Fall 2008::Vol.2 No.2

InsideEDGE: 2

GGC students learn first hand how they do business in Europe 4

GGC is slated to break ground on its first on- The 2008 inaugural graduating class of Gwinnett College pose with Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and GGC President Daniel J. Kaufman campus housing this fall 5 First Graduates June proved a monumental month Some 500 people—including stu- for Georgia Gwinnett College, as the dents, family, faculty, staff and ad- Awarded Degrees, institution’s pioneer students gradu- ministrators—attended the inaugural ated during its first commencement commencement ceremony, during Give Back To GGC ceremony, and the college achieved which Cagle urged the graduates to the critical milestone of being granted “fill their lives with a spirit of service.” candidacy towards its all-important The graduating class is comprised accreditation. of traditional-aged students, and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle Georgia Gwinnett College NonProfit Org. addresses graduates at 1000 University Center Lane U.S. Postage “The thousands of graduates who non-traditional adult students: some first commencement Lawrenceville, GA 30043 PAID follow you will be riding on your of whom will be entering the work- Atlanta, GA Address Service Requested Permit 1897 shoulders, so live the life of a leader, force, while others will be pursuing focused not on self, but on others,” Lt. advanced degrees at institutions Gov. Casey Cagle told the 17 students including Harvard University. who made history June 28 as GGC’s “I am very excited and honored to charter graduating class. go out into the world and show peo- As if they anticipated the lt. governor’s ple that GGC is here,” says Andrea words, prior to the graduation ceremony, Ide, a psychology graduate from all 17 either pledged or donated hard- Suwanee, who will be pursuing the earned money to the college’s Founda- master’s of education degree in hu- tion for the future of the University man development and psychology System of Georgia’s newest institution. at Harvard. “Hopefully, I can go Continued on page 3

:: Ca l e n d a r o f Ev e n t s study tour of Belgium, France, Fall :: Groundbreaking for Student European Housing and Switzerland, GGC student Sasha Ruiz says the trip changed Groundbreaking for Library Business Trip her entire outlook on life. “It’s Ground breaking for Student Center Leaves Lasting good to be home, but now I’m more curious than ever about GGC Bookstore Grand Opening Impression On what else is out there. My head GGC’s new Web site unveiled www.ggc.usg.edu is filled with ideas on how I GGC Students can get out and see the rest of September 15 – October 15 :: Hispanic Heritage Month the world as soon as possible.”

October 3-4 :: From Brussels to Paris to Montreux Professor Peppas, the man Gwinnett Great Days of Service to Geneva to Zurich, GGC’s first-ever who made the trip possible October 18 :: study abroad trip offered students an thanks to his remarkable Unveiling of “Grizzlies” Mascot Rock N’ Rib Fest almost “too good to be true” passport international connections, Downtown Lawrenceville to Europe. Led by Business Profes- was the first instructor hired October 25 :: sor Spero Peppas, 14 GGC students at GGC in 2006, and previ- GGC Open House visited the Coca-Cola France head- ously served as a market- November 8 :: quarters, the European Parliament, ing consultant for the GGC Open House the American University of Paris, the United Nations and as a European headquarters of UPS, and professor of marketing at GGC students studied abroad in May, visiting much more. the American College of Belgium, France and Switzerland. Following the 11-day whirlwind Switzerland. Continued on page 2 GGC Fitness Center cardiovascular area with a bank of tele- visions and more than 40 stair-climbers, Fosters Community treadmills and stationery bikes. Students and employees enter the Fit- Ask students on any vibrant college campus ness Center by using their GGC Claw and they’ll tell you that a thriving recreation Cards. The complex features lounge center is one of the key components in a well- seating, a game area with Wii and ping rounded campus environment. pong, three racquetball courts (also used The 37,000-square-foot complex and two for handball, squash, and walleyball) acres of land were purchased by the GGC and the 25-meter pool will open soon. Foundation in January and have undergone Special programming also is offered, an extreme makeover. and features group classes in yoga, kick- “The ability of the Foundation to facili- boxing and water inner tube polo. tate this type of land and facility purchase is “It’s all about offering programming critical to the success of the institution,” GGC the students want,” says Rogers. “It’s Foundation President Gordon A. Harrison their campus and we’re here to serve said. “The Board of Trustees strongly supports them to the best of our ability.” these public-private partnerships.” The exterior of the building has been painted and branded with the college’s contemporary “G” logo, while the interior has new carpet, tile and paint. In addition, the pool has been re-grouted and the pool deck re-laid, new lockers have replaced the old and all weight our community to congregate, meet up with training equipment has been re-upholstered. friends, get a great workout and start adopting The GGC Fitness Center opened May 16 and a healthy lifestyle, if they haven’t already.” “the level of enthusiasm is through the roof,” The Fitness Center houses a large gymna- says Bill Rogers, GGC director of intramural sium surrounded by an upstairs running track, sports and recreation. “Students, faculty, and a huge training area with 55 pieces of free- staff have all embraced the wellness model weight equipment, a strength training area at GGC. The Fitness Center is a place for with guided-path machinery and a spacious

