Averett Magazine 2016

F O R A LU M N I & F R I E N DS O F AV E R E T T U N I V E R S I T Y | S PR I N G 201 6

Service-Learning Building a New Campus Culture

FOR ALUMNI & FRIENDS OF AVERETT UNIVERSITY

Spring 2016 Vice President for Institutional Advancement Buddy Rawley '75 Editor Emily Tomlinson '15 Art Director/Designer Travis Dix Contributing Writers Alexis Ehrhardt Debbie Flinn ‘13 Drew Wilson Editorial Assistants Marion Breen Donna Gourley Sherry McDowell '12 Photography Bobby Carlsen '92 Travis Dix John McKeith Drew Wilson

Vision Statement: Averett University will be a premier studentcentered university renowned for innovative teaching and engaged learning.

Mission of Averett University: Averett University prepares students to serve and lead as catalysts for positive change.

Cover photo: Micah Andrews walks and trains “Pete” at BlueBloods Thoroughbred Adoption & Placement (see pg. 16 for story)

F O R A LU M N I & F R I E N DS O F AV E R E T T U N I V E R S I T Y | S PR I N G 201 6

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FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

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BUILDING A NEW CAMPUS CULTURE

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CAMPUS NEWS

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NEW STADIUM HONORS PRESIDENT EMERITUS

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FACULTY & STAFF NEWS

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SPORTS NEWS

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CLASS NOTES

SERVICE-LEARNING 12

IMPACTING STUDENTS AND HELPING THE COMMUNITY

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A PARTNER'S PERSPECTIVE

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MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

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RETRAINING FOR LIFE AFTER RETIREMENT

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A LIFE CHANGING ACCIDENT

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DESIRE TO HELP PEOPLE LEADS TO CAREER CHANGE

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LIFE INTERRUPTS, BUT GRADUATE PERSEVERES

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Campus Culture

Building a new

by Emily Tomlinson '15

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At Averett, service-learning brings learning alive in exciting new ways inside and outside of the classroom by combining theory with experience and thought with action to transform our students and our communities.

This interactive approach has evolved from teaching from a textbook that required students to sit and listen and memorize dates and facts.

Today, students learn and retain information differently. A lot of this change has come about due to social media, the internet and television. Now, students want to do more than just read about the facts, and professors like Antoinette Gazda ‘87, instructor of English, and Carolyn “Cricket” Morris, equestrian associate, have created classes that allow students to do just that.

Instead of only reading about the Vietnam War in a textbook, Gazda’s War in Literature students are meeting veterans who were there and hearing firsthand about its impact on both those who fought and those left behind at home. Similarly, students in Morris’ course are learning about much more than eventing and dressage. Thanks to a partnership Morris formed with BlueBloods Thoroughbred Adoption & Placement, students are learning how to retrain off-the-track thoroughbreds, allowing the horses to have a second career.

Mckenzie Pickeral '15, and her service-learning veteran partner, Mr. Harry Waller, member of the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 19, Danville, in the War in Literature class.

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Students like Cymone Walden in Dr. Michelle Liu’s PE Method Class learned how to create better lesson plans after working with children ages 3-12 who are a part of the Christian Homes Educating Children (CHEC) homeschool group.

While service-learning and community service share some similarities, there are some major differences. Both initiatives work with community partners to better serve clients and build organizational capacity. But service-learning also has several core components including reciprocity, reflection and the application of classroom content in a real-life situation.

It allows students to take a semester-long course in which they are able to apply what they're learning in class to a service experience outside of the classroom.

Students reflect on the learning experience at the beginning, middle and end. It's also about analysis and evaluation so that students recognize the significance of the service experience and their impact on the community.

Averett began exploring the servicelearning concept in 2011; and faculty made the decision to change the general education requirements in the fall of 2013 for immediate implementation. With this change, all Averett students are required to complete a hands-on component before they graduate, and service-learning is one way they can meet that requirement. The overarching goal of implementing a service-learning culture across campus directly aligns with the university's mission, which as an institution is to be a catalyst for positive change in the region. As the only four-year higher education institution in the region, Averett President Dr. Tiffany Franks believes Averett can, and should, make the community better.

“Service-learning is our mission in action,” Franks said. “Once our students have had a hands-on learning experience there is a much greater likelihood they'll participate in more service-learning classes, volunteer more in the community and develop a value for serving throughout their lives.”

Since 2012, 21 service-learning courses have been taught at Averett. In addition, for the first time this past fall, all 18 sections of the freshmen success seminar (IDS 101) included a service-learning component.

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Service-learning brings our vision alive, is rooted in our mission and is closely tied to our strategic plan.

Service-learning is the very essence of engaged learning.

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– Dr. Tiffany Franks, President

Some of the learning experiences freshmen were involved in included working with Pittsylvania County Community Action on its career fair; registering students to vote; creating a recycling program at North Campus; and working with the Animal Protection Society of Caswell County.

“By changing the general education requirements, our faculty made these kinds of rich learning experiences possible,” Franks said. “Anything less would leave these lifechanging experiences to chance and would have been a lot more difficult to implement as an institution.

“We know for students today it's not enough for them to sit in class and learn theory from textbooks. We learn from doing so by taking what they're learning in class and applying it, real world perspectives start to be formed.

Service-learning brings our vision alive, is rooted in our mission and is closely tied to our strategic plan. Service-learning is the very essence of engaged learning.”

Erica Englehart and Kristin Kelly, students in Meaghan Byrne’s '08, '14 Business Communication class, learn communication skills by working with Doris Lee Davis Pritchett, author of “Life On A Magic Carpet.”

Franks sees service-learning as being a win-win experience for Averett, the students and the community. “It's taking young people's perspectives and sharing them in the community, gradually permeating the region.

The community is gaining an infusion of fresh perspectives, talent and hands-on volunteers.

They are also able to save resources for their organizations and build capacity. I am hopeful that in the not-so-distant future our local nonprofits will talk about one of the greatest assets in our region being Averett students.”

For students, service-learning helps them apply what they are learning in the classroom and deepens it. They're learning to work in teams, learning to problem solve, communicate and think critically. It exposes students to new things and broadens their view. “If they're enjoying what they're doing, the greater chance there is they'll be engaged in the community,” Franks said. “It makes learning relevant and fun.” She sees students who have taken service-learning classes having more confidence than their peers. In addition, she believes it's another step in helping them realize their full potential.

But service-learning doesn't just benefit students; it also benefits faculty and the campus at large. “At the end of the day faculty want to know students are learning,” Franks said.

“Service-learning constantly demonstrates the relevance of what they are doing.

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If they’re enjoying what they’re doing, the greater chance there is they’ll be engaged in the community,

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– Dr. Tiffany Franks, President

“It goes back to the campus culture; we're trying to create a culture of giving back. The world is more than me or you. I hope that it helps the campus ethos, and that the more people see it is valued the more we'll be motivated to spread it across all disciplines.

“I would love for the majority of our classes to include a service-learning component. I want it to define our brand and distinguish Averett.

We have the potential to do something unique here.” As the initiative grows, Franks sees more and more Averett students staying in the region and working. “It has the potential to positively influence the social fabric of our community …

Organizations will see us as the go to place for problem solving.”

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While just in its infancy, Franks is pleased with the success she has seen so far.

“Hearing the students talk about a particular course and then seeing their passion, sense of purpose and confidence, has been powerful.”

Making this vision a reality took resources.

Turning a traditional class into a servicelearning class requires a time commitment from faculty, and the university has worked to provide the necessary tools to help them provide a high-quality experience both for the students and the community partner.

Fortunately, in August 2014, Averett was the recipient of a grant from the Danville Regional Foundation that totaled more than $1.9 million, and will be awarded over five years. Thanks to the grant, the university created the Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness (CCECC) and hired a staff that focuses exclusively on service-learning, volunteerism and our students' career development.

The center serves as the hub for community engagement and career competitiveness in the region through academic partnerships

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We must continue to think boldly and look at how we can use service-learning to have an even greater impact on students, the communities we serve and on the university as a whole.

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– Dr. Tiffany Franks, President

with Danville Community College and Piedmont Community College, public schools, businesses and nonprofit partners. It has built on the momentum already created in our community, focusing on three key areas: 1. Service-Learning: Programs empower students to learn from direct experience while serving the needs of the community; i.e., to take lessons learned in the classroom and apply them to reallife situations.

2. Career Competitiveness: The focus here is on a) helping students find internships with businesses or nonprofit organizations in this region — internships that are mutually beneficial to both the students and the businesses or nonprofit organizations for whom the students are working; b) mentoring students, “coaching them up” on their interviewing skills and helping them build strong résumés; and c) ultimately helping students find rewarding employment in this region – i.e., the kind of jobs/careers that will make our talented young people want to stay.

3. Community Engagement: Imagine empowering students, faculty and staff to fan out across the region and volunteer their services to area nonprofits. Imagine the difference they will make in the lives of people most in need.

During the course of the semester, students in Dr. Andrew Canady’s Honors 100: History of Danville course alternated between spending a week in reading and discussion about the history of Danville and being in the community experiencing that history firsthand.

Now that the center has been up and running for a year, the university will continue to help people understand what servicelearning is and what it is not.

The university wants to support faculty in seeing the possibilities – that any class can include a service-learning component.

Also, weaving service-learning into the adult program is an opportunity to differentiate it from similar programs. In addition, Franks knows the university has taken giant steps and is becoming a model for other institutions in this area, but cannot stop here.

“We must continue to think boldly and look at how we can use service-learning to have an even greater impact on students, the communities we serve and on the university as a whole.”

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How You can Help As an alumnus/alumna or friend of the university, you can play a role in this new initiative. One way to do that is to be a champion for Averett with nonprofits when you become aware of opportunities for impact. In addition to letting nonprofits know what we can do to help them resolve their issue or problem, contact someone at the CCECC (tyancey@averett.edu) so that we can reach out to them ourselves.

The Difference Service-Learning can Make Over three semesters, 282 students who took a servicelearning course participated in a survey at the conclusion of the class. This data will continue to be collected at the end of each semester. Following are some of the results from those earlier surveys.

Service-learning strengthened: •

Communication skills — 76 percent

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Leadership skills — 55 percent

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Social and/or professional relationships — 59 percent

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Real life applications to coursework — 48 percent

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Tolerance and/or diversity appreciation — 55 percent

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Critical thinking skills — 48 percent

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Understanding of community needs — 70 percent

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Civic responsibility — 49 percent

In regards to their service-learning experience: •

81 percent of students said the service aspect of the course helped them better understand the readings and course material

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84 percent said their interaction with the community partner enhanced their learning in the course

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83 percent said they would encourage fellow students to take service-learning courses as a result of their experience

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85 percent said their service-learning experience helped them to better understand their role as a citizen

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91 percent said they learn course content best when connections to real-world situations are made

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72 percent said they would enroll in more servicelearning courses

History of Service-Learning

By Alexis Ehrhardt & Emily Tomlinson '15

Amidst rapid economic and social change at the turn of the 20th century, American philosopher John Dewey contemplated the practice of education in the United States. He believed that education should be relevant to the lives and experiences of students and that every school should be a model community — a small democracy that immersed students in the practice of cooperation and exposed them to different points of view and experiences.

