Engage Summer 2019

SUMMER 2019

engage THE GEORGIA GWINNETT COLLEGE MAGAZINE

Volume 6, Issue 2

Go Be Great! GGC Alumni Making a Difference Honoring Tommy Hughes

GGC WELCOMES

Rover Project Provides Research Opportunities

DR.JANN JOSEPH

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NEW PRESIDENT, PAGE 7

The GGC Honors Program offers qualified students an integrated educational experience through enhanced opportunities in scholarship, leadership, service and creativity. Shown is Esu Obu,’19, business, on a zip line during the Honors Program’s spring semester retreat.

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In this issue On the cover: Shown with the college’s grizzly statue are (front row) Colin Blankenship, ’20, criminal justice/criminology; Muminah Chaudhry, ’20, exercise science; Dr. Jann Joseph, president; Janaki Patel, ’19, biology; Brandon Elam, ’20, human development and aging services; Ben Coker, ’19, nursing; Megan Price-Williams, ’22, business; (back row) Diondra Burgess, ’21, human development and aging services; Jared Noble, ’20, nursing; and Esu Obu, ’19, business.

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President’s Message ..................................................................... 2 College News Notables ...................................................................................................... 3 Welcome, President Joseph .......................................................................... 7 Grizzly Teams Share Winning Experiences .............................................. 10

Our Four Pillars in Action Service Titans of Technology ........................................................................... 4

Leadership Inspired to Try New Things .............................................................. 14

Creativity GGC Green: More Than Just a Color ............................................... 16

Scholarship Rover Project Provides Research Opportunities ............................... 20

Advancing GGC Go Be Great! GGC Alumni Making a Difference ................................... 12 Honoring Tommy Hughes ........................................................................ 18

The Gallery........................................................................................ 21 Summer 2019

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President's Message

Unified Aspirations

in our

We are

for GGC's Future

I am excited and enthusiastic about my new role as the third president of Georgia Gwinnett College.

Dr. Jann L. Joseph President

Anyone who seeks a senior leadership position wishes for an organization with an outstanding team, a meaningful purpose and a proven track record. They also desire challenges and opportunities for growth, change and continuous improvement, for these are the building blocks for expanding the organization’s possibilities.

GGC offers all of this and more.

I am profoundly impressed and energized by this remarkable institution and deeply moved by the sincerity of all those who have invested time, energy and resources in GGC – not only our faculty and staff, but our extended community and our colleagues with the University System of Georgia.

Most of all, I am inspired by the many students who have already shared with me their love for GGC and their stories of its profound impact on their lives. Their experiences prove how the college has lived up to its promise as it was originally designed.

I honor the legacy of this college, the leadership of my predecessors and the dedicated work of its faculty and staff. In its short existence, Georgia Gwinnett has firmly established a national reputation for its singular focus on student success.

As we enter the next phase of GGC’s growth and development, I ask that we trust in this moment and in ourselves as a unified force gathered to fulfill our aspirations for the college’s future. Let’s continue to affirm GGC’s innovative approach by trying something new, different and daring in accord with our ongoing mission and vision as leaders in higher education.

I am touched and humbled by the joy and spirit with which I have been welcomed into the Georgia Gwinnett College family. And, I am eager to work together to accomplish great things for our college, students and community.

Go Grizzlies!

Dr. Jann L. Joseph

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Georgia Gwinnett College

Notables Biddlecomb Tutoring Awards The Academic Enhancement Center (AEC) recently presented the first Barry Biddlecomb Awards for Outstanding Tutoring in the professional and peer categories. The awards, which include professional development stipends, are made possible by a gift from the family in memory of his service as GGC’s charter dean of the School of Transitional Studies. Shown are Renee Hayes, director of the AEC; Stephanie Preston, ’21, criminal justice/criminology – peer tutor; Melody Thomas, ’15, English – professional tutor; and Richard Biddlecomb, Barry's father.

THE GEORGIA GWINNETT COLLEGE MAGAZINE

We Value Your Input Send your ideas and comments about Engage to engage@ggc.edu or call 678.407.5549.

Production Editor-in-chief: Sally Ramey Photography: Rod Reilly, Dale Long

Dr. Tyler Yu, dean of the School of Business, was named one of the 25 Most Influential Asian Americans in Georgia by the Georgia Asian Times.

