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Spring 2018
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FEATURES SPRING 2018, VOLUME 20
ARMSTRONG: A POWERFUL LEGACY / 11 UP FIRST Armstrong Campus history features rich stories The New Georgia Southern / 6 One University. Three Campuses. / 8 FORWARD TOGETHER / 14 SGA presidents share connections NEWS / 25 STUDENT AFFAIRS / 16 Georj Lewis' journey to Georgia Southern leadership RESEARCH / 36 KEY CHANGE / 18 ATHLETICS / 42 Alumna Becky Case enjoys success at Birchbox ALUMNI / 48 CYBER DEFENSE / 20 Scott Scheidt expands cyber education at Armstrong SUPPORT / 56 GROWING A LEGACY / 22 IN MEMORIAM / 60 Alumnus John Shuman replants a family business
Georgia Southern magazine © 2018 Georgia Southern University ISSN 1524-0975 2 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 SHINE ON The 268-acre Armstrong Campus is home to some 6,000 students while the Liberty Campus serves nearly 500. Georgia Southern banners and signs went up earlier this year on both campuses.
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 3 TRUE BLUE SPOTLIGHT “I’ve wanted to work [at Children’s Hospital of Atlanta] since I was three.” — Amelia Ballard
Amelia Ballard continues her fight against cancer
In 1994, when she was only 17 me, and when I was having a good RN in the emergency department. months old, Amelia Ballard (‘15) was moment or a good day they respected “I’ve wanted to work there since I admitted into the Children’s Hospital of that. And they really became more like was three,” she said. “I definitely cried Atlanta, where she would spend most a family when we were there than because that was a huge milestone in of the next four years in two grueling anything else.” my life, a huge goal that was almost a battles with cancer. In 2015, after Ballard says even though getting her dream that I didn’t know was attainable graduating with a nursing degree from nursing degree often seemed like an until it happened.... So that was a big, big Georgia Southern, she returned to the impossible task, she enjoyed her time moment for me and my family.” hospital as a nurse, helping other kids at Georgia Southern. In the classroom, When asked if she feels like the ordeal win the same fight. she learned from professors like Crystal was worth it, Ballard doesn’t see it like A cancer survivor for more Edds-McAfee, DNP, RN, who had also that. She doesn’t focus on the painful than 22 years, Ballard can’t recall worked at CHOA and taught pediatrics. procedures that marked her years of everything about her bouts with Outside the classroom, Ballard worked treatment. She remembers her parents acute lymphoblastic leukemia, but she at Camp Twin Lakes, a year-round camp playing games with the gloves and remembers that the experiences led her for children with serious illnesses, masks that were required to interact to a very specific dream as early as three disabilities, and other life challenges, with her, and the nurses who let her years old—to be a nurse at Children’s which only reinforced her desire to push the plunger to flush her I.V. and Hospital of Atlanta (CHOA). And even pursue pediatric care. bandage the boo-boos on her stuffed though the hospital was the source of All of her hard work came to fruition animals. And it’s that perspective that years of aggressive treatment, including in 2015. While she was still finishing she wants to bring to her patients. intense radiation and a painful bone her clinicals, she found an opening at “I like to stand on the positive side of marrow transplant, she says it was the CHOA for a patient care technician in things and kind of see how far my family close relationships with her nurses she the ER. She applied, and was called and I have come through it...,” she said. “I remembers most. back for an interview soon after. The want to make sure to try and instill some “Nursing is much more than the same day of her interview, only hours hope into these kiddos and their parents pokes, you know,” she said. “You develop after she’d returned home, she received while I’m taking care of them.” those relationships with your patients, the call telling her she’d gotten the job. Taking care of them—not only like a and the nurses spent a lot of time with In 2016, she accepted a position as an nurse, but also like family. —doy cave
4 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 THEN AND NOW
1941 This student reporter for the Inkwell— Armstrong's student 2018 newspaper— Voice, video works the phone and texts lines for a story. connect any student to anybody at any time.
1988 Long distance calls to home meant a common hall payphone and often a roll of quarters—or better yet a calling card or calling collect.
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 5 FEATURES
THE NEW GEORGIA SOUTHERN
2018 MARKED A HISTORIC CHANGE for higher education in southeastern Georgia. The New Georgia Southern—combining 82 years of Armstrong State University with 111 years of Georgia Southern University—was officially launched on January 1, 2018. The new institution is the state’s largest and most comprehensive center of higher education south of Atlanta.
6 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 A WORD FROM PRESIDENT HEBERT This year marks the true start to weaving the traditions and values of two storied institutions into one strong community— an even stronger Eagle Nation. Together, we will make the new Georgia Southern truly great. The rigorous process of the consolidation of Armstrong State and Georgia Southern included four heavily-attended town hall meetings, 15-plus consolidation implementation committee (CIC) meetings, numerous public speaking engagements and Q&A sessions, and countless faculty, staff and student meetings. All told, more than 500 recommendations from our 95 operational working groups including hundreds of faculty, staff and students from all corners of each university were submitted and approved in 2017. And the first few months of 2018 have seen all that planning play out as web pages have been updated, application processes have meshed, degree programs have been adjusted and emails have been switched—thousands of changes big and small with much more to come. I want to thank all of those students, faculty, staff, alumni and business and community members who worked diligently outside of their regular duties to create these foundational plans. In addition, the entire university community in Statesboro, Savannah and Hinesville contributed to this consolidation in numerous ways, and we are so grateful for the commitment and the hard work you all have given and will continue to provide.
With 141 degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and Now a multi-campus university with the Statesboro Campus, doctoral levels, Georgia Southern now serves more than the Armstrong Campus in Savannah and the Liberty Campus in 27,000 students from all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Hinesville, the new Georgia Southern offers undergraduate and Puerto Rico as well as 102 nations. While the new Georgia graduate degrees through nine colleges: Southern draws the vast majority of its students from • the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing, Georgia, it includes a growing proportion from coastal South Carolina and northern Florida making it a true regional leader • the College of Arts and Humanities, in education. • the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Georgia Southern University remains accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on • the College of Business, Colleges—the regional body for the accreditation of degree- • the College of Education, granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies, The commission approved the consolidation prospectus in • early December 2017. The Board of Regents of the University • the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, System of Georgia then granted final approval for the creation • the College of Science and Mathematics, of the new Georgia Southern University in a December vote. • and the Waters College of Health Professions.
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 7 FEATURES
ONE UNIVERSITY. THREE CAMPUSES. The campuses of Georgia Southern
ARMSTRONG
LIBERTY
STATESBORO
HTTPS://EARTH.APP.GOO.GL/C7ETB 8 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 Statesboro Campus
Georgia Southern’s oldest and largest campus spans 900 acres in Statesboro, and features both Georgia-style, red- brick buildings and state-of-the-art modern facilities amid beautiful oaks and pines. The campus is home to more than 20,000 students.
Armstrong Campus in Savannah
A 268-acre arboretum campus just minutes away from historic downtown Savannah and a short drive from the sunny beaches of Tybee Island houses more than 100 degree programs and some 6,000 students.
Liberty Campus in Hinesville
This modern, state- of-the-art facility in Hinesville is located just a stone’s throw from Fort Stewart, the largest U.S. Army installation east of the Mississippi River, and is equipped to serve local and military- affiliated students.
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 9 GEORGIA STRATEGIC THINKING
The new Georgia Southern University is SOUTHERN developing a new strategic plan—a process that involves the entire University UNIVERSITY is community. Leadership and governance groups —including faculty a public comprehensive and carnegie doctoral/research university senates, staff offering associate, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees in nationally councils, student government accredited programs in the liberal arts, sciences, and professional disciplines. associations as well as the vice the university provides presidents and deans—have transformative learning opportunities presented SWOT (strengths, to meet the needs of a diverse student population weaknesses, through its legacy of commitment to opportunities, threats) analyses academic excellence and personal attention. over the past months. And an Through the shared resources of its multiple locations, eight-member the University creates Strategic Planning Committee is busy creating a plan vibrant learning environments that foster to have in place an inclusive, student-centered culture of engagement this summer, based on input designed to prepare students for lifelong service from stakeholders as scholars, leaders, and responsible stewards of their communities. from across the University community and on the university enhances Georgia Southern’s new mission statement (at left) the quality of life and drives economic development approved last year. in the Coastal Georgia region, the State of Georgia, and beyond by supporting collaborative efforts in technological innovation, scientific advancement, education, health services, artistic creativity, and cultural enrichment. faculty, staff, and students embrace the values of integrity, civility, kindness, respect, sustainability, citizenship, and social responsibility in every facet of the university. ARMSTRONG A Powerful Legacy
FROM ITS START AS A JUNIOR COLLEGE in the historic Armstrong House, located alongside Savannah’s Forsyth Park, to the vibrant Savannah and Liberty campuses of today, Armstrong has a range of impressive accomplishments. For those that are new to this fantastic heritage, here’s a quick trip down Armstrong’s memory lane. Savannah Mayor Thomas Gamble founded Armstrong Junior College during the height of the Great Depression, and opened its doors in 1935 with 175 students. The original goal was to help stimulate Savannah’s economy and advance opportunities for local youth. Later, as World War II grew nearer, war preparation, military and aviation courses were added.
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 11 FEATURES
SERIOUS ABOUT PLAY In 1937, actor Stacy Keach Sr. formed the university playhouse. This group was the forerunner to the Masquers student theatre troupe, which now features more than 12 student-produced plays annually.
SOLDIERS Armstrong’s Aviation Club prepared students for World War II deployment in 1940.
Building the Academic and abundant flowers, ferns, magnolias and Physical Foundation Spanish moss-draped oak trees scattered In 1940, Armstrong received its throughout the arboretum-style campus. first accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Military Advancement (SACS), and in 1959 became a two-year and Cybersecurity unit of the University System of Georgia Armstrong has long been considered (USG). Major changes occurred in the a pioneer in educational services for 1960s. Former Savannah Mayor Otis the military and national security- Johnson entered as the first African- related programs. In 1998, Armstrong American student in 1963. In 1964, the collaborated with other USG institutions USG Board of Regents conferred four- to create the Liberty Center, to offer year status on Armstrong State College, degree programs in Liberty County, and in 1968, SACS granted Armstrong serving Fort Stewart and surrounding Campus markers point to DUE SOUTH accreditation as a senior institution. areas. In 2012, Armstrong was named new Southside campus in 1965. This change in status enabled the a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs college to award its first baccalaureate Magazine and opened the campus degrees. Advancement continued. In Military Outreach Center. During 2014, 1971, the Board of Regents authorized groundbreaking took place for the Armstrong and Savannah State to offer new and expanded Liberty Center, a joint graduate programs leading to the 21,000-square-foot, leading-edge facility MBA and the M.S. in Education. Most which opened its doors in 2016. The importantly, in 1996, the institution facility serves Liberty County’s growing gained state university status. student population, with special services While they were building the academic for military affiliates and dual-enrollment foundation, Armstrong was expanding options for local high school students. its physical foundation as well. Donald That same year, Military Times honored Livingston and the Mills B. Lane Armstrong, ranking the institution fourth Foundation donated a new campus site in the nation among four-year schools on of 250 acres in southside Savannah its Best for Vets Colleges list, and Military in 1962. Four years later, in 1966, the Spouse named Armstrong a Top 100 college moved to the current location Military Spouse Friendly School. of the Armstrong Campus leaving Another major milestone was the Armstrong House behind. Eight achieved in 2015 when the National original buildings, known as the campus Security Agency (NSA) and the U.S. quad, were constructed. The beautiful Department of Homeland Security Armstrong Campus is renowned for its recognized Armstrong as a National
12 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 only two years Armstrong’s Doctorate of Physical Therapy was ranked in the top third in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. Health care grants soon followed. In 2013, the College of Health Professions received a $1.5 million grant to implement an interprofessional care model at St. Mary’s Health Center in Savannah, allowing students to provide care to the underserved. In October 2017, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies Donna Brooks, Ph.D., received a four-year U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration’s Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students Program Grant valued at $5.2 million. The program provides grants to universities who use the funding for scholarships LIFELONG Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber for students from disadvantaged FRIENDS Defense Education. This was followed in backgrounds enrolled in health Residential life on September 2017 with the Department professions programs. campus in the 80s of Defense Cyber Crime Center (DC3), To accommodate the resulting planned included shared designating Armstrong as a Center of growth, in 2017, Armstrong broke ground rooms. Digital Forensics Academic Excellence. on a 63,000-square-foot state-of-the-art Armstrong became one of only 14 schools facility to house the Waters College of in the nation that have both the NSA and Health Professions. DC3 designations. Consolidation and Future Achievement for Latinos and Other A landmark event occurred in 2017 Underrepresented Minorities when the USG Board of Regents Latinos are one of the fastest-growing voted to consolidate Armstrong State student populations in America and University and Georgia Southern in southeast Georgia. Consequently, University. The consolidation brings in 2003, the Hispanic Outreach and two noteworthy institutions together, Leadership at Armstrong (HOLA) program combining the best of both into a was established under a generous grant powerful new unit. From expertise from the Goizueta Foundation. In 2011, with military-friendly and cyber- Armstrong earned a $600,000 grant from security programs, to accomplishments the Lumina Foundation for Education, and in health care professions, serving the 2018 IS HERE was one of only 12 institutions nationally underrepresented student population Students gather selected to serve as the lead in developing and more, Armstrong’s credentials are on the Student regional partnerships to promote noteworthy. This history of impressive Union porch on Latino student enrollment in college. accomplishments will continue on the the Armstrong Additionally, in 2015, the Education Armstrong Campus. — liz walker campus. Trust, a Washington, D.C., organization that shapes and influences national and state policy, named Armstrong a top performing school for underrepresented minority students.
Focus on Health Care Professions Health care professions have been in high demand for years. To fill the educational need for health care training in southeast Georgia, beginning in 1978, the Board of Regents designated Armstrong as a Regional Health Professions Education Center. Armstrong gained approval to offer a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2009. After
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 13 FEATURES FORWARD TOGETHER SGA presidents share surprising connections
IT’S RARE that two students from rival high schools in Sri Lanka would earn “The story about Nipuna and me the same scholarships to study in the southeastern United States; rarer still they both end up presidents of Student ascending to SGA Presidents is Government Associations (SGA) at nearby universities, and even more incredible the ultimate story of connecting that those two universities would become one University. Both leaders in their respective high to campus.” —Dylan John schools, Georgia Southern students Dylan John and Nipuna Ambanpola came to and allowed their friendly rivalry to an honor which recognizes the top GRSP America to pursue an education through continue in the U.S. Scholar of the Year. the Georgia Rotary Student Program John found success early on in his Ambanpola too, adapted well to life (GRSP). The GRSP provides international academic career, quickly adapting to in Georgia. He founded a nonprofit, students the opportunity to spend one his course load and leadership positions IVolunteer International, which connects year at a university in Georgia while in SGA, mock mediation and the Model volunteers with service opportunities living with a host family. John arrived on African Union. He became SGA president around the world, and discussed the scholarship in 2011, and Ambanpola of Georgia Southern University in fall the organization’s opportunity at followed suit in 2015 after meeting with 2016 and led the Vision 20/20 Initiative, TEDxSavannah. Ambanpola was awarded John to learn more about the program. bringing Georgia Southern to the the Barbara M. and Donald L. Thomas John began school at Georgia Southern forefront of leadership conversations Memorial Peace Award from the Rotary and Ambanpola at Armstrong State across the state. For his many leadership Club of Roswell, Georgia, in 2015, just University. The pride these two men felt and academic efforts, John received the months after arriving in the U.S. It wasn’t for their universities was unparalleled, William A. Watt Memorial Award in 2011, long before he called home and told his parents he planned to finish his education in Georgia. “I’ve fallen in love with Savannah,” he said. “The culture of acceptance and hospitality here is so wonderful. It reminds me of Sri Lanka. The natural beauty, the opportunities, the people. It’s all so great.” Like John, Ambanpola quickly became involved with SGA when he arrived at Armstrong. John appreciated his friend’s ambition and wanted to collaborate, so much so that he desperately tried to convince Ambanpola to transfer to Georgia Southern in the fall of 2016. Despite John’s best attempts at persuasion, Ambanpola couldn’t bring himself to leave the life he’d built on the Armstrong Campus. One night, just a few months after his appeal to Ambanpola to come to Georgia Southern, John received a call. “Dylan, I’ve changed my mind, and I’m coming to Georgia Southern,” said Ambanpola. “But I’m not coming alone. I’m bringing the entire University with me.”
14 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 FINDING UNITY From left to right, Dylan John and Nipuna Ambanpola hail from rival high schools in Sri Lanka.
