Aeolian Summer 2014

2014

AEOLIAN

The Magazine of Georgia Southwestern State University l Summer

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ALSO INSIDE: From Backstage to Onstage

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Mission

Mars

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Alumna Shaunna Morrison is a member of the science team on NASA’s Curiosity rover Page 6

Going Pro

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Shaking the World

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Part of a Family Tradition

AEOLIAN

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Aeolian

Summer 2014

01 02 03 The Aeolian is published by the Division of University Relations at Georgia Southwestern State University.

The name Aeolian is derived from Aeolus, who was appointed by the mythological god Zeus to be the keeper of the winds — both to calm and to arouse them. He was the King of the Aeolian Islands.

Continuing its mission begun in 1906, Georgia Southwestern State University serves traditional and non-traditional students across the state, the nation and the world.

Aeolian

800 Georgia Southwestern State University Drive Americus, Georgia 31709 (229) 931-2037 aeolian@gsw.edu www.gsw.edu/News

Editor

Stephen Snyder

Contributing Authors

Sunni Zemblowski

President

Printer

Kendall Blanchard, Ph.D.

UGA Printing

University Relations Director

Alumni Affairs Coordinator

Stephen Snyder ’04, ’10

Kim Comer ’90, ’09

GSW Foundation Executive Director

Web Developer & Graphic Designer

Reda Rowell

David Bradshaw ’12, ’13

Alumni Affairs Director

Public Relations Assistant

Karen Holloway ’78

Sunni Zemblowski ’12

Kendall Blanchard, Ph.D. Higher Education: A Sound Investment

GSW Alumni President’s Letter Len Hicks Reconnect to the Past

Alumni News and Events

Remembering Betty Anderson Jerry Newman Homecoming with Ronda Rich Poker Run and Black Tie BBQ Graduation

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Cover Story

08 10 12

Alumni Feature

Stephen Snyder Sunni Zemblowski Susan Harmon

Designer

From the President’s Desk

On a Mission to Mars: Shaunna Morrison

From Backstage to Onstage: Jason R.A. Foster

Hurricane News

Going Pro: Nate Gahman Part of a Family Tradition: Anna Kate Shaw

Campus News

Dedicating Time to Play Leeder takes the Lead Liberate the Muse Opening Windows to the World Shaking the World Writing Up a Storm

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Career Services and You

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Class Notes Gold Alumni

Cover

Life’s Transitions

In Memoriam

Shaunna Morrison stands with the remote-controlled scarecrow rover, a model of Curiosity, calibrated for Martian conditions, in Jet Propulsion Laboratory Mars yard in Pasadena, Calif.

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

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SUMMER 2014

Higher Education A Sound Investment The debate over whether or not a college education today is worth what it costs is getting as much attention in the media as Obama Care and Kim Kardashian’s baby. It is true that it costs more to earn a college degree today than it did 20 years ago, even if you adjust for inflation. Tuition and fees have increased significantly at most postsecondary institutions. The reasons are obvious. The biggest reason is the decline in state support. Twenty years ago Georgia Southwestern received 75 percent of its operating budget from the State of Georgia. The other 25 percent came from tuition and fees. That has changed dramatically. The FY2015 operating budget we have just submitted to the Board of Regents for its approval is 44 percent state funds and 56 percent tuition and fees. So, it should not surprise anyone that college costs have increased.

Despite the increased cost, a college degree is still a good investment. A brief item in a recent Time magazine (“Higher ed,” May 19, 2014, p. 18) indicated that on average a college graduate will earn $831,000 more over the course of his lifetime than one who has only a high school diploma. It is also true that a college graduate will live longer, make more contributions to his respective community, and have greater job or career satisfaction than his counterpart with only a diploma.

Nevertheless, the pundits continue questioning the value of a college education. Unfortunately, it is likely that the effect of this is to discourage some from enrolling in any form of post-secondary education. Also, it has caused state and federal governments to get into the act, proposing various measures as a way of ensuring that the graduates of American colleges and universities are getting their money’s worth. One such measure would have institutions track their graduates to see what percent of them are employed in the field for which they studied. Another would look at the annual income of graduates, the assumption being that the higher the average income of its graduates the better the college or university.

There is more to a college degree than simply getting a job or making a lot of money. In many ways, college is about finding yourself, planning your future, and developing a fungible set of skills, such as writing, mathematical reasoning, and critical thinking. It is about becoming a more informed citizen, developing your social skills, and learning to work in teams. This is what is so important about the liberal arts, which remain the core of the traditional college education. And, even though some of the critics question the employment potential of a liberal arts major, the results of a recent study suggest that “liberal arts majors may start off slower than others when it comes to the postgraduate career path, but they close much of the salary and unemployment gap over time…”(Inside Higher Education, January 22, 2-14). Also, an article in the Chronicle of Higher Education (Scott Carlson, “Jobs and engaged jobs,” May 16, 2014) reports on the results of a survey that indicated that those who major in the social sciences, the arts, or the humanities are “more engaged with their work” than those who major in science or business.

In short, I contend college remains a sound investment, regardless of one’s major. While getting a job and earning a competitive salary are important, the goal of a degree must not stop there. It is the discipline, the will to learn, and the exposure to great minds and ideas that shapes one’s life and career. Anything short of that and the college experience loses its richness and becomes mere training rather than education.

Kendall Blanchard GSW President

AEOLIAN

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GSW ALUMNI PRESIDENT’S LETTER

Reconnect to the Past The year was 1966, and as a young man full of dreams, aspirations, excitement, anticipation, and fears, I stepped into my first college class at Georgia Southwestern.

There was a lot going on in the world, but I knew that I wanted to better myself and felt that GSW was the place to do it. Do any of these names ring a bell: Dr. King, Mr. Roark, Mr. Houston, Ms. Shields, Don Whitaker, Dr. Argo, Dr. Green, Ms. Sisk, Mrs. Parks, Coach Godfrey Knight, Colonel Parker, Mr. Blount, Dr. McKinney, Frank Butler, Mrs. Guin, Ms. Ruby Alston, and Mrs. Deriso? There were organizations: Circle K, BSU, and Wesley Foundation; fraternities: Phi Delta Kappa, Sigma Delta Epsilon, and Sigma Nu Alpha; and the sororities: Kappa Delta Theta and Phi Sigma Delta. At GSW, the academic side was as strong as our basketball, baseball, tennis, and golf teams.

It brings back memories…

I have tried to stay connected with a lot of the folks I have named and a bunch I have not. I recently went on a “Road Trip” to the beach with 38 members of my fraternity, known back then as Sigma Delta Epsilon but now as Sigma Chi. We found ourselves talking about the old days, teachers, friends, and classes; about what happened in our lives since college— the good, the bad, the happy, and the sad—showing pictures of children and grandchildren, laughing and, yes, crying. A good time.

When I think about what the Alumni Association has to offer, it is that connection or re-connection with those we grew up and shared a valuable part of our life with that means the most. Is there a classmate or a teacher that you want to reach out to? I know there is, and the Alumni Association can help you do that. I hope that this will spark a desire in each of you to come back to GSW for events, to visit, maybe to gain more education, to become involved with other programs or to recruit new students.