European Business Trip continued from page 1. “It’s a thrill for me to get to help students experience these things,” says Peppas, “I really enjoy showing the students around. Some have never left Georgia before and others definitely have never been out of the country. It’s an eye-opener to get to meet the people they met.” While abroad, students were lectured by the president and the directors of market- ing, communications and nutrition for Coca-Cola France; visited the organization that oversees champagne production in France (Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne); received a presentation on the French fashion industry at the American University in Paris; heard presentations at the headquarters of the International Com- mittee of the Red Cross; engaged in a ques- tion-and-answer session with the head of US affairs of the Swiss Bankers Association, and went to Fribourg to visit the corporate headquarters of Vibro-Meter, leading pro- ducer of vibration detection equipment for the aerospace and aircraft industry. “It was very interesting to see and experi- ence the different cultural and business atti- tudes as we traveled through Europe,” says Ruiz. “Dr. Peppas really pulled out all the GGC students (Above) were stops and it felt like a huge privilege to be privy to the inner workings of meeting with such high profile corporations. Coca-Cola France and they got to I can only imagine how this experience is learn a little about champagne production while in the City of going to benefit me in the future. The entire Lights. The students also toured study abroad experience has been amazing the Grand Place, the central and it’s already changed many of my per- market square, in Brussels (Right). The Grand Place houses the city’s ceptions about the world around us.” town hall and Maison du Roi As if all that wasn’t enough, long-time (the Bread House). couple, Amanda Shadix and Felix Gerster, two of the GGC travelers,were engaged to be married while on the trip! After a romantic dinner, Felix popped the question on a moonlit Parisian night on the banks of the Seine. To see student blogs and photos of the trip, go to www.ggc.usg.edu/study_abroad. GGC: Making a First GGC Graduates continued from page 1 in that effort June 26 when the SACS Com- Name for Itself out and make a name for the college. Someday, mission on Colleges granted GGC candidacy I’ll be able to take my grandkids to the campus status towards its accreditation. Georgia Gwin- and say that I was one of the first students to Candidacy status allows GGC to apply im- nett College is a graduate.” mediately for federal financial aid programs remarkable place A business graduate from Lawrenceville, such as Pell grants and Stafford loans—pro- at this stage of its Daryouch Aziz insists the degree from GGC grams that are used throughout the nation young life. Ever has helped improve the way he does business. to help students and families pay for college. growing, and mov- Aziz owns four Subway restaurants and is The HOPE scholarship and GGC Foundation ing in a myriad of preparing to launch a fifth. grants currently are available to GGC students. directions, one can “The education has helped me run the busi- GGC’s new status allows it to proceed in its envision a mature nesses more efficiently and with a real knowl- pursuit of accreditation with SACS over the institution 20 years edge of what I’m doing,” Aziz says. “GGC is next 18 to 24 months. Its staff and faculty, as down the road. working hard to bring leaders to our commu- a team, are completing the remainder of the nity and society.” documentation required to verify compliance Gordon Harrison, Vice President Unlike colleges for Advancement and universities in with additional SACS requirements. less-than-vibrant Milestone Achieved regions of the nation, GGC will mirror the In an effort to offer even more degrees, aca- success, innovation and diversity of the sur- demic programs, and financial aid opportuni- rounding community. ties, GGC is in the process of seeking accredita- We are fortunate in many ways. First, we are tion from the Southern Association of Colleges located in a county with excellent and vision- and Schools (SACS). It reached a milestone ary leadership. Look around to see exciting growth in the corporate community, even in the midst of an economic downturn. There GGC Graduates — nization of Latin American Students and the could not be a better place to grow than Gwin- GGC Business Students Association—and he’s nett County, Georgia. Next, our campus is In Profile lent his support for virtually all of the others. part of a city that wants us, and is willing to “To me, the most meaningful thing is see- expand its horizons to become the next great Misty Chapman ing new students come in and be inspired by college town in America. Lawrenceville is a Major: Psychology the things GGC is doing,” says Rico. “Being a terrific companion to GGC and both will pros- Hometown: charter student means laying the groundwork per by their relationship. Lawrenceville, GA for clubs and organizations, building the col- Next, we have sustained significant support lege, and giving them something to take and from our elected and appointed officials. From You could call run with in the future.” the Governor to the Legislature to Gwinnett’s Misty Chapman the Rico earned a business-focused associate’s own legislative delegation to county and city picture-perfect GGC degree from Georgia Perimeter College before politicians; all see the advantages to the region student. Early in transferring to GGC for his bachelor’s degree in supporting the college. her studies, Misty’s in business. He will continue his career as a Finally, we are developing a group of fac- picture was taken Systems Support Specialist/Operator at the ulty, staff and community supporters that by a photographer Publix distribution center in Atlanta, and plans believe in the mission and vision of GGC. As whose team was to pursue his master’s degree. President Dan Kaufman says, GGC is in the responsible for mar- business of transforming education. In so do- keting the college. Margie Gill ing, every decision we make has to be aligned Soon, her photo appeared on GGC billboards Major: Psychology not only with the success of our own students; and marketing materials, and she was in- Hometown: but associated with a broader context—our volved with radio and video spots promoting Buford, GA ability to create academic and student success the college. programs that significantly increase the reten- As it turns out, the photographer couldn’t Throughout her tion and graduation of an increasingly diverse have picked a better cheerleader for GGC. studies at GGC, population. Misty’s classroom experience was exceptional Margie Gill The work is demanding and sometimes frus- and more rewarding then she ever imagined. played the role of trating. GGC’s budget is in competition with “I felt more growth after one semester at GGC wife and mother, 34 other institutions of the University System than in any semester or quarter at any of the and continued of Georgia along with hundreds of other state other schools I had attended,” she says. “The working with agencies, technical colleges and other state- people at GGC strive to help you do your best, her family- funded organizations. Likewise for private learn the information and remember it.” operated group dollars; the competition is fierce. GGC must Misty plans to attend graduate school and home, a non- have a sustained inflow of funds from the enter private practice. “I really enjoy learning profit organization that teaches life skills to private sector for us to be successful. As I have about abnormal psychology and all the dif- at-risk youth. often stated, every dollar that goes to GGC is a ferent mental disorders,” she says. “I’d like to Margie says she’s thankful for the ac- dollar that someone else wants. But the sup- be able to help people with their severe prob- commodating professors at GGC, who port is there, and I believe there is an under- lems.” Later in her career, Misty plans to teach went the extra mile to help her graduate standing of the importance of our success. psychology at the college level. on time. “I didn’t want to fall behind,” The multiple areas of growth now present Margie says. “I’ve worked closely with at the college represent seedlings that will Rico Torres staff, and I put that foot forward to show ultimately form the basis of a great institu- Major: Business them that nothing would stop me.” tion. GGC will become the hub of intellectual, Hometown: Margie’s husband and three children cultural, and educational intersection in the Grayson, GA cheered her on as well. “Through it all, county and the northeastern region of Geor- I’ve tried to maintain a certain grade gia. Much needs to be done; however, the path Mention “Rico” on point average,” she says. “My kids is definable, and the work is underway—with the GGC campus, were my motivation. They would say, a little help from our friends. and everybody ‘Mommy, you know we’re here and knows the name. we’ll do whatever it takes.’” That’s because Margie enjoys the ongoing re- Rico Torres helped search associated with her field and spearhead several she hopes to pursue her graduate of the college’s first degree and provide clinical psy- clubs—the Orga- chology from her own offices.

