Georgia Military College - Cadence Spr'17

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THE INFLUENTIAL LIFE AND LEGACY OF GMC’S DISTINGUISHED AND WIDELY RECOGNIZED ALUMNUS

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W.J. USERY, JR.

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19TH GMC PRESIDENT 12 MGEN BILL ACKER

ALUMNI 16 SPOTLIGHT

MILITARY SCIENCE BUILDING NAMING OPPORTUNITIES | ALUMNI WEEKEND / AWARD RECIPIENTS | PERFORMING ARTS SERIES

SPRING 2017

F E A T U R E S

The magazine for GMC alumni and friends

Spring 2017 Georgia Military College Office of College Relations 201 East Greene Street Milledgeville, GA 31061 Phone: (478) 445-0202 Fax: (478) 445-2867

Read The Cadence online:

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W.J. “Bill� Usery, Jr. A Legacy of Love

12 14 17 18

MGen Bill Acker: Alumni Spotlight Justin Hartzell: Alumni Spotlight

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New Student Success Center

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Miltary Science Department Building Dedication and Naming Opportunities

Ways to Give Charles Holmes Herty

GMC Grad Started UGA Football Program GMC Valdosta Campus

Alumni Weekend 2016: Award Recipients Performing Arts Series 2016-2017 D E P A R T M E N T S

Mark Strom

Senior Vice President for College Relations Executive Director for The Georgia Military College Foundation Sally Thrower

Associate Vice President for College Relations Janeen Garpow

Director Alumni Affairs and Communications Marissa Hughes

Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Campus News . . . . . . 35 Class Notes . . . . . . . . . . 42 Share Your News . . . . 44 Taps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Director Planning and Administration Denise Wansley

Business Manager - The GMC Foundation Ravonda Bargeron

Communications Officer Jennifer Jones

Alumni Affairs Officer Eric Schmidt

Database Administrator Carol Vance

Data Entry Specialist Becky Brown

Administrative Assistant

College Relations Team Support Contributing Writers Anna Lynn Garrett Liz McRoberts Shannon Wiggins

Contributing Photographers Dylan Stephens Jay Bentley

The images and information contained herein are the property of Georgia Military College. Unauthorized use of this material for commercial or other purposes that are inconsistent with the goals and policies of Georgia Military College is prohibited.

Cover portrait provided by U.S. Department of Labor

William B. Caldwell, IV Lieutenant General, U.S. Army (Ret.) President, Georgia Military College

Dear GMC community, alumni, and friends, My message below contains both sad news and good news.

In December this past year, we lost our dear friend and Prep School distinguished alumnus W. J. (Bill) Usery, Jr. However, thanks to Secretary Usery’s generosity and great love for GMC, he has left a lasting legacy which will reverberate for every future GMC Prep School student. His remarkable gift to our students will add to the accessibility of the institution and enrich the educational experience of our Prep School students for years to come as they embark on their educational journey in the building bearing his name.

Our Prep School students continue to excel in academic pursuits as well as in athletics and fine arts. The students competed and won numerous State Championships, continuing a three year record of multiple state championships. Our mixed Raiders team won the state championship and placed second at the national level. Our One-act play cast won their second state championship in a row.

Our literary team won its third straight state championship. Our boys cross country team won a state championship and our boys and girls cross country teams were named Scholar All-American Teams—meaning they excelled not only in athletic competition but in the classroom as well. Several GMC Prep students have seen their classroom and extra-curricular efforts rewarded with college scholarships in academics, athletics and Military Academy appointments. In fact this year we have three students that have received Military Academy appointments; along with nine ROTC scholarships – first time in the history of GMC Prep.

It’s also a tremendous pleasure to announce Georgia Military College’s first four-year degree programs are off the ground and growing. We now offer two Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) degrees—one in Business Management the other in Supervision and Management. GMC has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to offer both degree programs, and we look forward to adding a third B.A.S. program in the near future. These four-year offerings will open up countless opportunities for technical school graduates across Georgia and provide them tools to successfully compete in the job market.

Every year a new group of GMC students—prepared by incredible teachers and professors for the world beyond these walls—proves that you can “start here and go anywhere.”

By staying true to our core values and continuing our unwavering commitment to excellence, GMC continues to provide opportunities, brighten futures and change lives.

VISIT US ONLINE: alumni.gmc.edu

TH E H ONOR ABLE

W.J. (Bill) Usery, Jr.

HS 1941

GMC DI STI NGUI SH ED A LUM NUS 1971

1923 - 2016 A LEGACY OF LOVE If you knew Bill Usery, you knew he loved to tell a good story, sometimes more than once.

So, upon his passing, it’s only fitting that we share the remarkable story of Mr. Usery’s life.

We invite you to sit back, remember Mr. Usery and raise a toast to one of Milledgeville’s finest sons.

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t’s a story of adversity, courage and triumph, of fairness, and equality. It’s a story of how one man’s dedication can help shape a nation. But most of all, it’s a story that defines The Great American Dream. For only in America could a boy born into a family of modest means, from a small town in Georgia, go on to take his place among great leaders and impact an entire nation.

“If it wasn’t mine, I would tell you this is a beautiful story – beautiful in a sense that this is America, and this is what can happen and what does happen,” said Mr. Usery in an interview several years ago. “The best thing I could hope for is that I have helped make a path that other people could follow. You always hope somebody will pick up where you leave off.”

On December 10, 2016, Mr. Usery passed away, just shy of his

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93rd birthday, peacefully sitting in his living room with his loving wife, Fran, and his son, Melvin, by his side. He’s gone, but the legacy of his life’s work will never be forgotten, and will inspire many generations to come.

FORMATIVE INFLUENCES Born in 1923 amidst uncertain economic and political times, it was difficult for a boy from humble beginnings to envision even a comfortable future — much less a future that would include five presidential appointments. But his mother believed in the potential America held for her son.

With a plan that differed from her husband’s – who wanted his son to enter the workforce after the seventh grade – Effie Mae Usery promised that if he kept his grades up, she would find a way to send him to Georgia Military College.

For a young Bill, this meant shedding the stigma that came with living near what was then referred to as the state lunatic asylum, and having parents that worked at Central State Hospital. The uniform, he said, served as an equalizer and granted him access to anywhere he wanted to go. “The uniform let me go downtown.

The uniform let me go over to GSCW (Georgia State College for Women). It opened up a whole new life for me.”

For Effie Mae, the uniform meant she’d put her son on the path to greatness. But unable to afford new uniforms, she bought them used, patched the pants and left her job as a practical nurse to work in the hospital’s laundry. This way, she could insure that her son had a clean, pressed uniform to wear to school each day.

At one point, when the uniform’s patches were many, Effie Mae took Bill to the local bank and asked for a $25 loan. The banker denied the loan, admonishing her to teach her son to save money, not borrow it.

“Mr. Usery would never forget the shame he felt that day,” said Rev. Stephanie Caldwell, who delivered a eulogy at his funeral.

“He would never forget the pain of watching his mother walk out of that bank, with her head held high and tears streaming down her face. True to form, he used a difficult experience to forge the kind of mettle that makes a man great. It instilled a drive to succeed, a longing to make amends and make his mother’s life better, and lifelong desire to make the lives of other poor and disaffected people better.”

his life the way I’d like to live mine.”

CHARACTER ABOVE ALL As a student at GMC, Mr. Usery did well, absorbing not only the lessons in the classrooms, but the lessons in character for which GMC is known. “The duty to God and country and the honor that went along with the school made such an impact on me and has served me well over the years,” he said.

When Mr. Usery walked out of the gates of GMC, the year was 1940 and the nation was changing drastically. The economy had begun to recover from the Great Depression, but tensions were mounting across the ocean. Mr. Usery and his classmates had every reason to know they would go into the service.

After graduation, Mr. Usery went to his local draft board and volunteered for the Navy, but was told to check back in in six months. With no job and no money, he hitchhiked to Augusta, where he trained to become a welder. Six weeks later, a recruit for a new shipyard in Brunswick came through the school and offered Mr. Usery his first job. Soon, he was making more in a week than his parents made in a month.

That was Effie Mae’s gift to her son: instilling compassion, fairness, humor and honesty – the qualities he would bring to the table throughout his storied life.

A REMARKABLE GIFT The impression that the uniform – and his mother’s sacrifices – made on Mr. Usery touched him so deeply that before his passing, he established a fund which will provide a new uniform for all future first-time students at Georgia Military College Preparatory School. It is one of the most generous donations in the history of GMC. “That was the legacy he wanted to leave GMC. He deeply loved children and wanted them to have some of the opportunities he didn’t,” said Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell IV, President, GMC. “There are many people who accumulate titles and accolades throughout their life, but at the heart of all Mr. Usery’s accomplishments was the love of other people, children in particular. He best exemplified what GMC stands for and he lived

Usery (right) repairing factory machinery in Georgia — 1949

PIVOT POINT What occurred next became a pivotal moment in his career. Mr. Usery quit his welding job and reported back to the draft board, only to be deferred another six months. Returning to Brunswick, he learned a union had moved in. He signed up, being told that’s what he had to do to get back on the job.

Little did Mr. Usery know this was the humble beginning of a lifetime spent working in labor-management relations.

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Six months later, the Navy needed welders and called for him. From Fort McPherson in Atlanta, Mr. Usery was ordered to Great Lakes, Ill., for boot camp training. There, the Chief Petty Officer sought out Mr. Usery to be his Recruit CPO after learning he’d attended a military school and knew how to drill a company. “This was the Usery on right first time I said, ‘Thank you GMC,’” Mr. Usery later said. “I had a private room and led a kind of VIP life throughout boot camp only because I’d been to GMC and had the military training.”

He watched women that once furthered the war effort leave the workforce. He saw Jewish store owners remaining on the outskirts of town, still not accepted by their community. He also knew some of the men who’d fought by his side now were using a separate toilet and drinking from a separate fountain.

In ten weeks, he was on his way to San Diego for advanced training in underwater welding. “There again,” he said, “I was made a team leader because…I’d been to GMC.”

Mr. Usery’s determination took him to Mercer University law school, where he attended night school under the new GI Mr. Usery.