Marlyne Serratos, ’19, biology, won a 2019 American Chemical Society Division of Environmental Chemistry Undergraduate Award for aerosol research.

Graphic design: Todd Buxton Writing: Sally Ramey, Dan Cassavaugh, Nancy Badertscher, Laurie Hudson, Dale Long, Carol McEntee Online team: Rycca Blanton, Educational Technology Server Team Other support: Dan Cassavaugh, LaKeidra Veal Hill, Laurie Hudson, Hoang Huynh, Barbara Martell, Allana Walker, Candace Williams-Brown Advancement Lori Buckheister, vice president for Advancement Sloan Jones, associate vice president for Communications Mailing List To be added to, or removed from the Engage mailing list email engage@ggc.edu or call 678.407.5549.

Dr. Lakiesa Rawlinson, director of Student Involvement and the Student Center, was elected to serve as the 2019-21 vice president of member engagement for the Southern Association of College Student Affairs.

Dr. Darin Wilson, associate vice president for Athletics, was named the 2018-19 Under Armour Athletics Director of the Year for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.

Lori Buckheister, vice president for Advancement, has been selected for the Atlanta Regional Commission’s 2019 Regional Leadership Institute.

Georgia Gwinnett College contributed more than $515 million to the economy of Gwinnett County and the surrounding area during fiscal year 2018, according to a recent University System of Georgia economic impact study. This includes 4,429 jobs, of which 3,611 are in the community.

1000 University Center Lane Lawrenceville, GA 30043 678.407.5000 • www.ggc.edu

See more Notables at www.ggc.edu/notables Summer 2019

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display case at GGC stands filled with trophies, including eight national championships ‌ in information technology (IT).

One might not think of IT as competitive, but to Dr. Evelyn Brannock, associate professor of IT, and Dr. Lissa Pollacia, professor of IT, competition helps students hone skills needed for successful careers.

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In only nine years, the duo has coached GGC students to impressive performances against dozens of the nation’s most prestigious IT programs in a national competition hosted by the Computing Technology Industry Association/Association of IT Professionals (AITP) at the U.S. Information Technology Collegiate Conference (USITCC).

In addition to the eight national titles, the GGC team has won many second-, third- and fourth-place honors. Its 2013 title in database design was GGC’s first national championship of any sort.

In fact, GGC has dominated the database design category with six national titles. In 2018, GGC won all four places, a first for any team in any category.

Pictured Above: Representatives of GGC’s AITP teams.

Front row: Dr. Evelyn Brannock, associate professor of IT; Dr. Lissa Pollacia, professor of IT; Robert Strong, ’18; Bess Burnett, ’18; Aida Syrkett, ’16; and Akin Sangosina, ’12.

Back row: Lucy K. Copas, ’17; Hasan Mohammed, ’19; Joshua Sales, ’20; Raquel Lawrence, ’16; Ryan Muhlbauer, ’17; Cory Johnson, ’16; Daniel Sales, ’19; Lauren Marsicano, ’19; Edgar Alvarez, ’19; Joe Armendariz, ’13; Ryan Cunico, ’20; Joseph Tsegaye, ’18; and Raymond Levesque, ’14.

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award as a team. “Collaboration and teamwork are important skill sets that we foster.”

“We founded the student chapter together in 2010 and worked to recruit and mentor students to lead the organization year after year,” Pollacia said. “It’s the synergy of working together that enabled us to achieve so much more as a team than we could have individually.”

Brannock and Pollacia periodically involve fellow faculty members in coaching students, demonstrating the technical excellence of GGC’s IT program and faculty. They believe it’s imperative that students understand the importance of communication and collaboration.

“ We worked cooperatively together at every step. Collaboration and teamwork are important skill sets that we foster.”

– Dr. Evelyn Brannock

GGC also won the first Top Performing School Award.

The significance of these accomplishments is magnified when one considers the young age of GGC's IT program.

For their efforts, Brannock and Pollacia recently won the first Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award, which honors educators for substantial contributions to their school’s AITP student chapter through excellence as teachers, advisors and mentors.

“We worked cooperatively together at every step,” Brannock said of the decision to apply for the

“In addition to technical skills, we help students develop soft skills needed to succeed beyond the classroom – in job interviews, at networking events and in work environments as members of diverse and multidisciplinary teams. Students often don’t think about this aspect of their career,” Pollacia said.