Remember, it is your school, my school, our Alma Mater. Keep it strong!

Len Hicks GSW Alumni Association President

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ervin Anderson ’93, Americus

Karen Holloway ’78, Americus, Staff

Rudolph Patterson ’59, Macon

Richard Arnold ’76, Americus, Treasurer

Len Hicks ’75, Americus, President

William Peterson, IV ’00, Americus

Eva Joiner ’00, Ashburn

Lamar Radford ’00, Bonaire

Russ Barnes ’87, Americus

W. Cody King ’90, Leesburg

Liz Ruf, ’76, Hiawassee

Daphne Ann Chambless ’50, Dawson, Lifetime Member

Billy King ’81, Dunwoody

Jimmy Peel, ’80, Stone Mountain

Guerry Mashburn ’74, Atlanta

Kathleen Tucker ’00, Americus

Kim Comer ’90, Americus, Staff

Glynn Mathis ’51, Americus, Lifetime Member

Mary Wysochansky ’89, Americus

Cheryl Fletcher ’82, Americus

Doug Moses ’97, Locust Grove

Lemond Hall ’98, Cordele, Vice President

Dwayne Myles ’02, Mobile

Arthur Clark ’00, Leesburg

ALUMNI NEWS

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SUMMER 2014

Alumni News and Events Remembering Betty Anderson

Betty Anderson (’46) passed away March 23 of this year. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

Anderson posthumously received the Aeolian Award and the Lifetime Member Award for her service on the GSW Alumni Association Board of Directors.

She dedicated her time and effort to the Board for over 30 years. Recipients of the Aeolian Award are chosen based on outstanding lifetime achievement as a distinguished alum and community leader. Anderson’s children accepted the awards on her behalf on April 26, 2014.

people I met when I entered the business world after college,” said Len Hicks, president of the GSW Alumni Association. “I also had the opportunity to work with her professionally, and in later years, I served on volunteer boards and projects with her. Betty was always the same - professional, knowledgeable, helpful, and always willing to go the extra step to help others. She was an outstanding and committed individual to her community and was willing to do whatever she could to make our community better.

She was a good person on all levels and will be sincerely missed but not forgotten.”

In 2003, Anderson received the Leewynn J. Finklea Outstanding Alumni Award. This award recognizes outstanding alumni who have demonstrated exceptional service to the Alumni Association or the University and is named in honor of the first GSW alumni director.

Anderson was a member of First United Methodist Church of Americus where she served as a volunteer setting up coffee for the Epworth Sunday School Class every Sunday, helping with Wednesday night supper every week and helping count offerings on Sundays. She was a past vice president of First Federal Savings and Loan and retired from Sumter Bank and Trust. Anderson also volunteered her time as an usher at the Rylander Theatre in Americus.

t Betty Anderson was posthumously named the 2014 Aeolian Award recipient, as well as a Lifetime Member of the Alumni Assoc. Board of Directors. Accepting the awards are her children (left to right) Terry Anderson, Bobby Anderson and Connie and Darrell Weldon.

“Betty Anderson was one of the first

LEGACY CIRCLE

“Betty was one of the most dedicated alums I have ever met,” said Karen Holloway, director of GSW Alumni Affairs. “If there was an event on campus, she was there. She truly loved GSW and did everything she could to support it and the students. Whether it was dipping ice cream on Student Appreciation Day or welcoming parents and students on Preview Day, she was always expressing her love for GSW.”

If you would like to be included in our Legacy Circle, call us at (229) 931-2014.

John and Alice Argo

Sandra B. Gillis

Bev and Dianne Pankey

Joan Smith

Walter P. Bailey

David and Kay Dee Green

C. Alan Parks

Roy Lee Smith Estate

Hans Bertschi Estate

J. Michael Greene

Robert S. Perry Estate

Henry King Stanford Estate

Barry and Tami Blount

Michael W. Hall

Betty Pope

Calvin and Ginger Starlin

Harrold Bowen Estate

Ron and Mary Hill

Nan J. Powell

John Stovall

Pate and Gail Bridges Estate

Harold Holloway Estate

Anne N. Power Estate

Neil and Kara Suggs

Kathryn Cade

James F. Kimmons

George and Linda Pritchard

William and Mildred Tietjen

Bill and Dolores Capitan

Cody and Sharon King

Marion Silver

David Updike

Roger and Connie Congdon

Diane and Mick Kirkwood

Hugh Slaton

Nelle Walker Estate

John O. Exum Estate

Wallace and Kitty Mays

Patricia Slaughter

Rick and Ginny Whaley

William L. Finney

C. Fred Overby

Don and Sybil Smith

Wes and Jean Wheeler Betty B. Whittier

AEOLIAN

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ALUMNI NEWS

Alumni News and Events Jerry Newman receives Regents’ Hall of Fame Award Columbus businessman and GSW graduate Jerry Newman was selected as a Regents’ Hall of Fame Award recipient at the 10th Annual Regents’ Salute to Education. This event is organized each year by the University System of Georgia Foundation.

Each System campus is asked to nominate alumni to be honored.

An external panel named by the USG Foundation evaluates alumni nominations. Newman, a member of GSW’s 1959 graduating class, is the third Georgia Southwestern alum to be named a Regents’ Hall of Fame Award recipient since 2008. Former first lady Rosalynn Carter was honored in 2011, and the late Griffin B. Bell, former U.S. Attorney General, was honored at the 2008 celebration.

“Jerry Newman is a delightful raconteur, an astute businessman, and a dedicated public servant,” said GSW President Kendall Blanchard. “He and his wife are two of the most generous people I have ever known. Georgia Southwestern is privileged to be able to

UPCOMING ALUMNI TRIPS SEPT. 5 - OCT. 26, 2014 Alaskan Adventure

OCT. 29 - NOV. 5, 2014 Irish Splendor

count him as an alum. The award and the recognition at the Gala were well deserved.”

After earning a degree in English and journalism from Georgia Southwestern College, Newman worked as a news reporter and political contributor in the newspaper business. In the 1960s he began working in real estate, and in 1970, he founded Columbus’s Park Properties, Inc. Newman is a life trustee on the GSW Foundation’s Board of Trustees and has been awarded the GSW Leewynn J. Finklea Outstanding Alumni Award and the Aeolian Award for lifetime achievement and community involvement. Newman and his wife, Marjorie Ann, were given GSW’s Excellence in Philanthropy Award in 2000. In 2006, Southwestern presented Newman with an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities at commencement.

More than 600 individuals representing the USG’s 31 institutions, supporters, donors, alumni and businesses

Georgia Southwestern alum Jerry Newman (left) was presented with a Regents’ Hall of Fame Award by Don Leebern III (right), president of Georgia Crown Distributing Company, the presenting sponsor of the annual Regents’ Salute to Education. attended the event. Among the crowd were state elected officials, including the governor, members of the Board of Regents and presidents from the USG’s colleges and universities.

UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENT SUN., AUG. 24, 2014 2:00 - 5:00 PM Fish Camp Jam Atlanta, Ga.

