PAMPLIN
Expansions In pamplin
NEW Spaces SAME Faces Students Shining Bright

#WeArePamplin


DEAN’S OFFICE
Dr. Kim Davies, Dean
Dr. Christine Crookall, Associate Dean
Dr. Wes Kisting, Associate Dean
Dr. Kimberly Gray, Director of College

Assessment and Strategic Initiatives
Khadejah Braddy, Office Specialist
Rodney Ferguson, Business Operation Specialist
Morgan Hayes, Communication Specialist
DESIGN
Morgan Hayes
COVER
Design: SOCI 3187 2022 Chalk Activity

Photography: Morgan Hayes
CONTRIBUTORS
Dr. Christine Crookall
Dr. Kimberly Gray
Dr. Kim Davies
Dr. Wes Kisting
Dr. Seretha Williams
Morgan Hayes
PHOTOGRAPHY
Morgan Hayes
DCM
Nadia Jilani-Hyler
Jenny Gilmore
C. Neil Davenport
Andrew Kornylak
Dr. Christine Crookall
Dr. Amber Routh
Dr. Christina Amonson




A Minute with The Dean Kim Davies, PhD

Dean of Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

This year, we dedicate our Pamplin Magazine to the late Dr. William (Bill) Bloodworth, Jr. Bill had an amazing positive impact on all of us in Pamplin College whether we had the pleasure of working here when he was the President of Augusta State University or working alongside him when he served as a faculty member in the Department of History, Anthropology, and Philosophy. Many wrote about Bill when he passed in September of 2022 so we have decided not to repeat those articles but we do encourage you to read them. Many of us in Pamplin College gave interviews for the Jagwire article by Stacey Eidson that brought tears to my eyes as I read it and thought even more about all the wonderful ways Bill showed he cared.
In this issue, we share the names of the winners of three awards that Dr. Bloodworth insured would continue forever. The William A. Bloodworth, Jr. Award for Excellence in Performance of Facilities Services, the William A. Bloodworth, Jr. Award for Excellence in Part-Time Teaching, and a student scholarship. In addition, we have articles on topics that I am sure Bill would have enjoyed. We share with you the new space for our Center for Writing Excellence, a semester long visit from the incredible writer Latria Graham, and the great success of our first student to graduate with a Nonprofit Leadership degree, Ms. Carla Harewood. I hope you enjoy these and all the articles and features that Morgan Hayes and our faculty and staff have put together for you.
One last note, thanks to each of you who have given to the William Bloodworth, Jr. endowment. I hope you and others will consider giving to this endowment in the years to come as we continue to keep Dr. Bloodworth’s values alive here in Pamplin. To give to the Bloodworth Scholarship, go to www.augusta.edu/giving/gift.
PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCES COMES HOME
As anyone who has been around Augusta University for more than ten years knows, we have been through many changes. One of those changes that occurred just as we were getting ready to consolidate Augusta State University and Georgia Health Sciences University into what is now Augusta University is that Pamplin College of Arts and Sciences became Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. A new college was created called The College of Science and Mathematics. The departments included Biology, Chemistry and Physics, Military Sciences, and Psychology, which was renamed Psychological Sciences.
According to Dean Davies, “At the time of the split, some faculty wondered why Psychology was moving to the Science college. Some speculated it was because they had some bench scientists or those who studied animals. While others thought that the Pamplin division that placed Psychology in Science and Mathematics allowed for both resulting colleges to have graduate programs since Psychology had a Masters program and Political Science had the MPA. In addition, Psychology had many

students allowing for the two colleges to have a more even number of students.”

Whatever the reason, for the last ten years, Psychological Sciences has been part of the College of Science and Mathematics which relocated to the Health Sciences Campus in 2022 with the goal to have students rub elbows with the “white coats.” Their new building is beautiful with ample faculty offices spread throughout the building with the goal of mixing faculty in different disciplines to invigorate new partnerships and research ideas. Yet, the Psychological Sciences faculty found the move to be less than wonderful for their faculty and students and they felt a distance from their social science collegues. Their students no longer had a sense of place and the faculty felt this was affecting student recruitment.
The move back to Pamplin means the Psychological Sciences faculty will be packing their books once again. They will be located on the third floor of Allgood Hall. There, they will get to mingle again with their Pamplin colleagues and they are hopeful that their new centralized department footprint will help them grow and attract new students. Of course, Psychological Sciences
has healthy numbers and will be the largest major in Pamplin with an average of 333 majors over the past three years. Psychological Sciences Chair, Dr. Michael Hoane, is looking forward to the move. He noted that, “Psychology requires interactions between faculty and students, which we will be able to reestablish within Pamplin College.” He also indicated that the faculty are excited to expand on their successes in research and provide greater research opportunities for their students in Pamplin.
Dean Davies remembers the days when the Departments of Psychology and Social Sciences were down the hall from each other in Hardy Hall. She says she is happy to have her Psychology colleagues just a quick walk away again and looks forward to the many collaborations between Psych faculty and others in Pamplin. She also looks forward to working with the Psychological Sciences faculty and students.
NEW PLACES, SAME FACES:
The Relaunch of the Center for Writing Excellence

