makes its school administrators, faculty, the home in Chesapeake, Va. They would enjoy Tripp Stelts (’94) lives in Roswell, Ga., Student Government Association, hearing from friends at thechapples6@cox. where he is with the casualty unit of Allstate alumni, and the student body at large net. Insurance. He and his wife, Kimberly, have a through a survey conducted on the daughter, Ava Grace. Tod Morgan (’92) is the head basketball WINGS student Web portal. coach at Goldsboro High School. He lives Paul Spohn (’95) is district manager of “It was a collaborative effort that in New Bern, N.C., and can be reached at Family Dollar stores in the New Mexico- was much more complicated than one [email protected]. Colorado area. might imagine,” said Lewis. “Every consideration was made to preserve Lance Turpin (’92) has been a city executive Joan Warshauer (’95) is a reading teacher with BB&T in St. Simons Island/Glynn County, at Coral Springs Charter School in Coral our current history for the future.” Ga., since 2002. He and his wife, Robyn, Springs, Fla., where she lives with her Items in the time capsule include live on St. Simons with their two children, husband, David. a Class of 2006 tassel, an Eagle En- Sydney and Hayley. He can be reached at tertainment Megaphone, a Starbucks [email protected]. Phillip Barnett (’96) co-owns a successful coffee mug, the new Georgia South- video, photography and DJ company with Shannon Lisbon Sutherland (’93) is a stay- his wife, Cherie. His Web site is at www. ern Centennial ID card, a 2006 park- at-home mom with daughter Amelia. Her atlastproductions.com. The couple lives in ing citation form, and Erk Russell husband, Fain (’93), is a structural designer Hephzibah, Ga. memorabilia. and design manager at the Georgia Pacific “The campus map I’m sure will be plant in Albany, Ga. The family lives in Kim Bivins Sconiers (’96) and her husband, an interesting find,” said Lewis, “con- Leesburg and can be reached at s_suther@ John, celebrated the July birth of their mchsi.com. daughter, Camryn. Kim is a victim advocate sidering how much Georgia Southern with the Cobb County, Ga., district attorney’s has grown and continues to grow.” Marne Miller Thompson (’93) and her office. The family resides in Kennesaw, Ga., The time capsule will be buried husband, Steve, welcomed their son, and would enjoy hearing from friends at when ground is broken for the new Zachary Steven, in August. Marne is an [email protected]. Alumni and Welcome Center.

www.georgiasouthern.edu 33 chronicles Former Eagle kicker Bironas sets NFL record, makes Pro Bowl Rob Bironas was not a star football play- 35-of-39 field goal tries. Along the way, he er at Georgia Southern. set the league record for most field goals In fact, he wasn’t even the Eagles’ pri- in a single game when he booted eight in mary kicker during a 38-36 win over the Houston Texans on his only season with Oct. 21. the team. Bironas began his college career at Au- However, Bironas burn University, but he transferred to emerged as one of Georgia Southern in 2000 and lettered the National Foot- for the team that won the NCAA Division ball League’s elite I-AA national championship that year. players at his posi- Sharing the kicking duties with Scott Shel- tion during the 2007 ton, he made all 18 of his extra-point at- season. tempts and 7-of-13 field goal tries. Bironas was the In his first attempts to make it as an NFL kicker on the Asso- player, Bironas was cut in training camp by ciated Press All-Pro team, and he was se- the Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Bucca- lected as the kicker for the American Foot- neers and Pittsburgh Steelers. He played in ball Conference in the annual Pro Bowl. the Arena Football League and Af2 before Kicking for the AFC squad, Bironas was finally winning a job in the NFL with the good on three point-after attempts and Titans in 2005. special to georgia Southern was three-for-three on field goals of 33, 48 Bironas has made 90-of-92 extra-point Tennessee Titans kicker Rob Bironas set an NFL and 28 yards. attempts and 80-of-96 field goal attempts record this fall, successfully kicking eight field Bironas scored 133 points during the re- in three seasons with the Titans. He has goals in a single game, and paving the way for cently completed NFL season, connecting six game-winning field goals in his NFL his first Pro Bowl start. on all 28 of his extra-point attempts and career.

