THE SOU’WESTER
JAMES EARL CARTER LIBRARY REOPENS
Colby Hernandez Editor-in-Chief
VOL. 95, NO. 3 OCTOBER 2025
IN THIS ISSUE
TEDX EVENT PRICING
PAGE 4
ELECTION INFORMATION
PAGE 6
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PAGE 7
SPORTS PAGE 9
A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR PAGE 11
The James Earl Carter library reopened after 10 months of renovations. The renovations began in January of this year in an effort to modernize the library for use as a collective gathering space, meant for studying and escaping distractions.
The library reopened with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, October 17 at 11 a.m. Speakers included GSW President Dr. Michelle Johston, Chancellor of USG Dr. Sonny Perdue, Kim Carter Fuller, Georgia Senator District 12 Freddie Powell Sims, Georgia Representative District 151 Mike Cheokas, and GSW Foundation Executive Director Stephen Snyder.
Plans for the $6.2 million renovation began three years ago under the guidance of then-president Dr. Neil Weaver. McMillen Pazdan Smith Architecture designed the renovations while Garbutt Construction brought their designs to life.
Many library services have already resumed. John Wilson, Director of Library services, was excited to share all the updates, including which services are back.
ProctorU Services have returned to the library. Two rooms are dedicated for this purpose. A ProctorU laptop is available for each room and can be checked out at the front desk. Students should contact kay.bell@gsw.edu to reserve a room and laptop for ProctorU services or if you have more questions.
The library’s computer lab has reopened and contains some new features. The projector has been replaced with a 98” flat-panel display. There are 30 PCs available for student use, as well as two dedicated printers. As long as the lab isn’t reserved or in use, students are welcome to use the room. The Collaboration Room is also available, containing a large study table for group projects. A dedicated space will be available for recording presentations. The room will include a PC and a podium with controls for a mounted camera, allowing users
Continued on Page 2
Photo provided by GSW.
to manage their recordings easily. Students can use the space to record themselves, practice speeches, or rehearse future presentations.
In the now open area on the first floor, students have access to PCs, printers, and study spaces.
The library’s study rooms were renovated with updated technology, including two large group rooms equipped with 65-inch displays and eleven smaller rooms with 50-inch displays, each featuring wall-mounted micro-PCs, wireless keyboard and mouse sets, and HDMI connections for student collaboration, web meetings, and study sessions without the need for personal equipment.
The library has been renovated with new flooring, carpeting, and furniture throughout both floors, all in GSW’s signature blue and gold. On the first floor, the updated seating includes movable chairs and tables for flexible group study, Brody Work Lounge seats with privacy screens and adjustable work surfaces, and diner-style study booths. Whiteboards are floating around the first floor and can be moved to any seating station. The second floor houses the Main and Periodical Collections, along with a DVD selection and new study areas, including private carrels and round tables for group work.
Additional updates include remodeled bathrooms, new water fountains with bottle-filling stations, and an art gallery featuring a solo exhibition by student Shila Tucker through October 30.
All services promptly resumed after the ribbon cutting event. Students can now enjoy the changes to the library for themselves. You really have to see it to believe it.
The library’s hours are as follows: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday: 1-5 p.m.
Sunday: 2-10 p.m.
Photo provided by GSW.
Photo provided by GSW.
Photo provided by GSW.
Photo provided by GSW.
Photo provided by GSW.
