Aeolian Winter 2014

2014

AEOLIAN

The Magazine of Georgia Southwestern State UnivFSTJUZ t Winter

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From Campus to the Courts DESTINATION: New York, NY

Lost and Found DESTINATION: Brazil, IN

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Randolph Barksdale DESTINATION: Conyers, GA

Windows to the World DESTINATION: The Globe

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Study Abroad Trips DESTINATION: Bulgaria, China, Jamaica, & More

TABLE OF CONTENTS 01

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

World Travel Within Our Reach

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CAMPUS NEWS Windows to the World

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ALUMNI NEWS Alumni Parties and Trips

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CLASS NOTES

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ALUMNI FEATURE Lost and Found

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LIFE’S TRANSITIONS

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COVER STORY From Campus to the Courts

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LEGACY CIRCLE

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HURRICANE NEWS Barksdale’s Court

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GSW ALUMNI PRESIDENT LETTER

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 Stephen.Snyder@gsw.edu www.gsw.edu/News EDITOR Stephen Snyder CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS Stephen Snyder Sunni Zemblowski DESIGNER Sunni Zemblowski PRINTER UGA Printing

PRESIDENT Kendall A. Blanchard, Ph.D. UNIVERSITY RELATIONS DIRECTOR Stephen Snyder ’04, ’10 GSW FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Reda Rowell ALUMNI AFFAIRS DIRECTOR Karen Holloway ’78 ALUMNI AFFAIRS COORDINATOR Kim Comer ’90, ’09 WEB DEVELOPER & GRAPHIC DESIGNER David Bradshaw ’12, ’13 PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSISTANT Sunni Zemblowski ’12

Aeolian 2014

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK World Travel Within Our Reach

Human beings have always travelled. However, it was not until the 20th century that intercontinental travel became an option available to most professionals and many working people in the developed world. However, even then only a small minority of Americans travelled that extensively, certainly not outside the North American continent.

I grew up in a home of modest means. My father was a preacher and my mother a teacher but one who chose to stay at home and take care of my three siblings and me. We travelled only by car and then on an extremely tight budget.

Our only trips outside the United States were to Canada, and only then because of my dad’s Canadian roots. Commercial air travel was out of the question. In my mind only rich people could afford to fly to Europe or other places oceans removed from the United States. As a teenager I dreamed of travelling to other worlds but doubted I could ever afford it.

Today international travel is within the reach of most Americans, even the children of poor preachers. At the same time that travel has never been more important. When I was a teenager “the price of eggs in China” meant very little to the American economy. Obviously, this is not true now. What happens in China and in any other country in the world affects our economy. That is why any college student today who expects to succeed in his or her chosen profession will be working and competing in a global environment, regardless of where he or she might actually be based. Thus, travelling to other places, learning other languages, and understanding other cultures are the surest ways to ensure professional success in the 21st century.

This is the rationale behind Georgia Southwestern’s new Quality Enhancement Plan which is focused on international understanding and travel. We want our students to succeed after they graduate. We know that studying abroad, interacting with people of diverse languages and cultures, and travelling internationally can be life-changing experiences and enhance in many ways the quality of one’s education. At the same time we continue to be aggressive in recruiting international students. If our native students cannot for whatever reason travel to other worlds, we are doing all we can to bring those worlds to them. These are essential components in today’s undergraduate curriculum and programmatic ways we can help to ensure that a degree from Georgia Southwestern is a ticket to success.

Kendall A. Blanchard President

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ALUMNI NEWS Alumni Parties and Travels

Viva Vinings — Atlanta-area alumni gathered and reminisced at the home of Guerry (’74) and Michelle Mashburn (’76, ’77). Pictured left to right are Dr. Connie Blanchard, GSW President Dr. Kendall Blanchard, Guerry Mashburn and Michelle Mashburn.

Gather at the river —

Cruisin’— Immediate-Past Alumni Association President Mary Wysochansky recently traveled to Montenegro, Croatia, and Italy with her husband, Dr. Bill Wysochansky, professor emeritus, chemistry, and GSW friends.

Left to right: Dr. Duke Jackson, Jr., professor emeritus, music; Dr. Shirley Litwhiler, associate professor emerita, English; Carlanda Dragoin; Kent Sole, associate professor emeritus, political science; Brenda Jackson; Mary Wysochansky; Bill Wysochansky; and Dr. William Dragoin, professor emeritus, psychology.

In August, the Alumni Association held an event at Lake Blackshear with food and music from the band “Main Stream.” Pictured are the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Left to right: Lemond Hall, Ervin Anderson, Dwayne Myles, Lamar Radford, Guerry Mashburn, Eva Joiner, President Doug Moses, Ricky Arnold, Kathleen Tucker, Arthur Clark, Billy King, Cheryl Fletcher, Vice President Len Hicks, Will Peterson (not pictured: Betty Anderson, Russ Barnes, Cody King, Rudolph Patterson and Mary Wysochansky).