By day, he put his experience to work at Macon’s new Armstrong Cork plant, where he once again stumbled back into the path of his future legacy. There were rumblings of unionization, but Mr. Usery paid little attention; he was becoming a lawyer. Ultimately, his coworkers persuaded him to attend the union meeting.

After San Diego, Mr. Usery worked in Norfolk, Va., then spent the next two years on a ship in various war zones throughout the Pacific. As Mr. Usery’s ship sailed closer to Japan – with suicide planes flying overhead – he and his fellow soldiers were preparing for an attack on the Japanese mainland. But timing was on his side and President Truman brought the war to an end. Soon, Mr. Usery was on his way back home to Milledgeville.

“I went over the first day…to walk around GMC, to think about what it was like since I first walked out of those gates, and now when I came back through those gates,” said Mr. Usery. “I assume it’s probably like that with every person that’s been to war and made it back – you know you’re so fortunate to be home and you go back to the places that have meant the most to you. I make no bones about it; the first thing I wanted was to see my mother, and then the first day back I visited GMC.”

WINDS OF CHANGE While Mr. Usery was abroad, the collective mindset back home had begun churning. He came back knowing the nation was about to go through substantial changes — especially regarding inequalities based on race, gender, and religion.

(‘65) Usery (right) Kennedy Space Center

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(‘67) Usery with Buzz Aldrin at the launch of the first Apollo/Saturn V space vehicle at Kennedy Space Center

“I knew this barrier had to come down, whether we liked it or not, and I systematically wanted to help bring people together,” said Mr. Usery. “Those things were not going to be able to last in a free society with people who had just fought a war. I was determined that, if you had been in the war, it was your duty to try to help make the country the best you possibly can. If you fought for freedom, you fought for the rights of everyone, and that’s what we had to achieve -- equal rights and opportunities.”

“They had this old gray-headed guy up there who was telling us why we needed a union,” said Mr. Usery. “He told us we couldn’t be fired for union activity -- that’s against the federal law. But the problem is, we could be fired if we couldn’t prove the company knew we were active in the union. He said he had some buttons here and would suggest we all take one. Then when we go back in the shop, pin the button on so they cannot deny that you were involved with the union. I thought, ‘This guy is leading me on.’ I wasn’t interested in any button.

“The next day…the foreman told me to cut off my torch. He said it was too bad because I had a future around here and I could have made out well. I said, ‘What do you mean I had a future here? And I reached into my pocket and pinned that damn union button on.

“Nobody was going to tell me I couldn’t do something that would affect my life after I’d spent two years in the South Pacific,” said Mr. Usery. “What did we fight the war for? If the law permits me to (join a union) and I want to do that, I should be able to do that.”

(‘69) Usery and President Richard Nixon at the White House.

(‘69) George Schultz and Bill Usery

From that point forward, Mr. Usery became even more deeply concerned about peoples’ rights, both business and labor.

Soon, he was asked to take a special assignment in Atlanta, helping integrate defense plants. Taking down the “colored” and “white” signs at the bathrooms was easy, Mr. Usery said, but integrating the cafeterias proved trickier. At the Lockheed plant in Marietta, his team ended up removing all the seats from the cafeteria to get the message across — if you’re not going to sit together, you will stand together.

Next, the union asked Mr. Usery to spend a few days surveying the missile program at Cape Canaveral. When his employer denied him time off, he quit and turned his three-day Cape Canaveral assignment into a 13-year career at the Kennedy Space Center.

MAKING PEACE Amid the Cold War and race to the moon, President Kennedy appointed Mr. Usery to the National Missile Sites Commission, and he traveled to military bases around the country, resolving labor conflicts that cleared the way for advances in the U.S. space program.

After Kennedy’s assassination, Mr. Usery became politically active in support of the more liberal Hubert Humphrey because they were both for equal rights for people — regardless of race, color, creed or gender.

Winning the election wasn’t in Humphrey’s cards, but Mr. Usery would soon be dealt a winning hand.

President Nixon’s Secretary of Labor, George Shultz, appointed Lockheed’s senior vice president, Jim Hodgson, as his undersecretary. As the story goes, Shultz told Hodgson he was looking for an assistant secretary on neutral ground and who really understood the labor movement. Hodgson knew just the man – he’d sat across from him at the negotiating table.

Mr. Usery entered the political realm during a tumultuous time in American history – a transitional period marked by protests, disputes, demonstrations, sit-ins, and strikes. Against this backdrop, Nixon quickly came to rely on Mr. Usery to handle the multitude of disputes affecting the nation’s security.

(‘70) Signing of the Northwest Airlines agreement

“I had to pinch myself each time I went into the Oval Office,” said Mr. Usery. “I wasn’t just going in there to see the president; I was going to see the most powerful man in the world. And you’ve got to tell him what you really think, whether he agrees with you or not, because if you tell him something and it’s not right, he may make a decision based on what you’ve told him. I’ve seen people…

I just wanted to go over and grab because I knew they were trying to (tell him) what he wanted.”

President Nixon deeply appreciated Mr. Usery’s counsel. “He (called me in and) told me it meant a lot to him personally and to the nation,” said Mr. Usery. “To hear somebody in his position say that about you, that’s what we used to say down in Georgia was being in high cotton,” said Mr. Usery proudly.

By the time Nixon resigned, Mr. Usery had made a name for himself in the world of labor relations and was rumored to become President Gerald Ford’s new Secretary of Labor. But with the nation facing double-digit inflation, Ford’s advisors recommended an economist for the position.

Ford asked Mr. Usery to remain as the National Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and special assistant to the president, to which Mr. Usery agreed. But a short time later, the new Secretary of Labor, John Dunlop, instituted legislation that became controversial and wound up resigning. It was then that Mr. Usery joined President Ford’s cabinet as Secretary of Labor.

Once again, Mr. Usery became the president’s trusted advisor and friend. “Gerry Ford was one of the finest people I’ve ever been around,” said Mr. Usery. “He had a great sense of humor and was an all-around honorable man.”

The role lasted less than a year, ending with Jimmy Carter’s election. But like he’d done so many times before, Mr. Usery reinvented himself. He founded Bill Usery Associates in Washington, D.C., and continued his career in labor-management relations, working with everyone from auto workers to educators, everywhere from Russia to Japan.

Mr. Usery also continued to serve on various presidential commissions and remained on call for future administrations, including a highly contentious miners’ union strike in the late ‘80s

(‘73) Assistant Secretary of Labor Labor Management Relations

(‘75) General Dynamics Shipyard, Quincy, Mass.

(‘76) Usery talks to workers in an underground coal mine in W. Va.

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under Labor Secretary Elizabeth Dole and the Major League Baseball strike in the ‘90s under President Clinton.

Gordon. “His power of observation was just unbelievable.”

He used his powers well. “Many of us struggle to understand what our purpose is in this world. But Bill never seemed to waver from his life’s calling as a peacemaker,” Rev. Caldwell said. “His gift to our difficult, warring, fractious world, was the desire to make peace, to bring people together. He believed passionately that any two parties could be brought together, no matter how deep their differences. He worked tirelessly and selflessly toward his goal.”

“Bill Usery (was) an indefatigable and gregarious negotiator…as a federal mediator, the rumpled Mr. Bill was regarded as one of the nation’s hardest-working civil servants,” wrote the New York Times, upon his passing. “His office trappings — a shower stall, a refrigerator (to ice martinis), and a humidor (lighting a fresh cigar at 2 a.m. boded badly for negotiations) — attested to his laborious pace.”

BUILDING TRUST

A GIVING HEART

Theodore W. Kheel, the noted labor peacemaker, once called Mr. Usery “the most successful mediator in the country’s history.”

But Mr. Usery humbly dismissed such praise, saying he was simply at the right places at the right times, and willing to seize opportunities as they came along.

Mr. Usery also expressed his love for GMC time and time again, relishing the opportunity to give back to his alma mater. Usery Hall, the Usery Assistance Fund, an Usery conference room, two classrooms in GMC’s Health and Wellness Center, the Usery Community Room, – and now the Usery Legacy Fund – were all made possible through the overwhelming generosity of Bill and Fran Usery. In fact, upon the dedication of Usery Hall, President George H.W. Bush sent a personal tribute to Mr. Usery in a video presented to those who attended. President Bush remarked, “I want to send my congratulations (to Georgia Military College) as you dedicate this new building, named for a very good man – a man who served his country with honor. Usery was an outstanding Secretary of Labor and friend of mine. I’m proud to be a tiny part of this, and just wanted to wish you all well. Your wonderful slogan, ‘Duty, Honor, Country,’ that’s what it’s all about. That says a lot about Usery and says a lot about your college too.”

Many say honesty and fairness earned Mr. Usery such accolades.

“Trust is a big part of labor relations,” said Jeff Gordon, former executive director of the W.J. Usery, Jr. Center for the Workplace at Georgia State University. “Both sides always knew they were able to trust him to protect their best interest.”

He was also an instinctively good judge of people, a skill honed under the guidance of his mother. “She never had much formal education, but she was very smart,” he said. “We used to go to Milledgeville on Saturday. That used to be the day you came into town, got the news, saw people, politicked, looked at the stores, and maybe even bought a few things.

“My mother used to insist we go early and park as close to the corner as we could, while my father would go off to meet with his cronies. She had me study people with her. It was fascinating to just sit in your car...and watch people…their actions, how they dress, how they look in the store windows.

If you study a person for a while and talk to them a little bit, with enough time, you can pretty much read them.”

A companionable nature and keen sense of humor were also winning qualities. Bill was known for his natural ability to put people at ease, get them laughing on the way to negotiating.

“It was extraordinary to watch him work with people,” said

Usery Hall

(‘76) Senate confirmation hearing for Usery and President Gerald R. Ford appointment as Secretary of Labor. in the Oval Office.

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Usery and President George Bush at The White House.

President Bill Clinton shakes Usery’s hand at The White House.

In 2015, Mr. Usery also co-sponsored a very special community event celebrating the 190th anniversary of General Marquis de Lafayette’s return to Milledgeville following the Revolutionary War, to reunite with his fellow veterans. It was a day during which citizens young and old focused on the best of everything American and the principles exemplified by General Lafayette’s service to our nation.