Unlike traditional educators that stressed rote learning and an authoritative teacher, Dewey emphasized learning by doing.

Experience and democracy were the central tenets of his philosophy of education. In “The School and Society,” Dewey wrote, “When the school introduces and trains each child of society into membership within such a little community, saturating him with the spirit of service, and providing him with instruments of effective self-direction, we shall have the deepest and best guarantee of a larger society which is worthy, lovely and harmonious.”

Although Dewey wrote “The School and Society” more than a century ago, his philosophy lives on not only in our K-12 schools, but also in higher education through service-learning.

Service-learning has been utilized as a learning pedagogy since the 1960s, and in 1979, Robert Sigmon wrote the seminal article defining service-learning and how educational institutions might utilize it as a classroom tool. Pointing out that true service-learning honors both parts of the word, Sigmon asserted that everyone involved in service-learning is a “learner,” whether the community partners, the instructors, or students in the classroom.

Service-learning became more common after the establishment of Campus Compact in 1985. Eight years later, the Corporation for National and Community Service was established, and subsequently the National and Community Service Trust Act defined servicelearning as “a method under which students or participants learn and develop through active participation in thoughtfully organized service” (“Campus Compact,” 2003).

Today, more than half of the nation's community colleges and more than a quarter of universities engage in a service-learning initiative (Corporation for NATIONAL & COMMUNTITY SERVICE, 2009). In addition, 35 states have adopted a service-learning policy, bringing this learning approach to youth across the country (Corporation for NATIONAL & COMMUNTITY SERVICE, 2009).

Among those working with the Corporation for NATIONAL & COMMUNTITY SERVICE nearly 60 percent of colleges and universities have embraced service-learning as part of their core curriculum (2009).

Averett University is proud to be a part of this national endeavor. In offering service-learning courses the university understands that by combining theory with experience and thought with action our students and our community will be transformed.

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New Stadium Honors Dr. Frank Campbell with (left to right) his daughter, Cathy Burgess; wife, Janet; and granddaughter, Melissa Burgess.

Dr. Frank R. Campbell, President Emeritus Campbell served the university as president from 1985-2002.

During his 17 year tenure, the university saw many changes and improvements including: • achieving university status; • the construction of five facilities — Grousbeck Music Building, the Equestrian Center, the North Campus, Averett Commons Apartments and the football fieldhouse; • the introduction of the Graduate and Professional Studies Program; • the addition of the master of arts in teaching degree and master of education degree; • the expansion of the athletics program to include men's baseball, football and women's soccer; • the expansion of the campus from 19 acres to 210 acres; • raising nearly $50 million; and • increasing the endowment from $240,000 to nearly $26 million.

On Saturday, Oct. 24 Averett broke ground on a new stadium complex that will be named in honor of the university's twenty-second president, President Emeritus Dr. Frank R. Campbell. Construction of the $3.3 million project began in early November, following the conclusion of the 2015 football and soccer seasons. The stadium is expected to be completed by July 2016. This is another project that was a part of Averett's successful $29.1 million comprehensive capital campaign.

Averett completed the $1.9 million first phase of the stadium complex last summer with the installation of state-of-the-art synthetic turf and lights on Daly Field. This latest, and final, phase of the stadium complex will include the J.T. Emerson Press Box and President's Suite, new stands for seating, a dramatic entryway and plaza, and more. Signature gifts from the E. Stuart James Grant Charitable Trust; the JT-Minnie Maude Charitable Trust; the Philip N. Daly and Frances K. Daly Charitable Lead Unitrust; former Board of Trustee member 10

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s President Emeritus

by Emily Tomlinson '15

Former Trustee Issues Challenge In November, a former Board of Trustees member pledged $50,000 for a new digital scoreboard if the university could raise an additional $50,000. For eight weeks the university ran a series of videos (one was even in two languages!) featuring students and administration asking alumni and friends for help as part of the “Score One for the Home Team” challenge. The outpouring of generosity helped us reach our goal, giving the university an early Christmas present.

“What you've made possible is special and it is significant,” said Averett President Dr. Tiffany Franks in the final video.

“You've made dreams come true — dreams for our students, dreams for all of Averett University and dreams for this community. We are all so very, very grateful.”

We are thankful for everyone who contributed to this project.

We could not have done it without you!

To watch the videos, visit YouTube and look for theaverettchannel and then Averett Scoreboard Campaign.

Richard Wright and his wife, Jean; Beverley and Doug Dalton, also a former Trustee; and an anonymous donor in addition to other generous donors helped make the stadium complex possible.

“We look forward to completing construction on this exciting state-of-the-art addition to our campus,” said Athletics Director Meg Stevens. “It will enhance the overall student experience while providing our fans with an even more memorable game day atmosphere.

“This stadium not only impacts Averett athletics, it changes Averett and it changes Danville. This new venue will give the university a chance to host other local and regional events and opens the door for the community to see all the great opportunities Averett has to offer.”

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SERVICE-LEARNING: Impacting Students and Helping the Community

by Emily Tomlinson '15

As someone who tries to make what she is teaching in class real for her students, Dr. Susan Huckstep '89, assistant professor, communication studies/journalism and English, was very excited about the service-learning concept from the start.

classes. “I'm always trying to show them how it relates to real life, how they can use it,” Huckstep said. She has seen it give students an understanding that what they're learning in class is meaningful and applicable to life.

“With service-learning they're putting the things they're learning “I've gained a lot of joy” from teaching these classes. “It makes into practice almost immediately,” Huckstep said. “Class time is me smile when I see students exceed their expectations. They spent learning the theory and then they go out and do it. They start out so nervous and unsure of themselves; and by the end, come back; and we talk about it – what worked, what didn't and they're standing up in front of a board of directors and making a then they go and do it again. It's much more like presentation.” how the world really works because they're Service-learning has also been a good reminder learning as much from what doesn't go well as I've seen this that not every student responds to traditional what does. They're learning about how to handle methods the same way. “When I'm teaching, I'm ignite students' mistakes and missed opportunities as well as watching the students and trying to determine about working with others. how to get them involved and motivated.

“

“I've seen this ignite students' interest when nothing else has. When they're put in the servicelearning environment, they light up. It energizes them, whereas books, texts, traditional learning does not.”

interest when nothing else has...they light up. It energizes them...

”

“With service-learning I'm not so much standing in front of students as standing beside them, learning about the organization and the challenges it is facing at the same time the students are.

I've had to learn to be flexible. You can't teach in a linear fashion because you have to go with the needs of the community partner.”

Huckstep was one of the first faculty members to teach service-learning courses. So far, she has – Dr. Susan Huckstep '89, had four courses with service-learning embedded It's not only the students and Huckstep herself that Assistant Professor in them with two focused specifically on serviceare affected by what they are learning and doing. learning projects. Students have researched The community partner is also impacted. For alternative ways to use the greenhouse on those organizations without a big budget or the campus, redesigned a banner on campus, promoted the ARC of manpower, Huckstep hopes the efforts of her classes provide the Southside and its retail store, and worked with the YMCA when its nonprofit with new and effective ways to tell their stories. “The new facility opened. Along the way they have gained experience in community partners are so welcoming and excited to work with presenting to boards, meeting and working with consultants, and our students,” Huckstep said. “The Danville community has been pitching their ideas to community partners. great.”

“I continue to teach service-learning because I continue to see the impact on students,” Huckstep said. “They see they're helping the community in affirming ways. Plus, I love to be able to say 'My students can do that,' when someone comes to me with a problem that needs to be addressed.”

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Huckstep believes a service-learning culture is important on campus because “it's important for our students to see the real world and to realize they can make a difference in that world.

There's a danger in that we can become artificially insulated; but if we can break down the boundaries between the classroom and the community, the better off we'll be.

“Sometimes I think students think 'I'll do that when I'm older,' but they need to realize now is the best time, when they're young and full of energy.”

Rhyan Scearce helps resident, Josephine Jeffers, with her bingo card during “fun week.”

SERVICE-LEARNING: A Partner's Perspective

by Emily Tomlinson '15

In her position as a Life Works Plus Coach at Riverside Health & Rehabilitation Center in Danville, Alison Waymouth '11 was looking for ways to integrate the company with the community.

As a former student in the athletic training program, she knew first-hand about all of the presentations students have to make.

In addition, Waymouth understood that the only way to give better presentations is practice, practice and more practice. That's why she was interested in connecting with her alma mater to form a partnership.

every day. So to have someone who spends private time with them and takes an interest in them was very much appreciated.

Plus, it meant they didn't have to listen to me all the time — they learned from someone else.

The matter was taken out of her hands when Dr. Carrie Hendrick, assistant professor and director of the athletic training program, called about having students in her Therapeutic Exercises Practicum work with residents at the center. Waymouth jumped at the chance, seeing it as a good opportunity for the residents and the students.

Students set up a schedule where one week they would give a presentation on a topic such as ambulating and the next week they would do a fun activity. In conjunction with the presentation, residents had to act out what they were learning from the students. For example, if a person was wheelchair bound, students would ask residents how they would move the chair using only their feet; the resident would then show how it was done. The students made sure the residents were moving and active as much as their respective situations allowed.

“As an athletic training student, you don't really have the opportunity to work with geriatrics,” Waymouth said. “I saw this as another avenue they can look at for their careers and as a chance to show them athletic training isn't cookie cutter. I knew this would be something new and different for them.”

As for the residents, Waymouth knew some outside interaction would be good for them as well.

“For many of them, the only interaction they have is with their physical therapist or the nurse who comes in and out of their room

“They loved the students coming in. On Thursdays, residents were usually early, eagerly awaiting their arrival. Those who won shirts during some of the games they played with the students started wearing them on Thursdays.”

For their activity on the “fun” week, students created a bingo game using the facts shared the previous week in the presentation. “The students took it above and beyond what I expected,” Waymouth said. “I was really impressed.

“I'm excited because it's opened the doors for us to work with more service-learning classes and build a stronger partnership with Averett.”

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SERVICE-LEARNING:

More than Meets the Eye

by Emily Tomlinson '15

When most people think of athletic training they think of work with athletes at all abilities/levels and with the various sports – football, baseball, basketball, soccer. In fact, it's more than that. It's about providing immediate care and rehabilitation for people from all walks of life, not just athletes. That's one of the reasons Dr. Carrie Hendrick, assistant professor and director of athletic training, was interested in providing a service-learning opportunity to the students in her Therapeutic Exercises Practicum course — she wanted to get the word out about athletic training at Averett, as well as about athletic training in general.

“With this opportunity we were been able to target a different group of people,” Hendrick said. “Career settings are growing – there are jobs in industrial settings now, athletic trainers don't just work with athletics and athletes. There are so many other areas.”

Students took what they learned in class and applied it in real world applications at Riverside Health and Rehabilitation Center in Danville this past fall. They gave presentations to the residents on nutrition, exercise and cognitive function.

Students also created a special Bingo game the residents played using questions from the presentations as well as historical facts from the past.

“It was different because obviously we were not in the traditional classroom setting,” said senior Rhyan Scearce.