Across
1. Old meme, means “spooky.”
3. This cowardly dog saves his family regularly on Cartoon Network.
4. Killer at Camp Crystal Lake.
6. This easily scared dog solves mysteries with his teenage friends.
8. The moral opposite of good.
11. Michael Keaton as a chaotic ghost-for-hire.
14. A disguise to get candy.
15. Spins webs.
16. Witches return to Salem in this 1993 Disney film.
17. Found-footage horror movie villian in the woods.
19. Magical incantation word.
20. Undead creature on the hunt for brains.
22. Clown that haunts Derry, Maine.
Down
1. Hawkins kids battle supernatural horrors in this Netflix hit.
2. A large, haunted home.
5. This Michael has plagued Haddonfield, Illinois for over 40 years.
7. Makes the Halloween colors when paired with black.
9. Addams Family daughter with her own show.
10. Movie title: “Nightmare on _____”.
12. Carve pumpkins to get this natural Halloween decoration.
13. Movie title: “_____ Before Christmas”.
18. What witches ride.
21. Flying nocturnal mammal. ANSWERS ON PAGE 10
TEDXGEORGIASOUTHWESTERNU TICKET SALES
FALL SHORT: PRICING TO BE NEGOTIATED
Colby Hernandez
Editor-in-Chief
GSW hosted its third TEDx event, “Small Town, Big Vision,” on October 10 at the Rosalynn Carter Health and Human Sciences Complex. The event featured nine speakers whose speeches celebrated the power small towns have on innovation.
This year, student admission was raised to $20, with $50 for general admission and $100 for the VIP package. The VIP package included merch, access to a lounge, and an open bar.
Chelsea Collins, director of Marketing and Communications, commented on the price.
“By charging a small ticket fee, we’re encouraging students to have a greater sense of investment in the event,” Collins stated. “In our experience, those who purchase tickets are more likely to attend and actively engage.”
Collins noted that while the event was free for students in 2022, there was a high no-show rate among students with reserved tickets.
“We only had 20 student tickets,” Collins explained, “and they were claimed fast. We had to dip into general admission. But when students who claimed tickets didn’t show up, we had empty seats.”
Under GSW’s current TEDx license, attendance is limited to 100 audience members. This proved to be a problem when people didn’t show up.
“With a limit of 100 audience members, we want to ensure each seat is filled in support of our speakers who work extremely hard on preparing their talks,” Collins explained. “In 2023, the $10 student tickets sold out quickly, showing strong interest from our student body.”
“For the most recent TEDx event, we decided to increase the student ticket price to $20, assuming the demand would remain steady. However, we discovered that $20 was a bit too high for most students, which impacted student ticket sales,” she added.
Concerns were further exasperated this year by the business of the Fall semester for University Relations.
“We had homecoming, Day of Giving, planning the ribbon cutting for the library,” Collins stated, “It’s too many big events and I’d like to be able to give 100% of our attention to events to market them well. We did the best we could, but we just didn’t quite sell out, and I think some of that was the raised ticket prices.”
The next event, planned for Spring 2027, the university plans on lowering ticket prices “to make it more accessible and encourage greater student participation,” according to Collins. There are no official price announcements, as the committee will meet after the next license is purchased.
“There’s a lot of things up in the air because we don’t know whether we’re hosting still on campus at the nursing auditorium or at Griffin Bell Conference Center. I would love to do Griffin Bell, it was made for more formal events. We would not get it free like we would the auditorium. There would be a cost associated and ticket prices would go back up.”
If you missed the event, there was a free livestream on the TEDxGeorgiaSouthwesternU YouTube channel. Each speech is in a playlist labeled 2025 and includes a recap of the event.
CORRECTION: The previous headline for this article and the reference headline listed on the front page incorrectly stated that attendance for the TEDx event was low. The event’s attendance reached full capacity with ticket holders and volunteers filling the seats. Both headlines have been corrected. We apologize for this error.
AMERICUS NO KINGS PROTEST
Emily Crenshaw
Digital Media Design
Members of Georgia Southwestern State University’s Young Democrats student organization joined local community members in Downtown Americus for No Kings Day on October 18.
No Kings Day is a nationwide movement advocating for the protection of democracy in the United States. More than 7 million people in cities across all fifty states as well as Washington, D.C. gathered to express concern over actions taken by the current administration. Here in Americus, attendees held up signs saying, “No King Ever,” “Honk for Democracy,” and “No Oligarchy.”
SCANDALS AND SKELETONS
Tyeshia Walker Reporter
On October 14, GSW’s Young Democrats hosted Scandals and Skeletons. Members passed out candy and uncovered “eerie political facts” in the MSC hallway.
The following are pictures from the event.
ELECTION DAY IS NOVEMBER 4TH!