John got a great laugh from Ambanpola’s call, and though both still had great pride in their universities, they were thrilled about the prospect of working together to represent a new institution. “We realize the opportunities this consolidation has afforded everyone,” said Ambanpola. “We’re combining the strengths of three campuses. There will never be again such an opportunity to go back to the roots of both universities and focus on bringing these amazing strengths together.” Now the two SGA presidents are putting their leadership skills, influence and passion together to create a legacy for the new institution. “I think the story about Nipuna and me ascending to SGA Presidents is the ultimate story of connecting to campus,” said John. “You don’t feel like you’re just another number, another person on campus.” Both Ambanpola and John plan to use their stories to encourage other international students to take advantage of the opportunities at Georgia Southern. “I try to go back once a year,” said Ambanpola. “We want to let students know studying abroad is possible. There is a misconception in Sri Lanka that it’s difficult for international students to get scholarships in the United States; that it’s expensive, hard to move away from home and difficult to adapt. We want to break that barrier.” Though the two have worked hard to come together and bring unity between two student bodies, going home always brings out the old friendly competition that drove them in high school. “Our hometown friends can’t believe this ‘Thomian’ hangs out with a ‘Royalist,’ [John and Ambanpola’s rival high schools],” said John. “Here in Georgia, it’s great to have a hometown friend nearby, but when we go back to Sri Lanka together, we have a lot of explaining to do.” —aubrey trevathan hall
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 15 FEATURES
STUDENT AFFAIRS
WHILE THE DYNAMICS of Georgia Southern’s multi- campus university may be new, Georj Lewis’ return to the institution as the University’s Vice President for Student Affairs feels like a homecoming. A 23-year veteran of higher education, Lewis spent almost 11 years on the Statesboro campus. First joining as the director of the Multicultural Student Center in 2002, he led diversity efforts until he was offered the role of dean of students a year-and-a-half later. Catapulting his career timeline goals, Lewis entered the leadership team that oversaw a 15,000-plus student body at that time. “It was very exciting, and it was a significant jump,” said Lewis. “It was a challenge, but Georgia Southern is an easy place to work. People want you to be successful. The job wasn’t easy, but people were very helpful during my growth process. Over time, I really became connected to the campus, to the community and definitely to the students. It was a family.” During his nine-year tenure as dean, he earned an Ed.D., and a strong strategic planning skill set while directing multiple departments during the unchartered Facebook-era in which the campus experienced consistent growth. Yet, Lewis stayed focused on what inspires him most: students and their success. “I love seeing the difference you can make,” noted Lewis. “As the dean of students for several years, I was able to see several classes go through. What’s exciting is seeing the students’ transformation over four years. You feel extremely fortunate when you have direct interaction with “The diversity that we the students and you can see the impact you may have had on them. When you have a breakthrough with a student, it’s have between all of our something that you can’t put a price or a title on.” Lewis was also active in Statesboro, sitting on the board of directors of the Hearts and Hands Clinic, Inc., which offers campuses only makes us free primary health services to uninsured Bulloch County citizens, and the Boys and Girls Club. He was also a member — Georj Lewis of Rotary Club and NAACP and volunteered as a Bulloch stronger.” County football and baseball coach. In 2009, Lewis was honored with the Deen Day Smith Service to Mankind Award, and in 2012, when he accepted the role of vice chancellor for student affairs at Indiana University Northwest, the Dr. Georj L. Lewis Leadership Scholarship was established on his behalf. Citing his stewardship and innovation in the Office of the Dean of Students, the naming was also a nod to his support of "the
16 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 “I love seeing the difference you can make.” —Georj Lewis
Steel City. But two or three years into the program, crunching numbers felt static. Lewis craved interaction with colleagues who would exchange ideas and inspire others. Still, he dutifully completed his four-year undergraduate program, an internship and a yearlong finance job. But when an admissions position at his college alma mater opened up, he leapt and landed the job. From day one it was a fit. “I knew something was right,” remembered Lewis. “I really enjoyed working with students and helping people connect to their dreams. That’s what I liked most about it. I wasn’t selling anything. It was an opportunity for me to help students move closer to their goals.” Lewis stayed in place for five years while also earning a master’s in counseling. “I kind of stumbled into it all,” said Lewis. “I come from a family of educators so this was a natural transition to where I should have been in the first place.”
A New Opportunity with Georgia Southern By the time a colleague who worked at Georgia Southern invited Lewis to apply for the Multicultural Student Center directorship in 2001, he was a family man with three young children. The interview was in December and there were 30 inches of snow on the ground in western Pennsylvania. The job offer on the Statesboro campus was a no-brainer, he joked, with Georgia’s sub-tropical weather. In reality, he and his wife, Anchelle, were excited about moving South for the new opportunity. After more than a decade at Georgia Southern and two years as vice chancellor for student affairs at Indiana University Northwest, Lewis was persuaded to return South in 2013 development of the University’s diverse student population and when he accepted the position as Armstrong State University’s assisting with the advancement of one of the most successful vice president for student affairs, where he remained until the and influential Student Government Associations in Georgia consolidation with Georgia Southern. Southern’s history." Realigning with Georgia Southern peers is a boost for Lewis, Lewis’ growing list of accomplishments added another block who has kept in touch with many of them over the years, and he to his family’s legacy in education. is appreciative of their support and talent. “They have been very welcoming,” he said. “I’m excited to A Family of Educators come together with an established division of some strong, Lewis’ mother and grandmother were teachers and his father strong people who have expertise in their functional areas.” was an elementary school principal. Currently, his brother is the Educating a larger and highly diverse body of traditional and principal of The American School in Mexico City. Yet, growing first-generation college students, who range in age from 15 up among the coal mines and steel mills of Connellsville, to 90 and include a solid base of military members and their Pennsylvania, where football is king, Lewis dreamed of scaling families, inspires Lewis. corporate ladders among the skylines of nearby Pittsburgh. “The diversity that we have between all of our campuses only He played football in high school and on scholarship at makes us stronger,” he noted. “Both campuses have done some Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, where he earned an great things, particularly with Student Affairs, and I’m excited accounting degree that would lead him, he thought, to an about that.” executive oak desk with a prestigious accounting firm in “And there’s football,” he said, with a grin. — melanie simón
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 17 FEATURES
KEY CHANGE HOW DOES A STUDENT with dreams of singing on Broadway fall in love with computer programming? For Georgia Southern alumna Becky Case (’04) it was easy. “I started as a vocal performance major, but after the first year I was a little worried about future career prospects,” she said. “I didn’t want to teach voice and the idea of making it as a professional singer seemed unlikely. I decided to take a computer class that fit into my schedule. It ended up being Intro to Programming (Visual Basic). I loved it and changed my major at the end of the semester.”
Climbing the Ranks Since graduating, the singer-turned- computer scientist has climbed the ranks through software engineering opportunities at Zappos, Bonobos and OpenSky. Today, Case is the vice president of engineering at Birchbox, a leading online beauty subscription retailer. The company’s technology infrastructure allows subscribers to pay monthly for five beauty products based on their individual beauty profile, which Switch from singing to is created on an easy-to-use website. Case oversees all engineering for the e-commerce company. coding proves E-ssential “Birchbox is global in six different markets with three offices in Europe in addition to our New York headquarters,” for Becky Case she said. “My team is responsible for any tech that needs to be built to support our sites, apps, subscription services, retail locations and internal tools that are needed for business operations.” Although her days are filled with projects, Case said, “I still try to make time for coding when I can, as it’s something I very much enjoy.” With all that she has accomplished since leaving Georgia Southern, Case is equally excited about the mentoring relationships she has established with the people she supervises.
18 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 Coding is like songwriting... Computer Science Professor Jim Harris explains.
“Being a manager means much of your time and energy is Data is like raw invested in your team,” she said. “I love watching them stretch to meet a challenge and succeed. I also love the organizational words and notes. aspect of my job. I enjoy planning and putting things in order, so coordinating project deployments, company initiatives and employee work is something I find soothing.”
Why Internships are Important Case credits Georgia Southern for igniting her passion in computer programming and says what she learned here has been invaluable in her career. “While I learned a lot that I don’t use every day―the different types of sorting algorithms for instance―the basics are key to understanding more advanced computer science concepts,” Coding is like she explained. “In addition, when I do need to know about an algorithm, I can implement it because I learned which one was songwriting. the right tool for the job at hand. Furthermore, college taught me how to think critically and learn on my own. Self-learning is the key to being a good engineer as tech evolves constantly.” The Statesboro native also advises students to pursue internships, saying she would never hire a new graduate who didn’t have work experience as an intern or from a part-time job. “Students with internships are more prepared for the challenges of working in an office environment,” she said. “Also, they make better engineers in the long run as they’ve already had valuable real world experience―putting them ahead of their non-interning counterparts.”
True Blue Memories Data processing In reflecting on her years at Georgia Southern, Case’s favorite memories include homecoming and the sing-along for Handel’s is like singing. “Messiah” every year. And she can’t forget fighting for parking before class, saying she “took it as a personal challenge to get a good spot.” Case is also passionate about painting, yoga, SoulCycle and her 9-year-old Siberian cat, Nikola Tesla. Living in New York City has been challenging but she admits she loves her job and a work environment that allows her to perform at her very best. “It took quite a while for me to become adjusted to the city,” she said. “I decided for the first two years to live within walking Computational distance of my office. That allowed me to get used to New York without having to deal with the subway. But even then it can be results are like overwhelming with the noise and all the people. However, I’ve always wanted to live here―so adjusting was just par for the the song. course.” — sandra bennett
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 19 FEATURES
20 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 Combating cyber attacks with first-class instruction and real-world scenarios CYBER DEFENSE THE CENTER FOR APPLIED CYBER EDUCATION (CACE) Director Scott C. Scheidt is a 20-plus year veteran of business, military combat, intelligence operations, cyber warfare and “The consolidation is academia, and not one to shy away from a challenge. Yet, uniting with Georgia Southern University has been nothing a great boost for all but an enhancement for the department located on the Armstrong Campus. “The consolidation is a great boost for all cyber education- cyber education-related related programs,” said Scheidt. “And CACE programs, I believe, will be a boost for cyber concepts being incorporated into more —Scott C. Scheidt university academic programs. It opens up our ability to provide programs.” training and academic support resources to a larger body of students, staff and faculty. It also allows us to bring unique workstation commonplace in government agencies. CACE has partnerships to the Georgia Southern family and increase also recently increased its data analytics lab capabilities and is capability offerings back out to those larger resources.” now able to support students, faculty and staff with Social Media Joining the Armstrong Campus in 2016, Scheidt was charged Analytic services and academic support to the data analytics with expanding CACE while leading an interdisciplinary team needs of the University’s nine colleges. of faculty and staff to offer state-of-the-art cyber education. The Center is an academic partner with the U.S. Army Cyber Within his first year, CACE was designated as a National Center of Center of Excellence and Air Force Cyber Command as well and Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the National is an invited academic advisory member to the National Defense Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. Transportation Association. For several years, CACE has also been Last fall, the U.S. Department of Defense’s Cyber Crime Center the academic lead for the Pentagon Cyber Integration Division for recognized CACE as a Center of Digital Forensics Academic its multinational partner exercise known as Bold Quest. Excellence for university academic programs related to cyber Last fall, CACE, in partnership with the Coastal Regional crime and operational forensics capabilities. Georgia Southern Commission in Darien, Georgia, participated in a weeklong is now one of only 14 institutions in the country to hold the two exercise, Bold Quest 17.2. In this exercise, military cybersecurity esteemed federal designations. experts from Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Finland “Our students receive first-class instruction that prepares them and the Texas Army National Guard operating as a Multinational to prevent and investigate cyber attacks, monitor and secure Assessment Team conducted penetration testing and vulnerability networks, and integrate best systems practices throughout the analysis on the Commission’s facility systems. The goal was to world,” noted Scheidt. “Our diverse cyber education programs expose weaknesses in the Commission’s industrial control systems are uniquely suited to help fill the gaps in the national cyber so that parties involved would know how to better secure similar workforce needed to meet the demands of the 21st century.” networks in the event of a cyber attack by threat actors, a natural Each spring, Scheidt has contributed directly to cyber academic disaster or a global crisis such as war. offerings by teaching a special topics class in Cyber Warfare. and At week’s end, the multi-national cyber operations team, and has previously taught Computer Concepts and Applications and university students in the cyber program, provided reports on Criminal Justice Graduate Special Topics in Cyber Crime. Within their discoveries and how to correct any systemic issues. the Center, he also shepherds the largest university digital “We have a strong partner in the Department of Defense, and forensics lab in the Southeast. As of consolidation, the lab has it’s a blessing that our students can be involved in real-world processed more than 600 criminal digital forensic cases that activities,” said Scheidt. “They are able to gain relevant skills, include child abductions, white collar crimes, and international practice and knowledge before graduation. Many of them will drug trafficking activity for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, graduate this spring with Department of Defense certifications.” the Secret Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the The event also provided key networking opportunities. Georgia Bureau of Investigation and a host of regional law “This exercise was promising for further collaboration between enforcement partners. the Defense Department and academia,” Scheidt explained. “A With a plan for continued growth and opportunity for faculty, number of our Bold Quest partners asked if we can help them students and staff, Scheidt continues to support and advise in similar capacities in their own countries. So it may be an on the development of new curricula and academic training opportunity for our faculty and staff to go with this Pentagon capabilities with equipment like the Forensic Recovery of partnership to other countries in the near future.” Evidence Device aka FRED, a sophisticated digital intelligence — melanie simón
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 21 FEATURES
GROWING A LEGACY John Shuman replants his family business
22 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 IN 1993, John Shuman, who was just much like a co-op, and Shuman says two classes away from a business without it, the business might never degree at Georgia Southern, left school have made it. to go to work on his family farm in “Being able to depend mutually on south Georgia. each other — them on me and me on When he arrived, however, he RealSweet them — it was a catalyst,” he said. “Really, found a business that was in trouble. it was the foundation of us getting the Shuman Farms and Shuman Fertilizer, was business off the ground.” both staples of Toombs and Tattnall RealSweet was not an overnight counties for more than two decades, sensation, and Shuman says it took 10 had been struggling to survive the not an years of hard work and a lot of personal lingering effects of the ‘80s Farm Crisis, sacrifice to get the business on its feet. which sent interest rates skyrocketing overnight Those years were especially hard for and saddled farmers with sometimes his wife, Lana, whom he met at Georgia insurmountable debt. sensation. Southern and married just as the “It just really impacted farmers all business was getting off the ground. over the country, and my dad got caught “We were living very lean, my wife up in that on both sides of the fence,” and I,” he said. “Everything we said Shuman. “From the farm supply could make we put back into the dealerships that he owned, he was business. We were trying to be selling to all the local farmers on very disciplined about it. credit. Well, when they couldn’t Looking back on it, it was pay, he was hung with the very painful, but it was the debt. And, of course, he was a right thing to do.” farmer himself, so he got hung The struggle eventually paid on that side, too. off. RealSweet began with just “After that business, Shuman a few hundred acres in Toombs Fertilizer and Shuman Farms and Tattnall counties. Today, the were pretty much over.” company has more than 2,300 acres By 1994, just as Shuman was in Vidalia and almost as much land commuting back and forth to Georgia in Peru, where they can grow onions Southern to finish his degree, his family during Georgia’s off-season. businesses were officially closed, and his “We’ll ship north of 100 million pounds future prospects quickly reduced. It took 10 of sweet onions annually,” said Shuman. “When you’re coming out of college “That’s a lot of sweet onions!” and your parents are broke, you’re years of In the past few years, Shuman Produce broke in the worst way,” he said. “You’re has continued its expansion, and recently starting from scratch.” purchased 620 additional acres in Vidalia, He could have followed his siblings hard work and a 94,000-square-foot packing facility into other, more lucrative careers, in Cobbtown, Georgia. In addition, they’ve but after graduating from Georgia and a lot of begun growing other vegetables such as Southern with a Bachelor of Business broccoli and sweet potatoes in order to Administration, Shuman chose to start personal diversify their products. from scratch, and rebuild his family Shuman said he’s never pushed his PHOTO BY ALLISON BY PHOTO COBB business instead. children into the family business — a Beginning with a $15,000 business sacrifice family business he worked so hard to loan, which he was only able to acquire save — but is proud that some of them with the help of his grandmother, the to get the have taken an interest, especially now young graduate decided to use his that it’s successful. business smarts to organize several business on “I can see my oldest sons, Luke and growers to create greater volume and Jake, are very interested,” he said. “I’m marketing awareness under a new hopeful that when they go off to college company, Shuman Produce, and a new its feet. and come back home, maybe this time brand, RealSweet. It took a lot of trust we’ll have something for them to do to create the business, which operated when they get back.”—doy cave
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 23 ALUMNA FINDS HER PURPOSE INSPIRING YOUTH
Armstrong alumna and Miss South Carolina USA 2017, Megan Gordon (’16), entered her first pageant more than a decade ago with humble hopes of earning academic scholarships. Today, armed with a nursing degree and credits like Top 5 placement in last year’s Miss USA competition, she utilizes her expanded platforms to inspire young people across the country. From the small town of North Augusta, South Carolina, Gordon was raised in a supportive environment, but pageant life was new to her family and friends. She was largely on her own as she waded into unfamiliar territory. “No one in my family had ever done it,” Gordon remembered. “As an African-American, I didn’t know anyone doing it who looked like me. I couldn’t identify with anyone, but it’s something in your heart. You just step out on faith. And that’s what I did.” Gordon won several local titles and earned enough money to assist with university studies. She had fallen in love with Savannah several years prior and knew of the stellar nursing program at Armstrong. Matriculating to campus in the fall of 2012, Gordon stayed focused on her studies and continued in the pageant circuit, picking up titles like the 2012 Distinguished Young Woman of Aiken County and Miss Southeast 2014. During her sophomore year she set her sights on the Miss Collegiate America title in 2014, which would award a $10,000 academic scholarship with the crown. She won, and shortly thereafter she learned that she was accepted into the nursing program. “The nursing program was very challenging,” she said. “To be accepted into it was a huge honor and big deal for me.” Once in, her local clinical rotations revolved around children and women’s health. She also completed an externship at the Children’s Hospital of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia, and became an advocate for children with cancer and blood disorders. At the same time, modeling jobs rolled in and she traveled to speak to youth groups. “Maybe the fact that I got through a rigorous nursing program and have won pageants, I can inspire other young girls,” she said. “Maybe I can reach an African-American girl, or girls of other ethnicities, who limit themselves. Maybe I can reach the person who says, ‘I’m from this small town in Georgia or South Carolina and there’s no way that I can do that.’ I know that my purpose is to show them that 100 percent they can. I’m a normal girl. If I can do it, they can too.” In November, Gordon handed the Miss South Carolina USA 2018 crown to the new titleholder. In a surprise, the mayor of Charleston, South Carolina, named February 26 as ‘Megan Gordon Day’. Her heart full, Gordon is focused on new business and modeling opportunities, but she remains committed to inspiring young people with her message of hard work and hope. “I personally want to use my platform to advocate for other people and inspire them,” said Gordon. “I personally want to use my voice to uplift other people. Whether I am nursing at a hospital or modeling for a photo shoot, I know my purpose is to bring out the best in others. I want to inspire the people who are around me.” — melanie simón
24 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 NEWS BUILDING A LEGACY Latina chapter is one of a kind
Leadership. Mentorship. Education. Community Service. These are some of the goals of MANA de Savannah at Armstrong. It has the distinction of being the first collegiate chapter of MANA, a national grassroots organization for Latina women. MANA focuses on the interests of Latina women and families in areas of education, health, financial literacy, civil rights and immigration reform. Alejandra Gonzalez-Galan is the president of the new chapter on the Armstrong Campus. The sophomore was born in Mexico City, Mexico, grew up in Atlanta and considers the Armstrong Campus her home away from home. As a first-year student, she joined the initial group looking to establish a mentoring program for Latinas on campus. Through meetings and research, they found MANA.