Glenn Bolden (’97) is a special education and owner of Durrence/Streett Properties. She and her husband, Adam, reside in Lake teacher at Heartland Academy. He and his The family lives in Statesboro and welcomes Charles, La. wife, Teresa, have two children, and make e-mail at [email protected]. their home in Dublin, Ga. They can be Marybel Laboy (’99) is a teacher with the reached at [email protected]. Dakhine Klosek Lee (’98) is a special Liberty County Board of Education. She and education teacher with the Liberty County her daughter, Latasha, live in Hinesville, Ga. Renea Colson (’97) completed her doctorate Board of Education. She and her husband, in educational administration in December. Milton, have four children, Logan, Autumn, Jennifer Templeton (’99) and Brice Jordan Colson is a teacher in the Hart County School Hannah and Anthony. The family makes its were married in November. The couple System in Hartwell, Ga. She and husband, home in Hinesville, Ga. resides in Knoxville, Tenn. Greg, reside in Elberton, Ga. Bobby Martin II (’98) and Kathryn McManus Sven Tubovic (’97) is an assistant professor were married in October. In August, Bobby 2000s in Pacific Lutheran University School of was promoted to facilities supervisor with the Business in Tacoma, Wash. “I teach classes Augusta Recreation and Parks Department. Amara Minnicks Bennett (’00) is director of in services marketing, sales management, The couple resides in Augusta, Ga. onsite content services for Bright Claim Inc. e-marketing and principles of marking,” he of Norcross, Ga. She and her husband, Sean, writes. “Last November, I won a Best Paper William McLean (’98) is the pastor of First live in John’s Creek. She may be reached at Award at a conference in London.” Presbyterian Church in Delphi, Ind. [email protected]. Jason M. Conner (’00) has become an Jenna Streett Durrence (’98) and her Jason Crenshaw (’99) and his wife, Elizabeth associate in the Atlanta firm of Newcomb husband, Marty (’98), celebrated the (Powell ’99), live in Savannah. November birth of their daughter, Carrolyn. & Boyd, a multidiscipline consulting and She joins sisters Eastyn and Staclyn. Jenna is Amanda Hendrick Dean (’99) is a engineering company providing solutions a stay-at-home mom. Marty is market vice compensation analyst with Global Industries. for facility design, construction and president of Park Avenue Bank in Statesboro maintenance.

34 georgia southern spring 2008 »ON THE WEB: Get the latest news, features and schedules online at www.georgiasouthern.edu A passion for pottery Alumnus designs roads, but pursues art passion on weekends

By Michelle Groover

Coaxing a beautiful piece of pottery out of a lump of clay requires skill, creativity, patience and technical acumen. Allen Gee’s interest in pottery began when he took a ceramics course at Geor- gia Southern. “I was immediately drawn to clay as a medium because I could use artistic design in forming shapes, as well as the technical aspect involved in firing clay to complete the process,” Gee (‘77) said. “Working with clay is a creative outlet for me. It is also a challenge in that there are problems to be solved in the production process that leads to a successful finished product,” he said. Gee begins each work on his electric potter’s wheel, the only “mod- ern” tool he uses. It usually takes a piece about a week to dry before it is placed into frank fortune a bisque-firing kiln. “They are fired here first so they won’t Allen Gee’s interest in pottery started when he took a ceramics course at Georgia Southern. break as easily and so the clay will absorb water for the glaze,” Gee explains. After vided him with a chance to discover and While pottery is his weekend obsession, being placed into a homemade liquid glaze develop his basic interests. “It allowed me during the week he works for the Georgia mixture, the piece is air dried. Once dry, the opportunity to explore a wide variety Department of Transportation. “I am part the pieces are placed into a kiln that reach- of courses in a search for what was most of a design team that produces construc- es temperatures in excess of 2,380 degrees. appealing to my interest,” he said. “I dis- tion plans for road improvement projects,” “It takes about 18 to 19 hours to fire the covered interest in both the fine arts and Gee said. “Computer aided drafting is an pottery,” said Gee. “Then it takes about industrial technology, so I took as many integral part of the design process and I three days for the kiln to cool down before classes in each of these areas as possible operate a workstation that uses civil engi- I can remove the pieces. The time it takes at the time. The skills I learned from my neering programs for earthwork and de- to complete a piece of pottery from start teachers provided me with the founda- sign computations.” to finish depends on its size. The average tion with which to continue learning and Gee’s pottery will be on display and sale for me is about a month and I usually have improving on my own after graduation. I at Perspectives 2008: Georgia Pottery Invi- several pots in various stages of comple- thank and credit my teachers with prepar- tational in Watkinsville, Ga., Aug. 29-Sept. tion at any one time.” ing me for the future and sparking my in- 17. His works are also on display at the Art Gee’s time at Georgia Southern pro- terest in discovery and creativity.” Works Gallery in Pine Mountain, Ga.

