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Issue 5: March 2023

Features

Lady Canes win PBC Tournament, end season in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

GSW's women's basketball team finished a record-breaking season in March. On March 4, the Lady Canes won their first-ever Peach Belt Conference Tournament title at home. They defeated Young Harris to earn the PBC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The Lady Canes traveled to Salisbury, N.C. to compete in the NCAA Tournament, where they advanced to the third round - known as the Sweet 16. They ultimately fell to #1 seed Catawba College on March 13, ending the season with a 26-7 record in PBC play.

Ava Jones and Kayla Langley were named to the Southeast Regional All-Tournament Team, and Jones was also named to the NCAA Division II Conference Commissioners Association All-Southeast Region 2nd Team.

Read more about the team's PBC win here and their NCAA Tournament run here.

Lady Canes pose with their PBC Tournament trophy

MarkLaughlin1.jpgMark Laughlin named dean of GSW College of Arts and Sciences

Mark Laughlin, D.M.A., has been named dean of the College of Arts and Sciences after serving as interim dean since July 2022. Laughlin’s new role is effective immediately.

“I am honored to have the privilege of serving as the next Dean of GSW’s College of Arts and Sciences,” said Laughlin. “I look forward to continuing my work with all institution and community stakeholders to expand our interdisciplinary collaborations, and support our continued experiential learning and career-ready opportunities throughout the region. Together, we will strive to inspire the next generation of critical thinkers, problem-solvers, and leaders who will shape our community and the world for the better.”

As a member of the GSW faculty since August 2008, Laughlin previously served as a professor of music, chair of the Department of Music, Communication, and Emerging Media, and most recently interim associate dean for the College of Arts and Sciences.

Read more about Laughlin and his new role here.

Dr. Jill DrakeGeorgia Southwestern names interim provost Dr. Jill Drake

As the search for provost and vice president of Academic Affairs (VPAA) at Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) proceeds, Jill Drake, Ed.D., has been named interim and will begin on April 3.

Drake currently serves as the associate vice president for Academic Affairs at the University of West Georgia (UWG) in Carrollton and will serve in the interim in an agreement between the two institutions.

“We look forward to welcoming Dr. Drake to GSW’s campus,” said GSW President Neal Weaver, Ph.D. “Her leadership and perspective will be valued during this interim period.”

Drake has 23 years of experience in higher education with ten years in both public and private educational settings. She holds faculty rank at UWG as a tenured, full professor in the College of Education. She received her Doctorate of Education from the University of Georgia in 1999. She also holds an Education Specialist degree, a Master of Science degree, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Florida State University.

Read more about Dr. Drake here.


News

GSW celebrates donors, scholarship recipients at annual luncheon

GSW scholarship recipients mingled and shared a meal with their benefactors at the 14th Annual Donor-Scholar Luncheon on Thursday, March 9, 2023.

Sponsored by Georgia Southwestern and the GSW Foundation, the event honored both groups for their commitment and support of GSW. Over 120 donors, scholars, and faculty and staff members were in attendance for the luncheon held in the Private Dining Room of the Thomas O. Marshall Jr. Pavilion.

The featured student speakers included Tylah Kalukango, a junior middle grades education major from Atlanta, Ga. and recipient of the Mary Dupree Education Scholarship; Henderson Hurdle, a sophomore pre-nursing major from Macon, Ga. and recipient of the Shannon Knopes Scholarship, Dr. Charles L. Mix Memorial Fund Scholarship, and the Pope Fellows & Caregiving Scholarship; and Colby Gordon, a senior accounting major from Gray, Ga. and recipient of the Frances B. Jones Scholarship and the James G. Deriso Scholarship.

Read more about the Luncheon here and find more photos here.

Logan Collins presents Stephen Snyder with a check in front of Gas N' GoPerry Brother’s Oil Co. partners with GSW to support student travel, scholarships

Thanks to a recent partnership between Perry Brothers Oil Company, Inc. in Americus and GSW, local college students can worry less about the cost of filling up their gas tanks and the cost of attendance.