Learning to Lead “Being the first college chapter in the United States is a tremendous honor and I view it as an amazing opportunity to continue striving toward the involvement of Latinas in our society,” said Gonzalez-Galan. “It means we can provide a vision for the ladies’ leadership and “We always support each other other colleges around the nation networking skills, while paying and have a close bond to every and expand this initiative in the close attention to their academics one of our members.” future.” to ensure they are progressing The chapter aims to increase toward eventual graduation.” True Blessing the retention of Latinas on the Aradillas hopes chapter For Gonzalez-Galan, MANA Georgia Southern campus through members will inspire others. de Savannah at Armstrong has empowerment sessions, study “Latinos need more representation been “a true blessing” and has halls, membership meetings and in the nation, state and motivated her to improve as an volunteering. Lucero Aradillas is community,” she said. “These individual and a leader. the associate director of the Office young ladies will go into the world “I have learned that on a day-to- of Multicultural Affairs on the one day and provide that support day basis, everything is a learning Armstrong Campus. She noted the to others, thus continuing the experience,” she said. “On my mission of the office is to create a cycle of success for our Latino first day at Armstrong, I would sense of family and ensure that student community.” have never believed that MANA students feel supported through “Within this chapter, we are de Savannah at Armstrong would their collegiate career. hermanas (sisters) who help each be the first collegiate chapter in “This organization is one other in both our successes and the nation. I wouldn’t have seen avenue to accomplish that,” failures,” added Gonzalez-Galan, myself as the president of the she explained. “MANA builds a cell and molecular biology major organization, either.” who plans to become a dentist. — sandra bennett
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 25 NEWS
WILDLIFE CENTER CELEBRATES MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY
The Center for Wildlife Education and Lamar Q Ball, Jr. Raptor Center is celebrating CRITTER its 20th anniversary this year. Located on the Statesboro Campus, the wildlife NATION center supports Georgia Southern University’s environmental education programs. Several Wildlife Center Since opening two decades ago, the Center for Wildlife Education has expanded residents visited with from four-and-a-half acres to 18 acres as a showcase for reptiles, amphibians, guests at the facility's mammals and birds of prey including eagles, hawks and falcons. The Center is also celebration event in home to a waterfowl pond, cypress swamp and other displays. The latest highlight February. is the invasive species exhibit, “Under Attack,” which features species that are not native to Georgia. The exhibit examines their impact on native species, the economy and the quality of life in the region. Species in the exhibit include a Burmese python, the feral hog, mosquitoes, lion fish and many others.
26 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 SOLVING PROBLEMS McMurry named Georgian of the Year for leadership during Interstate 85 bridge collapse in 2017
Georgia Southern alumnus Russell “People will see your work through McMurry is a problem solver. He what you speak and write,” said graduated in 1991 with a degree in Maldonado. “So, if you excel in civil engineering technology and today communicating immediately, the public he is the Commissioner of the Georgia will see they are in front of someone Department of Transportation (GDOT). knowledgeable they can trust.” He became the public face of GDOT Jennifer Kowalewski, Ph.D., associate after a fire caused the I-85 bridge professor in the Department of collapse in Atlanta last spring. The Communications Arts, was the co- commissioner received many accolades principal investigator for that same GDOT for his handling of that disaster, communications research project. including his recent naming as Georgia “GDOT did a good job communicating Trend’s 2018 Georgian of the Year. He with the public overall. I think one of credits his educational and business the biggest things in a crisis is to get background for his leadership efforts. information out to the public immediately. Professor Junan Shen, Ph.D., teaches You had members of GDOT going on local most of the transportation engineering news stations and radio programs to try classes at Georgia Southern. According to get information out about what was to the Department of Civil Engineering going on, and how they were trying to and Construction (CEC) professor, there move traffic through that area,” said are numerous best practices in disaster Kowalewski. “Unfortunately, with response for an incident such as the I-85 breaking news, things can change so bridge collapse. But he considers the quickly. GDOT would have to say, ‘Okay, most important, with a disaster as large we don’t know exactly what’s happening as this one, to be problem solving. “Most CEC Associate Professor Peter D. at this moment in time, but we can tell people know our program is focused on Rogers, Ph.D., said, “The overriding theme you all of our latest information.’ I think engineering and technology, and there is a in all our courses is problem solving, they really tried to get out in front of the lot of that. You learn to design any kind of because the good managers are the ones news story, and let people know about structure and material in civil engineering. that can think on their feet. They solve alternative routes.” However, in the lab, many of my students problems and ‘put out fires’ as people McMurry did an outstanding job of will make mistakes, and I allow them to might say. And I think Russell’s job is all marshalling different regional and state make mistakes. Most importantly, we about putting out fires. Figuratively and partnerships to rebuild the I-85 bridge want students to find the solutions to their literally, in this case.” in record time. Problem solving and mistakes on their own. Because when you Early in the crisis, McMurry decided communicating went a long way toward go to work, you don’t always have easy that his department needed to that successful outcome. Rodgers said, “So solutions. But you always have problems.” communicate with the media and he uses his engineering problem-solving During the I-85 fire and bridge collapse, keep the public informed. He found it background and education from Georgia there were numerous problems. Chief important to communicate regularly Southern. You combine that with his among them was that a major Atlanta about the traffic issues and the business expertise, and he’s got quite a few transportation artery was out of rebuilding progress. talents in terms of dealing with the public.” commission. That fact was compounded Engineering students at Georgia McMurry, the problem solver, has because the old bridge plans couldn’t be Southern are required to learn about stayed connected with Georgia Southern used. The original beams from the 1980s communication skills, too. In fact, Gustavo and supported the Allen E. Paulson bridge were no longer made. The GDOT Maldonado, Ph.D., also an associate College of Engineering and Computing team started working the Thursday night professor in the CEC, was a member of through his work serving on the of the fire and had to work around the the investigative team for a soon-to- Corporate Advisory Committee. He was clock to redesign 700 feet of bridge, a be-published communications research named the CEC 2017 Alumnus of the Year. monumental problem-solving task. project for GDOT. — liz walker
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 27 NEWS STITCH FIX A peek inside a shop that teaches Only a few people know the production is set in the 1920s. buckles, beeswax, and—most about the magical treasure that For the recent production of “The importantly—seam rippers to fills an ordinary room in the Octoroon,” faculty and students undo mistakes), washers and Central Warehouse Building on created costumes for the 19th dryers, an industrial steam the Statesboro Campus. The century period piece. kettle used for dying fabric, craft treasure trove is Georgia Southern “You can’t run to the mall for a supplies, fabric and trim of all University’s very own costume dress from 1895,” McCarroll said. kinds. The hanging stock includes shop. It features a collection of “We also build clothing if there is pants, shirts, vests, breeches, costumes from years of student a specific need for a show—if a capes, suits, blouses, hoop skirts, productions. For most actors, costume has to be able to work waistcoats, day and formal costumes help them transform into in a certain way, or the text dresses, men’s and women’s the characters they play on stage. requires a very specific look—or period garments from the classical OCTOROON “You can work on a character if a designer wants a specific period to the 1890s, and fantasy Faculty and students for months but you never fully look for a piece of contemporary wear. There are all kinds of created the costumes for have the movement or personality clothing, and it cannot be found accessories—purses, aprons, their fall 2017 production down until you have the clothes for purchase. In general, we shoes, jewelry, armor and wigs. of "The Octoroon." on,” said Tyra Wilson, a senior don’t make much contemporary In addition to helping student theatre major who has been cast clothing. It’s actually much actors learn how to work with in five main stage productions at cheaper for me to buy garments designers and technicians when Georgia Southern. “As an actor, it from today, especially if I have they have costume fittings, the fully throws you into the world to good luck at Goodwill.” shop allows staff to maintain wear the characters clothes, shoes control of the artistic product. and in some cases jewelry. Getting Learning by Doing They work closely with the to see the character shine through No formal classes are taught director and other designers for on your own body helps the actor in the shop, but it does serve as a “unified product in the end or disappear and commit.” an informal training program something that looks like it all fits “We have all kinds of garments for students in the Theatre and intentionally and goes together and accessories,” said Professor Performance program. really well.” Sarah McCarroll, Ph.D., who “We want students who want “Fittings are always a fun teaches theatre history, script to be designers and technicians experience for me,” said Wilson, analysis and costume design. learning by doing in the same who has worked as a stitcher and “They range from the support way that our actors are learning an assistant and is planning for garments required for specific by doing in the production a career in artistic management. kinds of plays or productions— program,” explained McCarroll. “Seeing what my designer, in most women’s corsets for when we “All student employees are hired cases Professor Sarah McCarroll, do period plays—to men’s and as stitchers, which means they has in mind for my clothes tends women’s clothing representing spend a lot of time in front of to give me ideas about traits LOVE AND a full range of historical periods sewing machines. As their skill my character may or may not CHANCE from Classical Greek through the sets increase, they may do some have. I always come in with "A Game of Love and 18th century right up to today.” cutting of garments. We all do questions regarding my blocking Chance" was a main McCarroll and her staff of crafts work when it comes time or movement on stage, to see if stage production at student workers manage the shop, to make or decorate accessories, the costume can do what I want the Center for Art and which supports the University’s and most shop staff work on my body to be able to do to tell my Theatre in spring 2016. Theatre and Performance some or all of the wardrobe crews piece of the story.” program. At least four shows for shows, so they get experience After each show, costumes and are performed each academic with hair and makeup.” accessories are stored in the shop. year. Last spring’s production The costume shop is filled with Some may be reused in future of “Chicago, The Musical,” had sewing machines, sergers, irons, productions. McCarroll estimates upward of 60 costumes. Many steamers, dress forms, all kinds there could be as many as 15,000 were store bought, but the of sewing supplies and notions pieces in the facility. professor and her staff built a (like scissors, pins, thread, snaps, — sandra bennett number of daywear pieces, since zippers, elastic, bias tape, belt
28 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 THE ELITE Thanks to encouragement from her ROTC support system, Destinee Wesley is now a senior nursing student.
GEORGIA SOUTHERN ROTC NURSING PROGRAM LEADS THE NATION
It takes a special kind of person to become an Army nurse. It’s a successful partnership that has brought the University The demands upon the ROTC nursing student are relentless. national acclaim. In addition to nursing classes, medical training, clinicals and “It’s a good opportunity for us,” said Melissa Garno, Ed.D., RN, exams, they’re also required to learn Army doctrine, perform professor and director of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing rigorous physical training and field exercises, and participate in (BSN) program. “We’ve got a quality program, and we’re helping leadership training and competitions during coveted summer educate the people that defend and serve our country.” breaks. For many who enter the program, they decide it’s too The program has been good for students, too. much. Destinee Wesley, a senior ROTC nursing student from “There’s an attrition,” said ROTC Scholarship and Enrollment Hephzibah, Georgia, says there have been many times she Officer George Fredrick. “If I bring in 10 freshman nurse cadets … thought she couldn’t do it, but always found the encouragement four years later, I probably have four who stick with nursing. The to keep going. other cadets change majors. Everybody can’t do that. They learn “I didn’t think I was going to make it through my first semester early in the pre-nursing phase. We’re aware of those numbers, of nursing school,” she said. “Everybody in ROTC—when I and we’re aware of what it takes.” would come in the building with a gray cloud over my head and Despite the challenges for students and recruiters, bags under my eyes—they would say, ‘You’re going to be fine,’ however, Georgia Southern University—for the fifth year and they would be smiling. in a row—leads the nation in producing Army nurses. It’s a “I had a good support system.” formidable accomplishment Fredrick says is built on an essential Wesley says she has now grown accustomed to waking up at partnership between ROTC and the School of Nursing. 5 a.m., doing physical training, studying and then doing 12-hour “We have a longstanding great relationship with nursing,” he clinical shifts at Memorial Medical Center in Savannah. It’s a said. “We cannot do this without their partnership. We cannot schedule not everyone wants to adopt. sustain this without them.” “The other nursing students always say, ‘I don’t know how Now in its 20th year, the ROTC nursing program initially you do it,’” she said. struggled to find the right students and help them get through Fredrick says he knows ROTC nursing students are special. to graduation and pinning. As the program continued to develop, In order for him to find a new batch of these elite students, he the Army, too, was struggling to produce enough nurses each has to find them in high school or early in their freshman year year. And after several U.S. military conflicts in the early 2000s, of college. He says the future looks especially bright now that the call went out to all ROTC nursing programs around the our nursing program has expanded to the Armstrong Campus country to produce more Army nurses ... and quickly. in Savannah, and he hopes to form strong partnerships there In response, ROTC and the School of Nursing came together as well. and developed a model to help students succeed. In this new ROTC nurses are a rare breed, and it takes hard work to fill model, on the nursing side, each class reserves five spots those seats—even harder to maintain the top spot in the nation for ROTC nurses who meet the minimum requirements of with larger universities nipping at his heels. the nursing program; and on the ROTC side, the program is “Excellence can only be sustained if everybody agrees to work rearranged to allow nursing students to get leadership training hard,” said Fredrick. “Other schools would love to have this title. earlier in order to avoid the difficult overlap with clinicals. I’m selfish. This is Georgia Southern!” —doy cave
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 29 NEWS AWARD OF EXCELLENCE RECIPIENTS Six faculty members are the recipients of the 2017-18 Georgia Southern University Awards for Excellence. They were honored for outstanding contributions in the classroom, in the community and for research/creative scholarly activity.
THE WINNERS OF THE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN CONTRIBUTIONS TO INSTRUCTION ARE: College of Education Professor Wendy Chambers, Ph.D., and College of Science and Mathematics Professor Christine Whitlock, Ph.D. The award is not for the best teacher or the most popular teacher, but recognizes a professor’s contribution TEACHER SCHOLARS to the teaching-learning process at Award winners pose with their medals during Fall Convocation 2017. Posing from left to right are Michele the institutional level. The award is McCibony, Cordelia Zinskie, Wendy Chambers, Christine Whitlock, Chad Posick and Hani Samawi. administered through the Centers for Teaching and Technology. outstanding chapter awards for the past He wants his research to help real Chambers is a professor of two years. people facing the devastating effects of developmental psychology for the College Zinskie has been a professor at Georgia violence. of Education. She has taught more than Southern for 24 years. She served as As for winning the Research/Creative 200 courses and roughly 6,000 students chair of the Department of Curriculum, Scholarly Activity Excellence Award, at Georgia Southern, from first-year to Foundations and Reading for seven years Posick calls it a tremendous honor. doctoral level. Her courses are known (2006-13) before returning to the faculty. “It means a lot to me because I know for being reading and writing intensive. Currently, she is the program coordinator how productive and hardworking my Chambers has also been involved with for the new master’s in evaluation, friends and colleagues are all around the course and curriculum development at all assessment, research and learning degree University,” he said. “It feels great to be a levels of the institution. program. Zinskie is also recognized for small part of all the research going on in Whitlock is a professor and assistant service beyond the institution in her this University. chair in the Department of Chemistry and roles as editor of the National Youth-At- Samawi has been with the College Biochemistry. She has involved at least Risk Journal and president of the Georgia of Public Health since 2006. Early in his 40 undergraduates in her research. With Educational Research Association. career, he realized his primary purpose their help, a number of projects in organic was to promote health and social justice, synthesis and chemical education have THE EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH/ to eliminate health disparities within been undertaken at Georgia Southern. CREATIVE SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY AWARD communities and to increase access WINNERS ARE: to services and decisive life-changing THE WINNERS OF THE AWARD FOR Chad Posick, Ph.D., assistant professor knowledge. EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE ARE: in the College of Behavioral and Social He focuses on solving statistical and College of Science and Mathematics Sciences and Hani Samawi, Ph.D., a biostatistics problems in the areas of Professor Michele McGibony, Ph.D., and professor of biostatistics in the Jiann-Ping data analysis, medical diagnostics, College of Education Professor Cordelia Hsu College of Public Health. Administered statistical modeling, mediation analysis Zinskie, Ed.D. The award honors and through the Office of Research Services and simulation and Monte Carlo methods, rewards faculty who use their academic and Sponsored Programs, this award goes among other areas. disciplines to provide non-compensated to professors who excel in research while Samawi called the Research/Creative assistance to the community, region teaching full time. Scholarly Activity Excellence Award the and the academic arena. This award is Posick teaches criminal behavior, “crowning achievement” of his work in the administered through the Provost’s Office. victimology, graduate statistics and the College of Public Health. McGibony is a 1993 Georgia Southern inside-out prison exchange program. His “Receiving this award has left me alumna and teaches biochemistry. She research is focused on violence prevention. with a bit of an inexplicable feeling of maintains an active undergraduate “I study the victimization of children contentment. To be honored and respected research group, and her students regularly and adolescents and how to best prevent by my colleagues and superiors, and a present their work at local, regional and harm,” he said. “I also work on studying source of pride to my family, has resonated national scientific meetings. She is also community violence in Savannah. Part of with a feeling of achievement that goes the adviser to the Student Affiliates of this includes an initiative funded by the well beyond the award.” the American Chemical Society of Georgia Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) called All six professors were honored during Southern University, which has earned Smart Prosecution.” Convocation in August.