“Having class in the nursing home setting where we were the teachers was different. This class was definitely outside of my comfort zone at first, but grew into something I looked forward to every week.”

Scearce admits that initially she did not know much about service-learning and did not really want to branch out and take such a course. It wasn't until Hendrick explained how the course would work that Scearce felt comfortable with the idea and became excited.

“I was excited to get started and see how things would turn out,” Scearce said. “Being hands-on and helping out at the nursing home with patients who do not get to see much outside interaction was what I was most thrilled about.”

One of the advantages to a service-learning class is that both parties benefit because service-learning is building a bridge between the community and Averett. “Individual relationships are built for both the students and the community partner,” Hendrick said. “It lets the The class’ work with the residents community know we care. was featured in The Lifeworks Post, a publication distributed by Lifeworks Rehab. While at the facility, students met alumnae Marjorie Motley ‘44.

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“For those at Riverside, the residents were able to interact with someone they might not otherwise have had the opportunity to meet or

work with. Students were able to work with those with wheelchairs, canes and walkers. They were exposed to scenarios they wouldn't normally be exposed to, especially when they are normally working with athletes.”

For Hendrick and her class, the partnership with Riverside Rehabilitation was a good one. Hendrick's intention when creating the service-learning course was to branch out and think outside the box. She wanted people to see the athletic training program in another light because “we can help every population, every demographic. That's what we're there for.”

While she was unsure of the service-learning class initially, Scearce enjoyed it immensely – so much so in fact that if the opportunity arose to take another one she would.

“This class will help me when it comes to dealing with different populations and groups of people,” Scearce said. “Geriatrics was a group I had no experience with until now, and I had to adapt pretty quickly, but I think I did and the overall process turned out great.”

Hendrick too gained something from teaching her first service-learning class.

“For me personally, I was outside of my normal realm right along with the students,” Hendrick said. She had to learn how to communicate with the community partner and navigate the various ins and outs involved in the process. “Being able to see the students apply what they were learning, and witness their ‘aha moments’, gave me that motivation to continue.”

The service-learning culture Averett is working to build on campus accomplishes many things. First and foremost Hendrick believes the university is taking away the stigma that students are immature and don't care about the community. Secondly, it gives the students the opportunity to experience real life.

“Communication and interpersonal communication are so important and this teaches that,” Hendrick said. “Service-learning helps enforce it, and gives them the opportunity to interact with others on another level.”

From left to right: David Seago, Alicia Carey, Rhyan Scearce, Dr. Carrie Hendrick, Nicole Garcia, Lauren Cami, and Brian Benitez pose with alumnae Marjorie Motley '44 and Erma Hagood '45.

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SERVICE-LEARNING:

Retraining for Life After Retirement

by Emily Tomlinson '15

Retirement. It's a point we all hope to reach in our lives.

Some of us dream of it and others avoid it like the plague.

There are some who retire (or are put out to pasture) that still have a lot left to give — a lot of life left to live. What happens then?

Believe it or not, this scenario applies to more than humans. What happens when thoroughbreds retire from racing? The answer to this question is one the equine industry has been working to answer over the last decade.

Averett's equestrian studies (ES) department is also trying to do their part thanks to a partnership with BlueBloods Thoroughbred Adoption & Placement (BBTAP) in Blanch, N.C. BBTAP was founded in 2013 by Elizabeth Macdonald as a nonprofit thoroughbred adoption program that provides retired racehorses a second career and healthy life after retirement. Macdonald, who grew up riding horses and fox hunting, previously spent time as the director of ReRun, Inc., an off-the-track 501c3 thoroughbred adoption and placement organization as well as serving as director for Second Call Inc., the Monmouth Park Aftercare Program.

"A lot of people who look at the horses have no idea how to start from scratch and retrain a thoroughbred," said Carolyn "Cricket" Morris, equestrian associate. "It's great for our students to get experience retraining a horse. We're providing the students with chances to learn new and different things."

The ES department first offered the service-learning class, Retraining the Off-the-Track Thoroughbred, in the fall of 2014. According to senior Kizuri "Zuri" Lamper students were assigned one or two horses. Students had lessons with their thoroughbreds twice a week. The goal of the class is for the students to ride and retrain the horses in order for them to be adopted and ready for new jobs.

Melody Sharpe works “Baker” around the ring at BlueBloods Thoroughbred Adoption & Placement.

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Typically, Lamper tried to arrive at the barn at least an hour before her designated riding time so that she had enough time to bring the horse in from the field, groom it, check for injuries and tack it up for the lesson. The lesson lasted about 45 minutes and there were usually two or three students in the ring at once working with other horses. "Cricket might have us practice taking the horses over jumps, or simply work on other exercises they might need," Lamper said. "Most of these horses raced at some point and therefore have to learn how to be ridden under different circumstances. We want them to relax and transition as well as possible into new careers, whether it is as a trail horse, lesson horse or show horse."

Even on days she didn't have class, Lamper still drove to BlueBloods to spend time with her horses – she worked with two.

In addition to working with the horses, students kept a journal on each horse, collecting a variety of information including growth, personality issues, and likes and dislikes. Some of the students even researched the horse's pedigree. The journals were given to the new owners so they had detailed information about their horse.

"It's a good marriage of two programs," Morris said.

"It's a great resource for our students and for Elizabeth (Macdonald)." In 2014, all of the horses that were retrained were adopted and several from the class last fall were ready to go to new homes as well.

Lamper did not set out to take a service-learning course.

She became interested in the course because it dealt with horses and because she had seen the success her peers had. "The fact that it was a service-learning course was purely coincidental. However I definitely enjoyed that aspect!"

Senior Micah Andrews was in the original class in fall 2014 and signed up again this past fall. "I wanted to take this class in particular because I really enjoy the retraining of horses. Also, this class has been a huge help to Elizabeth. I would definitely take it again because I love helping people in the community and helping Elizabeth with her horses. In addition it has helped me get ready for the 'real world,' and has given me an idea of what I want to do when I graduate."

Morris believes the experience gained through exploring opportunities outside the traditional classroom setting is invaluable. "The world is changing, and the more we prepare our students going into the world the better off they will be."

"Taking this course has certainly broadened my ideas about what sort of jobs are available to me after graduation," Lamper said. "Never before had I considered working with and retraining ex-racehorses, but I so thoroughly enjoyed doing so last semester that I truly believe it would be something to consider in my future."

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SERVICE-LEARNING: A Life-Changing Accident

by Emily Tomlinson '15 Accidents, by their very nature, just happen. Lucky are those for whom good things come about following an accident.

Senior Mustafa “Moose” Ahmed Nassar is one such person. Ahmed Nassar took his first service-learning class his sophomore year quite by accident. When he found out what was required of the class, he almost dropped it. But, Dr. Susan Huckstep '89 assistant professor, communication studies/journalism and English, convinced him to stay.

It was the right decision. He not only loved the class, he fell in love with servicelearning. Since then he's taken as many service-learning classes as he can – four so far. And that first class? It landed him a part-time job at the new YMCA in Danville.

“I learn better in those classes,” Ahmed Nassar said, admitting that before discovering service-learning he was doing the bare minimum in his classes and wasn't really engaged. Now, he realizes the potential he has; and he's become more active. “I've learned what I am good at, and it has made me more self-aware. I've become more interested in helping people because I'm not just learning something, I'm helping people too.

“I like the hands-on aspect of (servicelearning) because I don't have to read or memorize textbooks. With service-learning classes you can see a result, and still have a professor there to help and guide you.”

Ahmed Nassar sees service-learning as an alternative class where students have the opportunity to work more indepth with the community. They learn the theory in class and then are able to apply it in the community so that there's “more engagement with what you're learning.”

To date, his favorite class has been the “War and Literature” class in which students read and analyzed books like “Mouse” that are related to war and worked with local veterans. They also take a trip with the veterans at the end of the semester to Washington, D.C., to see the various war memorials and visit battlefields.

He's thankful for the opportunities his service-learning classes have provided.

“I've had regular jobs, but nothing that would relate to what I'm doing for my career. (Service-learning) has given me the opportunity to put my name on something and gain experience to put on my résumé.

“It's been a good bridge between Averett and the community. When I started doing service-learning I started learning more about the community and seeing it in a new light. Danville's a cool place.”

Service-Learning Courses Fall 2015 • • • • • • • •

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Meaghan Byrne, Business Communications, Stratford House Mary Lou Dunn, Community Assessment, Pittsylvania County Community Action Dr. Carrie Hendrick, Athletic Training Seminar, Riverside Health and Rehabilitation Dr. Andrew Cannady, Introduction to Danville History (Honors Class), History United/Schoolfield Museum/Averett Library Dr. Susan Huckstep, Introduction to Public Relations, Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness Dr. Michelle Liu, Adapted Physical Education, Christian Homes Educating Children Dr. Sergey Samoilenko, Computers in Context, Averett Cricket Morris, Retraining the Off-the-Track Thoroughbred, BlueBloods Thoroughbred Adoption & Placement

AVERETT MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016

Spring 2016 • • • • •

Dr. Antoinette Gazda, War in Literature, Disabled American Veterans Dr. Michelle Liu, Secondary School Physical Education, Christian Homes Educating Children Meaghan Byrne, Strategies for Equine Business Management, Olde Dominion Agriculture Center Dr. Susan Huckstep, Advanced Public Relations, Danville Life Saving Crew Brigid Belko, IDS 101: Freshmen Success Seminar, Tutoring Challenge

G RAD UATE & P RO F E S SI O NA L ST U D IE S

Desire to Help People Leads to Career Change

by Emily Tomlinson '15

After spending her career split between education and social work, 44-year-old Wanda Byrd '11 felt it was “time to make a whole shift.”

“I've worked in social work for such a long time,” Byrd said. “In regards to some HR issues, I've seen things that weren't done correctly or fairly. Instead of being fussy and a complainer, which no one likes, I started to look for ways to fix the problem. I knew I couldn't fix the problem without learning about possible solutions.

But I knew that once I found some solutions, I could share them with others.”

As a working adult and single mother, Byrd couldn't quit her job to pursue a master's of business administration degree with a concentration in human resources. “The average person can't just quit their job and go to school full time,” Byrd said. However, thanks to her previous experience with the university – she also has a MEd through the Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) Program – she knew Averett could give her a solid foundation and help her find the answers she needed.

“Averett's people are very supportive and persistent,” Byrd said.

“They want us to do well, they want us to graduate. Valerie Murphy-Point (a director of enrollment for GPS) is awesome. If it wasn't for Valerie, I wouldn't be in this program.

“Everyone is easy to contact and easy to communicate with – even the president of the university. Dr. Franks came to our senior pinning ceremony, and I emailed her some pictures from the event.

She emailed me back right away. She gets mad kudos for that.

That speaks volumes about Averett and what they're trying to do.”

As a working adult and single mother trying to raise two active teenaged girls, pursuing her degree is no easy task. “It's very time consuming,” Byrd said. “There's nothing slow about it. My biggest challenge is being able to manage my time. I make sure that school takes priority.

“My girls see me doing school work, and often we're all doing work at the same time.

I'm trying to instill in them a strong work ethic because I want them to work smarter, not harder.”