Joining efforts with GSW donor Charles Eames of Waycross who provides funding for gas cards for GSW students, Perry Brothers partnered with Georgia Southwestern to match Eames’ efforts and now distributes four Gas N’ Go cards each month rather than the previous two. Students are selected randomly after submitting their names online, and cards range in value from $50 to $100.

“We are grateful for local businesses like Perry Brothers Oil Company who see the value in supporting local college students,” said Stephen Snyder, GSW Foundation Executive Director. “We’re also thankful for their support of student scholarships. Financial barriers are a significant burden for college students – today more than ever.”

Read more about the donation and gas card giveaway here.

GSW students volunteer in tornado-ridden Kentucky on Spring Break

Three different student groups - the President Jimmy Carter Leadership Program, nursing students, and GSW's Baptist Collegiate Ministry - spent their Spring Break volunteering in Mayfield and Ages, KY after an EF4 tornado ripped through their towns in 2021 traveling for 165 miles at one mile wide for three hours.

Read more about each group's trip here.

Students encouraged to complete NSSE survey for chance to win

First-year and senior students are encouraged to complete the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). This is an opportunity for first-year and senior students to share their experiences at GSW. The staff and faculty of GSW want to know about your experiences so that we can make the GSW Experience the best it can be.

Please look for the NSSE message in your Radar email today to take the survey for a chance to win cash vouchers for Cafe Campesino or Tyron Market on campus. If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Dr. Bryan Davis in the Division of Academic Affairs, bryan.davis@gsw.edu.

Students travel to Bulgaria on UNIV 4000 trip

Professor Nellie Iordanova, Ph.D., and Associate Professor Benjamin Meador, Ph.D., led a UNIV 4000 Study Abroad trip to Bulgaria during Spring Break 2023. The trip was originally planned to be to Peru, but due to unanticipated political turmoil there, the trip was rescheduled to Bulgaria. Ten GSW students and one student’s spouse attended the trip, touring Bulgaria for nearly a week. The group visited Sofia—the capital of Bulgaria—Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, Bogomilovo—the home town of Iordanova—and Veliko Tarnovo.

The students were able to immerse themselves in Bulgarian culture and history by visiting numerous museums and historical sites, enjoying a natural mineral hot-water spa, touring and exploring the cities, dining in local restaurants and visiting local shops, and participating in a private village-house traditional meal of homemade Bulgarian dishes.

As the UNIV 4000 class is a service learning class, the students helped clean a local yard and walked through Bogomilovo collecting trash to help the local community. Due to airline delays on the outbound leg, the group had an unexpected overnight layover in Paris and was able to explore the Eiffel Tower area at night. This study abroad trip was highly enjoyed and appreciated by the attending GSW students, leaving them with unforgettable memories, a better understanding and appreciation of other cultures, and a desire to explore more foreign cultures in the future. България; беше по-добре от Париж.

Faculty and staff invited to Spring Health Fair

GSW employees are invited to attend the Faculty & Staff Spring Health Fair on April 4 in the SSC Conference Rooms from 9am to 2pm. Attendees will be able to get flu shots and biometric screenings, including screenings for cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose, triglycerides, and BMI.

Check your GSW email or contact Human Resources for details.

Students visit Georgia State Capitol

Five Mix Scholars from GSW's President Jimmy Carter Leadership Program traveled to the Georgia Capitol on Mar. 21 to visit with legislators and see first-hand how the state legislative process works.

Alex Espitia of Newton, Marlee McArthur of Glennville, Savannah McKleroy of Kathleen, Shaniah Tolbert of Blakely and Jordan Whitening of Stone Mountain, along with GSW President Neal Weaver and GSW Foundation Executive Director Stephen Snyder, had the opportunity to meet with more than half a dozen members from the Georgia House of Representatives and Senate to discuss issues ranging from the state budget, higher education, small business, transportation, and how each piece of legislation effects all parts of the state.