“Bill gave of his treasures, but he also gave generously and humbly of his time. Here was a man who’d served as Secretary of

Mr. Usery said he hoped “students will understand what a tremendous opportunity they have been given and if they take what they learn from GMC, live by its watchwords – Duty, Honor, Country – they can go anywhere in life,” he continued. “Even a boy from the ‘asylum’ side of town could make it to the White House.”

A PATH TO FOLLOW Bill Usery lived his life in humble service and sacrifice in the name of peace and equality. In his own modest way, Mr. Usery desired to make a difference in the lives of others, but he accomplished considerably more. He blazed a trail, he advanced a nation and, most importantly, he showed us what it means to really care about each other.

General Caldwell, Usery and Rev. Stephanie Caldwell at a parade

Labor and worked under multiple presidents, yet when we sat and talked, it was never about him. It was always about how he could help others.” says General Caldwell. “He genuinely loved being with the cadets and building relationships with them, as he did with so many others throughout his life.

When he went to a parade, he’d beam from ear-to-ear, watching them march, and the students just flocked to him.”

Rev. Caldwell saw the same magnetic quality. “To most teenagers, 93-year-old men are often invisible, but not so with this great man,” she said. “Bill had a special quality that somehow communicated to those children that their lives mattered to him and that they all had the capacity for greatness.”

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AN INVITATION FROM OUR ANNUAL FUND CHAIR

MILITARY SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

TOM TORRANCE

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DEDICATION SEPTEMBER 2017

NA M I N G OP P ORT U N I T I E S : Recently, I returned to Milledgeville. I was eager to reconnect with the community where I grew up. For me, this move also provided an opportunity to become more involved with my alma mater – Georgia Military College. So, I was honored when I was asked to serve as the Annual Fund Chair for 2016-2017.

Naming of Building: $500,000

Main L e vel A)

2 CLASSROOMS

$ 15,000 ea.

Please allow me to explain what GMC has meant to me.

During my years as a cadet, like many others from my class, I did not appreciate GMC. However, opportunities such as participating in the ROTC program and receiving a commission in Field Artillery launched my 30-year career in the U.S. Army. Over time, I came to realize that the education I received at GMC truly prepared me, not only for a successful military career and post-military work in the private sector, but for life as well.

C)

1 BREAK ROOM

$ 10,000

E)

4 SMALL OFFICES

$

Duty, Honor, Country! Character Above All!

K)

These are not hollow words. They form the very foundation of the character-based education that GMC delivers every day in its Preparatory School and thirteen college campuses across the state of Georgia. Perhaps today, more than ever, we need institutions like GMC, where developing the intellect and elevating the character of each student goes hand in hand.

I invite you to invest in the future of our state and nation by investing in GMC’s students today.

B) D) F)

G) H) I) J)

1 FILE ROOM

2 PROFESSOR AREAS 4 LARGE OFFICES

1 FOYER

1 CONFERENCE RM 1 CADET ROOM

2 HOH HALLWAY 1 ROTUNDA

L) M) N) O) P) Q)

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$

2,500 ea.

5,000

$ 25,000 $ 20,000

$ 25,000 ea. $ 50,000

$ 15,000 ea.

$

2 SMALL OFFICES

2 LOCKER ROOMS

$ $ $

2,500

2,500

2,500 ea.

5,000 ea.

Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell, IV cordially invites you to

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Military Science Building Dedication

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5,000 ea.

Reception following in the Baugh Barracks Courtyard

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Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired)

5,000 ea.

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Celebrating

100 Y YEARS EARS E ARS OF ROTC | 1916-2016

Tom Torrance

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state, and nation.

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For 137 years, GMC has helped to forge a better life for the many men and women who have walked our halls.

Like those before them, they’ll use their GMC education to become more productive individuals, community contributors and leaders. Your support will allow GMC to continue to invest in the success of our 14,000 students.

I hope you’ll join me by investing in the betterment of our nation’s greatest resource, our young people. Your donation will help educate and empower thousands of students which is key to our success as a community,

$

424 E. Washington St. Georgia Military College Campus

Alumni Weekend 2017

M I L I T A R Y

H E R I T A G E

C Break Room

PROPOSED MAIN LEVEL

A Military Science Classroom

D CPT Professor Area

K Rotunda

J Hall of Heroes E Instructors

SOL I Cadet Room

J Hall of Heroes F Professor Military Science

F Recruitment Officer

D SOLD H Conference Room

A Military Science Classroom

D SFC Professor Area

SOL OLD

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G Foyer Reception

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F Admin

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E Senior NCO Officer

E Executive Officer

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D File SOL Room

F Work Area

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PROPOSED LOWER LEVEL

L Military Science Classroom

N Storage

L Military Science Classroom

Q Locker Room

M Supply Room

P Office

P Office

Q Locker Room

O Electrical/ Data

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE YOUR MARK ON THIS LIMITED OPPORTUNITY, CONTACT THE OFFICE OF COLLEGE RELATIONS:

SALLY THROWER (478) 387-4885 or DENISE WANSLEY (478) 387-4746 or visit: msdgmc.com.

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A L U M N I S P OT L I G HT

MGen Bill Acker, COL Pam Grant and Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell, IV

LOOKING BACK 25 YEARS

THE TENURE OF THE 19TH PRESIDENT MGEN WILLIAM A. (BILL) ACKER, RET. JC 1950 | GMC DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS 1977

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It was a career about-face that hit Major General Bill Acker out of the clear blue. “I was just minding my own business as commander of the 3rd Air Force in England when I had a call that Jimmy Baugh, the chairman of the board at GMC, wanted to fly in to see me,” recalls General Acker with a smile. “I as-

sumed he was interested in a briefing about the Third Air Force, which I gave him. After listening patiently, he told me why he was there. He

marriage between GMC and Georgia College was inevitable.”

For a man who’d served 33 distinguished years in the Air Force, including two tours in Vietnam and assignments in Japan, Germany, and Spain – and just three years left before his military retirement – taking on GMC’s weighty problems was a big decision. “I’m a GMC alumnus, so I knew what a wonderful school it was and what an honor it would be to become president of my alma mater. And my wife, Nadine, grew up in Milledgeville,” he said. “After giving it a lot of thought, we decided to take up the offer.”

Before moving stateside, General Acker sought the advice of a

wanted to ask me to become president of GMC.” As Dr. James E. Baugh, M.D., Chairman of the GMC Board of Truestees wrote in April 1984, “Since the late 1960s, Georgia Military College had been having recurrent economic crises”. The Vietnam war had soured public attitude toward military schools. Enrollment was down severely. “The school’s expenses couldn’t be brought in line with income”. Bureaucracy and inefficient operations had led local financial institutions to disregard the school’s request for loans. In short, “There (was) much at stake and no way to resuscitate a critical patient with band-aid measure when a major surgical operation (was) In 1948, Bill Acker appeared in a play, The Sound of Hunting, presented by the GMC Curtain needed.” The situation was so dire that “a sort of Callers. This photo appeared in the 1949 Recall.

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close friend who was then president of Trinity College. “’Look into the school’s finances,’ he told me. But I didn’t pay enough attention to that advice!”

When General Acker arrived in 1985, he quickly learned GMC was on the brink of physical and financial ruin. Buildings were in disrepair, student enrollment was in a downward spiral, and there wasn’t enough money to pay the teachers. Yet

finances and boosted enrollment; potential supporters took note. The GMC Foundation had been established in 1955, but after 30 years it tallied just only over $100,000 in donations. General Acker personally reached out to people and organizations in the community and statewide and was able to build it to nearly a million dollars.

General Acker also raised the bar for GMC students, introducing technology in the classroom, thanks to a donation of computers he secured ‘retreat’ wasn’t in General Acker’s vocabulary. from the Coca-Cola Foundation. Further, he set out MGen Bill Acker to turn around GMC’s reputation as a ‘school for President of GMC 1985-92 ROUGH TIMES kids in trouble.’ “I told parents we weren’t a prison; we were a school. Over the years – and thanks In the years that preceded General Acker, the to our fine teachers – we built a solid track record of sending young lingering unpopularity of the Vietnam War had taken a heavy toll on adults to four-year colleges, instilled with the strength of character and GMC. “The country was turned off by the war and nobody wanted discipline that comes from a military school.” to send their kids to a military school,” he recalls. “We had only a few Another issue near and dear to General Acker’s heart: diversity. high school students, and the college was just about gone.”

“There were almost no minority students at GMC when I arrived, but But when the going gets tough, the tough make a plan. it was time for that to change,” he says. “We began providing scholar“Bill came into a set of serious circumstances, but he certainly ships to young, deserving African American students and they were didn’t back away. He stepped up and looked for every possible way to a great addition to the school, which started the ball rolling on our invest in things that could pay off financially down the road,” says Tony integration program.” In fact, while the NAACP had sued GMC beOwen, a former GMC classmate of General Acker and then-president cause of its lack of minority students, General Acker increased African of the Alumni Association. “He quickly became well respected. He Americans from three percent to 18 percent. Today, GMC Prep School was extremely likeable, but low key, firm in his convictions, and comproudly boasts an almost 30% minority population. mitted in his follow through. His (character traits) cover all good things Meanwhile, General Acker worked with the GMC Foundation to in life. He got things done and I tremendously appreciate everything secure land from donations and purchases, huge tracts of it, which he did for GMC.” would eventually be used for the construction of Baugh Barracks, First, he had some financial management and juggling to do. In the athletic playing fields, Ruark Athletic Center, and more. “If GMC early months, when one local bank refused to loan GMC money to hadn’t acquired that land, we certainly wouldn’t be the campus we are meet payroll, General Acker found another that would, later showtoday,” says General William B. Caldwell IV, GMC President. “It was a ing his appreciation by choosing the bank to manage nearly a million forward-thinking move that absolutely positioned us for future expandollars in endowment funds he raised. He also made many trips to sion and success.”