The Center for Writing Excellence gets a “place-lift”. Moving from a cramped corner on the second floor of Allgood Hall, to a highly visible, spacious lounge on first floor—the CWE is thriving.
At first glance you might not realize the new Center for Writing Excellence (CWE) location, in Allgood Hall, E158, is an academic space meant for writing mentoring. Equipped with a coffee machine and snacks for writers near the entrance, it looks like a warm, inviting lounge and it doubles as a safe space. Students use the CWE not only to write, but to form relationships and work collaboratively. Faculty drop in to talk about writing pedagogy and chat with the staff. The CWE fosters a sense of community through writing, and with the move to its new location, this community is now more accessible than ever.
A surge of excitement was felt throughout Pamplin when the news broke that the CWE was moving to this new location on the first floor of Allgood Hall. This new home is bigger, more accessible, and easier for students to find. Formerly, the CWE was located on the second floor of Allgood Hall in a small, secluded area that was easy to miss. That space also lacked important resources to support writing, multimodal projects, and oral communication. Dr. Candis Bond, Director of the
“WE’RE STILL MAINTAINING THE SAME VALUES AND SENSE OF COMMUNITY THAT WE’VE ALWAYS HAD BECAUSE WE THINK THAT MAKES US VERY SPECIAL AS A SPACE ON CAMPUS. SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON’T LOSE ANY OF THE THINGS THAT HELPED US GET THIS EXPANSION ALONG THE WAY.”
-DR. CANDIS BOND, DIRECTOR OF THE CWECWE, made sure the new space would be able to accommodate the full range of services they offer.
“This new space is much larger, with a closed off room where composers can practice conference presentations and speeches,” said Dr. Bond. “It also has workstations equipped with large screens and Wi-Fi, where small groups can work collaboratively on writing or multimodal projects.”
The CWE provides students and faculty with critical feedback to improve their writing. The center began expanding their staff and services in November 2022 after Pamplin College received generous funded support in
response to the spring 2022 resource hearings. Since then, the CWE has grown to include five full-time professional staff and more than 10 undergraduate and graduate student employees.
Regardless of genre, purpose or discipline, everyone can benefit from help on their writing, CWE staff said. The center assists writers and speakers across disciplines as they compose for academic and professional audiences.
Every semester, the CWE serves about 700 users. Dr. Bond added that about half of all consultations are with graduate students and faculty, while the other half are with undergraduates. During the last academic year, the CWE made over 3,500 student contacts
FUN FACT:
Dr. James Garner, who is now Associate Director of the Center for Writing Excellence is an Augusta University Alum and also worked for the center in 2012 when it was in University Hall and named The Writing Center.
through outreach and presented workshops and webinars to nearly 2,500 writers, which included students of all levels, post-doctoral fellows, faculty, and staff.
The CWE’s services have become so popular on campus that the center needed to add several new full-time staff. In 2022, Dr. James Garner was hired as Associate Director of the CWE. Drs. Romana Hinton and Hannah Soblo were also hired as professional writing consultants for the center.
Administrative assistant Makayla Mathews joined the CWE team as well. The new professional staff work primarily with advanced graduate students and faculty, while an additional twelve graduate assistants and undergraduate peer writing consultants work primarily with undergraduate students. Amid this growth, the CWE staff remain committed to maintaining a welcoming environment and high-quality support.

“A MAJOR STUDY SHOWED THAT STUDENTS’ DECISIONS TO USE WRITING CENTERS ARE OFTEN INFLUENCED BY FACTORS BEFORE THEY GET TO COLLEGE.”
-DR. CANDIS BOND, DIRECTOR OF THE CWEThe CWE Staff reviewing their website and giving feedback about where to find the best information.
“We’re still maintaining the same values and sense of community that we’ve always had because we think that makes us very special as a space on campus. So we want to make sure that we don’t lose any of the things that helped us earn this expansion along the way,” said Dr. Bond.
Another advantage of the CWE’s new location is its visibility to students and faculty, especially incoming freshmen. The Center for Writing Excellence is a major focal point on Augusta University’s campus tour. Hopefully, exposing prospective students to the CWE early on will encourage them to use the services when they attend Augusta University.
“A major study showed that students’ decisions to use writing centers are often influenced by factors before they get to college,” said Dr. Bond. “This is why it is so exciting that incoming students will become familiar with us before they officially begin their journey as Jaguars.”
In the future, the CWE aims to continue expanding their work with students, faculty, and staff across the university. For more information on the Center for Writing Excellence, visit their website www.augusta.edu/cwe.
Other Center for Writing Excellence opportunities:

