Mariners' Log Alumni Newsletter Jan 2024

JAN. 2024

CHARTING THE COURSE SINCE 1961

SPRING 2024 BEGINS

CELEBRATING MLK

LOOKING BACK: THE COLLEGE OF COASTAL GEORIGA Students in Dr. Montford’s “Introduction to Public History” class are seeking former students, faculty, and staff to participate in an oral history interview project to document the history of the College.

If you would like to share your memories of the College of Coastal Georgia/Brunswick Junior College/Brunswick College/ Coastal Georgia Community College, and are available for a recorded interview session in March, please click the link to provide us with your contact information. https://forms.office.com/r/kX2pESgGYh If you have any questions, contact Dr. Hector Montford at hmontford@ccga.edu or 912-280-7742.

SALTY’S SHRIMP BOIL & SHANTIES ON THE ROOF An Environmental Sciences Program Fundraising Event Please join Coastal Georgia’s Environmental Science Program for a shrimp boil fundraising event!

Purchase your tickets now to be a part of an evening dedicated to sharing inspiring stories of student success and fostering meaningful relationships with community partners. Your attendance not only promises an enjoyable evening, but also contributes to the growth and success of our program.

Click here to learn more.

LIVE MUSIC PERFORMED

BY LEVI MOORE

LOW COUNTRY BOIL PROVIDED

BY CATCH 228

ALUMNI PROFILE: GWENDOLYN KNIGHT ‘23 “It Always Seems Impossible Until It’s Done”

By Tiffany King “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” These words never rang truer than they did on graduation day for Gwendolyn Knight. The phrase nicely decorated the top of her graduation cap, and as she moved her tassel from right to left, she knew her goal was accomplished. In December 2023, at the age of 73, Knight finally earned her longawaited degree—a Bachelor’s of Science in interdisciplinary studies from the College of Coastal Georgia—and along with it, dispelled any lasting doubts that she has more than what it takes to succeed.

Knight was born in Moultrie, Georgia. After moving around due to her father’s work, her family settled in Brunswick.

She attended Sydney Lanier Grammar School, Glynn County Junior High (now Glynn Middle School), and graduated from Glynn Academy in 1968. As the youngest child, and also female, she wasn’t encouraged to go to college. However, many of her friends were going to college, so she decided to follow suit and enrolled in Brunswick Junior College. Knight didn’t stay too long at BJC and left to join the workforce, but she vowed to go back to college and earn her associate degree.

“I finished my two-year degree in 1983. It was in secretarial science because when I was going to school, there weren’t as many opportunities for women as there are now,” Knight said. “It felt good to have that two-year degree. I wanted to continue to finish and earn a

bachelor’s, but things just didn’t work out. Life got in the way.”

Finding Her Way Back Knight held various jobs over the years, including working in telecommunications, writing advertisement for radio, doing a few television commercials, and other administrative duties. She raised two daughters, Stephanie and Jennifer, and helped care for her grandchildren. Her daughter, Stephanie (also known as Assistant Professor of English Dr. Stephanie Conner) encouraged her to go back to college and take advantage of the University System of Georgia’s 62 and Older Program. This program gives Georgia residents aged 62 and older the opportunity to take courses on a space available basis at little or no cost.

In 2017, Knight enrolled at the College of Coastal Georgia at the age of 67 to earn her bachelor’s. She didn’t take courses every semester, but when she did, she enjoyed them very much, such as psychology, art history, and especially philosophy.

“I was a little bit nervous, but it was so much fun. The young people were so accepting of me and it felt really good. I made friends with some of them, especially the girls, and they were very sweet,” she said. “They would

say, ‘Oh you’re coming back to school!’ and I would say, ‘The good news is it’s better late than never.’ But really, it’s better now. It’s important to think about what you’re doing right now because that’s what’s going to help you in life when you get past this point.”

Even when her friends expressed how they couldn’t see themselves going to college at their age, Knight remained undeterred.

“I love learning and challenging myself, so that’s what I kept doing. Sometimes I would take one or two classes, then all of a sudden, I said, ‘I’m getting close!’ That’s when I realized that I could do this,” Knight said. “It’s been challenging and eye-opening. I would recommend that any older person come back to school. There are things they’re teaching now that I didn’t hear when I was going through the school system—especially in the history classes.”