The GSW group was also recognized from the floor of the House of Representatives and had the opportunity to meet legislative delegates from their hometowns.

nursing faculty member dressed as Florence NightingaleSwords develops Gale's Force

Lecturer of Nursing Sandra “Leigh” Swords, BSN, RN, dressed as Florence Nightingale to introduce nursing students to Nightingale in an activity titled Gale's Force of Wisdom and Nursing Knowledge: Integrating the Spirit of Nursing into Undergraduate BSN and ASN Nursing Education (The Nightingale Approach).

"I want to name this activity Gale's Force as a play on the GSW Hurricanes," said Swords. "In a sense, this is Nightingale, the Mother of Nursing, blowing her words of wisdom and knowledge through our nursing program."

"Nightingale championed the world of nursing by focusing on sanitary conditions as she cared for wounded soldiers. It was during the Crimean War that Nightingale gained the famed title, “Lady with the Lamp”. In the year 2023, the efforts of Nightingale remain, and nursing education stands in a unique position to change the trajectory of the nursing profession once again. However, this has to be a group effort. The buy-in will require every nurse and nursing educator to take a look back at where we came from. We cannot move forward without a look into the true spirit of nursing. There is no better way to examine the true spirit of a person than to walk a day in their shoes. Therefore, I came up with the innovative idea to don the garments of Nightingale and make learning an engaging, spirit lead activity where undergraduate BSN and ASN students can discover their true selves and what it means to be a professional nurse. So, the journey begins…"

February gas card winners announced

Thanks to generous donations to the GSW Foundation from Charles Eames and Perry Brothers Oil Co., all currently enrolled GSW students are eligible to win a $100 Gas N' Go gift card each month. The January winners were (pictured L to R) K.J. Daniels, Khyia Gibbs, Kristin Harrell, and Cassidy Ware.

Students can enter the drawing through the link in the Breeze email each month. Winners will be contacted via email by a representative from the GSW Foundation.

students hold their gas cards


Student Recognitions

Izzy MarcotteMarcotte named PBC Softball Player of the Week

GSW's Izzy Marcotte was named PBC Softball Player of the Week for the week of Mar. 6.

Marcotte hit four home runs in five games the previous week as the Hurricanes went 4-1 including a conference sweep. The sophomore first baseman from Wichita, Kansas, hit .462 with a 1.385 slugging percentage and 1.885 OPS. She opened with a 1-for-2 outing against Auburn-Montgomery in game one, 2-for-4 in game two with a home run in the second game and four total RBIs.

In a three-game sweep of Augusta, she hit two home runs in the opener with three RBIs. She homered again in the third game, driving in two more. She scored six runs, drew two walks for a .500 on-base percentage and made no errors in 43 chances at first, helping turn two double plays.

Marcotte is tied for sixth in the PBC in home runs.

Students attend LSAMP conference

Nathaniel English, Elizabeth Taliaferro, and Kenneth Daniels (pictured L to R) attended the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Southwest Georgia Alliance Summit meeting on February 24 and 25, 2023. The LSAMP program supports and encourages minority students to pursue majors and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

At the meeting, the LSAMP scholars met fellow students from other institutions, attended presentations on pathways to success in STEM, and took part in a poster session. During the poster session, Taliaferro presented her research on the behavior of ringlegged earwigs in a poster titled, “Filial Cannibalism: Does Age Influence Parental Decision to Cannibalize?”

students at conference

Rijnaldo EusonEuson earns second PBC Pitcher of the Week award

GSW sophomore Ray Euson has been named the Peach Belt Conference Pitcher of the Week by the league office.

Euson improved to 6-0 on the season as he pitched seven innings with only three hits allowed in a 3-1 win over Georgia College in the second game of the series. The lefty from Haines City, Fla., allowed one earned run and four walks while striking out seven, holding the Bobcats to a .136 batting average. He retired the first six batters he faced in order and also retired the side in order in the seventh. Euson is one of three PBC pitchers leading the conference with a 6-0 record; he also leads the conference in strikeouts, is second in ERA and 10th in innings pitched. Euson has only given up five hits and one run and struck out 18 batters in his last 13 innings on the mound and has been a reliable pitcher for the Hurricanes this season. It's his second PBC Pitcher of the Week award in 2023. He was named PBC POTW on February 21. 

