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Spring 2016
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This magazine is brought to you for free and open access by the University Communications and Marketing at Digital Commons@Georgia Southern. It has been accepted for inclusion in Georgia Southern Magazine by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons@Georgia Southern. For more information, please contact [email protected]. REALIZING A DREAM
ST BOWL 1 EVER!
THE RIDE OF A LIFETIME MAGAZINE Return and earn a graduate degree. Become a Double Eagle.
The Double Eagle Society is a new incentive program and a joint DOUBLE EAGLES ENJOY: initiative between the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies • Career advancement and the Georgia Southern University Alumni Association. This opportunities that come with initiative was created to recognize our alumni who have earned earning a graduate degree two or more degrees — one undergraduate and one graduate or two graduate — from Georgia Southern. • Recognition at commencement ceremonies • A recognition pin to display your achievement and loyalty • Invitations to elite alumni networking and GeorgiaSouthern.edu/GradAdmissions entertainment events DOUBLE EAGLE SPRING 2016, VOLUME 18
NEWS / 18 ALUMNI / 46 Help from Friends Homecoming Dark Places 2015 Let's Dance
Faculty in Print Food for Thought On Capitol Hill Georgia First Lady Eagle Impact Visits Chronicles Providing Service In Memoriam A Matter of SUPPORT / 56 White Matter A Leadership A Place for Legacy Remembering
RESEARCH / 30 Tipping the Scales
Curious Minds PHOTO COURTESY DYD PHOTOGRAPHY Research Notes The Eagle Motorsports team built an entirely new, two-seat utility terrain vehicle to ATHLETICS / 36 become the first collegiate team to ever compete in that class in the Baja 1000. Who's Your GoDaddy? FEATURE STORIES Going ‘AALL’ In Teeing Up Success 6 CONTINUING THE MOMENTUM OF SUCCESS Leadership Meet Interim President Jean E. Bartels, Ph.D., RN. Change Put Your Trust 8 ANSWERING THE CALL In Us Building a Society Alumnus Mark Keel offers perspective as South Carolina’s top cop. for Giving Advancement 12 REALIZING A DREAM News Nearly two decades after a generous promise, two Georgia Southern students Thanks to nearing graduation reflect on the journey. Our Friends 14 RIDE OF A LIFETIME ON THE COVER: Aiming to The Eagles won the Be the Best For a team of Georgia Southern engineering students, competing in the GoDaddy Bowl in their first world-famous and grueling Baja 1000 race was just part of the lesson. season of bowl eligibility Sidelines (see page 36 for more).
Georgia Southern magazine © 2016 Georgia Southern University ISSN 1524-0975
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 1 AN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIR
The Georgia Southern Global Ambassadors created booths inspired by countries from Germany to Ghana to Japan to Trinidad and Tobago — and others in between — at the 10th Annual International Festival. The University and local community turned out to see performances by the Marcel Portilla Band, Bollywood & Classical Fusion Dance, Grupo Folklórico Uruguayo Cimmarrón, Conjunto Orgullo Panameño and Confucius Institute Dance Troupe. The event, hosted by Georgia Southern’s Office of International Programs & Services, is held each fall in collaboration with the Bulloch County Board of Education, the Bulloch County Parks and Recreation Department, the Statesboro Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce. GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 3 TRUE BLUE SPOTLIGHT
"I wear the GS hat on stage every night for a reason. I’m proud to be an Eagle. GATA." — Cole Swindell
Cole Swindell is Officially ‘True Blue’
It’s no secret that singer-songwriter Cole Swindell is True says Swindell. “I wear the GS hat on stage every night for a Blue. The country music star wears a Georgia Southern reason. I’m proud to be an Eagle. GATA.” baseball cap during live performances, videos and on Swindell and KPentertainment partnered with Learfield the cover of his first album. He wears it pretty much Licensing Partners, a trademark management company everywhere, even pairing it with a tuxedo for the Country specializing in collegiate licensing and branding, and Georgia Music Awards last November. Southern University’s trademark licensing department to “Both of my parents and my brothers are Georgia Southern produce the exclusive line of apparel produced by headwear alums,” said Swindell. “I grew up sliding down the hills at the company The Game. stadium on cardboard boxes on football game days. I used to This select offering of branded caps and T-shirts, called want everything in the GS bookstore as a kid.” the “Hail Southern Collection,” will be sold in stores Swindell rocketed to stardom in 2013 when his throughout the Southeast, and a limited number of pieces independently released song “Chillin’ It” became a top-5 hit. will also be sold on Swindell’s tour. The line is now available Before launching his solo career, he wrote a string of hits for at the University Bookstore as well as many Georgia-area other country artists, most notably Luke Bryan, for whom retailers. he wrote "Just a Sip," "Roller Coaster," "Out Like That," "I'm in “We are so proud of Cole and all he is accomplishing in Love with the Girl," "Love in a College Town," "Shore Thing," country music, and we love his passion for his University,” "Shake the Sand" and "The Sand I Brought to the Beach." said Connie Palfy, assistant vice president at Georgia Swindell has also written songs for country music stars Southern. “Cole’s affinity for Georgia Southern shows every Craig Campbell, Thomas Rhett, Scotty McCreery and Florida time he wears his trademark ‘GS’ hat and we are so pleased Georgia Line. that we can expand the brand with the Hail Southern “Now, through a partnership with The Game, I have my Collection from The Game.” own line of apparel being sold in the very same store!” — doy cave
4 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2016 THEN AND NOW
1990 Georgia Southern College officially became Georgia Southern University on July 1.
2015 The 25th anniversary of Georgia Southern's University status was celebrated during halftime of a football game this fall. Former President Nicholas Henry (at right, with Interim President Jean E. Bartels and First Gentleman Terry Bartels) was recognized for his visionary leadership as the institution became a university.
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 5 FEATURE STORY
CONTINUING THE MOMENTUM OF SUCCESS
“THERE WILL BE NO Bartels is the first woman to serve as as the health care needs of individuals STANDING STILL.” the president of Georgia Southern. She responding to chronic illnesses previously served as provost and vice including those with acute neurological, president for academic affairs. Bartels cardiovascular and respiratory With those words, Georgia Southern first joined Georgia Southern in 1999 impairments. Bartels has presented her University students, employees, alumni as the chair and professor of the School research at the American Association and supporters were introduced to Jean of Nursing, eventually serving as the of Higher Education, the American E. Bartels, Ph.D., RN, as interim president dean of the College of Health and Human Educational Research Association and at Georgia Southern University in July Sciences. various nursing discipline conferences. 2015. In accepting the appointment In the classroom, she has taught from University System of Georgia theory and clinical practice in all areas of (USG) Chancellor Hank Huckaby and the A CAREER OF the nursing curriculum. In addition, she Board of Regents, Bartels said, “I have a SERVICE TO OTHERS has written books, chapters and articles strong allegiance and dedication to this on such topics as outcome measurement University and will be proud to continue Her health care career and research in nursing education, critical thinking in with the momentum of success we are have focused on community-based nursing, nursing education for the 21st experiencing at Georgia Southern. nursing practice and education as well
6 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2016 GETTING TO WORK Above: Dr. Bartels is introduced at Convocation. Right: Dr. Bartels helps with Operation Move-In. LOOKING FOR THE NEXT LEADER century, service learning, community- (with no recommendations) from based nursing education and cultural the Southern Association of Colleges Presidential Search competence. and Schools Commission on Colleges She has also consulted through the year 2025. This in Full Swing and presented nationally and accomplishment clearly demonstrates internationally on issues related to Georgia Southern University’s ongoing The Board of Regents of the University higher education, faculty workload, commitment to the highest level of System of Georgia has begun the search nursing practice, nursing education, academic quality and signifies meeting for a new president to lead Georgia nursing and nursing faculty the rigorous standards, educational Southern University. Two committees shortages, ability based/outcome quality and institutional effectiveness — as required by regents’ policy — were focused education, critical thinking, set forth by the commission, the formed: the Georgia Southern Campus assessment processes, curriculum regional body for the accreditation Search and Screen Committee and the development and accreditation in of degree-granting higher education Regents’ Search Committee. higher education. institutions in the Southern states. The Georgia Southern Campus Bartels has served as president of The University also continues Search and Screen Committee the American Association of Colleges to excel in areas beyond academics. developed a position description, placed of Nursing (AACN) and as a member In just the past six months, Georgia announcements and will conduct on- of its board of directors and executive Southern held a groundbreaking campus interviews (assisted by a national committee. She has also served as for a new military science building; search firm). The campus committee held a member of the Commission on opened a new student health services three open forums last fall so interested Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) complex; dedicated the Shooting Sports campus and community members could Steering Committee that created the Education Center, a state-of-the-art discuss preferred qualifications of the CCNE accrediting body and as a CCNE instructional facility for students and next president. As this issue went to site evaluator. the public; began offering Georgia's press, the campus committee was in the Bartels earned a diploma in first and only undergraduate degree in process of coordinating on-campus visits nursing from Columbia Hospital manufacturing engineering; raised a for candidates. School (Milwaukee, Wis.), a Bachelor record $2.3 million during the annual “A Later this spring, the campus of Science in nursing from Alverno Day for Southern” campaign; and added committee will forward the names of three College (Milwaukee, Wis.), a Master a women’s golf team — the 17th sport to five unranked candidates to the Regents’ of Science in nursing from Marquette in which Georgia Southern competes. Search Committee. Board of Regents University (Milwaukee, Wis.) and a “For me, as President of this Chairman Neil Pruitt and the Regents’ Ph.D. in nursing from the University of remarkable place called Georgia Search Committee may conduct interviews Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Southern University, there is no greater of the final candidates. The committee will joy than seeing students join us with make a recommendation to the full Board MOVING AHEAD notions of the possible and leaving of Regents, disclosure of the finalists will us having fashioned their dreams be made and an offer may be extended to A chief highlight from Bartels’ into reality,” said Bartels. “At Georgia the selected candidate. A new president first few months as interim president Southern, student success is not just may then assume responsibilities at includes the University earning about earning a degree, it is about Georgia Southern University. reaffirmation of full accreditation creating a successful life."
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 7 FEATURE STORY
ANSWERING THE CALL HE’S SMART, HE’S CONFIDENT AND HE’S challenging for Keel’s agency and law enforcement PASSIONATE ABOUT HIS PROFESSION. around the state. They were confronted with several difficult and high-profile cases, including Growing up in the small town of Barnwell, South the shooting deaths of nine people at the historic Carolina, Mark Keel (’77) discovered at a very young Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in age what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. It Charleston, and the fatal shooting of Walter Scott, an seems he was destined to follow in the footsteps of unarmed man, by a North Charleston police officer. two uncles who were police officers. Back then, he Following the controversial deaths of two men in says, it was not uncommon for them to allow him to encounters with police in Baltimore and in Ferguson, ride in their police cars. Missouri, violent protests erupted; however, that
Alumnus Climbs the Ranks to Become South Carolina’s Top Cop
“I got it in my blood, and knew from the time I was didn’t happen in South Carolina. 8- or 9-years-old that I wanted to be a police officer, “If you look at those type cases,” the chief says, and I never wavered from that goal,” says Keel, who “I have been so proud of South Carolina, that we graduated from Georgia Southern University with a have not been a Ferguson, that we have not been degree in criminal justice. a Baltimore, and it's because of the relationships When he left Statesboro, Keel had another goal in that we have in our communities and with our mind – to one day become chief of the South Carolina community leaders, and the fact that those Law Enforcement Division (SLED). It is the agency relationships were in place prior to the crisis. I can that local police departments and sheriff’s offices tell you if those relationships are not in place … around the state call on for assistance with criminal you're going to have what you have in these other investigations, forensic services, background communities.” screenings and a vast array of other services. The veteran law enforcement leader says the Today, Keel is living his dream as chief of SLED. way everyone came together after the Emanuel The state’s governor, Nikki Haley, put him in charge Church shooting last June is a perfect example of of SLED four years ago, and he has been running it what it means when police build partnerships with ever since. From his office in Columbia, he oversees each other and with their citizens. “We got down an agency with 650-plus employees and a budget of there that night and we worked as a team,” he more than $30 million. He considers law enforcement notes. “Nobody was worried about who got credit for the greatest profession there is and one that he says, anything and that is the way it is supposed to work. “is never boring. You never know what’s going to We cannot do our job without community support. happen from one day to the next.” People want to be able to live, and go to work, and It is clear that this past year has been especially go to school and go to church, and do it in a safe
8 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2016 GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 9 FEATURE STORY
"I have been so proud of South Carolina, that we have not been a Ferguson, that we have not been a Baltimore, and it's because of the relationships that we have in our communities and with our community leaders." — Mark Keel ('77)
environment. If we are not providing them with the making just over $12,000 a year and I thought I was opportunity to do all of that, then we are not doing rich. You have to love what you do to get into law our job. It is as simple as that.” enforcement. You have to love getting called away at Keel, who has trained as a pilot and hostage the most inopportune times. I have two boys, and I See more of our negotiator, has spent 34 of his 39 years in law can't tell you how many events I missed or how many interview with Keel at enforcement at SLED. While Georgia Southern gave ball games that I went to and was called away from, GeorgiaSouthern.edu/ him his start, he credits his law degree from the but that's what law enforcement is. It’s not just a magazine. University of South Carolina for helping him climb up profession, it's a calling.” the ranks. “It opened doors for me and I advise young While he encourages young people to enter law people all the time about getting an education,” he enforcement, he worries about the interpersonal says. “It doesn't much matter what you get a degree skills of young adults who grew up using cell phones in, but get that education, and if possible, get an and the Internet with texting and email messages advanced degree because it will open doors for you their main forms of communication. that otherwise wouldn’t open.” “When people are upset, when communities His job as the chief of SLED keeps his schedule are upset, our officers have to be able talk to calm jam-packed, but the alumnus keeps up with his alma things down and de-escalate the situation,” Keel mater and its athletics programs by reading Georgia explains. “When we are in the street answering Southern magazine and by talking football with a 911 calls for criminal domestic violence, young number of Eagle graduates on his staff. He says law officers have to be able to talk. They can’t send enforcement is a job that really consumes you, but he a text message or an email to that family that's wouldn’t have it any other way. fussing and cussing.” “People don’t get into this profession for money,’ SLED’S chief says today’s environment for police he notes. “I came to work here in 1979 and I was is unlike any environment he has experienced