Atlanta, fighting for – and quadrupling the amount of – state fundUnfortunately, despite his vision, General Acker’s efforts to secure ing for GMC, at a time before Georgia had established its lottery GMC’s future often met with community opposition. When he raised education fund. Another move was to add sixth and seventh grades tuition to help put GMC on better financial standing, many perceived to the prep school, which began to bolster the bottom line. He also the move as trying to keep African closed four non-viable, out-ofAmericans out. When he initiated state GMC campuses, settling need-based scholarships to help on a statewide network that with integration, many decried the included the addition of four financial ramifications. When he new campuses, three of which fought for statewide, rather than continue to thrive. After opening local, appointment of Board of new doors, he worked diligently Trustees, he found himself to increase enrollment at each embroiled in a fierce litigation battle location. Then, he resurrected with the State and facing strong the football team, which many opposition from the community. alumni remembered fondly and But despite the concerns that must were pleased to support. have weighed heavily on him, Under General Acker’s leaderGeneral Acker persisted toward his ship, GMC paid down the debt, General Acker (second from left) greets cadets goal of making GMC great again. turned around the school’s SPRING 2017

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A L U M N I S P OT L I G HT

MGen William P. Acker: 19th President GMC (1985-1992) Made BOT meetings open to the public as required by law.

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Activated the GMC Foundation in Nov. 1985.

College programs were opened at King’s Bay Submarine Base, Robins AFB, and at Ft. McPherson, Georgia.

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College programs at Barksdale AFB Louisiana, Kingsville Texas, and Whiteman AFB in Missouri were closed.

Acker (left) shown with Homecoming Queen Chetty Edmonson Faircloth (HS’88). Emily Castillo Schroeder (HS’88) on right.

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Separated High School and College graduation programs to become two separate events.

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Began athletic programs in golf, tennis and the junior college football program.

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Required all girls 9th grade and up in the high school to participate in JROTC. •

Added sixth and seventh grades to the high school in 1987.

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Patton Hall was renovated as was Vinson Hall.

Purchased the Marion Ennis Health Center, now the GMC Engineering Office.

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Cordell Events Center was air conditioned

Bleachers for visitors and lights were purchased for Davenport Field.

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Storm windows were installed in barracks buildings.

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Introduced the Minority Student Assistance Program to award financial assistance to deserving minority students.

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Purchased computers (first mention in the BOT minutes of computer purchases for student use.)

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Planted grass and shrubs (himself) to improve appearance of the campus and several trees that were damaging Vinson Hall were removed.

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BUILDING ON A SOLID FOUNDATION When General Acker retired in 1992, just seven years after he’d arrived, he had moved a mountain. Thanks to his vision and perseverance, GMC was now solvent, with double the enrollment and triple the budget. But to this day, he’s quick to credit others. “All of us working at GMC had a deep love and concern for the school,” he says. “There were 300 of us putting in hard work, sweat and tears to keep it going. That sheer sense of loyalty and commitment is what saw us through.”

That same year, the Georgia State Senate passed a resolution commending General Acker for his six years of outstanding service as president of GMC. It reads, in part, “Under General Acker’s guidance, Georgia Military College has maintained its position as one of the premier military schools in the United States and increased enrollment from 500 to 2,405, and, in 1987, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools cited (GMC) as the most improved junior college in the country.

“Be it resolved by the Senate that this body takes great pride in commending one of this state’s most outstanding citizens and educators, Major General William P. Acker, for his many years of dedicated service to his country and for his outstanding leadership and management while serving as President of Georgia Military College.

In 2014, General Caldwell invited the Ackers, who’d since moved to San Antonio, to return to GMC for Alumni Weekend. It was their first official trip to the school in 22 years. “I was very proud to see what’s happened with the school in the interim,” says General Acker. “Now, it’s a well-accepted, thriving school, and I was deeply honored to come back and speak to the students.”

To commemorate General Acker’s many contributions, GMC dedicated an endowed junior college cadet scholarship in his name. “We all owe him a real debt of gratitude. When General Acker arrived, many felt the school was like a plane in a nosedive. He grabbed the controls and leveled it off, saving GMC from shutting its doors,” General Caldwell says. “From that level foundation, General Boylan (20th President) was able to increase enrollments and rebuild the institution to become the incredible campus and organization it is today. Now, we’re continuing that work, with expanded programs and campuses, more alumni involvement and growing endowments, and increased state funding and graduation rates. Each of us has built on the shoulders of the ones who came before. For as we all know, it is all about our students and their future, providing them opportunities that may not be otherwise available to them.”

GMC’s South Gate Repaired

Arsenal rubble in 1864.

Bricks from the rubble of the State Arsenal and Powder Magazine, destroyed during General Sherman’s “March to the Sea,” were salvaged to build a gate at the north and south entrances to the capital square in 1868.

Completed in 1868.

Acker and Dudley Rowe during Alumni Weekend 2014

October 2016

After repair.

In October 2016, a traffic accident crushed the east side of the South Gate. The gate rose again from the rubble.

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“The important thing is to develop the skills you’re being taught.

A L U M N I S P OT L I G HT

Learn how to be a life-long learner and to move about the world with a consistent code of character.

So wherever your life takes you and however many steps it takes for you to get there, you’ll walk as someone who adds more value to the world than takes away from it.”

– Justin Hartzell

JUSTIN HARTZELL While it is truly amazing to watch students learn and grow during their time at GMC, it is even more inspiring to see what they accomplish in the months and years after they leave campus.

GMC Alumnus Justin Hartzell (Prep School Class of ‘02) came to Georgia Military College in 7th grade. Throughout his time at GMC,

fected. “He wrote something on my report card that caught my atten-

he played trumpet in the band for Major Les Steele and performed

tion, ‘Brilliance is lost if never seen.’ Those words stung like salt in my

the bugle calls for formations and parades, as well as serving as a

wounded pride, but they’ve come to mind a lot over the years since.

drum major for a time. When Miss Charlotte Bearden started the vocal

I’ve taken them to mean not that I’m necessarily brilliant, but that my

music program, he sang in the chorus and quartet, and enjoyed being

Creator’s brilliance is more clearly seen when I focus in on the task at

in a few musicals.

hand and seek to do it with excellence. Now with a classroom of my

When asked about his experience at GMC, Hartzell said, “I gained a new identity that was clearly visible anytime I put on the uniform. I was aware for the first time that I was part of something larger than

putting less than 100% into his schoolwork, and his grades were af-

own, his example spurs me on to diligently invest in my students and lovingly press them for excellence, too.”

After Justin graduated from GMC in 2002, he earned a degree in

myself and that I had a role to fulfill, a way to contribute to the good of

Outdoor Education from Georgia College and State University with

the whole unit. I think those things happen to all middle schoolers in

a minor in Psychology. He then moved to Memphis, Tennessee and

a way, but facing that at GMC seemed to make it tangible for me in a

received his Master of Divinity with emphasis in Missions from Mid

way that nothing else really had.”

America Baptist Theological Seminary.

It was at GMC that Justin realized the importance of working hard

Justin’s faith and passion for students has inspired him to pursue a

to fulfill his potential and purpose in life. Scott Seagraves was one of

career and life overseas, but he didn’t foresee that plan until he was a

Justin’s teachers during a time in his life where he was content with

young adult. “Until grad school I couldn’t see myself living anywhere

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but the U.S. Then I took a class with a man who served as a missionary in Africa.

Meeting people like him transformed my understanding of missions and even being a Christian. I’d built up missionaries as these spiritual superheroes, only to realize that they’re everyday people who know and love Jesus Christ, and want to share that gift with others.”

While in school in Tennessee, he met his future wife Chelsea, and at the end of his master’s program, they learned about the opportunity to live and work in South Korea. After earning his degree, he and Chelsea sold everything they had and moved halfway across the world.

For the past four years now, Justin, his wife, Chelsea, and their three-year-old daughter, Hadasah, have lived in Busan, South Korea. Justin works as a professor at a local university where he teaches Conversational English and Christian Theology. He also serves as one of the pastors in a local church. When asked about his time in South Korea, Justin shared that learning the Korean language (one of the most difficult to learn in the world) and living far from family has its challenges.

However, he has truly loved watching the people he has invested in grow and change, and then in turn, enrich the lives of others. The Hartzells are excited to embark on a new semester and encounter the wealth of opportunities it brings, as well as getting to welcome another baby into their family this summer!

Justin’s biggest piece of advice to current GMC students? “It’s ok if you don’t have it all figured out right now. I’m in my 30’s and still learning about the person I’m created to be. The important thing is to develop the skills you’re being taught.

Learn how to be a life-long learner and to move about the world with a consistent code of character. So wherever your life takes you and however many steps it takes for you to get there, you’ll walk as someone who adds more value to the world than takes away from it.”

Busan, South Korea Justin is a powerful example of the quote we often say at GMC, “Start here,

go anywhere!” We are proud to know this exemplary man who has taken a leap of faith to serve and love the people of South Korea. Thank you, Justin, for all that you do!

We are blessed to have you as part of our GMC family.

Justin Hartzell (HS’02) and his wife, Chelsea in South Korea.

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START OF UGA’S FOOTBALL PROGRAM CHARLES HOLMES HERTY Charles Holmes Herty GMC HS 1884

(Middle Georgia Military and Agricultural College)

Charles Holmes Herty was born in a little house on what is now the front campus of Georgia College. Dr. Herty went to Middle Georgia Military and Agricultural College, which was later renamed Georgia Military College, from 1880 (the first year classes were held) until he graduated in 1884. Holmes entered the University of Georgia as a junior.

After completing a Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins, Herty returned to Georgia in 1891 to work as an assistant chemist at the Georgia State Experiment Station and to serve as adjunct faculty at the University of Georgia. Herty developed a method of harvesting resin so that pine trees were not killed in the process. The quality and quantity of the resin was improved. He also developed a method of making pine pulp into paper. His developments led to the so called “Pine Barrens,” and became a productive area of the state with an economic boost to southern Georgia.

When Charles Herty returned to the University of Georgia in 1891 the University had a playing field and a football, but nobody knew the rules of the game. Herty had been in the north and had seen the game played but more importantly, he had a rule book.

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He persuaded the Glee Club to donate the funds they had raised for their annual “beer bash” to the cause and he used the money to erect rough goal posts and clear the playing field of rocks. On January 30, 1892, the University of Georgia took on Mercer University in the first organized football game to be played in Georgia. Georgia won 50 to nothing and the rest is history. The first football field at UGA is still known as Herty Field.