$25 each • Cash bar Appetizers & samplings from renowned Chef William RSVP by Aug 20th • (866) 673-0436

AUG. 28 - SEPT. 4, 2015 Islands of New England

TBA

London and Paris

TBA

Discover Tuscany

TBA

Australia and Fiji

TBA

Eastern Canada

For more information, visit gsw.edu/Alumni or contact Alumni Affairs at (866) 673-0436 or alumni@gsw.edu

ALUMNI NEWS

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SUMMER 2014

Spring Graduation - May 10, 2014

Poker Run & Black Tie BBQ - April 26, 2014

Homecoming - January 31, 2014

Alumni News and Events

p Ronda Rich, humorist, best-selling author, and syndicated columnist, entertained alumni and friends during the Homecoming celebration.

p Alumni and friends mingle before dinner at the Griffin Bell Golf and Conference Center.

p Ronda Rich signs copies of her best-sellers, including The Town That Came A-Courtin’, for the Homecoming guests.

t Bikers line up in preparation for the start of the Poker Run. Alumni Assoc. President Len Hicks (right) and Hurricane Club President Steve Nelson pose for a picture in their Black Tie BBQ attire.

p Dave Tucker drew the best poker hand, winning $250 which he donated back to the GSW Alumni Association Cash Scholarship Fund.

p Sponsored by the Alumni Assoc. and selected by the graduates, Lynn Larson (left) received the 2014 Professor of the Year Award. Karen Holloway, director of Alumni Affairs, presents the award.

u

p Arthur Clark, ’00, received the 2014 Leewynn J. Finklea Outstanding Alumni Award. He currently serves on the Alumni Assoc. Board of Directors.

p Alumni Assoc. President Len Hicks poses with Haley Jones before the graduation ceremony. Jones was a recipient of the Alumni Cash Scholarship.

p Zeta Tau Alpha alumnae reunite: (left to right; top) MaryLen Walker, ’74; Adrienne Hamlin, ’77; Liz Ruf, ’76; (middle) Jane Arnold, ’77; Marie Belcher, ’81; Cheryl Fletcher, ’82; Renae Barnes; and (front) Michelle Mashburn, ’76.

AEOLIAN

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COVER STORY: ON A MISSION TO MARS

On a Mission to Mars Geology graduate works on Mars rover Curiosity team

By Stephen Snyder

Pizza to Mars: Sounds like an exercise in brainstorming. The question is ‘how do you arrive at one from the other’? For Shaunna Morrison (’11), the answer lies in an attraction to geology – a science that connects everything together.

Not Your Papa’s Pizza

it, I knew biology was not what I wanted to do.”

“I was studying business at another school, while running Papa’s Pizza in Montezuma and realized that what you learn in business school, aside from accounting, doesn’t always directly apply,” Morrison said.

Working as co-owner and manager of Papa’s Pizza in neighboring Montezuma, Morrison wanted to transfer to a school that was close enough to commute, and she knew that Georgia Southwestern had well-thought-of professors.

Intent on majoring in chemistry, her dad suggested a different form of science.

Like many before her, she chose a major in a field that did not suit her. After taking a science class, though, she began down a path that would be out of this world.

Change

of

Course

“I took an introductory chemistry course, and I didn’t have much of a background in science, period, let alone in chemistry,” she said. “It was so fascinating to me to understand the world on an atomic level; that every single thing that you’re touching is made up of atoms bonded in various ways.”

“My father called me one day and asked me if I knew GSW had a geology program,” she explained. “I found the website and was getting more and more interested. Then I thought, ‘what does a geologist do?’ I didn’t realize that geology was something that you could actually study and potentially have a job.”

“It was really eye-opening,” she added. “Suddenly, the world wasn’t as mysterious. I knew that I wanted to go into science after that; however, the school I was attending only had a biology program. I took the biology course, and after taking

By doing a little research, Morrison found that geologists do everything. “Everything that isn’t grown comes from the Earth as minerals and oil – it’s where plastics, fuel and metal come from,” she said.

Humble Beginnings

On

Morrison worked at Papa’s Pizza To Go during her time at GSW. Here she is with her business partner, GSW alum Amanda Dunmon.

the F ield Morrison poses for a picture wearing her hard hat during a Flux Mine mineral collecting trip in Patagonia, Ariz., 2012.

COVER STORY: ON A MISSION TO MARS

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SUMMER 2014

After emailing Geology Professor Dr. Tom Weiland with interest in GSW’s program, the initial response was very encouraging.

When she initially reached out to faculty at Arizona, she did not receive a reply. As a result, she was “pretty dead-set on going to Notre Dame.”

“He wrote me back within five minutes,’” Morrison said, impressed. “I immediately had this wonderful, warm rapport with him. He made it such an easy transition. He was my advisor for the rest of the time I was there. I literally cannot say enough good things about all of GSW’s geology professors: Dr. Weiland, Dr. Burt Carter and Dr. Sam Peavy.”

Fortunately, Dr. Bob Downs saw her application later on and contacted her directly.

Morrison excelled in her studies at GSW, earning the Daniel D. Arden, Jr. Science Scholarship twice and the American Institute of Professional Geologists Student of the Year Award. She graduated in May 2011.

“Basically, you get into graduate school because a professor wants you as a graduate student,” she explained. Two professors, in particular, showed interest in Morrison – one from Notre Dame and Downs.

Morrison was the only potential graduate student with whom Downs was interested in working, and his projects were in rare earth element mineralogy – exactly what she was looking for. She was happy to be headed to Tucson.

Paradise Year-round “Georgia Southwestern competes with and tops other geology schools,” Morrison explained when discussing geology programs. “For an undergraduate program, hands down, I would not trade my experience there for the world.”

Morrison applied to five different graduate schools: the University of Georgia, Oregon State University, the University of Notre Dame, the University of Arizona and the University of Michigan. She was accepted to all but Michigan.

Ready

for A ction Morrison visits the Curiosity rover model with full instrumentation, excluding CheMin and SAM instruments, in the JPL Mars yard in October 2012.

“My single favorite thing about Tucson is the weather because it is paradise almost year-round,” she exclaimed.

“However, I wasn’t going to let that be the determining factor.

I knew pretty quickly that Dr. Downs was someone that I would like to work with. I really, really clicked with him.”

For someone who is interested in minerals, the University of Arizona is the right place to go. Downs has developed the largest mineral database in the world, having 3,000 species in house, an impressive collection, seeing as there are only 4,500 known minerals.

Continue on Page 16 Success

on M ars Morrison poses with a sign on the fence of the JPL facility in Pasadena, Calif., celebrating the successful landing of the Mars rover.

AEOLIAN

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ALUMNI FEATURE: FROM BACKSTAGE TO ONSTAGE

From Backstage to Onstage GSW alumnus books speaking roles in three upcoming Hollywood productions

“I’d like to thank the professors in the Theatre and Communication department for giving me a nice foundation to build on and giving me the freedom to try my own things.”

By Sunni Zemblowski

The road to success can be long and winding, and it can lead you anywhere. For Jason R.A. Foster, his road to success led him to New Orleans and speaking roles in three upcoming Hollywood productions.

After graduating, Foster considered graduate school, but instead followed an opportunity to work the set of USA Network’s “White Collar” in New York as a production assistant. Foster only worked on the set for about six months, but he learned a lot, including where he wanted his road to continue.