This is Euson's second PBC Pitcher of the Week title this season.

Read more here.

Savana BradfordBradford named PBC Softball Pitcher of the Week

GSW's Savana Bradford was named PBC Softball Pitcher of the Week for the week of Mar. 13.

Bradford picked up two of the three GSW wins in a conference sweep of Flagler over the previous weekend. The sophomore from Colquitt, Ga., pitched eight total innings, allowing a grand total of two hits and no runs. She walked three and struck out seven. She entered the first game in the second inning with the bases loaded and no outs. She retired eight of the first nine batters she faced to get the win. She entered the second game to start the fourth inning with the score tied at two. After allowing a single, she retired nine in a row before another single in the seventh as GSW won 3-2.

Bradford's nine wins are the most in the PBC and she is fourth in strikeouts and fifth in ERA and opponent batting average. This is her second Softball Pitcher of the Week recognition this season.

Five students inducted into Upsilon Pi Epsilon

The Eta Chapter of Upsilon Pi Epsilon (UPE) held their 19th initiation ceremony Mar. 22, 2023 in the Wheatley Administration Building Rotunda. Five new members were inducted. They are (picture below L to R) Kamal Floyd, Jackson Carlstrom, Binita Patel, Cameron Porter, and Michael Andrew Ellis. Following the ceremony, a reception was held in honor of the new members and the current and past members who were in attendance.

To be eligible for membership in UPE, undergraduate students must rank in the upper 35% of their class, have a minimum GPA of a 3.0, and have completed at least 45 semester hours including 15 semester hours in the basic courses in the Computing and Information Disciplines. Graduate students must be in the upper 35% of their class, have a minimum GPA of a 3.5, and have completed at least half of their required course work in the degree program. UPE is the first and only, existing international honor society in the Computing and Information Disciplines.

The Eta Chapter was founded Fall semester 2001. Senior Lecturer Karen Cook, Ed.D., is the founding faculty advisor.

students are inducted into honor society

Katelyn WoodWood named PBC Softball Player of the Week

GSW's Katelyn Wood was named PBC Softball Player of the Week for the week of Mar. 27.

Wood led the Hurricanes to a perfect 5-0 week, hitting .667 with five doubles, a home run and 10 RBIs. the third baseman from Tallahassee, Fla., hit .800 in a three-game sweep of Young Harris, going 3-for-3 in the second game with a double, a home run and three RBIs. She had three more RBIs in the third game with two more doubles.

For the week, she had a 1.200 slugging percentage, a .688 on-base percentage, scored five runs and had no errors in six chances a third base. Wood is currently ranked third in the PBC in total hits and RBIs, tied for second in doubles, fourth in slugging and sixth in batting average.

This is her second career PBC POTW award. She previously earned the honor March 21, 2022.


Presentations

Robins and Bragg present at University of Alabama War Memorials Conference

On Feb. 23-25, 2023, Professor and Chair of the Department of History and Political Science Glenn Robins, Ph.D., and Associate Professor of History Susan Bragg, Ph.D., participated in the inaugural Experiencing War Memorials: Place, Feeling, and Public Memory conference sponsored by the Departments of English, History, and Modern Languages and Classics at the University of Alabama and by the Center for the Study of War and Memory at the University of South Alabama.

Robins presented a paper entitled “The White House as a Vietnam Memorial: Jimmy Carter and the Appropriation of A Rumor of War.” His paper argued that Carter’s facilitated the transfiguration of the Vietnam veteran from victim to an idealized, heroic, and selfless citizen, which contributed to a revisionist view of the war normally subscribed to the Reagan presidency. The presentation was part of Robins’s on-going work on the history of Vietnam veterans.

