Welcome from the President

Welcome! We are very pleased that you chose Georgia Southwestern State University to continue your education.

As you settle in this semester – online or on campus – you will discover that Georgia Southwestern is a place where the focus is on creating a student-centered teaching and learning environment. It is a place where students not only discover their future but define it through a process of intellectual growth, social development and determination.

For over a century, our campus community has been preparing students for the lives and careers they envision. When you graduate in a few years, our hope is that you will have developed meaningful relationships with students, faculty and staff; that you learn how to solve challenges both in the classroom and outside of it; and that you have fun in the process.

I chose GSW because of the way I felt when I visited the campus for the first time – because of the people I met and their excitement for the University. There is no better place to be than part of a college campus. The dedication and enthusiasm within students, faculty and staff makes for a strong community that leads to success academically, in competition and in life.

It is my honor to serve as president of Georgia Southwestern State University. Welcome and thank you for being Part of the Storm.

Sincerely,

Neal Weaver, Ph. D.
President

Welcome from the Vice President for Student Affairs

Welcome to Georgia Southwestern State University. We want all of our students to have an exciting, fun, rewarding and successful experience at GSW. This is YOUR campus!!!!! Our campus is also a community, and this community forms our GSW family. As a member of our GSW family, each of us has a role to play in making GSW successful. Believe me; GSW is not successful if our students are not successful. GSW’s ultimate goals for each student include enhancing your learning skills, helping you to successfully complete your program of study, assisting you in obtaining employment, and helping you to become a responsible citizen. We have many faculty, staff members, administrators, and other students who will help you along the way. Please remember that your top priority should be your academic studies. We also have many student organizations, and we hope you will find one, or more, that you can become involved in. Although we already have many outstanding student leaders at GSW, there is always room for more. We want you to succeed and will pledge our commitment to make this happen; but you will also need to do your part. Together we can be a winning combination and your success can be guaranteed. Again, welcome to GSW. We look forward to working with You!!

Best wishes for success,

Sam Miller, Ph. D.
Vice President for Student Affairs

Welcome from the Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs

Welcome to Georgia Southwestern State University! We are so pleased you have chosen to begin this new adventure at GSW. You are about to embark on an exciting journey that will continue for the rest of your life. Earning your college degree will make the difference in your future, your career, and your family in immeasurable ways. At GSW, you will gain valuable skills that will have a positive impact on you and on others and that you will use the rest of your life.

You will face challenges as you make the transition to college life, but we are here to help you with the process. Perhaps the biggest change will be that your instructors will expect you to take charge of your learning. At the university level, learning requires commitment and just plain hard work on your part, which will involve new ways of thinking and studying. But GSW provides many support mechanisms to help you be successful in your efforts. The faculty will expect you to take advantage of their office hours and meet with them outside of class when you need extra help. In addition to extra help from instructors, free tutors are available in the Academic Resource Center (ARC) in the Academic Center for Excellence, the ACE Building. The First Year Advocate is located there as well; she and her staff have your success as their mission. Take advantage of these resources to make certain you reach your own expectations.

With freedom comes responsibility. You are in charge of your learning now, and it is up to you to do your part to succeed academically: attend class and put in the necessary hours for study. The general rule is for every hour spent in class, you should budget two hours of study out of class in studying and doing homework. You were admitted to GSW because we know you have what it takes to be successful, but you must work at it and stay focused on your ambitions. Perseverance is critical; keep your goal in mind and enjoy the next four years as a prologue to an exceptionally bright future.

Sincerely,

Lynda Lee Purvis
Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty

UNIVERSITY MISSION STATEMENT

Georgia Southwestern State University cultivates excellence in learning and teaching that encourages intellectual, personal, and social growth for students, faculty, staff, and the community. Georgia Southwestern State University is a comprehensive state university within the University System of Georgia that offers a full range of bachelor degree programs, along with selected master’s and specialist degree programs.

UNIVERSITY DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Georgia Southwestern State University embraces diversity as an integral part of being a caring community of learners. We are committed to building and maintaining a diverse, accessible, civil and supportive campus. GSW provides an environment and curriculum which affirms pluralism of beliefs and opinions, including diversity of religion, gender, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, disability, age, and socioeconomic class.

The University will implement and adhere to policies and procedures which discourage harassment and other behaviors that infringe upon the freedom and respect that every individual deserves.

ALMA MATER

Hail to thee, our foster mother
Praise to thee we bring,
Of thy teachings altruistic,
Lovingly we sing,
For thy spirit through the ages
Ever shall prevail
Hail to thee, our own Southwestern
Alma Mater, hail

Fires are kindled at thy alter
Fires that never die
Bright they burn in hearts eternal
‘Neath the southern sky
Burning for divine approval
Ever shall prevail
Hail to thee, our own Southwestern
Alma Mater, hail