“My time up there was short but the things that I learned from being on set, talking to the different directors, seeing how prepared the actors and crew were everyday was a part of my decision to forgo grad school,” he said. “Working on ‘White Collar’ really was the springboard that started me on the independent track.”

In 2011, Foster, David Bear, and three other colleagues started a film production company in New Orleans called FosterBear Films. FosterBear Films shoots music videos, short narrative and documentary films, commercials and promos. Projects include the short documentary “A

Conversation with John O’Neal.” O’Neal co-founded the Free Southern Theater and Junebug Productions.

“Over the years we’ve evolved into more of a collective with David and I being the constants,” explained Foster. “There’s a strong and generous independent film community here in New Orleans so we’re always crossing paths, working on each other’s projects, borrowing equipment, etc.”

In addition to creating FosterBear Films, Foster was breaking into professional acting through various extra roles. His first break was a Microsoft/Bing commercial and was sort of unintentional. A friend was auditioning for the role and the agency wanted people who were actually friends to come in and audition together.

“I was just going there to help my friend out so I didn’t care if I got the role or not, until I got a callback and went in again after that, I was all about it. It was two days after the callback that I got the call from one of the agents telling me that I booked the role,” Foster remarked. “I really snuck in through the back door with the whole acting thing.”

Since the Bing commercial, Foster has had numerous roles as an extra. In 2013, Foster landed his first speaking role on

Photo courtesy of Lawrence Turner.

Foster graduated from Georgia Southwestern in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in dramatic arts in communication with a minor in marketing. While at GSW, Foster served as the director of The Hurricane Watch and worked a summer internship at WALB, in Albany, Ga.

ALUMNI FEATURE: FROM BACKSTAGE TO ONSTAGE

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SUMMER 2014

Photo courtesy of Christopher Weaver (right); Photo courtesy of Lizzie Ford-Madrid (left).

the TV series, “Suit Up.” Most recently, Foster has booked speaking roles in three upcoming productions: “Hot Tub Time Machine 2,” “22 Jump St.,” and “Get Hard.”

In “Get Hard,” which is starring Kevin Hart and Will Ferrell, Foster plays an employee at Hart’s car wash. According to Foster, most of the dialogue he has with Hart’s character is improvised, leading it to be his most memorable moment on set.

“I would get a prompt from the director and I would go from there. I got a few laughs out of Kevin and it was like I won the lotto when that happened,” said Foster. “Seeing Will Ferrell work was a nice treat. I’ve been a fan of his since SNL (Saturday Night Live), so watching him do his thing was a delight.”

Working with these big stars has not changed Foster, however, and he is still humble about his experiences and is still passionate about his life in New Orleans.

“The acting gigs are terrific but FosterBear is my baby,” said Foster. “We’ve truly built something out of nothing and watching this company grow and being able to create and collaborate with my friends and peers has been great.”

Foster attributes much of his success to his education at GSW. “I’d like to thank the professors in the Theatre and Communication department for giving me a nice foundation to build on and giving me the freedom to try my own things,” he said. “I learned various acting techniques at GSW… I still call on them when going in for auditions.”

FosterBear Films produces short documentaries, music videos and more, including: “We Deserve Better” A documentary about the discrimination of the LGBT community in New Orleans by the New Orleans Police Department, made in conjunction with BreakOUT! The film is now mandatory viewing for new NOPD police officers.

“Rethink: Restorative Justice” A documentary for ‘Kids Rethink New Orleans Schools,’ an organization that advocates for youth-led systemic changes in the education system.

For more information, visit fosterbearfilms.com.

Directing

and C onsulting (Left) Foster consults with his collaborators behind the scenes of an unreleased short film,“Justin and Casper.”

Behind

the S cenes (Right) On the set of FosterBear’s production of “Brighton Beach,” Foster gives directions to the actors.

AEOLIAN

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HURRICANE NEWS: GOING PRO

Going Pro Nate Gahman

“There were many lessons learned throughout my four years at GSW and they have shaped me into the golfer that I am today.”

By Sunni Zemblowski Photography by Christie Joiner Nate Gahman, a senior marketing major, turned pro in 2013 and, this year, has joined the National Golf Association (NGA) tour. Founded in 1988 by Rick Jordan, the series was originally known as the Jordan Tour.

Renamed in 2011, the NGA is an independent developmental tour. It is the third largest after the PGA Tour, and its developmental version, the Web.com Tour.

The NGA tour has several different series, but Gahman will be playing in the Pro Series this year. The Pro Series events are quite similar to those of the PGA Tour. Each event is a four-day walking event, with a cut that occurs after the second round of play. The NGA Pro Series, which has nineteen events, runs from March till October.

The first event was held at Stonebridge Golf Club in Albany, Ga. Gahman is feeling confident about his ability.

“I know that I have the talent to compete on the tour; it is just a matter

of putting in the hard work and making it happen,” he said. “If it doesn’t happen, at least I know that I gave it my best effort.”

The top members of the Pro Series season will have the opportunity to have their Web.com tour qualifying school fees reimbursed. The Web.com tour qualifying school, also called the Q-School, is an annual tournament that once awarded PGA Tour playing privileges, commonly called “Tour cards.” However, last year, this route changed and the Q-school now grants cards only to the Web.com tour, the new route to gain one’s PGA Tour card.

“My future goals are to compete on the money list on the NGA Tour this year and next. Hopefully, I will be able to try out Q-school and get my Web.com Card,” Gahman said. “Ultimately, I hope to achieve my dream of being on the PGA Tour.”

Gahman was born in Americus, Ga., but resides in Leesburg, Ga. As a child, he was very athletic and involved in various sports. However, he did not discover golf until right before attending high school.

“I always played any sport but golf; I played mainly baseball from four to 14 years old. As you can imagine, when I was a kid I dreamed of playing baseball for a living,” Gahman said.

“In high school, I got tendinitis in my pitching arm, so I found golf to be a better alternative and the hand eye coordination carried over to golf pretty naturally.”

While attending Georgia Southwestern, Gahman played on the GSW golf team. During his stay on the team from 2009 to 2013, Gahman won various titles, including 2013 PING All American Team, 2013 PBC First Team All Conference, and 2013 Southeast All Region Team.

“My time on the GSW golf team was a huge experience that you cannot put a price on,” Gahman added. “There were many lessons learned throughout my four years at GSW and they have shaped me into the golfer that I am today. Without the team and the great staff in the Athletic Department, I most likely would not be playing golf today.”

HURRICANE NEWS: PART OF A FAMILY TRADITION

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SUMMER 2014

Part of a Family Tradition Anna Kate Shaw

By Susan Harmon Anna Kate Shaw has been fortunate to grow up in a unique athletics-minded household. Her parents, Lee and Dawn, were always involved in athletics and raised their children in the same manner. Shaw followed in her family’s footsteps, but made her own path at Georgia Southwestern by joining the Lady ‘Canes tennis team.

“When I went to try out for the team at GSW, I fell in love with the team and the coach,” recalled Shaw. “It was the bond and Coach Sewell that helped me realize this is where I needed to be.”