3 Groundbreaking on either – with community showers and pay phones down the hall – this is 21st Century New Buildings to living at its finest. In fact they’re not dorms at all. Each of the resident hall apartments Begin this Fall will house anywhere from 4 to 12 students and include living areas, fully-equipped By this time next year, about 200 Georgia kitchens and one bathroom for every Gwinnett College students will be referring two students, Maurice Blount, director to the campus as “home,” as students from of facilities at GGC said. The resident across the northeast Georgia region move into housing also will include seminar rooms the institution’s first student housing facilities. where students can hold activities – fully These modern dorms are scheduled to be integrating residence life into academic life. completed in August 2009 – just in time for College administra-tors also are planning going to bring more interest to GGC and to next year’s fall semester. to implement addi-tions to the initial 200 the area. The enthusiasm for the college is The college’s plan to break ground in units in subsequent years. Blount said that the overwhelming in our community and as the October and begin building the first of five college will add another 1,500 housing units college grows I believe the fervor surrounding planned residence halls that eventually will and an additional parking deck following the the home of the Grizzlies will grow as well.” house 1000 students in apartment-like “pods” completion of Phase I. In addition to the new housing, construction within the various 3-4 story units. A new The $80 million housing development and on the new 86,000 square-foot library will structured parking deck that will allow for parking deck are part of a public/private begin in October as well, and ultimately 985 vehicles also is in the plans and should be venture in partnership with Place Properties will house more than 180,000 volumes on completed in tandem with the housing, which and groundbreaking on the new facilities its shelves. Completion of the new building is scheduled to be finalized in 2010. should take place later this year. Financing is scheduled for the summer of 2010. Plans “This is yet another significant milestone in for the dorms initially will be provided in are also underway for a new student center, the college’s short history,” Georgia Gwinnett conjunction with the Georgia Gwinnett which will house the college’s dining hall, the College President Daniel J. Kaufman said College Foundation; however ultimately will student government association, and other following the Regents’ board meeting. “The be paid for through lease fees from students. student activities, leadership programs, and students who attend GGC now and our “Georgia Gwinnett College already has student clubs and organizations. Additionally, future students deserve to have affordable proven to be a boon to Gwinnett County,” the building will provide meeting space for on-campus housing, and we are anticipating a Wayne Mason, chairman of the GGC a myriad of student life functions centrally positive reaction to the new residential halls.” Foundation’s real estate committee said. housed in the heart of the Student Center. These aren’t your mom and dad’s dorms “Adding the housing to the property is