When Knight returned to BJC in the 80s, she remembered how great the professors and staff were. Now, she still finds that the faculty at the College are amazing. Some of her favorite professors include Dr. David Mulry, professor of English, Dr. Robert Bleil, chair of the Department of Arts and Humanities and professor of English, and Dr. Hector Montford, assistant professor of history, whom she described as an “excellent teacher.” When she was required to take statistics, Knight thought she wouldn’t graduate. Despite her initial doubts, she remained motivated in the class and made an A. “I would have never dreamed that I would make an A in statistics. It has a lot to do with the teacher. Jamie Berrie (Lecturer of Mathematics) is an excellent teacher,” Knight said. “She emailed me and said that I didn’t have to take the final, and that she was proud of me for my dedication and work. I told her it was her teaching that helped me and made it easier to understand.”

Knight majored in interdisciplinary studies, which she described as a great degree for people who’ve had various life experiences.

Read more about Gwendolyn and her journey to earning her bachelor’s here.

COLT BROCKINGTON ‘17 RECIEVES $25,000 Colt Brockington's outstanding commitment to his students, NATIONAL MILKEN colleagues, and community earns him the “Oscar of Teaching” EDUCATOR AWARD Story and photos from the Milken Family Foundation

ordinary to extraordinary when he was present with the $25,000 award. US Rep. Buddy Carter joined in the celebration along with cheering students, colleagues, fellow dignitaries, and media.

C

ollege of Coastal Georgia alum Colt Brockington ‘17, a science teacher at Wayne County High School (WCHS), became the state’s sole 2023-2024 recipient of the Milken Educator Award. Brockington, who is also an alum of WCHS, supports students’ academic success—teaching classes ranging from special education biology to honors physics—while remaining dedicated to his duties as an athletic coach and leader within the school district. His efforts were recognized broadly with the prestigious Milken Educator Award and a life-size, unrestricted $25,000 check.

An all-school assembly began with a visit from Deputy Superintendent of Rural Education and Innovation at the Georgia Department of Education Dr. Bronwyn RaganMartin and Georgia State Board of Education Member Nicholas Ellis, who were there to celebrate student growth and help kick off the second semester. Then the assembly took an exciting turn when Ellis introduced a surprise guest, Milken Educator Awards Vice President Stephanie Bishop. In the blink of an eye, Brockington’s day went from

“Colt Brockington approaches every educational opportunity with a refreshing sense of diligence, dedication and heart that leads to significant, positive outcomes for students, “ said Bishop, who is also a 2001 Virginia Milken Educator. “Whether he is leading in the classroom or on the field, Colt’s presence inspires those around him to want to be better. This team player will surely have a whole new set of fans within the Milken Educator Network. Congratulations Colt!”

Brockington is the first Milken Educator Award recipient from the Wayne County School System since 1999, when Amy Denty receive her award at Arthur Williams Middle School. Denty is now the director of literacy at the Georgia Department of Education, and also join in during the celebration alongside several fellow Georgia Milken Educators.

“I am extremely grateful that Colt Brockington chose to enter the education profession and is making a difference

in the lives of Georgia students each and every day,” Georgia State School Superintendent Richard Woods said.

“Georgia’s teachers are the ones making education work in our state—it’s through their efforts that all educational achievement takes place. On behalf of our education family, congratulations to Mr. Brockington on his receipt of this well-deserved award!”

Brockington was completely unaware of his candidacy for the Award. Recipients are sought out while early to midcareer for what they have achieved—and for the promise of what they will accomplish given the resources and opportunities afforded by the Award.

Hailed as the “Oscars of Teaching,” the Awards will honor up to 75 recipients across the country in 2023-2024 as part of the Milken Family Foundation’s Journey to the 3,000th Milken Educator. 2023-24 will reach $75 million in individual financial prizes spanning the length of the initiative and more than $144 million invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall, empowering recipients to "Celebrate, Elevate, and Activate" the K-12 profession and inspiring young, capable people to pursue teaching as a career.

The first Milken Educator Awards were presented by the Milken Family Foundation in 1987. Created by Lowell Milken, the Awards provide public recognition and individual financial rewards of $25,000 to elementary and secondary school teachers, principals, and specialists from around the country who are furthering excellence in education.

Now as a Milken Educator, Brockington will have the opportunity to attend an all-expenses-paid Milken Educator Awards Forum in Los Angeles this June, where he will network with new colleagues, veteran Milken Educators and other education leaders about how to broaden their impact on K-12 education. Honorees receive mentorship opportunities for expanded leadership roles that strengthen education practice and policy. The cash award is unrestricted. Recipients have used the money in diverse ways, such as their children’s or their own continuing education, financing dream field trips, establishing scholarships, and even adopting children.

Amy Denty

To learn more about Colt Brockington, click here.