10 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2016 throughout his career. “With the advent of In his spare time, Keel spends time with wife Jeri social media everything that everybody does is and their two sons. He also loves to hunt and fish. under a tremendous amount of scrutiny and law Now that he has reached the top of his agency, he enforcement is no exception,” he says. “I worry about doesn’t plan to retire any time soon. Instead, he is being able to hire quality young people and bring considering emulating his 84-year-old father, a State them into a profession that is under such scrutiny.” Farm agent in their hometown of Barnwell. Although he has decades of experience in law “You know, everyone always asks my dad, ‘When enforcement, Keel never considered leaving South are you going to retire?’ Carolina for a job with a federal agency. “Everyone And he says, ‘I read the Bible cover to cover two or always asks me, ‘Chief, why didn’t you go work with three times and the word retirement isn’t mentioned the FBI?’ I love South Carolina and it is my home. I anywhere in it.’ So, how can I retire? As long as I feel never had the desire to have the federal government like I am contributing and making a difference I want tell me to pack my bags and go to Miami, or to New to work, and I can’t think of anything that I’d rather York, or South Dakota or wherever.” do than be where I am right now.” — sandra bennett
GEORGIA SOUTHERN ADOPTS BODY CAMERAS FOR POLICE FORCE
High-profile police incidents around the country have resulted in an increased demand for officers to be equipped with body cameras and Georgia Southern’s Police Department has joined the growing number of police departments on college and university campuses that are using video technology during routine and critical calls for service. The University’s Office of Public Safety is the first public safety force in Bulloch County to incorporate body cameras and in-car recording systems into the daily work of its officers. As part of the program, each of the Police Department’s 34 patrol do all we can to continue to be as open officers are equipped with body cameras and transparent as possible.” and video equipment has been installed South Carolina Law Enforcement in four marked patrol cars. Division Chief Mark Keel, who is chairing “The addition of in-car and body a council in his state “tasked with camera equipment is something our writing the guidelines for police body- department has been working toward worn cameras,” says the cameras are for some time,” said Laura McCullough, a good idea. “Incidents involving law interim chief of police of the Georgia enforcement may require an officer to Southern Office of Public Safety. “We make split-second decisions that could recognized a couple of years ago the have life-changing results,” he said. advantages of having video cameras for “Body cameras offer another tool for law both the benefit of the community and enforcement to give a perspective of an law enforcement officers. With current encounter as the officer sees it as well as events and the social climate as it is providing more accountability for that today, it is even more important that we officer’s actions.” — sandra bennett
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 11 FEATURE STORY
REALIZING A DREAM Greensboro Dreamers Kadijah Woods (l) and Jacayla Edwards (r) are Just Months Away from Graduating
12 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2016 "I am 10 times the woman I ever dreamed of becoming, and I am only getting better." — Jacayla Edwards
More than three years have transpired since Georgia project director). Now that I am an adult, I fully understand the Southern magazine first wrote about Greensboro Dreamers amount of time, money and effort they put forward for us.” Jacayla Edwards and Kadijah Woods. If they continue to stay on The two Dreamers remain in frequent contact with the their current paths, the two seniors will this year attain their Kellys and Thomas. “I know that whenever I need them, they college degrees — it’s a goal they have been pursuing since they will be there right by my side,” Edwards said. “It feels wonderful were in elementary school in Greensboro, Georgia. to have cheerleaders cheering me on. They are not only ‘the “I am just so happy to finally be this close to reaching the goal Kellys’ and ‘Mrs. Thomas’ to me — they are family, just like my that I planned years ago,” said Edwards, a biology major. “I am so grandparents and parents.” proud that I didn’t give up on myself.” Greensboro Dreamers co-founder Tom Kelly acknowledged “I always knew it would be tough, but for me nothing is his pride in what Edwards and Woods have accomplished and ever impossible,” added Woods, who also has maintained continue to achieve. a 3.3 GPA at Georgia Southern. “I wish more people would “Beth Thomas, my wife Kathy, and I consider Jacayla and believe in themselves before giving up just because it’s the Kadijah to be part of our family…and we will always be there for social thing to do.” them,” he said. Fifteen years ago, both were students at Greensboro The two University students noted they also found a mentor Elementary School when 56 first graders at the school were in Georgia Southern Dean of Students Patrice Buckner Jackson, promised financial help for college or vocational school if who has provided much-needed guidance and support. “Meeting they made it through high school. Their benefactors were Dean Jackson was divine,” said Edwards. “She took me under her Tom and Kathy Kelly, a retired couple living at Lake Oconee in wing my freshman year and has been here for me every step Greene County, Georgia, who wanted to give back by helping of the way from trying to branch out and getting involved my educate the rural community’s underprivileged children. They sophomore year, to the birth of my son, Gabriel, my senior year. established the Greensboro Dreamers program, modeled after I don’t know what my experience would have been like here if it the “I Have a Dream” Foundation in New York City, which was wasn’t for God placing her in my life.” launched in 1981 by philanthropist Eugene Lang. Both Edwards and Woods are defying the odds and Forty-four Greensboro Dreamers stayed in the program and stereotypes of being young mothers, and are juggling school graduated from high school, and Edwards and Woods chose and the responsibilities that come with taking care of a child. to pursue their higher education at Georgia Southern. When Why are they determined to earn their college degrees? As Edwards, who plans to become a physician assistant, started they close in on that goal, both acknowledged that the advice college, she was your typical nervous freshman participating in of the people who told them they could accomplish anything the summer Eagle Incentive Program (EIP), which is designed continues to resonate with them. for students to demonstrate their ability to succeed in college. “If I ever needed any motivation, my son brought all I “I was so afraid of college because I thought it was for ever needed into my life in just a short period of time,” said geniuses, and I did not participate in anything that didn’t have Edwards who explained she didn’t want to give up her dream anything to do with homework or tests,” she recalled. “I ended of becoming a physician assistant. “I evolved from a young EIP successfully with all A’s and by the end, I realized that I innocent naïve girl, to a young lady trying to branch out, and should’ve lightened up and enjoyed myself.” now to a woman working hard for the future of this family I For Woods, leaving home and starting college “was a huge have been blessed with.” breath of fresh air.” The psychology major said she arrived Woods too, doesn’t regret making the choice to be a student at Georgia Southern ready to take on the real world and live. and a mother to daughter Autumn. “My path may not be “Immediately, I knew that I had made one of the best decisions what everyone had planned for me, but she is the best thing of my life,” she said. “Leaving the friends I had behind was not that could have happened to me. It is because of her that I as rough as I originally thought. I knew I would have to open am becoming the woman and student I always knew I could up, explore and of course, spend long nights in ‘Club Hendy,’ our become. Failure is not an option when you have an innocent soul library,” she said, laughingly. watching your every move.” Both young women acknowledged that the Dreamers Woods now dreams of working with children as she moves program boosted their drive to succeed. “I think it changed the forward to a career. She is hoping to earn a master’s degree, course of my life,” said Woods. “My experiences in the program which will help her become a child psychologist. Both students showed me how big you could really dream. Aside from the are excited about their futures and said their experiences educational support, they made sure to show us adventure by at Georgia Southern have opened their eyes to a world of exposing us to different things in the world. I am a small town possibilities. country girl and they took us on field trips to Colorado, New “I am 10 times the woman I ever dreamed of becoming and York, Florida and so many other places. Sometimes I think out I am only getting better,” said Edwards. “Georgia Southern was loud about how blessed I am to have the support of the Kellys the perfect place for me. I am very proud to be an Eagle.” and ‘Miss Beth’ (Beth Thomas is the Greensboro Dreamers — sandra bennett
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 13 FEATURE STORY
RIDE OF A
LIFETIME
14 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2016 AN 840-MILE DRIVE DOWN THE COAST OF THE BAJA CALIFORNIA PENINSULA IN MEXICO might sound like a great way to enjoy some sightseeing, but for 13 Georgia Southern students, that drive was dangerous, grueling and the opportunity of a lifetime. It also was a historic event for the students, as they became the first collegiate team to compete in the utility terrain vehicle (UTV)-specific class of the second-largest off-road race in the world: the Baja 1000. The students, part of the University’s Eagle Motorsports Baja 1000 team, traveled to Mexico in mid-November to compete in the race, also becoming the first collegiate team to compete in more than three decades. “It’s not a sustainable activity for us to go out and baby step into the field,” said Spencer Harp, team advisor and laboratory supervisor for the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Information Technology. “You get noticed for the splash that you make, so we’re just jumping in and doing something else that no one else has done.” "It’s nearly a thousand miles, a ton of logistics that have to work perfectly together in an orchestrated way to make the whole thing happen." — Chris Gleiter In order to compete in the race, the team, one of three racing teams within Eagle Motorsports, met numerous challenges. It began with rebuilding, from the ground up, a brand new UTV, a two-seat machine with a roll cage, to meet SCORE-International requirements. SCORE-International is the governing organization of the off-road race. “Most teams spend a minimum of two years building a platform to go race, and we started a year ago with the idea, and spent six months trying to secure a corporate sponsorship, then building, designing and figuring out the logistics,” Harp said. “That’s a third of the time anyone else would normally attempt to do it. We’ve been told by several seasoned professionals that this was an absurd idea and we were really reaching. “But what they don’t understand is where they may have a team of two or three people, we’ve got 20-plus, well-educated engineering students making an effort to ensure everything is accounted for,” he continued, noting in addition to their team in Mexico, a “home team” on the East Coast was also in place helping coordinate race efforts. They also had to prepare mentally and physically for pre- running and race day of the 840-mile course, which essentially is a rough cut path through the woods, Harp said, with hidden obstacles including large rocks hidden by cacti or brush, cliffs that can abruptly end in 1,000-foot drop offs and terrain ranging from mountainous and rocky to old riverbeds full of silt and sand. PHOTO COURTESY DYD PHOTOGRAPHY
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 15 FEATURE STORY
WHO THEY ARE With a motto that “anything is possible," the Eagle Motorsports team members look forward to what the future holds for the organization. They would like to thank all of the team's supporters, especially their corporate sponsor, Hisun Motors. Baja 1000 team members who traveled to Mexico include (left to right): Chris Gleiter, Kara Dees, Alex Purdy, Chris Gerdmann, Abasiofon Bassey, Robert Branch, John Demerlier, Reece Chesser, Tahir Daudier, David Miller, Laura Hutson and Madison Reynolds; not pictured Spencer Harp. Other team members who did not travel to Mexico include: Victor Acosta, David Alexander, Jakeb Burks, Jordan Denney, Notorius Hollerman, Taylor Hulsey, Nicholas Johnson, Jahsiah Kidd, Dinahlee Lemaistre, Jonathan Perez, Christian Scott, Jason Stiteler, Jim Walker and Josie Woodward.
“When someone says Baja [1000] is tough, I heat from Baja but it’s not physical heat, it’s a mental wouldn’t say it’s just the terrain, it’s the entire race game more than anything,’ and it showed,” said as a whole,” said Chris Gleiter, lead fabricator for the Robert Branch, team leader and one of the drivers. Baja 1000 team. “It’s nearly a thousand miles, a ton Driving alongside seasoned professionals of the of logistics that have to work perfectly together in an Baja 1000 on unfamiliar terrain “was like no other orchestrated way to make the whole thing happen.” thing I’ve ever done,” he said. “But once you’re in the Despite the challenges the team encountered car, the build up and emotions go away once you’re during preparation and their travels to Mexico, Harp in your element.” said pre-running the race course proved to be the But despite feeling in his element after the biggest challenge. start of the race, at mile 116, he encountered an “We ran over 400 miles of that course prior to unexpected ravine and crashed. While he and his the race even starting. We pre-ran for pretty much co-driver were unharmed, the team’s chase vehicle a solid week leading up to the race and that is a with parts to fix the damage was too far away. Harp challenge in itself. Getting out with race machines explained teams have to reach race checkpoints and going through the terrain at a slower pace. That within a certain time frame, and by the time the was probably the biggest struggle for us.” chase car arrived with materials, the team wouldn’t Having practiced on more than half the race have made the next checkpoint in time. course really boosted the team’s confidence leading “Having pre-run that area of the course and up to race day, but it didn’t compare to the “heat” knowing what the course looked like — knowing the team was destined to feel once they crossed the that you were three inches from 1,000-foot ledges starting line. — made the decision [not to finish] pretty easy for “Closer and closer to the race, more of our me. We weren’t going to try to push beyond our supporters told us ‘you’re going to receive so much means,” Harp said.
16 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2016 TEAM EFFORT In November, 13 students traveled from Statesboro to Ensenada, Mexico, the culmination of a year-long effort to race in the Baja 1000. Once in Ensenada, the team continued testing and tuning the vehicle. Other team members remained in Statesboro to coordinate logistics.
PHOTO COURTESY DYD PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO COURTESY DYD PHOTOGRAPHY
“At that point during the race, we had “I think the team is completely satisfied with encountered everything that the competition was what we did,” she said. “We came and did our best, for us. All the challenges, struggles, professional and honestly that is the only thing I could ask from development, contingency plans — all that stuff had my team is to come, give it their best and make it See more of the Baja been executed and executed well.” safely home and that’s exactly what we did.” 1000 journey at Branch said he sat quiet for a while after the Although the car never crossed the finish line, GeorgiaSouthern.edu/ decision was made not to finish the race, weighing Harp noted he was surprised how passionate magazine. two perspectives. the students were about getting the experience, “As a student leader, I had to look at it as what whether it was learning more about motorsports, was the best collective call and when the call was engineering or getting professional development made I couldn't agree more. Time was the thing that and leadership skills. took us out. It wasn’t a mechanical issue, or safety,” “There were a lot of life lessons taught that I he said. “But from a racer’s side, your number one don’t think there is another avenue to get all of thing is competition, so that part of you is thinking that in one shot. These students are exceptional 'If I’m not number one, I need to be number one.’ And students. If I was running a company I would hire in Baja, honestly you can’t finish first without first every one of them tomorrow to work for me,” he finishing, so that part of me is not upset, but more said. “Each person brought a different perspective disgruntled and sorry to see that we couldn’t finish.” to the group, and seeing all that really open up and Different thoughts and emotions consumed develop that was pretty breathtaking. each team member, but co-captain Kara Dees “We went down there as a team and left as a said not finishing because they ran out of time family.” — crissie elrick was, in her opinion, “the best reason not to have completed the race.”