They both feel strongly about fostering the next generation of technology leaders, who face technical issues like keeping citizens’ private information safe and ethical challenges as with bioengineering and artificial intelligence.

“Technology companies will need dedicated, ethical, skilled employees now and for the future,” said Brannock.

“GGC can play a big role in providing those employees and in working with industry to shape the economic landscape of Gwinnett County, the larger metro region and the country.”

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College News

GGC's new president shares a passion for student success.

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n the morning of July 1, a large crowd of GGC faculty, staff, students and alumni gathered in Building B’s courtyard, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the college’s third president, Dr. Jann L. Joseph.

As she was greeted by enthusiastic cheers, balloons and special signage, Joseph was first met by General, who gave her a big bear hug before kneeling to present her with a bouquet of flowers. The warm GGC hospitality continued with a reception highlighted by hugs and selfies as members of the campus community individually welcomed their new leader.

Joseph said she was attracted to GGC because of its focus on student success.

“There’s just one thing that eminates from this campus when you look at it from the outside, and that is the passion for student success,” she said. “It’s unwavering. There’s a unity around the mission, and the mission is very clear – the students are first. It is the underlying spirit of all campuses, but not everyone makes it as evident as GGC does, and I wanted to be part of that. I want to take it to the next level because I am passionate about student success.”

Joseph found that passion because of her parents’ dreams for her future. continued on next page >

PRESIDENT JOSEPH Summer Summ er 2019

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College News

A large, enthusiastic crowd of GGC faculty, staff, students and alumni greeted Dr. Jann Joseph when she arrived for her first day on the job as the college’s new president.

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Born in Trinidad, West Indies, Joseph is the youngest of five siblings. Though her parents never finished elementary school, they believed in the power of education to transform lives in ways that span generations.

Initially, her parents, and then her late husband, Dr. Edwin Joseph, and her entire extended family all made great sacrifices to ensure she obtained an education, which encouraged and inspired her to “pay it forward” by serving in higher education.

Joseph’s career is hallmarked by her work to increase educational opportunities and student success in the West Indies and the United States.

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She holds a bachelor’s of science in agriculture and a master’s of philosophy in plant science from the University of the West Indies St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. She taught with the Ministry of Education for the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. In 1998, Joseph graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison with a doctorate in curengage.ggc.edu

riculum and instruction in science education.

Joseph’s teaching, research and administrative experience includes positions at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan, the College of Education at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan and Indiana University - South Bend, where she served as interim chancellor.

Earlier this year, Joseph was named president of GGC after a nationwide search. She succeeds Dr. Stanley C. “Staś” Preczewski, who retired in January, and Dr. Mary Beth Walker, who served several months as interim president.

Staff members began working with Joseph before her arrival to develop a robust schedule to help her become familiar with all facets of the college and its community as quickly as possible over the next several months. Before her first official day on the job, she had already interacted with campus and community leadership, including GGC’s founding president, Dr. Daniel J. Kaufman, to begin

building relationships so she can quickly move forward with her plans for the college.

“I think we need to move students toward graduation more quickly, but to do that, we need data about student demographics to better understand who our students are,” Joseph said. “Unless we examine the numbers and track them, we do not know if we are meeting the needs of specific groups, such as first-generation students, nontraditional students, students who work or those who were not as well prepared for college.”

Joseph defines access as increasing diversity, since it makes higher education possible for a broader population. However, access and diversity only address admission, which is just the first step to the more important goal of inclusion.

“Diversity is inviting you to the party, but inclusion is getting you to dance,” she said. “We are great at inviting our students to the party, but we need to better understand how well we are getting them onto the dance floor and teaching them the steps so they can dance on to achieve success.”

Joseph pointed out that every year a student remains in school is a year of additional college expense as well as salary unearned, retirement savings unrealized and bills unpaid.

“It is not just the cost of college for that year, it is the lost opportunity for earning wages, being independent and paying it forward for others in their own way,” she said.

Improved data will help the college better support its students and help them progress to graduation more efficiently, she said. Of course, there are numerous factors involved, including

On her first day as president, Dr. Jann Joseph spent a moment with each person who lined up to personally welcome her to GGC. Many of them, including the student shown here, took selfies with her.

the needs and characteristics of student demographic groups and the individuals within them.