See more photos of Colt’s honor here.

Watch the video of Colt being named a Milken Educator here.

SUPPORT MARINER ATHLETICS We have two great new opportunities to support our student-athletes—Men’s Tennis and Mariner Softball!

MEN’S TENNIS ITA NATIONAL TEAM INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIP FUNDRAISER We’re in! After a historic run in the 2023 season, the College of Coastal Georgia Mariners have earned a spot in the invitation only 2023 ITA NAIA National Men’s Team Indoor Championship! This tournament showcases eight of the top men’s NAIA tennis teams in the three-day tournament to crown an indoor national champion.

Coastal Georgia secured its invite with a Top 10 ranking on the NAIA Coaches’ preseason poll, and also a schoolbest quarterfinal finish in the 2023 Outdoor NAIA National Tournament.

The Mariners are headed to Overland Park Racquet Club in Kansas City the weekend of Feb. 2-4, 2024, to compete for an Indoor National Title.

As you can imagine, the prestigious tournament is a fantastic opportunity for the College, but our tennis program and our student-athletes do not come without costs. We are seeking your help to give our amazing student-athletes this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The estimated cost of sending our Men’s Tennis team to the ITA National Team Indoor Championships is just shy of $11,000. These costs include airfare, lodging, meals, transportation, and gear for the team. Please consider helping us with these costs so that we can reward the hard work this team has put in, and showcase them at Indoor Nationals before they begin their outdoor 2024 season.

2024 SOFTBALL KICKOFF FUNDRAISER Last season, our team had a collective 3.60 GPA, 10 of which had a 4.0 GPA. Following our Fall 2023 semester, our current team has a collective 3.72 GPA, setting us up for a great start to the new season. Our last five seasons have seen a 100% graduation rate for our seniors, proving that our ladies stand out as students.

Last season, we set a school record with 42 wins and just 12 losses, and our program has grown into a nationallyrecognized team, which the past five seasons winning two regular-season championships and two conference championships. We had advanced to the NAIA National Regional Tournament three times. We are currently ranked 18th in this year’s NAIA pre-season poll, showing that our ladies stand out on the field, too.

But, what does it take to get to the next level? To bring home championships, we must support our athletes with the resources they need to maintain their level of excellence. These resources can range from balls and uniforms to equipment and travel expenses. The funding of operational expenses means that our team can add games to the schedule, highlight their skills, and secure our national ranking. We have set a goal of $5,500 to ensure that this year’s season will be another for the record books.

Any donation, big or small, will help us to reach this important goal, and with your help, we can do it! With your generosity, you can take pride in knowing that you are a part of this Coastal Georgia softball program and its success.

-Coach Mike Minick

CLICK HERE TO GIVE

CLICK HERE TO GIVE

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: FEB. 2024

1

BLACK HISTORY MONTH KICKOFF, 11 A.M. ON THE SAC LAWN Check out our calendar for the full schedule of Black History Month events.

W. BASKETBALL VS. FORT LAUDERDALE, 5 P.M. IN FORT LAUDERDALE. FL M. BASKETBALL VS. UNIVERSITY OF FORT LAUDERDALE, 4 P.M. IN LAUDERHILL, FL

2

SOFTBALL VS. TRUETT MCCONNELL, 2 P.M. AND 4 P.M., BRUNSWICK M. TENNIS IN THE INTERCOLLEGIATE TENNIS ASSOCIATION NATIONAL TEAM INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS, FEB. 2-4, IN KANSAS CITY

9

SALTY’S SHRIMP BOIL & SHANTIES ON THE ROOF! An Environmental Sciences Program Fundraising Event Join us for a special guest appearance and a Marlin Fish Mount Raffle Located on the Campus Center Roof Top, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Cost: 1 for $50, 2 for $75 For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

10 MARINER FEST TAILGATE, 11 A.M. ON THE SAC LAWN. W. BASKETBALL VS. FLORIDA MEMORIAL, 2 P.M. IN COFFIN GYM M. BASKETBALL VS. FLORIDA MEMORIAL, 4 P.M. IN COFFIN GYM

24 ALUMNI EVENING SOCIAL, 6:30 TO 8 P.M. IN THE CAMPUS CENTER LOBBY, FOLLOWING THE MEN’S AND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL GAMES. MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW.

Check out the College of Coastal Georgia Calendar for all events.

STAY IN TOUCH We would love to stay in touch with you. Please tell us about yourself and what you’ve been up to after college. Update your contact information here.

Questions? Contact alumni@ccga.edu.