VOICE OF GSW VOL. 94 NO. 12 SINCE 1934 IN THIS ISSUE
CELEBRATING A YEAR OF ACHIEVEMENTS AND LOOKING FORWARD TO A BRIGHT FUTURE
Dr. Michelle Johnston
GSW President
michelle.johnston@gsw.edu
As I reflect on my first year as president of Georgia Southwestern State University, I am filled with so much excitement and gratitude. Since coming on board in June 2024, I have witnessed impressive accomplishments and an outpouring of support from students, faculty, staff, alumni,
friends of the University, and community partners. Together, we are enhancing the educational experience and fostering a community of excellence at GSW.
Celebrating Our Achievements
SPRING COMMENCEMENT PAGE 2
SENIOR SPOTLIGHTS PAGE 3
GLASSBLOWING AT GSW PAGE 5
AN INTERVIEW WITH FILM PROF PAT PEACOCK PAGE 10
Our academic programs continue to receive accolades, and our student development programs are getting a lot of attention. Our faculty and staff bring high levels of expertise, care deeply, and go the extra mile – day in and day out. Whether displaying their talents and abilities in the art studio or on the concert stage; on the field, court, or course; in a research presentation or the debate floor; as leaders of organizations or initiatives; or as service project volunteers or student employees, GSW’s students shine!
A Symbol of Our Mission
In today’s rapidly changing world, the value of a college degree cannot be overstated. It is much more than a piece of paper. It opens doors to opportunities, provides a foundation for lifelong learning, and equips you with knowledge and skills needed to navigate an increasingly complex society. We know that those with GSW bachelor’s degrees will earn at least $1.4M more over the course of their careers than if they did not have the degree. But we know that the monetary impact is only a part of the difference. Education – in formal settings and as a lifelong endeavor – leads to more engaged citizenship and better prepares us to impact others.
One of the initiatives I introduced this year was asking every faculty and staff member to display a GSW diploma cover in a prominent place in their office. This simple yet powerful gesture serves as a constant reminder of our shared mission: to help our students achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals. Wherever you see one of our diploma covers displayed, you know someone is there to help, with your best interest in mind.
Encouragement for the Future
The time you spend at GSW is a unique and transformative period in your life. I hope you will embrace the opportunities, take on challenges, and never stop learning. Surround yourself with supportive peers and mentors, and don’t be afraid to seek help when needed.
Continued on Page 2
Photo from GSW.
FREDERICK WRIGHT
POLITICAL SCIENCE
What I’ve done at GSW:
President of Young Democrats Club (2022-2024), BSU Secretary (2024-2025), BSU President (2024-2025), Storm Spotter (2024-2025), First Student Engagement President (2024-2025), Zephyr (2024-2025)
My favorite part of GSW:
My favorite part of GSW was the connections. My friends, the people that have grounded me since I walked into this institution, not only them but faculty, staff,
and the community have created a positive atmosphere for all students. They have truly embraced me with all the warmth this campus has.
My plans after graduation: I am going to get my master’s in political science from Georgia Southern and while doing that I am hoping to stay in the Americus community and work alongside them.
What I will take into the future:
Personal branding. I’ve learned that what you show people or how you present yourself is what people are going to assume you as. The way I dressed and talked they assumed I was a natural born leader, and I am not. I have become a leader because of my experiences here. But also, the community here I will take those skills with me, being able to build a community and sustain and nurture those relationships is something I truly value. Three words to describe my expereince at GSW: Grateful, Ambitious, Loving.
CURTIS RAINES ACCOUNTING
What I’ve done at GSW:
During my time at GSW, I was actively involved in AAMI, the Accounting Club, VITA, the Georgia Society of CPAs, Brotherhood. My favorite part of GSW: Building bonds and finding community. My plans after graduation:
To become an accountant at a local firm. What I will take into the future:
Through VITA, I gained hands-on experience with tax preparation, while AAMI and Brotherhood taught me the value of mentorship, accountability, and supporting others. I’ve learned to fully utilize my resources, step into leadership roles, and always lend a helping hand. These lessons and skills have prepared me to confidently pursue my career and continue growing with intention and purpose.
Three words to describe my expereince at GSW: Brotherhood, Community, Fun.