“There are so many ways to look at and measure success, but it’s not as simple as it looks,” Joseph said. “There’s data and there are numbers, but each of those numbers is a person, and I want to be here for every one of those people, not just the numbers that represent them.”

Joseph now resides in Lawrenceville. Married to her late husband for 36 years, she has three sons and four grandchildren.

True to her family’s vision of the benefit of education on generations, she encouraged her sons to seek a broader liberal arts education and to focus on things they enjoy doing. Like their father, all three pursued careers in information technology.

To give all employees an opportunity to meet their new president, the college hosted an ice cream social during Dr. Jann Joseph’s first week.

Shown are Dr. Justin Jernigan, dean of the School of Transitional Studies (STS); Dr. Karen Jackson, associate dean for Advising Programs in STS; Dr. Jann Joseph, president; Dr. Catherine Thomas, associate dean for Student Success in STS; Julie Geiger, administrative assistant III in STS and Carol Glickman, English Language Institute coordinator for STS.

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College News

Grizzly Teams

Share Winning Experiences

The men’s tennis team celebrates with a 100-straight victory banner following the Grizzlies’ triumph against the University of Northwestern Ohio this past spring.

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inning and championships have become synonymous with GGC athletic teams since their launch in 2013. However, the 2018-19 athletic year brought new levels of success, with all six teams advancing to compete at their National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national championship sites – a first for the athletic program.

Aubree Cox, ’19, exercise science, runs the bases after collecting a base hit as the softball team went 24-5 at home in 2019.

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The men’s and women’s tennis teams once again reigned supreme, capturing NAIA national championships. Five teams were ranked in the top 10 nationally and four

won Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) tournament titles.

The men’s tennis team’s 109-match winning streak is the longest head-to-head winning streak in the nation for any collegiate sport or division. The men captured the program’s sixth straight national title and didn’t lose a point in winning four matches at the NAIA championships.

The women’s tennis team won its fifth national championship, its fourth consecutive title. The team lost just one match during the season.

The men’s soccer program made its second final championship site appearance in fall 2018. The team posted a 12-6-1 record and won the A.I.I. title for the fourth time in program history.

Senior defender Andrew White, ’19, criminal justice/criminology, became the program’s inaugural NAIA All-American team choice.

Meanwhile, the women’s soccer and softball teams both advanced the farthest in postseason play in their programs’ seven-year history.

In fall 2018, the Grizzlies won its first national tournament women’s soccer match and advanced to the Sweet 16.

The team also won a school-record 17 matches and was No. 8 in its final national ranking.

Lauren Moss, ’19, exercise science, serves a ball from midfield to create a scoring chance in GGC’s 7-0 victory against Thomas University in Thomasville, Georgia.

The softball team advanced to the semifinal round of the NAIA World Series. Senior pitcher Taylor Hansis, ’19, biology, won a school-record 28 games in 2019 and set the career program record with 77 wins and 583 strikeouts. GGC defeated No. 2-ranked Marian University of Indianapolis, Indiana, at the World Series. This was the highest-ranked opponent the program has ever defeated.

Gregory Loukinen, ’19, exercise science, throws a pitch during the baseball team’s 2019 season opener.

This spring also brought more success on the baseball diamond. The Grizzlies reached the semifinal round of the Avista NAIA World Series for the second consecutive season and finished with a 48-13 record.

Two players were selected in this year’s Major League Baseball draft: second baseman Cam Coursey, ’20, psychology and pitcher Matthew Swain, ’19, criminal justice/criminology.

GGC scholar-athletes also had achievements away from their athletic fields, with five earning Google Cloud Academic All-American honors. Hansis, soccer player Ellinor Bertilsson, ’19, business, and softball designated player Sydney Willhite, ’20, biology, were first-team selections. Soccer player Stina Andersson, ’19, psychology, and women’s tennis player Madeline Bosnjak, ’20, business, received second-team accolades.

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GO BE GREAT!

Advancing GGC

Jacky Sylvain, ’16

Information technology Jacky Sylvain, associate director of Support Services, has worked at GGC since 2006. He manages the college’s Technology Helpdesk, supervises and mentors about 20 student assistants and handles mobile phone service for more than 750 people. He also is an alumnus with a degree in information technology and a concentration in system and security.

