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GSW marks another record-breaking enrollment with a total of 3,415 students, an 11 percent increase from last year, the highest percentage growth in the University System of Georgia (USG).
“We are extremely proud to lead the entire USG in percentage growth,” said GSW President Neal Weaver, Ph.D. who was recently named one of Georgia’s most influential leaders. “This is a testament to the strategic efforts and hard work of our faculty and staff who are dedicated to recruiting and retaining students. GSW remains focused on serving the evolving needs of our students and the region by offering programs relevant to today’s economy, providing hands-on learning opportunities in these programs, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to be successful and enhancing the overall campus experience.”
Over the last five years, GSW has built enrollment momentum, increasing 15.7 percent during this time, second most in the USG only to Kennesaw State University. Since 2019, GSW has increased freshmen enrollment by 36 percent while also becoming four percent more diverse overall. This growth in enrollment makes GSW one of only eight USG institutions to grow over the last five years.
Read the full story here.
President Neal Weaver, Ph.D., was selected by Georgia Trend magazine as one of Georgia’s 500 Most Influential Leaders, which identifies prominent leaders who have made great strides that positively impact the state and their community.
Weaver was selected as a leader in the education sector for his leadership in growing enrollment and enhancing the overall campus experience in his six years at GSW. At the time of his nomination earlier this year, enrollment had increased over 9 percent, the highest in GSW’s history. When official Fall 2023 enrollment numbers are released, GSW expects it to be another record-breaking year.
“I am humbled and honored to be among so many other great leaders in our state,” said Weaver. “This recognition is a direct reflection of the faculty, staff and students at Georgia Southwestern who strive every day to fulfill our mission of preparing students to be successful.”
Read the full story here.
On Nov. 27, GSW hosted a wreath-laying service to honor the life and legacy of one of our most prestigious alumni, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter ’46.
Hundreds gathered to greet the Carter family motorcade in front of the Rosalynn Carter Health and Human Sciences Complex. GSW President Neal Weaver, Ph.D., and Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers CEO Jennifer Olsen, Ph.D., greeted the family and placed two wreaths at the bronze statue of Mrs. Carter.
Following the ceremony, visitors were able to sign the condolence book for the Carter family.
GSW was also represented on Nov. 29 during the private services in Plains, Ga. GSW's Concert Choir, which includes several students, faculty, and alumni, performed during the celebration of life at Maranatha Baptist Church. Public Safety officers provided
Photos from the wreath-laying ceremony are available on GSW's Facebook page.
Several staff in GSW’s Office of Recruitment and Admissions and Department of First-Year Experience and Student Success attended the annual conference for the Georgia Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (GACRAO).
Director of Recruitment and Admissions Jonathan Scott received the Joe F. Head Professional Development Award, which is presented in recognition of individuals who have demonstrated exceptional efforts in fostering professional development—both for self and colleagues and made outstanding accomplishments in their field.
Assistant Director of Recruitment and Admissions Luke Ellis is now the new President-Elect of GACRAO. He will be shadowing the current President in her duties this term and assisting her in the position. After she has completed her year as President, Ellis is set to become the President of GACRAO for next year's term.
Assistant Director of First-Year Experience and Student Success Courtney Harmon and Academic Resource Coordinator Brittany McKenzie were named Registered Enrollment Professionals. To attain this distinction, participants must attend two annual conference institutes, attend prescribed advance track sessions, and complete prescribed field experiences, GACRAO Institute for Strategic Enrollment Management (GISEM).
Harmon and McKenzie presented at the conference. This presentation, Fostering Engagement in the Campus Community, highlighted the importance of a collaborative approach to student success through intentional programming.
Harmon also presented alongside GSW student Marlee McArthur (pictured in green). Their presentation, Bridging the Gap, provided a student perspective and highlighted the importance of student development, involvement with campus initiatives, and the focus on future career opportunities.
Other GSW conference attendees included CRM and Communication Administrator Erin Andrews; Admissions Counselor Lorelle Carey; Admissions Counselor Abby Morelock, and Admissions Counselor Jacob Peed.