ROSIE BELLACOMO
COMMUNICATION & EMERGING MEDIA
What I’ve done at GSW:
During my time at GSW, I majored in Communications and got really involved in hands-on projects. I worked on campaigns, created videos, designed graphics, and built a portfolio showcasing my skills in photography, digital art, and more. I also worked on some cool projects with organizations, like the Chamber of Commerce, t31 Apparel and more, where I got to put my skills into action.
My favorite part of GSW:
My favorite part of GSW was definitely the community and one on one time when professors. You can really tell they care for each and every student.
My plans after graduation:
After graduation, I plan to pursue a career in communications, focusing on graphic design, photography, and media production. I’m looking forward to using the skills I developed at GSW to make a difference. What I will take into the future:
One thing I learned at GSW is the importance of collaboration and building connections. Whether it was working on class projects or community campaigns, I realized that being open to new ideas and working and communicating with other makes a world of difference.
Three words to describe my expereince at GSW: Supportive, Creative, Memorable.
MINNESIA WESTER
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
What I’ve done at GSW:
At GSW, I immersed myself in organizations like the Gospel Choir, BSU, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Storm Spotters, and served as a Resident Leader. Each experience helped shape me into a more confident, compassionate, and community-driven individual.
My favorite part of GSW:
Above all, GSW taught me the value of being a consistent helping hand.
My plans after graduation:
After graduation, I plan to move to Atlanta to work in juvenile corrections,
where I’ll use the skills I’ve gained to develop community programs that uplift and empower youth.
What I will take into the future:
Personal branding. I’ve learned that what you show people or how you present yourself is what people are going to Through Zeta Phi Beta, I found a sisterhood rooted in service, where I strengthened my leadership, communication, and event planning skills. Being a Resident Leader taught me how to resolve conflicts, support others through challenges, and create inclusive environments. My work with Storm Spotters and BSU deepened my awareness of social responsibility and crisis preparedness.
Three words to describe my expereince at GSW: Faith, Service, Leadership.
Continued from Page 5
Chuck told me one of his favorite things about the class today is just how many women take up the class. Junior Leah Ross has been combining her skills in glass art with painting. The art major has a few pieces where the concept is ‘distortion of reality.’
“It was inspired by how the media is so polarized and how everyone has their own truth and their own reality, and how there’s no more collective reality,” Leah told me, speaking on her work. “I painted on the back, but when you look through the other side, it’s distorted. Everyone’s vantage point of reality is different.”
Something unique about the glass program at GSW is the fact that it’s the only one in Georgia. No other university in the University System of Georgia offers a glass program.
“Every other school has painting, every other school has ceramics, every other school has digital media, every other school casts metal, you know, they have bronze casting. But nobody else has glass. So I would think that it’s so unique, you would want to at least get in here for a semester and see what it’s about.”
Junior Grace Layman also thinks students should take the course for that reason.
“It’s super unique. It’s the only one in Georgia,” Grace told me. “It’s the only time you’d be able to do this. It’s a good creative outlet that you may never be able to do again.”
Chuck also sticks to the belief that glassblowing can help veterans, abuse survivors, and anyone else with trauma related disorders.
“We had a guy down in Florida down by Tampa, near a military base, and the special operations soldiers would come in that were dealing with PTSD. You have to focus so much on the glass when you’re doing it because you don’t want to get burned, you don’t want it to break, whatever, and it’s moving all the time. All of your focus is on that, and you forget about all that other shit. So, it can be a real healing process as well.”
It’s also just something to do.
“It’s great exercise, you get to meet people, and you get to make beautiful things. The glass studio is here. If you take the class and get trained on the equipment, you’re going to have 24-hour-a-day access, seven days a week. Use the studio and get as much fun out of it as you want. Theres some technical things you have to learn, but you can do that through play. You can play your way through and learn some things.”
Finally, Chuck reflects on how a lack of hands-on experiences may be shaping younger generations’ hesitation toward physically demanding work, such as glassblowing. When I asked him why numbers for the program have been stagnating, he explained this.
“I suspect it has to do with most of people’s experiences now are coming through their technology that they’re carrying in their pockets. I don’t know what it would be like to be raised in that environment, but an 18 year old now has always
Leah Ross’s work.
Leah Ross’s work.