Emily Crenshaw Digital Media Design
Every vote counts!
Polls will be open to registered voters on Tuesday, Nov. 4 from 7 a.m.7 p.m. for the general municipal election and the statewide special election for public service commission.
As Americans, we have a responsibility to engage with what is going on and exercise our right to vote. Your vote affects more than just you; it affects everyone in America. Casting your vote is having a say in what kind of country you want to live in.
How to Vote
Visit My Voter Page through the Georgia Secretary of State’s website for quick access to your voting information, including registration status and poll locations. On election day, you have a designated polling place based on the address that you registered to vote with. If you are not a Sumter County resident or are a resident of a different state, you will have to go to the polling place where you are registered.
You will need to present photo identification to vote. IDs that are acceptable in the state of Georgia for inperson voting include any valid government-issued photo ID, including a free ID card issued by your county’s registrar’s office, a Georgia driver’s license (even if if expired), a student ID from a Georgia public college or University, or a valid U.S. passport.
What is on the ballot?
The General Municipal Election will include seats for the Mayor, District 3, District 4, and District 5.
Who?
The Statewide Special Election for Public Service Commission will have two seats on the ballot. In District 2, incumbent Tim Echols (R) is running against Alicia Johnson (D). In District 3, incumbent Fitz Johnson (R) is running against Peter Hubbard (D).
Why You Should Care About the Special Election
The Georgia Public Service Commission is responsible for providing affordable and reliable electricity, natural gas, and landline phone services to Georgians.
Georgia Power sets the price for electricity, and it is the state’s job to regulate Georgia Power to keep prices and services fair and represent the interests of the people. The Public Service Commission determines how much money people can be charged for electricity and approves any spending and energy policies.
Electricity demands are increasing, making this an especially important time to be sure that the Public Service Commission aligns with the public interest and is committed to keeping costs affordable.
Go Vote!
CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EVENTS:
Nov. 4, Letters to the Veterans, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., MSC Hallway. Additional Information can be found at: https:// canesconnect.gsw.edu/event/11587498
Nov. 7, First Friday: Downtown Tailgate & Bar Fight, 5 p.m.-8 p.m., Downtown Americus. Additional Information can be found at: https://canesconnect.gsw.edu/event/11734978
Nov. 9, Duo Fuerza: A Four- Hand Piano Concert, 3 p.m.-4 p.m., First Methodist Church of Americus. Additional Information can be found at: https://canesconnect.gsw.edu/event/11686226
Nov. 13, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Bake Sale, 12 p.m.-3 p.m., MSC Hallway. Additional Information can be found at: https://canesconnect.gsw.edu/event/11453924
Nov. 14, GSW Humanities Symposium, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., BHP Building. Additional Information can be found at: https://canesconnect.gsw.edu/event/11298128
Nov. 20, Holiday Open House, 5 p.m.-8 p.m., Downtown Americus. Additional Information can be found at: https://canesconnect.gsw.edu/event/11803904
Dec. 3, Cocoa and Cram, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., PODS. Additional Information can be found at: https://canesconnect. gsw.edu/event/11719478
Dec. 4, Downtown Holiday Parade, 7 p.m.-8 p.m., Downtown Americus. Additional Information can be found at: https://canesconnect.gsw.edu/event/10804224
Dec. 6, Christmas in the Vineyard, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Wolf Creek Plantation. Additional Information can be found at: https://canesconnect.gsw.edu/event/10839938
Dec. 11-13, A Christmas Carol, Rylander Theatre. Additional Information can be found at: https://canesconnect. gsw.edu/event/11731773
Dec. 13, Second Saturday Sidewalk Sale, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., Downtown Americus. Additional Information can be found at: https://canesconnect.gsw.edu/event/10804316
Dec. 13, Hope Loud Christmas Concert, 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m., Central Baptist Church. Additional Information can be found at: https://canesconnect.gsw.edu/event/11615562
Dec. 15, Emmet Cahill: Christmas in Ireland, 7 p.m.- 8 p.m., Rylander Theatre. Additional Information can be found at: https://canesconnect.gsw.edu/event/11686187
Dec. 19, Red Cross Blood Drive, 8:15 a.m.- 6 p.m., Americus First Baptist Church. Additional Information can be found at: https://canesconnect.gsw.edu/event/11397614
DR. MOIR TO TEACH TWO UNIQUE CLASSES THIS SPRING
Colby Hernandez Editor-in-Chief
Registration for the Spring 2026 semester opened last week. Have you registered?