It’s obvious that Shaw’s family has played an important role in her views towards athletics. Her two brothers, in addition to her parents, were on sports teams. Jaybo, who played quarterback for Georgia Tech and then finished his career at Georgia Southern University, now works as the offensive quality control coach for Army football.

Connor, her other brother, was the all-time winningest quarterback for the University of South Carolina and was recently picked up by the Cleveland Browns.

Shaw always wanted to be in sports like her brothers. “Ever since I was little I have been following them around going to basketball, baseball, and football games. There is no telling how many games I have been to, but that’s all I can remember growing up: wanting to play with them and following in their footsteps,” she stated.

Shaw recalled a childhood picture of Connor putting football flag straps around her waist while she held the ball. “I just had the biggest smile on my face because I was getting to play with them,” she said.

Like her brothers, during high school, Shaw, played basketball but eventually decided it wasn’t for her. “I played because my whole family did. I wanted to be just like my brothers, so of course I wanted to play basketball. Eventually I played so much that I got tired of it.”

Shaw’s parents introduced tennis when she was younger as another sport to keep in the family. “I fell in love with tennis, and just knew that it was what I wanted to do,” Shaw recalled. In her high school tennis career, Shaw competed in state three years and was first team all-region her sophomore and

junior year.

Yet there’s no denying that football is a dominant part of her family. “Everything revolves around football [at home], but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she said. However, “tennis is my escape from everything, whether it’s from football talk or school; it just takes my mind off of everything.”

With Lee and Jaybo coaching, Shaw can see things from the perspective of the coach and the player. When her playing days come to an end, Shaw would like to continue the coaching trend in her family and become a tennis coach. “I already teach some tennis lessons in the summer and I help out with camps,” she said.

Through it all, Shaw knows her family is in her corner. “My brothers are so supportive and protective over me,” said Shaw. “And I don’t know what I would do without my parents. They were able to come to the majority of my matches this year.”

As a freshman, Shaw has already become a successful member of the GSW women’s tennis team.

AEOLIAN

12

CAMPUS NEWS

Dedicating T ime to Play Ray Mannila named GSW’s 2014 Featured Public Servant

Initiated in 2008 by GSW President Kendall A. Blanchard, Ph.D., the Featured Public Servant award is presented to an employee of Georgia Southwestern who makes valuable contributions to the community where he or she lives and works. It is also a way to remind the larger Americus community that Georgia Southwestern faculty and staff play an important role in the social and cultural life of that community.

Ray Mannila, technical coordinator for the Department of Theater, Communication and Media Arts, is GSW’s 2014 Featured Public Servant.

“Ray Mannila is one of those professionals who does it all,” Kendall Blanchard, Ph.D. said.

Mannila is flattered by the recognition and is quick to thank those that support him in his efforts.

“I am honored to be selected for this award,” said Mannila. “Although I

appreciate being selected, I cannot take all the credit. My supervisor, Jeff Green, has been greatly supportive, as have my friends and, of course, none of it would be possible without the love and support from my wife.”

The name “Ray Mannila” is synonymous with theater in Sumter County and southwest Georgia, and particularly at GSW where he has been on the faculty since 2000. On a typical day, if he is not building a set, he is teaching a class on theater or set design, scheduling events for all three performance venues

Leeder takes the Lead Mike Leeder named interim athletic director Georgia Southwestern men’s head basketball coach Mike Leeder will serve as interim athletic director (AD) and head coach during the 2014-2015 academic year.

“Coach Leeder has proven himself as a leader, both on and off the court,” said Kendall Blanchard. “I am grateful to him for taking on this interim position. I

am confident he will be instrumental in moving our athletic program to the next level and look forward to working with him in this new capacity.”

“I’m appreciative for the opportunity provided by Dr. Blanchard to add the responsibilities of athletic director to my current position as head men’s basketball coach,” Leeder said.

on campus, or planning a theater conference.

“Volunteering my time allows me to interact with the truly gifted and wonderful people in our area that I normally would not get to meet otherwise,” added Mannila. “Also, being that I love theater so much, volunteering allows me to share my passion with our community.”

Much of Mannila’s activity off campus is spent working with the Sumter Players where he has been a board member since 2001. He currently serves as vice president of production, and he served as president from 2006 to 2010. His volunteer work also extends to local Georgia one-act play competitions as a respondent, assisting in the planning of the Kennedy Center/American College Theater Festivals, coordinating events for the Georgia Theater Conference of which he is a member, and providing technical support for the Lake Blackshear Regional Library’s annual dinner theater fund raiser.

Mannila earned a Bachelor of Science in theatre/English from Northern Michigan University and a Master of Arts in dramatic literature from Michigan State University.

CAMPUS NEWS

13

SUMMER 2014

Liberate the Muse Spring 2014 edition of Sirocco released The cover artwork, “Lightning,” is an oil painting by Sunni Zemblowski, alumna from class of 2012. Her piece was selected after winning the Sirocco Cover Prize sponsored by Global Graphics. The magazine’s literary editors were Alison McCarter and Ellen Kay. Ashley Bratcher was the art editor.

Lindley McGuire, Meagan Pierce, Faica Paul, and Hannah Ruiz served on the editorial staff.

Sirocco, GSW’s Arts Magazine, is published each year in April by students. A reading and reception celebrating the release of the 2014 edition, “Liberate the Muse,” was held April 16 in the Marshall Student Center Faculty Dining Room.

The magazine features literary, visual and theater work, chosen by a student editorial staff, from students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Made possible through the generous support of GSW President Emeritus William Capitan, Ph.D., and the late Dolores Capitan, the Dolores Capitan Writing Award winners were named at the celebration, as well. Academic Division winners were Kassandra Tuten, first place; Andre Ivey, second place; and Diane Tebbel, third place.

Lauren Collier won the Editor’s Choice Award sponsored by Little Brother’s Bistro and Amanda Harrah won the “Pat’s Place Poetry Prize” for best poetry submission.

Each year, the magazine is dedicated to someone who has supported the arts or the magazine in some significant way. Genie Bryan, Ph.D., department chair and associate

Did You Know?

Literary Editors, Ellen Kay (left) and Alison McCarter give a framed copy of this year’s Sirocco to its honoree, Dr. Genie Bryan. professor of English and Modern Language is this year’s honoree. Bryan served as the faculty advisor of Sirocco from 2011 to 2013 and participates in the Sumter Players and the Southwest Civic Chorus.

“Dr. Bryan promotes intelligent thought and creativity,” states the “Dedication” section of the Sirocco. “She encourages her students to challenge conventional interpretations and create their own meanings.”

The GSW chapter of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity developed their little sister program in the 70’s.

They named their little sisters “Stardusters”, which was a reference to their crest which had a star and crescent. The young ladies were elected to Starduster Courts.

The Sigma Chi Fraternity also had a little sister program. Each year, one Sigma Chi little sister would be titled “Sweetheart.” Who was the Sigma Chi Sweetheart of 1985?

Submit your answers and any additional information or photographs that you would like to see in the next issue of Aeolian to aeolian@gsw.edu.

AEOLIAN

14

CAMPUS NEWS

Opening Windows to the World GSW renews agreements with international universities Over the past semester, Georgia Southwestern officials have met with representatives from various international universities, including Shanghai Ocean University (SHOU), Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology, and Zhengzhou Institute of Aeronautical Industry Management.