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 17 NEWS WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS Events celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month last the front page of every newspaper in the country, fall came just months after presidential candidate and not for a good reason.” Donald Trump’s assertion that Mexico is “…sending However, because of her reputation as a hard people that have lots of problems…They're bringing worker and her connections in Chicago, Solis Doyle got drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. a second chance, running the campaign for Joe Biden And some, I assume, are good people.” It began a during his vice presidential bid with Barack Obama. vigorous discussion of immigration in America as an For Solis Doyle, success for her and other issue for the 2016 presidential campaign. minorities has come not only because of individual On Wednesday, Sept. 16 — in the midst of this hard work, but also “because people in power acted political discussion — Patti Solis Doyle, the daughter at every level,” she said. She said she was there to of undocumented Mexican immigrants and a former watch Clinton enact policies that helped minorities campaign strategist for Hillary Clinton and President and women, but also placed those people in key roles Barack Obama, visited Georgia Southern to talk about on her own staff. the future of Hispanics in the U.S. through the lens of “My career is a lesson in how a little help from her own experience. mentors and friends makes big things possible,” Before she became the first Hispanic woman she said. ever to manage a presidential campaign, Solis Doyle Since serving Clinton in the White House, Solis grew up in a tough, working-class neighborhood in Doyle says that Hispanics have made huge progress in
Patti Solis Doyle Talks About Her Path to Success
Chicago’s Lower West Side. Her father worked three America, growing in number and influence. Hispanics jobs and her mother worked two jobs in order to operate more than 3.2 million businesses in the U.S., make ends meet for their family of eight, and they contribute more than $500 billion to the economy never made more than $18,000 a year combined. and have nearly tripled their buying power since Bill Despite their economic situation, Solis Doyle’s Clinton’s presidency. Presently, 33 Hispanics serve in father believed that hard work was the path to U.S. Congress, and Hispanics also serve as the CEO’s of success, and always told his children hazte valer, 10 of America’s largest corporations. which means “value yourself.” And while diversity is now embraced in the U.S., “Always work hard, do the best job you can do and Solis Doyle believes that current political rhetoric never do anything to embarrass your family,” she threatens to endanger this value. said. “That’s been my go-to advice when things seem She agrees, however, that the U.S. immigration insurmountable...and that has seen me through.” process is a problem — as is what to do about the It’s this advice that helped her work her way 11 million illegal immigrants in the country. While from serving on street teams, canvassing for former some candidates have suggested deporting them all, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, then moving to others say it’s too expensive and difficult a process to Arkansas in 1992 to serve Clinton on her husband’s undertake. bid for president. She continued to serve First Lady “There’s no pragmatic way to do it, so I think we Clinton in the White House, and became one of need to stop the hate rhetoric and roll up our sleeves her most trusted advisers, serving as a campaign and find the best way to handle the problem,” she strategist on her successful campaigns for the U.S. said. “But this country was built by immigrants. Their Senate, and then as campaign manager for her 2008 culture, their diversity has made this country great, bid for president. and we should value it.” It was also her dad's advice that helped Solis To the minority students, watching this Doyle through her most public failure, when she was discussion unfold, Solis Doyle’s message was, “hang fired from the Clinton presidential campaign after a in there.” poor showing in the Iowa caucuses. She thought her “You are different than I was,” she said. “You don’t career in politics might be over. need to be convinced you have a right to lead. That’s “It was a terrible time for me,” she said. “My rivals great, but it won’t make a difference if you don’t look on the campaign trashed me in the press. I was on out for one another.” — doy cave
18 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2016 “My career is a lesson in how a little help from mentors and friends makes big things possible.” — Patti Solis Doyle
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 19 NEWS
DARK PLACES Georgia Southern Professor Recounts ‘the most important court case you’ve never heard of’
It’s one of the most important legal decisions a Spanish slave ship, was captured off the coast regarding slavery in U.S. history, it happened in of Florida. Since the U.S. had outlawed its own nearby Savannah, Georgia, and most people have participation in the international slave trade, the never heard of it. ship’s captives — almost 300 of them — were Jonathan Bryant, Ph.D., associate professor of considered illegal cargo under American law. However, history at Georgia Southern University, is bringing because slavery was such an integral part of the U.S. national attention to a landmark court case in his economy, the case would make its way to the Supreme book, Dark Places of the Earth: The Voyage of the Court to decide what should be done with them. Slave Ship Antelope, published in July of last year by For the next few years, the case bounced around Liveright, a subsidiary of W.W. Norton in New York. circuit court in Savannah, and went to the Supreme Soon after its release, the book was reviewed by such Court three times. Chief Justice John Marshall and his national media outlets such as Publisher’s Weekly, court, many of them slave owners themselves, finally The Wall Street Journal, The Philadelphia Tribune and wrote the decision that while slaves might be human Kirkus Reviews. Bryant was also an hour-long guest beings, by law they are property. It was a decision that on National Public Radio’s “The Diane Rehm Show.” shaped American law for the next 35 years. While the professor admits he’s been “surprised” “It was a hellacious decision,” said Bryant, “that by all the attention given to him and the book, he in essence said that you can take your property knew he’d landed on a good story. wherever you want to. Slavery could expand “As I started going through the materials, I westward and it couldn’t be stopped by the state or realized, ‘Oh, my gosh, I’ve got a thriller novel here,’” federal governments.” he said. “I’ve got lying lawyers. I’ve got conspiracies. As for the captives, they were put to work on Just a host of different things.” Georgia farms while the case made its way through The case began in 1820, when the Antelope, the court system, and some of them waited almost
20 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2016 FACULTY "As I started IN PRINT going through In addition to the scores of faculty publishing papers in magazines and journals this year, several Georgia Southern faculty members received book deals, publishing works the materials, of fiction, biography and instruction.
I realized, ‘Oh, Michelle Haberland, published as part of the Routledge Ph.D., associate Studies in Religion series. The book my gosh, I’ve professor of explores the history of David’s Jerusalem, history, wrote one of the most contentious topics of the got a thriller Striking Beauties: ancient world, and looks at the breaks Women Apparel and ruptures between the locations novel here.’" Workers in the remembered and historical past. U.S. South, 1930- —Jonathan Bryant 2000, published Teresa Buzo Salas, by University of M.A., instructor of Georgia Press. The Spanish, wrote the book examines the Spanish language apparel industry novel, Las hijas de in the South, which relies heavily on la horas, or The female labor, as an important industry Daughters of the that connects women’s history, southern Hours, published cultural history and labor history. by Editorial Gregal. The story is an Eric Allen Hall, action-packed Ph.D., assistant psychological eight years to learn their fate. Bryant professor of history, thriller in which says these captives were children, many wrote Arthur Ashe: the main character, Virgilio, receives of them between the ages of 5 and 10, Tennis and Justice Facebook messages from his dead and their voices are conspicuously absent in the Civil Rights daughter. His desperation to find out who from the court records. Era, published in is behind the messages leads him on a “It’s very, very frustrating,” he said. September by Johns dangerous journey around Africa, which “An interpreter is hired numerous times Hopkins Press. changes his perspective of the world. but never once do they record anything Hall’s book tells said by the captives. The captives the story of how Adel El Shahat, themselves had lived in the Savannah this iconic African Ph.D., assistant area — depending on which one you American tennis professor of were — seven to eight years. They player overcame racial and class barriers engineering, learned to speak English, but again, to reach the top of the tennis world in wrote Smart nothing is recorded.” the ‘60s and ‘70s, and his evolution into Homes Systems Bryant first came across the Antelope an activist who had to contend with the Technology, case in 1999 while searching for class shift from civil rights to black power. published by materials that might better engage Scholar’s Press. his students at Georgia Southern, and Daniel Pioske, The book explores revisited it for several years before finally Ph.D., assistant the “smart homes” devoting himself to research in 2009. professor of of the future by Bryant says that being published by religious studies, examining existing such a noted company was a true stroke wrote David’s technologies in smart grids, wind energy of luck, but he always thought the story Jerusalem: and storage devices for green energy, to would attract interest if given a chance. Between Memory name a few. “It’s a wonderful story of corruption and History, and lies and duplicitous behavior by lawyers — all of those lovely things that we like to read about,” he said. — doy cave
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 21 NEWS
FOOD for THOUGHT Sustainable Initiatives Blossom on Campus
22 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2016 From installing a new fruit and vegetable garden SEEDS JOIN READS AND DVDS AT to opening a seed library and a clothing repair and HENDERSON LIBRARY alteration shop, Georgia Southern University is The Zach S. Henderson Library has found another promoting a variety of sustainability projects on way to contribute to the local food movement. It campus. recently opened a seed library, which operates much Take a walk near the Williams Center and Herty like you’d imagine. Students, faculty, staff and anyone Building and you may notice the greenhouse and in the community may check out vegetable, fruit and garden with several raised beds. The garden, less flower seeds to plant in their garden. After harvesting than a year old, is the result of a partnership between their produce, library borrowers are encouraged to the Center for Sustainability, Department of Facilities leave a few plants in the ground to go to seed and Services and Eagle Dining Services. donate some of it to the Library for others to use. “This is a great educational opportunity as it The seeds being offered are considered “heirloom” demonstrates how to grow food seeds or seeds that are old and somewhat rare. “It’s sustainably in a central something that public libraries across the country are and highly visible doing, and we thought it would be a good idea to do location,” said Lissa this as well,” said Head of Access Services Fred Smith. Leege, director of “The point of it is to help keep older varieties of plants the University’s viable, and the heirloom seeds fit in with the campus Center for sustainability initiative.” Sustainability. The Library is distributing seeds that thrive in “Students will hot and humid climates. Tomato, turnips and turnip play a critical greens, collard greens, broccoli, basil, poppies, role in the watermelon and milkweed are among the selections development and being offered. Smith added the pollinator-friendly maintenance of milkweed to the seed bank to support the U.S. Fish the garden and will and Wildlife Service’s national campaign to save the have a chance to learn monarch butterfly. “Their numbers by doing.” have gone down drastically Since establishing the garden, in the last decade and they students and other volunteers have planted cherry must have the milkweed tomatoes, slicing tomatoes, summer squash, winter habitat to thrive,” he said, squash, snap beans, Swiss chard, watermelon and “and milkweed grows basil. “Much of what we grow will go directly to very well in backyard catering events and dining services so that students gardens.” and other members of the University community will The seeds are ordered be able to enjoy fresh produce grown right here on from a company that campus,” said Scott Blair, a graduate assistant with specializes in heirloom the Center. “The campus garden produce used in the varieties; however, the dining halls and catering events will be labeled as campus garden has provided such so consumers will know that is what they are basil and watermelon seeds. Henderson Library eating.” is hoping more people will take advantage of the “We often hear about the benefits of local food: seed-sharing program and it is providing additional low transportation cost and consequently reduced resources for patrons who may need help developing fuel use and emissions and knowing how the food is their “green thumb.” The Georgia Southern Center for grown,” added Leege. “We can’t get more local than Sustainability, the Botanic Garden and the Statesboro growing food on our campus.” Mainstreet Farmers Market are helping promote the The garden also provides another unique aspect to seed exchange. the University’s sustainability efforts. Food waste in the dining halls is collected, composted on campus and returned to the garden to grow FREE CLOTHING REPAIR AND food that will go back to the dining hall. “It ALTERATIONS OFFERED is a nice example of a closed loop system Last fall, the Center for that reduces our impact on the earth and Sustainability helped the School benefits campus diners with healthy, of Human Ecology open a clothing locally grown food,” Leege said. alterations shop on campus. To read more about the free service, turn to College News on page 29. — sandra bennett
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 23 NEWS
A VISIT FROM GEORGIA’S FIRST LADY
Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal made Georgia Southern University the second stop on her statewide tour promoting her new book, Memories of the Mansion: The Story of Georgia Governor’s Mansion. Co-authored with two Kennesaw State University history professors, the book documents the history of the mansion and the families of the last eight governors who have lived there since it became the official residence in 1968. The state’s First Lady invited a special guest to the event — Statesboro native and artist, Former Georgia First Lady Betty Foy Sanders. PROVIDING SERVICE Georgia Southern recently opened a new Health Services center. The two story, 39,000-square-foot facility houses 48 exam rooms as well as dedicated spaces for women's health, lab, x-ray, pharmacy, immunization, physical therapy, health education and Eagle Eye Care. The University also broke ground on a new 32,000-square- foot Military Science Building opening in fall 2016. Gov. Nathan Deal's 2015 state budget included $9.5 million in funding to the University to build the new facility, which will house the University’s ROTC program. “We are grateful to the Governor and our legislators whose work moved us forward in a very positive way to secure the funding for this building,” said Interim President Jean E. Bartels, Ph.D., RN. MILITARY SCIENCE Dignitaries joined Interim President Bartels in breaking ground for a new military sciences building to open in fall 2016.
HEALTH SERVICES The new center provides cost-effective, high-quality care in an efficient manner for nearly 20,500 students. 24 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2016 A MATTER OF WHITE MATTER Concussions and brain performance exposure actually means something, and have become important topics as of late, there are so many other factors involved.” especially in the realm of football, where While some people might be able to punishing hits can exceed the force of a sustain repeated hits at 90 g’s, others severe car crash. might be concussed at 60 g’s. The The problem, however, lies in differences could be physiology, genetics diagnosing the true extent that or a host of other factors. In order to concussions have affected the white overcome these variables, Gore and matter in the brain. White matter is other researchers have been in search of sort of like the subway line of the technologies that would accurately assess brain performance. These technologies would not only help football players on the "These technologies would not only help field, but could also help fighter pilots who routinely experience 4 g’s and greater in football players... but also fighter pilots." combat, as well as soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). — Dr. Russell Gore These emerging technologies and assessments range from elaborate virtual brain, connecting different regions that reality simulations for soldiers to modified control vision, balance and other crucial video games that assess balance and functions. And while a scanner such as eye movements — the latter of which an MRI can assess physical damage to the has been developed at Georgia Southern. brain, the technology to diagnose brain Nicholas Murray, Ph.D., assistant performance — the health of the white professor of Concussion Research at the matter — is still in its infancy. University, and his team used a soccer Last fall, concussion expert Dr. Russell heading game on the Nintendo Wii® along Gore, director of vestibular neurology at with a monocular eye-tracking device to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, visited measure brain performance. Georgia Southern as part of the annual “They are doing a fantastic job,” Gore Norman Fries Distinguished Lectureship said of Murray and his team. “One of Series to discuss this technology in the things that interests me the most his talk, “Brain Injury and the Limits of is when folks are pulling off-the-shelf Human Performance: From Fighter Planes technologies and they’re finding uses for to Football Games.” them in this space.” Gore says most of the early concussion Gore says these off-the-shelf technology sought to monitor exposure: technologies are exciting because they the amount of gravitational force are affordable and commercially viable. (g's) sustained in a hit. And while He and a team at Georgia Tech have been this technology has certainly given developing their own systems and optics researchers a much clearer picture of for brain performance measurement, exposure, there are still questions left to spending over three years and millions of be answered. dollars to develop a prototype. And now “It makes perfect sense at face value that the military hopes to use them in that there would be a direct correlation their assessments, the technology will between the force of an impact to still cost $3,000 to $4,000 to produce someone's head and the injury that they each unit. would then sustain,” Gore said. “But what “So what we are shifting toward we found in terms of the research side is is more commercially available that hasn't panned out. It's very difficult technology,” he said. “And to me that’s to set a threshold in terms of what really exciting.” — doy cave
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26 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2016 A PLACE FOR REMEMBERING Nursing Memorial Garden Dedicated
It has been less than a year since five Georgia Southern University nursing students perished and two more were injured in a tragic car accident on I-16 in Bryan County, Georgia, but the memory of the tragedy still lingers. After students and faculty mourned in classes all over the campus, and after friends, family and the campus community mourned together at the memorial service held at Sweetheart Circle, the University School of Nursing began working with Facilities Services to create a more permanent memorial: a place for remembering. On Oct. 19, in a ceremony held outside the School of Nursing, Georgia Southern dedicated the School of Nursing Memorial Garden — a space where friends, family and the campus community can visit and remember Morgan Bass, Caitlyn Baggett, Emily Clark, Abbie DeLoach and Catherine “McKay” Pittman, who lost their lives in the accident, and Brittney McDaniel and Megan Richards, both of whom returned to school after a long recovery. “When you have memories, you need a place to bring them so that you can reflect and you can do that in a place that’s beautiful,” said Georgia "When a tree digs deep roots and grows wide branches, it does so through the abundant love and grace made known by the person who plants it or is represented by it." — Sharon Radzyminski
Southern Interim President Jean E. Bartels, Ph.D., it symbolizing the students’ desire to care for and RN. “Today, we dedicate this beautiful place to protect others. think, to remember and to celebrate the beautiful “The planting of trees to honor another lives taken far too soon.” individual is an ancient ritual,” said Sharon See more images The garden consists of seven crepe myrtle trees Radzyminski, Ph.D., J.D., RN, chair of the School of the ceremony at surrounded by apricot-colored azalea plants — of Nursing. “The tree is considered an important GeorgiaSouthern.edu/ apricot is the color for the profession of nursing. image of wisdom, knowledge and life. When a tree magazine. The five center trees will produce white blossoms digs deep roots and grows wide branches, it does and the outer two trees will produce pink blossoms. so through the abundant love and grace made Paired with a magnolia tree donated by the known by the person who plants it or is represented University of Pennsylvania, the trees’ canopy will by it. These seven women exemplified the love, provide shade and protection for those who use compassion, beauty and grace signified by the tree.” — doy cave
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 27 NEWS
Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health ALUMNA NAMED PRESTIGIOUS HEALTH FELLOW Master of Public Health graduate Jessica Sexton (’15) is one of 32 new Association of Schools and Programs engaged in an intensive, yearlong assignment at the of Public Health/CDC Allan Rosenfield Global Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within Fellows for 2015-16. The epidemiologist is working in the Center for Global Health. Her assignment to the CDC’s the Division of Global HIV/AIDS to address the epidemic office in Lilongwe, Malawi, is the result of being named in Malawi.