30 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 ARMSTRONG LEADERSHIP AWARDS TOMA Armstrong’s annual leadership awards—held last spring—recognized and honored a number of faculty members for their academic excellence and service to the University Community:
TOMA Michael Toma, Ph.D., the Fuller E. Callaway Professor of Economics, received the BECK Alumni Award for Distinguished Faculty Service to the Academic Discipline. Since joining the University 20 years ago, Toma has consistently applied his scholarly work to community issues. He also has mentored dozens of undergraduate student competitors and is the co-founder of the Academy of Economics and Finance Undergraduate Research Competition.
Jason Beck, Ph.D., associate professor of economics, received the Award for Distinguished Faculty Service to the Community. He was recognized for his directorship of the Coastal Georgia Center for Economic Education, a nonprofit dedicated to helping K-12 teachers teach economics and personal finance. He received no compensation for this work in which he managed to instruct 50-100 teachers, meet with them and provide them with classroom content and lesson plans each year for the past five years, all while teaching a full faculty load. WOLFE OGLETREE Wendy Wolfe, Ph.D., associate professor and psychology department internship coordinator, received the Award for Distinguished Faculty Service to the University. In addition to serving on the faculty senate and various senate committees, Wolfe has placed student interns in workplace settings across the Savannah area, thereby providing transformative opportunities that help students achieve their educational and professional goals.
Glenda Ogletree, Ph.D., associate professor of childhood and exceptional student education, received the H. Dean Propst Award for active involvement in the student life of the campus. This award winner is chosen by the Student Government Association. One student described Ogletree as “the kindest, most understanding, most loving teacher I have encountered since I entered the College of Education.”
Anne Katz KATZ , Ph.D., assistant professor of childhood and exceptional student education, BELZER received the Brockmeier Faculty Award for lasting interest in the faculty and the students of Armstrong. This award honors a junior faculty member. Katz has authored numerous articles and book chapters, which focus on literacy instruction in urban schools. She serves as a liaison for a teens for literacy program in local schools and is a collaborator in undergraduate research grants.
Allison Belzer, Ph.D., associate professor of history, is the first recipient of the Judge Ron Ginsberg Faculty Excellence Award for outstanding teaching. Her department chair said, “She routinely accepts independent studies and directed readings, working one-on-one with students in addition to her regular teaching load. She flourishes in honors courses, constructing exciting, creative learning environments. She also directs the student research program and is tireless in promoting faculty/student engagement.”
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 31 NEWS
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
INTERDISCIPLINARY ACADEMIC BUILDING Paving the way to ensure academic excellence for generations of future students, the new Interdisciplinary Academic Building on the Statesboro Campus will open for fall 2018. The multi-purpose, multi-storied building just off the pedestrium north of the IT Building will provide 110,000 square feet of flexible space, classroom technology and labs.
WATERS COLLEGE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS BUILDING Slated to open in 2019, the Armstrong Campus’ newest building will be headquarters for the Waters College of Health Professions. With $22 million from the state’s FY18 budget signed by Gov. Nathan Deal, the construction of the new facility as well as renovation of Ashmore Hall will include a Simulation Suite as well as hands-on, team-oriented learning spaces. Don and Cindy Waters provided a $2 million donation to the college that will bear their name. Waters College of Health Professions. “A transformational gift that is truly monumental,” stated Gov. Deal.
32 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 STUDENT NEWSPAPER GOES WEEKLY A new era for The George-Anne. The Georgia Southern University student newspaper has reduced the number of days it publishes a print edition each week. Instead of the customary Tuesdays and Thursdays, the newspaper is now published only on Thursdays. The Student Media Board said it made the decision based on monetary and advertising realities. The George-Anne is expanding its social media and online content. The Inkwell, the Armstrong Campus newspaper, will continue to publish on a weekly basis during the fall and spring terms.
MARKER HONORS FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENTS AT STATESBORO CAMPUS
In 1965, seven black men and women made history as the first African-Americans to enroll on the Georgia Southern Statesboro Campus. Today, a historical marker is prominently displayed on Sweetheart Circle in front of the Marvin Pittman Administration Building to recognize those trailblazers. John Bradley, a high school teacher in Statesboro, enrolled as a graduate student in January 1965. That fall, six undergraduates joined him. They were Clavelia Love Brinson, Arlene Daughtry, Ulysee Mosley, Shirley Woodall, Jesse Zeigler Carter and Catherine Davis, a sophomore transfer student who would become the first black student to earn a degree at Georgia Southern. “Our passion to succeed was not an easy task.” —Ulysee Mosley
Carter and Mosley were among many black alumni who returned to campus for the public unveiling last spring. Mosley, a retired principal who lives in Indianapolis, said the ceremony was an emotional experience. “Our passion to succeed was not an easy task, and it was by sheer amount of will that we manifested that which we visualized,” he added. Carter, also a retired educator, said she was proud to be BRAVE one of “the brave warriors who paved the way for the many WARRIORS students who followed.” Ulysee Mosley and Jesse Mosley grew up in Albany, Georgia, and was Georgia Southern’s Zeigler Carter were second black graduate. He was thrilled to be back on campus to on hand for unveiling reunite with college friends he hadn’t seen in decades. of marker recognizing “I take pride in saying that racial inclusion at Georgia Georgia Southern’s Southern did not come from my own efforts, but with the help first African-American of my colleagues who stood with me during those trying times students. of racial integration,” he said. “Reuniting with pioneers that I hadn’t seen in 50 years was exciting. I saw Carolyn Milton* who had a sway in her walk and an infectious laugh; Jessie Zeigler, who exuded a strong attitude of pride; and there was John Lawrence.* I ate many meals at John and Barbara’s table in Swainsboro, Georgia.” THE UNVEILING In his remarks, Georgia Southern University President Ulysee Mosley and President Hebert unveil the Jaimie Hebert, Ph.D., said the marker “will serve as a constant historical marker while Director of Annual Giving, Gloria reminder of the bravery and perseverance of our first African- Goosby, looks on. American students, and the community they built.” *Carolyn Milton and John Lawrence entered in fall 1966.
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 33 NEWS
Allen E. Paulson Actress in a Play (Kelsey Alexandria and College of Engineering and Computing Sadie Thomas), and Performance by an Actor in a Play (Will Cox). NEW DEGREE PROGRAMS College of Behavioral and Social Sciences JOHN KRAFT The College of Engineering and Computing is offering six new degree FIRST DEAN programs. They include undergraduate degrees in both computer and John Kraft, Ph.D., was named interim construction engineering, and graduate and the first dean of the College of degrees in civil, electrical and mechanical Behavioral and Social Sciences. Kraft engineering, and information technology. will serve in the position until a national Dean Mohammad Davoud explained search for the permanent dean has the programs not only will expand the been completed. He has served as the College’s offerings but also will produce department head for psychology at students qualified to fill in-demand Armstrong State University and previously engineering jobs. Projections show more served as interim assistant Vice President than 1,000 jobs created in Georgia over for Academic Affairs. Kraft has been a the next three years will require people member of the faculty on the Armstrong with computer engineering backgrounds. Campus since receiving his doctorate in In proposing the new programs, the psychology from the University of New College also cited projections showing Hampshire in 1999. more than 17,000 jobs will open for construction engineers during the 12- College of Education year period from 2012-2024. Davoud said employers are starving for these types of EAGLE ACADEMY graduates and his college intends to be at the forefront of graduating students who OPENS will be able to fill these highly specialized industry positions. Last fall, EAGLE Academy welcomed its first two students as fully enrolled Georgia College of Arts and Humanities Southern University undergraduates. An inclusive post-secondary education WINNING (IPSE) program, the Academy offers Equal Access to Gainful Learning and PERFORMANCE Employment (EAGLE) for those with mild intellectual disabilities. EAGLE Academy The Theatre and Performance program’s is currently a third- and fourth-year production of “She Kills Monsters” won program, allowing students to transfer nine national awards from the Kennedy after completing an initial two-year IPSE Center American College Theater Festival, program, such as CHOICE at East Georgia Region IV hosted by Georgia Southern State College. Unique to most programs last year. The University received an of their kind, Georgia Southern EAGLE outstanding award for Ensemble of a Play, Academy students are given a custom- which recognizes the top cast, and eight built academic program based on their distinguished awards for Production of a interests, giving the students the same Play, Director of Play (Nicholas Newell), opportunity that others on campus Choreography (Jake Guinn), Costume have to take courses for credit and work Design (Sarah McCarroll), Lighting Design towards their career goals. Students (Spencer Collins), Performance by an also live on campus, allowing them to
34 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 become fully immersed in campus life and have easy access to Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health all campus amenities. Finally, students enrolled in the program are also trained for employment through internships or paid jobs NEW PUBLIC which are secured with the assistance of the Academy’s team. Current team members of the EAGLE Academy include Founding HEALTH TRACK Executive Director Shelley Woodward, Program Director Karen Phipps and Graduate Assistant Emily Lewis. The Master of Public Health (MPH) program within the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Business College of Public Health (JPHCOPH) will be expanding to include a new generalist MEASURING BUSINESS track as a result of the consolidation between Georgia Southern and Armstrong CONDITIONS State. The new concentration will join the existing five specialty tracks available The College of Business has partnered with Georgia CEO, to MPH students. This track provides through the Bureau of Business Research and Economic students with the opportunity to Development (BBRED), for the second year, to conduct quarterly complete a more broad-based program of surveys of Georgia CEO newsletter readers. The survey study, along with the flexibility to tailor measures the impact of current and future business conditions their individual focus with more guided in Georgia. It is emailed to subscribers in each of the nine elective options. Once completed, they Georgia CEO daily newsletters which includes Albany, Athens, will have the applied skills and knowledge Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Middle Georgia, Newnan, Savannah required for the front-line public health and Valdosta. To participate in the quarterly Business Index practitioner. In addition, the Bachelor of Survey, visit GeorgiaCEO.com and subscribe to your local Georgia Science in Public Health (BSPH) program CEO newsletter. currently offered by JPHCOPH will be available on the Armstrong and Statesboro College of Science and Mathematics campuses in the near future. STUDENT WINS FELLOWSHIP Waters College of Health Professions Department of Biology graduate student Jose Sanchez won a $5.2 MILLION GRANT highly competitive National Science Foundation (NSF) fellowship to conduct ecological research in South America. Sanchez FOR STUDENTS is one of only three students selected to participate from a competitive, nationwide search. The fellowship is funded by a Donna Brooks, Ph.D., associate provost NSF International Research Experience for Students grant. for Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies The grant allowed Sanchez to travel to the Cape Horn Biosphere and associate professor in the Department Reserve in southern Chile in December for a two-month research of Rehabilitation Sciences, has received expedition. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work a Health Resources and Services with international collaborators to conduct cutting-edge research Administration grant for $5.2 million. in a unique setting. Sanchez conducted independent research on The funds are for the Scholarships for the ecology of freshwater streams and the importance of these Disadvantaged Students grant program, aquatic ecosystems to local people. which supports scholarships for students “I’m proud to represent Georgia Southern University as part from disadvantaged backgrounds who are of this program,” said Sanchez, adding that he had the chance enrolled in health profession programs. to apply his research to the conservation of an important Brooks, along with co-investigators Sara ecosystem and the local culture that depends on this system. Plaspohl, Dr.P.H., assistant professor in the "Being awarded this prestigious fellowship will contribute to Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Sanchez’s development as a scientist," said Checo Colon-Gaud, and Douglas Masini, Ed.D., department Ph.D., director of the Department of Biology graduate program. head and associate professor in the “I’m proud of him for pursuing this opportunity and thrilled that Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic he is representing not only the Biology Graduate Program, but Sciences, designed the grant for eligible the University as a whole.” students seeking a Master of Public Health or a Bachelor of Science in medical laboratory science at Georgia Southern University. Each degree program was awarded $650,000 over the next four years, totaling $5.2 million.
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 35 RESEARCH & CREATIVITY
A MINDFUL APPROACH Counselor Educator Brings Federal-level Training to Statesboro-Bulloch County Law Enforcement
While completing his undergraduate degree, counselor will help officers mitigate the psychological effects of high education professor Richard Cleveland, Ph.D., worked as a stress when engaged in tactical situations. The project is a campus officer to help pay for school. “I remember one of my first collaboration with the College’s counselor education program, calls was a response of an elderly woman who fell down a flight Georgia Southern University’s Public Safety Department, of stairs and cracked her head open,” he recalled. Cleveland said Statesboro Police Department, Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office, he was the first one on the scene, and his first response was and the United States Pentagon Force Protection Agency. COE’s fear. He froze at the sight. Jonathan Hilpert, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department “It felt like forever, but looking back on police logs it of Curriculum, Foundations and Reading is contributing his was maybe a minute,” he explained. “But for me, I felt so expertise in data analysis. ashamed—like I wasted so much time.” Thinking back, Currently participating in a national work group, Hilpert Cleveland used this experience to explain how the body reacts is looking at stress levels for students taking exams. This, in stressful situations. Cleveland explained, is a great link to the mindfulness research “The more stressed we get, the more we lose fine motor skills,” he is completing, as they can use similar strategies and he explained. “Firing a weapon safely and effectively requires a methodologies for students in high-stress situations that they large amount of cognitive processing and fine motor skills.” are using for the tactical practices for the officers. That is part of the basis of Cleveland’s new research. Receiving “We are already thinking about how in the future to apply a seed grant from the College of Education (COE), Cleveland’s this to Georgia Southern students and, specifically, counselor pilot project, “Mindfulness-Based Tactical Instruction,” explores education students as they are navigating intense counseling how mindfulness practices or attention to thoughts and feelings sessions and choosing their words and reactions,” said Cleveland.