www.georgiasouthern.edu 35 chronicles Former Eagle Pevey happy as a Blue Jay By Mark Holland I’ve always enjoyed baseball. Even when I was Most of the men who pursue a career in in the minor leagues, not making a whole lot the highly competitive world of professional baseball find out very quickly that it’s a long, of money, I enjoyed it. To me, getting to work hard road to the bright lights of the major in the major leagues is just a bonus. leagues. Few understand this particular fact of life Marty Pevey, third base coach, Toronto Blue Jays better than Marty Pevey, who spent portions of 24 seasons playing and managing in de- cidedly unglamorous locales such as Dune- din, Elizabethtown and Medicine Hat. Slowly but surely, he progressed through the most talented players, including Cy Young However, patience and persistence – not minor leagues and finally made his major Award-winning pitcher Roy Halladay, Gold to mention a keen insight into the way the league debut in May 1989 with the Montreal Glove center fielder Vernon Wells and All- game is supposed to be played – have en- Expos. Star second baseman Alex Rios. abled the former Georgia Southern star to Pevey spent seven weeks with the Expos “Even more than winning, teaching is the earn his place in “the show.” before returning to the minor leagues. He name of the game in the minor leagues,” Pe- Pevey is set to begin his third full season never made it back to the big leagues, but he vey said. “Your young players must get bet- on the coaching staff of the Toronto Blue kept chasing his dream for six more years. ter, or you’ll be out of a job.” Jays. He is the team’s third base coach, and “I never looked at it like, ‘I’m stuck in the Pevey returned to the major leagues at the he is also responsible for coaching the out- minor leagues,’” Pevey said. “Instead, it was, end of the 2005 season as the Blue Jays’ first fielders. ‘I’m playing baseball.’ I liked what I was do- base coach. He was named third base coach “My dad once told me, ‘You’ve got to ing, and it was paying my bills, so why not last September. work your whole life, so you might as well stick with it?” In the big leagues, Pevey gets to travel on do something you enjoy,’” Pevey said as he As a player in the Toronto Blue Jays or- airplanes instead of the buses that are syn- considered the circuitous route that took ganization, he attracted the attention of as- onymous with the minor league lifestyle, but him from the depths of the minor leagues to sistant general manager Gord Ash, who saw the workdays are still very long. Unlike their the sport’s highest level. the makings of a manager in Pevey. wealthy rivals in Boston and New York, the “Well, I’ve always enjoyed baseball. Even “Gord told me, ‘When you’re finished Blue Jays don’t employ any advance scouts when I was in the minor leagues, not mak- playing, give me a call and we’ll have a job to provide detailed reports on their oppo- ing a whole lot of money, I enjoyed it. To me, for you,’” Pevey said. nents. getting to work in the major leagues is just After playing his last game in 1995, Pevey Therefore, Toronto relies on video to ana- a bonus.” was hired as a manager in the Blue Jays farm lyze the offensive, defensive and pitching Pevey’s love of baseball began in Savan- system the following spring. He was pro- tendencies of the teams they are playing. nah, where he was a standout catcher at moted to Toronto’s bullpen coach in 1999, “Our coaching staff is looking at video Windsor Forest High School. He received but the team made a managerial change every day,” Pevey said. “We get to the club- a scholarship to Georgia Southern and be- and he returned to the minors the very next house early and leave late.” came a three-year starter behind the plate year. Pevey and wife, Trini, a Georgia Southern for the Eagles. Over the course of the next six seasons, grad, have been married for 17 years. They In 1982, at the conclusion of his junior Pevey managed four different teams in live in the Atlanta suburb of Alpharetta season, Pevey was selected in the 19th the Blue Jays farm system. Along the way, with their children, 10-year-old Tucker and round of the draft by the Minnesota Twins. he helped to develop some of Toronto’s 8-year-old Ashtin.

Athletics Hall of Fame nominees sought Georgia Southern Athletics is now and administrators. VanLandingham at Lanellv@georgiasouthern. accepting nominations for its 2008 Hall • Nominees must also have made a edu. Please include “Hall of Fame of Fame Induction Class. The Hall of Fame significant contribution to the success of Nomination” in the subject line. The deadline selection criteria include: Georgia Southern Athletics. for nominations is Friday, May 30. • 10-year eligibility moratorium for all Anyone wanting to nominate former The 2008 Hall of Fame Class will be student-athletes and five years for coaches Eagles can submit names via e-mail to Lanell inducted on Sept. 26-27.