Bragg presented new research exploring popular circulation of WWI-era “dog stories." Bragg’s paper, “’Our Animal Allies’: Trauma and Great War Memorialization Through Post-WWI Dog Stories,” focuses on a mid-20th century genre of American children’s literature that featured stories of dogs serving alongside American and Allied troops. She argues that the development of these WWI-era dog stories created a language of masculinized sentimental duty that informs continued celebration of war dogs in popular culture to this day. Generous support from GSW's Department of History and Political Science made this research possible.

Mukkavilli presents on high impact practices

Assistant Professor of Computer Science Sai Mukkavilli, Ph.D., presented at the USG Teaching and Learning Conference in Athens, Ga. on Mar. 28. His presentation wad titled "HIPS: High Impact Projects for Students". The focal point of this presentation was about the importance of Project based teaching than traditional textbook teaching to improve the student attention span and success rate.

Sai Mukkavilli at conference

Smith delivers Last Lecture

GSW's Student Government Association hosted the Last Lecture with outgoing Provost Suzanne Smith, Ph.D., on Mar. 22. A great crowd of GSW community members came out for the event, bringing lawn chairs and blankets to hear Smith speak.

SGA hopes to make this an annual event.


Publications

GSW work on TILT published in journal

The journal "Perspectives in Learning" recently published a special topics issue on Transparency in Learning and Teaching (TILT), which featured work GSW had done in the area of TILT in recent years. The special topics issue was co-edited by Associate Professor of Political Science Dr. John LeJeune and Associate Professor of Psychology and Assistant Director of the Office of Experiential Learning Dr. Judy Orton Grissett. The issue featured the implementation of TILT practices by GSW faculty, as well as faculty from fellow USG institution, Middle Georgia College and State University.

GSW faculty (and student) authors and their publications are as follows:

  • Institutionalizing TILT Across a University, Judy O. Grissett
  • Facilitating TILTing as a Faculty Community, Debra Palmer, Carrie Bachhofer, Allen Brown, Alaina Kaus, Michele McKie, and Thelma Sexton
  • Positive Impacts of TILT: Two Professors’ Journeys in Creating More Student-Centered Teacher Education Courses, Michael Crosby and Rebecca Short
  • Making Composition-I Count: “TILT-ing” the Course to Better Aim at Student Learning, Anish Dave
  • Facing the Crises of Higher Education: Reflections on a State University’s Experiment with TILT, John LeJeune and Judy O. Grissett
  • The Impact of Transparent Instructions Upon Academic Confidence and Writing Performance, Ellen Cotter, Kerri Ann Battle, Cedarian Holsendolph, Jonathan Nguyen, and Annabelle P. Smith
  • Can TILT Be Used to Teach Study Tactics? A Case Study in a Biology Classroom, Anne Jacobs
  • A Multiple-Choice Study: The Impact of Transparent Question Design on Student Performance, John LeJeune

Dr. Mary-Ann Winkelmes, Founder and Executive Director of TILT Higher Ed, wrote the introductory article to the special topics issue, "Introduction to Transparency in Learning and Teaching."

Wang advice featured on WalletHub

Associate Professor Qian "Maggie" Wang, Ph.D., was recently featured on the credit and personal finance website WalletHub. Wang's expertise on debt consolidation loans was featured in an “Ask the Experts” column.

Read the full piece here.

Kutzler publishes story on Carters in online journal

Assistant Professor of history Evan Kutzler, Ph.D., published "Three Evenings in Plains" on Mar. 23. In it, Kutzler recounts his first visit to Plains, Ga. and dinner with Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter.


Awards & Grants

Joe-Comeau.JPGComeau elected VP of Southwestern Sociological Association

Associate Professor of Sociology Joseph Comeau, Ph.D., was recently elected Vice President of the Southwestern Sociological Association (SSA). SSA is an affiliate of the Southwestern Social Science Association (SSSA), an interdisciplinary association founded in 1920. Per the SSA Constitution and Bylaws, the office of Vice President is the first step in a four-year progress of service that culminates in being appointed SSA President.

Comeau's involvement with the SSA began as it does for many of its members – as a graduate student. He attended his first SSA meeting and gave his first SSA conference presentation in 2011. Since then, he continued his involvement by presenting papers, chairing sessions, serving as a panelist for “Author Meets Critics” sessions and, along with co-author Cynthia Creedy, was recognized with the SSA Distinguished Paper Award in 2013.