36 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 “Firing a weapon safely and effectively requires a large amount of cognitive processing and fine motor skills.” —Richard Cleveland
APPREHENDING STRESS “It’s exercise after exercise to help them draw their weapon out, Richard Cleveland, Ph.D. discharge that weapon safely and effectively so that when they (pictured on left) explaining arrive at that moment they decide to use lethal force, however the process of the long it takes them to wade through the stress, then they can training and wrist sensor engage,” said Cleveland. “That’s the stress inoculation training.” technology with Captain There is yelling, movement and introductions of safety Todd Masburn, Senior POST malfunctions such as misfires or jammed guns. Even though Instructor for the Bulloch officers train for these situations, they often do not know how County Sheriff’s Office. they will react until such incidents occur. Ensuring that they can react properly over and over again is vital. “Think about the neurons in the brain,” explained Cleveland. “What gets fired, gets wired. Repetition trains the brain.” Mindfulness training has officers practicing present moment awareness and how to attend to all the incoming stimuli they face in a high-stress situation. “My hope,” Cleveland said, “is to give them tools to navigate that stressful environment, to use the best skills that they have for making decisions on safety for themselves and for everyone that they are serving and protecting. If they do have to use lethal force, that decision has been arrived at through all their cognitive abilities available rather than just a knee-jerk reaction.” Cleveland says this training cannot teach officers how to avoid stress. No one can. It is about fielding that stress and returning The Training: How Does it Work? to a state in which you can use all cognitive and fine motor The training includes pre- and post-tests with officers abilities to make a decision and react. wearing a wrist sensor that takes several measurements “It doesn’t help the stress magically go away,” he said. “They including heart rate and electrodermal activity (EDA). EDA can’t cheat the body. The hope is that the skills help them get measures the involuntary changes in the electrical properties back to functioning faster. It’s more streamlined because they of the skin such as sweat glands, which are thought to be an know what to expect.” effective measure of stress in the body. Mindfulness training includes combat breathing which The Pentagon Force Protection Agency’s involvement initially focuses on regular, measured breathing as oxygen deprivation began through informal conversation about helping trainees and lack of blood flow can cause negative physical effects on manage stress. the body. Other examples of mindfulness skills include present The Agency’s interest grew, however, as Cleveland’s project moment and non-judgmental awareness whereby officers can developed to include data looking at stress levels from EDA attend to a situation without jumping to conclusions or using measurements, as currently federal trainings monitor stress preconceived notions or responses. primarily with the use of heart rate. After officers participate in training, they complete a post- Tests are conducted in the Statesboro Police Department’s test in the simulator to compare with the original scores of simulator, a fully-interactive, computer-based training that can their pre-test data. The pilot has 10 participants from the change based on participants’ reactions. Cleveland and Hilpert partnering law enforcement agencies that are training with look for data such as proper response to a situation; how long it Cleveland, Hilpert and trainers from the Pentagon Force takes for the officer to draw their weapon; length of time to pull Protection Agency who complete trainings similar to these the trigger; how many shots are fired; whether the target is hit annually for federal agents. and how many times; and stress level throughout the exercise. Materials from the training, including curriculum and This provides a baseline for officers prior to entering training. protocols, will be shared so that local law enforcement can After the baseline data, officers receive one or a combination continue this type of training when possible. “I want to see of trainings including standard department training, stress that the project can serve as a resource,” Cleveland said. “To inoculation and/or mindfulness training. be able to bring this type of training down to local, rural law Stress inoculation includes a safety briefing and five-day enforcement is very rare.” field-range experience that expose officers to drills and live-fire Training for Cleveland’s pilot project is ongoing during scenarios that place stress on the mind and body. spring 2018. —cinnamon dowd
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 37 RESEARCH & CREATIVITY
AVERITT AWARD WINNERS 2017
JOHN DAVID CURLIS Animals Speak in Color
Growing up, John David Curlis (’17) had a number of pets, yet frogs intrigued him the most. As a Georgia Southern graduate student, he turned his attention to the ground snake. His research focused on the evolution of multiple color patterns in this harmless snake species that mimics deadly coral snakes. “I have always been interested in how and why animals signal to one another, including signaling between males and females, between competitors, and between prey and their predators,” he said. “I am particularly interested in the use of coloration as a means of signaling. Why would an animal be brightly colored rather than blend in with its surroundings? Why do some animals mimic the coloration of others?” The biology major said he has sought answers to those questions since the beginning of his scientific career. “The ground snake, which I studied for my thesis research, exhibits an enormous amount of variation in color, some of which is used to deceitfully signal to predators that it is deadly,” he said. “My research on this species was prompted by a fascination with the colors of this species, as well as a desire to find an evolutionary explanation for their maintenance.” Curlis is the recipient of the 2017 Averitt Award of Excellence in Graduate Research. The award, along with the Averitt Award of Excellence in Graduate Instruction, are the two highest honors bestowed within the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies.
RAY DELVA Excellence in Teaching “Ray Delva (’15, ’17) is exactly what we expect out of our Double Eagles,” said his faculty advisor, Professor Dustin Anderson, Ph.D. The Department of Literature and Philosophy graduate was honored with the Averitt Award for Excellence in Graduate Instruction. Delva’s tenure as a teaching assistant led to his role as a recitation leader for a pilot program in World Literature. He worked with smaller sections of 25-30 students from the larger 300-student section of the course. Professor Anderson told Georgia Southern magazine that Delva’s comments were insightful, directive, and helped the students to become both better readers and better writers. “Ray not only moved onto teaching his own literature courses, but became an active leader in our pedagogy workshop as a guest speaker, and regularly met with other graduate students aspiring to teach their own courses,” Anderson added. “He is going to make an incredible professor one day, and he will be a model we point back to as a high point of teaching in our program. He is one of those rare students who was able to completely integrate his research into his teaching.”
38 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 HELPING SOLDIERS
Nancy Henderson, an assistant professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program who has also worked with soldiers as a part-time federal employee for 12 years, compares active duty soldiers to professional athletes who push physical limits every day. In correlation, there are roughly 300,000 musculoskeletal “Winning the Averitt Award was injuries—which may include ankle obviously very exciting, but also quite sprains, knee injuries and shoulder surprising,” said Curlis, who graduated dislocations—reported by U.S. Army in December. “While I know that I work soldiers annually. In 2014 alone, more very hard on my research and do the than 10 million duty days were lost best that I can, I have met and spent due to injuries. time with so many graduate students at As such, Henderson launched a Georgia Southern that put in hours upon program, “Soldier Athlete Human hours of work and produce fascinating, Performance Optimization,” last year, meaningful research. I am beyond in which students are assigned to honored and grateful to be considered their own company of 3rd Infantry a top graduate researcher among these Division soldiers at Fort Stewart or to provide various educational students.” Hunter Army Airfield for six-week opportunities to soldiers and provides The new graduate is planning to time frames each semester. Students faculty and students permission to enroll in a doctoral program, become a present different injury prevention conduct research with soldiers. In college professor and continue studying topics and then help soldiers in the addition, a three-year Cooperative signaling among animals. company implement the information. Research and Development Agreement “This program provides the students was signed with the U.S. Army with an opportunity to not only learn Research Institute of Environmental more about injury prevention, but also Medicine in 2016. The University’s to build confidence and public speaking Department of Physical Therapy works skills,” said Henderson. “Additionally, with the research institute to refine the students really enjoy the military screening and assessment opportunity to work with high-level tools used to determine readiness tactical athletes and aid in keeping our and deployability of soldiers. The two soldiers healthy and functioning at institutions expect to jointly publish peak performance.” conference papers and manuscripts as Delva worked with Professor David According to Lt. Col. Kevin Kelly, the a result of the project. Dudley, Ph.D., on his thesis. It focused on 3rd Infantry’s Division surgeon, there “Both the ongoing research the ideas of African-American scholars has been an estimated 20 percent endeavors, as well as the Soldier Calvin Warren and Cornel West that drop in duty-limiting injuries among Athlete Human Performance appeared in works from authors like the soldiers as a result of the physical Optimization Program, will continue George Jackson and LeRoi Jones (Amiri therapy students’ participation in through 2018, and hopefully for many Baraka) in their epistles and poems spring and fall semesters in 2017. more years,” noted Henderson. “There written during their time in prison. “The command team and students are many more opportunities to work The Master of Arts in English major are very excited,” said Henderson. with local tactical athletes and I have graduated last May and accepted a “Students who are chosen to plans to involve other departments challenging position teaching within the participate receive course credit within the college as we move state prison system with Southeastern and soldiers receive a certificate of forward. Overall, we have developed Technical College. completion for the project.” a wonderful little triad between the Henderson also secured a University, the 3rd Infantry Division memorandum of agreement with the and the U.S. Army Research Institute of commanding general at Ft. Stewart Environmental Medicine.” last summer, which allows students — melanie simón
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 39 RESEARCH & CREATIVITY
named in the letters as well as the first College of Science and Mathematics extensive genealogy on the Hays family to be compiled by any scholar. He has CAMPUS WILDLIFE CATALOG worked with the original manuscripts of Department of Biology faculty and students have completed these letters, now belonging to collections a two-year study to document all vertebrate species on the in London, Oxford, New York City and Statesboro Campus. The study, organized by Professors Michelle Philadelphia. Cawthorn, Ph.D., Ray Chandler, Ph.D., Lance McBrayer, Ph.D., and Jamie Roberts, Ph.D., was funded by the University’s Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Center for Sustainability. With the help of dozens of students, the scientists observed, live-trapped, netted, audio-recorded SOCIOCULTURAL or photographed 207 species of vertebrates (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals) on the campus. This impressive FACTORS IN diversity includes 19 species of fish, 19 amphibians, 24 reptiles, 126 birds and 19 mammals. Because the study mapped the MAMMOGRAPHY location of every animal found, future construction and other Associate Professor of Epidemiology development can be done in a way that minimizes impacts on Yelena Tarasenko, Dr.P.H., co-authored a biodiversity. There are educational benefits as well, because study that investigated the sociocultural a biodiverse campus is a living laboratory that students and factors associated with breast cancer faculty can use just by walking outside their building. screening within the past two years among Latina immigrants. Barriers to College of Arts and Humanities breast cancer screening for the Latina women include lack of health insurance, BAPTIST HISTORY income inequality, documentation status or how the women receive Professor Timothy Whelan, Ph.D., has continued his cancer education. The study included groundbreaking research in British Baptist history, women’s 82 women between 40 to 64 years of studies, and literary history. He published his ninth article in age. The findings provide evidence for the Baptist Quarterly, the official voice of the Baptist Historical the importance of sociocultural factors Society. The article is a detailed history of the life and successive in Latina immigrant women’s timely generations of Thomas Mullett (1745-1814), a previously mammography screening. As an indirect unknown Baptist layman who became a friend and correspondent study outcome, the study team developed of several significant political, religious and literary figures in Spanish language informational resources England and America. At the same time, Whelan’s essay, “No about affordable breast and cervical Sanctuary for Philistines’: Baptists and Culture in the Eighteenth cancer screening options to distribute to Century,” appeared in Challenge and Change: English Baptist Life study participants. in the Eighteenth Century, another publication of the Baptist Historical Society. Last August, Whelan conducted a daylong symposium for Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering doctoral students in history at the Southern Baptist Theological and Computing Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. His presentation focused on his work in uncovering manuscript collections in England and America STUDENT pertaining to Baptist history, and how these previously unknown collections are transforming long-held paradigms about English RESEARCH TEAM Baptist history in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Since 2000, An Engine Combustion Laboratory Whelan has published 10 books and 26 articles on Baptist history research team of undergraduate and and life in England between 1750 and 1850, and is now one of the graduate students were invited to foremost Baptist historians in the world for that period. present research papers at the Society Whelan is also nearing the completion of a new online edition of of Automotive Engineers World Congress the “Correspondence of Mary Hays,” the radical 1790s novelist. It in Detroit. The team, led by Professor will include some 470 letters to and from Hays (1759-1843), along Valentin Soloiu, Ph.D, received seven with biographical notices of all the correspondents and individuals awards for their research. Their research
40 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 covered topics that ranged from advanced combustion College of Business modes, noise and vibrations studies in automotive engines to intelligent/autonomous vehicles technologies. The students SOCIAL JUSTICE included Martin Muinos, Aliyah Knowles, Remi Gaubert, Jose Moncada, Bernard Ibru and Thomas Beyerl. AND COMIC BOOKS
Waters College of Health Professions Department of Management faculty, John Harris, Ph.D., assistant professor $1.6 M GRANT FOR of management, David Jiang, Ph.D., assistant professor of entrepreneurship, CONCUSSION AWARENESS Curtis Sproul, Ph.D., assistant professor of management, and Stan Suboleski, A research team associated with a Department of Health Ph.D., clinical professor of hospitality Sciences and Kinesiology professor has been awarded a $1.6 management, are working on a project million Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grant to that follows the themes in comic book develop One Team, a program to address safety and concussion superhero titles/franchises. They are awareness in youth sports. Assistant Professor Tamerah looking to see how various approaches Hunt, Ph.D., is collaborating with Seattle Pediatric Concussion to social justice issues, which are often Research Collaboration, and Seattle Children’s Center for embedded in comic themes, affect the Childhood Health, Behavior and Development members, Sara overall sales performance of these comics. Chrisman, M.D., and Emily Kroshus, Ph.D. The One Team program will focus on children ages 9 to 13 in youth football and soccer leagues in the Puget Sound region College of Education and in southern Georgia. The goal is to decrease concussion risk in youth sports athletes. One Team will initiate safety EMOTIONAL huddles prior to the start of games to address sportsmanship and concussion reporting with coaches, officials, parents and LEARNING athletes. During the safety huddles, athletes will be encouraged not to engage in illegal and dangerous collisions that could lead Associate Professor of Instructional to concussions, and report concussive symptoms. Researchers Technology Charles Hodges, Ph.D., will spend the first year refining the program followed by a is participating in a cross-college yearlong randomized controlled trial evaluating outcomes in collaborative research project that sportsmanship and reporting concussive symptoms. recently received nearly $10,000 in internal seed grant funding from Georgia College of Behavioral and Social Sciences Southern University’s Faculty Research Committee (FRC). The University’s FRC UNCOVERING THE PAST provides internal funding to promote faculty research and scholarship projects Professor Heidi Altman, Ph.D., is working on a collaborative that will lead to future external funding. project that connects the methods of zooarchaeology with College of Engineering and Computing ethnography and ethnohistory. The associate professor in faculty Pradipta De, Ph.D., assistant the Department of Sociology and Anthropology and her professor of computer sciences principal Florida State co-author, Tanya Peres, are looking to connect investigator (PI) and Aniruddha Mitra, archaeologically known peoples to their contemporary Ph.D., professor of mechanical engineering descendants by focusing on traditions related to the use of (co-PI) paired with Hodges (co-PI) to animals that persist through time. In a recently published examine the influence of student affect article, Altman examined beliefs and practices related to deer, in the learning process. The project, titled aside from their use as venison. The research focuses on the use “Modeling Student Affect in the Classroom of deer antlers as hunting amulets and charms. The researchers Teaching Environment,” proposes that connect these archaeological pieces to what is known about the learning complex ideas in science, math, cosmology, medicine and hunting practices of historically known engineering and technology requires and contemporary peoples in the same region. This expands the cognitive skills but is also impacted by field of zooarchaeology to encompass interpretations of animal the emotional responses of learning. remains to be something aside from food remains. By expanding Students who show a positive affect, such these contexts, researchers have better success at interpreting as attentiveness or curiosity, have a higher archaeological sites, and are able to make connections across possibility of learning a concept compared the proto-historic or “Contact Period” in which many cultural to students showing a negative affect, practices did or did not change. like frustration, boredom or confusion. Data collection began fall 2017 in Mitra’s mechanical engineering courses.