B R I E F S After taking all the courses in the business in Decatur; reworked and redesigned the Team GGC Relays For Life core curriculum, students take the Capstone MedShare web site, even translating it from Last spring, dozens of GGC students, faculty, class, which is divided into teams, each of English to French, and from French to Span- and staff participated in The American Cancer which runs a hypothetical company in the ish; and created a 13-minute “walk and talk” Society’s “Relay For Life,” which culminated electronic sensor industry. Each “company” PowerPoint presentation that MedShare will with an overnight extravaganza at the Gwin- develops a corporate vision and mission, share with potential donors and volunteers. nett County Fairgrounds. Members of the major strategic objectives and an implementa- GGC team stayed all night, sold water, and tion plan that they execute. New Food Services Provider Brings Star- contributed in any way they could to ‘swipe They make decisions about wages, benefits, bucks; Proven First-Class Service to GGC out cancer.’ contract negotiations, research and develop- Instead of driving off campus to get their Scores of local organizations—and some ment, plant production and capacity, product daily fix of Starbucks, students, faculty and 15,000 supporters—gathered for the around- price, placement and promotion, and the man- staff at GGC can now simply stroll into their the-clock fundraiser, which featured games, agement and acquisition of financial resources. own GGCity Café for a cup of the world’s food, prizes, entertainment, the memorable Capstone Management Simulation (CapSim) most popular coffee. The entire food services Survivor Walk, a Kids’ Walk, and a candlelight software is used to track how the companies program at GGC was taken over in May by Celebration of Hope. The Gwinnett County perform and assess the student’s work. Sodexo, Inc., one of the world’s leading Relay for Life effort is the largest in the nation, In addition to a formal oral presentation providers of integrated food and facilities raising about $2.5 million each year. to their “Board of Directors,” each team is management services. responsible for delivering a professionally- The GGCity Café offers a variety of drinks, GGC Open Houses a Success bound, 75-80 page strategic analysis about chips, candy bars, crackers, cookies, muffins, Prospective college students who visit GGC their companies, complete with future recom- bagels, croissants, pre-made salads and sand- during its periodic Open House events often mendations. A panel of GGC business profes- wiches, yogurts and fruits, and a sandwich are surprised and inspired by what they find sors reviews the papers and provides assess- line that includes wraps, panini-style sand- at the 205-acre “Campus of Tomorrow.” ments to the students. wiches and a changing variety of items, such Visitors tour the campus, discuss financial as vegetables and grilled burgers. aid and visited booths set up by various stu- GGC Students “Wow” Company Sodexo will provide dining services for all dent clubs, organizations and services. They With Professional Marketing Efforts new food venues opening at GGC, including also hear from GGC President Dr. Daniel J. GGC students are not only learning innovative the new food court in Building A. Scheduled Kaufman, as well as students, faculty and new skill sets in class, they are applying those to open this fall, the food court will feature administrators. Special sessions cover topics abilities in real-life work situations outside of a Quiznos sub sandwich shop, Pete’s Arena about the admission process, extra academic class. In fact, GGC students recently delivered (pizza and pasta) and a yet-to-be-named grille. support, transferring credits and disability an impressive line-up of marketing tools for services. To learn more about the next Open one of the world’s highest-rated U.S. charities, House scheduled for October 25, contact GGC a portfolio that normally would have cost the via email at [email protected] client some $200,000. or by phone at 678.407.5313 or visit Nineteen students in GGC’s Marketing www.ggc.usg.edu/openhouse Promotions class were divided into four task force groups, each of which went to work for Grueling Senior Capstone Has GGC MedShare International, a worldwide not-for- Students Running Companies profit organization that obtains, sorts, pack- The Strategic Management Capstone class, ages, and redistributes medical supplies that taken by all outgoing senior business students are in surplus in the U.S., but in high demand at GGC, made its debut last spring and proved in other countries. to be one of the most grueling yet rewarding The GGC teams created, wrote, and designed experiential learning endeavors ever offered at three new brochures for MedShare; created the college. new signage for MedShare’s headquarters