According to Byrd, the classes that are a part of the GPS Program have challenged and stretched her. “One of my favorite classes was probably my hardest class. I wrote a paper and the professor gave it back to me because he did not feel it was graduate level work. Dr. Bailey (the professor) taught me how to write. He was hard, but I enjoyed him. He showed me how to improve my work, and I've been able to build on that.”

With her interest in HR, several of Byrd's classes have been right up her alley.

“Thanks to the organizational behavior class I've been able to incorporate some of the things I've learned when I'm talking to others outside my organization. I've also been able to apply some of the tactics to my job.”

Byrd is a supervisor in the department of human services for the city of Chesapeake. “Being able to help people, that's where the reward comes in.” She hopes that once she completes her MBA in August she will receive a promotion. She would like to be a chief, department head or deputy director. But even if that doesn't happen, she's hoping to transition into HR. “I want to be able to work in the HR field more. I want to make significant changes to impact my coworkers and staff.”

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G RAD UATE & P RO F E S SI O NA L ST U D IE S

Life Interrupts,

but Graduate Perseveres

by Emily Tomlinson '15

Woody Allen once said “If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.” While we set goals and make plans, life has a way of changing, reversing or altering them, and we're left scrambling to catch up, trying to figure out where to go and what to do.

For Mary “Kathy” Collins '15, life happened. She graduated from Longwood University in 1982, and ended up working in a garment factory for 13 years as a machine operator. Then in 1996, she was hired by the city of Lynchburg to work at the landfill as a heavy equipment operator and truck driver.

“

processing of financial aid. Other factors Collins found enticing about Averett's Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) Program were the challenging course load and its ability to meet her needs and the time frame required to achieve her degree.

“The whole setup was very organized,” Collins said. “The administrative staff and professors were very helpful.

Both were just a call or email away, and the course load could be adjusted depending on a student's life and work. Graduate study work with a real world attitude.”

Graduate study work with a real world attitude.

”

Once she began pursuing her master's degree, Collins received a raise to match another job offer.

Then this past December she received another promotion along with another increase in salary.

Meanwhile, she began taking classes in accounting at Central Virginia Community – Kathy Collins '15 College and in 2005 received a promotion from the city to work in finance at City Hall as “Not that I am saying everything is about how much an account technician. Collins transferred her you make, but it does reflect an appreciation from an college credits to Liberty University; and while employer that they recognize your hard work.” attending in 2008, was promoted once again. After completing her accounting degree at Liberty, she was promoted to accountant In her current position, accountant level III, she works as the level II in 2012. Despite her promotions, Collins knew that as an Comprehensive Services Act and Adoption Program Accountant older employee a master's degree would help increase her hiring for the Human Services Department for the city of Lynchburg. potential. She also knew a graduate degree could increase her chances for another promotion.

“The challenge of this job will be to revamp the financial processes to decrease the time a vendor is contracted to the Once she made the decision to pursue an advanced degree, time they receive payment for their services. I hope to use the Collins set about researching her options. She chose three knowledge gained from my degree to plan and implement a user colleges – two of which were already familiar to her – Longwood, friendly and supportive group of people for the betterment of our Liberty and Averett University. Even though she had earned her children. bachelors' degrees from Longwood and Liberty, she visited both schools and spoke with staff about the graduate programs. She “I did not think I could do it, but Averett gave me the means to chose Averett because of the ease of applying and the upfront finish it.”

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AVERETT MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016

CA M P US NEWS

Early Childhood Education in Music at Averett

by Debbie Flinn '13

Boomwhackers, orffs, kazoos and maracitos — sounds like something out of Dr. Seuss! In fact, these are some of the first musical instruments children will be exposed to thanks to Averett's new early childhood education in music program Growing Up Musically (GUM).

In January, Averett Assistant Professor of Music Dr. Janet Phillips began working with local Head Start and Smart Beginnings' childcare facilities to deliver a series of music programs for our area's youngest students. Generously funded by benefactors and former Averett campaign co-chairs, Ben and Betty Davenport, GUM launched February 24.

The program will be based on the same curriculum used by Averett’s music department. It has been designed to deliver unique benefits to existing early education providers' curricula and to the children.

Research demonstrates that younger children's early exposure to music provides the following benefits: fewer referrals for discipline, higher educational aspirations, and fewer absences from school. In addition, children exposed to music show higher levels of confidence, impulse control, self-identity, problemsolving, conflict resolution skills, empathy and social tolerance.

“Not only will the Growing Up Musically Program provide joy and music to our preschoolers, but our early childhood education teachers will expand their knowledge of how to instruct children in music and incorporate music, rhythm and movement into their teaching practices,” said Tara Martin, Executive/Head Start Director. “Our teachers are working closely with Averett's faculty to develop their comfort level in instruction, and it has been a wonderful partnership.”

GUM also integrates service-learning for student-teachers in Averett's education program. Student-teachers will intern to deliver the 12-session GUM program at childcare facilities and teach early childhood education (ECE) providers how to incorporate music and movement as part of their instruction.

Averett's music faculty and education students will work directly with the children and instruments once a week at the various childcare sites. They will leave daily lesson plans and tip sheets for ECE teachers to reinforce that session's learning throughout the rest of the week during daily lessons and play.

This strategy will enhance early childhood development and teachers' knowledge in a new delivery outreach model.

The goal of this new program is for a generation of preschoolers to develop an appreciation of music, experience making music themselves, and realize all the benefits music brings to learning: things like language and literacy, rhythm, attention and memory.

Averett University Reveals New Logo On Wednesday, February 10, Averett University revealed a new logo to faculty and staff.

The logo features both a vertical and horizontal format, which allows for greater flexibility in usage. While the athletics department has updated its logo in the last few years, this is the first time the university as a whole has refreshed its logo in nearly two decades.

“We have looked at possible designs for a new logo for more than a year and are pleased with what we have come up with,” said Averett Vice President Buddy Rawley. “It was important to us to pay homage to the university’s history and one of the most recognizable features on campus – the columns of Main Hall. At the same time we wanted a newer and more modern look.”

Averett’s new logo will be phased in over the next few months with a projected deadline of July 1 for all university letterhead, marketing materials, publications, etc. Over the last few years, the university has moved to a blue that is closer to navy blue than royal blue and this logo features the new color prominently.

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CA MPUS NEWS

Old Gym...

by Emily Tomlinson '15

Once a hub of activity on campus and a venue for athletics events, the gym located under Pritchett Auditorium had fallen into disrepair; and as a result, was rarely being used. Falling ceiling tiles, bad lighting and water damage made the gym unsafe as well as unattractive for student use and led to its closure in January 2015.

“It was a safety concern,” Athletics Director Meg Stevens said of the gym. “It really is the only place on the Main Campus where students can, and should, recreate, but it hadn't been kept up.”

Fortunately, administration did not see the gym, constructed in the 1950s, as a lost cause. They began raising money to start renovations which began last summer. As with most renovation projects however, there is always more to be done than is initially realized. In total, the university spent $200,000, which was all funded by donors, to renovate what is now known as the Carrington Gym. According to Stevens, the university chose to do everything in one fell swoop instead of tackling repairs one at a time.

Renovations were extensive and include a HVAC system, which is a major addition; new ceiling and lights; the original floor was sanded, resealed and repainted; the interior was repainted; new basketball rims; new wall pads to help with safety and acoustics; the bleachers were sanded and a new coat of polyurethane was applied; the bathroom was refurbished; and new doors will be hung in the main entrance.

“Campus recreation and intramurals is such an integral part of campus life and the updates to the gym will help with that,” Stevens said. “We've considered the gym's history as we've revitalized it and alumni should be proud of it.”

The university held a grand opening ceremony for the gym on Founder's Day – Jan. 21 – and the first intramural event, a dodgeball game, was held that night.

A special thanks is extended to the following signature donors: The Alexander Berkeley Carrington, Jr., and Ruth Simpson Carrington Charitable Trust; The Galesi Family Foundation, Inc.; and Bonnae C. Buchanan '74.

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AVERETT MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016

CA M P US NEWS Campus News

University Announces Engaged Employers Initiative Averett announced a new initiative — the Engaged Employers Initiative — last fall. Engaged Employers encourages and allows all Averett employees to take time off to volunteer for up to one full day a year.

Averett expects community engagement from our students, and is committed to making it possible for employees to model this aspect of being a catalyst for positive change as well.

“We are so excited about this initiative and what it will mean for the city of Danville and Pittsylvania and Caswell counties,” said Alexis Ehrhardt, executive director of The Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness (CCECC). “For the past few years the Danville Regional Foundation and then Averett has hosted a Day to Engage. Last spring, we hosted our first ever Week to Engage, which saw more than 430 volunteers working across the region. Now, with this initiative, the positive impact we can have on our region is limitless.”

Getting other employers on board can help effect very impactful change across the region.

The CCECC will work with employers who are participating in the initiative by identifying service projects that accommodate one person or a whole department. Further, a volunteerism software platform, Get Connected, will be available to anyone in the region for the purpose of browsing agencies, service projects and volunteer events.

Local businesses interested in participating in the Engaged Employers initiative should contact Ehrhardt at 434-791-7212 or aehrhardt@averett.edu.

The inaugural group of Engaged Employers includes the following businesses and organizations: • • • • • •

American National Bank & Trust Company Averett University Blair Construction CIT The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region Danville-Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce

• • • • • • • •

Davenport Energy Dewberry Danville Regional Foundation Danville Regional Medical Center First Piedmont Gateway Health Institute for Advanced Learning and Research Maddyzack

• • • • • •

Noblis Optima Health Piedmont Community College Riverside Insurance Supply Resources Wilkins & Co. Realtors

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FACULT Y & STAF F

Faculty and Staff Accolades

Ausband Published in New Book A book published by Cambridge UP features a chapter from Dr. Steve Ausband, former English professor. Ausband's essay on William Byrd covers the entire third chapter in “A History of Virginia Literature.”

Ehrhardt Presents at Conference Alexis Ehrhardt, Executive Director of the Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness, presented at the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia Chief Business & Human Resource Offices Annual meeting on October 30 at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton.

Her presentation was entitled “You Reap What You Sow – Employee Recruitment & Engagement.”

Flinn Earns Certification Debbie Flinn, Director of Development, has successfully met all the requirements to be named a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) – the CPA of fundraising. To be certified, participants must acquire 85 points of education, continuing education, teaching and a minimum of five years' fundraising experience as well as pass the formal exam.

Brenner Presents Paper at International Conference Dr. Aimee Brenner, Assistant Professor of Education, presented a paper at the Cognition and Exploratory Learning in the Digital Age (CELDA) International Conference at Maynooth University in Greater Dublin, Ireland on October 26. The paper was entitled “Creating Innovative, Student-Centered Projects with App Smashing” and was published in the conference proceedings. The paper was cowritten by Janel Hauser, a graduate student in the education program and was based on a project Brenner has been implementing in her education classes for several years.

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AVERETT MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016

Ferguson Publishes Article Dr. Richard Ferguson, Professor and Chair in the Physical Education Wellness & Sport Science department, is a regular contributor to Run Ohio magazine.