•One-on-one and small-group consultations
•Writing and speaking groups

•Writing retreats
•Publication workshop series
•Writing across the curriculum brown bag series: Bad Ideas About Writing
•Workshops for undergraduate and graduate students
•Customizable in-class workshops and curriculum consultations
•Writing and communication resources
“THE CENTER FOR WRITING EXCELLENCE PROVIDED AWESOME, ACTIONABLE FEEDBACK THAT I CAN USE IN THIS AND FUTURE PAPERS. I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THEIR SERVICES TO OTHERS WHO AREN’T SO CONFIDENT IN THEIR WRITING.”
-AU STUDENTThe CWE Staff working near the coffea area in the room.
CARLA HAREWOOD: A STANDOUT
“AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY WAS SO GOOD TO ME. YOU COULD NOT ASK FOR BETTER. YOU CAN START HERE AND GO ANYWHERE. IF YOU’VE GOT THE WILL TO GET THERE, THEY ARE GOING TO GET YOU THERE. YOU’VE JUST GOT TO HAVE THE WILL TO DO IT AND DO THE WORK.”
Carla Harewood is in a league all her own. As a mother who has worked in many fields over the decades, Harewood decided she needed a change—and she turned to Pamplin College to help prepare her. In fact, she took a chance on a brand new program in the Department of Social Sciences: the Bachelor of Arts in Nonprofit Leadership and Administration. Her decision paid off. As the first graduate to earn this new degree from Augusta University, she is well on her way to a new career that she loves.
Harewood first heard about the Nonprofit Leadership and Administration program from a childhood friend from Augusta. He encouraged her to take a chance, so she did. Carla’s daughter joined
her on this educational journey shortly after she began. With Augusta University being accessible and affordable it made perfect sense, especially since the design of the program enabled her to continue working full-time while attending class.

“Being able to study with the fabulous faculty in Pamplin College, who rank among the best in academia, definitely provided me a high-quality education and student-centered learning. It was definitely what I was looking for at the time, and thus here we are,” said Harewood.
As a lover of the arts, Harewood hopes that her degree will advance her quest to bring art to the underprivileged and less fortunate. The Nonprofit Leadership and Administration program prepares
students for the field of public administration in a way that allows them to use the skills that they learn in any field.
“I was able to elevate my critical thinking skills and to master them. Through courses like grant writing for nonprofits or research and Social Sciences, I learned the importance of prioritizing my time and tasks to solve complex issues. I also learned that superior outcomes take hard work and dedication.”
Carla Harewood will be returning in summer 2023 to pursue a Master of Public Administration degree with a certificate in Nonprofit Leadership.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Pamplin makes sure to check in with our alumni to ensure that we maintain a strong relationship with graduates. We hope that alumni can feel proud of their alma mater. Here are some of the alumni that are making waves in the world.
You can see Kiara Iman, an Augusta University alumna and actress in the new movie Praise This. Iman received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Augusta University’s Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences in 2022. A couple of days after graduation, she landed a role in Praise This which is streaming on Peacock.

JENNYGILMORE
Jenny Gilmore graduated in May of 2022 from the Master of Public Administration program. She is currently finishing up her first semester as a PhD student in Public Administration at North Carolina State University. She studies nonprofits, complex problem domains, and equitable public service delivery.

ONTARIO WILLIAMS
Recent AU alumnus Ontario Williams won First Place in the Musical Theatre Category with the multi-talented Rhett Lever playing for Ontario on piano. He has also won 1st place in the Southeastern Region National Association of Teacher Singing competition. When he is not winning music competitions, he is teaching middle school chorus at Putnam County Middle School and co-teaches musical theater classes that serve as a bridge program between middle and high school.

C.NEIL DAVENPORT
ONTARIO WILLIAMS
C. Neil Davenport, MFA, is a feature film screenwriter/ producer and former student of Professor Matthew Buzzell. He earned his BA in Communication and a Theatre Minor in 2016. Since graduation, Neil has acted in several features, television shows, and commercials as well as having written award-winning screenplays, two of which have been produced, Camp Hideout (2022) and Bryn Gets A Life (2021).
Some of Neil’s current projects consist of a faith-based feature football movie titled, All In, a true crime period novel adaptation titled, Eight Years, and a short arthouse horror film, titled Vultures which is geared toward the 2024 Academy Awards.
More recently, Neil graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts earning a Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting under the mentorship of the late American film director, Peter Werner. Neil will be working with the Austin Film Festival this fall as he continues to work with Called Higher Studios and other notable filmmakers in LA, New York, and Tennessee.

THE ANIMATION EXPANSION
The Art & Design Department at Augusta University is looking to expand its animation programs to 400 students within the next five years!