LEADER AA LEADER

He said his student experience helped him understand the impact of technology in the classroom, the need for timely support, and how important it is to test technologies before and during class to obtain more useful data.

Sylvain’s employee experience similarly influences his participation in the Alumni Association by providing an internal point of view of the college.

He also leads by example by attending many association events.

“I want to give back and support GGC’s mission,” he said. “It is rewarding to help with fundraising for the college, and to encourage other alumni to be active in this vibrant segment of the GGC community.”

Jordan McKay, ’18 Nursing

Jordan McKay was only four when his brother, Matthew, was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. He often visited Matthew at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite until he passed away after a two-year battle. It left a lasting impression.

OF OF SERVICE SERVICE

“My goal has been to care for families who find themselves in the same position,” McKay said.

McKay came to GGC as a chemistry major with hopes of becoming a doctor. While shadowing local doctors, he realized that nurses spent the most time with patients and changed his major.

He excelled in GGC’s competitive bachelor’s of nursing program, and by graduation, he had six job offers, including one at the hospital that influenced his educational journey.

McKay now works at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, caring for children diagnosed or suspected to have blood disorders or cancer.

“My work is incredibly gratifying,” he said. “I cannot imagine myself doing anything else.”

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GGC ALUMNI MAKING A DIFFERENCE Christy Battle, ’12

Biology with teaching certificate Christy Battle originally studied pharmacy in college but left school to start her family. When she later enrolled at GGC, her career goals had changed.

“I’ve always had a passion for science that began in a chemistry classroom at Collins Hill High,” said Battle. Her chemistry teacher’s ability to make lessons relevant, fun and engaging inspired her to pursue education.

After graduating from GGC, Battle taught honors chemistry, collaborative biology, college prep biology, honors gifted biology, Advanced Placement biology and forensic science at Lanier High School in Buford, Georgia.

She also held leadership roles at Lanier and was a Top 25 Semifinalist for the 2019 Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) Teacher of the Year program.

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“ My hope is to be a creative, inspirational resource for our science teachers so they can implement the right tools and strategies in their classrooms for both teacher and student success.”

– Christy Battle

Battle recently became the science instructional specialist for the GCPS Office of Curriculum and Instruction, where she collaborates with high school science teachers to support best practices and student-centered instruction.

“My hope is to be a creative, inspirational resource for our science teachers so they can implement the right tools and strategies in their classrooms for both teacher and student success,” said Battle, whose enthusiasm for science is contagious. She cites GGC’s influence on her educational approach.

“GGC taught me firsthand about the commitment to the education profession through its strong sense of caring for students, high standards for student success and passion for engaged teaching and learning,” she said.

“These characteristics are ones I will continue to craft in my new position.

I wouldn’t be the educator I am today without my GGC professors … and they still cheer me on in my journey.”

Battle was the keynote speaker for the School of Education’s induction ceremony for 2019 spring graduates. She brought along her daughter, who had three of the graduates as student teachers.

“To see my daughter understand how valuable educators are and that it is important to celebrate their accomplishments was the icing on the cake,” Battle said. “GGC’s graduates were already making an impact on the lives of young people, and it was just the beginning for them.”

See more at www.ggc.edu/AlumniVoices

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Leadership Shannon Bermudez develops leadership skills and community focus at GGC.

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ersonal connections and a sense of purpose illuminated Shannon Bermudez’s educational experience at Georgia Gwinnett College, preparing her for post-college life.

“GGC taught me the importance of philanthropy and giving back to the community,” said Bermudez, who graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in business. “If a community is thriving, everyone's quality of life is elevated. There is such beauty in a strong community.”

Bermudez has taken her passion for community and translated it into a full-time job with the Gwinnett Citizen, a local newspaper.

After completing an internship at the paper, she is now an account executive and assistant to the publisher.

An honor student and Zell Miller Scholarship recipient, Bermudez initially choose GGC for its affordability and small class size. But she soon realized the myriad of opportunities available to her for student engagement and leadership development.

“I was an uninvolved high school student, but being on campus inspired me to try new things, like being an officer of a club or auditioning for a musical,” she said. “With a nudge from some of the faculty members, I decided to get out of my comfort zone.”