4 Graduation Gallery

2008 Graduates of GGC Bachelor of Business Bachelor of Science Degree Administration Degree Misty Lynn Chapman* Daryouch Aziz Margie Perry Gill Vlad Cherchezan Andrea Marie Ide Megan Caroline Ehmen* Carrol M. Lewallen Harun Erdem Sharon A. McGregor William Mason Johnson Camelia Perla Motz Amanda Irene Moon Kelli Moore Oglesby Rico Pila Anselmo Torres Randolph Scott Wirth David Adam Underwood Diana P. Wolf*

*cum laude

, two of the GGC travelers

Dr. Kaufman presents Randy Wirth, a psychology major from Grayson, with his diploma.

GGC Student Government Association President William “Billy” Johnson, who graduated with a business degree earlier in the day, presents Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle with a gift from Georgia Gwinnett students. Gov. Cagle gave the keynote address at GGC’s inaugural commencement ceremony.

Dr. Lois Richardson, dean of the school of liberal arts, makes a dash for it as she makes some last minute touches prior to the graduation ceremony.

Rico Torres (r), GGC’s most ardent cheerleader, has students sign a book for President Daniel J. Kaufman. Rico, who lives in Grayson, received a bachelor of business administration degree.

Board of Regents Chairman Richard Tucker addresses Misty Chapman, a psychology major from Lawrenceville, the graduates. dons her cap prior to the graduation ceremonies. Margie Gill, a psychology major from Buford, gets a hug after she received her diploma.