“JOINING THE ANIMATION PROGRAM AT AU IS ONE OF THE BEST DECISIONS I’VE EVER MADE. I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED VISUAL STORYTELLING, AND THIS EXPERIENCE HAS ALLOWED ME TO PREPARE FOR A CAREER IN IT AS WELL AS FALL BACK IN LOVE WITH ART.”
-TRIPP GUSTIN, SENIOR ANIMATION STUDENT
The Animation program in the Department of Art & Design at Augusta University is shaping up to be one of the largest programs that Pamplin College offers. With the goal of building the program to over 400 students, the department chair, Scott Thorp, has a lot of confidence in the program. With the backing from the President of the university, the department was able to start a nationwide campaign to recruit those students. A.B. Osborne, who is currently the only animation professor, will soon have lots of company. In order to accommodate this growth, the search for a new animation faculty began back in August 2022. This is all part of a seven-year plan to grow the entire Department of Art and Design, including the renovation of two warehouses on the Summerville Campus to create a thriving creative community.
Although animation is at the center of these efforts, this expansion will bring new growth and creative energy to all programs in
the department. Some of these students will also pivot into other areas of art outside of animation as they hone in on the areas that excite them most.
“We have students that get here and realize that maybe Animation isn’t for them. If they want to switch majors there are plenty of other areas they can go into. Graphic Design and Drawing & Painting are not that far. Digital and Visual
Storytelling is closely related. So the growth in animation isn’t taking away from anything else. We’re all growing together,” Osborne said.
Animation students have already started to collaborate with other areas, even outside of the college. For example, students who take the Motion Graphics course frequently create explainer videos for various health science programs, Augusta University Online, and

“I WENT FROM A BIOLOGY MAJOR TO AN ANIMATION MAJOR ALMOST OVERNIGHT. THE ANIMATION DEPARTMENT HAS FELT LIKE MY SECOND HOME, AND I HAVE MADE LIFE LONG FRIENDSHIPS WITH MY FELLOW ANIMATION STUDENTS.”
-HAYLEY DOWDY, SENIOR ANIMATION STUDENTSenior Animation Students brainstorming about chararacter development for a classroom exercise.
“ACTING AS PRODUCER FOR THE FILM HAS ALLOWED ME TO WORK ON IT IN PRETTY MUCH EVERY STEP OF THE PROCESS, AND THAT’S REALLY HELPED SOLIDIFY THAT THIS IS THE CAREER PATH FOR ME! THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT BEING ABLE TO SEE AN IDEA BE REALIZED ALL THE WAY FROM CONCEPT TO FINISHED PIECE THAT’S TRULY MAGICAL!”
MAX LEVERETT, SENIOR ANIMATION STUDENT
other Pamplin departments such as Social Sciences and Communication.
The Animation program at Augusta University helps students pursue the career of their dreams without accumulating the high debt associated with private art colleges. The program encourages students to experiment with projects they enjoy while learning industry-standard tools and norms. Animators help tell impactful stories and messages in many industries, including medical science, forensics, and engineering. Students gain real world experience while building the portfolio they need to be competitive in today’s job market. The Animation students premiered their first animated short film called Iridescent on April 28th, 2023.

“ANIMATION WON’T GROW IN ISOLATION. AS IT GROWS, WE WILL NEED MORE 2D DESIGN STUDIOS. CERAMICS WILL GROW. PRINTMAKING WILL GROW. OUR FACILITIES WILL GROW. THE ENTIRE UNIVERSITY WILL GROW. IT BENEFITS EVERYBODY.”
DESIGN
MUSIC AWARDS
Congratulations to the following Music Department students and their professor Dr. Christina Amonson who excelled at the Southeastern Regional National Association of Teachers of Singing Competition in March 2023. The following students won awards:



TAI GENERETTE
won second place in Musical Theatre and an Honorable Mention in the Spiritual Category.
RHETT LEVER
won third place in the Musical Theatre Category and an Honorable Mention in the Classical Category.
LARIANNA GOSS
won an Honorable Mention in the Spiritual Category.
LILY BRANNIGAN
was a semi-finalist in the Musical Theatre Category.
MODEL UN
The National Model United Nations program is designed to immerse Augusta University students in realistic simulations of the United Nations. Students address global concerns taking the stance of a specific member state and participating in negotiations with students from more than 70 countries.



Recently, the Model UN scholarship helped make it possible for nine Augusta University students to engage in civil debate on a national level at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. During their week-long stay, these students had the opportunity to conduct research and prepare their arguments to represent Syria in the UN debate, gaining a deeper understanding of that country’s unique perspectives and challenges. This experience has provided these students with an invaluable opportunity to develop their critical thinking and communication skills as they engaged in debates on complex social, economic, and political issues with peers from across the country.
The Model UN scholarship lowers the costs of travel and participation so that
KRISTIN TOPPING, CURRENT STUDENT
“The Model UN Study Away Scholarship made the trip much more affordable, and alleviated some financial strain so that I could focus on my classwork and enjoy the conference in NYC. I would absolutely encourage future students to join Model UN. I met people from all over the world, learned so much about how the UN works, have a better understanding of what barriers exist for international relations, and will always appreciate the growth I experienced over the course of the semester.”
more students can benefit from this invaluable exposure to different cultures and perspectives, which is essential in today’s globalized world.