Susan Arant, Shannon Bermudez’s mentor, pauses for a photo with Bermudez before the spring 2019 commencement ceremony.

During her freshman year, Susan Arant, internal development consultant, invited her on a Four Pillar Society field trip to the Georgia State Capitol even though she was not a member.

The society provides opportunities for outstanding and motivated students to serve as official goodwill ambassadors for the college.

Bermudez applied for and was accepted into the Four Pillar Society her sophomore year and served as its president her senior year.

“Joining the Four Pillar Society truly changed my life,” Bermudez said. “I led meetings alongside Susan, and when she had to be out for a few months, I stepped up during her absence with Chrissy Rosen, executive director of individual engagement. We coordinated the society’s annual trip to the Capitol, led meetings and helped carry out the vision of the organization for the year.”

Shannon Bermudez, left, reacts during a scene in the Honors Program production of the musical, “The Addams Family.”

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“Shannon is a natural leader and well-respected by Four Pillar Society members,” said Rosen. “We will continue

Inspired to Try New Things to call on her as an alumna to help prepare future members of the society.”

Bermudez found other ways to expand on her leadership skills.

She held leadership positions with the Honors Program as part of its Retreats/Event Committee and as head of its Professional Development Committee.

She was involved in five Honors Program theatrical productions in collaboration with the Aurora Theatre: “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” “The Addams Family,” “Twelfth Night” and two Grizzly Bearly Actors One-Act Series performances.

She also was a member of the GGC chapter of the National Society for Leadership and Success and a member of Sigma Beta Delta.

Bermudez draws inspiration from many sources, but notes that her parents especially inspire her by how hard they have worked to fund education for her and her brother.

“ With a nudge from some of the faculty members, I decided to get out of my comfort zone.”

– Shannon Bermudez

“They have sacrificed so much for us, and I am forever indebted and grateful to them,” she said.

Bermudez describes her leadership style as collaborative and is partial to a quote from Andrew Carnegie that reads, “No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit for doing it.”

“To me, leadership is helping others reach their fullest potential while simultaneously upholding the values of the organization,” Bermudez said. “To be a good leader, you must sometimes follow and be in tune with the hearts and minds of others.”

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Creativity When Georgia Gwinnett first opened in 2006, its leadership sought student input for all aspects of the college’s development. Students influenced programs, facility design and even wall and carpet colors.

One of the student body’s highest priorities was that GGC commit to the highest standards of environmental responsibility and stewardship. Today, this is expressed in numerous ways across campus.

Facilities In 2011, the U.S. Green Building Council awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification to GGC’s newly completed Library and Learning Center. LEED-certified buildings use less energy, saving money, reducing greenhouse emissions and contributing to a healthier environment.

The Daniel J. Kaufman Library & Learning Center is the first academic library in Georgia to earn LEED Gold status and only the seventh in the U.S., notable given the energy required to maintain library collections at proper temperature and humidity.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS To support the use of electric vehicles (EV), charging stations were installed on campus in 2015. The first four hours of charging were free to students and employees. Energy used directly saved 130 gallons of gas per month, representing more than 3,000 miles per month of car travel. In 2017, a $1 per hour fee was instituted to help defray costs. The fee is comparable to $1 per gallon of gas. Charging stations serving 21 cars are located in five campus locations.

RECYCLING AND GREEN MATERIALS GGC has had single-stream recycling for several years. Recycling bins and trash cans are kept in hallways instead of classrooms to avoid mixed use and accommodate frequent collection.

GGC’s food vendors use no plastic foam products.

About 3,000 lbs. of coffee grounds from campus vendors are used as compost at the GGC microfarm each year.

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Sarah Culvill, ’21, information technology, spent much of her summer surveying and identifying campus trees.

In 2013, the Student Center earned LEED Silver certification.

The Office of Facilities has implemented other campus wide, green strategies, including LED lighting, drought-resistant landscaping and drinking water fountains designed to discourage single-use plastic bottles.

Sustainability Committee

GWINNETT TRANSIT SERVICE Gwinnett Transit bus service to GGC began in the fall of 2018. Ridership is increasing as more students become aware of this low-cost transportation resource. It saves students the cost of gas and vehicle wear and offers an alternative when they have car trouble.