College of Science and Mathematics CHEMISTRY PROFESSOR RECEIVES RISING STAR AWARD Chemistry Professor Karelle Aiken, Ph.D., has received Aiken was honored for her outstanding work and a 2016 Rising Star Award from the American Chemical mentorship with undergraduates, graduate students and Society’s Women Chemists Committee. This prestigious, new faculty. She has been a Georgia Southern faculty national award recognizes up to 10 exceptional early-to- member since 2007 and will present her research at the mid-career women scientists who have demonstrated national meeting of the American Chemical Society in outstanding contributions to their respective fields. San Diego in March.
College of Business Administration FIRST BIG PITCH WINNER Georgia Southern University’s Business Innovation wowing the four panel members and 100 delegates Group (BIG), in conjunction with Ocean Exchange, named who voted for the winner to take home the $10,000 Stanford University the winner of the inaugural BIG cash award. The collegiate competition is designed for Pitch competition held Oct. 12, 2015, in Savannah. Opus teams to pitch sustainable innovations that improve 12, the team from Stanford University, pitched its idea, economies, health and the environment. ”Renewable Fuel Production from Carbon Dioxide,”
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences NEW DIRECTOR OF WOMEN AND GENDER STUDIES Department of Writing and Linguistics Professor member since 2007. Costello’s research focuses Lisa Costello, Ph.D., has been named the new director on rhetoric and composition, gender studies and of Women and Gender Studies. She has been a faculty Holocaust studies.
28 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2016 Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Information Technology NEW APPLIED RESEARCH CENTER OPENS The Center for Innovative Technology, Engineering and Manufacturing Solutions (CITEMS), an applied research center that helps a wide variety of industries and government agencies solve their real-world problems, is now open for business. A multidisciplinary unit within the College, CITEMS supports regional industries by providing opportunities to collaborate with engineering, computer science and information technology faculty and students. The center offers 55,000 square feet of dedicated research space as well as short courses on applied topics providing practical workshop materials and lecture notes. Clients include: Gulfstream, Delta, Southern Company, Georgia Power, Georgia Department of Transportation, National Science Foundation, Environmental Protection Agency, Solvay Polymers and Koyo Bearings.
College of Health and Human Sciences STUDENT SUSTAINABILITY FEE FUNDS ALTERATIONS SHOP The FMAD Stitch Alterations Shop opened for business basic mending, hemming and fittings services free of last fall in the School of Human Ecology. Department charge to Georgia Southern students, faculty and staff, of Fashion Merchandising and Apparel Design individuals will reduce the amount of clothes they Professors Rachel Eike, Ph.D., and Beth Myers, Ph.D., purchase and throw away. The program is run by student and undergraduate student Amber Shelton were volunteers who are able to gain valuable hands-on awarded a $2,500 grant through the University’s Center experience while working with real life customers. Three for Sustainability to launch the clothing repair and years ago, Georgia Southern students overwhelmingly alterations shop. With a mission to work toward a more approved the $10 Student Sustainability fee to fund sustainable campus, the shop hopes that by offering sustainability projects on campus.
College of Education STATE SCHOOL COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR IS A DOUBLE EAGLE College of Education graduate, Torri Jackson (‘99, ‘02) previously held positions as a high school guidance is the 2015 Georgia School Counselor of the Year as counselor and math teacher. Jackson holds two degrees selected by the Georgia School Counselor Association. from the College of Education: a B.S. in Education with She is currently the Student Services Support Specialist emphasis in technology and mathematics education for the Liberty County Board of Education and and a Master of Education in counselor education.
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 29 RESEARCH & CREATIVITY
TIPPING THE SCALES ON OBESITY AWARENESS
30 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2016 "We have not yet figured out the most effective communication between the parents and the kids, given that the parents themselves are also struggling with body weight. So if the parents are struggling with body weight, what they say is much less powerful to their kids." — Dr. Jian Zhang
Dr. Jian Zhang, associate professor of our publication drew so much national attention: the epidemiology in the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of decline within just such a short time period — 12 or Public Health, is bringing national awareness to the 15 years — a decline of 30 percent. That’s a really obesity pandemic in the United States through a huge decline.” series of highly publicized research articles about The national media took notice, and Zhang and the misperceptions of obesity among children, his team found their research discussed in such adolescents and their parents. outlets as The Washington Post, TIME magazine, U.S. It’s an idea he discovered through his own News and World Report and “The TODAY Show.” misperceptions about his son. Zhang and his team continue to research body “My younger son is relatively slim compared weight misperceptions from different angles, and to his friends,” he said. “Both my wife and myself while he hopes that the results continue to raise were concerned that the little one might have an awareness, he says that he hasn’t found the best underweight issue socially and this might not be way to communicate the message to parents and good for a boy. However, when we compared the their children. little one’s weight and height with a growth chart, “Right now, one in three adults are obese,” he biologically, he is actually overweight and almost said. “One out of three are overweight. That means obese. Both my wife and myself are public health two out of three adults are in the range of unhealthy professionals, and we are still struggling with the body weight. So, we have not yet figured out the discrepancy between socially and biologically most effective communication between the parents acceptable norms.” and the kids, given that the parents themselves are Zhang is not alone in his struggle. In an also struggling with body weight. So if the parents examination of data from the National Health are struggling with body weight, what they say is and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), he much less powerful to their kids.” and his research team found that the parents of Zhang believes the key to this communication preschoolers and school-aged children were getting is the medical doctor, who represents a more remarkably worse at perceiving whether or not their trustworthy source of expertise, but who is also child is overweight or obese. Across the studies, limited in the amount of time he or she can visit a Zhang observed a steep decline in this ability — a 30 patient. It’s a difficult problem, but in spite of the percent decline — in less than 20 years. difficulties, Zhang says he has seen rays of hope. And while the issue of body weight misperception “In Georgia, for example, we definitely see a has been understood among researchers for a long decline in obesity prevalence among the school time, the results still surprised him. kids and among adolescents,” he said. “At least from “What most surprised me was the trend of the 2011 to 2013, we saw a clearly declining trend that’s kids as well as the parents to refuse to admit their really an encouraging sign. That means what we’re body weight was a problem,” he said. “The declining doing is working. We just need to do more.” trend really surprised me. That might be the reason — doy cave
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 31 RESEARCH & CREATIVITY
of existing adult populations and water DANIEL GLEASON, PH.D. temperatures, will also be evaluated at Director of Institute for Coastal Plain Science all proposed research sites. These factors have an impact on recruitment success What is the principal objective of the Florida and juvenile survivorship and will provide your research? Keys, and 12 valuable data for existing reef restoration Coral reefs throughout the world have in southeast efforts in Florida. declined significantly over the last Florida. At each several decades. We are investigating site, 30 terracota Who will be able to use your research? tiles (900 tiles total) will whether these reefs have the potential Establishing this database will enhance be attached to the reef by drilling into to recover through natural reproductive our understanding of a process that has the reef rock with a pneumatic drill and processes. Reproduction in tropical long been considered to be a bottleneck then securing the tiles with stainless corals results in small, swimming larvae to coral reef recovery and will allow steel bolts. Settlement tiles will be that can be dispersed long distances by resource managers to target their deployed annually in three separate ocean currents. Coral reefs can only be actions toward particular species and years. These tiles will remain in the field sustained if these larvae locate a suitable regions more precisely. For example, for approximately eight months so that reef and cement themselves to the regions of the Florida Keys exhibiting they can accumulate coral recruits. Once bottom, a process known as recruitment. poor coral recruitment are less likely collected, juvenile corals will be revealed The principal objective of our research to be sustained or recover naturally by bleaching the tiles and scanning them is to determine how coral recruitment after disturbances such as hurricanes under a dissecting microscope. Each varies across years, regions and habitat and ship groundings, and thus may be recruit found will be photographed and types along the entire Florida Reef Tract. candidates for coral reef restoration identified to the lowest taxonomic level programs. On the other hand, areas possible using skeletal characteristics. What kinds of things will you identified as “recruitment hotspots” At this young age, coral recruits of document? may be considered for more specialized different species can look very similar conservation or protection strategies In this study, we will use a combination so we will also develop methods that because of their ultimate potential as of methods to compare coral recruitment can use coral genes to confirm species larval sources. Thus, information we rates and juvenile survival at 30 sites identities. Finally, other biological and garner will be used by scientists with along the Florida Reef Tract, 18 in physical factors, such as the condition
32 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2016
CURIOUS MINDS Faculty Members Are Producing Innovative Research
Georgia Southern faculty members are engaged in rigorous scholarly and creative research across our institution. Two examples include coral reef conservation research by Professor Daniel Gleason, director of the James H. Oliver Jr. Institute for Coastal Plain Science, and Professor Trent Maurer’s in-depth look into the importance of using reading guides to help improve student performance in the classroom.
Georgia Southern magazine caught up with both professors to find out more about the issues they are exploring.
the National Marine Sanctuary Program year. Further, the funding provided by Although a small number complained and NOAA, and will ultimately benefit this project will support the master’s bitterly about how much extra work they the tens of thousands of recreational theses of at least two Georgia Southern were, most students quickly realized that users who flock to the Florida Keys each graduate students. the reading guides were there to help them learn. Once they realized that — and the corresponding insight that there are no shortcuts to learning — they were willing TRENT W. MAURER, PH.D. to put in the study time necessary to get Child and Family Development Professor, out of the readings what they needed to. As a result, I can now do far more with College of Health and Human Sciences them in the classroom because they are
so much more prepared for the intellectual What is the focus of your research? What was the “heavy lifting” we need to do there. outcome? When I assigned textbook readings to students, they would claim they had Students who What did you learn? done the readings, but would bomb the received the reading guides I learned that although many students in-class quiz. They would be unable to for the course performed significantly may not initially want to put in the meaningfully participate in class activities better on the in-class quizzes than six-to-nine hours of study time per that used the content of the readings students who didn’t receive the guides. week required for a three-credit hour as a starting point. I realized that many Since I have implemented the reading course; if you give those students the students weren’t accustomed to doing guides, I have gotten a lot of positive tools to succeed, explain to them how to reading for academic learning, so when feedback from the students about how use those tools, show them that using they read, they didn’t get out of it what helpful they are, even though they require those tools really works in boosting not they should have gotten out of it. This students to spend significantly more time only performance but also learning, and study was an attempt to find out if there studying for this class every week. support them as they struggle with rising was a way that I could help my students get to meet college-level expectations, they out of the readings what they needed to. I What did you find most interesting? will do the work, which enabled me to designed reading guides full of questions I think the most interesting finding have an absolutely transformative impact for the students to answer as they did each was the way the students reacted to on their education. assigned reading from the textbook. the introduction of the reading guides.
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 33 RESEARCH & CREATIVITY
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences PROFESSOR PUBLISHES NEW CHAPTER Department of History Professor Robert Batchelor, and flourished from its many connections and trade with Ph.D., recently published a new chapter in the book East Asian cities. Batchelor also has published other Collecting Across Cultures. Batchelor’s latest publication, chapters including “On the Movement of Porcelains: “Crying a Muck: Collecting, Domesticity and Anomie in Rethinking the Birth of the Consumer Society as Seventeenth-Century Banten and England” explains Interactions of Exchange Networks, China and Britain, London’s rise from a city of 75,000 in the 1540s to one 1600-1750” in Consuming Cultures, Global Perspectives: of 575,000 in 1700, and he reveals how London changed Historical Trajectories, Transnational Exchanges.
College of Business Administration 2015 OUTSTANDING PAPER AWARD Professor of Management Misty L. Loughry, Ph.D., generated mixed results. The research found high levels and Dean Allen C. Amason, Ph.D., of the College of of correlation among task, relationship and process Business, received the 2015 Outstanding Paper Award conflict, but measurement and data analysis issues from the Emerald Group Publishing Literati Network have made it difficult to isolate the effects of each type for “Why Won’t Task Conflict Cooperate? Deciphering of conflict. The complex relationship between conflict Stubborn Results,” which was also selected as the best and trust may cause mixed effects on performance paper published in the International Journal of Conflict while individual differences and conflict management Management. The purpose of the paper was to suggest approaches also affect this. Other relevant influences why research on the presumed positive relationship acting on this relationship are related to time-based between task conflict and team performance has issues and stage of group development.
College of Health and Human Sciences NURSING AWARDED $1.6 MILLION GRANT The School of Nursing received a $1.6 million grant university in Georgia to focus on telemedicine training. from the Health Resources and Services Administration The track consists of seven courses that partner with (HRSA) to help fund advanced nursing education. The clinical environments to provide team-based care. The University is using the grant to establish an Advanced courses also include sessions with national content Practice Nurse-Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse experts and provide simulation-learning experiences. Practitioners (APN-PMHNP) track to uniquely serve The first students were admitted into the program in the the psychiatric and mental health needs of rural and fall of 2015. underserved communities. Georgia Southern is the only
Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Information Technology STUDENTS DESIGN AWARD-WINNING APP A group of IT students from the college's IT Capstone the competition winners are determined by judges, all course won first place in the Charleston Defense attendees at the meeting vote on Best in Show among all Contractors Association Student Mobile App Competition the presented apps. The team received an additional cash as well as Best in Show with their Allerg-Ease app, which award for its Best in Show win. The competition sponsor allows people with food sensitivities to identify safe also donated $1,000 to the IT department, which the menu options at six popular restaurant chains. While students decided to apply to scholarships.
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Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health RESEARCHERS TO STUDY WATER QUALITY AT JEKYLL ISLAND BEACHES College of Public Health Professors Asli Aslan, Ph.D., Department of Natural Resources and the National and Jeff Jones, Ph.D., have received a $273,694 two- Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will allow year grant to study water quality at Jekyll Island’s the researchers to examine the nonpoint sources of recreational beaches. The grant from the Georgia potential pollutants from wildlife on and around the island. In addition to partnering with the Jekyll Island Authority, their research will provide an opportunity for Georgia Southern students to gain hands-on field and laboratory experience.