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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Richard Arnold ’76, Americus

Kim Comer ’90, Americus, Staff

Russ Barnes ’87, Americus

Cheryl Fletcher ’82, Americus

Betty Anderson ’46, Americus

Daphne Ann Chambless ’50, Dawson, Lifetime Member

Lemond Hall ’98, Cordele, Treasurer

Ervin Anderson ’93, Americus

Arthur Clark ’00, Leesburg

Karen Holloway ’78, Americus, Staff

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Smooth Sailing — From left to right: Kevin Ware, Judy Ware, Parker Ware, Cody King (’90), Sharon King (’91), Callie Ware, Kelsey King, and Will Ware took a cruise to Juno, Alaska on July 23 - 30.

Trip to Pacific NW — Dianna Jones, left, of Gainesville, GA; Jo Jones (’64) of Americus, GA; and Janet Adkins, right, of Dawson, GA visited Multnomah Falls of the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon.

Dream Come True — Alumni Association President Doug Moses (’97) swims with the dolphins, a lifelong dream, during his family vacation to Miami, Florida.

Len Hicks ’75, Americus, Vice President Eva Joiner ’00, Ashburn W. Cody King ’90, Leesburg Billy King ’81, Dunwoody

Guerry Mashburn ’74, Atlanta

Rudolph Patterson ’59, Macon

Glynn Mathis ’51, Marietta, Lifetime Member

William Peterson, IV ’00, Americus

Doug Moses ’97, Locust Grove, President Dwayne Myles ’02, Patterson

Lamar Radford ’00, Bonaire Kathleen Tucker ’00, Americus Mary Wysochansky ’89, Americus

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LOST AND FOUND The Journey of a Ring

By Sunni Zemblowski

We all cherish items – whether it is photographs, music albums, or childhood toys – that remind us of the important events and the significant people in our lives. When one of these items is lost, it can be hard to let go of the hope you will find it. For Richard A. Cannon, this was true for his GSW class ring.

THE ACCOMPLISHMENT

AND THE

RING

Cannon, a native of Albany, Ga., graduated from Georgia Southwestern in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science in biology. “The following year,” Cannon recalled, “my mother… had given me a class ring as a late graduation present.” The ring was significant to Cannon, not only because it represented his time at GSW, but because his mother, who worked at Dougherty High School as the school’s secretary, purchased the ring.

and Cannon’s initials were engraved on the inside of the band.

LOST

“Even though she didn’t have a lot of money to go around,” Cannon said, “she still wanted to get me that ring…For her, it was a big accomplishment for me to get a degree.”

After graduating from GSW, Cannon continued to live in Albany, Ga., and taught at Dougherty High from 1974 to 1975. It was at this time that Cannon lost his class ring. “I was afraid that someone might have stolen it, but also that I may have lost it one day swimming,” said Cannon. “The last time I remember having the ring, I went swimming in Radium Creek, just south of the Springs. I remember putting [the ring] in my shoe on the bank, but don’t remember getting it out… It really disappointed my mother.”

It was a standard college ring – silver with engravings of the year and Cannon’s degree on the sides, accented by black stain. The stone was blue,

After some time, Cannon’s hope to find the ring waned. He joined the Army in 1975 and worked in the medical laboratories. While in the Army,

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“I am so thankful someone found it and had the integrity to turn it in.”

The area next to the off-ramp of US 19 where Chris Johnson found the lost class ring of Richard Cannon. he travelled around the United States and met Deborah Boden. When Cannon got out of the Army in 1980, he and Deborah, who goes by Debbie, both came to GSW to get their Masters of Education. Cannon graduated in 1983, while Debbie received her degree in 1985.

Since then, Richard and Debbie have married, moved back to Indiana, and Cannon became a certified Medical Technologist. The thought of the ring had all but disappeared, until Cannon received an email from the Karen Holloway, director of GSW Alumni Affairs.

FOUND One evening in September of this year, Chris Johnson of Albany was walking with his grandson picking up golf balls and found something much more valuable.

“My grandson and I will hit golf balls across the yard, and we’ve knocked a few over the fence,” Johnson explained. “So, we went over the fence and collected our golf balls, and when we came out from under the bushes, I found [the ring] stuck in the dirt by the off-ramp. Half of it was sticking out from under the dirt, so I popped it out, brought it home, and cleaned it up.”

Johnson who lives near the US 19 off-ramp, and about two miles from Radium Springs, had his coworker, Tommy Young, contact the GSW Alumni Affairs office. Within days, Richard Cannon received an email and contacted Johnson directly.

“I talked to [Cannon] on a Saturday and he described [the ring] to a tee,” said Johnson. “On Monday morning, I went and mailed it out. On Thursday afternoon, he called me telling me that he had received the ring and he sounded like he was almost in tears because he had got his ring back… he was really, really glad … he was ecstatic.”

“He also told me that his mama struggled to buy that ring for him and it really meant a whole lot to him, more than I would ever know,” Johnson concluded.

BACK

AT HOME

“I am so thankful someone found it and had the integrity to turn it in,” remarked Cannon. The return is bittersweet, however; Cannon’s mother died in January of 2010. “If only my mother was still alive to find out that it had been found and returned after all these years.”

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FROM CAMPUS TO GSW alum travels the country as a USTA umpire

By Stephen Snyder

On its own, New York City is a considerable melting pot of nationalities and ethnicities, and for three weeks each year, 70 additional countries are represented on the courts of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York during the U.S. Open Tennis Championships. Georgia Southwestern alum Courtney Schumacher Potkey makes the annual trek at the end of each summer, too, but as a USTA umpire.