5 The wedding of the daughter of Linda Lane, tor at the Coalition for Faculty Diversity Town Bienniel Conference on Chemical Education at associate professor of history, was nation- Hall Meeting in addition to presenting the Indian University in Bloomington, IN. ally televised on the Style Network’s Whose 2008 Mentoring Legacy Award at the presi- ______Wedding is it Anyway. Dr. Lane also was dential luncheon. The paper, Step-up Leadership designated the 2008 artist-in-residence for the Development for Hispanic Professional with Barry Biddlecomb has moved from the faculty Neighborhood Gallery Arts Center in Decatur. Walkout, was accepted for presentation at the position of associate professor of mathematics Lane’s works are featured in a new book, A National Society of Hispanic MBAs Confer- to an administrative position as the assistant Peek At People Art. ence, career expo and inaugural research director of student success. ______forum in Atlanta. The work is a joint effort of ______Dr. Johnson and Louis Negron, coordinator Nannette Napier, assistant professor of infor- The presentation, Outcomes-Driven Program for Hispanic outreach at Gainesville State. mation technology, has a manuscript accepted Assessment as a Component of Sustainable Additionally, Dr. Johnson has been accepted in Software Process: Improvement and Practice, a Development at an Innovative College, was part to the editorial board of The Business Journal peer-reviewed scholarly journal. The article is of the Best Assessment Processes Symposium of Hispanic Research and he has had a paper titled, Software Process Reengineering: A Model in Atlanta. The program was a joint effort of accepted which will appear in the September and Its Application to an Industrial Case Study, Juliana Lancaster, director of institutional ef- issue of Academy of Management Learning & Ed- and was co-authored with Jonathan Kim and fectiveness and associate professor of psychol- ucation – a publication with an impact ranking Lars Mathiassen of . ogy; Anatoly Kurkovsky, associate profes- of seventh for management titles and second sor of information technology; and Thomas for education journals. Dr. Johnson’s work is ______Mundie, dean of the school of science and titled, It’s more than the five to do’s: Insights on Devi Drexler, dean of student development, technology. diversity education and training from Roosevelt has been elected to serve as the Community ______Thomas, a pioneer and thought leader in the field. College Representative for the NASPA Region Furthermore, he and Ny Mia Tran had their Mike Haun, assistant director of auxiliary ser- III-Georgia Board. As liaison, Drexler’s pri- work, Standing in the Gap to Transform Business vices, will serve on the National Association mary role will be to educate NASPA region Higher Education: Bernie Milano and The PhD of College Auxiliary Services’ membership representatives and board members regarding Project, accepted for publication in The Business committee. community college initiatives and new pro- Journal of Hispanic Research. ______grams and services for students, faculty, staff ______and external members. The Georgia Student Finance Commission Holly Haynes, assistant professor of psychol- ______requested Jared Smith, director of financial ogy, and Douglas Johnson, associate profes- aid, to speak on behalf of Georgia’s financial Atul Saxena, professor of finance, has been sor of management, had their paper, Subtlety aid administrators during the GACollege411 nominated on the International Committee for of Language to (dis) People: A Power Dynamics day at the state capitol. The event promoted the 2008 Innovation in Redefining Business Exploration, accepted for presentation at a the GACollege411 website as a tool for Georgia Horizons [IIRB] Conference occurring in India Conference of the Association of Social and students to plan, apply and pay for college. in December. Behavioral Scientists. ______Dovile Budryte, associate professor of politi- Richard Pennington, assistant professor of Spero Peppas, professor of business adminis- cal science, has prepared final copy for the chemistry, had his presentation accepted at the tration, and Tyler Yu, professor of economics, book, Feminist Conversations: Women, Trauma annual Nebraska Academy of Sciences Confer- had their work, Codes of Ethics: A Comparison of and Empowerment in Post-Transitional Societies, ence in Lincoln, NE. The presentation is titled, the Attitudes of Future Managers in China and the with authors Lisa Vaughn and Natalya Riegg. Jeopardy - College Style. U.S., accepted for publication in Management Budryte’s contribution is titled, From ‘Dirty ______Research News. Laundry’ to Human Rights Concern? Interna- ______Georgia Gwinnett College received a Bronze tional Norms and Gender Violence in Armenia and Leadership Award from Junior Achievement Lithuania. The book will be published in Janu- Charter GGC graduate Misty Chapman has of Georgia for exemplary leadership and sup- ary 2009. Dr. Budryte also recently produced been hired as a psychometrist for the college’s port of Junior Achievement and its economic two interpretative essays on empowerment testing services office. education programs and experiences. The and transitional regimes for the International ______award was accepted on behalf of the college Encyclopedia of Political Science, and he’s been by Cathy Moore, dean of the school of educa- invited to attend a workshop to create a trans- The work of Anatoly Kurkovsky, associ- tion, at the Junior Achievement of Georgia atlantic studies degree within the university ate professor of information technology, and annual meeting of the board and the annual system of Georgia. The event will occur at Val- Thomas Mundie, dean of the school of science partnership awards ceremony. dosta State University in late September. Dr. and technology, was accepted for publication Budryte, also is working on an article titled, by the international peer-reviewed profes- ______sional journal, Journal of Educational Technology The Experience of Trauma and Political Activism: ChongWoo Park, assistant professor of infor- & Society. Their contribution is titled, Simula- A Case Study of Women ‘Agents of Memory’ in mation technology, has published an article in tion Approach to Sustainable Development of an Lithuania, for a special issue of The Journal of Journal of the Association for Information Systems, Innovative Institution of Higher Education. Baltic Studies. The work, which is co-authored which is ranked as one of the top journals in by Ingrida Vegelyte, will appear when the edi- ______the information systems field. The article is tion is published in February 2009. titled, Overcoming the Mum Effect in IT Project ______Jennifer Wunder, assistant professor of Eng- lish, was selected as a University System of Reporting: Impacts of Fault Responsibility and Time Urgency, and was co-authored with Ghi Douglas Johnson, associate professor of man- Georgia 7 Revolutions Faculty Fellow for the Im of and Mark Keil agement, helped create two papers accepted 2008-2009 year. In addition, her book titled, of Georgia State University. Dr. Park also has for presentation at the 2008 Association of Keats, Hermeticism, and the Secret Societies, was been accepted for publication of an article in Social and Behavioral Science Conference in recently published. Dr. Wunder also has had IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management Greensboro, N.C. The works include, her paper titled, Temples of Diversity-Freema- (IEEE-TEM). The article is titled, The Effect of Assessing gender and racial differences to certain sonry and Romanticism, accepted by the North IT Failure Impact and Personal Morality on IT business phrases: Does offensiveness or effective- American Society for the Study of Romanti- Project Reporting Behavior, and was co-authored ness depend on the person? as well as, Stages of cism (NASSR). Wunder was a presenter at the with Mark Keil and Jong Kim of Georgia State change in physical exercise and social support: An 2008 Conference at the University of Toronto. University. integrated socio-psycho-economic approach. He ______also as been asked to serve as discussant of a ______paper session entitled, Individual Differences Deborah Sauder, associate professor of chem- istry, presented a discussion on the design and Michael Gagnon, assistant professor of his- in Perceptions, Attitudes and Behaviors, at the tory, had his workshop proposal, WebCT and Academy of Management 2008 Conference in initial response to the first-year research expe- rience to principle of chemistry students at the the Georgia Legislative Exam; Exploring Assump- Anaheim, Ca. Johnson also served as a facilita- tions and Practices, accepted for a session at