College of Science and Mathematics RESEARCH COOPERATIVE MEMBERSHIP APPROVED The College of Science and Mathematics and the Institute U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and National Oceanic and for Coastal Plain Science recently submitted a successful Atmospheric Administration. Though they are called application for Georgia Southern membership in the "ecosystem studies" units, work within this cooperative Piedmont-South Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystem ranges from anthropology to zoology. As a member, Studies Unit (PSAC-CESU). The PSAC-CESU is one of University faculty and students will be provided with 17 cooperative research units across the United States unique opportunities to conduct research on federal that provides research, technical assistance and and state projects, and will have significantly enhanced education to resource and environmental managers opportunities for research funding. Georgia Southern at such federal agency partners as the U.S. Geological is one of only four institutions in Georgia approved for Survey, National Parks Service, U.S. Forest Service, membership in the PSAC-CESU.
College of Education HONORS STUDENT STUDIES STEM INFLUENCE College of Education and University Honors Program STEM subjects and programs. As Hartman states in her student Courtney Hartman presented research at research conclusion, “Because teachers are such an the Georgia Educational Research Association and influential factor in students’ decisions, it is important the University Honors Symposium. Her research that teachers not only regard encouraging students explores the influence of elementary school teachers to participate in STEM as important, but it is just as on encouraging students’ interest and participation important that teachers be equipped to effectively teach in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics the content to their students and be able to make these (STEM). Hartman used a mixed methods study to subjects engaging to the students.” Hartman recently understand what methods teachers use in their earned a B.S. in Education with emphasis in Early classrooms to encourage students to participate in Childhood Education and Teaching.
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 35 ATHLETICS
WHO'S YOUR GODADDY? Eagles Win Big in First Bowl Ever 36 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2016 WHO'S YOUR GODADDY? Eagles Win Big in First Bowl Ever GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 37 ATHLETICS WHAT A TRIP
Georgia Southern overwhelmed Bowling Green 58-27 in the 17th GoDaddy Bowl, earning the University’s first bowl win in the team’s first season of eligibility. After entering halftime down 27-23, the Eagles scored 35 unanswered points in the second half for a lopsided victory at rain- soaked Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama, on Dec. 23. The game drew 2.4 million viewers on ESPN and was the second most watched pre-Christmas bowl game this year. It matched Georgia Southern’s rushing offense— the nation’s top-ranked, averaging 363 yards per game this season — against the nation’s fifth-ranked passing offense. Georgia Southern Quarterback Favian Upshaw scored four touchdowns and rushed for 199 yards and was named the game’s MVP, while Interim Head Coach Dell McGee notched his first win as a collegiate head coach.
38 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2016 BEFORE THE BOWL As part of the bowl experience, players and coaches visited the University of TYSON SUMMERS South Alabama Children’s and Women’s Hospital. NAMED HEAD They also proved victorious in a COACH head-to-head bowling match-up Georgia Southern has a new head against Bowling football coach, Tyson Summers. Green. “I’m excited to be able to get to Statesboro and carry on the proud traditions of Georgia Southern University and the Eagle football program,” Summers said. “I'm just exceptionally excited to be a Georgia Southern Eagle!" A native of Tifton, Georgia, Summers returns home from Colorado State, where he served as the Rams' defensive coordinator and safeties coach in 2015. Summers’ coaching career spans 15 years and seven schools, including the University of Central Florida, the University of Alabama-Birmingham, the University of Georgia, Troy University and Presbyterian College. In 2006, Summers coached the safeties at Georgia Southern. A four-year letterwinner at Presbyterian College, Summers was selected team captain as a senior. He received his bachelor's degree in political science from the school in 2002.
See more images from the bowl game at GeorgiaSouthern.edu/ magazine.
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 39 ATHLETICS
40 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2016 KIP DROWN GOES 'AALL' IN After 38 years of coaching basketball, Kip Drown, “I tell kids if you do those four things: if you will 59, is starting from scratch. Again. maximize your ability; if you will have a great He certainly didn’t need a fresh start. He has attitude — starting with a team attitude; if you amassed a stellar career that any coach would envy. will have a great work ethic — be what I call an Overall, his college women’s basketball teams are ‘extra-miler,’ don’t just do what’s expected of you, 463-327 — a record Drown built by taking struggling but go beyond what is expected; and then if you programs and turning them around. will have a love and a passion for what you do, He did it most remarkably at Grand Canyon you’re going to be successful in this life.” University, where the struggling ‘Lopes had won only In practice, AALL means being relentless, a word four games by the time he arrived in 2001. In just four that Drown loves so much he posted it in the locker seasons, Drown built a team that went 16-12 and room. It means pushing through good times and
New Women’s Basketball Coach Talks Rebuilding earned a bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament, a bad times and pounding away everyday on the feat that won him the California Collegiate Athletic little things: those fundamentals which add up to Association Coach of the Year in 2004. big things in the end. Most recently, Drown rebuilt the program at “There really is no magic formula,” he said. “We’re Colorado State University-Pueblo, where he led the just constantly trying to teach them to do the struggling ThunderWolves to a 195-100 record, fundamental things correctly. You do that with won the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference good people with good character. I’m a big believer Championship four times and earned a spot in the that good kids and good people will find ways to NCAA Division II Tournament seven times — the last get good things to happen.” appearance in March of 2015. He’s the winningest But for Drown, AALL is about so much more than women’s basketball coach in the university’s history. just winning basketball games. He’s building a And so, while other coaches in his shoes might be family, a reality he’s coined in the team’s motto, thinking about settling down and looking at life after “family always, team first.” basketball, Drown has chosen to start from scratch “Teams are kind of year-to-year, but you have again at Georgia Southern, a Division I team that went to have that team-first attitude,” he said. “But 5-24 last year — last place in the Sun Belt — and is family — they’re going to be Eagles all their lives. picked to finish last again this year. Twenty years from now I want them to look back A mathematician might call it a gamble. Drown, and say, ‘That was the best time of my life playing however, calls it an opportunity. basketball at Georgia Southern.’ “When I got off the phone the first time with Tom “If we win a Sun Belt title or we win a national Kleinlein [Georgia Southern director of athletics] title and they look back and say, ‘Man, I was I was energized,” he said. “The idea of taking over miserable,’ then we’ve done something wrong.” a Division I program that was coming off some Early season results have been encouraging down years was a challenge that really fired me up. with junior guard Angel McGowan being named I have always embraced the opportunity to take the women's basketball Student-Athlete of the over programs that were struggling and turn them Week by the Sun Belt Conference as well as College around, but the fact that this opportunity was at a Sports Madness. There’s still a long season ahead, D-I University was just too great an opportunity to with talented Sun Belt Conference opponents to turn down.” face. Drown, however, says he’s confident. At Georgia Southern, Drown says he will call upon “We’re going to keep getting better every day, the core principles that have brought him success at and we’re going to turn this thing around,” he every level so far. Winning, he said, requires going said. “I have no doubt about it. It’s too good a place. “AALL” in. “AALL” stands for ability, attitude, labor and There’s too much tradition here and too many love, and for Drown, it’s the strategy for success on good things about it — and we’re going to get it the court, in the classroom and in life. turned around.” — doy cave
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 41 ATHLETICS
17 TEAMS, 1 UNIVERSITY
BASEBALL TEEING UP MEN'S BASKETBALL WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SUCCESS WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY Women’s Golf Becomes 17th Sport FOOTBALL MEN'S GOLF Georgia Southern launched its 17th that, then we have a really good chance varsity athletics program, when the to be successful." WOMEN’S GOLF women’s golf program teed it up at the The success of the men's program, the WOMEN'S RIFLE Furman Lady Paladin Invitational last golf facilities at Georgia Southern, the fall, marking both the culmination of location and the University itself, as well MEN'S SOCCER the hard work needed to get a Division as a chance to build something, were all I program started and the beginning part of her recruiting pitch. "I have some WOMEN’S SOCCER of a new journey aimed to emulate the friends in coaching who have started SOFTBALL storied tradition and success of Georgia programs, and I have had the opportunity Southern golf. to pick their brains and get some ideas," WOMEN’S SWIMMING Two years ago Georgia Southern said Kuhfeld. & DIVING announced it would start the program The Eagles put together an impressive shortly after moving to NCAA Division I first half of their inaugural season last MEN'S TENNIS Football Bowl Subdivision and into the fall. And Ariana Macioce finished fourth WOMEN’S TENNIS Sun Belt Conference. Coach Emily Kuhfeld at the fall-season-ending Fighting was hired in the summer of 2014 and Camel Fall Classic at Keith Hills Golf WOMEN’S INDOOR began recruiting the inaugural roster, Club in Buies Creek, North Carolina, TRACK & FIELD crafting a schedule and hiring a staff. the program's first top-5 finish in just "Our main emphasis [this first season] their fourth tournament ever. The first WOMEN’S OUTDOOR is our team culture and holding true to season continues with five tournaments TRACK & FIELD our values, and if we do that, then we're this spring as the team readies for the going to hit our goals," Kuhfeld said. conference championship in Destin, VOLLEYBALL "We're definitely focused on what we can Florida, in April. control in the moment and then seeing “We have a lot to be proud of,” said what happens, but I feel like if we can do Kuhfeld.
42 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2016 AIMING TO BE THE BEST
Women’s Rifle Team Has a New, State-of-the-Art Facility and Will Soon Join a New Conference
The Georgia Southern women’s rifle paper targets with the air rifle. The team and UAB as well as full members VMI, team is on a roll. It ended the first half has been ranked in or near the nation’s Wofford and The Citadel to compete for of the 2015-16 season with a meet that top 20 programs all fall. This spring the the co-educational championship. The saw the team set four school and six program kicked off 2016 with a meet at conference becomes just the second personal records. Standout freshman the Citadel and now they’ll be gunning Division I league to sponsor rifle, Rosemary Kramer delivered two perfect for a trip to the national championships joining the Ohio Valley Conference, relays during the season — scoring this March. and will conduct an annual conference 100 points in her first 10 shots from the In 2016-17, the team will return to championship including the air rifle and prone position on the small bore during competition in the Southern Conference small bore disciplines to determine the the fall’s last meet. She also scored a as an associate member. The Eagles join league champion. perfect relay in the season opener on fellow associate members North Georgia
A NEW HOME
The team’s new home, the Shooting Sports Education Center (above and at left), opened last fall and provides a much-needed indoor space — and one of the finest ranges in the region — for student-athletes to practice. It can host competitions with seating for spectators and provides areas for the University’s championship-winning archery club team. The facility is also open to the public offering students and community members a comprehensive center for education, training, competition and recreation.
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 43 ATHLETICS
MEN’S GOLF Former Eagle Makes PGA Tour Debut
Former Eagle Scott Wolfes made his PGA Tour into a Web.com Tour event — one tier down from debut last fall at the RSM Classic at Seaside the PGA tour — through qualifying. He says he has Plantation in Sea Island, Georgia. He shot a two over learned a lot in his short time as a professional. par 144 in the first two rounds, missing the cut by "The biggest eye-opener is the high level you four strokes. He received a sponsors' exemption for have to play at week in and week out.” Wolfes said. the tournament at his home course. "Every shot counts just a little bit more." Wolfes capped his illustrious career at Georgia Wolfes earned Golfer of the Year honors twice and Southern with a tie for 11th in the NCAA was a four-time all-conference selection during his Noblesville Regional last May. Over the summer, he career at Georgia Southern. He posted 31 top-20 played some amateur tournaments before officially finishes in 46 collegiate tournaments and won turning pro in August. He played in a few mini-tour medalist honors four times in his career, including events where he had success, and he gained entry the 2013 Schenkel Invitational.
Fisk Named Student-Athlete of the Month
Georgia Southern's Steven Fisk was named the season. The freshman averaged 71 strokes per round Sun Belt Conference men's golf Student-Athlete of and shot par or better in three of five rounds. the Month in November. The freshman posted two Georgia Southern opens the spring campaign at top-10 finishes, giving him four in five events this the Gator Invitational in Gainesville, Fla., Feb. 20-21.
WOMEN’S SOCCER El-Shami is One of the Best
Senior women’s soccer forward Nora El-Shami years, and this past fall, she was a close-second to completed her final season with a team-high Jennifer Wittick. 30 points this season and 12 assists — tied for This season, El-Shami netted two hat tricks and fourth in the nation. She also earned All-Sun Belt was named to the preseason All-Sun Belt Team First Team honors for the second year in a row to along with teammate Melinda Lukas in addition become just the ninth player in program history to to grabbing two Sun Belt Offensive Player of the snag conference honors in consecutive years. Week awards. El-Shami's 25 career goals puts her She started 74 out of her 76 games during her at sixth in school history. In points, she currently four seasons and led the team in points for all four ranks fifth all-time with 78 in four years. Her 12 years and assists for the last three. In addition, assists this season is tied for third all-time and her she topped the team in goals for her first three 28 total assists puts her at fifth.
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GEORGIA SOUTHERN BEGINS RIVALRY SERIES WITH GEORGIA STATE It’s on! — The rivalry between Georgia Southern and rights and will enhance the rivalry between these two great Georgia State has been formalized and starting this institutions." year (2015-16) the two schools will compete directly "A rivalry that already existed before last season in 15 sports as well as student-athlete academic and definitely became more heated with several incredible community service components. At the end of each match-ups, including the first game between the two schools school year, the institution with the most points will be on the football field," Georgia State Director of Athletics crowned the champion and receive the series trophy at Charlie Cobb said. "Awarding a trophy and bragging rights the following year's football game. will only enhance the rivalry." Points will come from head-to-head match-ups and The winner of the annual football match-up will receive conference championship finishes, along with two points. All other match-ups will be worth one point, with additional points being available in Sun Belt Conference each baseball and softball series being worth one total point. tournament match-ups when the two rival schools meet Schools will receive one point for sweeping the volleyball in postseason play. season series, or a half-point each for a split. "With the significant number of alumni that we have in the As a part of the scoring, the school that finishes with the Atlanta area, and the pride that Eagle Nation displays toward highest department-wide GPA for fall and spring semesters Georgia Southern, a rivalry between Georgia State and combined will receive one additional point. Georgia Southern is a natural fit," Georgia Southern Director The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for each school of Athletics Tom Kleinlein said. "It only makes sense to bring will also select one community service project per semester Atlanta and Statesboro together and for the two areas to to compete head-to-head in, with the winning school get excited when the Eagles and Panthers play in any sport. receiving one point for each project. This series will give both fan bases a chance for bragging To see the current status, visit GSEagles.com/RivalrySeries.
VOLLEYBALL
Hanner Hosts Sun Belt Championships
Georgia Southern made its first appearance in the nation throughout the season. She now has the Sun Belt Conference Volleyball Championship almost 1,750 career digs, which tops Megan Lippi's last fall. It also marked the first time the event has total of 1,707 from 2000-03. Beecher has had 13 been held in Statesboro. While the eighth-seeded matches with 20-plus digs, including seven in a row Eagles fell to top-seed and eventual conference from this season and three matches with 30-plus. tournament winner Arkansas State, Georgia Redshirt junior Crysten Curry collected her 300th Southern completed its second season in the Sun career block and this season moved into Georgia Belt with some strong individual performances. Southern’s top 10 in career blocks, solo block and Junior libero Alex Beecher became the school's block assists. all-time leader in digs and ranked in the top 10 in
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 45 ALUMNI
HOMECOMING 2015 We Trashed the 'stache at Las Southern
Students decorated, fans cheered, Freedom flew, Elvis danced and Ellison rushed — all part of Homecoming 2015. Thousands of alumni, family and friends joined students, faculty and staff during a week that celebrated all things True Blue. DiArron Morrison and Kayla Wilkinson were named Homecoming King and Queen during a halftime ceremony of a thrilling 36-28 Georgia Southern victory over the New Mexico State Aggies. Hail Southern!