In February, the president of Jilin Institute and the dean of their International Exchange Center made a special visit to GSW to renew agreements in business, computer science and general studies.

“I was so pleased that the delegation from Jilin made the trip to the United States with the sole purpose of visiting Georgia Southwestern,” said GSW President Kendall Blanchard. “I think this says something about the high regard they have for this institution, its faculty, staff and students.”

Representatives from Zhengzhou Institute of Aeronautical Industry Management also renewed a Memorandum of Understanding with GSW. Blanchard added that the formal relationships Southwestern has with Chinese universities (or any university outside of the U.S.) help achieve the goals GSW set for itself in its Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), “Windows to the World.” The primary goal of the QEP is to make graduates better

prepared for the emerging global world.

Since 2007, 75 students from Shanghai Ocean University have been enrolled in a special accelerated master’s program for exchange students at GSW. Helen Tate, associate VP for Academic Affairs, who leads international programs at GSW, said the University has seen increased interest from partner institutions to develop faculty exchanges and to send GSW students to Chinese universities. During the latest meeting with SHOU, a new layer of the partnership was discussed, and beginning this year, up to 15 students and faculty members can travel to Shanghai to study the Chinese language and culture for credit.

Additionally, two GSW students, Tabias Pittman from Griffin, Ga., and Mikaela Shimko from Cumming, Ga., are currently studying at Nanchang Hangkong University – a partner school – on full scholarship from the Ministry of Education in China.

Though they have never been outside of the U.S., they both have longed to travel to China.

“I am excited to have this opportunity,” said Pittman. “I’ve always been interested in different countries and their cultures. I have been studying Chinese before attending GSW, and when I saw that I would have the

GSW President Kendall Blanchard (right) shakes hands with Jilin Institute President Gao Weiping after signing a renewal agreement as members of faculty and staff look on.

Tabias Pittman (left) and Mikaela Shimko are attending Nanchang Hangkong University through GSW’s Study Abroad Program. opportunity to travel to the country, I took it without hesitation.”

Shimko shared in Pittman’s excitement.

“For me to be able to participate in such a wonderful opportunity to study abroad … at a place I have longed to visit is beyond incredible!” said Shimko.

Shimko is a mechanical engineering major. In Fall 2013, she was a part of GSW’s Women’s Cross Country Team.

She has already committed to staying a whole year at NCHU. Pittman is studying computer science, and he will also be continuing his education of Mandarin Chinese while at NCHU. “I feel that by taking this opportunity my eyes will be opened to how others are in this world,” Pittman said.

Shimko also plans on allowing the experience to open her eyes to the world.

“This opportunity will help me become more independent… and to see many different people and cultures,” Shimko said. “I cannot thank Georgia Southwestern State University and Nanchang Hangkong University enough for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

CAMPUS NEWS

15

SUMMER 2014

Shaking the World GSW geology makes waves participating in large-scale seismic experiment Georgia Southwestern recently participated in the first half of a largescale seismic experiment, called the Suwanee Suture and GA Rift basin, or SUGAR, experiment.

The principal investigators of the SUGAR experiment are Donna J. Shillington, Ph.D., from Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory and Columbia University; Daniel Lizarralde, Ph.D., from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; and Steven Harder, Ph.D., from the University of Texas-El Paso.

Undergraduate Geology students from GSW, along with other volunteers, assisted with the experiment.

The goal of this experiment is to gain a better understanding of tectonic movement and evolution. Its focus is on the South Georgia Rift Basin, which starts in the southern part of South Carolina and extends through Georgia and into Alabama. The Suwanee Suture

runs through the South Georgia Rift Basin from east to west.

The experiment has been divided into two parts: a western profile, which GSW assisted with, and an eastern profile that will be take place in 2015.

These profiles, or lines, are roughly 170 miles long, and run north to south, crossing the South Georgia Rift Basin and the Suwannee suture. The western profile spans roughly from Columbus, Ga., to Valdosta, Ga., and intercepts Americus, where the field team was stationed. The eastern profile will span from Milledgeville, Ga., to around Waycross, Ga.

along a 300-km-long transect across southwest Georgia,” said Shillington.

“The sound waves will be generated by 12 controlled blasts in deep holes and recorded on over 1000 small seismographs [devices that read sound waves].”

During Spring Break, fourteen teams of two, including GSW students, deployed the seismometers along the profile in holes that have been recently drilled. The controlled blasts were then detonated at night, far away from any houses or structures. Afterwards, the seismographs were retrieved and the data was downloaded.

The experiment will provide information about the South Georgia Rift Basin by using sound waves.

“We are using sound waves to image geological features up to 40 km beneath the earth’s surface

Writing Up a Storm GSW student Alison McCarter named top writing tutor in Southeast process free of charge. Alison McCarter is one of the GSW writing consultants, and she has been awarded the 2014 Southeastern Writing Center Association (SWCA) Undergraduate Tutor Award.

Alison McCarter (left), the recipient of the 2014 SWCA Undergraduate Tutor Award, consults a peer.

‘Every writer needs a reader’ is the unofficial motto of the GSW Writing Center. The Writing Center has seven ‘readers’ and writing consultants who assist students from all disciplines in strategies for all aspects of the writing

McCarter, an English and professional writing major, has been a writing tutor since January 2011. Since then, she has become an instrumental part of the GSW Writing Center designing fliers and brochures, giving presentations, and, in the words of the Writing Center Director Lauren DiPaula, Ph.D., being “an excellent writing consultant.”

McCarter was nominated for the SWCA

Undergraduate Tutor Award by DiPaula and her fellow tutors.

Founded in 1981, SWCA hosts annual conferences throughout the Southeast to serve as a forum for the writing concerns of students, staff, faculty, and writing professionals. SWCA also gives out awards each year to recognize the excellence of writing tutors from three categories: undergraduate, graduate, and professional writing tutors. The winners represent the best from the SWCA region which includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Puerto Rico, and the American Virgin Islands.

AEOLIAN

16

COVER STORY: ON A MISSION TO MARS

On a Mission to Mars Continued from page 7 Curiosity Peaked Morrison’s graduate research funding was through NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). Downs, her advisor, is a co-investigator for the CheMin (Chemistry and Mineralogy) instrument on the Mars rover Curiosity.

According to NASA, CheMin is an X-ray diffraction instrument designed to “identify and measure the abundances of various minerals on Mars.” In total, there are 10 different instruments on the SUV-sized rover, including special cameras, radiation detectors and spectrometers.

“My funding was through NASA,” she said, “however, I was never supposed to be working on the mission. I was able to go to launch of the rover in November 2011 at Cape Canaveral, which was amazing. Aside from that, I wasn’t supposed to be involved.”

Downs was helping NASA get ready to operate CheMin. In talking with CheMin’s principal investigator (PI), Dr. David Blake, and some of the other team members at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), they asked if Morrison would be interested in coming and working on the spacecraft. After all, they were funding her research.

Morrison did not need convincing. “Do you want me to get on a plane right now?!,” she exclaimed regarding Downs’ inquiry.