GETTING INTO TENNIS “I played softball in college,” said Potkey who initially came to GSW to be on the softball team – she played second base. “When I moved to California, I got into tennis. The tennis club where we played had a futures event.”

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opportunity to work the tournament in a different way presented itself.

“My mom and I were working, and we asked him, ‘Hey, what are those people doing on the court lines? That looks like fun. How can we try it?’”

Potkey added. “He said, ‘Well, are you guys busy tomorrow?’”

Potkey explained a “futures event” is a tournament where players try to get enough ranking points to move up in the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) rankings.

They were not. And after showing up the following morning, Courtney and her mom were ready to be tennis umpires.

“I would help the (club) tennis pro run the tournament desk, making sure matches got on the right court at the right time,” she said. After talking with the tournament supervisor who works for the USTA (United States Tennis Association), an

“They gave us a little bit of training and told us how to move on the court and where you’re supposed to stand based on where the players were serving,” she said. “That’s kind of what got me started. I just worked my way up from there, and within a couple

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THE COURTS

years, I was working the top professional events – tournaments like Indian Wells (BNP Paribas Open, California) and the U.S. Open Series events.”

In April 2013, Courtney worked the Davis Cup in Boise, Idaho and the Fed Cup in Del Ray Beach, Fla. This is an honor as the selection process to work these events is highly competitive.

so I decided I would pick that up. It would be the next easiest sport for me to play. I already had the hand-eye coordination thing down. It was a pretty easy transition once I learned not to hit the ball over the fence.”

Before umpiring on the pro circuit took up most of her time, she played tennis in the mornings before going into work.

To become a certified umpire, annual training is required, and you must pass an annual written test appropriate to a specific type of officiating.

Depending on the round of the match, three to 10 umpires could be on the court at one time (including the chair umpire).

“I still do play, but I don’t have that much time anymore, with all of the traveling that I do as an umpire,” she said. “I play on league teams for the USTA. I captained the last few seasons with a friend of mine.”

HAND-EYE COORDINATION

ALWAYS

Growing up a softball player, Courtney said, “I would goof around and play tennis.” Working nights at a newspaper as a graphic designer after moving to California made it difficult to play in softball leagues.

Since graduating from Chattahoochee High School in Alpharetta, Ga., Courtney has made good use of a map. From Americus, she moved to California, where she now lives in Sunland. As a USTA umpire, Potkey travels to as many as 15 different states in a given year, making a prolonged stop in New York for three weeks each September. During that time, her eyes are peeled to the court lines.

“Last year was my busiest year so far, and I did

“I worked 4 p.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday, so I couldn’t really find a softball league to play in,” she said. “My parents were into tennis,

ON THE

LINE

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just over 60 days of actual line calling,” she said.

“Leading up to the U.S. Open, I was on the road a total of six weeks straight.”

Including travel days and down time in between tournaments, Potkey was on the road for a total of five months.

And she is always at her best. The advent of the Hawk-Eye tennis officiating system has solidified that fact. “Statistics show that we are right about 75 percent of the time,” said Potkey. “Hawk-Eye solves a lot of problems without a problem even starting.”

Hawk-Eye is the first and only ball-tracking technology to have passed stringent testing measures. This technology is now an important part of the top professional tennis tours. It is featured at over 60 events each year.

“I was working an ATP event in Los Angeles about two or three years ago, and at the time, we set the best record for percentage of Hawk-Eye, and the players were only right 19.5 percent of the time at that event,” she said. “Some players actually do see the ball better than others.”

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A tennis umpire for nine years and a USTA umpire for seven, Potkey is good at what she does. She was the 2012 recipient of the Junior McGovern Award for excellence as a young umpire. This honor is not given out every year. In its 65-year existence, the Junior McGovern Award has only been given 24 times. Courtney was a little surprised with the recognition. “I was shocked, to say the least,” she said.

UNDER

THE

LIGHTS

The last tournament in the U.S. Open Series and the final tennis grand slam of the year, lights shine brightest at the U.S. Open. Potkey is one of roughly 375 officials that work the event. All of the best players in the world put the U.S. Open on their calendar.

“Here at the Open, I have worked Arthur Ashe [Stadium],” she said. “I’ve been on all of the big courts here, working the women’s finals the last [three] years (including 2013), which was really cool.”

The day she agreed to this interview, Potkey was set to umpire on Arthur Ashe (the largest tennis

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“When there’s a great point, the crowd just erupts. There is not anything quite like the feeling you have hearing almost 25,000 fans in mad cheers at one time.”

stadium in the world) later that night. Without her saying as much, the tournament schedule showed that she worked matches that night that included six seed Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark and eventual champion on the men’s side Rafael Nadal of Spain.

“It’s definitely cool to be on Arthur Ashe when there is a big name player out there, and the stands are full,” she said. “When there’s a great point, the crowd just erupts. There is not anything quite like the feeling you have hearing almost 25,000 fans in mad cheers at one time.”

IN

A

SOU’WESTERLY DIRECTION

“I really enjoyed my time at Southwestern, and actually, tennis was my P.E. requirement class,” Courtney added. “It was college. I remember having such a good time with the sorority (Zeta Tau Alpha) and being involved socially. I think one of my biggest accomplishments or proudest achievements when I was there was taking the Sou’Wester and kind of getting it back on a regular operating schedule.”