36 georgia southern spring 2008 »ON THE WEB: Get the latest news, features and schedules online at www.georgiasouthern.edu

Michael McAloon (’00) was recently published in the scientific journal Acarologia, describing a new species of mite collected Royal during his master’s work at Georgia Southern with biology professor Daniel V. Hagan. The specimen was collected in Coffee County, Ga., with Hagan and Professor Emeritus George Rogers. McAloon treatment is conducting his doctoral studies at the Sauers’ business innovation University of Connecticut. Amanda Edenfield (’01) and Nicholas finds a niche at outdoor events Kauffeld were married in December. Amanda is a special education teacher with the You just never know where the next Lawton (Okla.) Public Schools. The couple great idea might come from. lives in Lawton, Okla., and would enjoy The inspiration for David Sauers’ hearing from friends at amandakauffeld@ (’97) company, Royal Restrooms, came yahoo.com. after waiting in line outside a portable Rosalyn Cooper Smith (’01) and her restroom with his young daughter at husband, Anthony, celebrated the an outdoor event in Savannah. “When November birth of their daughter, Anna. we finally got inside the porta-potty, Rosalyn is a teacher with the Barrow County frank fortune my daughter just freaked out,” he said. Schools. David Sauers’ (’97) company, Royal “It was a horrifying experience. That’s Restrooms, started out based in Savannah Jennifer Trimnell Davis (’01) is a special when I thought, ‘there’s got to be some- and now boasts offices from coast-to-coast. education teacher with the Rockingbridge thing better.’” Board of Education. She and her husband, Sauers, who earned his bachelor’s de- Brent, reside in Lexington, Va. gree in political science, came up with Buffett, Cameron Diaz and Justin Tim- Marcie Crosby (’02) has been named the idea of a small but well-appointed berlake. 2007-2008 Teacher of the Year for Guyton and clean restroom on wheels. “They It’s not all glamour, though. Royal Re- Elementary School. A first-grade teacher, had the big trailers that were multi- strooms also works with the federal gov- Marcie serves on several different stalled affairs, but I wanted something ernment to provide units for tornado, committees/councils for her school and the that was small for more intimate gather- flood and fire victims. board of education. She was instrumental in creating the Guyton Gatorettes, a teacher ings,” he said. “We’re growing by leaps and bounds, dance group that performs at PTA meetings, He shared his idea with friend and and I hope that everything continues to school events and community functions now business partner Robert Glisson. move forward as it is,” said Sauers. “It’s throughout Southeast Georgia. She resides Glisson, an environmental engineer, exciting that you can still start some- in Statesboro, and is also a part-time locked on to the concept and saw the thing from the ground up that’s not instructor with the Gail Hursey School of Dance. possibilities immediately, said Sauers. based on the technology side. It’s truly a “He was really the catalyst. He just got business that anybody can operate. Sandy Dostal Thornton (’02) and Rick behind it and pushed forward and saw “We never intended the business to Thornton were married in October. Sandy the full potential.” really do this,” he said. “We just thought is the corporate special projects director for Savannah-based Royal Restrooms it would be something to make a little The Kessler Collection, a luxury boutique hotel chain. She writes, “We happily live first expanded into north Florida, leaped extra money on the side. We didn’t know in Orlando, Fla., and would enjoy hearing all the way out to Seattle, then San Fran- it would actually become so lucrative.” from any fellow Eagles at sandra.dostal@ cisco and points in between. “We’ve got Like all successful business owners, kesslercollection.com.” about 40 offices operating right now,” Sauers is always looking to innovate. said Sauers, with about 300 units in ser- Royal Restrooms unveiled a new trail- Marcus Moody (’02) and his wife, Zakiyyah (Wiley ’04), celebrated the July birth of their vice. The company is about to expand er for Super Bowl weekend with a flat son, Kayden. again through an exclusive deal with screen TV on the outside so fans can Pace American, the established manu- watch while they wait. April Baggs (’04) is a production facturer of NASCAR trailers and “toter- Given the nature of his business, he’s technician/newscast director with WSAV- homes.” heard his share of jokes. “Far and away TV in Savannah. She can be reached at [email protected]. How well accepted has the concept the best one is that ‘I’m the No. 1 one been? Sauers recently provided re- man in the No. 2 business’,” he laughed. Meghan Correia (’04) and Ralph Kirchen stroom facilities for the wedding of With the coast-to-coast success of were married March 2007. The couple Google co-founder Larry Page. He has Royal Restrooms, Sauers is getting the resides in Lutz, Fla. also worked with events by Warren last laugh.