Hoffman Publishes Monthly Column Dr. David Hoffman, Professor of Communication Studies/Journalism and English, publishes a monthly column in the Danville Register & Bee. The column, which includes his photographs, focuses on his walks on the Danville Riverwalk Trail with his dog, Sadie.

FACULT Y & STAF F

Giles Selected as LANP Fellow

Laughlin Publishes Book

Pam Giles, Dean of the School of Nursing, was selected as a Leadership for Academic Nursing (LANP) Fellow for 2015-2016.

The LANP is sponsored by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).

Fellows are selected to participate in this year-long program through a competitive application process. Each year since 2002, a cohort of 40 Fellows has engaged in professional development activities, including an assessment of current leadership style and skills, mentoring opportunities with an experienced dean, and work to accomplish identified goals.

Representing a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills, the AACN Fellows have developed the necessary tools to be leaders in the academic nursing world.

Dr. John Laughlin, Professor Emeritus of Religion, has published a new book, “Understanding Joshua: A HistoricalCritical/Archaeological Commentary.” The book was published by Smyth & Helwys out of Macon, Ga.

Rowland Earns Certification Susan Rowland, Director of Curriculum Services for Distance Education, has successfully met all of the requirements for the Quality Matters Certified Peer Reviewer designation. This certification requires successful completion of rigorous Quality Matters professional development courses and current for-credit online teaching experience.

Howell Featured in Publication Aaron Howell, Vice President for Business and Finance, was featured in a story in Business Officer, the leading publication on higher education finance for Chief Financial Officers and Presidents.

Obenchain-Leeson to Serve as Assistant Editor Dr. Alice Obenchain-Leeson, Acting Dean of the GPS Program and Professor of Business, was invited to serve as an Assistant Editor for The Qualitative Report, a peer-reviewed, on-line monthly journal devoted to writing and discussion of and about qualitative, critical, action, and collaborative inquiry and research.

The Qualitative Report, the oldest multidisciplinary qualitative research journal in the world, serves as a forum and sounding board for researchers, scholars, practitioners, and other reflective-minded individuals who are passionate about ideas, methods, and analyses permeating qualitative, action, collaborative, and critical study. She is currently enrolled in the final course of a graduate certificate in Qualitative Research from Nova Southeastern University's College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

Quality Matters, Inc. (QM) is a nonprofit, international organization serving stakeholders in the online and blended learning industries. QM’s quality assurance processes and tools have been developed to improve and certify the design of online and blended courses and have become the national standard for course design.

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FACULT Y & STAF F

Samoilenko Published Dr. Sergey Samoilenko, Chair and Associate Professor of Computer Science and Information Systems, has been a busy writer. He coauthored a chapter (“Determining Sources of Relative Inefficiency in Heterogeneous Samples Using Multiple Data Analytic Techniques”) with Kweku-Muata Osei-Bryson in the book “Knowledge Discovery Process and Methods to Enhance Organizational Performance.” He has published two papers “Where do Investments in Telecoms Come From? Developing and Testing a Framework of Sustained Economic Impact of Investments in ICT” in the Journal of Information Technology for Development and “Investigation of Determinants of Total Factor Productivity: An Analysis of the Impact of Investments in Telecoms on Economic Growth in Productivity in the Context of Transition Economies,” which was coauthored with Kweku-Muata OseiBryson, and published in the International Journal of Technology Diffusion. He has also published a paper in the Journal of Global Information Technology Management entitled “Before and After Joining the European Union: The Impact of Investments in Telecoms on the Visegrád Group of Countries and Baltic States.” In addition, he has been contracted by Taylor & Francis Group to publish a book tentatively titled “Creating Theoretical Research Frameworks using Multiple Methods: Insight from ICT4D Investigations.”

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AVERETT MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016

Stevens Gives Keynote & Selected for Board

Taylor Graduates from Coaching Academy

Athletics Director Meg Stevens was the keynote speaker at the NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar in Indianapolis, Ind. She addressed more than 200 graduate assistants and interns. The Emerging Leaders Seminar (ELS) is an annual professional development event providing effective leadership, educational and transitional programming for graduate assistants and interns at NCAA membership institutions, conference offices and affiliate organizations.

Head Softball Coach Bren LaFlame Taylor '98 attended and graduated from the NCAA Women's Coaching Academy (WCA) held in Denver, Colo.

Stevens was selected as a board member for the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA). The organization works to empower, develop and honor women working in collegiate sports. As a board member, Stevens will have an influential part in advancing the success of women in athletics across the country as the organization offers educational programs, networking and mentoring experiences for its members to promote growth and leadership opportunities.

“This was a life changing event that altered my whole outlook on coaching and mentoring these young ladies. My mission is to teach, develop and motivate; to instill positive and winning attitudes; to push, encourage and inspire; to create an environment of trust and hope and to never stop learning.”

The WCA provides skills training for coaches at all levels to assist them in being more efficient, productive, resourceful and successful. The academy is designed for women coaches who are ready and willing to increase their individual effectiveness by learning advanced skills and strategies that directly affect their personal and team success. The participants learn skills that are not sport specific, yet ones that are relevant and necessary for coaching responsibilities.

SPORTS NEWS

: Averett Legacy & Father

Daughter Leave Mark on University

By Drew Wilson

Looking back, it's almost hard for Bobby Shields '83 to fathom that what started out as a fun game between a father and daughter with a beach ball in the basement years ago would lead to her following in his footsteps. Averett University is a tie that further binds the accomplished former student-athlete and coach with his daughter, Hannah '18, who is already making a name for herself on the volleyball court two years into her collegiate career.

The elder Shields enjoyed a solid playing career at Averett on both the tennis and basketball teams. His contributions as a student-athlete and later in two stints as the Cougars' tennis coach helped him earn an induction into the Averett Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2015. Humbled by the honor, Bobby joked that he thought he was only being enshrined because he was the father of Hannah, who was in the middle of her sophomore season that would see her earn a second consecutive American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America Honorable Mention

recognition while being named the USA South Conference Player of the Year.

While his contributions to Averett the past four decades have been memorable, he's more proud of his daughter's development and success as a volleyball player. And so far, she is carrying on the family legacy in blue and gold, albeit in a different sport.

Tennis is a game that has flowed through Bobby's veins for as long as he can remember. As a member of the Averett men's tennis program, Shields won a conference singles championship. During multiple stints over the next two decades, he returned to his alma mater as a successful tennis coach. A two-time Conference Coach of the Year, he led the women's team from 1996-1999 and from 2007-2009 to two conference championships and one player to back-to-back individual national titles, then guided the men's program from 2004-2009 to one conference title.

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SPORTS NEWS It only seemed natural for Bobby to want to share his passion for tennis with Hannah.

So as soon as she was old enough to hold a small racquet, Bobby would toss tennis balls to her and she would hit them across the yard.

“I cannot handle the heat outside, and I definitely don't want to play in freezing cold weather.”

Eventually she tried volleyball and fell in love with it. Maybe it had something to do with the hours upon hours spent playing “Bump, Pass, Spike” over the years.

“Who would have ever thought that would have been a precursor to what she, years later, turned out to really love and enjoy doing,” Bobby said. “That was years before she became exposed to volleyball.”

“Of course you know what I was trying to do,” Bobby said. “I wanted her to develop a love for tennis. I could see us winning father-daughter national championships.”

As a physical education teacher at a local elementary school during Hannah's childhood, Bobby was always looking for a way to keep Hannah active. He created a game they named “Bump, Pass, Spike” in their basement. Bobby would hit a beach ball to Hannah. She would have to bump it back to him. He would hit it back to her and she would set it. He would pass it right back and she would then spike it.

“Like any kid wants to do, she would hit it as hard as she could,” recalled Bobby, who is now the principal at Kentuck Elementary School in Pittsylvania County. “Of course she plastered me in the face a number of times over the years.”

As time passed, Hannah realized tennis probably wasn't the sport for her.

“I really wasn't into tennis because I am an indoor sport kind of girl,” she joked.

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AVERETT MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016

Like tennis, volleyball is played on a court with a net. Yet, for Bobby, volleyball wasn't a sport he was well-versed in. That led him to call Averett Volleyball Head Coach Danny Miller '91, '95, who Bobby was working alongside at the time. The coach side of him wanted to learn everything he could about the sport so he could help train Hannah. Miller gave him every training video and manual he had. Bobby spent a weekend watching every video, reading books and taking detailed notes.

As a college tennis coach and previously as a high school basketball coach, Bobby was always into video. He bought one of the early versions of a camcorder that he remembers being “two feet long and a foot high.” As he says, “video doesn't lie.” As a coach, he always broke down players' mechanics in order to make them better.

It seemed only fitting to do the same as his daughter began to learn the game of volleyball.

“I guess I picked the sport that my dad really didn't know much about, but he was so dedicated and he would take the time to learn everything he could about volleyball,” Hannah said. “He would try to improve as I would improve so that he could be the best so that I could be the best.”

At his elementary school gym, Bobby repurposed some steps that were built as platforms for the king and queen of the school's Valentine's Day dance. Many days

after school, he had Hannah jump off them to simulate her motions on an attack at the net. Then he put tape on the floor to help her learn where to step on her approach.

Years later, Hannah is thankful for her dad's persistence. He's helped make her the all-conference player she is. Yet, like any kid, Hannah would get a little frustrated at the time. All she wanted to do was go out and play.

“He never let me slack off,” said Hannah, who noted her father's constant encouragement to push her to be successful.

Although he has handed off the primary coaching of Hannah to a fellow Averett Athletics Hall of Famer in Miller, Bobby still does what he can to aid Hannah's development. It's partly the coach in him, but it's mainly the dad in him. Bobby and his wife, Leigh Ann, are constant fixtures at Averett volleyball matches. Most times, Bobby can be found atop the stands with iPad in hand, filming Hannah's every movement. Technology has become more advanced — and much lighter — for Bobby, who breaks down the film for her after every match.

“Whenever I come home after a game, he always has the breakdown of everything that I've done,” Hannah said. “He's picked out my mistakes and what I need to work on. He also has all my kills, so that's a little bit of a confidence-booster. It really helps because, especially when I make mistakes, he can put it in slow motion.”

Going the extra mile is second nature to Bobby, especially for his only child.

“My dad is such an amazing man,” Hannah said. “He will put anyone else first before he puts himself first. That's a quality in him that I look up to, and I strive to be like him every single day.”

Perhaps there isn't a better example of this selflessness than Oct. 3, 2015. The day of Bobby's induction into the Hall of Fame, the Averett volleyball team was scheduled to play in a quad match at Ferrum College. It

SPO RTS NEWS was bittersweet for the Shields family. The honor of becoming a member of the Hall of Fame still gets Bobby choked up even today, but it also meant missing watching Hannah play. All throughout the ceremony, Bobby and Leigh Ann kept a close eye on

sophomore year, to get 1,000 career kills is pretty amazing. I remember walking in the gym as they were just finishing and she came running over and we had a good, old family embrace. It was quite an accomplishment for both of us on one day.

It was cool. It was a day that neither one of us will forget anytime soon.”

Although Hannah was able to watch video of her dad's Hall of Fame induction at a later time —fittingly on the family iPad — it broke her heart that she couldn't be there in person.