Model United Nations (MUN) at Augusta University provides an excellent opportunity for students to develop important life skills, such as effective communication, and critical thinking as they debate social, economic, and political issues. Through their participation in MUN, students learn to research complex issues, clearly articulate their viewpoints, and respectfully engage in debates with their peers.
MUN also helps students to develop teamwork and leadership skills as they work collaboratively with others to represent different countries and negotiate solutions to global problems. Students will be able to develop a deeper understanding of the world around them and cultivate a passion for social justice and global issues. By debating and discussing topics such as climate change, human rights, and international trade, students gain a broader perspective on the challenges facing our society and the world and are better equipped to contribute to positive change.
Augusta University has participated regularly in the MUN program since 2011 and has received international recognition for its efforts. The program operates in the spirit of the UN by sparking debate on the most pressing global challenges to produce better global citizens. In the past AU students have represented Ghana, Cuba, Iran, Azerbaijan, Jordan, Palestine, and Somalia.
The Model UN is open to all majors.


Director of the Model UN Program


VISITING SCHOLAR LATRIA GRAHAM
GETTING TO THE ROOT OF WHAT MAKES HER WRITING DOWN TO EARTH
During spring 2023, many of us wandered by E250 Allgood Hall to find Latria Graham engrossed in her writing surrounded by foliage and tea. Graham was a welcome addition to the Department of English of World Languages and to Pamplin College this spring. She served as the Visiting Scholar of Creative Writing, a position funded by Pamplin College and the Faculty Inclusive Excellence Initiative supported through the Offices of Diversity and Inclusion and Faculty Affairs. As one of the few African American professors in Pamplin College, many Black students were particularly pleased to see her and they let her know. They visited her welcoming office to tell her how much she made them feel seen and how they found in her a professor they felt could relate to them.
Graham is a writer, editor, and cultural critic of the South. Her work explores the dynamics of race, gender norms, and class, and she writes about the environment, nerd culture, and sports. Her writing resume is quite extensive. Having published in magazines such as Garden & Gun Magazine, Southern Living, The Kitchn, Elsyian Magazine, and more, Graham brings real world experiences to the classroom. Exercises in her courses provided opportunities for high impact and experiential learning. Additionally, Graham conducted workshops on campus and at Paine College that gave anyone interested in creative nonfiction writing helpful tips for getting started and getting published; served as the keynote speaker at the African American Read-In in February; and gave an excellent interview on In The Wild a podcast hosted by Pamplin alum Raysean Ricks.
Graham and her family are from Spartanburg, SC, a region situated in the geographic and cultural Appalachia. Her love for storytelling came from listening to stories her family told as they were doing traditional southern activities such as shelling peas on the front porch on hot summer day. However, it wasn’t until she went to college, first at Dartmouth University and then at the New School where she earned an MFA degree in Creative Nonfiction, that she truly found an appreciation for her family’s gift for storytelling. There she began to tell stories steeped in Southern roots, family history, and personal memories. Although she tried
to leave her Southern roots, the power it gave her in her writing was undeniable. Graham is an avid nature lover and the influence of her ancestral connection to the land is one of the major themes in her work.
In the classroom, Graham is intentional about encouraging students to think on an interpersonal level that allows them to understand their experiences in the context of history. Interconnectedness and intertextuality help students discover underlying themes and ideas. Every Friday, she and her students engage in writing exercises that focus on nostalgia and home life. This practice adds value to the students’ voice and perspective. While Graham has taught at multiple institutions across the country including a recent stint as the Kittredge Distinguished Writer in Environmental Studies at the University of Montana, Augusta University has been a unique experience for her. She viewed her experience at Augusta University as a healing experience. Her family resides in Aiken, SC-not too far from Augusta. Being so close to home and being able to see her family more often helped her in her writing process. “Writing is a lonely process,” said Graham. Being close to home helps her not feel as lonely and motivates her to write more.
Graham’s journey to national and international acclaim has not been easy. Seeing herself erased from multiple narratives, has inspired her to write more about her experience. However, articles about uncomfortable topics frequently prompt negative feedback from others who can’t relate. She explains, “Any time you write about racism or sexism or even classicism-oftentimes people weaponize that…”. An optimist, Graham focuses less on the criticism and more on her ability to make people feel something.
What’s her writing process? Graham turns to nature. She takes frequent hikes and prioritizes getting fresh air, and she brings the outdoors indoors. The flowering and green plants in her office are the backdrop for the nature and local stories she writes, and fittingly, she uses pencil and paper to draft her essays.