GGC’s sustainability efforts are guided by a volunteer committee of faculty, staff and students. Established in 2008, the committee explores ways to expand sustainable strategies and has been instrumental in many initiatives.

MICROFARM Using sustainable practices, student workers guide student volunteers in planting, tending and growing about 1,000 lbs. of produce for donation to the Lawrenceville Co-Op annually. GGC recently acquired a tractor for the microfarm, which has been moved to an expanded location near the center of campus.

ANNUAL EVENTS Fall semester’s Link to Lawrenceville promotes bike riding between campus and downtown.

Spring semester’s Earth Day event, features exhibits promoting sustainable practices, like solar power, electric vehicles, public transit and vegan dining.

RELATED ACTIVITIES The Sustainability Committee promotes incorporation of sustainability concerns into the course curriculum. Student research projects include creating an inventory and identification of campus trees and then developing data on CO2 and other gases for consideration in further campus development. The committee works with student clubs like the Environmental Club and Voices for Animals.

As part of its Tree Campus USA status, GGC’s Tree Advisory Committee consults on tree planting, care, budgeting and service learning.

Future plans include developing walking trails in GGC’s forests.

See more at www.ggc.edu/sustainability

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Advancing GGC H O N O R I N G

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eorgia Gwinnett College existed in the minds of Tommy Hughes and other visionary leaders decades before the first shovel broke ground on campus. They began advocating for a four-year college to serve the densely populated Gwinnett County more than 30 years ago and have been a driving force in making sure the college would become the fine institution that the region deserved.

Hughes was a member of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners in the late 1990s when that body, upon receiving the green light from the governors office to pursue the dream of building a college, voted that same day to seek and procure suitable land.

Hughes’ desire and ability to be among this group of visionaries who could envision the future was key. Together, they shaped a reality that continues to thrive for GGC, Gwinnett County and the region.

Along with building a new college came an additional challenge: that of simultaneously creating a foundation to support the needs and growth of that new college. In 2006, the newly formed GGC Foundation Board of Trustees, with Hughes as a charter member, worked diligently in collaboration with the college, community leaders and elected officials to secure the land, public support and fiscal resources required.

“For the college to grow effectively, the foundation had to focus first on helping develop the campus in addition to what the state could fund,” said Glenn S. White, the foundation’s charter chair. “Tommy’s expertise in this arena was critical to the success of the college.”

The foundation has partnered with the college in managing funding, construction, leases, purchases and other activities related to campus facilities development. As Hughes assumed responsibility as the board’s third chair in 2013, the GGC's

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Foundation’s focus shifted.

Having successfully helped develop the campus as it exists today, the foundation refocused on securing the private funding needed to sustain the college and support the funding of critical initiatives for the long-term success of GGC and its students, over and above what state funding can provide.

“Tommy’s skills and broad community awareness made him the perfect choice for chair during this time period,” said John D. Stephens, the board’s second chair.

“He had the ability to facilitate the transition of the foundation’s primary emphasis.”

Hughes’ influence and lifetime of community service is evident wherever one looks in Gwinnett County. At 23, he was the youngest commissioner ever elected in Buford, Georgia. Whether through his work on the Gwinnett County Commission, the Gwinnett Civic and Cultural Center, the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, the Infinite Energy Center or Gwinnett Hospital System, there are few institutions in our region that Hughes has not touched, which has been to the community’s benefit.

Among Hughes’ many achievements and contributions to the region, Georgia Gwinnett College holds a special place in his heart, and GGC now proudly claims him as an alumnus. In December 2018, Hughes was awarded GGC’s first honorary degree in recognition of his service to the college and its foundation.

The GGC Foundation celebrated Hughes at his last meeting as board chair this spring, presenting him with one of the college’s handsome grizzly statuettes.

“Tommy was honored for his steadfast devotion to GGC and the GGC Foundation,” said Lori Buckheister, vice president

for Advancement. “Both personally and professionally, he has placed his efforts toward the ideal of working for the greater good.”

“While each of our first three chairs has played a vital role in the history of both the foundation and the college, Tommy’s tenure was one during which both organizations made tremendous strides and positioned themselves well for future success,” said Bartow Morgan, who succeeds Hughes as chair. “His efforts will benefit students, and thus, the community, for generations.”