“I was at JPL for the landing while everyone was waiting with bated breath to see if we were going to crash on the surface, tip over or fly past the planet,” Morrison explained. At an average distance of 139 million miles from Earth (because of its orbit), it took eight months for Curiosity to land on Mars.

“It did land successfully. The crowd went wild. It was an electrifying experience to be a part of,” she said. “Some of these people had been working on their instruments for 20 years and on the mission itself for 10. So, this was a huge moment for a lot of people, and it was incredible to be there and be a part of it.”

“My very first training experience was actually after we landed,” said Morrison. “I was a very young scientist in experience. It was like drinking from a fire hose. Everyone else on the CheMin team had a minimum of two years working on the mission before the rover landed.”

Life

as a

Martian

Working on the Mars rover mission required Morrison to live

in Pasadena, Calif. for three months at JPL, which is part of CalTech (the California Institute of Technology). It also required the team to work on a mars time schedule.

“A mars day is 24 hours and 40 earth minutes,” she said. “We ended up being just a little bit out of sync. Sometimes our day would start at 3 p.m.; sometimes it would start at 3 a.m.

They were really odd hours.”

Understandably, the team of scientists wanted to avoid any missteps, so they worked carefully.

“Everyone was super cautious in the beginning because they were testing everything and making sure the instruments were healthy and ready to go,” Morrison said, mentioning they were working 16 to 18-hour days. “It was interesting and it was fun. Sitting in this room with engineers, scientists and instrument operators, it was like being in a movie.”

Morrison still works with the CheMin instrument, but it is all done remotely. The team meets in person a few times a year to talk about things. Now back in Arizona, Morrison clearly understands how fortunate she is to work on this project thanks to Downs and PI Blake.

“I have to pinch myself sometimes,” she said. “It’s the most incredible thing I have ever done in my entire life, and I think I’ve peaked at age 25!”

Beyond Mars “This summer, I am doing an internship in Houston with Chevron,” she said. “It is sort of a fluke thing because I don’t have a geophysics background.” During that time, she will continue working on Mars Science Laboratory operations for a few days each month.

In addition to her work with CheMin, Morrison has three years of funding left on a graduate research fellowship she was awarded from the National Science Foundation, and she would like to maximize her time at Arizona until that time comes. Presently, she is classifying a new mineral that will publish shortly, and she is working on a paper for CheMin that will go in “American Mineralogist.”

When discussing future job prospects, she said “Hopefully, I will have options, but when it comes down to it, we will see who hires me. I’ll probably take the job I’m offered.”

She will likely be able to take her pick. It’s not like they’d be hiring someone who works at a pizza place. ||

CAREER SERVICES AND YOU

17

SUMMER 2014

Career Services and You View and post job opportunities with Hurricane Career Path and more Located in the Academic Center for Excellence, the goal of Career Services is to provide efficient, effective, and personalized career planning and job search assistance to alumni and students. They are the link between employers and alumni to facilitate career development by providing computerized interest inventories, career exploration materials, experiential learning opportunities as well as part and full-time job opportunities.

Sandra Fowler, director of Career Services, has been enhancing the services that Career Services has to offer. These services for alumni can be found on the website, gsw.edu/CareerServices, and include: Hurricane Career Path: By creating an account, alumni can view and post job opportunities.

Ready Prep Interview: A recent addition to the website, this source allows you to search for job titles and find job-specific behavioral interview questions. This can be helpful as you prepare to be interviewed, or as you prepare to be the interviewer.

NACE Salary Calculator: The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Salary Calculator can be helpful to alumni who are changing jobs, or who would like to be sure that they are being paid a salary comparable to their peers. The calculator uses education level, major, years of experience, job title and location with cost of living information to help the job searcher know what range of salary they can expect to be offered.

What Can I Do With My Major?: This is a great resource that lists areas of work related to individual majors, examples of employers, and strategies to help you be successful in getting the job you want. Also, there is a list of professional organizations for each major that can be used for networking and staying on top of your field.

For those who want to help the GSW community, Fowler urges you to take an active role with Career Services.

1. Stay in touch with your college, department and professors. We want to hear your success stories!

2. If you are an employer, remember GSW when you recruit for your company or organization. Open an employer account in our Hurricane Career Path.

3. If you would like to be part of a panel of employers, or if you have expert advice that you would like to share, Career Services would love to hear from you.

p Future Forecast Fridays - A new service provided by Career Services. Students practice professional skills while attending workshops on writing resumes, cover letters, and thank you notes; on how to dress and act during interviews; and on business dining etiquette. The students then joined the Kiwanis Club of Americus for their Friday lunch meeting to practice their newfound skills, as well as observe a service organization in action.

AEOLIAN

18

CLASS NOTES

Class Notes 1950

1974

1988

Jane Martin Gentzel is now retired

Charles E. VanZant, Jr. recently

Irvin Jeryl Pinnell is a member of

and has 2 children and 3 grandchildren.

1951 Ruel Lester Bradley has retired after

36 years with FHM Insurance Company.

He worked in many positions, including Director, Treasurer and Asset Manager.

He also managed Oceans Eleven Resorts in Daytona and was awarded “Florida Hotelier of the Year” in 1980.

Bradley is a member of the Tallahassee Rotary Club where he received the A. Frederick Clifton Moor Award.

1957 George Howard Joiner enjoyed his

retired from educating. Charles taught at Cobb Co. schools and First Baptist Christian School.

Betty VanZant has retired from teaching at Cherokee after 40 years.

1976 Caron Smith Peavy is the Hospital

Gift Shop Manager for Hamilton Medical Center in Dalton, Ga. She recently completed coursework for Master Gardener certification. Caron and her husband, James, are planning to retire in December 2015.

Richard Rogers McCorkle was

time at GSW very much with many friendships that endure today.

appointed to River Valley Regional Commission Council by Gov. Nathan Deal’s office.

1962

1981

Thomas L. Surles and his wife, Jan,

Cecilia K. Smith Mathews was

have 2 sons, 4 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. They have travelled extensively in the US, Canada, Europe, Asia and Africa.

1970 Phil Randolph Fondren was a

mechanical contractor and owner of an HVAC company, as well as a real estate broker in Orlando, Fla., before retiring and moving back to Dawson.

1972 Marilyn Madding Bridge and her husband, John, have 4 sons and 5 grandchildren and live in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Don William Laye was recently

appointed Dean of Evening Operations at Albany Technical College.

recently appointed Worth County School Systems Superintendent. She will begin this role on July 1, 2014.

1984 Bonnie Ann LaClair Bennett is a Class 2 Wastewater Operator for the City of McRae. She enjoys raising Labrador Retrievers and also runs a Lab rescue and boarding facility.

1986 Angie Dowell Wilkerson taught

business and computer science for 20 years and is currently in her 3rd year as media specialist for Crisp County High School.

the Parish Life Committee of Calvary Episcopal Church and a member of the Advisory Committee of the Perry Wellness Center, located in Americus, Ga., for mental health and substance treatment.

1995 Patricia Ann Littleton was a finalist for Dougherty County School System Teacher of the Year for 2014 - 2015.

1997 John E. Guzzardo has signed a

contract with Solstice Publishing for the publication of his book, “A 38 Day Education,” to be released in 2014 in print and e-book formats. The book was inspired by Guzzardo’s experiences during his first two months as Editor of GSW’s campus newspaper, The Sou’Wester, in 1994.

