NEW COMMUNITY 9 ALUMNI 18 GEORGIA 34 ROOM SPOTLIGHT DAY SPRINGSPRING 20152015 THE MAGAZINE FOR GMC ALUMNI AND FRIENDS GMC’S 135TH ANNIVERSARY 4 CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION The magazine for GMC alumni and friends Spring 2015 Georgia Military College Office of College Relations MARK STROM APPOINTED 201 East Greene Street Milledgeville, GA 31061 CHIEF COLLEGE RELATIONS OFFICER Phone: (478) 445-0202 Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell, IV, President of Fax: (478) 445-2867 Georgia Military College, and Mr. Dudley Rowe, Chairman of the Georgia Military College Foundation, are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Mark Strom to the position of Senior Vice Read The Cadence online: President for College Relations and Executive Director of the GMC Foundation effective October 1, 2014. As Senior Vice President and Executive Director, Mr. Strom is responsible for overseeing the various College Relations func- tions, including Development and Advancement, Alumni Relations and Public Affairs, as well as serving as Executive Director of the Foundation. Mark Strom Lieutenant General Caldwell stated he is very excited to have Senior Vice President for College Relations Mr. Strom lead the Office of College Relations. “Mark is exactly Executive Director for Georgia Military College Foundation the right person to be assuming this critical leadership role in our institution. He will take what is a solid foundation and move it to Sally Thrower the next level. His intellect along with his great interpersonal skills Associate Vice President for College Relations and drive will greatly benefit GMC.” Janeen Garpow Mr. Rowe remarked, “The foundation leadership is excited to Director of Public Affairs have Mark as a key member of its team. His knowledge of GMC and his broad experience in the business and related community Marsha Grimes will be a significant asset as we work to align the foundation’s Director of Advancement Services goals with General Caldwell’s Vision 2029.” Earlene Hamilton Mr. Strom says he is excited to be joining an already success- Alumni Development Coordinator ful College Relations team and looks forward to taking on the Denise Wansley challenges of substantially growing the endowment, providing Accountant ever improving outreach to alumni, and raising the awareness of Georgia Military College across the state and beyond. “General Jennifer Jones Caldwell has articulated his Vision 2029, defining what Georgia Advancement Services Analyst Military College will look like at its150 year mark. The Office of Col- Carol Vance lege Relations and the GMC Foundation are strategic partners that, Administrative Assistant FEATURES DEPARTMENTS working together with the institution, will ensure that this vision is Marissa Hughes achieved and that future generations of students will continue to Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations GMC Celebrates 135th Anniversary benefit from the character-based education delivered in our halls.” 4 Campus News ...... 29 Mr. Strom most recently served GMC as Senior Vice President Ravonda Bargeron More than a century of excellence in education for Business Development and Chief Human Resources Officer. Graphic Designer for Public Affairs Athletics ............ 38 6 GMC Board of Trustees Prior to joining GMC in 2008, Mr. Strom served as Vice Presi- 135th anniversary of first meeting Class Notes .......... 42 dent of Human Resources for a multinational aerospace materials firm, based out of the Charlotte, NC, with operations throughout 9 New Community Room Share Your News .... 47 the United States and Europe. He graduated from Clemson Usery Hall room unveiled University in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Sci- Taps ................ Alumni Weekend 2014 47 ence and in 1987 with a Masters of Industrial Education degree in 10 Human Resource Development. Mark and his wife, Julie, reside Alumni Spotlights CHECK OUT OUR NEW URL: in Milledgeville, Georgia with their daughter, Mattison, and son, 18 Walker. Mattison currently attends the GMC Prep School as a 7th Bobby Christine / Liz Jarvis Fabian www.GMC.edu grader and Walker is looking forward to becoming a GMC student The images and information contained herein are the property Stay connected: of Georgia Military College. Unauthorized use of this material President’s Dinner when he enters 6th grade. for commercial or other purposes that are inconsistent with 22 the goals and policies of Georgia Military College is prohibited. 