See more images from Homecoming 2015 at GeorgiaSouthern.edu/ magazine.
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LET'S DANCE Annual Dance and Step Show Draws Full House
The Doo-Dah Dance and Step where everyone's ‘True Blueness’ seems to This longstanding tradition holds a competition is one of the most highly come alive,” said Memory Littles, assistant special place in the hearts of many Eagles, anticipated events for students during director in the Office of Student Activities. but what exactly does it entail? What Homecoming Week at Georgia Southern. “Doo-Dah is one of the few events that a started as a traditional step competition Performers spend weeks, sometimes diverse group of students with different among Greek organizations grew into the months, choreographing and rehearsing missions, visions and values are all able Doo-Dah Step and Dance show hosted the perfect showstopper to impress the to come together under one roof and with by the Eagle Entertainment Club judges and the wildly cheering audience. a common purpose — to celebrate each and is now the University Programming “There's a lot of campus pride here, but other's talents, celebrate Georgia Southern Board-sponsored competition we know it homecoming is just one of those times University and simply have a good time.” as today.
48 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2016 STEPPING IT UP Doo-Dah, dance and step. Teams may The Doo-Dah Dance and Step Show has be Greek-affiliated, non-Greek, dance been a part of Homecoming for decades. clubs or they may represent any student organization. Performances are See more of the judged on precision, creativity, use of 2015 competition at homecoming theme, visual presentation GeorgiaSouthern.edu/magazine. and the overall impression on the judges. “I look forward to Doo-Dah every year. I’ve danced in it, and I’ve watched in the crowd. Both are equally amazing experiences,” said Niki Grant, senior majoring in public relations. “Each organization puts so much effort into making their dances great, and I love all of the student body participation. It’s such a fantastic hype event every homecoming!” The sorority sisters of Alpha Delta Pi won over the panel of five judges and "I've danced in it and watched.... Both are took home the coveted title of Doo-Dah champions for the second consecutive equally amazing." — Niki Grant year. Aside from bragging rights and a place in Georgia Southern homecoming history, winning dance and step teams Alumna and University Advancement This year Mr. and Miss Georgia took home checks of up to $200 for their Director of Annual Giving Gloria Goosby Southern hosted the event in front of organizations. (‘04) competed in the show when she an audience of more than 2,500 people Proceeds from ticket sales were was a student more than a decade in Hanner Fieldhouse. DJ Nino got the donated to Eagles for Eagles, a Student ago. She and the Zodiac Step Team crowd going for the second year in a Government Association student showcased their talents on Sweetheart row — setting the tone for the opening fundraising initiative to help students Circle in front of an eager audience number and the 16 team performances experiencing extreme financial hardship. sitting on picnic blankets and lawn that followed. Between donations and ticket sales, this chairs. “It was very open and inclusive,” Dance teams have the option of year’s event raised a total of $2,705. she said. competing in one of three categories: — aubrey trevathan
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MEET ANNALEE ASHLEY Internship Leads to Capitol Hill
Business marketing major Annalee Ashley graduated from Georgia Southern in May 2014, and moved straight into a coveted legislative internship in Washington D.C. Months later, the former SOAR leader and 2013 Homecoming Queen, landed a full-time job in our nation’s seat of power as an aide in the Executive Office of the Secretary of the Senate on Capitol Hill. Georgia Southern magazine caught up with Ashley to discuss her experiences on Capitol Hill and working with an “array of offices and services to expedite the day-to-day operations of the U.S. Senate.”
How did you end up in D.C.? I initially came to D.C. through the Eagles in D.C. program as a legislative intern for U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson of Georgia and fell in love with the city.
How did you obtain your current position? My first full-time job on Capitol Hill was with the Senate Rules Committee. While there, I coordinated the Congressional Intern Lecture Series where I arranged for speakers — including Supreme Court Justices, the Secretary of Homeland Security and Chuck Todd, moderator of (the NBC Sunday morning program) “Meet the Press,” among others — to come in to meet Capitol Hill interns. While working for the Committee, I interacted with the Secretary’s office and gained an appreciation for what the office is responsible for. I jumped at the chance when I was given the opportunity to join the Executive Office of the Secretary of the Senate.
What are your main responsibilities in this position? In my current position, I assist the Secretary of the Senate and the Assistant Secretary in their roles as the chief financial, administrative and legislative officers of the Senate. The Executive Office oversees 26 departments that support the Senate as an institution ranging from the legislative clerks to Senate Security to Interparliamentary Services.
What has been the most challenging aspect of this endeavor? Stepping out of my comfort zone and making the decision to move to D.C. was the most challenging, as well as the most rewarding aspect of my endeavor. I have gained incomparable experience in a short amount of time due to the fast-paced environment of Capitol Hill, and I have met numerous people who have each inspired me in different ways.
50 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2016 What is your favorite thing about living in the D.C. area? The energy here is contagious, and EAGLE IMPACT everyone you meet has a unique story True Blue Alumna Keeping to tell. There is so much going on here, too, whether it’s a protest on the West Lawn of the Capitol or a festival on Georgia Out of the Red the National Mall. Teresa MacCartney has a particular aversion to red. What have you learned since Aside from the fact that she’s a “Double being on Capitol Hill? Eagle” alumna of Georgia Southern and The legislative process is strategic True Blue to the core, she’s also the chief and multifaceted. You learn about financial officer (CFO) and director of the it in history classes your whole life, Office of Planning and Budget (OPB) for but until you get here you can’t really the State of Georgia, which means it’s her understand how it all works together. job to keep Georgia out of “the red.” There are many players and brilliant In her role as CFO, MacCartney oversees minds working to get legislation the state budget, which exceeds $22 passed, and it’s fun to take a peek into billion, and requires the input and the strategy behind it all. intense scrutiny from analysts and lawmakers before it can be adopted in What has surprised you most? the Legislature. It’s an arduous process, How young people can really make but it’s one that she learned to love while a difference in our government. working as an intern and later a graduate It is remarkable the amount of assistant with the Office of the Provost responsibility you can have at a under Virginia Samiratedu, assistant young age here if you are interested, provost and academic fiscal affairs officer engaged and actively seek out the at Georgia Southern. opportunities. “It was definitely the influence of working on campus...especially when How has your Georgia Southern I shifted to my graduate program “Sitting in this office, you get a better education influenced your life? and started working with Virginia understanding of the big picture and how The leadership experience I gained Samiratedu,” said MacCartney. “I enjoyed everything fits together,” she said. “You in college prepared me to be both working on individual budgets within also get an understanding of the fact that marketable and successful in the the colleges — especially during year- you make decisions at the end of the day, professional arena. As a result, I have end when you get to move that funding and those decisions truly have an impact been able to meet many great Georgia between initiatives. I think that’s what on the citizens in the state.” Southern alumni working in D.C. who got me started down the path of really In the Governor’s Office, MacCartney is have gone out of their way to help me enjoying the budget side of things.” one of several Georgia Southern alumni get where I am. The process of seeing a budget through making a difference in the state. She to its adoption is much more complex in works regularly with Chris Riley, the What do you miss most about her current role, but no less rewarding. To Governor’s Chief of Staff; Katie Childers, Georgia Southern? start the process, MacCartney first works the Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Game day at Paulson Stadium, with the Governor to outline his priorities, Policy; Lonice Barrett, the Governor’s being within a five-mile radius of then consults with lawmakers as the Special Counsel, and several staffers in all of my friends and the weather. bill goes through the General Assembly, the office who know what it means to Seasons are great and all, but nothing the House and the Senate. At each step, be True Blue...and how to rub it in when beats the Georgia heat. she tries to ensure that the Governor’s necessary. priorities remain in the budget while “When Georgia Southern beat Florida, I Is your True Blue spirit on display? listening to feedback and keeping track of had an education director who graduated Of course! I represent Georgia changes made by the Legislature. from the University of Florida, so you can Southern in my office and in my It’s a process that demands flexibility imagine the decorations I put up in his apartment, and I always have a and stamina, but MacCartney office,” she said. — doy cave Georgia Southern koozie on game day, understands it is about more than just especially when the UGA game is on. numbers.
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 51 ALUMNI
Paleoanthropologist and Georgia awarded to civil service employees for readers who said the book has inspired Southern alumnus Lee Berger (‘89) led making significant, special contributions them to want to write their family the international team of researchers to NASA’s mission. history, in hopes of doing the same. As a and cavers who excavated what could be Warren, who works result, I have been conducting workshops a newly discovered in the Space Launch and speaking engagements on writing species of hominin, System (SLS) your family history.” a primitive ancestor Program Office, to modern humans. was recognized Kathey Porter Berger and his team for his leadership (’01) co-authored unearthed more in planning for the the book, 50 than 1,550 bone SLS launch vehicle Billion Dollar Boss: fragments from processing activities African-American the remains of a at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Women Sharing species known as When completed, the powerful SLS Stories of Success in Homo naledi from the remote Rising Star rocket will launch astronauts in the Orion Entrepreneurship Cave in South Africa. The scientists are spacecraft on deep space missions to an and Leadership. still working to date the fossils, but the asteroid and eventually to Mars. Porter is a small species could be more than 2.5 million business expert and years old. The fossil find is expected Ross Kelly (’72), the son of Emma her book profiles 12 to add to the understanding of the Kelly who was known as the “Lady of successful black female entrepreneurs. evolution of humans. Berger grew up in 6,000 Songs,” released a new book that Sylvania, Georgia, and graduated from describes his life and the lives of his Lisa Scarbrough (’01) has joined Moon Georgia Southern with a bachelor’s siblings growing up in Statesboro with River Studios in Effingham County, degree in anthropology. Currently, he is their parents, Emma and George Kelly. Georgia, as the vice president of social a research professor at the University What’s Your Favorite Song? provides a media and community relations. of the Witwatersrand in South Africa firsthand account of how his parents and a National Geographic Explorer-in- juggled their F. Shaun O’Quinn (’94) was named 2014 Residence. marriage and their Financial Representative of the Year for careers while raising southeast Georgia by COUNTRY Financial Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal appointed 10 children. Nine of in Jesup, Georgia. Karla Redding-Andrews (’85) to serve the 10 Kelly children on the Georgia Film, graduated from G. Mike Odom Jr. (’84) has been elected Music and Digital Georgia Southern. to serve a two-year term as an at-large Entertainment Emma Kelly gained member on the board of directors of the Advisory fame when she Georgia Bankers Association. Odom is the Commission. was featured in the CEO of Citizens Bank & Trust, Eastman. Redding-Andrews bestselling book, is also the executive Midnight in the Pratt Hill (’72,) and John Lee’s (’82) director of the Otis Garden of Good and Evil, and in the movie agency, Lee, Hill and Johnston Insurors Redding Foundation version of the book. of Statesboro, has been named senior and serves on the partner by Grange Insurance. This Georgia Southern “My initial motivation in writing the book distinguished national honor recognizes University Alumni Association Board. was for my children and grandchildren, the leading insurance agencies that and the children and grandchildren of my sell Grange products based on their Andy Warren (’87) received the NASA nine brothers and sisters, to help them experience, professionalism and Exceptional Achievement Medal at the better understand the story of their performance. agency’s 2015 Honor Awards ceremonies parents and grandparents.” Kelly said. at the Marshall Space Flight Center “Since the book was published, I have in Huntsville, Alabama. The Medal is received an overwhelming response from
52 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2016
ALUMNI
IN MEMORIAM
1930s Elaine Dreggors (’58, Gloria Brand Hill (’57) Andrew Wilmot Shealy Bobby Davis (’62), a Joan Hollingsworth ‘92) of Glennville, Georgia, died at her Lake Oconee III (’67) of Gainesville, community leader in (’69) died Oct. 21 at Grace Cromley Harper died May 3 at Ogeechee home in Eatonton, Georgia, passed away May Crisp County, Georgia, Coastal Manor Nursing of Atlanta (’37) was Area Hospice. She retired Georgia. The native of 17. He enjoyed a long, died July 20 at his home Home in Ludowici, surrounded by loved ones after a 44-year teaching Montezuma, Georgia, was successful career in the on Lake Blackshear. Georgia. During her when she passed away career at schools in a retired educator. poultry industry and was He is remembered as a 37-year tenure with the Oct. 28. The 99-year-old Tattnall County, Georgia. a longtime supporter of teacher, coach, principal Liberty County Board of former music teacher Taylor Lamar Everett the Humane Society. and administrator in Crisp Education, she worked loved playing the piano, Billie Williams (’53) of Jr. (’51) died Aug. 13 at County public and private as a teacher, counselor, gardening, cooking, Sylvania, Georgia, died his home in Waycross, Martha Ann Barnes schools. assistant principal and sewing and traveling. May 14 at Hilton Head Georgia, after an Wright (’65) of Dallas, principal. Hospital. He was born on extended illness. He was Texas, died May 25. Michael Maguire (’66) Polly Connor Clary June 14, 1932, and every a school principal for She was a fourth grade of Newnan, Georgia, died William (Danny) (’37), a lifelong resident year celebrated Flag Day, many years. teacher for several years. Sept. 27, following a long Warnell (’66) died of Harlem, Georgia, died which fell on his birthday. illness. He retired from in Bakersville, North at age 97 on Nov. 7. The The chemist served two Charles Kirkland (’53), a Claire Sack Krissinger the insurance industry Carolina, on Oct. 23. He retired bookkeeper’s main terms as president of veteran of the U.S. Army (’63) of Statesboro died in 2008. was an insurance agent hobby revolved around the Southern Society of and the U.S. Navy, passed at the Ogeechee Area in Pembroke, Georgia, her champion show dogs. Coatings Technology. away on September 8 Hospice on May 26. The Charles Peeler Deaton and the owner/operator in Simpsonville, South lifetime member of St. (’68) of Macon, Georgia, of Bryan Motor Company 1940s Betty Anne Carolina. He served in the Matthew Catholic Church passed away Oct. 1. He and Warnell Chevrolet. Bedingfield Wynn(’52) Korean Conflict and was a was a licensed social was a charter member of Walter “Herb” Jones of Ponte Vedra Beach, teacher for many years at worker. the Kappa Alpha Order Ed Hale (’60, ‘68,) of (’49), the first Eagle Florida, died May 22 at The Citadel. at Georgia Southern and Fitzgerald, Georgia Scout in Bulloch County, age 85. Victoria Ricks (’34, ‘69), was the owner of Deaton passed on Oct. 23. The died Nov. 1 at age 87 in Mary Nell Willis a longtime resident of Insurance Group. longtime educator taught Columbus, Georgia. During Claudia Tinker Wilkes (’50) died Sept. Soperton, Georgia, who for almost 40 years at his long career, he worked Donaldson (’58) passed 12 at a senior living later moved to Eatonton, James “Jimmy” R. Fitzgerald High. as an educator in Georgia, away June 5 in Satellite facility in Lawrenceville, passed away at her home Edgar Jr. (’69) of Alabama and North Beach, Florida. Georgia. Wilkes was June 14. Jacksonville, Florida, died 1970s Carolina. She retired after 42 years an elementary school Oct. 3. He enjoyed new of service to the Brevard teacher in Georgia for 40 Roland Olgesby (’62), technology and working Peggy Jan Chandler 1950s County School System. years. a lifelong resident of with computers. (’75), a retired Navy Alexander, Georgia, and captain, died April 20 at Earl Luther Swicord Doris Hagin Newsome Haywood Boyd (’57, retired farmer died July 9. Mary Bennett Giles her home in Bethesda, Jr. (’58) died April 23 at (’50) died in June ‘64), age 80, passed away Smith (’60) passed away Maryland. The board his St. Simons Island, at Gentilly Gardens Oct. 12 under hospice care William “Bill” Duren Oct. 4, at age 99. She certified general and Georgia, residence. The Senior Care Facility in in Vidalia, Georgia. He (’67) of Fort Mill, South was a devoted member colorectal surgeon Marine Corps veteran Statesboro. The Effingham was a professor of biology Carolina, died in July. The of Statesboro First completed many and seafood industry County, Georgia, native at Brewton Parker College dedicated athlete had a Baptist Church where assignments during her executive was a past was a beloved elementary for 37 years. 35-year career with Duke her husband, Dr. J. Robert career in the U.S. Navy, president of the Georgia school teacher, first in Energy. Smith, pastored for many including serving aboard Southern Alumni Garden City and later in Murray Ricketson years before his death. the USS HARRY S. Association. Smyrna, Georgia. (’52, ‘72) of Pearson, Ronald “Ron” Purdy TRUMAN. Capt. Chandler Georgia, died July 6. He (’63, ’67) of Calhoun, Novine Hickman received numerous awards Imogene Groover Frankie Booth is remembered as one Georgia, died at his home Hamilton (’69), a lifelong that included the Defense Brannen (’58) was Buchanan (’59) of of Atkinson County’s in March. He served in resident of Georgia’s Superior Service Medal, surrounded by her family Manor, Georgia, died May legendary educators. the U.S. Army and was Burke County, passed the Meritorious Service when she died May 2 12 at the Baptist Village a teacher for 32 years away on Oct. 17. The Medal and the Joint Forces at age 87 in Statesboro. Retirement Communities. 1960s in Georgia and South 81-year-old was a retired Expeditionary Medal. The eighth-generation She retired from Griffin Carolina. teacher. resident of Bulloch Technical College after James Stapleton (’67, Gerald Mixon “Mickey” County was a charter a 33-year career in ‘80, ‘85) died Oct. 31 at his Dees Jr. (’78) died member of the Bulloch education. home in Alamo, Georgia. suddenly April 21 at County Historical Society. He was a public school his home in Waycross, teacher, basketball coach Georgia. He was a 25- and ended his career as year veteran with the the Wilkinson County Houston County Sheriff’s School superintendent. Department.