www.georgiasouthern.edu 37 chronicles

Lindsay Dowd (’04) and Elmer Miller (’07) were married in October. Lindsay is Alumna continues research a child care consultant with the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. Elmer is a project engineer with R.B. Baker work in native Hungary Construction. The couple lives in Statesboro. James Forrester (’06) in an investment consultant with SunTrust Investment Katalin Patonai has returned to her while functioning as a natural water fil- Services. He and his wife, Vannah, make their native Hungary to pursue a master’s de- tering system. Economically speaking, home in Raleigh, N.C. gree in ecology, but the young scientist their resources provide around $1.5 bil- David M. Owen (’06) and Julie Boyer is still using the knowledge she acquired lion of income per year. (’07) were married in July. They live in as a student at Georgia Southern. “However, these areas also experience Simpsonville, S.C. Patonai recently massive die-offs, with complex reasons won first place in the background. The herbivore salt Ashley Turner (’06) and Ames Barnett (’99) in her division at marsh periwinkle can overgraze huge were married in December 2006. Ashley is the tourism director with the Chamber of the International areas, turning previously dense vegeta- Commerce of Wilkes County, Ga. Ames is Life Sciences Stu- tion into mud flats. In such cases, their co-owner of Barnett Southern Construction dents’ Conference numbers can increase dramatically, and co-owner of Team Excavating Company hosted by the which suggests predators do not have Inc. In November, he was elected as a city University of Lju- the ability to control the periwinkles’ councilman in Washington, Ga. bljana in Slovenia, abundance. Bethany Bell (’07) is a counselor with the the honor coming “Therefore, the investigation of pred- Savannah River Challenge. She lives in for research she conducted as an under- ator-prey interactions is an important Statesboro. graduate assistant to Georgia Southern approach to understanding and pre- biology professor Sophie George. venting these die-offs.” Josh Brown (’07) is the stadium operations manager for the Savannah Sand Gnats. He Their project focused on Littoraria ir- “Our study sought to answer two resides in Savannah and would enjoy hearing rorata, a snail found in Coastal Georgia questions,” Patonai said. “First, does from friends at [email protected]. and more commonly known as the salt shell size and shape differ between the marsh periwinkle. two sites and over time? Secondly, if “Ecologically and economically, salt there are differences in shell morphol- marshes are very important to Coastal ogy, can this be due to difference in pre- In Memoriam Georgia,” said Patonai, who graduated dation risk at the two sites?” Dr. John Robert Lindsey, age 87, died in from Georgia Southern in 2006. “Our “According to preliminary data, the January. A native of Omega, Ga., Dr. Lindsey research looked at the salt marsh peri- sites differed significantly in vegetation attended Clemson University, where he lettered in track and boxing. He later earned winkle and its impact on these marsh- cover,” Patonai said. “In comparison, his masters’ degree from Mercer University es.” Tybee Island was considered an exposed and served as the assistant principal and Patonai attended Georgia Southern habitat, and Crooked River was a shel- coach at Norman Park High School. He on a Georgia Rotary Student Program tered habitat. Because shelter gives prey earned a doctoral degree from Florida State scholarship, which provides assistance a chance to seek refuge and escape pred- University. Dr. Lindsey joined the faculty of Georgia Southern in 1958 and held several to international students. She was also ators, we expected to find differences in positions during his tenure, including the recipient of a Paulson Student Re- predation risk between the two sites. director of student teaching, professor, search Award, presented annually by the “Our findings suggest that predators education program assistant and associate Office of Undergraduate Research in the seem to exert strong selection on peri- dean. He also served as director for several Allen E. Paulson College of Science and winkles at the exposed site, so they rep- educational organizations. Upon retirement, he was named professor emeritus and Technology. resent a potential control mechanism.” taught graduate classes on a part-time basis. Patonai and George conducted their Now a graduate student at Eotvos Lo- He traveled as a consultant for the Georgia research at two locations: one at Tybee rand University in Budapest, Hungary, Accreditation Commission until 2006, truly Island, near Savannah, and the other at Patonai has fond memories of her expe- retiring at age 85. Dr. Lindsey held leadership Crooked River State Park, just north of rience at Georgia Southern. positions in the fields of education and genealogy. He helped found the Sons of St. Marys. “I was fortunate to participate in great the American Revolution Chapter in Bulloch “The salt marshes are vital and beau- classes, memorable field trips and re- County, and was active in the Radio Club, tiful areas in Coastal Georgia,” Patonai search projects,” Patonai said. “I enjoyed the American Legion, American Heart said. “From an ecological standpoint, the extensive facilities, which offered Association, the Humane Society and the they provide valuable shelter, breeding many more resources than had been Historical Society. He was a very active member of the First United Methodist and feeding grounds for various species available to me.”