6 the Georgia Association of Historians annual ______Burdick, both of the College of Education at Conference at Fort Valley State University. Arizona State University. The session was titled, Testing the Frontiers in Alan Marks, associate professor for psychol- ______Approaches to the US/Georgia History Legislated ogy, had his poster submission titled, I’m Not Test. Additionally, Dr. Gagnon was chairman As Dumb As I Look: Protecting Self-Esteem by Regina Vella, director of career development of a session titled, Conflicting Views of Southern Devaluing Grades, accepted by the Association and advising, will serve as an advisory board Industrialization, at the Southern Industrializa- for Psychological Science (APS). Marks’ sub- member for Recruit U Magazine, a new local tion Project Conference at Kennesaw State mission was accepted from a “record number publication featured in career centers at more University. of excellent proposals” for the APS annual than 30 colleges and universities in Georgia. ______convention is in Chicago. The board consists of several career directors ______and employers who provide expertise and Kenneth Johnson, associate professor of insight for students on career preparation and anthropology and geography, was invited to Rodney Hill, assistant professor of film, wrote trends relevant to the Atlanta-area submit a paper for publication in honor of the chapter titled, Mapping The Twilight Zone’s job market. Jerald Milanich at the Florida Museum of Cultural and Mythological Terrain, for the book, ______Natural History at the University of Florida. The Essential Science Fiction Television Reader. The paper is titled, Future Research Opportunities He also contributed a book review of the An article with contributions from Marty and Ideas in North Florida for Future Generations work, The Wolf at the Door: Stanley Kubrick, Thomas, assistant professor of mathematics, of Students. History, and the Holocaust, to the spring edition was recently published in Reflective Practice ______of Film Quarterly. Journal. The work titled, Developing reflective ______interviewers and reflexive researchers, was com- A panel proposal from Antiwan Walker, assis- pleted while Thomas was in graduate school tant professor of English, was acceptance, by Jason Mosser, associate professor of English, at the as part of a group the College Language Association. The panel had his proposal titled, Style is the Man: A effort with professor Kathy Roulston. was on the subject, Flip the Script: Reversals of Pedagogical Approach to Norman Mailer’s Liter- ______Prevailing Discourse of Gender, Whiteness and ary Nonfiction, accepted for presentation at the Sexuality in the Fiction of Dorothy West, Ann Pet- Norman Mailer Society Conference in Provinc- Bagie George, assistant professor of biology, ry and Chester Himes. Walker was chairman of etown, Ma. was recently selected as one of the Governors’ the panel at the 68th Annual College Language ______Teaching Fellows. Association Conference in Charleston, S.C. ______Paula Feldman, C. Wallace Martin Professor of ______English, and Louise Fry Scudder, professor of Kim Luong, application developer with IT Tracy Duvall, assistant professor of anthropol- liberal arts, at the University of South Carolina strategic initiatives, will be a session presenter ogy, had his paper titled, Moral Compromises invited Jessica Damian, assistant professor during the University System of Georgia’s in a University Election in Sinaloa, Mexico, ac- of English, to lecture in a graduate seminar Annual Computing Conference at the Rock cepted by the American Ethnological Society titled “Editing the Romantics.” The invitation Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton. and the Society for the Anthropology of North was the result of Damian’s presentation at the ______America (AES/SANA). Duvall presented his British Women’s Conference at the University Tammy Wyatt, web author with GGC public paper at the joint meeting of the AES/SANA of Indiana in Bloomington. Damian was also affairs, will deliver the presentation, The Road Wrightsville, N.C. asked to be a contributor in a scholarly, critical to Redesigning Your Website, during the Univer- ______edition of Helen Maria Williams’ epic poem, “PERU.” sity System of Georgia’s Annual Computing Donna Abrams, assistant professor of sociol- ______Conference at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center in ogy, delivered her paper titled, African Ameri- Eatonton. can Women: Resiliency Strategies They Use While Ellen Rashoon, assistant professor of history, ______Living with HIV/AIDS in Atlanta, Georgia, at is invited to present at the World Congress Cambridge University Press will release a the annual Social Justice Through Education of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem next summer. volume next year that is co-edited by Steven Conference at Clark Atlanta University. Rashoon’s topic titled, The Immaturity of our Platek, associate professor of psychology. The Abrams’ work was also presented at the Asia Policy: Hans J. Morgenthau’s Critique of the work is titled, Foundations in Evolutionary Hawaii International Conference on Social American Cold War in the Far East, is the subject Cognitive Neuroscience. Sciences in Honolulu. of her dissertation. ______