24 Steinway Concert Series GMC ANNIVERSARY GMC ANNIVERSARY For over a century, graduates critical thinking skills. And from have fought in world conflicts in- here, they’re prepared to explore cluding the Spanish-American War, a world of opportunities.” World War I and II, the Korean War, In 1879, a hand full of the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf students enrolled in GMC, most War, the Iraqi War and the Afghani- to pursue either a military path stan Conflict. Many alumni have given the ultimate sacrifice for or agricultural studies. Today, more than 12,000 students attend their country. GMC either online or at one of the nine (soon to be 11) campus For 135 years, students have come to GMC to invest in an locations throughout Georgia to pursue limitless career options. education that inspires, challenges and provides opportunities Caldwell adds, “Here, they’ve discovered an affordable educa- for their future. GMC President, Lieutenant General William B. tion that sharpens their minds, broadens their perspectives and Caldwell, IV, believes the school is unique in that it not only offers strengthens their character. To borrow an inspiring phrase from the a challenging education but also strong character development. students themselves, they know that ‘from GMC, you’re ready to Lt. Gen. Caldwell says, “While here, students are inspired to go anywhere.’” ask questions, then challenged to explore solutions and hone their GMC CELEBRATES ITS 135th ANNIVERSARY Georgia Military College celebrated its 135th Anniversary on October 15, 2014* commemorating more than a century of excellence in education. GMC was established on October 14,1879 by act of the Georgia students. Dr. W. S. Dudley, the school’s first president, guided this General Assembly and was originally called Middle Georgia Mili- class. tary and Agricultural College. In 1900, the name of the school was In 1950, the War Department designated GMC a “Military Junior changed to Georgia Military College. College.” Today, GMC is one of only five United States Military The Old Capitol Building, then as now, is the main college facility Junior Colleges and has been designated by the Georgia General and sits on the highest point within the Milledgeville city limits. In Assembly as “The Military Junior College of Georgia.” 1880, the school’s first session opened with 219 male and female * Celebration was delayed due to inclement weather. 4 The Cadence | SPRING 2015 SPRING 2015 | The Cadence 5 GMC ANNIVERSARY GMC ANNIVERSARY as a trustee. A native of Milledgeville, he is a Reverend Tony Fraley administration possible.” distinguished Vietnam veteran having served in the Member-at-large, For Martinez, it is hard to choose one singular United States Army during the years 1966-1968. Reverend Tony Fraley, brings favorite event that he has been involved with as a board Hogan owns and operates George Hogan & Sons decades of experience in member. He believes the most important accomplish- Logging and Tree Service Company. He is married to community activism and ments have originated from a cumulative effort to Patricia Ann Hogan and together they have five leadership to the board. A bring about growth and change. “In my fourteen years children, thirteen grandchildren, and six great-grand- former GMC student in on the board, there has been an impressive transforma- Rev. Tony Fraley children. Hogan was the first African-American General Studies, he holds a tion of the main campus-the new and modern officer for the Ga State Patrol to work within the Bachelor of Theology from American Theological buildings, the Grant Parade Field, the athletic fields-a Middle Ga area. He served alongside secret service Seminary and is the pastor of Vaughn Chapel Baptist truly amazing makeover,” he said. agents guarding President Jimmy Carter after the Church. Retired from the state of Georgia, he last served as family left the White House and returned to Plains, Ga. Elected in 2013, Fraley is in his first term and sees chief assistant in the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit During his tenure, he has served with four mayors his role on the board as a steward of the school. He District Attorney’s Office. He is a member of the and has witnessed remarkable changes to the main says, “As a trustee, my role is one of a wise steward who Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia. His family campus. “The renovations of the older buildings along is tasked with identifying and recommending includes wife Jeanine and daughter, Mary Beth. with the construction of new facilities has been just opportunities that foster growth and sustainability.” ____________________________________ amazing,” stated Hogan. As a trustee, Fraley’s most memorable event was He says the growth of online programs and the historical penning of the partnership between Georgia Military College Celebrates expansion of campuses across the state has made a GMC and Fort Valley State University. He believes Ken Vance college education accessible to all who desire it. “It is this connection provides another opportunity for local Although he is a 135th Anniversary of First Meeting of the my job, as a trustee, to promote this institution’s assets students to continue their education within the transplant from South and ensure that the public know what an excellent Middle Georgia area. Georgia, member-at-large education can be obtained here,” added Hogan. Fraley has extensive experience in serving the Ken Vance has been a GMC Board of Trustees In addition to running his business and serving as a community in various leadership positions. He is the dedicated citizen of trustee, Hogan is involved in numerous organizations president of the Baldwin County 21st Century Milledgeville for decades.