38 georgia southern spring 2008 »ON THE WEB: Get the latest news, features and schedules online at www.georgiasouthern.edu

Church of Statesboro, where he taught Sunday school for 43 years. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Barbara “Bab” Moore Lindsey; a daughter, Julie; three grandsons; Virtually ready a brother; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Buchanan drives advances in computerized medical training Paul E. Nessmith, 99, died March 12. Mr. Nessmith played a key role in After devouring mathematics, then supporting Georgia Southern’s mission of biochemistry, Judith A. Thomson Buch- regional service and in the construction anan found something she could really of the Southern Center for Continuing sink her teeth into. Education, later named the Nessmith- Lane Building. He served in the Georgia Buchanan (’70), associate dean of the General Assembly as the 82nd District University of Minnesota School of Den- representative from 1963-1980. Prior to his tistry, grew up in Akron, Ohio. Out of high election, Mr. Nessmith served on the state’s school, she joined an older sister in Savan- Agricultural Commodities Authority. He nah, where she lived and worked full-time was president of the Statesboro Federal Land Bank Association from 1962-1979. in an area hospital lab while attending Successful farmers and livestock producers, Georgia Southern and earning her under- Mr. Nessmith and his wife, Eloise, were graduate degree in mathematics. presented the Master Farm Family Award by Also interested in science, Buchanan The Progressive Farmer magazine in 1961. earned her master’s and doctoral degrees He was honored with the Georgia Farm Bureau’s Outstanding Service Award in 1969. in biochemistry from the University of Mr. Nessmith served as chairman of the Texas, but her career direction shifted Southeastern Peanut Advisory Committee; when she went to the University of Flor- supervisor of the Ogeechee River Soil ida to conduct post-doctoral biomedical university of minnesota school of dentistry and Water Conservation District; and was research. She became acquainted with a member of the Georgia Surface Mine Judith A. Thomson Buchanan (’70), is scientists in the university’s dental pro- Land User Board and the State Advisory the associate dean of the University of gram. Committee for Vocational Agriculture. Minnesota School of Dentistry. Mr. Nessmith received an Honorary Life “I thought maybe I should go into den- Membership in the Bulloch County Young tal research,” she said. “Then somebody Farmers. A portion of U.S. Highway 25 is advised me, ‘Well if you’re going to do struct dental students.” named the Paul E. Nessmith Parkway in his honor. He was preceded in death by that, you should get the degree. Then As if a career as a teacher, researcher a son, Paul Nessmith, Jr. Surviving are his you’ve got all kinds of options.’ I had nev- and administrator weren’t enough, Buch- wife of 71 years, Eloise Smith Nessmith; a er really thought about being a dentist, anan recently completed 22 years of ser- son and daughter-in-law, Billy and Carol but that’s a bit of my personality – I like vice with the National Guard and Army Nessmith; three grandchildren; four great- new challenges.” Reserves, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Graduating at the top of her class, Bu- She served in Bosnia and Germany in chanan completed Florida’s four-year 2003, providing dental services to troops Alumni dental school program in three years, deployed there. Thomas “Mel” Aimar III, (’79), Houston, then took a job at the University of Mis- “There is a special camradarie when Texas sissippi. “I had a private practice, I kept you’re deployed together, or when in a Preston Blanchard, (’72), Grovetown, Ga. Deidre Sue Clines, (’71), Douglasville, Ga. 30 to 40 percent of my time for research, place where nobody feels safe, so it gave Joe DeSandre, Meriden, Conn. and then I taught,” she said. me an opportunity to see a different part Winston Mathis, (’69), Gaffney, S.C. She served there for 11 years until ac- of life I never would have gotten to see,” Ann Beaver Mons, Statesboro cepting a post as associate dean of aca- she said. “It’s difficult on children. I have Estelle Burgess Parken, Decatur, Ga. demic affairs at the University of Penn- an appreciation for anybody who is de- Robert E. Priestley, (’57), Savannah George A. Roebuck, (’54), Brooklet, Ga. sylvania, and then the University of Min- ployed. They have a whole family back nesota. home and sometimes it’s harder on the Faculty She has found a special niche research- family.” Jack N. Averitt, graduate studies ing virtual training methods for dental Buchanan plans to retire in about three Sonny Butler, information technology students. “It’s really cool,” said Buchanan. years, and is pleased to have more time to John Lindsey, education “Students can learn in a virtual world teach and do research. Students first. It’s safer when they treat patients, Also, she said, “I am really concerned Jamie Carter, Warner Robins, Ga. and that goes for dentistry or surgery. about mentoring people to take my place Melissa Eustice, Martinez, Ga. The field keeps growing and growing. It and who can gain from my experience. I Jessica Fulmer, Martinez, Ga. has proved to be an excellent way to in- think people don’t do that enough.” Martin Obiajulu, Lagos, Nigeria