GSW Advancement team attends annual GEAC ConferenceMembers of GSW’s Division of University Advancement attended the 2023 Georgia Education Advancement Council (GEAC) Conference at Lake Lanier, Ga. November 13-15. With over 250 Georgia advancement professionals attending, the conference included track sessions on topics in advancement services, alumni relations, development, and marketing and communication.
Those attending were (pictured L to R) Web Content Strategist Hailey Henderson; Multimedia Coordinator Sydney Scott; Assistant Vice President for University Advancement and Executive Director of the GSW Foundation Stephen Snyder; Director of Marketing and Communications Chelsea Collins; Alumni Engagement Specialist Angela Smith; and Development Officer Hunter Peak (not pictured).
GEAC, Inc is a statewide organization for those at public and private colleges and universities who work in educational advancement including the areas of alumni, development, publications and communication.
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 October winners were (pictured L to R) Taleah Harrell, Logan Stodola, Anabel Griffin, and Temple Williams.
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.
President Weaver releases a podcast episode in NovemberIn November, President Neal Weaver, Ph.D., released one episode of his What's in the Cup? podcast.
Episode 78, released on Nov. 16, freshmen members of the President Jimmy Carter Leadership Program Jeanna Kate Shivers and Tamya Turner. They discussed the annual Toy Drive to benefit CASA and youth in need in the community.
In addition to the Toy Drive, they also covered how GSW has become the fasting growing institution in the USG, Spring Enrollment, and several upcoming events.
The podcast is produced by Technology Services Director Bob Slenker. Click here to subscribe via your favorite podcast platform.
GSW’s Mu Rho chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho was featured in the November edition of the Southeastern Region’s So Sophisticated E-Magazine for the Undergraduate Spotlight. Mu Rho was highlighted for their Women's Wellness Initiative event during their Fall 2023 Service Week. The Women's Wellness Initiative is a national service project for the sorority, which focuses on health issues that impact women, specifically women of color. The goals of this project are to:
Congratulations to Mu Rho for educating the GSW campus community about this service Initiative!
Frederick Wright to intern with Alabama state representativePolitical Science major Frederick Wright recently secured an internship position with the congressional campaign of Jeremy Gray, Alabama state representative. With a passion for civic engagement and a commitment to public service, Frederick is excited for this valuable opportunity to contribute to the political landscape at a grassroots level and gain firsthand experience in the intricate workings of the legislative process and the dynamics of public policy formulation. Through his internship, Frederick aims to deepen his understanding of the intricate nuances of political strategy, community outreach, and the multifaceted challenges of local governance. By collaborating closely with the team at Gray's campaign, he seeks to not only broaden his professional horizons but also make tangible contributions towards fostering positive change within the Alabama community.
The Mu Pi chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International nursing honor society inducted their newest members on Nov. 9. The honor society recognizes student nurses who achieve academic success in the classroom. Sigma strives to foster excellence, scholarship, and leadership in nursing to improve healthcare worldwide.
New inductees will join current members of Mu Pi in helping further the nursing profession by promoting excellence as a standard. Induction to Mu Pi is by invitation only.
Students present in AuburnMatthew Busby and Danny Thason traveled alongside Professor of Biology Anh-Hue Tu, Ph.D., to the Southeastern Branch of the American Society for Microbiology in Auburn, Ala. Matthew presented his and Danny's research on "The Interaction of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus During Biofilm Formation." An abstract of the research is available below.
Their research work and travels were supported by the Elder Grant, the Thomas Chair Fund, and the High Impact Practice Grant at GSW. The research won first place in oral presentations at the GSW Undergraduate Research Symposium this past April.