Prior to his nomination and election as Vice President, Comeau served as the Secretary/Treasurer of SSA from 2014 through 2021, and has been an active participant in the association’s annual meetings. As Secretary/Treasurer, he served the association by managing its bank account, disbursing payments for conference and association activities and expenses, preparing and presenting annual budgets and financial reports, recording and preparing official minutes, preparing tax filings, and serving on the Southwestern Social Science Association Budget and Finance Committee. Comeau also oversaw revisions to the SSA Constitution and Bylaws in 2021, to better align the offices of the association with its operational needs.

Chief Lewis presents Officer Barron his awardOfc. Barron named GSW Officer of the Year

Officer Maurice Barron was named GSW Officer of the Year at the 6th Annual Paint the Town Blue Gala on March 18. Barron is pictured here with GSW Director of Public Safety Chief Michael Lewis.

Barron began his career with the state in 1988 as a state Probation Officer in the Waycross Circuit for 8 years. He later served as the Director of Campus Life at South Georgia Technical College for 2.5 years.  Barron spent two years with the Americus Police Department before joining the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) in July 2000. He served 18 years with DJJ, 16 of those years as an administrator. He has been a POST certified Officer for 35 years and a POST certified instructor for 11 years. Barron began working at GSW in June 2018 after retiring from the state of Georgia with 30 years of service. He currently serves as a police officer as well as the training coordinator and evidence custodian.

He has been married to Annita Carter Barron for 26 years. They have two daughters and one granddaughter, with another granddaughter due in May. 

The Gala is hosted each year by The Smarr and Smith Foundation in support of local law enforcement agencies.


Employment Updates

Andrea KrommingaKromminga named Director of Counseling Services

Andrea Kromminga is GSW’s new Director of Counseling and Wellness Services and Licensed Professional Counselor in the Office of Student Health and Counseling Services. Kromminga comes to GSW with over 10 years of experience in mental health and social services. Prior to this role, she served as the Director of Youth and Young Adult Services at Aspire Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities in Albany, Ga. Kromminga gained experience in counseling through a variety of different roles where she has served as a psychometrist, program specialist, program counselor, co-located advocate, mental health and treatment court case manager, and rape crisis advocate.

Kromminga attended Troy State University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She continued in her education at Thomas University where she received her master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and Clinical Mental Health. When asked “What is your Why?” she responded, “My why is for the future generation to be able to strive and make differences in our community. It is imperative we pour into our students as they are a great source of hope for change”.

Surya-Amarachintha.JPGAmarachintha joins Department of Biology

The Department of Biology welcomed Surya Amarachintha, Ph.D., as Assistant Professor and Thomas Distinguished Biology Chair in Fall 2023. His areas of expertise include tissue culture, cell and molecular biology, with a focus on pediatric liver diseases.

Amarachintha received his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences: Cellular and Molecular Biology from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. He comes to GSW from the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center - an international leader in pediatric medicine, research and education.

"We are thrilled to have Dr. Amarachintha join us at GSW," said Chair of Biology Stephanie Harvey, Ph.D. "His expertise in cell and molecular biology is a tremendous asset to our department. We look forward to the valuable contributions he will make to our students, our department, GSW and the scientific community.”

Amarachintha’s research at GSW will focus on understanding the disease mechanic of biliary atresia (BA). It is a rare disease of the liver and bile ducts that occurs in infants in one of 15,000 newborns. At least half of the BA children require liver transplant as infants and those that have surgical intervention to survive infancy, often have progressive hepatic failure that require later transplants. Only through understanding the causes of the disease can researchers identify potential therapeutic targets and develop treatments. To support his research and provide hands-on learning/research opportunities for undergraduate students in the department, Amarachintha has been working to establish a tissue culture lab on campus. This is an expensive undertaking, and he has been working to secure funding through grants for the equipment and supplies. A generous donation by Professor Emeritus William “Hap” Tietjen and his wife Mildred, secured the purchase of a biosafety cabinet – a critical piece of equipment for the lab. Additional funding also comes from the GSW Foundation as part of Thomas Distinguished Biology Chair.