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 41 ATHLETICS
A NATURAL FIT Former Armstrong athletics director finds ‘a really good fit’ at Georgia Southern
Lisa Sweany, former director of athletics at Armstrong State athletics director with a history of success. Before joining the University, joined the Georgia Southern athletics staff as University, Sweany was named a 2017 Under Armour Athletics deputy athletics director in June. Though the consolidation and Director of the Year for NCAA Division II—one of only four transition process has been a “whirlwind,” she says she couldn’t Division II honorees in the nation. During her six years with pass up the great opportunity. Armstrong, the Pirates earned five NCAA Division II National “When TK [Athletics Director Tom Kleinlein] talked to me Championships, 23 Peach Belt Conference regular-season titles, about coming over as the deputy athletics director, I told 15 Peach Belt tournament titles, 43 NCAA Championships him I’d think about it,” she said. “The more I thought about it, appearances, 86 All-American athletes, 12 College Sports the more I thought, ‘This could be a really good fit for me….’ Information Directors of America Academic All-American I really liked his vision and aligned with what he was trying athletes and 214 All-Peach Belt Conference honorees. to accomplish here, which were the same things that were “We had good coaches that recruited tremendous student- important to me throughout my entire career…. So this, to me, athletes and then coached them up once they got there,” she was a natural fit.” said, “ so I was fortunate we had a lot of success there due In Sweany, Georgia Southern gained an award-winning to some great work with coaches and student-athletes that
42 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 “I mean, people love this institution. GEORGIA SOUTHERN HIRES TWO They are True Blue. STANDOUT COACHES They love everything FROM ARMSTRONG Former Armstrong State University Head Softball Coach Kim Dean and Head Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach Sean about it.” McCaffrey—both of whom had outstanding seasons with the —Lisa Sweany Pirates—have joined the Georgia Southern athletics staff. Dean was named Georgia Southern's head softball coach last summer and made an immediate impact on the program in her first season, leading the Eagles to a top 50 RPI nationally and several big Sun Belt victories. McCaffrey took the helm as head women’s tennis coach and led the Eagles were successful both academically and athletically. Every to a successful campaign this past season, semester there we had a 3.0 as a department.” picking up his 400th career victory along DEAN As deputy athletics director, Sweany oversees the day- the way. to-day operations in Eagle athletics, working directly with “I think Kim and Sean came in and did coaches and the administrative staff. She says her role frees phenomenal jobs in their first season up Kleinlein to focus more attention on external development at Georgia Southern,” said Lisa Sweany, of donors and fundraising, a crucial part of the athletics deputy athletics director. “We saw both program. To be successful in her role, Sweany says she hopes teams progress and move forward under to continue the philosophy that brought her here—coaching their leadership and we're excited about the student-athletes in sports, academics and life. the future of their programs.” “A lot hinges on the ability of the coaches to recruit quality Dean is the former head softball coach at student-athletes,” she said, “and then once they’re here, it’s M c CAFFREY Armstrong, where in one year of coaching our responsibility to coach them up not just to be athletes, but she led the Pirates to a third place finish also to help them be successful academically, and then teach at the 2017 NCAA Division II National Championships and a 38- them life skills and how to survive once they leave here and 14 overall record. For her efforts, Dean and her coaching staff be leaders in their field.” were named the 2017 National Fastpitch Coaches Association Sweany’s first few months have certainly been eventful. Division II Southeast Region Coaching Staff of the Year. She arrived just as Eagles football was having one of its worst McCaffery oversaw three stellar years of men’s and seasons in history. However, she said she was impressed and women’s tennis at Armstrong. In his three years, he led the inspired by the players and their dedication to keep working women’s team to two consecutive NCAA Division II National hard and keep trying to get better despite the adversity. Championships, the first of which they tallied a perfect 33-0 Even more impressive to Sweany, however, is the dedication record. He led the men’s team to two consecutive NCAA Division of Georgia Southern fans. II semifinals and a No. 3 national ranking both years. “I think the one thing that has impressed me, and I tell recruits this, too—‘If you’re Georgia Southern, you’re Georgia Southern,’” she said. “I mean, people love this institution. They are True Blue. They love everything about it. People who work here, a lot of them have gone to school here. They’ve never left. The community supports it. That’s really special. You don’t always see that in other institutions or in other communities.” —doy cave
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 43 ATHLETICS CHAD LUNSFORD NAMED HEAD FOOTBALL COACH Georgia Southern President Jaimie Hebert, Director of Athletics Tom Kleinlein and the Georgia Southern Board of Regents announced on Nov. 27, 2017, the hiring of Chad Lunsford as its head football coach. “This is just so humbling, and I’m honored to be able to take over as the head coach of Georgia Southern football,” Lunsford said. “I want to thank the Lord for this opportunity. I’m very blessed to be in this position because Georgia Southern is a very special place to my family and me. I’m looking forward to carrying on the great tradition of Eagle Football.” The 2017 campaign marked the ninth season overall for Lunsford, who has worn many hats in his time in Statesboro. Lunsford was promoted from assistant head coach to interim head coach on Oct. 22, 2017, and his team showed marked improvement each week, culminating with a 52-0 win over South Alabama and a 34-24 win over Louisiana on the road. In 2016, Lunsford was named a Broyles Award nominee, given to the nation’s top assistant coach, and on the recruiting side, he was ADRIAN PETERSON GOES named the Sun Belt Conference’s Best Recruiter in 2016 by Scout. He and his wife, Tippy, have a son, Rhett, and two daughters, INTO THE HALL OF FAME Sophie and Josie. Former Georgia Southern star Adrian Peterson added another honor to his already sparkling résumé when he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame at the 60th National Football TRYOUTS NAMED FOR Foundation Annual Awards Dinner Dec. 5 at the landmark Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. EDWIN JACKSON Peterson’s No. 3 jersey is retired at Georgia Southern and he still Earlier this year, the walk-on tryouts for Georgia Southern stands as the NCAA’s Division I all-time leading rusher with 6,559 football were named in honor of former player and NFL starter yards in regular-season contests. The Alachua, Florida, native Edwin Jackson. Jackson was killed on Feb. 4, along with Uber was the first sophomore to win the Walter Payton Award, given driver Jeffrey Monroe, when they were struck along the side of to the top player in the FCS. Interstate 70 in Indiana by a suspected drunken driver. “What an amazing honor to be recognized for such a prestigious “In memory of Edwin Jackson, we wanted to take the first award,” Peterson said. “I am grateful for the chance to represent step in honoring him by naming our walk-on tryouts after him,” my hometown of Alachua, Florida, and my parents, Porter and Georgia Southern head coach Chad Lunsford said. “Edwin went Reatha Peterson, who set me up for success from the very start. down the hardest path possible here at Southern to earn some Thank you, Georgia Southern University, for the opportunity to unbelievable results. He went from a walk-on tryout participant, further my education and receive a college degree while to a spot on the team, to playing time, to a starter and leader and playing the game of football. Lastly, sincere thanks to finally, a captain and Sun Belt champion.” the committee for considering me worthy and allowing Jackson was a star athlete at Westlake High School in me to join such an elite class of men.” Atlanta and earned his spot on the Georgia Southern roster his The class, which includes Peyton Manning, Marshall freshman year as walk-on. He lead the team in tackles Faulk, Steve Spurrier and more, will be permanently his final two years, and was named First-Team enshrined at the new College Football Hall of Fame All-Sun Belt his senior season. In 48 career games, in Atlanta. Jackson tallied 218 tackles. This spring Peterson was named director He went unselected in the 2015 of student-athlete development, serving as NFL Draft, but was picked up by the a mentor to the current Eagles players and Indianapolis Colts, won a spot on the updating the coaching staff about the athlete’s roster for the 2016 season, was academic progress. He will also help with on- a starting inside linebacker for campus recruiting. the last half of the season, finishing the year with 66 tackles. 44 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 2018 SCHEDULE
[email protected] / 1 (800)GSU-WINS All sales are final; no refunds, no exchanges. Times, dates and locations are subject to change. ATHLETICS
MEN’S BASKETBALL POSTS ANOTHER 20-WIN SEASON
The men’s basketball squad opened up its 2017-18 season in a big way, topping Wake Forest 85-83 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Ike Smith’s 3-pointer from the corner tied the game with 59.6 seconds left and then the junior calmly sank two free throws for the lead with 3.6 seconds to go. It was the Eagles’ first win over an ACC opponent since an 83-78 victory at Virginia Tech in 2013. The team went on to win 20 games on the year and placed third in the Sun Belt Regular season standings. Georgia Southern guard Tookie Brown was named first-team All-Sun Belt for the third consecutive season. He becomes the first Eagle to accomplish the feat in Georgia Southern history.
WOMEN’S RIFLE SCORES WELL IN SEASON WRAP-UP
The women’s rifle team closed out its 2017-18 season with an outstanding performance at the 2018 Southern Conference Rifle Championships. Rosemary Kramer scored First-Team All-SoCon honors and the Air Rifle Athlete of the Year award by placing second in the medal round. Courtney Weekley led the league with a 590 in the preliminary round which included a pair of perfect 100 series. Lydia Odlin earned Second Team All-SoCon honors. "The Southern Conference Championships were a huge validation of the hard work the team has been doing,” said first-year head coach Sandra Worman. ”We look forward to applying everything we learned in the coming season."
GOLFER FIRES 60, SETS SCHOOL RECORD
Steven Fisk of the men’s golf team fired a 12-under 60 in the second round at the Warrior Princeville Makai Invitational in Hawaii to become the 13th college golfer to post that magic 60 number. The 60 was a school record as well as a course record.
ELLISON A RHINO
Former Georgia Southern quarterback Kevin Ellison is the season-opening starter for the Milano Rhinos of the Italian Football League. The Rhinos dominated the league in 2016, winning the 2016 title and reaching the 2017 final. He's playing under first-year coach Roberto D'Ambrosio, who was previously a linebacker for the Rhinos. He joins several other Eagles who played professionally this year, including Matt Breida (49ers), Jerick McKinnon (Vikings), J.J. Wilcox (Steelers), Younghoe Koo (Chargers) and Ukeme Eligwe (Chiefs). Edwin Jackson (Colts) spent the season on the injured reserve while Montay Crockett (Jaguars) and Antwione Williams (Vikings) were on the practice squad.
46 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 SAVANNAH’S FIRST FAN FEST
Hundreds of fans attended the first Fan Fest in Savannah last September. Following an Eagles football team practice, the Fan Fest featured inflatable slides for kids, face painting and free swag. Eagle players signed autographs and handed out schedules. President Hebert joined the Georgia Southern band, the cheerleaders and mascots GUS and Freedom. Savannah is the Eagle Nation.
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 47 ALUMNI LEADING THE WAY WITH CARE Nurse Educator Makes a Difference “Nursing is the best profession ever,” As an alumna and professor, Taggart says Helen Taggart, Ph.D., RN, and a sees the consolidation “as an opportunity “Several nursing professor of nursing at Georgia Southern for greater coordination and use of University Armstrong Campus. After 50 resources for faculty, students and years in the nursing field, her devotion is residents of the region.” She notes it was faculty at the as strong as ever for what she calls “the difficult for many to accept the Armstrong most respected of all professions in the Campus move from downtown to the Armstrong and United States.” current Southside campus, but the move Her nursing education began in a was necessary for growth. program at St. Joseph’s Hospital in “Change is inevitable,” she says. Statesboro Savannah. She was a student in the first “It is difficult to erase history. The class at St. Joseph’s to attend nursing administration at this point seems to classes at Armstrong State College. value keeping the name of Armstrong campuses are my “We would walk through downtown Campus. This will help in the transition Savannah from the dormitory on to the new Georgia Southern University. former students.” Habersham Street to the classes at Many of the buildings on the Armstrong Armstrong,” she remembers. Campus retain the names of the people Taggart earned a bachelor’s in nursing who played important roles in the history — Helen Taggart from Armstrong and a Master of Science of the University.” from Georgia Southern in Statesboro. Forty-nine years ago, she married She started her career working in areas Thomas Taggart, an attorney, who is also such as labor and delivery, newborn an Armstrong alumnus. They are generous nursery, pediatrics, orthopedics and in givers to the University and the professor community-based health promotion. In says that support will continue “through those early years, she recalls nurses wore my active participation in teaching, white uniforms, caps, white hosiery and service and scholarship. My support technology barely existed. will include donations to the University “Everything was handwritten,” she Foundation and doing the best that I can in says. “There were no electronic records, teaching students and working with the blood pressure cuffs were manual and rest of the greatly enlarged community.” we sterilized and reused needles and Taggart has seen a lot of technological syringes.” advances in nursing and medicine since She began teaching part time at the starting her professional journey decades suggestion of one of her professors. And ago. The things that haven’t changed for the last 29 years, Taggart’s home are her compassion for others, and her has been on the Armstrong Campus as a commitment to nursing and her students. School of Nursing faculty member. “Recently, my guest lecturer, an “I love the interactions with the Armstrong nursing graduate, described students,” she says. “Being a part of their her current role and the fact is that this move from new student, through the lab role did not exist when she graduated coat ceremony, recognition ceremony, 10 years ago,” says Taggart. “This is an graduation, then work as a registered exciting time for the nursing profession. nurse is very rewarding. It is thrilling to I am delighted to be a part of preparing see our graduates serving as preceptors students for participation in the ever- for students, clinical instructors, nursing changing health care system.” faculty and in the myriad of roles that When asked about retirement, she nurses fill. Several nursing faculty at the laughs and says, “I’m working on it.” Armstrong and Statesboro campuses are — sandra bennett my former students.”
48 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 49 ALUMNI
ALUMNI SNAPSHOT THE DRIVE TO SUCCEED Alumna Reflects on University Connections Ann Levett’s distinguished career “The power to work with others and has come full circle, thanks to her new make a positive difference in the lives job as superintendent of the Savannah- of kids and families. That is what I have Chatham County Public School System enjoyed the most,” she said. “The fact (SCCPSS). It’s where she grew up as that through my daily work I can be a student and where she began her encouraging, create opportunities and teaching career four decades ago. empower people. I think anytime that you “It just seems, somedays, like it was can help people realize their own potential, destined to happen,” Levett said. “As a then that’s what you ought to do.” proud product of the public schools and Levett was the dean of teacher lifelong educator, I have a strong sense education at Macon State College when of knowing what the needs are. I have it consolidated with Middle Georgia connections to the community and a College. In her current position as vested interest in the success of our SCCPSS superintendent, she is hopeful community. By me being in this position, the new Georgia Southern will create I have a view that someone else may not greater opportunities for her students, have who comes from the outside.” teachers and staff. “We enjoyed a good relationship with Armstrong and with Georgia “I was maybe six or seven when Southern and we are looking forward to strengthening that partnership,” I decided to be a teacher.” she said. “Anytime you merge or — Ann Levett consolidate, people will ask ‘what difference is it going to make?’ As a The graduate of Savannah’s Beach person who is concerned about future High School also has strong connections learning opportunities for students, to the newly consolidated Georgia that’s what I am looking for. The plan Southern University. Levett earned sounds promising so I am hoping we a Bachelor of Science in speech and will see those plans and enhancements language pathology from Armstrong, come to fruition.” and a master’s in special education and Levett still cherishes the close a master’s in public administration from relationships she developed with Georgia Southern. Her doctoral degree some of her college classmates. They in educational administration came have stayed in touch and fondly recall from the University of Georgia. The their time on campus, “whether it was superintendent discovered her passion crying over something, celebrating for education at an early age. our achievements, or being irritated by “I was maybe six or seven when I something that didn’t work as well as decided that I wanted to be a teacher,” the we wanted it to work,” said Levett, who alumna said. “I think it’s because I am the attends Eagle football games. “I also oldest in my family and I always enjoyed have reached out to some of my former playing the role of the teacher. I enjoyed professors who are not necessarily on seeing my sisters and brothers learn and I the campus anymore to remind them think that’s what got me going.” of the positive difference they made Levett’s rise up the education ranks in my life. As to Georgia Southern, I has been remarkable. Her many titles still have a little bit of blue running include special education teacher, high through my veins. You can’t go through school principal, deputy superintendent, an institution and be involved in its and higher education positions at Antioch life and not have some affinity for it or University, Yale University School of some feeling about it. An institution is Medicine and Macon State College/Middle an institution. It’s the people that make Georgia State College. a difference.” — sandra bennett
50 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 ALUMNI SNAPSHOT A DESIGN LIFE “This little dream of mine just keeps getting sweeter” —Karli Buxton Karli Buxton leads a busy life. From She had a great time at Georgia designing original jewelry pieces, Southern. One instructor that made to selling to retailers nationwide or an impact was Amy Scarborough, traveling the world on buying trips for Ph.D. She took Buxton and a group of materials, this alumna is indeed hustling. students to New York City for a fashion But her dream, inspired by the fashion study program, exploring all things program at Georgia Southern University, fashion for a week. They toured various paved the way. fashion high spots including designer “I wanted to create a jewelry line studios and even had meetings with focused on bold, one-of-a-kind jewels designers Tommy Hilfiger and Cynthia that could take a plain T-shirt to the next Rowley. “I met some of the best people level,” explained Buxton, a 2011 graduate I know to this day while at Georgia of the Fashion Merchandising and Southern, and will cherish those Apparel Design program. friendships for a lifetime.” Near the end of her studies, she moved For the past two years she has to New York to complete the required participated in New York Fashion Week three-month internship. Buxton worked under the platform, “A Cosmo Life.” That under the tutelage of evening wear and platform includes the movements Fashion bridal gown designer Don O’Neill of THEIA. Against Bullying and Homelessness in “There I gained much-needed knowledge New York City and London. “I am honored BOLD JEWELS in the fashion industry”, said Buxton. to be a part of something that makes a Buxton travels all In 2012, she first sold her jewelry difference in the world,” said Buxton. over the world to buy design collection to a local boutique in Her popularity continues to grow. materials for her unique her hometown of Macon, Georgia. After Vogue India has used her jewelry jewelry designs. her business became known in the social designs in several fashion editorials, and media world, she was contacted by more actresses Shay Mitchell and Vanessa retail stores. Buxton’s retail presence has Hudgens are fans of the line. She has grown to more than 400 stores across the also designed jewelry for Florida Georgia country in a little over five years. Line’s Brian Kelley and his wife Brittney’s Buxton concentrated on selling directly clothing brand, Tribe Kelley. to retailers from the start. “It was very Buxton said “I love that the Karli neat, at the time, to think I could have Buxton line gives me the freedom of my designs sold in retail stores across being able to create a life based on hard the country,” said the alumna. Her minor work and dedication. The challenge of in business helped prepare her for the coming up with new and innovative ideas financial demands of the wholesale keeps it fun. Seeing people love my work designer jewelry trade. is so rewarding.” —liz walker
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 51 ALUMNI
ARMSTRONG ALUMNI AWARDS The Armstrong Campus in Savannah presented its second ever Eminent Alumni Award to Dr. Irving Victor at its Fourth Annual Alumni Awards Gala on Oct. 20, 2017. The Eminent Alumni Award is only presented occasionally and in cases of extraordinary merit. Victor was recognized for his service to Armstrong, to his profession and to the community. He served on the Armstrong College Commission before the school became part of the University System of Georgia. He is a past president of the Armstrong M c CURRY Alumni Association and is a member of Armstrong’s Board of Trustees. He is a retired urologist, who established one of the nation’s first emergency medical systems in Savannah. He has been active with all of Savannah’s hospitals, the United Way, the Savannah Area VICTOR Chamber of Commerce and the Coastal Area Planning and Development Commission. Today, he is a successful restauranteur with Vic’s on the River and, at age 95, he remains active in Savannah’s civic and business communities. The Distinguished Alumni Award for career achievement was presented to Sterling Seacrest executive Cliff McCurry, who attended Armstrong in the late 1960s. The Outstanding Alumni Award for service to the University was presented to HunterMaclean partner Drew Ernst (’74). Thirteen other alumni received the Notable Alumni Award. ERNST
The Georgia Southern University Alumni Association Alumni Awards were featured in the Spring 2017 issue of Georgia Southern magazine. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu/magazine.