“ANY TIME YOU WRITE ABOUT RACISM OR SEXISM OR EVEN CLASSICISM— OFTENTIMES PEOPLE WEAPONIZE THAT…”
COMMUNICATION INTERNSHIPS

The Communication students at Augusta University have participated in an amazing array of internship opportunities over the years. From media broadcasting to marketing and journalism, students have made the most of these opportunities. This year we wanted to highlight students who have held multiple internship roles while keeping up with their classes: Keytona Johns, Trenijah Griffin, Lucy O’Keefe, and Carlos Rodriguez. These students went above and beyond to make sure they gained invaluable experience outside of the classroom to advance their personal and professional goals. They share their perspectives about internships and the advice they would give students looking to make opportunities happen.
Keytona JOHNS
Johns completed three internships during her time at Augusta University. Her first internship was for the Augusta Press as a writer, where she spent the majority of her time developing their calendar and writing short briefs. Her second internship was Pamplin’s Television, Cinema, and Audio Lab where she assisted students in using and obtaining lab equipment and setting up the lab. She even helped Dr. Timothy Williams Jr., the TVC Lab director, create a documentary called “Son of Faith”. Currently her third internship is at Augusta University, assisting Raysean Ricks, AU Media Specialist, with the “Into the Wild Podcast.” She assists him in interviewing guests, recording and editing reels, writing articles on WordPress, and engaging on the podcast’s Instagram.

Lessons Learned Advice
“I had to learn to get out of my comfort zone. I had to build relationships with my professors and classmates. It doesn’t harm you to get to know someone and inspires them to keep coming to class.”
“Don’t let fear stop you from searching for internships and having hands-on experiences that will further your development as a professional or a creative. Internships are a great way for you to figure out what you would like to do in the career field. You should aim for each internship to be completely different from another. Do it all.”
Lucy O’KEEFE
O’Keefe is currently a Marketing Intern at Jordan Trotter Commercial Real Estate. Using the skills she was taught, O’Keefe took initiative and made inside connections, one being with the Marketing Coordinator. Within days she had an interview and then the internship.

Lessons Learned Advice
“I have been able to get a great taste of how this specific business operates and how it’s important for everyone to work together in order to accomplish the most. I was tasked with a lot of what felt like little roles, but I was able to see how those small things contribute to the overall operation and could better understand why my work was also important. I also learned a lot about the behind-the-scenes work and that it really does take a village to pull off a successful and thriving company. This also taught me the importance of being a team player and that everyone’s work is valuable in some way and to not underestimate or downplay yourself or your work.”
“I would advise other students to take every internship opportunity, as you never know what doors may open for you. Go in each day with an open mind, be willing to learn whatever task you’re asked to do, and have a positive attitude. Those little things really go a long way and will ultimately reflect well on you and your work ethic.”

Carlos RODRIGUEZ

Rodriguez uses his creative skill set for sports entertainment. He specializes in video and sport photography for the AU men’s and women’s basketball and track, as well as baseball, softball, and volleyball. He has also done graphic design work, website maintenance, and press releases for the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) office. Because he was an athlete for the university, Rodriguez sought opportunities to combine his interests in sports and creativity with his academic interests.
Lessons Learned
“You have to be willing to learn new things. At both internships I’ve done things I haven’t done before, and it’s challenged me but made me better and has broadened my skillset.”
Trenijah GRIFFIN
Lessons Learned
“Show up no matter what. We go through things in our lives, but you can’t let it affect your work. I realize that when I follow through, it makes me feel purposeful and accomplished.”
Advice Advice
“I think it’s important for students to get internships while in school. There’s so many around all you must do is ask. With the PBC I’ve been interning there since January of 2022, and there was no posting about an internship. I reached out asking if I could intern. So it’s all about getting yourself out there and reaching out too. Just because you may not see it posted anywhere, doesn’t mean it may not exist or cannot be created for you.”

Griffin is a communication major who got her start in internships when her professor, Ms. Amber Routh, persuaded her to take an opportunity at AMT network. Ms. Routh helped Griffin tremendously with presentation skills, professional mannerisms, and style lessons so that she could make a positive impression wherever she went.
“Be confident in yourself in that you can do the work. Don’t stand in your own way and have an open mind when it comes to learning and meeting new people.”

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Faculty Recognized for Scholarship and Service
We would like to take this moment to recognize and celebrate another year of outstanding accomplishments in research, scholarship, creative activity, teaching, mentoring, and service. We have many reasons to be proud. We are delighted to recognize the worthy recipients of just some of the awards our faculty have won this year.
Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Faculty and Staff Awards
Social Sciences
Pamplin Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching


From Dr. Culatta’s nomination: Dr. Culatta is a faculty member who regularly offers a Breaking Boundaries Section with her Sociology of Healthcare course and is currently serving on six honors panels. Dr. Culatta is an assistant professor of Sociology where she is outstanding in the classroom providing students with an array of learning opportunities ranging from class activities to the simulation lab.
Social Sciences
Pamplin Faculty Award for Excellence in Research & Pamplin Outstanding Faculty Award
From Dr. Hunter’s nomination: Dr. Hunter, an associate professor of political science, focuses his research on causes of terrorism, the political effects of terrorism, democratization, and how evolving technology affects security. His research investigates timely, important topics of great interest to academics, the news media, and those working in government or governmental entities. And he publishes a lot! He has published at least 17 articles in the last 5 years and another 8 are under review, all in top journals in his field.
Professor George Westafer
Music
William A. Bloodworth, Jr.
Award for Excellence in
Part-Time Teaching
From Mr. Westafer’s nomination: Mr. Westafer has taught applied guitar lessons in the music department since the fall of 2019. Prior to that time, he taught many students in the AU Conservatory and he continues to recruit students to AU. Since he began teaching at AU, the quality and number of guitar students has steadily risen. He ensures that his students are always well-prepared and present polished performances.
Dr. Candace Griffith
Social Sciences
Pamplin Faculty Award for Excellence in Collegiality
From Dr. Griffith’s nomination: Dr. Griffith is an associate professor of criminal justice. Dr. Griffith is always willing to share her time and expertise with other faculty and students. She proactively assists new faculty to integrate into the university and shows up to events, supports colleagues, shares assignments, proofs papers, picks up mail, lends books, gives out candy, organizes social and academic events and keeps her door open to all.
Mr. John Grant
Environmental Services
William A. Bloodworth, Jr.
Award for Excellence in
Performance of Facilities Services
From Mr. Grant’s nomination: John started working at Augusta University in 2011. In his job as an Environmental Service Tech for the Summerville/ Forest Hills campus, he has demonstrated a unique ability to provide great customer service with eagerness, a smile, and an amazing work ethic. His colleagues are grateful to have him as a shining star in their department and all of us thank him and commend him for making a difference at Augusta University.
Professor Nadia
Jilani-Hyler
Social Sciences
Excellence in Teaching by a Pamplin Lecturer Award



From Ms. Jilani-Hyler’s Nomination: Nadia exceeds the criteria for the award and exemplifies the qualities we want to see in our faculty. She goes beyond what is expected in the classroom and ensures that her students succeed. Moreover, she works tirelessly to ensure that our students are offered impactful learning experiences by directing our Model UN Program and Junior Model UN Program, which are significant work commitments each year.

Augusta University Awards and Recognitions
Dr. John Hayes, History, Anthropology, and Philosophy
Augusta University RSCA Award
Dr. Hayes received the award for his project “The People Rebelled”
Dr. E. Nicole Meyer, English and World Languages
Augusta University RSCA Award
Dr. Meyer received the award for her project, “Family Fractures in Contemporary French and Francophone Women’s Autobiography”
Dr. Marcel Ramalho de Mello, Music
Augusta University RSCA Award
Dr. Ramalho received the award for his project, “The Choral Music of José Siqueira (1907-1985): An Introductory Survey”
Professor Raoul Pacheco, Art and Design
Center for Undergraduate Research UR2 Grant Award for “Education of the Ceramic Arts”
Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Award for Summer 2023
Dr. Melanie O’Meara, Art and Design
Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Award for Summer 2023
Dr. Ashley Hopkins, Communication
Center for Social Science Research Immigration Studies Fellowship 2022-2023
Dr. Lance Hunter, Social Sciences
Center for Social Science Research Fellow 2022-2023
Dr. Carrie Reif-Stice, Communication
Center for Social Science Research Fellow 2022-2023
Dr. Melissa DeVelvis, History, Anthropology, and Philosophy
Center for Social Science Research Fellow 2022-2023
Dr. Mary Kate Lizotte, Social Sciences
Center for Social Science Research Grant Fellowship 2022-2023
Master of Public Administration, Social Sciences
Program Teaching Excellence Award 2022-2023
Dr. Christina Heckman, English and World Languages
AU Individual Teaching Excellence Award 2022-2023
Dr. Robert Bledsoe, English and World Languages
AU Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award 2022-2023
Regent’s Award for Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award 2022-2023
Dr. Craig Albert, Social Sciences
The Graduate School Outstanding Faculty Award 2022-2023
Dr. Wesley Meares, Social Sciences
The Graduate School Distinguished Mentor Award 2022-2023
More Awards:
Dr. Blaire Zeiders
English & World Langauges
Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor
Mr. Daniel Routh and Ms. Amber Routh
Communication Promotion to Senior Lecturer
Dr. Dustin Avent-Holt
Social Sciences
Mr. Matthew Buzzell
Art & Design
Dr. Lance Hunter
Social Sciences
Promotion to Professor
Dr. Lance Hunter
Social Sciences
Louis K. Bell Research Award
Dr. Martha Ginn
Social Sciences
Richard S. Wallace
Distinguished Service Award
Retirements:
Dr. Michael Bishku
History, Anthropology, and Philosophy Professor
Michael Katterjohn
Music
Dr. Michele Kelliher
English and World Languages Professor
Jennifer Onofrio
Art and Design
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT

MUSIC INDUSTRY CERTIFICATE
The Music Industry Certificate had been in the works since 2018, but it wasn’t until 2021 when students requested to start taking actual courses that the certificate truly launched. Professor April Brumfield, the program’s director, designed the courses to be accessible to all majors. The courses can be applied to multiple areas of the entertainment industry. These courses include artist management, concert touring, music publishing and licensing, music events, and promotion. The best part about the courses is that it’s not mandatory for students to be trained singers or instrumentalists. Students from many different areas, including cyber sciences and allied health, have delved into the music industry certificate program.