Grace Layman and her work.
had a phone. This is generally speaking, but not all of them have mowed the grass, not all of them even know what a shop-vac is, or how to run a hammer, and they haven’t built a clubhouse. Most of them haven’t even gone fishing probably, even though this is a rural area. I don’t think that the younger generation is getting those kinds of experiences at this point. So when they come here, I think that they’re a little bit like taken back. They might think ‘How would I even begin to go into a place where there’s this kind of 2,000 degree temperatures?’ So I think that’s in the mix. How they are in the world, and that may be a little bit of the reason for people stepping back or not thinking they could do it. But anybody can do it. Anybody can go in there and have some kind of glass experience in a beginning glass blowing class.”
Glass at GSW has an extensive history at GSW, and it’s clear that Chuck Welles is passionate about it. If you’re interested in taking glassblowing, go ahead and sign up for it in fall. the class is ARST 3001. If you want to talk to Chuck, pop up in the art building and you’re sure to find him somewhere.
Marcus Paul, Freshman
Jalen Jennings, Sophomore
Grace layman, Junior
Morgan Dollar, Senior
Glass bubble.
The glass furnace.
Shaping the glass. A ‘cut in’.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: ‘23 ALUMNA IS EQUAL PARTS GRIT AND GLAM
Zac Monnier Staff Writer
The Sou’wester first interviewed Hannah Strunk for our October 2021 issue, when she was a fledgling artist in the Fine Arts program here at GSW. Quite a lot has happened since. Here’s the story of how Hannah went from GSW student to Hot Glass Alley’s Director of Operations.
While she has always been interested in glass art, Hannah’s life had not presented her with a great opportunity to dive into the medium when she was a teenager. She had tried several times to gain a degree of any stripe, but money was always a factor. While the community college route was more affordable than a private university might be, she still found herself running out of funds and having to put learning on pause three times (despite maintaining A’s in every course). Years later, her family was left with a bequeathment from one of their relatives, and this gave Hannah the space needed to devote herself fully to glass.
Hannah entered the glass program at GSW in January of 2020, at 33 years old. Soon after, COVID-19 sent everyone home. While other majors were able to take courses remotely, glass doesn’t work like that.
“It’s the only class where you put your mouth on things and then pass them on to have others put their mouth on those same things,” Hannah recalled.
This stunted her early development in glasswork. By the fall, folks came back to campus wearing masks and sanitizing everything. Since nothing purifies better than open flame, the glass students did what they could to keep their workspaces safe.
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Hannah formed amazing connections with her fellow classmates. She was inspired by the generation in college today and their continuous fight for equity. All of her art department professors were amazing as well. During the pandemic, they went out of their way to host Zoom calls for guidance and cut zero corners in their coursework.
“Art History kicked my butt,” Hannah said.
When pressed by this reporter to name a favorite professor, Hannah named Keaton Wynn and his Atticus Finch “To Kill a Mockingbird” vibes as her #1 prof.
Hannah’s learning extends far outside the hot zones of GSW. During two of her summers as a student, she served as an unpaid intern at Hot Glass Alley (HGA). After she first heard of the glass blowing studio in her parents’ hometown of Charlotte, NC, she decided to pay them a visit during an open demo. As soon as the demonstration was over, she walked up to the owner, Jacob ‘Jake’ Pfeifer, to ask if they have any internship opportunities. He brought her on as an unpaid intern the following Monday.
This was another moment of the interview where Hannah paused her love note to glass to recognize the privilege she possessed to be able to take on unpaid work. Her parents let her live at their place, covering living expenses and similar
GSW PROFESSOR FILMS SECOND FEATURE ON CAMPUS
Zac Monnier Staff Writer
On February 21, over a dozen students volunteered to act in a scene for Acondo Films’ second feature film, Shadowed. The scene of this full-length supernatural thriller shows the main character, a college professor, teaching her class. The professor is a woman haunted by a ghost from her traumatic childhood that now threatens her whole family. While the scene shot on campus contained no supernatural elements in it, light snacks were provided as a way of corporeal thanks.
A few weeks after the filming, the Sou’Wester was able to arrange an interview with the Founder and Director of Acondo Films, Pat Peacock.