52 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 NOTABLE ALUMNI HONOREES Sherry Danello (’79), Vice President of Patient Care Services at St. Joseph’s/ Candler Joseph Ferraro (’93), Senior Manager of Quality Control Services at GAF Materials Corporation Kevin Fitzmaurice (’02), Outdoor Lighting Lead Product Engineer for Southern Company
DANELLO Dorothy Kempson (’00, ’02, ’06, ’14), MASSEY Director of Georgia Southern University Liberty Campus in Hinesville Lamar Kirkley (’75), Advancement Associate and Head Boys Tennis Coach at Savannah Country Day School Ginger Masingill (’68), Retired Educator Daniel Massey (’76), Clerk of Chatham County Superior Court Krista Mincey (’07), Assistant Professor of Public Health at Xavier University of Louisiana Patrick O’Neil (’01), Savannah Market FERRARO FITZMAURICE President for Bank of America MINCEY O'NEIL Pamela Parker (deceased) (’84), formerly Senior Vice President of Ameris Bank David Plaspohl (’77), Product Manager of North America Estate Management for Verifone Henry Precht (’51), Former Country Director of the U.S. Embassy in Iran (1978-1980) Patti Victor (’76), President and CEO of The Matthew Reardon Center for Autism
KEMPSON PARKER
KIRKLEY MASINGILL VICTOR PLASPOHL PRECHT
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 53 ALUMNI
SECOND ANNUAL ALUMNI NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE October 7, 2017 24 PROJECTS ★ ★ 4 STATES ★ ★ Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, California 368 PARTICIPANTS alumni, faculty and students
IN COLLABORATION WITH THE OFFICE OF STUDENT LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT! EAGLE OUTREACH
54 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 David Darden (’80), a state judge in Cobb Brannon Parks (’05, ’07) is serving a County, Georgia, received the Adams one-year term as president of the Georgia Justice Award from the Cobb County Bar Association of School Psychologists. He is Association. a school psychologist at Chattahoochee- Flint RESA. Richard Rogers (’81) has been inducted into the Southeast Emmy Awards Silver Heath Vickers (’06) has joined Circle. He is a news anchor for WRDW- Carr Allison, a civil litigation firm in TV in Augusta, Georgia. The National Jacksonville, Florida. Academy of Television Arts and Sciences established the Silver Circle to recognize Bob Mikell (’07), an attorney in individuals who have at least 25 years of Statesboro, was chosen as one of Georgia experience in the television industry. Trend magazine’s 40 Under 40 for 2017.
Rob Fowler (’82) has been inducted into Joe Tillman (’08) was recognized as the Southeast Emmy Awards Silver Circle. a 2017 Pro to Know award winner by He is the chief meteorologist for WCBD- Supply & Demand Chain Executive TV in Charleston, South Carolina. The magazine. National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences established the Silver Circle to Ashley Norris (’08) has been hired as recognize individuals who have at least branch manager of Ameris Bank’s Rincon, 25 years of experience in the television Georgia, location. industry. Jonathan McCollar (’03) was sworn in Amy Pierce (’08, ’10) was recognized on Jan. 2, 2018, as mayor of Statesboro. Nick Wiley (‘83) has taken a new as the 2016-2017 School Psychologist He is the Georgia city’s first African- position as the chief conservation of the Year by the Georgia Association of American mayor and received 53 officer for Ducks Unlimited, a national School Psychologists. She is the school percent of the vote in the Nov. 7, organization dedicated to conserving psychologist for the Banks County School 2017, election. McCollar is also the North America’s waterfowl habitats. System in Homer, Georgia. assistant director at Georgia Southern Previously, he was the executive University's Liberty Campus. director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Talia Davis (’14) has joined the General Conservation Commission. Commercial Litigation practice group at the Burr & Forman firm in Atlanta. Julie Turner Davis (’84) received the Anna Swenson (‘97), a travel June 2017 Chapter Champion Award consultant, earned distinction as a 2017 Meghan Rosser (’17) was recognized for her contributions to the Georgia Top 25 All Star Travel Agent by Travel as the 2017 Special Education Chapter of the Public Relations Society of Agent magazine. Swenson specializes in Paraprofessional of the Year by the America. The award recognizes members all Disney Destinations. Georgia Council for Exceptional Children. who have gone the extra mile in service The former autism paraprofessional is to the PRSA Georgia Chapter. Lori Joiner (’98, ’10) was named the now a special education teacher. 2017 National Distinguished Middle Level Steve Lawler (’91) was named Principal of the Year by the National Charley Johnson (’17) was chosen president of the North Carolina Hospital Association of Elementary School as one of Georgia Trend magazine’s Association. Principals. She is principal of Risley 40 Under 40 for 2017. He manages Middle School in Brunswick, Georgia. the utilities department of Rayonier Nichole Krieger (‘94) has been Advanced Materials in Jesup, Georgia. appointed executive director of the Demetrius Johnson (‘99) earned the NASCAR Foundation. The Foundation has Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter Donovan Thompson, Ph.D., (‘10) won raised millions of dollars to improve the (CPCU) premier designation. the Early Career Scientist Award at lives of children. AkzoNobel, a global paints and coatings Russ Taulbee (’04) has been named company. The award recognizes Ranee' Bragg (’96) joined the Savannah a principal at the Statesboro insurance outstanding performance of early career firm, Coastal Consulting Management agency Lee, Hill & Johnston Insurors. individuals in the area of research Group, as a senior accountant. excellence.
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 55 SUPPORT
CONSOLIDATED HEARTS Spence and Sheila Hoynes Pay it Forward
Spence and Sheila Hoynes, who have Statistics and Employment and Training Southern and Armstrong through their been married for more than 45 years, Administration. leadership and service, Sheila and Spence are united by a desire to help current At Armstrong, Spence was involved are proud to offer financial support as and future students thrive at Georgia with the Phi Kappa Theta fraternity, the well. Together, they made annual gifts Southern University’s campuses in Armstrong Masquers theater troupe and to both universities for many years, but Statesboro, Savannah and Hinesville. the Student Government Association. He this committed couple wanted to do more. Sheila, a Statesboro native who credits Armstrong with giving him the Ultimately, they chose deferred giving, earned a B.S.Ed. from Georgia Southern tools to succeed in his career long after including their alma maters in their in 1971 and an M.Ed. from Armstrong graduation and has continued to support wills. A planned gift to Georgia Southern State College in 1975, enjoyed a 30-year the university over the years, including will establish the Spence and Sheila career as a beloved first-grade teacher service as president of the Armstrong Garvin Hoynes Endowed Scholarships, in Conyers, Georgia. Over the years, Alumni Association Board of Directors. supporting education majors as well as she served as president of the Georgia “I feel like I was very fortunate to have student-athletes. Southern Alumni Association, a charter the education and the opportunities These dedicated alumni, who have member of the College of Education’s I had at Armstrong,” he says. “My season tickets to Georgia Southern Board of Advisors, a member of the education served me very well. I feel a football and basketball games, were Athletic Foundation Board of Directors responsibility to give back.” thrilled when their son, Jason, graduated and the founder and president of the During Sheila’s tenure as president of from Georgia Southern and hope their Eagle Club in Conyers. the Georgia Southern University Alumni granddaughter, Annabelle, will continue Like a flame, Sheila’s passion Association, Spence drove her to and the family tradition. for Georgia Southern burns bright, from alumni events across Georgia and Sheila and Spence share a powerful undimmed by the passage of time. “The beyond. His devotion to Sheila even commitment to helping students enjoy years I was at Georgia Southern were caught the attention of former Georgia the exceptional education and leadership the best years of my life,” she raves. “I Southern President Bruce Grube, who opportunities they experienced at studied, went to classes and was active named Spence an honorary Georgia Georgia Southern and Armstrong. They in my sorority. I had a great life.” Southern alumnus in 2002 in recognition also know that learning doesn’t stop at A dedicated member of Zeta Tau Alpha of his support. the classroom door. sorority at Georgia Southern, Sheila was “To be able to represent alumni, I went “We want every student to experience “very involved socially on campus,” in to as many events as possible and visited that college is more than an education,” addition to developing her skills as an Eagle Clubs across the region and in says Sheila. “It’s about learning about educator and working at the library. She Washington, D.C.,” Sheila recalls. “President who you are. We want to support fondly remembers her first date with Grube was so impressed by Spence’s students and hope they will want to give Spence, who was a recent graduate of support of me and of Georgia Southern.” back as well.” Armstrong State College, when he took Sheila and Spence, who currently divide For Spence and Sheila, the opportunity her to a Georgia Southern-Armstrong their time between Lake Oconee and to help today’s students succeed is basketball game in Savannah. Savannah, are hopeful that the recent extremely rewarding. They particularly Spence, who completed a B.B.A. consolidation will benefit students. enjoy the opportunity to meet in Management and Marketing at “The important thing is that the scholarship recipients in person and to Armstrong in 1970, retired after students at all three campuses get a learn how scholarships are impacting serving as the assistant commissioner positive academic and social experience their lives and helping to make their of the Georgia Department of Labor in order for the consolidation to be dreams come true. in Atlanta. During his tenure with successful,” Spence explains. “I believe “By supporting Georgia Southern,” the Department of Labor, he served students at the new Georgia Southern Sheila explains, “we’re helping young on several joint federal and state have an exciting future ahead.” people get an education and become committees within the Bureau of Labor In addition to contributing to Georgia tomorrow’s world leaders.”
EVERYONE IS A WINNER Spence Hoynes took Shelia to a Georgia Southern-Armstrong basketball game in Savannah for their first date more than 40 years ago.
56 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 57 SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION NEWS
1906 Society Event
The Georgia Southern University Foundation hosted the annual 1906 Society Event outside under the stars at the Bruce & Kathryn Grube Recreation Activity Center Nov. 3, 2017, honoring the University’s annual supporters. Georgia Southern President Jaimie Hebert, Ph.D., welcomed guests to the event which included Caribbean cuisine
and entertainment by the Swingin’ fiscal accounting period July 1 – June Medallions. 30. These gifts support varying needs Membership into the 1906 Annual on campus ranging from student Giving Society is based on annual gifts scholarships to cultural activities to of $1,200 or more made during the centers and support services.
Foundation Hosts Scholarship Brunch
More than 100 donors and student scholarship recipients gathered the morning of Oct. 14, 2017, for brunch at the Nessmith-Lane Center ballroom. Scholarship donors were invited to meet their recipients and they enjoyed hearing how their gifts have impacted the lives of the students.
Fleming D. Roach Scholarship Donor and Recipients (left to right) student recipient Steven Buckeridge, donor Hal Roach, student recipient Daniel Streetman
58 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 SAVE the DATE
SEPT 24-25 2018 SAVANNAH INTERNATIONAL TRADE & CONVENTION CENTER Engage. Collaborate. Transform.
GeorgiaSouthern.edu/LeadershipSymposium IN MEMORIAM
1930s Melba Huggins Chiles year teaching career Kentucky, and a 1960s Joe Kieve (’66) of (’46) a longtime resident in the Savannah- longtime resident of Newnan, Georgia, died Rebecca Fay Foy Jolane Rawl Guske of Savannah, died Aug. Chatham County area. Alpharetta, Georgia, April 19, 2017. A gifted Smith (’38) of (’63) of Tifton, Georgia, 31, 2017, at age 92. She died July 7, 2017. He woodworker, he taught Statesboro died March Marcia (Punky) Allen died Oct. 19, 2016, in was an educator in the was a player for the industrial arts, and he 8, 2017. The 99-year- Hancock (’58) passed Albany, Georgia. She Wayne County school Professors basketball retired from Delta Air old lifelong resident of May 5, 2017, in hospice had a teaching career system. team at Georgia Lines carpenter shop. Bulloch County was an care. She was a lifelong of more than 25 years, Southern. active member of the 1950s resident of Brunswick, and was awarded Arthur “Lee” Hill Georgia. John Brannen (’50) of Statesboro community. Lyndon Carey (’56) teacher of the year for (‘64) of Toledo, Ohio, Memphis, Tennessee, lost his fight to cancer Julia Miller Trapnell died Jan. 11, 2017, at Clarence Preston Worth County in 1984. died Nov. 16, 2017, at on April 21, 2017. He Kenan (’38) died June his home in Wagener, Sizemore (’59, ’64) Myles Golden (’63) age 88. The Korean War served eight years in 5, 2017, at age 99, in South Carolina. He was of Augusta, Georgia, of Greenville, South veteran was a retiree of the U.S. Air Force and Evans, Georgia. The a retired Aiken County died at his home May Carolina, died Feb. 8, International Harvester later became a high retired elementary Public Schools educator 14, 2017. He was an 2017, of non-Hodgkin Corp., and Mid-America school teacher and school teacher lived in and administrator. educator, coach and lymphoma. He had a the head of a family- International Trucks. coach. Statesboro for 60 years. Sanford Reid (’52) long career with the Ivan owned security, staffing Lowell Dasher (’52) of Randall “Randy” 1940s of Columbus, Georgia, Allen Company and was solutions and janitorial Rincon, Georgia, died at Woods died Feb. 2, 2017, at age the founder of a career (’68) died May Donnie Regan Swain company. his home Nov. 29, 2017. 85. He retired after 34 transition/development 26, 2017, in hospice (’46, ’74) of Metter, The Korean War veteran years as an educator. Albert Murray (’56) of consulting firm. care in Statesboro. He Georgia, died March was a retired Effingham was a veteran of the Hartwell, Georgia, died Carlton Walton (’61) 6, 2017, at age 90, at Kate Purvis Martin County educator. U.S. Air Force, and had May 18, 2017, after a of Vidalia, Georgia, died a hospital in Augusta, (’50) died in Statesboro a private accounting long illness. He was a Allen Webb (‘58) died Feb. 21, 2017. He retired Georgia. She had a 40- Feb. 6, 2017, at age practice in Statesboro teacher at Statesboro Dec. 9, 2017, in hospice after 36 years in public year career in south 90. In 1950, she was for many years. High School for 30 years. care in Statesboro. and private education Georgia public schools selected as the only He was a high school as a coach, teacher and Ronnie Braziel (’67) as a teacher and married May Queen Betty Reagan teacher, furniture principal. of Lawrenceville, guidance counselor. in Georgia Southern Parsons (’51) of maker, builder and a Georgia, passed June history. The retired Vidalia, Georgia, died Paul McClure (’62) of Edna Brockett devoted volunteer with 18, 2017. The Vietnam science teacher was May 19, 2017, following Dahlonega, Georgia, Hinstorff (’40) died Habitat for Humanity. War veteran was a also a gifted seamstress, an extended illness. She died Feb. 28, 2017. April 2, 2017, in Madison, retired engineer for the cook and gardener. retired as an educator Carroll Edwards (’50), He is remembered Wisconsin, at age 97. Georgia Department of in Vidalia. a native of Claxton, for his tenure as an She was a retired middle Eugene Baston (’58) Transportation Georgia, died Feb. 5, English professor at school librarian. of Augusta, Georgia, Martin Vanover 2018, at his home. He John Dekle died Feb. 14, 2017, at (’57) of Augusta, the University of North (’65) of St. Cordelia Elizabeth was 93. The U.S. Navy age 79. The National Georgia, died May 19, Georgia and his love of Simons Island, Georgia, McLemore (’41), a World War II veteran Guard veteran and 2017. During his long bluegrass music. died June 23, 2017, longtime resident of retired from Union in hospice care. He business executive career with Augusta Mary Cantrell Sandy Springs, Georgia, Camp Corporation after was retired from Rich managed and oversaw College, he served as Trusdell (’65) of died May 27, 2017. 30 years of service. Products. the construction the athletic director, Richmond, Virginia, During World War II, she and development of chair of the physical Sarah Ann Jordan died March 26, 2017. Dan Stiles (’68, ‘72), enlisted in the WAVES numerous golf courses. education department Fennell (’57) died An educational of Thomaston, Georgia, (Women Accepted for and coached basketball, Feb. 7, 2018, in her administrator, she was died July 7, 2017 at his Volunteer Emergency Carrie Brannen golf, tennis and cross hometown of Bartow, a recognized expert residence. The veteran Service) of the U.S. Holmes (’54) died at country. He was Georgia. She was a in the treatment of of the U.S. Air Force was Navy. She served age 84 in her home in inducted into the teacher for 37 years in dyslexia and other a teacher for Savannah- as a pilot instructor Brunswick, Georgia, inaugural Peach Belt Georgia public schools. reading disabilities. Chatham County Public at various naval air March 19, 2017. She left Conference Hall of School System for more stations and after the her career in education Ralph Walton (’57, Anne Tootle Browning Fame class in 2016. than 30 years. An avid war had a career as a to become a stay-at- ’72) died Feb. 13, 2018, (’68) died April 15, tennis player, he was a high school teacher. home mother of five Reita Clifton Waters at his home in Orlando, 2017, in hospice care children. (’54) of Millen, Georgia, Florida. During his 51- three-year letterman Ruth Hart Edwards (’46) in Statesboro. She was died June 25, 2017, at year educational career, in tennis at Georgia died July 28, 2017, at age Margaret Hale a retiree of Savannah- Ogeechee Area Hospice. he served as a high Southern. 95, at home in Athens, Parker (’56) died at Chatham County She finished her 43- school science teacher, Barbara Driver Georgia. She spent 34 age 83 on April 20, Public School System year teaching career in principal, headmaster Kennedy (’69) of years as an educator in 2017, in Marietta, and Mental Health Jenkins County. and positions in higher Claxton, Georgia, died the Savannah-Chatham Georgia, after a long Management of Vienna, education including July 22, 2017, at Evans County Public School fight with Type 1 Ralph Spurlock (’57), Virginia. She was also an professor. Memorial Hospital. System. Diabetes. She had a 43- a native of Harlan, artist and musician.