54 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2016 IN MEMORIAM
Walter Urbach Jr. (’70) Barry Atwood Lanier Charles “Jeff” Allagood 1990s John Hart Krickel (’93) Robert Maxwell of Sun City West, Arizona, (’74, ‘10) of Metter, of Savannah died Aug. 10 of Portal, Georgia, and Jackson IV (’08) of died April 13 at age 80. Georgia, passed away at Memorial University Anthony Allen (’90) Philipsburg, Montana, Fayetteville, Georgia, During his career of more Sept. 16 under hospice Medical Center following of Savannah passed passed away Oct. 22 at passed away Oct. 18. He than 30 years in the U.S. care. The jack-of-all- an acute illness. away in late May. He is age 86. The long-serving loved fishing, history and Army, Urbach served in trades is remembered as remembered as a talented educator earned his last playing the guitar. various command and a pharmacist, counselor, Helen Duncan Smith musician, lyricist and degree from Georgia staff positions in field farmer and poet. (’80, ‘87) of Newberry, writer. Southern at age 64, as a Bradley Stenman Mair artillery and aviation South Carolina, died retirement hobby. (’12), a human resources units including five years Ellen Wilder Pryor (’74), June 29 at the Heritage Christopher “Lax” coordinator in the at the Pentagon. who lived in the Atlanta at Lowman. During her Laxson (’95) passed Jennifer Greer (’92) of Georgia Southern Student area for many years, died career in education, she away June 1 in Belgrade, Charlotte, North Carolina, Employment Center, died William “Bill” Brent III Sept 17. In 2008, the was a teacher and an Montana. He was an avid battled brain cancer suddenly in October. (’72) passed away May retired CPA returned to assistant principal. softball player and classic before her death Nov. 5 at 31 in Columbia, South her hometown of Forsyth, car enthusiast. age 45. Dwayne Smith (’01) of Carolina, at an extended Georgia, following the Renee McBurney (’81) Lawrenceville, Georgia, care facility. He struggled death of her husband, of Evans, Georgia, died Marcus “Marc” Martin Barry Ostean (’98) lost a fight to cancer on with multiple sclerosis for Shepherd Pryor III. Sept. 22. McBurney loved (’92) of Perry, Georgia, of Statesboro lost his Nov. 21. He worked as a 25 years. fishing and raising toy died June 12 at age 45. He three-year battle with senior claims adjuster. Gary Bacon (’78) of St. poodles. was an active member of cancer on Nov. 20. He was Alberta Anderson (’71) Mary’s, Georgia, died Oct. the Kiwanis Club and the a production supervisor Faculty of Lake Park, Georgia, 19 of a sudden illness Shirley Gulledge Perry Area Chamber of at Viracon. died May 31 at a relative’s in Jacksonville, Florida. Richardson (’86) died Commerce. Mikelle Calhoun, Ph.D., home in North Augusta, He was a member of the Oct. 5 in Charleston, Shannon Sweeney a College of Business South Carolina. The State Bar of Georgia for South Carolina, following James Hamilton Newsom (’97) of Portal, professor, passed away former educator taught 32 years. a long illness. The Therrell IV (’97), an Georgia, died Nov. 21. She on July 9 following a brief in elementary and high widow of Dr. Charles attorney in Fort Lupton, was a retired employee illness. She joined the schools in Georgia and 1980s Richardson helped Colorado, passed away on of Georgia’s Department Georgia Southern faculty Florida. establish the Ogeechee July 17. of Family and Children in 2009 and taught Sharon Finkelstein Clinic, P.A., which served Services. international business William “Bill” Stanford Bolgla (’83) of Augusta, the Statesboro area for Ann Tilton Weil (’97) courses. (’71) of Flemington, Georgia, died at her home more than 30 years in was surrounded by her 2000s Georgia, died Aug. 11. in June. She grew up in women’s health care and family when she died Professor Emeritus of He is remembered as an Atlanta and was captain obstetrics. Sept. 12 at her home near Jonas Doyle Jr. (’02), Biology Donald Joseph inspiring football and of the basketball team at Savannah. The advanced a native of Richmond Drapalik of Statesboro track coach in Hinesville. Grady High School under Thomas Bennett (’81) practice nurse was the County, Georgia, was died May 22. He was coach Erk Russell. of Augusta, Georgia, died medical advocate for the surrounded by his family the expert for plant John Donald Baker (’70) Oct. 7 after a short illness. indigent at the J.C. Lewis when he died on June 2. identification in the of Perry, Georgia, passed Barry Phillip Sherrod He was an educator for Health Center for many region and students away on Aug. 21. He (’80) died June 23 at the 38 years in the Richmond years. Timothy “Tim” Rubnitz remember him as served in the U.S. Air Force Ogeechee Area Hospice County Public School (’15) of Savannah died someone who loved and later retired from the Facility in Statesboro. System. Marc Smith (’99) unexpectedly on July to teach field botany Air National Guard. The native and lifelong died Sept. 15 at his 13. The recent graduate courses. His greatest resident of Bulloch Nan Elizabeth Coyle Savannah home. He had just started a job in University contribution John Mills III (’74) of County worked as an (’80) of Jacksonville, was a pharmacist and Atlanta. was in developing Georgia Sylvania, Georgia, died appraiser for many years. Florida, died suddenly had a second career as Southern’s herbarium, Aug. 24 at the age of 82. in October. She had a a licensed professional LaDonna Lorraine which now includes He was the longtime Aaron Matthew “Matt” long career in sales and counselor. Spikes (’04, ‘11) of 35,000 specimens. superintendent of Peeler Jr. (’85) of marketing. Waycross, Georgia, died Screven County Schools. Carrollton, Georgia, died Janice “Sue” Brackin Sept. 11 at the Mayo Professor Emeritus of June 22. An avid athlete, Al Lewis (’84), the mayor Hyatt (’96) passed Clinic in Jacksonville, Industrial Technology Cissy Oliff Mercer (’72), he was employed as a of Santa Claus, Georgia, away Sept. 25 in Suffolk, Florida. The family nurse Rex Nelson died March a native and lifelong database analyst. died at home Oct. 18. He Virginia. She was a practitioner was a former 20 in Dalton, Georgia. resident of Bulloch coached at schools in federal probation officer EMT and firefighter. He directed several County, died in Statesboro Mary Hundley Harper Effingham, Toombs and for 18 years in Maryland institutes and workshop on Sept. 15. She was an Turner (’83) died Aug. 11 Telfair counties. and Virginia. and was the author and educator for 35 years. at Hospice Savannah. She co-author of several retired as an educator in books. Effingham County after 31 years of service.
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 55 SUPPORT
A LEADERSHIP LEGACY Recreation Activity Center Named for Former President, First Lady
From their decade of leadership at here at Georgia Southern,” she added. and progress to the University and the Georgia Southern, Bruce and Kathryn The gift was earmarked for three surrounding communities. Kathryn Grube Grube knew how important financial critical areas: leadership scholarships, devoted herself to Georgia Southern support can be to students. They also University Honors Program scholarships and the community, contributing recognized the lifelong benefits of and recreation programming for students. countless hours of volunteer work for the fitness and recreation. “Scholarships, recreation and wellness University and Statesboro. Now, a landmark $1 million gift from are significant elements of a successful The Bruce and Kathryn Grube the former University President and educational experience at Georgia Recreation Activity Center is a cutting- First Lady has provided for the naming of Southern,” said the former president. edge recreation facility and stands as Georgia Southern’s popular and bustling “Kathryn and I understand these student an icon of campus life for many Georgia Recreation Activity Center (RAC) in needs from our years of serving the Southern students. Originally opened in honor of the Grubes. University. We are grateful that we are 1998 just prior to the start of the Grubes’ "Georgia Southern's approach to able to leave a legacy to Georgia Southern tenure, the facility was expanded in 2006 student-centeredness includes a focus University students. We certainly owe to its present size of 215,000 square feet. on physical well-being, and the healthy much to the many students who touched With more than 5,500 student, faculty habits students adopt while here have a our lives over the years.” and staff visitors each day, the Center positive impact on their lives and those Grube was Georgia Southern offers fitness equipment, intramural sports, of their children long into the future,” University’s 11th President, serving from wellness services and meeting spaces. said Teresa Thompson, vice president 1999 to 2009. During his tenure, the "We're highly appreciative of the for student affairs and enrollment University became a Carnegie Doctoral/ fact that Bruce and Kathryn Grube management. “The Grubes’ gift helps us Research university, experienced record- feel so strongly about their continued enhance the kinds of programs we need breaking enrollment and significant connection to Georgia Southern's to have that positive influence. improvement in academic quality, as well students,” said Interim University “The Grubes’ deep understanding as unprecedented growth in facilities and President Jean E. Bartels. “So much so, in of what students need to become other resources. fact that they chose to provide this major successful citizens is highlighted by their Grube worked to build strong boost to our student recreation programs. generosity and is a testament to their relationships with local, state and We're very grateful for their continued leadership and compassion for students national leaders bringing collaboration service the University."
56 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2016 LEADERSHIP CHANGE FOR THE FOUNDATION BOARD Participants at the fall meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Georgia Southern is the recipient of Berry College’s Young Foundation saw changes in leadership for the coming two years and honors for Alumnus of the Year Award. A Savannah departing members. resident, McMillan earned a bachelor’s Dr. Barbara Christmas Golden (above right) ended her two years of service as degree in business administration/ Foundation chair last fall and will serve as immediate past chair for the coming year. finance and psychology from Berry The new chair is Caroline Harless above (above left) who will serve a two-year term. College in 1998. Jimmy Childre was granted chair emeritus status with 28 years of service. Jimmy Dana Potts is president and CEO of Franklin was granted chair emeritus with 25 years of service. Dr. Nicholas Henry S Bank of Glennville, Georgia, and she was granted trustee emeritus status with 11 years of service. Michael Curry, granted works in both Glennville and Savannah. trustee emeritus status with 10 years of service, was unable to attend. With over 18 years of experience in the financial services industry, Potts New Members Assume David Brooker serves as president serves on the Board of Directors for S Roles as Trustees and CEO for Citizens Bank of Washington Bank and the Board of Directors for S The Georgia Southern Foundation Board County in Sandersville, Georgia. Active Bankshares, Inc. She received a Bachelor of Trustees gained five new faces this fall, in his community, Brooker serves as a of Business Administration from Georgia each person having unique strengths and director of Citizens Bank of Washington Southern, graduating summa cum laude. perspectives that add to the effectiveness County, a trustee of Brentwood School, Residing with her family in Register, of the Board. Each of the new trustees will a board member of the Georgia Chamber Georgia, Potts believes in giving back serve a five-year term of office. of Commerce, and board member of the to her community and serves on the Tan Adams is area manager for Washington County Alliance for Literacy. Glennville Chamber of Commerce Board Georgia Power Company in Statesboro, He and his family reside in Sandersville. of Directors, participates in the Move a position she has held since April 2014. Brooker received his business degree On When Ready Program at Georgia As such, she is responsible for all day-to- from Georgia Southern and is a graduate Southern and attends Trinity Baptist day, internal and external operations in of the Georgia Bankers Association’s Church in Nevils. the area which, in addition to Statesboro, Banker’s School and the University J. Daniel Speight is with Pinehurst includes Swainsboro, Claxton, Hinesville, of Georgia’s Terry College of Business Capital Group, LLC in Pinehurst, Georgia. Reidsville and Metter. Prior to her Banking School. Active in his community, he has served assignment in Statesboro, Adams was Jason McMillan is senior vice on the Executive Advisory Committee marketing/regulatory affairs manager for president/regional corporate banker of the Boy Scouts of America, the Georgia Power Company for nearly three for BB&T Corporation in Savannah. Mercer Athletic Foundation, 21st Center years and before that project manager for He joined the bank in 2003. McMillan Partnership Foundation, the Cherry generation resource policy and planning. manages a diversified $480 million Blossom Festival, and many others. She held numerous other managerial corporate/commercial portfolio and Speight also serves on the Boards of roles with the company after beginning cultivates existing/prospective client Trustees of Wesleyan College, MedCen her career with The Southern Company’s relationships on behalf of BB&T. He is Community Health Foundation and Alabama Power division as a distribution active with the Savannah Area Chamber Mercer University. He earned his Bachelor engineer. Adams is a graduate of the of Commerce, United Way of Coastal of Business Administration from Georgia University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Empire, Coastal Scottish Heritage Society Southern and a J.D. from Walter F. George Science in electrical engineering. of Savannah and other organizations. He School of Law at Mercer University.