MAISS SOCIAL INFLUENCE CERTIFICATE AND CONCENTRATION
What began as a casual conversation turned into a very successful program in Pamplin College. After meeting with the Department of Defense, Dr. Craig Albert, Director of the Master of Arts in Intelligence and Security Studies (MAISS), developed a new program concentration in Social Influence. This concentration teaches cross-cultural comparisons and how strategic adversaries use targeted propaganda campaigns against the United States. Interdisciplinary and collaborative in nature, the concentration combines the social science of influence campaigns with modules on communication, history, intelligence studies, and socio-psychological aspects of group behavior and decision-making. Its aim is to understand the human element of cyber-operations involving social influence including social media warfare
INTEGRATED STUDIES
The Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Studies allows students to design their own degree for their own careers. This innovative degree provides educational opportunities not available through traditional programs. Working with a faculty advisor, students construct a curriculum that fits their interests. It’s a great option for students with multiple passions and it can help distinguish them in a competitive job market. It’s also ideal for students who have completed prior coursework in multiple areas, but want to synthesize those efforts in a meaningful pathway so they can graduate sooner ready to contribute to their communities. Even if students are well into their college career, or returning after time away, a faculty advisor can help align their prior learning credits with the courses they need to graduate with a valuable degree.
DR. WILLIAM BLOODWORTH SCHOLARSHIP

Dr. William Bloodworth created a legacy at Augusta University that has continued to impact students’ lives for the better. Besides teaching and being an exemplary leader, Bloodworth endowed a fund that supports a part-time teaching award, facilities service award, and an academic scholarship.

This year’s scholarship was awarded to Aaron Hayes, an English major in the Department of English and World Languages. This scholarship will support Aaron’s educational journey. Aaron is a first-generation full-time student who has held different roles at Augusta University such as doing freelance magazine work, being a writing consultant for the Center of Writing Excellence, and working as a bookkeeper at KJ’s Market off campus. Aaron’s work ethic is admirable. This scholarship will help ease Aaron’s workload so he will not worry about the financial burden of tuition, and he can focus more on finishing his degree.
The scholarship that Dr. Bloodworth endowed can support one student per semester majoring in English or History for a maximum of four semesters in accordance with a student’s degree completion plan. The student can receive $1,500 per semester. The student must have completed at least 60 credit hours prior to the academic term when the financial support begins. One or more faculty members in the department must recommend the student and they must have a GPA of at least 3.0 on all course work completed at AU or their former institution. The student can be full-time or part-time, but must have a statement of purpose and a plan for degree completion.
The winners of the facilities and part-time teaching awards are highlighted earlier in this issue. To give to the Bloodworth Scholarship, go to www.augusta.edu/ giving/gift.
Look Back










Back at 2022










PAMPLIN


GIZMO BAILEY LEAF
Owner: Dr. Crookall’s Dog Owner: Dr. Bulla’s Dog
Age: 1 year
Breed: Cavapoo

Hobbies: chasing leaves and chewing sticks
Favorite treat: soft French cheeses
Age: 11 years
Breed: Shetland Sheepdog

Fun Fact: He was born in North Carolina, spent five years in the United Arab Emirates and has been in Augusta for nearly six years. No doubt Augusta is his favorite home.
Owner: Dr. McClellandNugent’s Dog


Age: about 2 years
Breed: DNA says 90% Labrador Retriever/10% Boston Terrier
Hobbies: swimming, wrestling, and chasing soccer balls
Favorite treats: pineapple core and carrots
Augusta Gives
Your gift to the Katherine Reese Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences supports the heart of the liberal arts mission of Augusta University. Your support helps foster critical thinking about complex questions of the human experience; cultivate skills in written, verbal and creative expressions; promote active citizenship and community engagement; and prepare graduates for diverse careers in quickly changing globalized environments. Your gift is a meaningful investment in our students and our future.
Support Pamplin College
We hope you have been inspired by something you have read in #WeArePamplin. If you would like to support our students directly, there are more than 40 scholarship funds in Pamplin College to which you could contribute. If you would like to support our faculty, there is a “discretionary fund” set up for each department. If you would like to support one of our specific programs (Opera, Jazz, the Center for Georgia History, the Harry Jacobs Society, and others), they all have foundation accounts as well.
You can go to the website to look up these various funds and make a gift. Still not sure where to contribute? Maybe donate to the College as a whole. And thank you!