60 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 20182017 IN MEMORIAM
The retired music and care. He served in the Georgia Southern, and First District Regional long career as a staff completing 30 years of English teacher taught U.S. Army during the retired as a manager of Educational Service member for Museum military service. for 35 years in the Korean Conflict, served Georgia state parks. Agency and had his homes in Savannah. James (Jimmy) Georgia towns of Collins, as a high school coach, Ruby Gay Lane (’65) own private practice. Rachel Mitchell Darsey (’71) of Chester was a gifted Jesup and Claxton. and was employed in the of Millen, Georgia, died Archer (’74), a Hinesville, Georgia, musician and writer Margaret Lie-Nielsen agribusiness industry Jan. 19, 2018 at age longtime resident of died Aug. 19, 2017. who produced three CDs (’66) of Broxton, until his retirement. 94, in hospice care in Atlanta, died June 7, An advocate for of his original music. Georgia, died July Charles McDonald Statesboro. She began 2017, in Abingdon, children, he served as 22, 2017, after a (’67) of Gainesville, her teaching career Gloria Strickland Virginia, at age 91. She a high school teacher, courageous battle Georgia, died Nov. 9, after her first year in Pope (’71) of was a retired banker counselor and social with cancer. She was 2017. He served as a college when she was Morganton, North and music teacher. worker. He held issued an emergency Carolina, died Feb. 17, executive positions in a retired teacher and teacher, coach, principal John Collins (’73) teacher certificate due 2017. She was Miss agencies supporting school administrator. and administrator in died May 20, 2017, in to World War II. Georgia Southern 1967. children and was a Frances Bird (’66) the Gainesville City Brisbane, Australia. The . writer with the Coastal died in hospice care School System John “Johnny” Frances Westberry U.S. Air Force veteran Courier. in Statesboro July 29, Richard Lifsey (’62) Shumans (’68) was Reddish (’70) of Jesup, owned Savannah Coffee 2017, after a long battle of Lancaster, South surrounded by family Georgia, passed March Roasters. Broadus Marshall Jr. when he passed away 7, 2017. She was a (’74) of Macon, Georgia, with cancer. She was Carolina, died Nov. Linda Kea (’76, ‘81) of Feb. 9, 2018, at Hospice retired high school died Aug. 28, 2017. a retired mathematics 16, 2017, in hospice Vidalia, Georgia, died in Savannah. He was a English teacher, and He was the owner teacher, having taught care. The Vietnam War hospice care July 7, 2017. retired band director was named Wayne of an independent throughout the U.S. and veteran was an educator She is remembered and music teacher. County High School insurance agency and Europe. and administrator in for her many years of Teacher of the Year. was a volunteer with James Askew (’65) of Georgia and in South Dr. Curtis Hames service as the social Vine-Ingle Little League Columbus, Georgia, died Carolina. Jr. (’68) of Claxton, Carey Rountree (’74) studies teacher and and the Middle Georgia Aug. 7, 2017. He was the Paul Inglett (‘66) of Georgia, died Feb. of Marietta, Georgia, lost leader of the high school Soccer Association. purchasing director for Augusta, Georgia, died 20, 2018, following a his battle with cancer chorus at Montgomery the Muscogee County in the hospital Dec. 9, battle with leukemia. March 21, 2017. He had High School. Ronald Casey (’72) He earned a pharmacy a long career in the of Simpsonville, South School District when he 2017. He was a talented Roy Ammann (’72) degree, medical degree hospitality industry and Carolina, died Sept. 9, retired in 2007. football player, and in of Marietta, Georgia, Sports Illustrated and served as a family retired from the Georgia 2017. After serving in Ronnie Hayslip (’68) 1962, died July 31, 2017. He named him a preseason practice physician for Aquarium in 2016. the U.S. Navy, he spent of Grovetown, Georgia, was a gifted athlete All-American. He was a 30 years. In 2009, he more than 30 years as died Aug. 31, 2017. He William (Bill) and a charter member high school coach in the retired as the chief a business leader in was a teacher, coach Mendoza (’74) died of the Phi Delta Theta Augusta area until his of the medical staff Birmingham, Alabama. and athletic director at March 16, 2017, fraternity chapter at retirement. at Georgia Southern several Georgia high surrounded by family Georgia Southern. Wallace “Rowe” Elizabeth Greene Health Services. Brogdon Jr. schools. He also had a in suburban Atlanta. He Elaine Gowen (’75) of (‘64) passed away Dec. 1970s owned and operated Statesboro passed Oct. career in the insurance Gaughf-Smith (’75, 11, 2017, in hospice care ServiceMaster of 20, 2017, at Ogeechee profession. Lt. Frank Roach (’75) ’90) of Brunswick, in South Georgia. She Roswell for 35 years. Area Hospice. He had Patricia Smoak White of Statesboro died Georgia, died July was a retired educator a long career as an (’64) of Inverness, Feb. 11, 2017, after Ron Marshall (’76, 14, 2017, after a with the Wayne County attorney in Savannah, Florida, died in hospice a brief illness. He ’82) of Atlanta died courageous fight and Long County school Claxton and Statesboro. care Oct. 21, 2017. She was a Vietnam War April 13, 2017, after a against cancer. During systems, and a three- taught school early in veteran and worked brief illness with strep her career, she was a Brooks Sorrier III time recipient of the life, and later touched in law enforcement pneumonia. teacher, instructional (’73, ’77) died at his STAR Teacher Award. with the Statesboro Statesboro home Oct. the lives of young Jean Henderson (’72) technology specialist Donald Adler (‘67) of Police Department 21, 2017. He retired people through her died May 3, 2017, at age and founder of the Eastman, Georgia, died for 27 years until his as a teacher from the work at Step N Time 96 in Half Moon Bay, Brunswick Summer Dec. 14, 2017. He was a retirement in 2010. He Effingham County dance studio. California. The longtime Arts camp. basketball player while was employed as the Board of Education in Judy Murray (’66, ’74, Augusta, Georgia, Col. Donald Hancock at Georgia Southern, certification manager 2011. ’78) of Statesboro died resident had a career as (’74) of Saluda, South and a retired teacher for Georgia Southern Oct. 22, 2017, in hospice a vocational counselor Carolina, died Aug. Vera Vollenweider and coach in the Dodge University police. care. She was a teacher for the state of Georgia. 2, 2017, in hospice (’77) of Hazlehurst, County School System. Steve Chester at Diamond Elementary (’70, Janet Waters Hunton care. The Marine Georgia, died Nov. 28, Ralph Turner (‘60) ’72, ’73) of Statesboro 2017, after a short School at Fort Stewart. (’76) died peacefully Corps member retired of Hiawassee, Georgia, died Feb. 15, 2017, at his as the Commanding illness. She was a Ralph Cook (’61) of May 17, 2017, at died Dec. 15, 2017. He residence. He worked as Officer of theth 4 FSSG Special Education Albany, Georgia, died Hospice House in played baseball for a school psychologist for Forward East in 2005, teacher. Oct. 28, 2017, in hospice Savannah. She had a
GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/MAGAZINE 61 IN MEMORIAM
Albert Hopkins veteran, earning a John Hall (’82) of She was a teacher at Jr. (‘72) died at his Purple Heart and many Charlotte, North Telfair County High Forsyth, Georgia, other commendations. Carolina, died suddenly School in McRae, Georgia, home Dec. 11, 2017. He He later worked in the July 13, 2017. He spent for nearly 30 years. was 72. The Vietnam real estate industry. over 30 years in the Brunetta Bacon- War veteran was an Jamie Patterson (‘76), financial printing Couch (’83) of Durham, ordained minister an educator for more than industry. North Carolina, was and a professional 30 years, died Feb. 23, Randall Hearn (’84) of surrounded by her accountant. 2018. She was a teacher Claxton, Georgia, died family when she died at Cynthia Crane Doyle in the Atlanta area. July 18, 2017, at age home Jan. 12, 2018. (‘74) of Savannah died 1980s 63. He served in the Cinda Ortiz-Robledo Dec. 20, 2017, after U.S. Navy and worked (’86) of Macon, Georgia, battling cancer. She Gaynell Purvis with the Department of Anderson (’89) of passed Jan. 15, 2018. had a long career in the Agriculture. She was a teacher travel industry. Glennville, Georgia, died in hospice care at home Joseph Fouts (’86) in the Henry County Cynthia (Ann) Bell Feb. 26, 2017, at age 78. of Atlanta died July School System. Smith (‘75) of Eastman, She was a retired teacher. 20, 2017, after a 1990s Georgia, died Dec. 25, brief illness. He had a 2017, in hospice care Guy Kirby (’80) career as a restaurant Barbara Bragg Kindle in Anderson, South died of pancreatic manager. (’98) of Rutherfordton, Carolina. She was 64. cancer at his home North Carolina, died in Bakersville, North Stephanie Godwin (’89) Feb. 6, 2017, after Randy Turner (‘75) Carolina, March 17, of Canton, Texas, died a short battle with of Portal, Georgia, 2017. He had a 36-year July 31, 2017, in Dallas. cancer. She had a career died Dec. 27, 2017, in career with Motion She was a consultant as a nurse. hospice care. He retired Industries. to preserve Katy Trail as the assistant director in Dallas and was the James Wynn Jr. (’95) of Bulloch County Kathryn Richardson executive secretary for died in hospice care in Mychael Knight (’02) of Atlanta died Oct. Emergency Medical Jones (’84, ’89, ’92, ’01) Relocation Appraisers and Statesboro on March 17, 2017, at age 39. The fashion designer Service after nearly 42 of Charleston, South Consultants. 29, 2017. He was a self- was a contestant on the reality television Carolina, died April 5, employed electrician years of service. Jane Prince shows, “Project Runway,” and “Project 2017, at age 54. She was and plumber for over Runway All-Stars.” He earned a bachelor’s Monte Tillman (’78) a college professor at The Seckinger (’83) of 40 years. of Pulaski, Georgia, Lake Harding, Alabama, in Georgia Southern’s apparel design Citadel Zucker Family Mary Ida Driggers and merchandising program. In 2017, died Jan. 7, 2018, at a School of Education. died Aug. 4, 2017. She hospital in Augusta. was president and CEO Cowart (’94) died Knight was honored with the College He was the mayor of Claire Kirby Hughes of Goodwill Industries March 29, 2017, at a of Health and Human Sciences Alumni Pulaski and a retired (’82) died of ovarian of the Southern Rivers hospital in Savannah. Award, which recognizes outstanding Candler County Schools cancer at her home and CEO of affiliate She was a retired achievement in his industry.The 39-year- educator and high in Pittsboro, North PowerWorks Industries educator and school old fashion star launched his own clothing school football coach. Carolina, April 25, 2017. headquartered in counselor. and lingerie labels and designed a line of She had a career in custom T-shirts for Starbucks. Columbus, Georgia. Chris Calhoun (’95) of Dr. James Buckler medical sales. (‘71) of Johns Creek, James Parris (’81) Vidalia, Georgia, died Georgia, died Jan. 8, David Olson (’88) of of Greenville, South in a vehicle accident 2017, in Jacksonville. Anthony Lee (’91), 2018. He finished his Statesboro died May Carolina, died at his July 23, 2017. He was During his career, he a lifelong resident of basketball career at 2, 2017, after battling home Nov. 16, 2017. an educator and soccer held positions with Bryan County, Georgia, Georgia Southern as radiation-induced heart He worked in the coach in the Jeff Davis the Cancer Society, the died Dec. 3, 2017. He the seventh-leading disease. He financed his insurance industry and County School System. Georgia Department of owned and operated a Human Services and glass supply company all-time scorer and was way through college in social services for Daniel Bernard restoring vintage the Ritz Carlton. near Savannah. a founding member of many years. (’96, ’99) of Irwin, the Kappa Alpha Order Jaguars and opened Lucille Pace Lee (’84) Pennsylvania, died Donald Moore Jr. Reggie Eakin (’92) Fraternity. He had a University Imports, an passed away Dec. 4, at his residence Sept. (‘90) of Brevard, North died in hospice care dental practice in the import auto repair shop. 2017, at her residence 2, 2017. He was Carolina, died Oct. 16, at his home in Metter, Atlanta area. Robert Kicklighter Jr. in Sylvania, Georgia. She an educator in the 2017. Before retiring Georgia, Feb. 23, 2018.. Terry Welborn Sr. (’86) of Claxton, Georgia, was a retired teacher. Pittsburgh Public to Brevard, he was During his career, he (’70) died Feb. 21, 2018, died June 5, 2017. He School System. the owner of a real worked as a purchasing was employed at Zach Julia Bass (‘84) passed estate development agent and logistics at his home in Folly Gary Cochran (’96) S. Henderson Library away Dec. 17, 2017, in and construction manager, but singing Beach, South Carolina. of Fernandina Beach, at Georgia Southern Helena, Georgia, after company for 37 years in was the joy of his life. He was a Vietnam War Florida, died Sept. 19, University. battling breast cancer. Savannah.
62 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING 2018 IN MEMORIAM 2000s Oct. 20, 2017. She was examined the social Affairs and Enrollment Saul Laskin, a at his Statesboro home an elementary school and racial inequities Management Division, professor emeritus of Oct. 21, 2017. He was a Philip Eyrich (’15) music teacher. that influenced the died in hospice care mechanical engineering member of the Georgia of Statesboro died history of the complex in Statesboro April technology, died at his Southern faculty for 34 March 16, 2017, Kirstie Bailey (‘09) region that he loved 3, 2017. She was the Statesboro home May years until he retired in from automobile of Brunswick, Georgia, deeply. intramural sports 20, 2017. He retired in 2006. accident injuries. He died peacefully Nov. director for Campus 1997, but a few years was employed by 14, 2017. Sarah Fain (’98), Candy Schille, Ph.D., Recreation and before his death, Laskin University Hospital in a valued colleague died Nov. 19, 2017, in Hannah Butsch (‘17) Intramurals for 15 reconnected with Augusta. within Georgia Statesboro. The English from the Atlanta area years. Southern’s Student students from the Class literature professor Ricky Lee Frawley died Dec. 17, 2017, of of 1982. They went out taught at Georgia (’09) of Jesup, Georgia, injuries she sustained to eat, went to Eagle Southern University died June 11, 2017, at in a car accident in San football games and for more than 30 his home following a Diego. walked around campus years. Schille was an short illness. He held Nathan Tingen (’08) together, reminiscing active member of the various jobs over the of Grovetown, Georgia, and visiting the Carruth faculty senate, a writer, years, until finding died Jan. 17, 2018. Building, where all artist and poet who his true passion as a He played tennis at their classes were held loved animals and a nurse. Georgia Southern and 35 years ago. longtime supporter William “Rusty” worked as a registered James Donald Hawk, of the Bulloch County Beasley (’00) of nurse in the intensive Ed.D., died at his Humane Society. Metter, Georgia, died care unit in the Statesboro home Sept. John Karrh, a June 11, 2017, at East Augusta, Georgia, area. 15, 2017. He was a professor emeritus Georgia Regional John Jones (’02) of professor emeritus of civil engineering Medical Center in Marietta, Georgia, and chair emeritus technology, died Dec. 5, Statesboro. He was a died Jan. 30, 2018. He in the Department 2017, in hospice care in teacher and coach at was an Eagle Scout of Educational Statesboro. Toombs County High and was employed Foundations and David Mathew III School. with ParkingSoft in Curriculum at Georgia , a professor emeritus Jessica (Jessi) Norcross, Georgia. Southern. of music and chair Jenkins Pennington Heidi Kirby Akins Lewis Randolph emeritus of the (’03), a lifelong (’10) of Marietta, Selvidge Jr., a Department of Music, resident of Bulloch Georgia, passed away professor emeritus in died at his Statesboro County, Georgia, Feb. 21, 2018. She industrial technology, home Jan. 15. The passed on July 5, returned to college died Sept. 17, 2017, professor composed the 2017. She worked for after raising four in Columbus, Georgia. music for the Georgia her family business children and worked as He was the author of Southern University in Statesboro as a hospitality manager. two textbooks and a alma mater. operations manager master woodworker, and co-owner. EAGLE NATION Avid Eagle football fan, Morris Lee building many Colonial Williamsburg Michael Cole Ebenezer Chinedum Lupton of Greensboro, Georgia, died Feb. reproductions in Dasinger (’15) of Ugorji, Ph.D., of 20, 2018, in Athens, Georgia. The former addition to his own Fortson, Georgia, and Statesboro died March Statesboro resident was instrumental custom designs. This listing is only Scaly Mountain, North 12, 2017. He was a in the drive to revive Georgia Southern’s Georgia Southern Carolina, passed on professor of American football program in 1981. Lupton helped James Pugh, Ph.D., alumni. Future issues Aug. 6, 2017. He was government at Georgia in the recruitment and subsequent hiring a former psychology will have listings for the project manager Southern. of Erk Russell, was active in a caravan professor, died Oct. for a construction tour of south Georgia to drum up support 24, 2017, in Atlanta both Georgia Southern Walter Fraser Jr., a company. for the fledgling program and gave after a long illness. and Armstrong alumni. professor emeritus and considerable time, labor and funds for Lucy Hanks Gabriel Former students may chair emeritus in the site preparation of Paulson Stadium and (’06) of Morven, remember seeing Department of History construction of the Lupton Building in Georgia, died Sept. 13, him walking his two at Georgia Southern, the west end zone. Lupton was inducted 2017, at a hospital in enormous Anatolian died March 24, 2017, into the Georgia Southern Hall of Fame in Valdosta, Georgia. She Shepherds on the after a long battle with 2000 and into the Georgia Sports Hall of was a retired teacher. Statesboro campus. pancreatic cancer. He Fame in Macon, Georgia, in 2016, where Lauren Moran Pike was a scholar of the he and former University President Dale Robert Martin, a (’08) of Smyrna, American South. In Lick were recognized with the Erk Russell professor emeritus in Georgia, died suddenly his books, he often Spirit Award. school psychology, died
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