Staphylococcus aureus, a residential bacterium of the human skin and mucous membranes, is a serious opportunistic pathogen. One factor that contributes to the virulence of S. aureus is the ability to form biofilm. A biofilm is a complex community of microbes encased in a protective matrix that can exist on living and non‐living surfaces. Biofilms are ubiquitousin nature and can negatively impact many industries relating to human health, such as the healthcare and food industry. Previous studies have shown that Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis), a more prevalent and less pathogenic residential bacterium of the human skin, can inhibit biofilm formation by S. aureus. In this study, the results showed that S. aureus biofilm formation is inhibited when S. epidermidis is the initial colonizer. Growth curve data indicated that S. epidermidis grows slower than S. aureus; therefore, if both species are inoculated simultaneously, S. aureus can grow quicker and establish a biofilm before S. epidermidis can have an impact. Studying competitive bacterial interactions, such as that between S. aureus and S. epidermidis, could provide more information about the mechanisms of biofilm formation and ways to disrupt these harmful communities
Following the death of Rosalynn Carter, Professor of Political Science Jason Berggren, Ph.D., published "Rosalynn Carter: A First Lady on the Move" in the Americus Times-Recorder. The article, which is based on a twenty-minute talk Berggren delivered to the Daughters of the American Revolution in Sep. 2023, focuses on Mrs. Carter's role as a political campaigner, particularly from 1961-1981.
Associate Professor Qian "Maggie" Wang, Ph.D., was recently featured on the credit and personal finance website WalletHub. Wang's expertise on insurance companies was featured in an “Ask the Experts” column.
Read the full piece here.
Assistant Professor of Economics Mohammad Dehzooei, Ph.D., has published a report on the recent trends of poverty in Iran. This report is titled "Iran Poverty Diagnostic: Poverty and Shared Prosperity" and is published by The World Bank. Dehzooei's paper reviews welfare outcomes in Iran between 2011 and 2020, with a focus on poverty and shared prosperity. During this period the economy faced intense international sanctions and the COVID-19 pandemic, both of which contributed to almost 10 million people sliding into poverty over one decade.
Chair of the Department of Biology Stephanie Harvey, Ph.D., presented “Plants Used During the Civil War” in two lectures as part of the Andersonville National Historic Site’s Live Weekend – Nov. 4-5. As part of her presentations, Harvey discussed the need for alternative medical treatments due to the blockage. Limited supplies forced doctors to rely on local plants to treat malaria, typhoid, dysentery and pain. Dogwood bark and berries (Cornus florida), for example, were used in place of Cinchona bark (quinine source) from South America. Tisanes brewed from roots and leaves of plants such as blackberry, dandelion, and sassafras were used to treat parasites, stomach ailments, fever and pain. Soldiers and civilians struggled with the lack of other daily “essentials” such as coffee. Numerous attempts were made to find a suitable substitute for coffee beans including roasted acorns, peanuts, okra seed, wheat and some plant roots. Written accounts mostly remark on the extremely poor quality of these substitutes.
Director of Institutional Research Brian Mallett presented Success with SEADS - Feedback is Fundamental for Learning, at the eCampus Faculty Conference on Nov. 3. "Feedback is a gift, a catalyst for change, an input that drives improvement ... a signal that someone cares about our growth."
Amarachintha presents in BostonAssistant Professor of Biology and Thomas Distinguished Biology Chair Surya Amarachintha, Ph.D., presented at The Liver Meeting 2023 in Boston, MA. on Nov. 12, 2023. His area of research is on biliary atresia (BA), a severe inflammatory disease of bile duct cells in children, indicated with loss of bile duct resulting in disrupted bile flow from liver to intestines. This results in accumulation of toxic bile in liver further progressing the disease to liver failure. Using Bioinformatics, biology graduate Mr. Arul Thason has identified bile acid-CoA: amino acid N-acyltransferase (BAAT), an enzyme responsible for production of toxic bile acids is in higher levels in BA patients.
Further his team Elizabeth Taliaferro and Lum Fube hypothesize that activation of YAP1 by toxic bile acids results in stimulation of NOTCH2 and NRAS, potentially via loss of PITX1. His team is currently testing the hypothesis using Liver tissues obtained from healthy donors and BA patients, and cell culture models. His lab's research was selected by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) for poster presentation titled "Transcriptome analysis reveal conjugated bile acid induced ductal proliferation via YAP1 – PITX1 – NRAS axis in biliary atresia".