If not, you’re in luck. Dr. Michael Moir, head of the English department, will be teaching two classes of interest; English 2170: The Meaning of Life and English 4800: Major Authors: Tolkien.
“I realize it maybe sounds a little bit pompous,” Moir said, “but we’re not actually promising to explain to you exactly what life means and how you’re supposed to live it.”
The class will examine a variety of cultural, philosophical, and religious texts to determine what differences and similarities these cultures had in their definition of a good life.
Texts and ideas to be examined include the Babylonian “Epic of Gilgamesh,” the Hindu holy text “Bhagavad Gita,” the Iroquois “Seventh Generation Principle,” and other religious and philosophical texts.
“We’re trying to find the common elements in these different traditions as well as finding what makes them distinctive,” Moir explained. “[We’ll find] ways that you can apply some of this to your own life and your own idea of purpose.”
Moir’s purpose for this class is twofold. Not only is this an interesting topic to learn, but he wants to help students find their own purpose in life.
“I get the impression that a lot of students arrive here, not really knowing why they’re here, specifically at college. It’s like ‘What am I doing here? Is this just a series of hurdles I have to jump through in order to get an entry-level white-collar job?’ I think that we should be asking bigger questions, like ‘How can I be a good citizen? How can I be a boon to my community? How can I better take care of my family?’ I hope it’ll help students to connect the kinds of things they’re doing in school to the kinds of things they’ll be doing in their communities after they graduate.”
Moir is also offering a Major Authors class focusing on J. R. R. Tolkien. Major Authors is taught every spring by different professors, but this time it’s being offered to anyone at GSW.
“Fantasy literature is popular [right now],” Moir explained. “A lot of students who might not be English majors would still probably be interested in this class.”
Many know Tolkien for the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy and “The Hobbit,” but he wrote more than that.
“You’ll [learn] some other stuff you might not be familiar with,” Moir said, “We’ll be talking about how he incorporates academic works, the scholarship of languages, and the creation of Middle Earth. Also, how “The Hobbit” was originally completely unconnected from his Middle Earth mythology and then kind of gets worked into it.”
English 2170: The Meaning of Life (CRN: 20156) will be held on Monday and Wednesday, 12:30-1:20.
English 4800: Major Authors (CRN: 20113) will be held on Tuesday and Thursday, 11-12:15.
CONGRATS TO YOUR NEW MR. AND MISS GSW!
SPORTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
SOCCER
Men’s
Nov. 1- at Clayton State 3:30 p.m.
Nov. 8- PBC Championship Quarterfinal time and opponent TBD
Nov. 12- PBC Championship Semifinal time and opponent TBD
Nov. 15- PBC Championship Final time and opponent TBD BASKETBALL
Men’s
Nov. 14- at Coker College 12 p.m.
Nov. 14- vs Converse College 2 p.m., hosted by Coker
Nov. 15- vs Ferrum College 2 p.m., hosted by Coker
Nov. 15- at Coker College 4:30 p.m.
Nov. 19- at West Alabama 6 p.m.
Nov. 22- vs University of Montevallo 4 p.m.
Nov. 24- vs Auburn Montgomery 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 26- vs Florida Tech 3 p.m.
Dec. 3- vs Middle Georgia State 1:15 p.m.
Dec. 6- at Augusta University 5 p.m.
Women’s
Nov. 1- at Flagler College 4 p.m.
Nov. 8- PBC Championship Quarterfinal time and opponent TBD
Nov. 12- PBC Championship Semifinal time and opponent TBD
Nov. 15- PBC Championship Final time and opponent TBD
Women’s
Nov. 14- vs UVA Wise 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 15- vs Ferrum College 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 19- at Valdosta State 6 p.m.