GSW’s student newspaper, from Fall 2001 to 2003.

“I worked with Sheila Averitt Jones very closely,” Courtney said. “She was the advisor. I put a lot of hard work into it, and it was nice to see that it paid off. It always gave me a good feeling when I’d walk around campus and see students walking with a newspaper in their hand reading it. It was validation that people actually do care about this paper.”

Having lived in California for 10 years now, Courtney and her husband, Darren, will be moving to Georgia soon. Darren was recently named executive director of USTA Georgia. And though she attended Georgia Southwestern for three years, Courtney finished her bachelor’s degree in graphic design at California State University San Bernardino.

Courtney will be taking off most of 2014. She’s expecting twins.

Potkey served on the staff of the Sou’Wester,

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HURRICANE NEWS GSW to name basketball court for retired coach and AD Randolph Barksdale there that should be given credit for all of the wins and things that happened while I was there.”

With 378 wins as coach at Georgia Southwestern and 540 career wins, Randolph Barksdale left his mark on the landscape of college basketball in Georgia. On Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014, a permanent reminder of Barksdale’s impact on GSW Athletics will be in place as the University will name its basketball court after him – “Randolph Barksdale Court.”

“It’s an honor to have the court named after me,” Barksdale said.

“There are a lot of people that had a lot to do with my success

In 1985, he guided the men’s basketball team to their first-ever national tournament appearance, advancing to the “Sweet 16.”

That same year, he was named District 25 Coach of the Year for the second year in a row and led the ‘Canes to win the conference for the second consecutive year.

In all, he led the Hurricanes to six conference titles, six national tournament appearances, and was named conference coach of the year four different times.

Barksdale spent 27 seasons as a college head basketball coach.

Between 1979 and 2006, he coached GSW men’s basketball for 18 seasons (Dekalb College, 1987-1995). Prior to GSW, he served as an assistant coach at Georgia State University, Vanderbilt University and the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Barksdale served as GSW athletics director from 2001 until his retirement from athletics in 2008.

“Credit goes to Dr. (Bob) Clark and Dr. (William) Capitan for hiring me the first time, Dr. (Michael) Hanes and Steve Cobb when they hired me the second time, then Dr. (Kendall) Blanchard who has really been a pleasure to work with, and my assistant coaches and players,” said Barksdale. “Lastly, credit goes to the community that got behind the program and made it possible for us to recruit players and have the success that we had.”

“When I went down there the first time, I think Southwestern had one conference title in the history of the school and had always been sort of at the bottom of the pack,” said Barksdale. “Everybody sort of laughed because they thought we couldn’t win without scholarships, which led us to start the Hurricane Club. So, that first conference title and first trip to the national tournament will always be special.”

During Barksdale’s sevenyear stint as athletics director, ‘Canes sports teams won three conference championships and

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made 13 appearances in the national tournament. He also led the athletics department through a successful transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II. Barksdale’s successes in college athletics are visible in wins, championships and statistics.

What cannot be seen is that Barksdale is also a prosperous entrepreneur. His business sense was applicable in the board room, the gymnasium and on campus.

“Coach Barksdale jokes that he is not a scholar, but I have never met anyone who was more perceptive, innovative, or capable

of critical thought and analysis than he,” said GSW President Kendall Blanchard. “He combines amazing business acumen with basic common sense and makes things happen. I learned early on in my tenure at Georgia Southwestern, when Randolph speaks, it pays to listen.”

According to Barksdale, success as a college coach is not entirely about wins and losses. “The biggest successes are the kids that go on and do well in society,” he said. “That’s really the pleasure of coaching – watching your players establish meaningful careers.”

The Hurricanes’ opponent the night of the court naming ceremony – the University of North Georgia – has special significance to Barksdale. He graduated from North Georgia College in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education after playing guard for the basketball team and leading them to a conference championship. He earned his master’s in the same field from Georgia State University in 1981.

Barksdale currently resides in his hometown of Conyers.

GSW HURRICANE CLUB The GSW Hurricane Club is the booster organization for the university’s athletic programs. By donating to the Hurricane Club, you are supporting the athletic program at GSW, as well as student’s dreams.

r Annual membership levels including sport passes begin at $150. r Memberships including sport & fitness passes begin at $225.

To join, call (229) 931-2222 or go to www.gswcanes.com and select the “Hurricane Club” dropdown bar. *Tax deductions are available. Consult your tax advisor.

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CAMPUS NEWS

GSW implements its Quality Enhancement Plan, “Windows to the World” Georgia Southwestern State University has started implementing its Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) entitled “Windows to the World.” This plan, written by Stephanie Harvey, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, and Elizabeth Gurnack, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry, was chosen to help complete the goal outlined on the GSW QEP website of “providing a broad cultural and geographic learning environment designed to empower students as life-long learners with the ability to adapt to new environments, pursue professional growth, and engage in lifelong learning.”

The QEP is a required part of re-accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS COC). This process occurs every 10 years.

According to the SACS COC website, “The concept of quality enhancement is at the heart of the commission’s philosophy of accreditation. Each institution seeking accreditation is required to develop a QEP. Engaging the wider academic community and addressing one or more issues that contribute to institutional improvement, the plan should be focused, succinct, and limited in length.”