The Department of Human Resources has launched an Employee of the Month program with the purpose of encouraging recognition of GSW faculty and staff who have significantly benefited the University and made contributions beyond the usual expectations or their employment.
Nominations can be made online each month here.
The October Employees of the Month were:
Laughlin earns back-to-back Global Music Awards honorsDean of the College of Arts and Sciences Mark Laughlin, DMA, received two Outstanding Achievement awards from the 2023 Global Music Awards international competition. The Global Music Awards, established in 2011, is an international music competition that celebrates independent musicians with hundreds of competitors from over 50 countries. He received two silver medals for Outstanding Achievement in classical performance for his albums, Debussy: Images and Arabesques and Franz Schubert: Impromptus and Dances.
He also won Outstanding Achievement in classical performance in 2022 for his albums, Poulenc: Improvisations and Nocturnes and The Music of Enrique Granados. He also received Outstanding Achievement in the classical album category in 2022 for Poulenc: Improvisations and Nocturnes. Laughlin's albums are available on Spotify.
Assistant Professor of Communication Jonathan Carter, Ph.D., was awarded the Top Paper in the American Society for the History of Rhetoric for his paper "Moving Beyond the Agora" at the 2023 National Communication Association Conference.
College of Education faculty Dean Rachel Abbott, Ph.D., Assistant Dean Christopher Pritchett, Ed.D., and Director of Field and Clinical Experiences Amber Ward attended the Chattahoochee-Flint RESA Champions for Education luncheon. During the event, Administrative Assistant to the Dean and Certification Official Yolanda Kendrick was recognized as GSW's Champion for Education.
"The College of Education would like to thank Dr. Jill Drake, Dr. Bryan Davis, Dr. Suzanne Conner, Dr. Jim Aller, Dr. David Jenkins, Dr. John Stovall, Mrs. Amber Stovall, Mrs. Nicki Levering, Dr. Rachael Davis, Dr. Lillie Taylor, and Mrs. Susan Crosby for volunteering to interview teacher candidates for our mock interview process!"
- Amber Ward, Director of Field & Clinical Experiences
“Thank you to everyone who was involved in the planning and execution of Mrs. Carter’s wreath-laying service. We heard from numerous individuals how beautiful the campus looked, how special and intimate the ceremony was, and that you could truly tell our campus community loved and admired Mrs. Carter.
Thank you to Jeff Hall and Stephen Snyder for your leadership; Jenn Smith and Physical Plant for working diligently to get the grounds at Carter I and other areas of campus ready; to Chief Lewis and Public Safety for keeping operations orderly and everyone safe; to Chelsea Collins and the University Relations team for working the press and getting GSW some excellent coverage; to all the interviewees (Dr. Neal Weaver, Dr. Leisa Easom, Dr. Jason Berggren, Dr. Laura Boren, Ashley Carag, Dre’a Singleton, Alex Espitia, Lauren Shepherd, Henderson Hurdle, and Frederick Wright) for representing GSW so well; to Sydney Scott for putting together the multimedia kit of Mrs. Carter; to Mikela Barlow, the Carter Leadership students and other staff who volunteered at the condolence book; and to those who work in Carter I for being flexible when rooms and classes got shifted around.”
Rebecca Miller, Lecturer in the College of Education, and her husband Mark proudly welcomed a baby girl into the world on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. Alina Samantha Miller arrived weighing 5 lbs. 14 oz. and 18” long. She joins big sisters Harper (9) and Emersyn (6). Mom and baby are doing great.
Congratulations to the Miller family!
The College of Education recently hosted its annual mock interview process for traditional and online pathway senior teacher candidates. 24 online teacher candidates participated virtually on Wednesday, Nov. 8, and 50 traditional teacher candidates participated at the Education Center on Friday, Nov. 10. Faculty and staff welcomed 22 volunteers to the Education Center in person and 9 virtual volunteers to conduct these mock interviews with teacher candidates.