“He's always been there for every accomplishment I've had and every recognition I've received,” Hannah said.

“And then there's his huge accomplishment, and I couldn't be there for him. That was really upsetting for me. But with his iPad, Mom recorded that speech so I could watch it — I cried my eyes out. I was so proud of him. He was so happy about it and it made my world just to see how excited he was.”

the match thanks to live coverage on the internet. Hannah insisted they didn't have to come, that her dad should enjoy his big day. Yet, as soon as the ceremony ended, Bobby and Leigh Ann jumped in the car and drove a little over an hour through rainy weather to Ferrum to try to catch the end of Hannah's first match of the day against William Peace University, which went five sets.

“Going through the mountains trying to get up there, the game reception breaks because you're out in the middle of nowhere,” Bobby recalled. “We go sprinting into the gym and found out they won 19-17 in the fifth set.”

Coincidentally, at nearly the same time Bobby joined the list of Averett greats to earn Hall of Fame distinction, Hannah was hitting her own milestones. In the match against William Peace, Hannah recorded a career-high 31 kills to help her eclipse 1,000 for her career.

“That was a special time for me personally,” Bobby said. “For Hannah, pretty much just halfway through her

here at Averett; and I thought that maybe this is the place I'm supposed to be,” she recalled. “It was really the place that felt right.”

To say it has worked out, both on and off the court, would be an understatement.

Shields has earned All-America Honorable Mention and All-Conference First Team honors in each of her first two seasons, along with USA South Rookie of the Year and USA South Player of the Year, among numerous other honors. She also has earned Academic All-District and Academic All-Conference recognition for her work in the classroom. She also led all of Division III with 712 total kills while finishing second in kills per set and points per set.

Growing up the daughter of an Averett coach, the university has always been a second home for Hannah. She vividly recalls days of her childhood rolling down the hills at the tennis courts or playing in the old gym.

“I guess Averett was kind of my playground when I was younger,” Hannah said. “I loved every second of it.”

However, when Hannah began looking at colleges, Averett wasn't always a lock.

As a highly touted high school player, she looked at a number of Division I and Division II schools. Bobby would ask, “What about Averett?” While his alma mater might not have been officially on the list from the start, it was always on the radar. As Hannah's decision neared, Bobby believes it became clear that Averett was the place for her because it could offer her both a quality education and the ability to continue playing volleyball for a great coach like Miller, who had already been instrumental in her development as her club volleyball coach. What sealed it for Hannah was an official visit.

Much like Bobby helped coach his tennis teams to multiple championship banners that hang in the Grant Center, Hannah was able to continue the trend set by her father.

Hannah and her teammates won the 2015 USA South Conference North Division, which means she had a part in helping hang yet another championship banner for the school she will one day call her alma mater like her dad. He couldn't be more proud.

“Averett has been very good to her to this point like it has been to me for many years,” Bobby said.

“I couldn't find the place that felt like home to me, and then I came to Scholarship Day WWW.AVERETT.EDU

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SPORTS NEWS

Compassion Leads Student-Athletes

BY DREW WILSON

Left to right: Brittany Daley, Riley Smith, Jake Comer, Danielle Funkhouser, Hobie Proctor and Samm Chandler

Passion drives Averett University's studentathletes to succeed in competition, but it's their compassion that leads them to give back to the local community. Over the past year, it's been a winning combination as Averett's Department of Athletics has earned several honors and recognition for the community service and engagement by student-athletes, coaches and staff.

In 2015, Averett's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee — more commonly known as SAAC — swept both of the USA South Conference's annual community service competitions for the first time. Last spring, SAAC collected $1,805 for Pennies for a Purpose, which was donated to The V Foundation for Cancer Research. This past fall, Averett also won the USA South's Cans Across the Conference initiative by collecting 12,146 items to donate to God's Storehouse in Danville.

“It's not just the members of SAAC that work hard,” said Samantha Chandler '17, Averett's current SAAC president and a member of the women's basketball team. “We couldn't have possibly won these competitions without the help of our school and athletic department.

They worked just as hard as we did by helping us host events and donating cans and change. It was really a team effort.”

While SAAC is a catalyst for engagement, its initiatives are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to giving back to the community. During the 2014-15 academic year, Averett's studentathletes combined for more than 2,200 hours of service. Entering the 2016 spring semester, athletics has logged more than 1,100 hours in the community this school year. Along with

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Averett's Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness, athletics is helping change the idea and culture of community service. Averett Director of Athletics Meg Stevens believes community service has long been thought of as a punishment — which couldn't be further from the truth. For Stevens, having student-athletes and coaches working with various local community partners is a mutually beneficial relationship.

“

It's not always about winning; but in this case, we are successfully representing Averett while positively impacting people in the community.

”

– Nicole Barringer ‘15 “Our partnership with Special Olympics, for example, is a partnership that is great for Special Olympics and it's great for us,” Stevens said. “Our student-athletes learn how lucky they are to be where they are and doing what they're doing. It's the same thing with the Boys & Girls Club. What a great experience for them to talk to those kids and be a role model. I tell our students, 'You don't need to be on ESPN to be a good role model.'”

In addition to holding clinics or regularly bowling with the Special Olympics or volunteering with the Boys & Girls Club of Danville, Averett student-athletes participate

in Week to Engage and the Danville Reads program, mentor as Big Brothers Big Sisters, donate time to help at God's Pit Crew and God's Storehouse and buy presents for area children through the Angel Tree program, among other things.

“Honestly, the most memorable experience I've had giving back here in Danville had nothing to do with the SAAC competitions,” Chandler recalled. “One day during my sophomore year, we partnered up with other clubs, made scarves and then went around the community and hung them on trees and fences for anyone to take. I liked the fact that we didn't get a reward for it.

We just simply helped people. And that's really what it's all about.”

Receiving recognition for community engagement isn't a goal, but is a byproduct of giving back. According to Stevens, the local community's view of Averett and its importance in the area is changing in a good way.

“People are really talking about it,” Stevens said.

“They have figured out that our student-athletes are out in the community, and they're a vibrant part of the community.”

“It's not always about winning; but in this case, we are successfully representing Averett while positively impacting people in the community,” said Nicole Barringer '15, Averett's former SAAC president who is currently an assistant volleyball coach and one of the SAAC advisors.

“When locals see Averett student-athletes doing community service, it makes them realize student-athletes aren't just about school and sports. They see student-athletes like to do things in the community as a way of giving back.”

SPO RTS NEWS

Student-Athletes Pickup Life Skills

BY DREW WILSON

“It's been extremely helpful, and I'm definitely more prepared after going through these life skills programs,” said Carter Jones '16, a member of the men's basketball program.

Playing intercollegiate athletics at Averett University can teach a number of life lessons, but it may not cover all the bases. That is why Averett's Department of Athletics is investing resources in a comprehensive life skills program for its student-athletes called Going for Gold.

Stevens believes the university's Going for Gold program gives Averett a step-up on competing institutions. Not only is it better preparing its student-athletes, the program is a major recruiting tool for the university.

“Division III schools aren't mandated to have a life skills program,” Averett Director of Athletics Meg Stevens said. “Obviously it takes extra funding, extra personnel and time — a lot of which some Division III schools don't have.

We have really chosen to dive into it and it's been a priority of ours. We're running multiple programs, and we're running them when it makes sense for the student.”

“I've had great comments from our student-athletes about how much they're learning from the program,” Stevens said. “They've figured out when they're talking to their friends at other institutions that their friends aren't getting similar experiences — they're not meeting alumni, getting career development or learning about finances.”

While some life skills programming is for all student-athletes, some events such as those that focus on time management or study skills are geared toward freshmen who are new to the college atmosphere. Meanwhile, sophomores were offered a program last fall on leadership while juniors and seniors received help with résumés and interview skills.

One of the most popular events from last spring was the “Athlete Advantage: Scoring Big in Your Career” session that is scheduled again for spring 2016. More than 150 Averett studentathletes networked with more than 30 Averett alumni and local business people. Some of the alumni went to Averett several decades earlier, while some were more recent graduates.

Athletics Receives National Award for Community Service Efforts BY DREW WILSON In January, the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators (NADIIIAA) announced the recipients of this year's NADIIIAA/JOSTENS Community Service Awards. Averett was one of several Division III institutions in the country to earn recognition from NADIIIAA. Each selected institution or conference was recognized for its impressive community service projects performed by its student-athletes during the 2014-15 academic year.

One of 29 nominees, Averett was one of three universities to receive “Award of Merit” distinction in the “Array of Projects” category.

“It was huge for me personally — and I know a lot of others who felt this way — to hear how they went from the court or the field or wherever they competed to the real world,” Jones said of last year's event.

During the event, student-athletes interacted with alumni and business representatives at a number of different tables. They learned to shake hands upon introductions, how to interact professionally and make connections.

“We are teaching them some of those basic life skills about personal relationships early on,” Stevens said. “By the time they get to their junior year, they figure out it isn't just about having a job. It's about having this connection.”

“I'm very proud of what we accomplished through our service projects and really gratified by the national recognition,” said Averett Director of Athletics Meg Stevens, who helped accept the award on the university's behalf at the NCAA Convention in San Antonio, Texas in January. “One of our core values as a department and as a university is community service, and we are doing it and doing it well. Our student-athletes have their hands in many projects and volunteer numerous hours each year in the Danville community.”

Averett's submission was its work with “Week to Engage,” a week of service organized by the university's Center for Community Engagement & Career Competitiveness. More than 170 student-athlete volunteers helped 22 partners in the Danville community and surrounding area during the weeklong event April 13-17, 2015.

The awards program, established in 2001, is co-sponsored by the NADIIIAA and Jostens and is intended to recognize the many contributions Division III student-athletes regularly make to their campuses and local communities. Recognition is given for projects in three categories: One-Time Projects, An Array of Projects and Ongoing Projects.

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HOMEC OMIN G

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AVERETT MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016

JOIN US FOR HOMECOMING 2016 OCTOBER 14-16 WWW.AVERETT.EDU

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CLAS S NOTE S

1970s Martha Allgood Walker '74 of Ringgold, received the 2015 Alumni Award for Excellence in Extension from Virginia Tech for her work in revitalizing the Dan River Region and promoting job growth.

Joe Gillie '76 of DelRay Beach, Fla., is the recipient of the Mary Beth Treen Award, which is presented to an individual representing the best qualities within the presenting and touring community. Joe has worked in the arts in Palm Beach County for 38 years.

1980s Mary Rae Hite Carter '80 of Penhook, was appointed special adviser for rural partnerships

by Gov. Terry McAuliffe.

Tim Keesee '80 of Taylors, S.C., is founder and executive director of Frontline Missions International.

Annie Peters Richardson Wimbish '81 of Vernon Hill, is a consultant with Schlechty Center. She serves on Averett's Board of Trustees.

cookbooks. When not consumed with all things food, she can be found with her husband, John, and dog, Vida, in their coastal-country home.

Visit www.obxSeaSalt.com to learn more.

1990s

William J. Belmonte '95 of Emporia, recently received the Nursing Facility Administrator of the Year Award during the Virginia Health Care Association Annual Convention in Richmond.