May joins Accounting Services

Emily May joined the Office of Accounting Services on Feb. 20, 2023 as the Grants and Travel Accountant. She graduated from Middle Georgia State College in 2020. Prior to coming to GSW, she was employed at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, Ga. She recently moved to Leesburg, Ga. and is excited about joining the GSW family.

Promotions and Title Changes

Jennifer Wilson-Carter, previously the Human Resources Assistant in the Office of Human Resources, was named Human Resources Specialist in the same office on Mar. 1, 2023.

Morris Smith, previously the Warehouse Supervisor in the Office of Materials Management, was named Materials Management Supervisor in the same office on Mar. 1, 2023.

Amanda Barrett, previously the Payroll Specialist in the Office of Accounting Services, was named Payroll Manager in the same office on Mar. 1, 2023.

Oneil Lewis, previously a Coordinator of Intramural & Outdoor Recreation in the Office of Recreation and Wellness, was named the Software Solutions Management Specialist for the Division of Student Engagement and Success on Mar. 20, 2023.

Retirements
Beth Morris, Buyer in the Office of Purchasing, retired on Mar. 31, 2023.

Farewells

Suzanne Smith, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, left that role on Mar. 24, 2023.

Bunny Byrne, Administrative Assistant in the Department of Psychology and Sociology, left that role on Mar. 31, 2023.

Passings

Brennon Sewell, retired head tennis coach, passed away on Mar. 13, 2023. He retired in June 2022 after 23 seasons. He was the 2001 NAIA Men’s National Coach of the Year, a 4-time conference Coach of the Year and a 2023 GSW Athletics Hall of Fame inductee.

Ora Jane Sawyer, retired Associate Professor Emerita in Business Education, Director of the Career Center and Director of GSW Cooperative Education, passed away on Mar. 24, 2023.


Milestones, Birthdays & Life Events

Whaley family welcomes baby Reid

Morgan Whaley, Administrative Assistant in the College of Education, and her husband Jimmy proudly welcomed a baby boy into the world on Thursday, March 16, 2023. Finley Dean arrived weighing 7 lbs. 7 oz. and 19” long. Congratulations to the Whaley family!


Hurricane Gratitude

Thanks to Dr. John LeJeune, Associate Professor of Political Science, and Dr. Judy Orton Grissett, Associate Professor of Psychology, who edited the latest issue of Perspectives in Learning (Vol: 20, Issue: 1) that includes an article by Dr. Dave. John and Judy provided excellent editorial guidance and were very kind throughout the process of writing and revising the article.

Associate Professor of English Anish Dave, Ph.D.

 



Past Events

GSW alumni cheer on River Dragons

GSW Alumni & Friends always have a great time! The group of 23 met in Columbus for BBQ, Pucks & Chucks sponsored by the Office of Alumni Affairs on February 18 and enjoyed a pre-game dinner at Smoke Bourbon & BBQ on Broadway followed by the River Dragons hockey game at the Columbus Civic Center. The Dragons went on to torch the Delaware Thunder 9-0 in front of a sold-out arena on Military Appreciation Night. Those in attendance included Tim & Kristen Brooks, Richard & Lynn Brown, Mike & Cheryl Fletcher, Allen & Desiree Grimsley, Tom & Leigh McKenzie, Vince & Janie Mooney, Hunter & Leigh Peak, Kearston Roland & Jake Holtzclaw, Bryan Rutland, Rene & Angela Smith, Dave & Kathleen Tucker, and Neil & Tonya Vickers.

alumni hold GSW flag in hockey stands

Nan holds resume workshop

Assistant Professor of Computer Science Satyaki Nan, Ph.D., held a resume workshop for Computer Science and IT students to better prepare them for job opportunities and how to stand out to companies. The presentation covered resume templates, formatting, internships, and additional tools like LeetCode to help students take the next step in their careers.

students attend resume workshop in classroom

students dig for minerals in dirt bankGeology Club visits Hogg Mine

GSW's Geology Club made a field trip on Saturday, Feb. 25 to the Hogg Mine near LaGrange, Ga. to dig for minerals. Students Johanna Nordwall (club president), Danni Thason and Javier Fajardo took the trip along with faculty advisor Samuel Peavy, Ph.D.