In 1983 a marker honoring Herty was placed on Hancock Street in Milledgeville stating he was a graduate of Georgia College. This would have been impossible because when Herty was attending college in Milledgeville, Georgia College was a non-coeducational womens college.

Years later this error was discovered by GMC’s Library staff and former U.S. Department of Defense official, Powell A. Moore, a GMC almunus. On December 9, 2016, GMC’s Engineering Department replaced the old historical marker with a new one correctly stating that Herty attended Middle Georgia Military and Agriculture College (GMC).

PHOTO COURTESY OF UGA VAULT, UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

G M C G R A D U AT E C R E D I T E D W I T H T H E

Unrestricted When you do not restrict the use of your gift, you allow flexibility in meeting needs. These funds are managed prudently and applied where they will be most beneficial to meet a variety of current needs.

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If you choose to, you may designate your financial assistance to any of several initiatives undertaken by the Foundation through partnering with the school’s leadership to identify special priorities for giving.

OPENS THE WAY FOR

RECEIVING

Florence Scovel Shinn

GIVING

FO

Endowed Gift Opportunities A gift for endowment demonstrated farsighted commitment to Georgia Military College. Endowments are permanent funds, maintained in perpetuity by the GMC Foundation, from which only a portion of the annual investment return is used for the purpose intended by the donor. The rest of the investment yield is returned to the principal. Thus, over the years, the fund can grow with the goal of keeping pace with inflation. Such endowments, which typically bear the name of the donor or donors, reflect your interests and serve as an enduring testament to your generosity.

Additional gifts may be made to the fund to increase the principal and thereby increase the annual investment income.

Endowments represent rewarding gift opportunities because they offer the donor the satisfaction of knowing that his or her gift will continue working for future generations.

The Basics of Establishing an Endowment • An endowed fund may be established with a contribution in the form of cash, appreciated securities, or other charitable gifts such as a bequest.

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 



Special Initiatives

LITAR MI  Y

G LLE E CO 

Gifts may be designated to any of the wide variety of programs and services offered by Georgia Military College. Perhaps there is a particular area, such as library enrichment, technology, athletics, or an academic department in which you have an interest. Such gifts will be applied in their entirety to the area of your designation.

GEORGI A

Programs & Services

est 1955

UN

D AT I O

N

Georgia Military College Foundation 201 East Greene Street | Milledgeville, Georgia 31061 (478) 387-0230 | Fax (478) 445-2867 | alumni.gmc.edu

• It may be established with either a single gift of $25,000 or a gift of at least $5,000 and a pledge of the remaining $20,000 over a period of up to five years.

• The fund is invested by the GMC Foundation, which serves as a steward of the endowed funds. The Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Purposes of Endowed Funds • An endowed gift offers the opportunity for donors to have their names, or the name of a loved one, linked to an area in which they have a special interest, creating a legacy for years to come.

• A named endowment can provide an opportunity for an academic department or an athletic program to grow and excel.

• A named endowment can provide a scholarship to aid deserving students year after year.

Endowment Reporting As a donor who has established an endowment, you will receive an annual report from the GMC Foundation on the financial status of the fund, including earnings and distributions.

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Campus Spotlight

Georgia Military College’s Valdosta Campus has a new

NEW STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER To put it simply, students matter at GMC Valdosta.

GMC’s Valdosta campus has continued its efforts to contribute to student success and enrichment in every way possible, and their core belief to put students first is reflected in their exciting new campus and program developments.

on-campus resources, creating action plans, and exploring topics such as study strategies, stress reduction, and overcoming test anxiety. “The goal of Academic Success Coaching is to help students develop an action plan for success, identify strengths and learn new ways to improve in struggle areas, and develop skills that will help in life after GMC,” said Hafer. In addition to one-on-one coaching, the center offers group workshops and assists with career exploration, resume writing, and more.

Opened in 1979, the campus currently offers 23 different Associate degree concentrations, with their most popular programs Academic Success Coaches Tyrone Johnson and Melanie King being pre-nursing, business, and general studies. The current campus located at 4201 N. Forrest A student who recently took advantage of the Student Success Street is approximately 48,000 square feet and houses multiple Center had this to share about his experience: “...This program has science labs, computer labs, student centers, administrative offices, truly helped me in my time of need. I feel that this program should and classrooms. be put on every campus that we have. Because of this program I have brought my failing grades up from low Fs to As, Bs, Cs, and I The most recent growth for the campus is in their online could not have done it without the help of Mr. Johnson [Tyrone program. “The online course offerings are very appealing to Johnson, Academic Success Coach]. I really appreciate this program students who have family or work commitments and enable our for helping me believe that I can be successful in life and school.” students to continue their progress while also working. Many students take advantage of our in-seat and online classes in the same The campus community is so excited about the addition of the Student Success Center and the Academic Success Coaches, and term, developing a course schedule that is flexible to their personal hopes that many more students will take advantage of this free situation,” shared Executive Director, Dr. Leslie Hafer. Online course enrollments have increased this year, and they now currently service to give themselves every opportunity to be successful in college. represent more than 20% of all GMC Valdosta enrollments.

In order to contribute to student enrichment on an interpersonal level, the Valdosta campus recently opened a brand-new Student Success Center. The main priority for this new center is to help students achieve success while attending GMC. The Success Center is staffed with Academic Success Coaches who are committed to helping students enhance their academic growth.

GMC Valdosta also realizes the importance of equipping high school students with opportunities for academic acceleration through the dual enrollment program, Move On When Ready (MOWR). They have doubled the number of schools involved in the MOWR program this Winter 2017 term, serving over 300 students so far this year.

Coaches work one-on-one with students– connecting them to

In addition to academic success, GMC Valdosta is dedicated to providing students the opportunity to make a difference in the

“The goal of Academic Success Coaching is to help students develop an action plan for success, identify strengths and learn new ways to improve in struggle areas, and develop skills that will help in life after GMC.” — Leslie Hafer

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Campus Spotlight

GMC VALDOSTA CAMPUS Valdosta community. “We are delighted to continue to serve this community and are constantly looking for ways that we can make a difference,” stated Hafer. The school community supports local organizations in many different ways, including annual food drives with collections going to the local food bank, to school supply drives with supplies going to two local elementary schools, Dewar Elementary and Southeast Elementary. The Student Veteran’s Association collects toiletries for donations to Veterans groups and the campus Christian Collegiate Fellowship Club and the Talent Club visit nursing homes and a local elementary school to spread Christmas cheer. This year, GMC students visited Pinevale Elementary School and a local nursing home, The Heritage House, to sing Christmas carols and deliver gifts and cards.

When asked about the future of GMC Valdosta, Executive Director Leslie Hafer shared these encouraging words: “We are excited to continue providing an excellent educational experience with quality academic programming at an affordable price to the residents of South Georgia. Students matter at GMC Valdosta, and we truly believe we are making a difference in our community by providing an opportunity and a pathway for success in obtaining a college degree.”

GMC Valdosta will soon begin registering for Summer and Fall 1 classes, and they encourage anyone interested in attending to apply for admissions at their website, www.gmc.edu/apply or contact the Admissions Office at 229-375-5650.

SEVEN DOWN AND TWO TO GO

Families like the Norths are vital to GMC We are so grateful to have countless families trust their children’s education and career development to campuses like GMC Valdosta each and every year. One family in particular, the North family, has become a vital part of the GMC community.

Seven of the North children have either graduated, will soon be graduating, or have completed all the courses they could complete here before moving on to other academic ventures. The Norths had another one of their children take one course here over a summer, and one more child, a junior in high school, will also be coming to GMC Valdosta. Mrs. Karen North shared that she homeschooled her children and first became aware of GMC Valdosta through her son, Daniel.

After talking to Billie Washburn, Dean of Students, Daniel decided to attend GMC. “Everyone was so encouraging and made the process seamless so our son Daniel enrolled,” shared Mrs. North. Over the years, the North family has seen how a GMC education benefits students academically and also personally. Mrs. North noted that she appreciates as a parent how GMC stresses community involvement and character development, values she instilled in her children as well. When asked about her love of the school and why so many of her children have attended GMC Valdosta, Mrs. North said, “When you have something good you don’t look for something else.” Thank you, North family, for your trust and support of GMC Valdosta.

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Alumni & friend s WEEKEND

EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY

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WEEKEND

2 01 6

Alumni & friend s

WE LOVE OUR ALUMNI!

alumni.gmc.edu

#gmcalumni

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A W A R D S GMC announces

2016 ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENTS GMC alumni and friends gathered for their annual Alumni & Friends Weekend 2016, held Oct. 14-15, and honored five esteemed individuals with the Georgia Military College Alumni Awards. “These prestigious awards recognize those whose exemplary service and notable success are an inspira-

Alumni Achievement Award

Military Service Award

GMC Service Award

COLONEL JOHN D. COOKSEY, US ARMY (RET)

CAPTAIN JARED D. SMITH

The Alumni Achievement Award is given to an alumnus who by deed, or action, reflects and recognizes the importance of their education at GMC and exemplifies its Core Values of “Duty, Honor, Country” in their personal and professional lives. This alumnus’ interest and loyalty are evident to GMC through their contributions of time, talents, and/or philanthropic support to one or more programs benefitting GMC and/or the GMCAA.

The Military Service Award is given to an alumnus who participated in the Corps of Cadets-Active Duty, Reserve, Guard, or Veteran (honorable discharge required) and a member in good standing of the GMCAA at the time they are nominated for the award.

The recipient is selected for rendering unusual and conspicuous service in an act of humanity, heroic effort/ action in battle, or service to John D. Cooksey the city, state, or nation, and JC 1986 in doing so has brought honor and distinction to GMC and its Corps of Cadets.

The GMC Service Award is designated for alumni or friends of GMC who have rendered special service to the school, or any of its ancillary organizations.

Honorees show evidence of service and loyalty to GMC and their community through demonstrated involvement in campus and community organizations and activities.

This award is the highest recognition and greatest expression of appreciation extended to an individual by the GMCAA, given for outstanding service and volunteerism.