Windows to the World (W2W) will target first year, full time students

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with the hope that by increasing their knowledge about the world early, it will foster a curiosity, willingness and ability to engage the global community. There are three strategies that are and will be implemented: the enrichment of University 1000 classes; an institutional Windows to the World requirement for students; and coordination with the International Programs already at Georgia Southwestern.

The implementation of enriching the University 1000 classes with global experiences has already occurred. This semester, each class visited the Habitat for Humanity Global Village and wrote pre- and post-reflection essays to show how their perspectives were changed by the experience.

The Windows to the World seminar series is the key component to the proposed institutional requirement for students. The requirement for students would include attending at least eight seminars prior to graduating, creating a corresponding reflection artifact, and passing an exit exam. At least one W2W seminar would be offered each semester. Currently, GSW already hosts the Third World in Perspective Program Seminars, and these, and other seminars, could count toward the W2W seminar requirement if they

satisfy seminar topic and rubric requirements, which are still being established.

Georgia Southwestern offers a lot of international opportunity already. There is the study abroad programs that have travelled to Bulgaria, Peru, China, and Ghana.

We have had visiting scholars from around the globe lecture at GSW. These opportunities are unfortunately the hidden gems of GSW, and Windows to the World hopes to increase student awareness of the programs. The major tactic to accomplish this goal is to hire a new International Programs Coordinator. This person will be in charge of all of the implementations of the QEP, as well as organize all the study abroad programs, develop a webpage and the Windows to the World seminar series, and assist in bringing visiting scholars to the university.

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GSW students travel the world through study abroad programs This academic school year, there are several study abroad programs to choose from at GSW, including a service learning program to Peru during spring break, a trip to Argentina during Maymester, and a program to Bulgaria during the first summer session.

Peru, a country in western South America, borders Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, and the Pacific Ocean. During spring break, students will spend eight days in Peru building houses for the Fuller Center for Housing while learning about the history and culture of the country.

In the heart of the Andes, Argentina is the destination for the study abroad trip during the 2014 Maymester, or May 8-31.

The program will be held at the Universidad de Cuyo, located in the center of Mendoza. Courses being offered include Principles of Microeconomics, World Civilization, History of Latin America, and Music Appreciation.

Did You Know?

be held at the American University in Bulgaria, located south of Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital.

In addition to these programs, two other departments - the School of Nursing and the Department of Visual Arts - travel. The School of Nursing takes a group of young nurses to Jamaica to engage in service learning. The students visit the Caribbean Christian Center for the Deaf and assist in the Community Health Care Day, gaining first-hand experience with helping people from diverse backgrounds and beliefs.

Bulgaria, a country with a long history going back to the 7th century, is situated in the eastern Balkans and borders the Black Sea. The Study Abroad Program to Bulgaria will be held on June 3-28, 2014 and offers an array of courses: Essentials of Biology, Principles of Microeconomics, Travel Writing, Introduction to Environmental Science, Stellar Astronomy, Human Growth and Developments, and a Service Learning course. The classes will

The Department of Visual Arts has been travelling abroad since 2008, visiting China and Ghana.

After the completion of the campus lake in 1950, an outdoor amphitheater was constructed near the lake, providing a setting for various programs; e.g., convocations, graduation. This space, however, gave way to building sites when GSC became a four-year college. The June 7, 1964 commencement ceremony marked the closing of this peaceful facility. *A Century of Achievement, 1906-2006: Georgia Southwestern State University

By Mildred Tietjen

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Global Art Exhibitions: “Five Years of Study Abroad” and the GSW & XAUAT Exchange The Department of Visual Arts held two exhibitions during the week of Nov. 4 – 8, 2013 which showcased the global interactions and connections that the faculty and students of Georgia Southwestern have been making in the past five years.

One of the exhibitions, entitled “Five Years of Study Abroad,” served as a retrospective of the Department’s study abroad trips and featured artwork from students and objects gifted from other universities, art programs and individuals. The Department of Visual Arts started planning its first trip in 2008 and since then has traveled to China three times and to Ghana once. Throughout these trips, the students and faculty have visited seven universities, more than twenty museums, and many historical sites.

The other exhibition, an exchange of artwork between recent graduates of GSW and Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology (XAUAT), was a unique opportunity that was forged through the interactions and relationships built during one of the study abroad trips to China.

The exhibition statement explains further:

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“This past May, we had the opportunity to visit Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology’s School of Sculpture.

During our nearly seven day exchange with Lin Baogang, his faculty, and students, we were able to tour their facilities and engage in extensive conversations about our programs and future potential exchanges. This exchange exhibition is the first step in the development of an ongoing cooperative relationship, which will include our students’ return to Xi’an in 2015 and a visit to GSW from a XAUAT delegation in that same year.”

The exhibition, held in the James Earl Carter Library Gallery, featured the sculptural work of eighteen recent graduates of XAUAT’s bachelor’s and master’s program. The work was displayed as large, high quality photographs with biographical information of each of the students. Meanwhile, at XAUAT, the works of twelve of GSW’s recent graduates were similarly being displayed.