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 57 SUPPORT
PUT YOUR TRUST IN US Planned Giving Has Meaningful Impacts
There was a time when most 50- or it with them. Estate planning is really all gift, it does greatly benefit the University even 60-year-olds rarely gave much about how to plan for the future,” he said. and it meets those graduates’ desire to thought to estate planning and even less There really is no time too soon to begin show their appreciation for what Georgia to including a philanthropic gift in their planning an estate, according to Johnston, Southern means to them. It’s so gratifying plans. Times have changed. even for people in their 20s or 30s. “At the when people realize they can do that,” No longer is estate planning with a very least we should have a will or living said Johnston. philanthropic motivation the special trust. It’s like an insurance policy. It’s “Regardless of age you can always do province of the elderly. It is increasingly something they can begin planning very, a bequest,” he said. “Although it’s only a common for people in their 60s, 50s — very early and philanthropy can assist paragraph on a sheet of paper, the impact and even younger — to include provisions individuals regardless of their age to plan that makes in the future for students, in their wills for a gift to Georgia for the future. professors and the University is huge. Southern. Young graduates have a great It’s great to know that a person had the “It used to be that those who were 70 appreciation for their University foresight to say, ‘I can write down three or older were most interested in estate experiences and can be some of Georgia sentences now that will greatly impact the planning,” said Christopher Johnston, Southern’s most ardent supporters, but University in the future.’” University associate vice president they often have the most limited incomes Older people who investigate their for trusts, estates and planned giving. and heavy debt. Having young children options for gifts in the context of estate “Then it became 65 or older. Now, most and a mortgage and other bills make the planning find even greater and more of the constituencies are comprised idea of a gift seem impossible. potentially beneficial options, Johnston of 55 or older,” Johnston said. “Today “On the other hand, even young people said. people are accumulating wealth faster need a will,” said Johnston. “They need to “Many estate planning tools provide an and are starting to think sooner about protect their family’s financial security income for life or the life of a loved one. the importance of estate planning. As a in the event something should happen to Trusts can be created in your, your spouse’s result, they have more time and can think them. The earlier they create a will the or significant other’s names to care for very realistically and strategically about better. They can always change it, but at them. Gift annuities can do the same.” how best to care for their families, friends least they have it. People who have accumulated and Georgia Southern. “It’s at this point that they might consider significant wealth, but who are concerned “It becomes a question about wealth including Georgia Southern for a future about later potential health problems or for individuals, ‘How do I use this?’ People gift,” he said. “While it’s not an immediate long-term care can create a bequest so begin to realize that they truly can’t take financial commitment in the form of a cash that whatever is left in their estate can
58 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2016 Planned giving represents a significant gift to Georgia Southern and also provides creative and flexible strategies for your estate and charitable planning. Most importantly, your planned gift has a meaningful impact, supporting the work of the University that is also important to you while educating the next generation of leaders. Your commitment may be directed toward any program, school or college.
GIFTS MAY INCLUDE: • Will bequest or living trust • Life insurance beneficiary • Charitable remainder trust (unitrust or annuity trust) • Charitable gift annuities (immediate or deferred) • Pooled income funds BUILDING A SOCIETY FOR GIVING • Retirement plan beneficiary • Remainder interest in retained life estate The University Foundation’s giving societies provide recognition of the generous (residence or farm) support of alumni and friends at all levels of giving. These donors help to advance the University’s mission by providing funds for scholarships, internships, faculty support For additional information, visit and initiatives that enhance teaching, research, cultural activities and economic GeorgiaSouthern.giftplans.org development. Giving society designations for the Foundation were revamped in 2012, along with the creation of the Office of Donor Relations, to focus on recognizing three methods of giving: annual giving, lifetime giving and deferred giving.
The Marvin S. Pittman Society was formed to recognize Georgia Southern’s go to the University. Or, they can leave most distinguished and loyal supporters. Named after one of the University’s most a specific percentage of the estate to transformational and visionary leaders, the Society represents the highest level of benefit a program, school or college that recognition and achievement. Recognition and membership begins when donations holds special meaning for them. reach $25,000. Within the Marvin Pittman Society are the following donor designations: “It really comes back to philanthropic President’s Club – lifetime giving of $1 million or more passion,” Johnston said. “When I meet Founders’ Guild – lifetime giving of $500,000–$999,999 with individuals, the most exciting thing Southern Fellows – lifetime giving of $250,000–$499,999 for me is listening to their stories about Sweetheart Circle – lifetime giving of $100,000–$249,999 their Georgia Southern experiences. The Lantern Walk – lifetime giving of $25,000–$99,999 impact that one institution can have on an individual during a very critical part The 1906 Annual Giving Society has shifted its focus to one of annual giving. of their life is amazing. When people look Receiving annual support often has the greatest impact on an organization’s fundraising back, I hear many individuals say, ‘You efforts. The 1906 Society fosters an appreciation of annual gifts of $1,200 or more. know, that was one of the most important The 1906 Society donor designation has four levels, each named in honor of the parts of my life’ or ‘That’s really what first administrator and first three faculty members hired upon the founding of the contributed the most to my success.’ It’s all University: about that passion. Hendricks Level – $10,000–$24,999, named for Principal J. Walker Hendricks “Together, the donor and I can create a Harper Level – $5,000–$9,999, named for teacher Otto Tauber Harper philanthropic gift in a package that both Rowan Level – $2,500–$4,999, named for teacher Frank M. Rowan mirrors their passions and takes care of Shiffer Level – $1,200–$2,499, named for teacher Josephine Schiffer them and their children or grandchildren,” Blue and White Associate Level – $300–$600, for graduates of the last decade/ he explained. “Georgia Southern has made young alumni a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Because of that, alumni, family members The Soaring Eagles Legacy Society allows Georgia Southern the ability to recognize and friends want to sit down, talk and and acknowledge individuals who have chosen to remember Georgia Southern in explore what options they have to be able their estate plans. These members demonstrate an unwavering confidence in Georgia to give back to others so that they can Southern by making deferred gifts that will come to the University at a future date. The have, and may also benefit from, the same Soaring Eagles Legacy Society allows Georgia Southern to express its gratitude now so experience.” that our donors can understand the impact that their gift will have on the University in the future.
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 59 SUPPORT
OSBORNE JOINS COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Chris Osborne, formerly of Young Alumni Board and the Student Osborne has served as a Ringling College of Art and Design Advisory Board, in addition to annual development officer at Ringling for in Sarasota, Florida, has been and leadership gifts. five years. He holds a B.A. in political named the new assistant director Pam Stovall, senior director of science and government from the of development for the College of development, was excited to welcome University of Georgia. He holds Business. the new addition to the University’s memberships in the Association He will be responsible for fundraising corps and the College. of Fundraising Professionals, the the Eagle Executive Exchange “I couldn't be more pleased with the Council for Advancement and Support networking events, the Eagle talent and energy that Chris has of Education, and the Southwest Executive Society memberships, the brought to our team,” she said. Florida Planned Giving Council.
RAMFJORD JOINS COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Though on the job only a short Southern Athletics after joining their “John is already out meeting while, John Ramfjord has hit the staff in 2007. and talking with the College’s ground running, energizing the alumni At the College of Education, constituencies about ways they can and friends of the College of Education. Ramfjord’s role will be to ramp up partner with the College and advance Ramfjord has joined University alumni engagement. “Teaching and its mission. We need to develop the Advancement as the associate director educational administration are the College of Education’s affinity groups of annual giving for the College. University’s longest established and events and encourage more The former Georgia Southern programs, and we need to make sure people to give of their time, talent and athletics ticket manager and assistant we are doing the best we can to keep treasure.” director of Eagle Sports Marketing them in the forefront of supporters’ Ramfjord is a 1998 alumnus, held a variety of increasingly minds,” said Director of Annual Giving earning a B.A. degree in history and a responsible positions with Georgia Gloria Goosby. master's degree in sport management.
BARDOT JOINS ENGINEERING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Bringing more than a decade of and higher level.” Hollywood, California. At Rutgers, she experience and having secured major Bardot is a certified fundraising built and managed an active portfolio gifts from $100,000 to $1 million, executive who comes to Georgia of 125-175 of qualified prospects with Danese Bardot has joined the Allen E. Southern from Rutgers University the capacity to give $100,000 or more. Paulson College of Engineering and where she served as director of Bardot earned a B.A. degree in Information Technology as senior development for biomedicine and management from the University of director of development. health sciences. Her experience Redlands (California), a M.P.A. degree “Danese has an impressive record encompasses technical expertise in from the University of Southern in the advancement field and we’re designing comprehensive development California, and a J.D. degree from looking forward to what I’m sure programs including annual giving, Syracuse University College of Law. will be valuable contributions to our major gifts, planned giving, corporate After earning her law degree, team’s mission,” said Michael Shippam, and foundation support, alumni Bardot had a successful federal associate vice president for major gifts relations, and parent programs. clerkship with a U.S. federal and the campaign. “I am confident she She has also served as bankruptcy judge and later worked will take the development role in the development officer at Western in mergers and acquisitions before Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering Washington University, Elgin Academy transitioning to educational and Information Technology to a new and Pacific Hills School in West fundraising.
60 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2016 ADVANCEMENT CAPTURES GEAC INSTITUTIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD The Georgia Education Advancement Council (GEAC) has awarded Georgia Southern’s University Advancement division its Institutional Excellence in Advancement Award for recent achievements. The award is presented to a GEAC-member college or university that has demonstrated outstanding performance and commitment to the field of higher education advancement. The staff must have made significant and specific professional contributions that have yielded positive results for their office, institution and field. The Division was selected from among more than 70 statewide member institutions — public and private colleges and universities and the state’s technical colleges. Among the highlights was a 143 percent increase in annual donations from FY 2012 to FY 2015. Donations enjoyed a sharp rise from $3,290,951 in FY 2012 to $8,014,604 last year. These figures include planned gifts, outright gifts and pledges. Funds distributed by the Foundation for awards and scholarships nearly doubled — from $750,000 in FY 2012 to more than $1.46 million in FY 2015. The Office of Alumni Relations enjoyed a sharp rise in sponsored events and alumni participation. Last year, 7,323 alumni attended Representing University Advancement at the 2015 GEAC Office-sponsored events compared to 6,534 the previous year. In Conference were, back row, l-r: Wendell Tompkins, Angela Harn, FY 15, Alumni Relations hosted a record 186 events vs. 47 in FY 12. Jodi Collins, Melanie Mosley, Salinda Arthur, Pam Stovall, Alex Other accomplishments included the addition of a dedicated Washington, Kelly Pope, Ginger Karrh, Chris Osborne and Rachel planned giving officer, a gift officer to boost fundraising in each Miller. Kneeling, l-r, are Seth Walker, Christopher Johnston, Ross the University’s colleges, and the addition of two new donor Davis and Brad Carr. recognition societies.
JOHNSTON TO LEAD PLANNED GIVING Christopher Johnston has joined where he played an instrumental role billion campaign; and as assistant vice University Advancement as its associate in launching Helms College, the first president and director of the University vice president for trusts, estates and Goodwill-affiliated higher education in of California, Irvine’s $1 billion campaign. gift planning and is leading the drive the U.S. Johnston holds a B.F.A. in theater to secure gifts based on donors’ estate Prior to Goodwill, Johnston served from Boston University, an M.A. in planning priorities. as the president’s senior council for Chinese Studies and an M.A. in Japanese Johnston comes to Georgia Southern university campaigns and vice president Studies from the University of Southern with an extensive background in of development at University of the California, as well as a J.D. from USC. He philanthropic giving including his Pacific in California; as the assistant also earned a specialist in planned giving most recent post as vice president of vice president of engagement at The certification from the American Institute advancement for Goodwill Industries University of Virginia during its $3 for Philanthropic Studies.
HARN CRAFTING CAMPAIGN MESSAGES Leading efforts to ensure the ongoing campaign. She will provide marketing and advertising activities for visibility and messaging of the strategic leadership in developing and Georgia Southern, planning, developing University’s comprehensive campaign implementing the campaign. Harn and implementing programs supporting will be Angela Harn, who recently joined will also be charged with developing admissions, recruitment and University University Advancement as senior marketing and advertising plans for the Advancement activities. director for campaign promotions. Advancement giving societies, Annual Other professional experience Harn will be working closely Giving and Alumni Relations signature includes more than 20 years in broadcast with the Office of Donor Relations, programs. marketing, including the position as the UA director of communications, Previously, Harn served in the general sales manager of a five-station the University’s Office of Marketing University’s Office of Marketing and Savannah-based radio group. and Communications and other UA Communications for six years, most She is a graduate of Troy State directors to administer promotional recently as the director of marketing University with a B.S. in advertising and outreach and materials relating to the and advertising. Since 2009, she has led public relations/broadcast journalism.
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 61 SUPPORT
THANKS TO OUR FRIENDS Southern Classic The third annual Southern Classic golf tournament fundraiser was held Oct. 15 at the historic East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.
Below left: Kim Jones on the putting green. Below right: Dining in style.
Far left: Tournament winners: Hector Morales, Robert Whitaker, Carter Collins and Blake Adams.
Near left: Tournament runners up: Mike Shepherd, Tim Wallis, Sanders Wallis and Dan Pate.
Soaring Eagles Legacy Society The Soaring Eagles Legacy Society gathered Oct. 30 at the Georgia Southern Botanic Garden. New members were inducted, and attendees heard from faculty member Nicholas Murray, Ph.D. The Georgia Southern Chorale provided entertainment.
Right (L to R): Spence and Sheila Hoynes, Jamey and Dawn Cartee. Below: Society members in attendance gathered for a group photo. Bottom middle: Interim President Bartels addressed attendees. Bottom right: Society member Doris Batts talks with Dean of the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Information Technology Mohammad Davoud, Ph.D.
62 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2016 1906 Annual Giving Society The 1906 Society event was held Sept. 18 at Georgia Southern's Eugene M. Bishop Alumni Center with entertainment from Dueling Pianos.
A Day for Southern Held in late summer, the annual A Day For Southern campaign raised $2,335,990 to support Georgia Southern programs not funded through state dollars — including scholarships, faculty development, championship athletics and cultural programs.
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 63 HOLD THAT POSE
Some 500 students gathered to pose as a giant GS at the 2015 Eagles Night Out welcome-back event.
Georgia Southern magazine is published annually for Alumni and Friends of Georgia Southern University by the Office of Marketing & Communications. INTERIM PRESIDENT ASSOCIATE VICE DIRECTOR WRITERS LEAD DESIGNER CONTRIBUTORS Jean E. Bartels, Ph.D., RN PRESIDENT CREATIVE SERVICES Sandra Bennett Megan Hopkins Mallory Biggers MARKETING & Gregg Sekscienski Doy Cave Rikki Hagerty VICE PRESIDENT PHOTOGRAPHER COMMUNICATIONS Crissie Elrick EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Jeremy Wilburn Jan Bond Aubrey Trevathan Trip Addison NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION Office of Marketing US POSTAGE & Communications PAID STATESBORO, GA P.O. Box 8055 30460 Statesboro, GA 30460-8055 PERMIT 286
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