Volunteers included GSW colleagues from various departments, partners from Chattahoochee Flint RESA, partners from the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, and business members in the community. This mock interview process was an opportunity for teacher candidates to practice and gain valuable interview skills before upcoming career fairs and interviews with school districts. During the interview process, volunteer interviewers gave feedback to teacher candidates on their resumes, first impressions, professionalism, interview content, interview skills/techniques, etc.
Upon completing mock interviews, a teacher candidate stated, "Today was a great experience. I am walking away with more confidence for future interviews."
GSWANS hosts Externship FairThe GSW Association of Nursing Students (GSWANS) held their annual Student Nurse Externship Fair on Nov. 2. One of the core values of GSWANS is promoting professional and career development.
The Externship Fair serves to help student nurses find an appropriate externship in a facility that fits their career goals. Working as a nurse extern helps students put into practice what they learn in the classroom, gain confidence in their abilities and develop other skills, like communication, time management and interpersonal skills, by working directly with patients and other medical professionals.
Seven healthcare facilities came to recruits student nurses for externships in a variety of specialties, including ER, cardiac, ICU, pediatrics, mother-baby, and medical-surgical.
GSW's Accounting Club hosted Meet the Firms event on Oct. 11, 2023 in Canes Central. Accounting students from freshman to senior level met with representatives from each firm to network and apply for summer leadership programs, internships, and full-time jobs. Many of these businesses are active on campus throughout the year as guest speakers and sponsors of various events.
At Meet the Firms, students were able to meet with multiple businesses at the same time. Several alumni returned to campus to help recruit for their current employers: Wynne Morris and Britani Thomas from Carr, Riggs & Ingram, Carly Hall from Draffin Tucker, Kaleb Albritton from the Georgia Department of Audits, Cade Weaver from Mauldin & Jenkins, Jenny Frantz from Strickland Accounting, and Jay Shirah and Cam Thompkins from Robert Baker & Associates.
A full list of employers is below:
COE hosts induction eventOn Nov. 2, the College of Education held their second GSW Delta Kappa Gamma Induction Event for the year. They hosted 13 interns, 23 new teachers, 7 veteran teachers, 2 retired educators, and 11 GSW faculty and staff at this event.
Andrea Kromminga, GSW counselor and LPC, provided a session on Educator Self-Care/Work-Life Balance. The grouped was joined by Marie Boatwright, Delta Kappa Gamma Georgia State Organization President!
There were twelve door prizes of school supplies, coffee tumblers, self-care for educators book, first aid kits, and gift cards.
Thank you to Chattahoochee-Flint RESA and the Georgia Department of Education for funding this event through a grant which supports teacher mental health.
To celebrate the International Education Week (Nov. 13-17), Professor of Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry, Geology, & Physics N. Iordanova, Ph.D., organized an International Music Night at The Alley bar in downtown Americus where students were able to enjoy food, dancing, and fun time with friends.
In addition, Iordanova took students to Columbus, Ga. for a day of international dinning and shopping. Students were able to enjoy Pho soup and shopping in ALDI and the Asian Supermarket. Both activities were sponsored by the Office of Experiential Learning and were coordinated with the help of the GSW Global Education and High Impact Practices (GEHIP) committee.
This spring the College of Business and Computing (COBAC), kicked off their first Annual Fund Campaign. This campaign’s goal was to ask donors to support student immersion opportunities and scholarships, such as Beyond the Classroom Learning and LEAD 10. Recently, a few COBAC student volunteers reached out these donors by calling, sending thank you notes and even visiting. This was very impactful not only for our donors and but the students. Dean Cheokas and COBAC faculty and staff would like to thank these student volunteers for their help and support!
Here are some of the comments students had about their experiences:
"I felt very honored to be able to thank the donors who gratuitously give to COBAC. It was very rewarding to hear their voices and thank them personally for their donations. Contacting the donors personally and writing hand written letters made me feel that the College of Business and Computing really appreciates every donor that gives to the program. It was an amazing experience."