Kristina Watkins-Mormino, assistant profes- Victoria Johnson, dean of the school of busi- sor of French, had her article titled, The Cult ness, had an article titled, Socially Responsible and Its Virgin Sacrifice: Rites of Defloration in and Investing: Attitudes and Behaviors of Mid-Level at The Rocky Horror Picture Show, appear in the Managers, accepted for publication in the book, Reading Rocky Horror: The Rocky Horror International Journal of Business and Society. The Picture Show and Popular Culture. Dr. Watkins- article was co-written by Farhad Ghannadian. Mormino also had her proposal titled, Just Likewise, Dr. Johnson and Linda Brennan a Flesh Wound: Love and Injury in Marie de edited the work, “Computer-Mediated Rela- France’s Guigemar, accepted for inclusion in the tionships and Trust: Managerial and Organiza- 34th annual meeting of the Southeastern Me- tional Effects.” Along with Tyler Yu, professor dieval Association at Saint Louis University. of economics, and Miranda Zhang, associate ______professor of finance, Dr. Johnson contributed the presentation titled, Comparative Analysis of Albert Willner, associate dean of school of Financial Performance of Companies with Female liberal arts, gave a presentation to the Inter- CEOs and Companies without Female CEOs, to national Club of Atlanta on potential national the Business and Economics Society Interna- security challenges from China. The discus- tional Conference in Lugano, Switzerland. sion focused on economic, political, social and ______military change underway and their implica- tions in the region and for the United States. Jennie Stearns, assistant professor of English, In addition, Dr. Willner was a member of a was accepted for a round-table presentation at prestigious panel presentation conducted by the annual Curriculum and Pedagogy Confer- the Center for International Strategy, Technol- ence in Decatur. Stearns co-authored the pa- ogy and Policy. The event featured Dr. Jaush- per, Shopping, resistance, and consumer culture: ieh Joseph Wu, Taiwan representative to the Exploring the ‘big curriculum’ of consumption in United States. Updike’s ‘A&P’, with Jennifer Sandlin and Jake

7 First Orientation for Fall Semester. On Jul. 1, the College held its first orientation session for new students entering GGC in the fall. During orientation, faculty members lead students through the advisement and registration pro- cess. By the end of the day, newly admitted students have GGC Students Visit Local Restaurant as Part of Class. Students from GGC’s Summer 2008 English 1102 course, “Travelers their course schedules for the semester. and Tourists in the Caribbean Basin,” recently visited a local Caribbean restaurant in Gwinnett County. The students and Assistant Professor of English Jessica Damián held a lively discussion of Jamaica Kincaid’s A Small Place.

Students Volunteer at Habitat for Humanity: GGC student Lisa Liuzzi paints a Habitat for Humanity house in Snellville. On Jun. 7, four students from GGC’s Habitat for Humanity club helped build a house in Snellville for Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity. The club’s goals are to help those in need in the local greater Atlanta community and to inspire students at Georgia Gwinnett College to be contributing citizens and community leaders. India Jones (left) assists Subreen Mehdi (right) and Fatima Syed check out at the new Georgia Gwinnett College Barnes & Noble bookstore.

LeadingEDGE Fall 2008 :: Vol.2 No.2

1000 University Center Lane Lawrenceville, GA 30043 678.407.5000 www.ggc.usg.edu Email: [email protected]

Vice President of Advancement: Gordon Harrison Director of Public Affairs: Jennifer Stephens Assistant Director for Media & Publications: Merri Brantley Assistant Director for Marketing & Communications: Demetrios Lambros Director of Development: Lori Buckheister We Value Your Input Send your ideas and comments on Leading Edge, GGC’s official newsletter, to [email protected] or call Merri Brantley at 678.407.5660.

If you would like to be removed from this mailing list, please email your request to [email protected] or call 678.407.5549.

If you would like to know more about how to contribute to Georgia Gwinnett College, contact Lori Buckheister at [email protected] or call 678.407.5588.

Editor: Merri Brantley Contributing Writers: Jeff Corbin, Gordon Harrison, Creston Mapes Photography: Demetrios Lambros, Anthony Stalcup Graphic Design: Mark Baran College Receives Candidacy Status from SACS. Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Stas Preczewski looks on as President Daniel J. Kaufman receives Editorial and creative services provided by the Georgia Gwinnett College Office the call notifying GGC that it has been granted Candidacy status. of Public Affairs.

Georgia Gwinnett College is a candidate for accreditation with the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404.679.4501 for questions about the status of Georgia Gwinnett College.

8