Glenn White, charter chair of the GGC Foundation (GGCF), 2006-12; Dr. Jann Joseph, president of GGC; Tommy Hughes, GGCF chair, 2013-19; Lori Buckheister, vice president of Advancement, and John D. Stephens, GGCF chair, 2012-13, pause for a photo before a recent dinner at which GGCF history was discussed.

“ GGC is truly important to our community’s vitality, and I’m honored to have my name associated with it.

I continue to be amazed by what we have accomplished together.”

– Tommy Hughes

Former GGC President Stas Preczewski and then-University System of Georgia Regent Richard Tucker place an academic hood onto Tommy Hughes during his honorary bachelor’s degree presentation at the 2018 fall commencement ceremony.

Hughes will continue to serve his adopted alma mater by serving as chair of the foundation board’s Committee on Trustees, which is charged with identifying and developing the future leaders of the foundation board.

Through his continued leadership, he will serve as an example for the next generation of leaders, who will be charged with continuing the legacy of engaged leadership that the founders established.

The Hughes family also has established an endowed fund that will provide a permanent source of support for students, the Hughes Family Scholarship. This scholarship will support GGC students in perpetuity, ensuring that Hughes’ legacy of caring leadership continues forever at the college he helped create.

“The college and the foundation owe Tommy a debt of gratitude. His deep understanding of the needs of our students and how the college makes a difference for their futures is inspiring,” said Buckheister. “The scholarship, which is one of many examples of his leadership, will be a reminder of his dedication to our students, his service to the college and his mentorship in helping us move GGC and the GGC Foundation forward.”

Hughes reflects on his service with his signature humility.

At a dinner celebrating GGC’s 10th anniversary in 2015, Tommy Hughes reflected on how he and his colleagues helped create the college. “Look what we’ve done,” he said. “Everyone in this room deserves a pat on the back.”

“GGC is truly important to our community’s vitality, and I’m honored to have my name associated with it,” Hughes said. “I continue to be amazed by what we have accomplished together.”

Summer 2019

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Scholarship

Rover Project Provides Research

Opportunities In addition to space exploration, rovers like R-BEAR can be used in areas inaccessible or unsafe for humans.

R-BEAR could potentially deliver technological or health devices for people trapped in a hazardous zone, for example.

“It’s cool to build stuff that can be helpful in real-life applications,” said Kristen Donahue, ’19, biology. “R-BEAR could travel into areas we could not get to after a disaster.”

Donahue was among the students who participated in the Georgia Undergraduate Research Committee’s first-ever research poster presentation at the state capital earlier this year. The R-BEAR project was one of only 41 projects selected for the event. This research was selected for presentation at the 2019 National Conference on Undergraduate Research and a research article has been submitted for the conference proceedings.

Dr. Tae Song Lee, assistant professor of physics; Kristen Donahue, ’19, biology; and Dr. Sairam Tangirala, associate professor of physics; are shown with the R-BEAR rover on its obstacle course.

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n a small room in the back of Georgia Gwinnett College’s warehouse, there is a obstacle course specially constructed to test a piece of equipment designed and built by GGC students and faculty – an environment exploration rover.

The Rocker-Bogie Earth explorAtion Rover (R-BEAR) is based on the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Mars rover, Sojourner. Like Sojourner, R-BEAR has an innovative suspension system that allows it to stay balanced while traversing uneven terrain. It can keep all six wheels on the ground, even while scaling obstacles up to twice its wheel size. It also can change directions without moving from its position.

The GGC team equipped R-BEAR with a solar panel for power and data sensors for temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, ultraviolet light and soil moisture, and a robot-arm module for collecting soil samples and environmental data.

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Dr. Tae Song Lee, assistant professor of physics, and Dr. Sairam Tangirala, associate professor of physics teach the R-BEAR research course, which provides hands-on learning experiences for students in multiple majors.

“It is a privilege to work with a team that can share their ideas for the betterment of our future,” ssaid Suzana Batazhan, ’18, biology. “This research allowed a glimpse into the ‘real world’ of science.”

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Office of Public Relations 1000 University Center Lane Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043

Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) provides access to targeted baccalaureate- and associate-level degrees meeting the economic development needs of the growing and diverse population of Gwinnett County and the northeast metropolitan Atlanta region.

GGC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404.679.4500 for questions about the accreditation of Georgia Gwinnett College. Visit www.ggc.edu.

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