Dan Carlton '90 of Culpeper, was installed as the new pastor at Culpeper Baptist Church in October 2014. He serves on Averett's Board of Trustees.

Jill Snyder Collins '95 of Danville, is a life science teacher at Tunstall Middle School and was chosen as the Air Force Association Chapter 240 Danville Teacher of the Year.

Virginia Powers Jones '90 of Topping, is the dean of technology and learning resources at Rappahannock Community College.

Brian Bortell '96 of Midlothian, is president and CEO of Timmons Group, a Chesterfield Countybased engineering consulting firm.

Eileen Lavin Dohmann '91 of Centreville, is senior vice president and chief nursing officer for Mary Washington Healthcare. She has been selected to serve on the Advisory Board of Spirit of Women, a national network of leading hospitals dedicated to improving women's lives with innovative health and community programs.

Danny Crouse '96 of Daleville, was recently promoted to the rank of sergeant with the Salem Police Department.

Pam Smith Ross '91 of Henrico, is credit manager in the mid-Atlantic region with Carrier Enterprise.

Al Davis '92 of New Orleans, La., was appointed deputy director of the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX).

Christina Delzingaro '92 of Lynchburg, is the executive director at The Free Clinic of Central Virginia.

Catherine Santoro-Roy '92 of Lexington, is a communications and marketing specialist at Virginia Military Institute.

‡ Averett Girls Weekend in Millington, N.J. Nancy Keimig Mink '86, Mason Camp Herman '88, Laura Gerardi Dell '87, Kathy Uffelman '85, Dex Shorter '85, Dani Steeves '84, Carolina Molano Jones '86, Bernadette Nolan '85, Theresa Bobbitt Mann '87, & Andrea Craig Hartnett '87 Reginald Daniels '86 of Hampton, is a Chaplain at the Veterans Hospital in Hampton.

Amy Pollard Gaw '89 of Poplar Branch, N.C., is a food writer and the founder of Outer Banks SeaSalt Company. Gaw began the business in 2009 after being encouraged by participants in her cooking classes. Amy's SeaSalt has been featured in Southern Living Magazine as well as multiple regional food publications and

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Devon Ayscue Arendosh '95 of Chester, is chief information security officer for PRA Group, a global leader in acquiring non-performing loans.

Joseph Walters '92 of Powhatan, is a police captain and human resource director for the Virginia Department of State Police.

Cathy Farrell Nenninger '93 of East Moriches, N.Y., is president of New World Medical Tourism LLC, which provides discounts in U.S. prices on healthcare and workers compensation procedures.

Mike Gore '94 of Summerville, S.C., is vice president of dealer sales of KION North America Corporation.

R. Dianne Trickey Talbott '94 of South Boston, is a gifted specialist with the Halifax County Public Schools. She spent the summer teaching at Kids Kollege, a summer enrichment program at The Prizery in South Boston.

James E. Edmunds II '96 of Halifax, is representative to the House of Delegates and has been appointed to the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission.

J. Darren Gale '96 of Charlotte, N.C., is vice president of nuclear operations with Day and Zimmerman.

Sean Dardeau '97 of Moody, Ala., has been selected as the chief executive officer of Mary Black Heath Care System in Spartanburg, S.C. Sam Ferguson '97 of Danville, was named the athletic director at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas.

Shelby Davis '98 of Hampton, is senior vice president and relationship manager for Capital One. Afira DeVries, '98 of Tampa, Fla., became the President and CEO of United Way of Roanoke Valley in March 2015.

Elizabeth L. Gooden '98 of Newport News, was selected as the Director of Human Resource Management for the City of Portsmouth. She is a Ph.D. candidate at Walden University.

Cori D. Sims '98 of Danville, received an instructional support award from the Southside Virginia Regional Technology Consortium for transforming education through the use of technology for the Danville Public Schools System.

CLAS S NOTE S Janice Harrup Tawney '98 of Salem, is associate director of development for the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech.

Ross Creasy '99 of Mechanicsville, is managing director of information and technology at Morgan Franklin Consulting.

Sherry Roosa Phelps '99, '13 of Blanch, N.C., has been promoted to associate registrar at Averett University.

Sherry Spring '99 of Yorktown, is economic development director for the County of Gloucester.

2000s Adam W. Goebel '00 of Danville, has been named the new director at the Danville Science Center.

Michele Griles Icenhour '00 of Chase City, is the principal at South Hill Elementary School.

Lisette “Liz” Jordan '00, '12 of Chatham, is the human resource director for Pittsylvania County.

Charles “Chuck” Lane '01 of Atlanta, Ga., is a business consultant for First Data Systems.

Jeffrey G. Barbour '02 of Roanoke, is a partner with Brown Edwards & Co. certified public accountants.

Heike Soeffker-Culicerto '02 of Beckley, W.Va., is chief financial officer at New River Community and Technical College.

Chad Wright '02 of Front Royal, won a national contest to represent the Washington Nationals at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game as part of the MLB/People Magazine All-Star Teachers program presented by Target. Chad is a social studies teacher at Kettle Run High School in Nokesville.

Anita L. Adams '03 of Dayton, Ohio, is the COO at Kettering Medical Center.

Michael D. Luter '03 of Zuni, is the president and CEO of Arrowhead Environmental Services.

Mike is also a member of Averett's Board of Trustees.

Christy D. Rutherford '03 of Union, S.C., is president of Advocates for Veterans, a veteran owned company that gives veterans direct access to trustworthy veteran organizations,

services, events and seminars. She recently published, “Rules of Engagement for the Civilian Job Market” to assist veterans in understanding how to successfully navigate their transition into the civilian sector.

Michael J. Cassidy '04 of Burke, is an assistant coach at Marymount University and for the Martha's Vineyard Sharks.

Seth Duerr '04 of Perrysburg, Ohio, is the head football coach at Beloit College.

Mona Easter '04 of Stoneville, N.C., has been named vice president of nursing and patient services at Annie Penn Hospital.

Rocquel D. Crawley '05 of Madison Heights, earned a doctorate of health administration degree from the University of Phoenix. She is the director of nursing and operations, ambulatory care and director of nursing of MCV Physicians at VCU Medical Center in Richmond.

David C. Hunter '05 of Ashland, is senior supervisor technology with Fareva Richmond Inc. Brandon P. Gregory '07 of Appomattox, is the director of development at the National D-day Memorial in Bedford.

Jeff Hughley '07 of Glenpool, Okla., plays for the Oklahoma Defenders of the Champions Professional Indoor Football League.

Adam Oblack '07 of Damascus, Ore., is vice president of Global Business Development at Great Slave Helicopters.

Lauren Wells Parsons '07 of Providence, R.I., is the head volleyball coach at Salve Regina University in Newport, R.I. Todd Parsons '07 of Providence, R.I., is the quarterbacks' coach at Brown University.

Joey Wilkerson '07 of High Point, N.C., is the director of development at North Carolina State University.

Chris Anders '08 of Virginia Beach, is an account vice president and financial advisor with Virginia Asset Group.

Malika Brisbon Blume '08, '11 of Williamsburg, is a senior internal auditor with Christopher Newport University.

Leigh Gibson '08 of Chatham, is chief financial accountant at JTI Leaf Services.

Chris Hodnett '08 of Danville, is employed

by Chick-fil-A, Inc., in Atlanta as a Training Systems-Operator. Chris is married to Erin Ricketts '14.

Karen Totten-White '08 of Charlottesville, has been promoted to assistant vice president and managing officer of Carter Bank & Trust's Gardens Boulevard and Ivy Road offices.

Jason C. Grey '09 of Danville, has been hired as the director for the City of Danville Utilities Department.

2010s Marissa Angel '10 of Sandy Ridge, N.C., is pursuing a master of fine arts degree with an emphasis in printmaking at East Tennessee State University. Marissa participated in a show entitled Exposed Spaces and created a large, site specific collage mural titled “River of Ash.” This project is a personal response to the coal ash spill that occurred in Eden back in February 2014. As a student at Averett, and as a native of Stokes County, N.C., the Dan River has been a constant in her life.

Jason Chandler '10 of Petersburg, has been named principal at S.P. Morton Elementary school.

Alesha R. Brown '11 of Hampton, is the author of “Sometimes All You Have is Happy: A Guide to Obtaining Happiness While Awaiting Your Dreams.”

Her website is www.thejoyguru.weebly.com.

Enda Crehan '11 of Martinsville, is the head men's soccer coach at Patrick Henry Community College.

Kathryn P. Mills Forney '11 of Danville, is employed by Danville Public Schools as a teacher.

M. Brett Moore '11 of Seaford, is a special education teacher and varsity head baseball coach at York High School.

Brian C. Wallace '11 of Danville, was promoted to customer support manager at American National Bank in Lynchburg.

Travis Wireman '11 of Reidsville, N.C., has accepted a position with PSA Airlines based in Vandalia, Ohio.

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CLAS S NOTE S Bethany Bradshaw ‘12 is headed to Australia as an intern for Campus Crusade for Christ.

This yearlong internship will include training, mentoring and learning how to minister to college students. Campus Crusade is an organization that ministers on college campuses around the world. To learn more about her ministry, please go online to www. cru.org and plug in Bethany’s account number, which is 0762207, to donate.

Eric Pesola '12 of Lanexa, is web designer and marketing specialist at Rappahannock Community College. He was recently the recipient of several publications awards during the 33rd annual convention of the Virginia Community College Association.

Alexandra Pingree '12 of Rougemont, N.C., is attending graduate school at Elon University for interactive media. She is also continuing her work at EquestriSol Marketing Solutions and riding both her horses.

Jay Kirland '13 of Woodbridge, is the defensive coordinator for the Christopher Newport University football program.

Holli McConnell '13 of Virginia Beach, is the physician recruitment and retention manager with Sentara Medical Group in Norfolk.

Shana L. Meadows '13 of Roanoke, is vice president of risk management at Member One FCU. Lindsey Baker '14 of Wildomar, Calif., is employed by Jontelle Forbus Dressage in Charlottesville, Va. DaNiesha Carr '14 of Nathalie, is an actor with Venice Theatre in Venice, Fla. Stacey F. Deaton '14 of Salem, is vice president and regional banking manager for HomeTrust Bank's Virginia market.

Darren Shepherd '14 of Gastonia, N.C., is an assistant football coach at Highland Tech.

Allison Sparks '14 of Ruffin, N.C., is a third grade math and science teacher at Cluster Springs Elementary School in Halifax County.

Sarah Sparks '14 of Ruffin, N.C., is a sixth grade math teacher at Central Academy Middle School in Fincastle.

Shannon Stone '14 of Durham, N.C., is barn manager/assistant trainer for a warmblood breeding farm in Georgia.

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AVERETT MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016

Stefan Varner '14 of Moundsville, W.Va., passed the athletic trainer board exam and is a graduate assistant athletic trainer at Averett.

Kathryn Mills '11 and Derek Forney '12 April 12, 2014

Jennifer Whitlow '14 of Roxboro, N.C., is a staffing administrator in human resources for Fidelity Investments in Raleigh, N.C.

and Barry Jordan Williams '13 October 2013

Breyona Coleman '15 of Halifax, is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Missoula Children's Theatre. She is so excited to spread her love for the arts among children through directing.