www.georgiasouthern.edu 39 remembering Jack N. Averitt 1922-2007

Georgia Southern University Dean Emeritus Jack Nel- man like Jack ever be lost? – but rather an absence,” said son Averitt (’44), 85, passed away on Nov. 11, 2007. longtime friend Kathy Bradley. “At any moment, his wit, A higher education pioneer in South Georgia, Dr. his insight, his compassion may return in a memory or in Averitt served Georgia Southern for 35 years as a faculty an encounter with someone else who knew and loved member and dean and organized Georgia Southern’s first him. And in that moment I have to smile at my incred- graduate programs with off-campus centers. He served ible good fortune to have been among those who knew as the first dean of graduate studies from 1969 until his him well.” retirement. Kirbylene Stephens knew Dr. Averitt when she was a JHe was instrumental in establishing the University’s student and, later, as a 37-year professional staff mem- first stand-alone doctoral program – a doctorate in ed- ber. ucation – submitting the first proposal to the Board of “Jack Averitt was an outstanding citizen of his nation, Regents in 1970. state and community,” Stephens said. “He was also an “Dr. Averitt left a vibrant legacy of leadership at Geor- outstanding contributor to his university as an alumnus, gia Southern,” said Timothy Mack, dean of the College a faculty member, dean and supporter. Statesboro has of Graduate Studies. “His vision and leadership as a fac- lost a pillar of the community and a person without peer. ulty member and dean was instrumental in inaugurating I have lost a wonderful friend.” graduate education in South Georgia. It is fitting that his Dr. Averitt was a committed member of Rotary Inter- name will always be remembered in perpetuity as part of national, serving as president of Statesboro Rotary Club the University’s Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Stud- and a term as district governor. He received the Distin- ies.” guished Service Award for international service, one of With his wife, Addie D. Averitt, he endowed an annual five in the world at that time, and was named a Rotary lecture series in history and English and a biennial award Paul Harris Fellow and Rotary International Foundation for alumni who demonstrate excellence and service. Trustee. Dr. Averitt linked civic engagement with his ca- He was a lifelong resident of Statesboro and a member reer at Georgia Southern by directing of the campus’ Ro- of the Statesboro First Baptist Church for 66 years, where tary Language Institute for international students. he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, organist, Dr. Averitt earned his bachelor’s degree from Georgia choir director and soloist. He was also an integral part of Teacher’s College, a Master of Arts from the University of the Statesboro-Bulloch County business community, de- Georgia, and a Ph.D. from the University of North Caro- veloping one of the city’s early subdivisions, Woodlawn. lina at Chapel Hill. “For me, and, I think, for all those who called Jack He was preceded in death by his wife. He is survived by friend, his death created not a loss – how can the oppor- his sister-in-law, Connie Averitt; three nieces, a nephew, tunity to have shared conversation and affection with a and numerous great nieces and nephews. frank fortune frank fortune While juggling class, study and work, student and funamblist Mike Doyle of Marietta, Ga., practices the art of tightrope – or more accurately, slackwire – walking between two trees on Sweetheart Circle. Just enjoying the show on a spring afternoon were Eric Dorner of Tacoma, Wash., Nikki Arcalas of Goose Creek, S.C., Amanda Stricklett of Omaha, Neb., and Penny the dog.

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