The twelve GSW alumni exhibiting in Xi’an were Heather Ashberry (’10), Ashley Bell (’12), Kevin Bethea (’08), Courtney Bond (’11), Robert Grissett (’11), Sam Hendley (’12), Justin Hodges (’12), Kendall Jackson (’12), John Lin (’12), Nichole Musser (’11), Scott Wilkerson (’12), and Sunni Zemblowski (’12).

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“Wish You Were Here” exhibit showcases the journeys of faculty, staff and students Another art show that was recently held at GSW was “Wish You Were Here,” a travel photo push-pin exhibition. The exhibition was sponsored by GSW’s QEP, Windows to the World.

The exhibition was held from Oct. 1 - 31, 2013, and was juried

by Stephen Snyder, director of University Relations. During the opening reception on Oct. 7, Snyder announced the winners.

Third place went to Elizabeth Uhl, Ph.D., assistant professor of Psychology and Sociology for her photograph of Meteora, Greece, entitled Long Climb. Helen Tate, Ph.D., associate vice president of Academic Affairs received 2nd place for Gentle Exchange taken in Etosha National Park in northwest Namibia, Africa.

First place was awarded to Darin Branton, a student majoring in photography, for his photograph of a motorcycle at the Florida pan handle near Apalachicola National Forest. His photograph is entitled The Green Tunnel.

Stephen Synder, director of University Relations (on left) gives 2nd place award to Helen Tate and 3rd place to Elizabeth Uhl (right).

3rd Place: Elizabeth Uhl, Long Climb, Meterora, Greece

1st Place: Darin Branton, The Green Tunnel, Apalachicola National Forest, Florida

Students, faculty, and staff participated in the exhibition.

Participants included: Shannon Ashmore, Kaley Basile, Kendal Baskin, Laura Bauer, David Bradshaw, Darin Branton, Genie Bryan, Gaby Berglund Cardenas, Amanda Chapman, Devan Cole, Jaclyn Donovan, Gretchen Elm, Juliann Ewing, Brandon Foster, Kayleigh Goodwin, Stephanie Harvey, Ji Hu, Tonia Hughes, Ava Joiner, Jimmy Lindsey, Joshua Manga, Paula Martin, Lisa McGuire, Julie Megginson, Judy Orton, Hughes Pope, Erin Quinn, Laurel Robinson, Sydney Scott, Brian Smith, Gabriele Stauf, Phil Szmedra, Helen Tate, Taylor Trebotte, Kassandra Tuten, Elizabeth Uhl, Katie Whittle, and Sunni Zemblowski.

2nd Place: Helen Tate, Gentle Exchange, Etosha National Park in Namibia, Africa

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Aeolian 2014

CLASS NOTES 1942

1975

PEGGY MARIE LUCAS enjoys

DR. ICHABOD LAFAYETTE BALKCOM was the 2012 president

looking at the Aeolian and the annuals from 1940-42 and remembering the wonderful memories from her time at GSW. Peggy lives hin Conyers, GA.

1947 JOSEPH WILEY CARTER REID was

named after both of his grandfathers, but is known as Toby by his friends. He is a retired textile executive. He and his late wife, Alice, have a daughter who works for Cobb County Schools and a granddaughter who works with the Coca Cola Corporation in Atlanta.

1972 DR. SUSAN KAY (CRANFORD) DILLARD has retired after serving

30 years in education, as a teacher, curriculum specialist, assistant principal and principal.

She is now an ordained pastor and serves as the adm. pastor at Crossroads Community Church in Athens, GA.

JANE E. (JOHNSTON) PORTER and

her husband, David, are enjoying retirement. Their son, Daniel, is in the U.S. Air Force National Guard in Warner Robins, GA.

1974 MARY LOUISE HAUSER retired from the state of Georgia in 2011 with 34 years of service. She was a nurse at Central State Hospital.

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of the Texas Academy of Family Medicine.

1976 EDWARD THOMAS RACHELS is

married to Cindy Watson, (’85) and lives in Cordele, GA. They have two sons, Nick and Will.

DR. PENNY LYNN JOYNER WADDELL is a public speaking

program director and instructor at Gwinnett Technical College. She recently received the Georgia region 2013 Rick Perkins Award and the 2013 Michael and Suzanne Osborn Community College Excellence in Education Award for the National Communication Association.

1978 ARRINGTON MORRIS LAMAR

retired as principal in 2008 with 29 years of service in the state of Georgia. He then served from 2009 to 2012 as the Hampton District deputy superintendent and director of curriculum instruction and assessment, in South Carolina.

1979 BROOKS KENNETH PAUL is the associate pastor of First Baptist Church in Cochran, where his focus is on directing senior adult ministries. He has served as moderator of the Pulaski-Bleckley Baptist Association, as a member of a Disaster Relief Unit, and as a

trustee for Baptist Village Retirement Communities. He is a master trainer of Powerful Tools for Caregivers, sponsored by the Rosalynn Carter Institute and is on the executive committee of the Georgia Council on Aging. He and his wife, Rebecca, have two children, and they reside in Cochran.

1980 BETHANY LYNNE (TAYLOR) FASNACHT worked for the National Park Service and the Army Corp of Engineers for 13 years as a park ranger. For the past 20 years, she has owned and operated Pet Watch, Inc. and is a real estate investor. Her sons, Matthew and Nathaniel, both currently attend UGA.