Pat is an Americus native and 86’ graduate of Americus High. After graduating high school, he attended GSW (briefly) before realizing he wasn’t up for college just yet. He then decided to attend The Art Institute of Atlanta, to enter the music business as a music recording and video production technician. Pat grew up in a family of musical people, but he didn’t find his personal groove until he touched the handles of a broadcast TV camera at the institute. As soon as he stepped up and put his hands on those handles, things clicked. He liked this. It also happened that the film teachers at the institute had a kinder, looser style that fit him better than the stuffy, strict style his audio instructors seemed to stress.
Pat left the institute before finishing the degree so he could go to work for WALB, a broadcast television station in Albany, Georgia. Soon after, he moved over to OnMedia, the local cable advertising branch of Mediacom Cable for the next twenty years. If you are picturing campy car commercials, you’re right on the money.
“I had guys in gorilla suits,” Pat recalled.
While it was steady work in the 80’s and 90’s, it wasn’t the most fulfilling. He and his work colleagues often joked that it would be cool if they could make a movie. While the others laughed it off because the resources needed were well beyond their paychecks, the idea stayed in the back of Pat’s brain. He spent the next decade quietly writing a screenplay that nobody will ever see. Around this time, he returned to GSW to earn a bachelor’s degree before his 31st birthday.
Fast forward to the early 2000s to see the rise of digital HD filming. Pat was able to acquire a 16 GB HD card and a new HD camera that could shoot in 24 frames/sec. He produced his first short film in 2008, using much of what he learned from his commercial work to tell a story in 30 seconds or less. This first short was 15-16 minutes long. From there on, Pat produced about 1 short film a year for a while, with things slowing down over time. That is, until his 50th birthday loomed large on the horizon.
Meanwhile, the cable industry was changing. By the late 2010s, there was so much writing on the wall, it was practically graffiti. Pat had been talking about making a real film for nearly 30 years and had been writing screenplays the entire time. If he was ever going to actually make one, the pressure was on him to make it now. Pulling out an old script he had set aside a decade prior, Pat began reworking it into something he could bring to life. Back Focus is the result of these converging concepts and hopes.
The title was inspired by the videography and photography term, back focus, describing when the lens adjustment has
focused in on the wrong thing. Back Focus is a rom-com story about a man who lost his wife and cannot see the life, friends, or possible new romance around him, due to his focus on this loss. Acondo Films premiered the movie at the Rylander Theatre in Americus, one day after Pat’s 51st birthday, June 29, 2019. Over 250 people came, laughed, and sniffled at all the right times. The film is available today on Amazon & Tubi, if you want to see it for yourself.
Within a month after his movie premier, Pat left OnMedia to go to work in the marketing department at South Georgia Technical College (SGTC). This allowed him the pleasure of enjoying lunch dates with his wife and less time commuting on the road from their shared home in Americus. Working here also provided him with opportunities to learn new things and observe things from a fresh perspective. At least until March of 2020. Like many Americans at this time, Pat had to pump the breaks on many of life’s hobbies, filmmaking included. He pivoted by taking on extra work at GSW part-time, when the university asked him to start teaching video production. He likes to incorporate aspects of storytelling technique to students in this class.
However, in 2023, he decided to make a new short film, The Seeker, with an all-volunteer cast. The company was such a blast to work with, and the film was tons of fun to shoot, so they all clamored to work again ASAP. Perhaps in another short? What started as a small idea blew up in 24 hours, with the full skeleton of a feature length film on Pat’s table by the early hours of the next morning. Working with a screenwriter coach, Pat knew this short film was going to be something more.
That’s not to say it all came together with no fuss. Making films in southwestern Georgia comes with pros and cons. Since Pat works full time at SGTC and part-time at GSW, there’s less time to shoot than if he made his livelihood solely from filming. However, working at the colleges provides access to student volunteers and fantastic opportunities for set pieces of the campus grounds. When passersby see his crew filming, it often serves as a cause for great excitement and interest. If he wants to shoot a scene somewhere off the campus grounds, many locals are quite amenable to having him over – free of charge –so long as they get some mention in the film credits. The real shock (for this reporter) is Pat’s insistence on how much strong local talent exists here. His excitement to highlight his actors’ talent and the hidden gems of southwest Georgia is palpable.
Which leads us right back to Shadowed.
