Library Newsletter Fall 2004

In This Issue:

• From the Director's Desk
• The History of Georgia Southwestern State University - Part IV 
• What's New
• Amy's Book News Corner
• In The Spotlight: Rick Stoddart

In May, the James Earl Carter Library welcomed its new Reference Librarian/Government Information Coordinator, Richard A. (Rick) Stoddart.  By way of introduction, we have included a brief biography of Rick in this issue.  We hope you will stop by and meet Rick.  With his arrival, the Library was able to offer again our for-credit LIBR1000 course, enhanced reference services, and extended hours of opening Sunday - Thursday.

As you may have read, the University System has been hit with large funding cuts. The Library has met this challenge in many ways.  One of the most productive has been our collaborations with other departments and community groups. One of these has been with the Chair of the Fine Arts Department, Dr. Julie Megginson, recipient of a Distinguished Faculty Grant which she used to purchase a large collection of CDs housed at the Circulation Desk.  The CDs may be checked out for in-house use in the 7 study rooms on level 2 donated by the library as listening rooms.  We hope you will drop by and enjoy this new collection.

Another example of our many productive collaborations is the cooperative efforts which mark our Centennial Projects.  GSW's Physical Facilities, Pat Aultman of the National Park Service, and Dr. Chuck Lawson, GSW Assistant Professor of Fine Arts and his students are assisting us in the rehabilitation and enhancement of the Library's President Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter exhibit located on level 2.

Another way, in which the library meets the challenge of reduced resources is through the generosity of its supporters.  This summer we were fortunate to receive through the auspices of Ron Hill (former Director of Development/Alumni Affairs at GSW), the majority of works collected by Dr. Millard E. Agerton and his sister, Agnes E. Agerton. Both were GSW alumni and faculty emeritii and had been very generous to GSW during their lifetimes.  We are delighted that Mr. Hill selected us as the recipients of this fine collection.  Again, my deepest appreciation to all of you for your interest and support.

The years of 1940-1949 brought many changes to Georgia Southwestern College.

Courses in aviation, ballroom dancing, and journalism were added in 1941.  During 1941 tuition costs were $204.00. Out-of-state students were charged an additional $20.00 per quarter. Students were required to earn 5 credit hours per quarter.

During the fall of 1941, five students received the title of "Person of Discriminating Taste in Literature."  Such an award was given to students who "use the library intelligently and who possess commendable library attitudes."

GSW's athletic program included football, speedball, softball, archery, swimming, folk games and tumbling.  Students interested in music could participate in the college orchestra, a male quartet, a twenty-five piece band, a women's glee club, and a men's glee club.

In 1943, the Associate Collegiate Press awarded the "Sou'wester" the highest honor given to a newspaper in its class.

A new driveway at the front of the campus was built to facilitate traffic.

GSW was greatly impacted by World War II. Activities on campus included the Navy V-1 program, a physical fitness course, blood donations, a Victory Book Campaign, War Bond drives and the forming of a National Guard unit. During the war years many men and women left to enter the armed services.  The alumni secretary was kept busy writing letters to alumni in the service and maintaining a scrapbook of news.  A gold star in the service flag of the college represented the bravery and supreme sacrifice of those who had lost their lives.  In 1945, 21 women (no men) graduated from GSW College.

After the war, the campus experienced growth and development.  During 1946, 436 students were enrolled. In 1947, 556 students were enrolled. New faculty were added and the school day did not end until 6:00 p.m.  A five room laboratory-class building was built and apartments for married veterans were erected across the road from the rear of Terrell Hall and Wheatley Hall.  The home economics building was remodeled and the college lake was adapted to boating, fishing and swimming.  In 1948, GSW began to participate in intercollegiate sports.  New clubs on campus were Delta Psi Omega, Dramatic Society Club and Alpha Phi Omega.

Watch for "The 1950's" coming in our Spring 2005 issue.  The information for this article was taken from Macy Bishop Gray's book, Through the Years: A Brief Informal Record of Georgia Southwestern State College 1908-1957. Miss Macy was GSW's librarian from 1931 to 1966 and her book is located in the Rare Books Room of the Library.

Welcome to Webster County, Georgia

Webster County, Georgia, located 22 miles west of Americus, is a county made up of beautiful farmland, hardwoods and creeks. The county was originally named Kinchafoonee County after the Kinchafoonee Creek that flows through it. In 1956, the legislature changed the name to Webster.  The new name honored Daniel Webster, a famous U.S. politician. The first settlement in 1836 was Lannahassee.  In 1851, the residents moved to a nearby location called McIntosh. In 1856, the legislature changed the county seat from McIntosh to Preston. The original Webster County Courthouse burned and the current one was built in 1915. It is located on Hwy. 280 in Preston and is an exquisite example of Neoclassical Revival.

Practically everyone from southwest Georgia and north Florida as well as tourists are familiar with Mom's Kitchen Restaurant in Preston, famous for the good "home cooking" and southern hospitality.

Weston, which is another town in Webster County, was once called Hard Money and there is a  Center Point Community that was once called Gooseberry. Some of the most spectacular stories and legends you will ever hear in your life began in these communities and have been passed down through the generations.

As always, there are the childhood memories of special places such as Fussell's pond in Webster County where at least four generations swam, splashed and sprang off the wooden diving board. There were picnic tables near the pond and more often than not, a basket of sandwiches and fruit appeared around noon.

The History of Webster County (F292.W35 H5) can be found in the Library's Rare Books Room along with many more County History books. Check them out and learn the history of this area. You'll discover some very interesting facts, family histories, mysteries, remedies, funny stories and even some sad stories. All of these play a vital role in the "making of history."

Area history is astonishing - each time a stone is turned, a new path is made.