1984 PATRICIA LYNN (PEELER) WALKER and her husband, Doug, live in Waycross, Georgia, where he is the pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church and she is active in the music ministry.

1994 CONSTANCE L. HOUSEMAN works

part-time at Darton College in Albany, Georgia, and enjoys volunteering with many organizations including: Lions Club, Mended Hearts, American Heart Association, Red Cross (Disaster Nurse), and Alzheimer’s Association.

1996 MICHELLE LYNN (KVILHAUG) BRAZEL was named the 2013-2014

Aeolian 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.

Crisp County Teacher of the Year.

She has been a 2nd grade teacher at J. S. Pate Elementary School in Cordele for 14 years.

She utilizes a cooperative learning environment to promote teamwork and active learning.

1997 BECKY LYNN (MCLENDON) LIGHTNER and her husband, John,

live in Ellaville and have two wonderful boys, John and Ty.

2007 VIRGINIA KRISTY JOHNSON was recently tapped to manage marketing and business development for the Halifax Industrial Development Authority.

She currently resides in South Boston, VA.

2012

in Fine Arts and is currently employed by InterContinental Hotels Group in Madison, Wisconsin.

2013 Logan Hanley was selected as the 2013 Outstanding Scholar Award recipient; GSW’s highest academic honor. Logan lives in Americus, GA.

KURT CHARLES PETERSON

graduated in 2012 with a degree

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 866-6730436 with suggestions of events in which you are interested such as: r -FDUVSFT CZ (48 'BDVMUZ 4UBGG PS "MVNOJ r $PNNVOJUZ 4FSWJDF &WFOUT r (48 )BQQZ )PVST BU B MPDBM CBS SFTUBVSBOU r 3FVOJPO &WFOUT r 1SPGFTTJPOBM EFWFMPQNFOU PQQPSUVOJUJFT r (0-% "MVNOJ (JWJOH r 7PMVOUFFS PQQPSUVOJUJFT PO DBNQVT r 5SBWFM 5PVST r "ENJTTJPOT 3FDSVJUNFOU &WFOUT

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 2003 and 2013.

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.

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Aeolian 2014

LIFE’S TRANSITIONS

WEDDINGS & ANNIVERSARIES

RINDY, ’11 & ’13, AND SCOTT PHILLIPS, ’11 & ’13 (left) met at

GSW’s Preview Day and started dating at the end of their freshman year. Both graduated with their Bachelor of Business Management in May 2011 and with their Master of Business Administration in May 2013. Rindy and Scott were married on April 6, 2013 in Plains, Ga. Rindy is from Oglethorpe, Ga. and Scott is from West Point, Ga. Rindy works at the McKenzie Insurance Agency in Montezuma, Ga., while Scott is the sports editor at the Americus Times-Recorder.

BARBARA MARSH BAUGH ’57 and Herbert Stevens Baugh, Jr. celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary July 21, 2013 at Epworth By The Sea at St. Simons Island. Joining them for the celebration was their son Steven Baugh, his wife Kristin and their children Chandler, Griffin, and Sadie Baugh. Barbara taught at Americus High, Dougherty High and Lillie Cooper Primary.

Barbara taught 40 years and is now retired. Steve is retired from the Georgia Department of Revenue. Barbara and Steve reside in Dawson, Ga.

JACK SLENKER

EVAN FERGUSON

EZEKIEL “ZEKE” PARHAM

CAIDEN JAMES GOLSON

GABRIELLA DREW DECKER

DANIEL SIMPSON

BIRTHS

September 13, 2013 Son of Bob, ’04, ’06 and Jennifer Hilton Slenker Now living in Americus, GA

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June 18, 2013 Son of Ki, ’05, and James Bernard Golson Now living in Tifton, GA

May 2, 2013 Son of Johnny, ’06, and Rebecca Ferguson, ’04 Now living in Americus, GA

May 22, 2013 Daughter of DJ, ’09, and Laura Decker, ’08 Now living in Byron, GA

October 23, 2013 Son of Bert, ’04, and Sarah, ’03, Parham Now living in Lexington, KY

April 10, 2013 Son of Micah Simpson, ’03, and Heather Burgess Simpson, ’07 Now living in Birmingham, AL

Aeolian 2014

IN MEMORIAM

Class of ’33

Class of ’43

Class of ’68

VERA (NELSON) COLLINS

STUART H. PRATHER

NORA RITCHIE CLARKE

Vienna, GA

Augusta, GA

CLARICE (EUBANKS) TURK

RACHEL KING MARTIN

Moultrie, GA

Birmingham, AL

Class of ’38

Class of ’46

CHARLES WALL

SUSAN (BRINKLEY) HARRELL

Americus, GA

Class of ’40

ELLEN (SUMNER) SELLERS

Americus, GA

ANGIE F. (FITTS) MARSHALL

JANETTE (DUPREE) AYCOCK

Americus, GA

Americus, GA

MIRIAM (DUPREE) MINTER

DOROTHY WYNONA (YANCEY) HALL

Class of ’41 MARY EVELYN (MATHIS) MERRIAM La Grange, GA

Americus, GA

MARIE (DRIVER) ISRAEL

Class of ’49

Pitts, GA

CAROL DELAY TREADAWAY FOLSOM

Class of ’75

Warner Robins, GA

LAURA (HAMILTON) PEEBLES

Class of ’73

Gainesville, GA

REBA (SATURDAY) LACY

Decatur, GA

Warner Robins, GA

Flint, TX

Class of ’51 HENRY BENTON BRIDGES Augusta, GA

Class of ’62

Sumner, GA

She had a masters degree from GSW and taught for 36 years, mostly in Worth County.