With a distinguished military career spanning nearly 30 years, COL John Cooksey is hero among us. A graduate of GMC, as well as Georgia College and State University, he received his commission in the U.S. Army in 1986. But even before his commission, COL Cooksey completed three years with the Georgia Army National Guard, entering active duty in 1989.

From 1989 to 1992, he served as a Rifle and Antitank Platoon Leader in Korea. After finishing the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, he was a Basic Training Company Executive Officer and Company Commander at Fort Benning’s Infantry Training Brigade. In 1993, he completed the Special Forces Qualification Course and changed military branches.

During his six years with the 3d Special Forces Group (Airborne), he served in multiple positions, with duties focused on operations in the U.S., Africa and Haiti.

In 1999, Colonel Cooksey graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College, as well as Kansas State University with a master’s degree in adult and continuing education.

After a final two-year assignment with 3d Special Forces Group (Airborne) he reported to the C4ISR Policy and Technology Assessment Group (CPATA) as the Chief of Concepts and Plans and, later, as Deputy Director for Operations.

In 2004, Colonel Cooksey was assigned to the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) as the Chief of Future Concepts, Center for Knowledge & Futures. While with USSOCOM, he deployed to Iraq, serving with the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force. There, he performed duties as the Operations Officer for the Iraqi National Counter Terrorism Force Transition Team.

After completing the Joint Combined Warfighting School in 2009, COL Cooksey was assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff J7 as a Branch Chief for Integration, then as a Division Chief of the Joint Integration Division. In his culminating active duty assignment, he served as the Executive Assistant to the Director of Joint Force Development, Joint Staff J7.

Since his military retirement, COL Cooksey has served as the Chief of Operations and Plans at the Joint Personnel Recovery Agency.

Colonel Cooksey is married to the former Providencia Claudio Figueroa from Bayamon, Puerto Rico. They have one son, Austin - who is in his first year at Virginia Military Institute.

As a soldier, a commander, a leader, a teacher, and a mentor, CPT Smith has given tirelessly of himself to both our country and to GMC. After graduating from GMC in 2009, he enlisted in the Georgia Army National Guard and is a graduate of Mercer University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in middle grades education. He is currently pursuing a Masters of Education in educational psychology, applied cognition and development from the University of Georgia.

In 2010, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant as a Field Artillery Officer at Mercer University. In 2014, he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, serving as the RC-N Garrison Command COR for the 48th IBCT. He is currently the Commander for Charlie Battery, 1-118th FAR in Savannah, Ga. He has also served as the BN Effects Coordinator for 2-121st IN in Forsyth, Ga., OPS Officer for HHB, 1-118th FAR in Savannah, Ga., and Fire Direction Officer, Firing Battery Platoon Leader and Executive Officer of Alpha Battery, 1-118th FAR in Springfield, Ga. Captain Smith also served as a TAC Office for the Corps of Cadets and Senior Military Science Instructor at Georgia Military College. Additionally, he was a teacher and track coach at Putnam County Middle School in Eatonton, Ga., and is currently serving as the Director for the Milledgeville Youth Challenge Academy.

Among his decorations are the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (with three oak leaf clusters), and Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with one bronze star), and is a recipient of The Terrell T. Reddick Leadership Award, 2015.

CPT Smith is not only a servant leader in his professional life, he’s a role model and mentor in his personal life, spending countless hours coaching and mentoring students and cadets. He also served as a coach for the Army ROTC Ranger Challenge team, spending many hours in training and imparting tactical expertise.

CPT Smith lives in Milledgeville, Ga. with his wife Bailey and son Greyson.

COLONEL KEVIN F. GREGORY

Kevin F. Gregory JC 1988

COL Kevin F. Gregory’s accomplishments over 30 years of military service have reflected on the importance of his education at GMC and exemplify its Core Values of Duty, Honor, Country. After graduating from GMC in 1988 with an Associate of Science Degree in criminal justice, COL Kevin F. Gregory was commissioned a Lieutenant of the Field Artillery. He then earned a B.S. degree in criminal justice from Fairmont State College in W.Va., as well as one master’s degree in business administration and another in strategic studies.

COL Gregory has served in a variety of command and staff positions in the United States, Germany, Bosnia, and the Middle East. His first tour of duty was with the 5th Battalion, 18th Field Artillery at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he served as a Platoon Fire Direction Officer, Platoon Leader and Executive Officer (XO). Colonel Gregory then attended the Field Artillery Captain’s Career Course and the Heavy TACFIRE Course en route to 5th Battalion, 41st Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany.

Following the Germany assignments, he assumed command of the Clarksville Recruiting Company, in Clarksville, Tenn. before heading to the Command and General Staff College (CGSC) at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. After CGSC, he transitioned to Fort Sill, Okla., and served as the 3rd Battalion, 18th Field Artillery, Battalion S3 before deploying to Operation Iraqi Freedom I as the Battalion XO. Upon re-deployment, COL Gregory served as the Brigade S3 of the 17th Field Artillery Brigade and deployed again as the Brigade XO to Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07. Transitioning to Fort Carson, Colo. in 2007, COL Gregory assumed command of 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, leading them through a 15-month deployment. In 2011, he attended the U.S. Army War College after serving for two years as the Chief of Strategic Communications for the Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill.

Next, he was selected as Brigade Commander of the U.S. Army Garrison – Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield, Hinesville, Ga., for three years. Arriving at Fort Knox, Ky. in 2015, COL Gregory currently serves as the Chief of Staff, US Army Cadet Command and Fort Knox.

COL Gregory is also a graduate of the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, the Field Artillery Captain’s Career Course, the Recruiting Commanders Course, the Command and General Staff College, U.S. Army War College, and Airborne School. His awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, GWOT Expeditionary and Service Medals, Iraqi Campaign Medal, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Airborne Badge, and Recruiter Badge.

Colonel Gregory is married to the former Brenda “Gabby” Brewer; they have two daughters, Melissa 17, and Adeline 14, live at Fort Knox, Ky.

tion to others,” explained Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell, IV, GMC President. “These honorees truly serve as role models, representing the character and dedication to excellence that’s made a difference in the lives of others.

GMC is deeply proud to call them our own.”

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Jared D. Smith JC 2009

This year, GMC is proud to extend the award to two alumni who worked together to ensure GMC Class Rings would be made available for all alumni of GMC. Their proposal, on behalf of the Alumni Association, to create a college student ring reflects their firsthand understanding that GMC students, both past and present, share a special, life-long bond.

A W A R D S

Alumni Weekend 2016

GMC Service Award

Honorary Alumni Award

CAPTAIN RANDALL S. SUMBLES The GMC Service Award is designated for alumni or friends of GMC who have rendered special service to the school, or any of its ancillary organizations. Honorees show evidence of service and loyalty to GMC and their community through demonstrated involvement in campus and community organizations and activities. This award is the highest recognition and greatest expression of appreciation extended to an individual by the GMCAA, given for outstanding service and volunteerism.

BRENDA AND HAROLD MASON

Randall S. Sumbles JC 2003

Originally from Paragould, Ark., CPT Sumbles’ military service began in 2000, when he joined the Arkansas Army National Guard during high school. With a two-year Army ROTC scholarship in hand, he attended GMC under the Early Commissioning Program, earning an Associate of Science degree in general studies and commissioning in 2003 as an Infantry Officer. In 2006, he also earned a Bachelor of Science in organizational management from Central Baptist College in Conway, Ark. CPT Sumbles was assigned to multiple Rifle Platoon Leader positions within the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, then promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant. In 2005, he participated in Operation Katrina, the disaster recovery response to Hurricane Katrina. The following year, he changed branches to become an Ordnance Officer, going on to serve as the Maintenance Control Officer.

After completing his Ordnance Basic Officer Leader Course in 2007, CPT Sumbles was mobilized and deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he served as a Battle Captain and Executive Officer for Charlie Company, 2ND Battalion, 153RD Infantry Regiment.

Upon his return in 2009, he resumed his previous assignment as the Maintenance Control Officer. He was then assigned as the Operations Officer (Support Operations) in the 39TH Brigade Support Battalion, 39TH Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Promoted to the rank of Captain in 2009, he attended the resident Combined Logistics Captains Career Course, then became an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer in the Alabama Army National Guard.

In 2011, CPT Sumbles was assigned to 4TH Battalion, 415TH Regiment (SROTC) in the United States Army Reserve, bringing him back to GMC as an assistant professor of Military Science. The next year, he was ordered to active duty (AGR) and assigned as assistant professor of Military Science at North Dakota State University Army ROTC. In 2014, CPT Sumbles assumed command of Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), United States Army Garrison (USAG), Fort McCoy, Wis. His awards include the Army Commendation Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal with one campaign star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Mobilization device, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.

He and his wife Melissa have three children, Braydon, Lillian, and Samuel, with one on the way.

The Honorary Alumni Award is awarded to individuals who are not alumni of Georgia Military College, but who have provided special or exceptional service to the school or to its Alumni Brenda and Harold Mason Association, and who, by virtue of their service, are worthy of the designation of GMC Alumnus and all that the designation entails.

For nearly twenty years, both Harold and Brenda Mason have given of their time, talents, and financial support to GMC. Strong supporters of the character-based education GMC offers in both the prep school and the junior college, they have continually demonstrated their interest and devotion to both.

In 1999, through The Georgia Military College Foundation, the Masons established an endowment, the ‘Harold and Brenda Mason Golf Fund,’ to support the college golf team and promote the sport. As a result of their philanthropic support, an annual golf award dubbed ‘The Mason Cup,’ was established in their honor. The Cup is inscribed with a quote written by Mr. Mason that reads, “Golf and life will put your character to the test. Smile at the lie, have faith, achieve by effort, be determined, and surpass the test.” These words underscore the love and adoration both Mr. and Mrs. Mason share for GMC. With support from the Golf Fund, the GMC team proudly took home the NJCAA Division III Men’s Golf National Championship in 2004.

Taking their generosity further, the Masons recently donated funds to create the ‘Mason Golf Performance Lab,’ a state-of-the-art facility opened in September that provides training for both the junior college and prep school golf teams.

Mr. Mason also serves on The Georgia Military College Foundation’s Board of Trustees, where he’s an active member of the Rules and Nominations Committee. His voice on the committee provides sound and sage advice on the governance of the foundation.