Camille S. McGowan '15 of Hampton, is a newly published author. Her book of poetry “Consensual Mediocrity” has been published through AuthorHouse.

WEDDINGS 1980s Jane Fidler Dungan '81 and Bill Merle September 26, 2015

1990s Amy Cross '97 and Shawn Rochefort October 11, 2014

Shannon Breanne Clark Williams '11

Brian Wallace '11 and Bryce Campbell October 4, 2014 Stephanie Green '12 and Ricky D. Neamo May 11, 2014 Lesley Cole '13 and Jude Swanson '14 August 8, 2015 Savanna Butts '13,'15 and Blake Crews July 25, 2015 Sara E. Porter '14 and Cliff Hodges October 10, 2015

BIRTHS 1990s Riku O. Nisula '93, a son, Rolf Nikolai October 30, 2014 Troy A. Gardiner '95, a daughter, Kiersten Nikole August 3, 2014

Kelly Cross '98 and Jimmy Connors July 24, 2014

Wendy Thompson Adrian '97, a daughter, Isabella Nancy June 6, 2014

2000s

Gregory L. Soult '97, a daughter, Hannah October 3, 2014

Jeff Barbour '02 and Roberta November 11, 2009 Leigh Ellen Gibson ‘08 and Lawrence Wilson Walden June 14, 2014 Chris Hodnett '08 and Erin Ricketts '14 August 29, 2015

2010s Jessica D. Bryant '09, '13 and David M. Husar September 20, 2014 Kristina Taylor '10 and Thomas Burke '09 June 23, 2012

Daniel E. Veasey '97 and Tommie Denny Veasey '99 a son, Josh February 17, 2014 Kelley Wachter '97, a son, Dillon May 19, 2014 Kelly Cross Connors '98, a son, Trevor James October 19, 2015 Bren LaFlamme Taylor '98, a daughter, Ava Lynn

2000s Tuomas R. Waheeb '01, a daughter, Kuva October 4, 2014

CLAS S NOTE S / I N LOVI NG M E MORY Chad S. Anderson '02 and Stefanie Clayton Anderson '06, '08 a son, Clayton Stephen December 26, 2013 Jeff Barbour '02, a son, Alexander June 4, 2011 and a son, Adam June 18, 2014 Ashley R. Jernigan '03, a son, Thomas Gideon June 18, 2014 Andrew P. Boor '07, '09 and Marie Keatts Boor '10 a son, Keaton October 19, 2014 Amy Motley Chandler '07, a daughter, Haidyn McKinley January 8, 2015 Brandon P. Gregory '07, daughters, Addison Nicole and Ainsley Grace July 2, 2014 Charles R. Haynsworth IV '07, a daughter, Emily Lynn February 13, 2015 Anthony R. Martinez '07, a daughter, Marilynn August 7, 2015 Christopher E. Bodin '09 and Sarah Silvia Bodin '10 a daughter, Maria Silvia March 2014 Meredith A. Schwane Deaton '09 and Russell C. Deaton '09 a son, Rhodes Carlton October 24, 2014 Michael A. Palmer '09, a daughter, Lauryn June 18, 2014

2010s Kristina Taylor Burke '10 and Thomas R. Burke '09 a son, William May 12, 2014 Kimberly A. Gravitt '11, a son, Tristan June 6, 2014

IN LOVING MEMORY

1920s Mary Lou Martin Barr '28, Trustee Emeriti

1930s Lillie Oakes Scearce '32 Hazel M. Bowers May '33 Ruth M. Walters Goforth '35 Carrie Tate Aylor '36 Margaret Denny Powell '36 Robert “Bob” Ashworth '37 Eliza Jane Patterson Hines '37 Ruby Cecil Jones '37 Iris Crawley Pryor '37 Frances P. Gravely Saul '37 Mabel Yeatts Chandler '38 Barbara Harding Oehlbeck '38 Ann Purdy Reese '38 Hazel Parrott Shields '38 Edith E. Ashworth '39 Frances Clark Amos Corbin '39 Jessie O'Neil Fowler '39 Martha E. Slayton Pyron '39, '74 Martha K. Jones Newton Weber '39

1940s Jeanne “Lamar” Brett Earp '40 Martha C. Tredway Weaver '40 Elsie Yeatts Arnn '41 Lillian B. Spencer Steele '41 Bernice E. Fentriss Keat '42 Erie Mae Yeatts Mitchell '42 Agnes Reid “Reidy” Pickral '42 Erma Boswell Pinkston '42 Eva P. Oakes Rorer '42 Mamie C. Butcher Wallace '42 Mildred S. Ryland Winston '42 Kathleen Chandler Dixon '43 Virginia May “Ginny May” Green Mauro '43 Nancy Adnia “Abb” Collins McDowell '44 Mary Elizabeth Boswell Bradner '45 Sarah Carter Calvert '45 Ruby Lea Shelton Chandler '45 Mary Hudson Eddy '45 Hazel “Janie” Hosley Holder '45 Edith Bowles Johnston '45 Rebekah Compton Lindsey '45 Sally Armstrong McNemar '45 Frances Kent Richardson '45 Norma L. Smith Clover '46

Naomi L. Scearce Matkins '46 Arlene G. Hall Work '46 Ramona Inez Poteat Calvert '47 Constance A. Morell Fraser '47 Marian Barbour Frederick '47 Annette Ronis Gold '47 Nancy Spurney Hebner '47 Marilyn Chappell Murphy '47 Elizabeth L. Clark Norton '47 Rosemarie “Patricia” Del Pomo Tangreti '47 Louise Turner Cundiff '48 Dorothy Muehleisen Nafus '48 Abigail Casson Ormord '48 Elsie M. Satterfield Alley '49 Bettie Jean Cook Carter '49 Betty Maude Crafton Gibbs '49 Patsy A. Yeatts Hubbard '49 Doris M. Bennett Morris '49 Louise V. Cook Chamberlain O'Connor '49

1950s Patricia A. Junior Eichelaub '50 Alma Jo Price Greenberg '50, former trustee Peggy M. Fleming Howard '50 Nettie Ann Harden Lockett '50 Nancy Calvert Nelson '50 Peggy A. Howard Milam '51 Virginia Koger Cook '52 Helen “Deanie” Bowles Scarboro '52 Mildred Carter Wilson '53 Sally Borland Arnold '54 Patsy Ann Goard Hall '54 Grace Walker Taylor '54 Jane Wilma Watson '54 Martha Lamb Hoban '56 Glenda A. Wood Wilkinson '56 Patricia Butcher Zimmerman '56 Dorothy Gabel Daily '57 Swanee Lee Newman Moore '57 Dorothy L. Bowman Petty '57 Helen Warner Bicking '58 Nancy Lee Baker Clark '58 Sally E. Collins Mall '58 Anne D. Boswell Royals '58 Edwina Jane Smith '58 Jan Duke Dayhuff Collins '59 Alpha Mourine Tucker '59

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I N LOV I N G ME MO RY

1960s

1980s

2000s

Joan Forsyth Schmitt '60 Nancy E. Vespa Briner '62 Gale F. Page Taylor '62 Barbara Ann Grabau '63 Barbara Ann Jones Stegmaier '64 Jane H. Upsal '64 Mary Towers Gooding '65 Sharon Reese Sweet '65 Marilynn Baker Tonning '65 Nancy J. Barnes Turner '65 Susan Aven Newton '66 Janice Vaughn Rakes '66, '95 Patricia Aileen Shifflett Roberts Ballenger '67 Linda Wells Farmer '67 Charlotte Nina Hopewell Lodge '67 Brenda Wilson Smith '67

George “Mike” Stewart Jr. '80 Shirley Blankenship McCain '81 Ronald Wade Scearce '81 Dennis “Gene” Smallwood '82 Naomi Gale Ricketts Kidd '83 George William Thomas '83 Anne Maxwell Arthur Arberg '84 Clyde G. Carlton '84 Dolichos C. Hughes '84 Jeanette K. Wilson '84 Agnes Loretta Fultz Cobbs '85 Thomas Bentley Dallas '85 Peggy Gene Gibson Hess '87 Margaret Merryman Lanham '87, retired faculty

Jill Tullock Johnson '01 Karen Susanne Ledgerwood '01 Jeffrey C. Cumbo Sr. '03 Justin C. Walters '05 Nicholas A. Lichtenfels '06 Frank B. Rocovich '06 Shelby LaDorian O'Neal '10 Kevin Christopher Millner '11 Zachariah B. Faison '12 Kent A. P. Smith '13 Bryan R. Workman '13 Stephanie Ann Moser '14

1990s

1970s Steve Stavros Calos '70 Marisue Allendar Brooks Tokarz '70 Judith Melinda Harris '71 John George Herring '71 Helen Louise Dunn Melton '71, former board of associates Patricia Martin Nuckols '72 Wanda Faye Chandler Newcomb '73 Carolyn Ann Yeaman Booth '74 Nancy R. Brown '74 Laurel Joyce Spangler '74 Judy Hamlett Williams '75 Richard A. Louhoff '75 Kenneth Elwood Amos '76 Brenda Glen Pryor Atkins '76 Joan Collie Daniels '76 Patricia Curtis Fisher '76 Mary P. Ray Robertson '76 Patricia Carol Boyd '77 Vincent Richard Cafazza '77 Wayne N. Allgood '78

Lisa Reynolds Stone '90 Marcia Dawn Bradner '91 Bonnie Kay Falls Brown '91 L. Gene Newell '91 Darrell Wayne Haymore '92 Bonnie Johnson Toler '93 Gary D. Jones '94 Mark R. Henrichs '95 Rhonda Raye Jones '96 John H. Myers III '96 Brenda J. Charles Boatman Hawkins '97 Angela M. Daniel Sims '97 Jacquelyn Brown Cassada '98 Stephen Boyd Collier '98 Ricky Lane Slade '98

Ethelyne F. Daniel, trustee widow Dr. Edward Fisher, retired professor of biology Charles “Chuck” Layne, retired director of graduate education Charlotte M. Read, retired associate professor of business Alyce Amory Roach, board of associates, trustee widow Russell “Mike” Ward Jr., former board of trustee Elizabeth Byrd Willis '16, student Charles “Zan” Womack Jr., former board of associates, trustee spouse Robert Lee Yancey, former faculty

Submit classnotes, weddings, births, deaths and address changes to alumni@averett.edu.

40

AVERETT MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016

AVERETT UNIVERSITY

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THE BENEFITS OF A CHARITABLE BEQUEST

A charitable bequest is a wonderful way for you to help further the work of our organization and its mission.

To learn more about the benefits of bequest giving please contact us. Ask for your FREE Wills Kit!

For more information, please contact Debbie Flinn, Director of Development at Averett University, at 1-800-AVERETT or at dflinn@averett.edu.

There are many reasons why you might consider making a charitable bequest. Here are some of the benefits of bequest giving: It costs you nothing today to make a bequest A bequest is free of federal estate tax Your bequest can be changed down the road You can still benefit your heirs with specific gifts A bequest may produce estate tax savings You can leave a legacy through a bequest

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