The main cast is mostly the same as it was in The Seeker (as well as a few new faces), and the team was about halfway through the filming process at the time of this interview. The plot contains a complex social dynamic between the main character, her sisters, and her daughter. It is a journey of growth, healing, and overcoming a difficult past.
When will this one premiere? As a one-man editing operation (while someone else composes the score), Pat will need some time to bring it all together; expect an October 2026 premier, at the latest. Readers are encouraged to follow @acondofilms on Facebook and Instagram to get updates as time marches on. Students interested in his classes may learn more about future offerings by emailing patrick.peacock@gsw.edu.
Across
3. The Fall 2025 semester will begin Wednesday, _____ 13th.
4. This road surrounds most of campus.
6. To talk to the president, head to _____ Admin. 8. _____ Chappell Gymnasium.
10. To see the concert band perform, go to _____ Hall.
11. The last name of GSW’s president.
12. Term used to describe summer class that pack a semester of classes into one month.
15. The Nursing buildings are named after this first lady; a romantic flower.
Down
1. The three dorms are Oaks, _____, and Magnolia.
2. For food, books, merch, and coffee, head to the _____ Student Center.
5. If you’re taking summer classes, make sure to check this website daily.
7. Carter I and II and the education center are located on _____ Street.
9. There are two science buildings, Science and _____.
13. Interim provost, Dr. Rachel _____.
14. James _____ Carter Library.
ANSWERS ON PAGE 15
OPINION: MY TOP 10 SUMMER MOVIES
Bristol Cox Staff Writer
When the weather gets warmer and the daylight hours stretch out, the idea of hiding away indoors to watch a movie might feel counterintuitive. But there’s something about a movie’s ability to provide escapism and nostalgia that makes it the perfect summer companion. Under the broad umbrella of “summer movies,” you can find something for nearly every genre. From upbeat rom-coms and coming-of-age stories to musicals and even horror, there’s a summer movie to fit every mood. I have learned through writing this that the key to a “summer movie” is the nostalgic feeling it manages to create. To challenge myself a bit, I created my top 10 summer movies though getting the list down to just ten was harder than expected.
10) Grease
An obvious classic, but still worth a spot. The nostalgia might be a little heavy-handed, but it’s hard to deny how well it captures the feeling of summer. It literally begins with a summer fling. The retro colors and high-energy musical numbers just scream warm weather, and while it’s not my all-time favorite, it earns its place on the list.
9) Stand by Me
This one has less to do with summer fun and more to do with growing up, but it’s still a perfect summer movie. It feels incredibly nostalgic: running around all day as a kid, creating elaborate “missions,” and having your own secret meeting spot. While my childhood adventures were never quite as dramatic, this film captures that unique, almost magical, hazy freedom of summer from a kid’s perspective.
8) Mama Mia
While I’m normally not a huge fan of musicals, Mamma Mia is one of THE summer movies. How could you not want to run away to a Greek island after watching it? This movie is chaotic in the best way, everyone is dancing, the lighting is golden, the water is crystal blue, and the soundtrack is pure ABBA. The plot makes absolutely no sense, but that’s not why we’re here. Plus, it’s kind of hilarious knowing that most of the cast was reportedly tipsy while filming. That explains a lot, honestly.
7) Jaws
Yes, it’s technically a horror movie, but Jaws is also peak Fourth-of-July-on-the-coast energy. I’ve even watched it at the beach before going swimming, which, in hindsight, might’ve been a bold move. Still, the classic boardwalk scenes, the beach-town drama, and that looming tension all make it a perfect summer thriller. It’s such a classic that I don’t feel like there is much to say as to why it’s such a summer classic.
6) Thelma and Louise
This one is a little heavier than the others, but it’s still a summer essential. It’s the ultimate road trip movie through the desert. There’s something very summery about it all even though it’s not explicitly a summer movie. Plus
5) Dazed and Confused
There’s no real plot here, but that’s exactly what makes it work. It’s just a bunch of teens celebrating the last day of school in 1976, and the night that follows. It captures that weird, wild energy of summer break, the feeling that anything could happen and you’ve got all the time in the world. It somehow makes me nostalgic for a time I wasn’t even alive for. Also, it’s the reason why my friends and I constantly say, “Alright, alright, alright” to each other.