Over the years, three of the Mason’s grandchildren have graduated from the prep school, with two more grandchildren currently enrolled.

GMC is proud to call the Masons friends, and their exceptional dedication to the school is most deeply appreciated.

Nominate your choice for the 2017

Alumni Awards!

We invite alumni and friends to submit nominations for the 2017 GMC Alumni Awards.

For additional information, please call the Office of College Relations at (478) 387-0230.

Mail your nominations to: Alumni Awards Office of College Relations Georgia Military College 201 East Greene Street Milledgeville, GA 31061 or email to: alumni@gmc.edu.

Please include supporting documentation

for the nomination using no more than 500 words. You may include: career highlights, achievements, commnity service, letters of recommendation and/or newspaper/magazine articles.

Specify GMC graduate HS and/or JC.

AWARD NOMINATION CATEGORY: • Distinguished Alumnus • Honorary Alumnus

• Alumni Achievement

• Emerging Young Alumni Leader • GMC Service Award

• Community Service Award • Military Service Award

• Fallen Heroes Recognition

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P E R F O R M I N G

A R T S

S E R I E S

24-Hour Play Festival GMC JC Theatre Oct. 8, 2016 Goldstein Center for the Performing Arts

The Wedding Singer GMC Prep School Theatre Oct. 27 and 29, 2016 Goldstein Center for the Performing Arts

Matt Palmer Guest Artist

Nov. 17, 2016 Goldstein Center for the Performing Arts

Stitches GMC JC Theatre Dec. 3, 2016 Goldstein Center for the Performing Arts

Winter Dreams GMC Prep School Theatre Dec. 8, 2016 Grant Parade

Boston Brass with Holiday Pops Orchestra Holiday Concert Dec. 15, 2016 Goldstein Center for the Performing Arts

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P E R F O R M I N G

A R T S

S E R I E S

THE NIGHT OF

Chamber Music Guest Artist Series

Night of Chamber Music David Johnson, Violin William McClain, Viola Martin Gueorguiev, Cello Moona Yu, Piano

Feb. 2, 2017 Goldstein Center for the Performing Arts

Hamlet Production by

The National Players Feb. 11, 2017 Goldstein Center for the Performing Arts

GMC CADET MEN’S ENSEMBLE GMC Cadet Men’s Ensemble GMC JC Fine Arts Feb. 14, 2017 Goldstein Center for the Performing Arts

Aladdin GMC Middle School Theatre Feb. 23 and 24 Goldstein Center for the Performing Arts

82nd AIRBORNE “All American” Chorus

82nd Airborne “All American” Chorus Mar. 17, 2017 Goldstein Center for the Performing Arts

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P E R F O R M I N G

A R T S

S E R I E S

Georgia Military College

PERFORMING ARTS SOCIETY M E M B E R

S H I P

BECOME A MEMBER OF THE GMC PERFOR MING ARTS SO CIET Y !

Friends of the GMC Performing Arts Society play a vital role in the Foundation’s effort to bring world-class performing arts to our community. As a Friend, your membership supports the Holiday Concert, as well as the annual Spring Concert, and builds the endowment for the GMC performing arts program.

Giving demonstrates your appreciation for the importance of performing arts in our community.

Become a member and enjoy the benefits of supporting the arts at Georgia Military College. _________________________________

alumni.gmc.edu or call (478) 387-0230

MAY 18, 2017 7:00 PM

The World Famous

Glenn Miller Orchestra Goldstein Center for the Performing Arts | 325 S. Elbert Street | Milledgeville Tickets, purchase online: pasgmc.com/springconcert or call the Office of College Relations: 478-387-0230.

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The most popular and sought after big band in the world today for both concert and swing dance engagements, with its unique jazz sound, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is considered to be one of the greatest bands of all time.

The present Glenn Miller Orchestra was formed in 1956 and has been touring consistently since, playing an average of 300 live dates a year all around the world.

General Admission: $20 Students: $5 with ID

I M P R E S S I O N S the 2016

THE NIGHT OF

Chamber Music

Home of the

MASON GOLF PERFORMANCE LAB

GMC INDOOR TRAINING FACILITY

GMC CADET MEN’S ENSEMBLE

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A T H L E T I C S - Junior College

2017 NATIONAL SIGNING DAY

GMC had more JC Bulldogs make their decisions on where to finish up their college careers and sign their letters of intent and scholarship agreements. JC Athletic Staff is grateful for all the efforts to help guide our young men and help them prepare for future success!

The following signed their documents:

They join the following who transferred mid-year:

Dennis Daley – University of South Carolina Deandre Applin – Georgia State University Jalen Wade – Georgia State University Brandon Henderson – East Carolina University Kevin George – University of Colorado TJ Lowe – Catawba University Isaac Zicco – Purdue University Chad Stevens – Presbyterian College Tracey Jones – Alabama State University Javon Redding – Tuskeegee University

Marcus Holton – East Carolina University Nathaniel Harvey – East Carolina University Kawon Bryant – Carson-Newman University Reece Mulkey – Catawba University JQ Quimbly – Middle Tennessee State University Kenneth Sims – Coastal Carolina University Jaquez Williams – Western Carolina University Tim White – Alabama A&M University James Russell – Fort Valley State Glendrell Byrd – Fort Valley State

For fall season schedule and more information, go to: www.gmcbulldogs.com

GMC Cross Country Teams Named Scholar All American Team

The GMC Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Teams find success in the classroom after a successful season on the courses. The Georgia Military College Men’s and Women’s Cross Country teams were named Scholar All American teams by the National Junior College Cross Country Coaches Association. For a team to be recognized as a Scholar All America Team the combined of GPA of all of the runners

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needed to be a 3.2 or higher. In addition to this, Georgia Military College Men’s and Women’s Cross Country had many individual student athletes who earned an individual Scholar All America award. To earn this prestigious reward, the runner needed to have their GPA for the fall quarter exceed 3.4.

Junior College - A T H L E T I C S

Harold and Brenda Mason Stand with GMC’s Golf Team as they Unveil the New Mason Golf Performance Lab.

Georgia Military College

college and prep golfers

(GMC) has a new state

for years to come.”

of the art indoor train-

In 1999, through

ing facility for both the

the Georgia Military

College and Prep School

College Foundation,

golf teams. The Mason

Inc., Harold and Brenda

Golf Performance Lab

Mason established

honors Harold and

an endowment called

Brenda Mason who

the Harold and Brenda

have given their time,

Mason Golf Fund to

talents, and financial

support the College golf

support to GMC. On September 8, the

team and promote the Harold and Brenda Mason shown at ribbon cutting with GMC golf team.

sport. As a result of their

Georgia Military College

philanthropic support, an

JC Athletic Department

annual golf award called

recognized and honored

“The Mason Cup” was

the Masons for their

established in their hon-

significant contribution

or. “The Mason Cup” is

to the institution and

inscribed with a quote

the GMC Golf program.

written by Harold Mason

The Mason Golf

that reads “Golf and life

Performance Lab will

will put your character to

allow GMC’s golf teams

the test. Smile at the lie,

to practice inside during

have faith, achieve by ef-

inclement weather, play

fort, be determined, and

a significant role in the

surpass the test.” These

recruiting of college golfers,

words underscore the love

allow the Prep school’s golf

that Harold and Brenda

program to use the facility

share for GMC. Through

for instruction and improve-

the support provided by the

ment, and offer the college

Harold and Brenda Mason

the possibility to add an

Golf Fund, GMC won the

elective Golf class.

NJCAA Division III Men’s

“GMC Athletics is very

Golf Championship in 2005.

w

excited to officially open the Mason Golf Performance Lab and usher in the next phase in the development of our golf program,” said Bert Williams, Director of Athletics at

MASON

GMC. “Brenda and Harold

GOLF PERFORMANCE LAB

Mason helped start our golf program with a generous gift back in 1999, and they have again stepped forward to aid

The Mason Golf Performance Lab includes: • A FULLSWING S4 Golf Simulator • 1,000 square foot chipping and putting complex • Team room and study lounge for student-athletes • A mural of Augusta hole #12

in the continued development and improvement of our very successful golf program. This facility will make a huge impact in our recruiting of college golfers and also the training of both

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B U I L D I N G

C H A M P I O N S

GMC Prep School’s One-Act are Back-to-Back State Champions GMC’s Prep School One Act students are back to back state champions.

They won the Georgia High School Association’s (GHSA) State Championship One Act play with their performance of The Wedding Singer at Bleckley County High School on November 5th. GMC competed against 8 schools representing GHSA’s 8 Areas. With a nearly flawless performance the cast scored a 97, 98, and 99 from the three judges on the panel and the audience gave the show a heartfelt standing ovation. Wyatt Spivey won State Best Actor, Kelsie Farley won State Best Actress, and Max Hopkins and Andy Watkins won All Star Cast Awards.

“We are incredibly proud of our students,” said Mark Weaver, GMC’s Prep School Fine Arts Director. “They performed the best show of the season at the state competition and brought the audience to their feet.

We would like to thank the entire GMC family for supporting our students and the arts.”

The cast successfully defended their 2015 title and now have the distinction of being 3-time state champions in One Act Play, having won in 2013 and 2015. The Fine Arts department is focusing on defending their State Championship on Literary for GHSA, and the spring musical in April.

GMC Prep School’s Boys Cross Country Team are State Champions The GMC Prep School’s Boys team concluded their historic season with a strong showing at the state championships. The 2016 Georgia High School Association’s (GHSA) State Cross Country Championships were held on November 5 in Carrolton, Georgia on the very challenging course at Carrolton High School. The team swept the team title over Seminole County in a close contest, and Hunter Kimball led the way by claiming the individual title. Aaron Kirkland finished the race in 2nd place and Kaylon Farley ended up in 9th place. These three were joined by TJ Johnson (14th), Ethan Yopp (21st), Taylor Sherwood (29th), and Jacob Kauzlarich (36th).

Head coach Debbie Barsby reflecting on the race said, “the team worked hard all season to put themselves in position to win today. I am very proud of the boys for accomplishing their goal.

They are a very hardworking group of young men and I am extremely happy that they earned the title of State Champions today.”