Class of ’76 CRAIG K. RATHEL

Class of ’77 DORA J. DAVIS Albany, GA

Class of ’89

CONNIE FAYE (MUSSELWHITE) FLOYD

EUGENIA (ADAMS) LARGE

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Aeolian 2014

LEGACY CIRCLE Georgia Southwestern State University John and Alice Argo Walter P. Bailey Hans Bertschi Estate Barry and Tami Blount Harrold Bowen Estate Pate and Gail Bridges Estate Kathryn Cade Bill and Dolores Capitan Roger and Connie Congdon John O. Exum Estate William L. Finney Sandra B. Gillis David and Kay Dee Green J. Michael Greene Michael W. Hall

Ron and Mary Hill Harold Holloway Estate James F. Kimmons Cody and Sharon King Diane and Mick Kirkwood Wallace and Kitty Mays C. Fred Overby Bev and Dianne Pankey C. Alan Parks Robert S. Perry Estate Betty Pope Nan J. Powell Anne N. Power Estate George and Linda Pritchard Marion Silver

Hugh Slaton Don and Sybil Smith Joan Smith Roy Lee Smith Estate Henry King Stanford Estate Calvin and Ginger Starlin John Stovall Neil and Kara Suggs William and Mildred Tietjen David Updike Nelle Walker Estate Rick and Ginny Whaley Wes and Jean Wheeler Betty B. Whittier

Is GSW included in your estate plans?

We’d love to include you in our Legacy Circle.

Call us at (229) 931-2014.

ALUMNI CALENDER

UPCOMING ALUMNI TRIPS

Jan. 31

MARCH 26 - APRIL 3, 2014

DINNER & A LAUGH W/ RONDA RICH GSW Griffin Bell Golf & Conference Center

Feb. 1

HOMECOMING BBQ & BASKETBALL Annual BBQ Cookout Tailgate 11:00 AM in memory of Chief Bryant GSW Lakehouse Open to students and alumni

1:30 PM 3:30 PM 20

GSW Lady Canes vs. Young Harris College GSW Hurricanes vs. Young Harris College

5SPQJDBM $PTUB 3JDB X PQUJPOBM 3-night jungle adventure

MAY 15 - 24, 2014

Memorials of War: Normandy & Paris

SEPT. 5 - OCT. 26, 2014 Alaskan Adventure

OCT. 29 - NOV. 5, 2014 Irish Splendor Contact Karen Holloway at 229-931-2149 or Karen.Holloway@gsw.edu for more information.

Aeolian 2014

GSW ALUMNI PRESIDENT’S LETTER

Dear Alumni, There is only so much that can be absorbed through books and pictures.

Travel makes us fully aware of the riches the world has to offer. Travel allows you to see what makes each culture unique.

Whether making a short trip to a neighboring town or traveling to a remote part of the world, one should always seek to learn something new from this one-of-a-kind experience. Speaking with a new language, tasting new foods, or driving in the countryside all provide a link to the wonder of this world.

My solo trips brought me closer to the heart of who I was. They helped me to see beyond my self-imposed limitations and allowed me to grow rich in experience. Memories of trips I’ve shared with others are among the most memorable for me.

A family trip to Florida this past summer found me swimming with the dolphins, a dream I’ve always wanted to fulfill. Experiencing this with my wife and two little girls as they watched with wide-eyed wonder was both rewarding and exciting for us all. It was a moment I will not soon forget.

Another amazing trip I shared was with my wife to Hawaii for our 10th Anniversary celebration. Being so far from home, we allowed ourselves to indulge in the beauty of the island and all it had to offer. We tried new foods, took in the sights, and expanded our view of life just by sharing the experience with each other.

Moments like these will live on in our memories; that’s what travel does. It links us to the past through the things we see, the people we meet, and it encourages us to grow more mindful of other cultures.

The world is so full of natural beauty and if you never take the opportunity to go out and see it and revel in it, you will have missed what I consider the most basic lessons of life: to know yourself fully as part of this world.

Doug Moses GSW Alumni Association President

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GEORGIA SOUTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY, 800 GEORGIA SOUTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY DRIVE, AMERICUS, GEORGIA 31709

Dinner and a Laugh Join GSW alumni & friends to enjoy entertainment by humorist, best-selling author, and syndicated columnist Ronda Rich at Griffin Bell Golf and Conference Center

Homecoming BBQ & Basketball Annual BBQ Cookout Tailgate in memory of Chief Bryant 11:00 a.m. at the GSW Lakehouse Complimentary for students and alumni

Friday, January 31, 2014

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Cocktails 6 p.m.

Dinner 7 p.m.

1:30 - GSW Lady Canes vs. Young Harris College 3:30 - GSW Hurricanes vs. Young Harris College

&OUSZ 'FF r $BTI #BS "WBJMBCMF

Game day tickets available at the door