- Chloe Sneed
"My experience in calling the donors allowed me to form a better relationship with individuals that are investing in my future. It puts in perspective how important donating is and the impact it makes. With their donations, it has influenced me to hopefully pay it forward to the next student."
- Ansley Duffey
“I was so excited and grateful to get to personally thank our donors. It's a really neat experience to be able to make connections with them and personally thank them for donating to a scholarship I have received. Without them and others I would not have been able to spend the last 3 ½ years at a place that has developed me and prepared me to move into a career after I walk in December!”
- Lauren Shepherd
On Nov. 28, students, faculty, staff and community members gathered on the front lawn for GSW's annual Hurricane Holiday Fest. The event began with festive performances from local school students and the lighting of the Wheatley Administration Building. Attendees also took photos with Santa, enjoyed hot chocolate, and made holiday crafts.
Find the full photo album on GSW's Facebook page.
Big turnout for 2023 GSW Humanities SymposiumStudents, faculty, staff and community members came together on Nov. 10, 2023 for the 3rd Annual GSW Humanities Symposium. This event significantly surpassed previous attendance records and included participants from Georgia College and State University and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, as well as GSW.
Mayor Lee Kinnamon of Americus (pictured here) joined the event to provide a keynote address, “The Humanities: Why Bother?” Kinnamon answered that question with a strong encouragement to students to use humanities-based explorations as a way to connect to their communities.
Dr. Mark Laughlin, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, opened the program on Friday morning with welcoming remarks to all participants, including over forty-five students who shared individual research presentations throughout the day. These presentations reflected a wide variety of original work from Arts & Science programs, including American Studies, History, Political Science, Communications, Sociology, Art History, English, and Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies. The event also included a series of discussions and mentoring opportunities. For example, attendees had the opportunity to visit the current GSW art exhibit in the James Earl Carter Library, “To See and Be Seen: Life, Loss, and Connection in a Postmodern World,” participate in a discussion about girlhood politics in Georgia, or talk with GSW graduates Savannah Ross and Collin Leverett of the National Park Service about careers in public history. Faculty, staff, and student support was essential to a productive day of discussion and creative exploration.
Session chairs and commentators included Jason Berggren (Political Science), Susan Bragg (History), Allan Brown (Business), Jonathan Carter (Communications), Ellen Cotter (Psychology), Paul Dahlgren (English), Lauren DiPaula (English), Alexis Glass (Art), Debaleena Ghosh (Sociology), Nellie Iordonova (Chemistry), Anne Jacobs (Biology), Ashley Jones (Communications), Alaina Kaus (English), Jamie MacLennan (Sociology), Brian Mallett (Director of Research), Paula Martin (History), Leann Miller (Financial Aid), Beau Palmer (Music), Jennifer Ryer (English), and Anh-Hue Tu (Biology).
The GSW Humanities Symposium was made possible through the critical financial and organizational support of the History and Political Science Department and the School of Arts and Sciences. A special thank you also goes out the GSW Department of Athletics for encouraging our student athletes to attend this event to as critical supporters of student research. We look forward to building upon this success for our projected Fall 2024 Humanities Symposium.
Pre-med students attend medical college open housePre-med majors at GSW took the opportunity to tour the University of Georgia health sciences campus in Athens and to meet current medical students and faculty members and to learn about the admission process and campus facilities.
With this tour, Carly Reneau, Edwin Gonzalez and Noah Bridges gained firsthand information like study skills, course requirements, MCAT preparation, interview tips, and application process. They also established direct connections with the current medical students for future help.
Biology club advisors Drs. Tu and Amarachintha organized the day trip to UGA campus and encourage all Pre-Med majors to take advantage of future trips. Funding for the trip was provided by Thomas Chair foundation grants.
Find more events on the GSW academic calendar, on CanesConnect, and on the Events Open to the Community webpage.