It was a rainy but fun day at the mine. The group collected samples of rose quartz, micas, beryl and tourmaline.

The Hogg Mine was discovered in the 1920s and was mined extensively during the Second World War as a source of beryllium used in the manufacture of artillery during the war. Today it is a fun location to hunt for minerals; it is open most Saturdays during the year.

GSW Faculty & Friends perform as part of Chamber Concert Series

The GSW Faculty & Friends Recital took place March 2, 2023 in Jackson Performance Hall as part of the GSW Chamber Concert Series. Current and retired faculty, as well as graduates performed together on the recital, including: Mike Saliba, trumpet (attended GSW 1945-1948); Part-Time Music Instructor Cynthia Richmond, horn; mathematics and music alumnus Mark Watford, piano; Senior Lecturer of Music Alwen Yeung, piano; Professor of Music and Chair of the Department of Music, Communication & Emerging Media Julie Megginson, D.M.A., soprano; retired Professor of Biology and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Kelly McCoy, Ph.D., bagpipes; Lecturer of Music Beau Palmer, tenor; Part-Time Music Instructor Lisa Davis, soprano; Part-Time Music Instructor Fred Bone, lute; music alumnus Lenard Martin, Jr., piano; and Professor of Geology Sam Peavy, Ph.D., guitar.

group of musicians on stage before recital

students here from hospital staffStudents tour Phoebe Putney IS department

Computer Science and Information Technology majors attended a field trip on Mar. 24, 2023 to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Ga. The tour was led by Ross Youngdale, the IS Technical Director at Phoebe Putney Health System. Youngdale is also a member of GSW's College of Business and Computing Advisory Board for the Department of Computing.

The students were given a tour of the hospital system’s data center and the hospitals simulation lab. Following the tour, the students met with several managers from various units within the IS Department to learn how their units work together and what each unit is responsible for. A few of the units included programmers and report writing, analytics, cyber security, help desk, network engineers, hardware techs, and systems administrators. The students were able to share their resumes with the department managers and receive feedback and suggestions.

GSW alumni travel to Italy

A group of 38 GSW alumni and friends enjoyed a trip to Italy, with a spotlight on Tuscany organized by the Office of Alumni Affairs. Twelve took a pre-extension to Rome for four days before reuniting with the rest of the group for a 7-night stay in Montecatini Terme, the famous resort and spa town. From there, the group set out for day trips to Lucca, Pisa, Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, and Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera. While in country, they enjoyed a wine tasting, spent time at a cheese farm, and learned about Tuscan cuisine during a cooking class in which they made homemade pasta and tiramisu. They saw Michelangelo's famous statue of David and the Duomo during their journey to "the Cradle of the Renaissance," and crossed the Devil's Bridge in the Serchio Valley. Everyone arrived home safely with souvenirs, pictures, a multitude of memories and friendships.

alumni in Tuscany

Waffle House representatives mingle with GSW students and facultyIordanova and Theriault host career event with Waffle House

On Mar. 7, 2023, Professor in the Department of Chemistry, Geology & Physics Dr. Nedialka Iordanova and Assistant Professor at the College of Business & Computing Dr. Darrin Theriault hosted representatives from the Waffle House company in the Marshall Student Center Private Dining Room for a career opportunity event.

Three representatives of the Waffle House management crew, including GSW alumna Shanedra Lockett, were in attendance to share career opportunities with GSW students.

The representatives treated the twenty students who attended to a free lunch while answering questions and providing information about management opportunities at the company.


Upcoming Events

Find more events on the GSW academic calendar, on CanesConnect, and on the Community Events webpage.