4) Almost Famous
Since I personally want to be a music publicist, this movie has a special place in my heart. It follows a teen journalist touring with a rock band in the ‘70s, and it somehow manages to be funny, sad, romantic, and nostalgic all at once. The whole movie has that golden hour feel to it, and it encapsulates the energy of an endless summer that unfortunately has to end at some point.
3) The Lost Boys
This is probably the most underrated summer movie ever! The Lost Boys is set in a California beach town which is apparently the murder capital and oh there there are vampires. It doesn’t feel much like a horror movie, but it feels like a wild summer night. I guess you could say it’s like The Goonies but if it grew up and wore too much eyeliner. It’s campy and fun but fair warning maybe skip the saxophone scene if you’re not ready to kind of cringe.
2) Dirty Dancing
It’s impossible to talk about summer movies without mentioning Dirty Dancing. Set at a lakeside resort in the 1960s, it’s all about sweaty summer nights, forbidden romance, and finding your voice. It seems to also have that nostalgic feel that almost all summer movies seem to have. Also, Patrick Swayze. That’s it. That’s the reason.
1) Wet Hot American Summer
Wet Hot American Summer is what happens when you take every summer camp cliché, crank it up to eleven, and dose it in absurdity. Set on the last day of camp in 1981, it has everything that is even remotely summer in it. It is so ridiculous that it’s funny and no matter how I try to describe it won’t do it justice. It is probably my friends and I’s favorite summer movie which we quote all the time. It’s campy, chaotic, nostalgic, and honestly the ultimate summer watch.
3. AUGUST, 4. PERIMETER, 6. WHEATLY, 8. FLORRIE, 10. JACKSON, 11. JOHNSTON, 12. MAYMESTER, 15. ROSE
Down
1. PINES, 2. MARSHALL, 5. GAVIEW, 7. GLESSNER, 9. RONEY, 13. ABBOTT, 14. EARL
SPORTS
LADY CANES WIN PEACH BELT CHAMPIONSHIP, CLINCH 8 SEED
Colby Hernandez
Media Editor
After a long weekend battling it out, GSW’s softball team won 7-4 against the University of North Georgia Nighthawks to earn the Peach Belt Conference title. Our Lady Canes won every game from May 2 to 4, beating Georgia College and Flagler College. This comes after a 27-25 season. Their title also gave them the 8th seed in the NCAA Division II championship bracket. though they lost to Francis Marion University on May 8, they’re still in contention for the title and will play Flagler College on May 9. Congrats to the Lady Canes on another incredible season!
SOFTBALL
Apr 25 – Loss 6-5 at Columbus State
Apr 26 – Loss 5-0 at Columbus State
Apr 26 – Loss 4-1 at Columbus State
May 02* – Win 8-6 vs Georgia College
May 03* – Win 7-4 vs Flagler College
May 04* – Win 7-4 at North Georgia
May 08** – Loss 6-0 at Francis Marion University
May 09** – At Flagler College
MEN’S GOLF
BASEBALL
Apr 25 – Loss 3-2 vs Lander University
Apr 26 – Loss 6-4 vs Lander University
Apr 27 – Loss 8-3 vs Lander University
May 03* – Loss 5-4 vs Columbus State (12th Inning)
May 03* – Loss 9-4 at North Georgia
May 08 – 9th of 20 teams at NCAA DII South/Southeast Regional
May 09 – At NCAA DII South/Southeast Regional
*PBC Championship Game
**NCAA DII Championship Game
Amari Rudison Editor arudison@radar.gsw.edu
Colby Hernandez
Media Editor chernan4@radar.gsw.edu
Dr. Elizabeth Shiller
Faculty Advisor elizabeth.shiller@gsw.edu
WOMEN’S TENNIS
Apr 21 – Loss 7-0 at North Georgia
Apr 25* – Loss 4-0 vs Flagler College
THE SOU’WESTER STAFF
Zac Monnier
Staff Writer zmonnier@radar.gsw.edu
Dylan Tracy Staff Writer dtracy1@radar.gsw.edu
Tyeshia Walker Staff Writer twalke36@radar.gsw.edu
Bristol Cox Staff Writer bcox5@radar.gsw.edu
Have a story idea or news tip? Let us know! souwester@gsw.edu