2003 Melissa Ann Duke was recently

named Teacher of the Year for Odom Elementary in Moultrie, Ga.

2004 Rebecca Clark, marketing

management program instructor for Moultrie Technical College, was the 2014 Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction finalist for MTC.

2005 Michael Fletcher Kennedy is a

Doctor of Ministry and is married to Janie Parrot from Americus, Ga. They have 2 girls, Anna and Leah.

GOLD ALUMNI

19

SUMMER 2014

UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION Keep us updated with your current address, job status, births, marriages, and personal or professional achievements!

Go to our website at www.gsw.edu/Alumni and click on Class Notes to update your information. And don’t forget to register for the Online Alumni Directory while you are there.

2007

2009

2013

Virginia Kristy Johnson was

Jason Richard Allen Foster recently

Ansley Elizabeth Thomas is presently

recently tapped to manage Marketing and Business Development for the Halifax Industrial Development Authority.

Michele Amedee Rousseau McKie

was named 2013-14 Sumter County Teacher of the Year. She co-teaches a 5th grade Math/ Science classroom at Sumter Co. Elementary School and is the Special Education Team Leader.

She is in her 9th year of teaching.

landed speaking roles on three upcoming movies.

employed at Appling Christian Academy as a kindergarten and first grade teacher.

2010 Harrison Glynn Enfinger recently received his CPA certification.

Gold Alumni

Graduates Of the Last Decade

The GSW Alumni Affairs office knows our recent grads and younger alumni have different needs from the rest of our alums so we’ve established the GOLD program. We try our best to take into consideration your enthusiasm and interests as we plan programs and events specifically catered to the GOLD alumni. We want to re-energize the GSW pride and traditions among GOLD alumni and connect you to alumni, students, and the GSW community.

SEND US YOUR SUGGESTIONS What kind of events, services, issues and volunteer opportunities interest you most? Email us at alumni@gsw.edu or call (229) 928-1373 or (866) 673-0436 with suggestions of events in which you are interested such as: • Lectures by GSW Faculty, Staff or Alumni • GSW Happy Hours at a local bar/restaurant • Professional development opportunities • Volunteer opportunities on campus • Admissions Recruitment Events

• Community Service Events • Reunion Events • GOLD Alumni Giving • Travel Tours

You Know Who You Are: - You’re still paying off student loans.

- You spend your weekends attending weddings, bridal showers, and baby showers.

- Secretly you miss mixers.

- You panic with each year in anticipation of the big 3-0.

- You wonder where the last 3, 5, or 7 years have gone.

- Everyone at Pat’s Place or Floyd’s still knows your name.

- You are working very hard to establish your career.

- You graduated somewhere between 2004 and 2014.

JOIN THE GOLD ALUMNI COUNCIL The GOLD Council will consist of graduates of the last decade who are committed to developing unique programs specifically for our young alumni. GOLD Council members serve as educated and empowered advocates of GSW. The committee will meet on an as-needed basis to discuss current and proposed initiatives. If interested, please email Karen Holloway, director of Alumni Affairs, at Karen.Holloway@gsw.edu or call (229) 931-2149.

AEOLIAN

20

LIFE’S TRANSITIONS

Life’s Transitions Weddings & Anniversaries Kendall, ’12, and, Justin Hodges, ’12, (left) were married on July 29, 2013 in Albany, Ga. Kendall is from Dalton, Ga., and Justin is from Albany, Ga. They now live in Erlanger, Ky. Justin is currently getting his MFA in Fine Arts from University of Cincinnati, while Kendall works at Kumon Math and Reading.

Laura, ’11, and, Jeff Whitaker, ’11, (right) were married on April 12, 2014. Laura is from White, Ga., and Jeff is from Fort Valley, Ga. They both earned degrees in health and physical education.

Births

Riley James Wade

Reagan Hope Pollock

Graydon Harrison Shemwell

June 14, 2013 Son of Kaileen and Mitchell Wade, Jr., ’05 Now living in Depoe Bay, Ore.

October 13, 2013 Son of Erin and Colt Pollock, ’11 Now living in Rome, Ga.

April 18, 2014 Son of Amanda, ’02, and Foy Shemwell Now living in Albany, Ga. Pictured with his sister, Mary William, who is 20 months.

UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION Keep us updated with your current address, job status, births, marriages, and personal or professional achievements!

Go to our website at www.gsw.edu/Alumni and click on Class Notes to update your information. And don’t forget to register for the Online Alumni Directory while you are there.

IN MEMORIAM

21

SUMMER 2014

In Memoriam Class

of

’32

Class

of

’46

Class

of

’71

Charles Bowen

Betty Hamilton Anderson

Leroy Glynn Dixon

Dalton, Ga. 03/07/2014

Americus, Ga. 03/23/2014

Fayetteville, N.C. 11/26/2013

Class

of

’33

Class

of

’50

Clarice Eubanks Turk

Donald Booton Frederick

Moultrie, Ga. 11/10/2013

Rome, Ga. 08/15/2013

Class

of

’35

Class

of

’52

Lynwood D. Jordan, Jr.

Johnnie Roy Studstill

Woodruff, S.C. 05/17/2014

Americus, Ga. 05/26/2014

Class

of

’41

Class

of

’54

William Stephen Perry, Sr.

Port Orford, Ore. 10/28/2013 Doris is survived by her husband of 68 years, William. They have 5 children,10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Americus, Ga. 05/31/2014

Class

Bostwick, Ga. 02/25/2013

of

’42

Helen M. (Smith) Alcorn Valdosta, Ga. 01/07/2014

Norcross, Ga. 03/26/2014

of

’43

Stuart H. Prather Augusta, Ga. 11/10/2013

Rachel King Martin Birmingham, Ala. 11/19/2013

’53

Charles C. Whittaker

Class

of

’55

Americus, Ga. 04/28/2014

Class

of

of

’74

Margaret (Boyett) Arnold Blakely, Ga. 01/04/2014

of

’79

Vivian Carol (Waldrip) Maddox Cordele, Ga. 04/14/2013 Vivian is survived by her spouse, Robert Allen Maddox, Class of ‘72.

Class

of

’83

Margret Evelyn (Gary) Bynum Georgetown, Ga. 01/05/2014

’70

Thomas Jerry Barron Alpharetta, Ga. 01/220/2014

’73

Albany, Ga. 02/14/2014 Mary was the first African American to receive a post-graduate degree from GSW - a M.Ed in Early Childhood Education.

Class

Jule Linden Brown

Gertude B. Moreland

Class

of

of

Mary Elizabeth Culbreth Blackshear

Class

Doris Beatrice (Furney) Oleson

Class

Class

Class

of

’94

Randall L. Turner Jefferson, Ga. 04/27/2014

Georgia Southwestern State University 800 Georgia Southwestern State University Drive Americus, Georgia 31709 GSW.edu

IN AUGUST 2014, the old home to the Canes Den in the Student Success Center will house a new Chick-fil-A/Boar’s Head Deli combination restaurant. The new eatery will have additional seating and some additional parking for off-campus patrons. The renovation is currently under way.