Nov. 22- vs Fort Lauderdale 1 p.m.
Nov. 25- at Jacksonville 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 29- vs Auburn Montgomery 1 p.m.
Dec. 1- at Clark Atlanta University 6 p.m.
Dec. 3- vs Middle Georgia State 11 a.m.
Dec. 6- at Augusta University 3 p.m.
Joseph McKeller. Photo provided by GSW.
Trinity Daniels McNear. Photo provided by GSW.
RESULTS FOR SEPT. 27-OCT. 25 SOCCER
Men’s
Sept. 27- vs Florida Southern T 2-2
Oct. 1- vs Flagler College T 2-2
Oct. 4- at Lander University L 6-1
Oct. 8- vs Clayton State L 4-0
Oct. 11- at North Georgia L 3-1
Oct. 15- vs Middle Georgia State W 2-1
Oct. 18- vs Lander University L 2-1
Oct. 22- at Flagler College T 1-1
Oct. 25- vs USC Aiken T 1-1
CROSS COUNTRY
Men’s
Sept. 26- Bobcat Invitational hosted by Albany State University 10th of 13
Oct. 11- Clark Atlanta University Panther Cross Country Invitational 3rd of 6
Oct. 25- Peach Belt Conference Championships hosted by Georgia College and State University 9th of 9
MEN’S GOLF
Oct. 6- Rounds 1 and 2 National Preview 6th of 17
Oct. 7- Round 3 National Preview 8th of 17
Women’s
Sept. 27- at Middle Georgia State T 1-1
Oct. 1- at Albany State W 2-0
Oct. 4- vs USC Aiken L 2-0
Oct. 8- at USC Beaufort T 1-1
Oct. 11- vs North Georgia L 3-0
Oct. 22- at Lander University L 3-2
Oct. 25- vs Clayton State T 0-0
Women’s
Sept. 26- Bobcat Invitational hosted by Albany State University 13th of 15
Oct. 11- Clark Atlanta University Panther Cross Country Invitational 4th of 5
Oct. 25- Peach Belt Conference Championships hosted by Georgia College & State University 10th of 11
Oct. 20- Rounds 1 and 2 Golfweek Fripp Island to Bermuda Invite 1st of 15
Oct. 21- Round 3 Golfweek Fripp Island to Bermuda Invite 2nd of 15
CROSSWORD ANSWERS
Wednesday, ElmStreet, jackolatern, Nightmare, broom, bat.
DOWN: StrangerThings, mansion, Myers, orange,
abracadabra, zombie, IT.
Beetlejuice, costume, spider, HocusPocus, BlairWitch,
ACROSS: spoopy, Courage, Jason, ScoobyDoo, evil,
TIME TO RAKE THE MUCK: A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Indiana University has recently come under fire for terminating Jim Rodenbush, former Director of Student Media and advisor to the Indiana Daily Student. Rodenbush was fired for refusing an administrative order to block news coverage in the homecoming print edition. IU then announced it would end all print editions of the paper, citing financial reasons and a shift to digital publishing.
Student editors and press freedom advocates call this censorship, and an attack on the newspaper’s independence, despite IU insisting the decision was operational rather than editorial. This is an issue of censorship and raises the question “why is independent journalism important?”
In President Theodore Roosevelt’s 1906 “Man with the Muck Rake” address, he discusses the importance of independent journalism conducted with integrity:
“The men with the muck rakes are often indispensable to the well-being of society; but only if they know when to stop raking the muck, and to look upward to the celestial crown above them, to the crown of worthy endeavor.”
With this address, Roosevelt is saying that it is a journalist’s duty to expose the truth, whether good or muck.
Here at the Sou’Wester, we stand with the Indiana Daily Student. We vow to uphold the journalist Code of Ethics to seek the truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently, and be accountable and transparent. We are at a turning point in history, and biased reporting is rising once again. Students deserve the unpolished truth, and we cannot do that without independent journalism.
I love what I do and want to continue to write about what our audience cares about.