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The race started out with a .5 mile climb, followed by some rolling hills, continued along a creek then finishing up a hill called “Heartbreak Hill”. Speaking about the course, GMC Cross Country runner T.J. Johnson said “The hills are hard. I am grateful that we trained on hills during the season.”

Hunter Kimball grabbed control of the race early on and never let it go.

He finished 40 seconds ahead of his teammate Aaron Kirkland. Behind Kimball and Kirkland, it got tighter between Seminole County, Gordon Lee and GMC. Some great running by Farley, Johnson, Yopp, Sherwood, and Kauzlarich allowed the team to emerge victorious.

This is the 3rd time in 5 years that the GMC Prep boys have won the State Championship title in Cross Country. With a team of one senior, three juniors, two sophomores, and one freshman, the boys look to be on the hunt for more state championships for seasons to come.

B U I L D I N G

C H A M P I O N S

GMC Prep School’s Mixed Raider Team are State Champions and Placed 2nd at National Competition GMC’s Male, Female, competed in the Alland Mixed Raider teams Service competition competed in the 2016 while GMC’s Male All-Service and the U.S. Raider B-team placed Army National Raider 9th. GMC’s Female competition at Gerald Raider team placed 5th Lawhorn Boy Scout Camp overall out of 15 teams in Molena, Georgia on that competed.

November 4-5. The Mixed “We are extremely Team after winning the proud of all of our Georgia state championRaider teams that ship last week culminated participated at such a their outstanding season; high level of competifinishing in second place tion,” said 1SG Anton out of 24 teams at the Jenkins, GMC’s Prep national competition.

School Raider coach.

The competition was “They displayed the comprised of five events GMC fighting spirit Major Emily Boylan with Mixed Raider team - U.S. Army National Raider competition. with the overall winner throughout the rigor of decided by how they each competitive event. collectively finish in each event. The Mixed team placed 1st in the Physical Coach Jenkins and Coach Boylan would like to thank all the athletes and Team Test, 2nd in the 5-K Run, 3rd in the Rope Bridge, 3rd in the Cross their parents for supporting the team throughout the season. We could not Country Rescue event, and 4th in the Gauntlet. These scores collectively have accomplished this amount of success without world class support were good enough to be the national runner up. provided by every team member and parent.

The GMC’s Male Raider team placed 4th overall out of 12 teams that

GMC Prep Varsity Softball Team Places 2nd at State Tournament The GMC Prep varsity softball team brought the state runner-up trophy pitched every game recording 29 strikeouts in 5 games against the best back to Milledgeville after competing Oct. 27 through the Oct. 29 in the hitters in the state. At the plate, the team was led by Cade Bass who was Georgia High School Association (GHSA) softball state tournament in 9-18 (.500), and Kate McGhee who was 7-17 (.412).

Columbus, Georgia. This was the fifth consecutive season the team has The team has two graduating seniors, Caitlin Vinson and Taylor Curtis. played for the state championship, winning back to back titles in 2014 Coach Simmons expects his team to be back in Columbus next season. and 2015.

The tournament started on Thursday, October 27, and in 9 innings GMC came out victorious over Bowdon with a score of 3-2. GMC then moved on to the winners’ bracket and beat Glascock County 8-0. They then advanced to the finals of the championship bracket on Saturday morning, October 29, where they beat Gordon Lee 5-2. The team advanced to the state championship game and faced Gordon Lee again who was able to compete through the losers’ bracket. In the final game, GMC fell short to Gordon Lee with a score of 7-2.

“I would personally like to thank the entire GMC family for all of the support given to the players and coaches this season,” said Allen Simmons, GMC’s Head Softball Coach, “Our girls worked extremely hard since last school year, and they are already looking forward to next season. All of GMC is proud of this team.”

Taylor Scott was one of the team leaders who Coach Allen Simmons and Jennifer Deason with GMC prep softball players

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R O T C

S C H O L A R S H I P S

4-year Army ROTC Scholarships Awarded to Georgia Military College Prep School Students On December 7, ment Association, GMC Prep seniors raiders, football, and golf Chase Rauhut, teams.

Chase Sheffield, Jack Watkins has been and Jack Watkins awarded a 4-year Army were awarded ROTC scholarship to 4-year Army ReOhio State University serve Officers’ Trainwhere he will major ing Corps (ROTC) in Health Information scholarships and Management and Syssigned their offer tems with a premedical letters to continue professional program of post-secondary study. Watkins wants to education at the commission as an active (L-R) Jack Watkins with parents, Jim and Kim Watkins; Chase Rauhut with his father, school of their duty Army officer and BG Curt Rauhut and Chase Sheffield with parents, Chuck and Kim Sheffield. choice. plans to go to mediChase Rauhut has cal school to become been awarded a 4-year Army ROTC scholara neurosurgeon after the completion of his Army ROTC scholarship to the University of ship to the University of Alabama where he bachelor’s study and make a long career Tennessee where he will double major in will major in Accounting. Rauhut wants to serving in the Army Medical Corps. At GMC Mechanical Engineering and Business Mancommission as an active duty Army officer. At Prep, Watkins is the Raider Commander, 2nd agement. Sheffield wants to commission as a GMC Prep, he is the Company Commander Battalion, and is involved on the raider, basereserves Army officer. He also plans someday of Delta Co., 2nd Battalion. He is also the ball, and golf teams. He is also an Advanced to run for political office or seek an executive State Secretary for the Georgia Association of Placement (AP) Scholar and recipient of the position in a Fortune 500 company. At GMC Student Councils and is involved on the raider JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge (JCLC) Prep, Sheffield is the 2nd Battalion Executive and track teams.

Camp Commander’s award.

Officer and is involved in the Student GovernChase Sheffield has been awarded a 4-year

GMC Prep senational 4-year niors David ShepArmy ROTC pard, Zach Spiler, Scholarships and and Nick Trussell they both plan to were awarded attend Clemson 4-year Army University. Spiler, Reserve Officers’ a GMC Prep Training Corps student for seven (ROTC) scholaryears who was ships and signed a member of their offer letters the Raider and to continue a baseball teams, post-secondary is looking forward education at the to majoring in school of their Biology. His goal choice. is to become an David Shepanesthesiologist. pard received Spiler’s classmate, (L-R) Nick Trussell with parents, Troy and Denise Trussell; Zach Spiler with parents, the Ike Skeleton Nick Trussell, plans Wayne and Suzanne Spiler, and David Sheppard with parents, David and Heather Sheppard.

ROTC Scholarto major in nursship at GMC. As ing to become Associate’s Degree in Computer Science. He a recipient of this scholarship, Sheppard will a nurse anesthetist.

He also plans to serve also plans to complete his Bachelor’s Degree spend two years in the Early Commissioning in the Army Reserves and give back to his in Computer Science at Mercer University.

Program as part of GMC’s Cadet Corps and community.

Trussell has been a student in Sheppard has been a student in GMC’s Prep another two years in the Education Assistant GMC’s Prep school for seven years and was a School for seven years and was a member of Program at a 4-year college or university. member of the Raider and basketball teams. the Male Raider Team.

While attending GMC, he plans to pursue an Zach Spiler and Nick Trussell received

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C A M P U S

N E W S

GMC Cadet Receives Appointment to United States Military Academy 19-year-old junior college cadet, Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and ConHunter Knibbe is getting the opgressman Jim Himes (D-CT 4th District). portunity to attend one of the most Cadet Knibbe was also required to have prestigious military academies in good grades, good test scores, and be the United States. Cadet Knibbe physically and medically qualified to be received his appointment to attend accepted. Knibbe enrolled in the GMC the United States Military Academy Corps of Cadets Program in August of in West Point, New York.

2016, and says his time here has greatly “It will be a great honor at the end prepared him for West Point. of four years to be commissioned “Georgia Military College helped me so as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United much,” said Knibbe. “I’m in the self-prep States Army”, said Hunter Knibbe. I service academy for West Point and just can’t wait to serve my country we take a course load that mimics the and also get a great education.

United States Military Academy and it’s Hunter Knibbe and General Caldwell The leadership opportunity at West definitely really tough. I was able to learn Point is second to none and it will time management skills, study skills, and definitely prepare me for my career in the Army.” to always reach for the highest grades possible.”

Cadet Knibbe is a native of Ridgefield, Connecticut. To receive an Cadet Knibbe was also a member of GMC’s football team. He appointment to the academy, a Cadet must receive a nomination plans to either pursue a law degree or a career in military intelfrom their United States Senator, Congressman, Vice President, or ligence. Cadet Knibbe will report to the United States Military President. Cadet Knibbe received nominations from United States Academy on July 3, 2017.

GMC State Service Cadets deployed for Hurricane Matthew

Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell, IV, 4th Battalion Commander President Caldwell speaking to GMC’s State Service Cadets who

Alex Garvin, Bobby and Martha Alvin

were on stand-by for Hurricane Matthew operations.

On the evening of October 6, the Georgia National Guard activated 10 State Service Cadets currently attending GMC. GMC has 53 State Service Cadets out of a total program of 262. These cadets are members of the 48th Brigade who were called upon to support Hurricane Matthew operations. The following cadets were deployed with their units to help with Hurricane Matthew: Khalil Morell, Tristian Swann, Amanda Terry, Kody Roberson, William Harris, Logan Rhodes, Ricardo Caupio, Justin Harris, Herston Hall, Alexis Marroquin.

Other cadets at GMC who were considered to be called upon to support this operation included 4th Battalion Commander Alex Garvin. Garvin’s grandparents, Martha and Bobby Alvin, evacuated from their home near Savannah with the help of their grandson. Garvin paid for his grandparents to stay in a hotel just 10-minutes away from GMC’s Milledgeville campus.

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C A M P U S

N E W S

GMC hosts Georgia Day Proclamation Ceremony at the State Capitol James Edward Oglethorpe founded the Colony of Georgia at Yamacraw Bluff, near present-day Savannah, on February 12, 1733. This event officially began the settlement of the last of the 13 original British colonies in North America. This territory would eventually become the State of Georgia.

To promote greater awareness of this historic

moment, on February 9, 2017, GMC hosted a formal Georgia Day Proclamation signing ceremony.

Governor Deal personally read the proclamation in its entirety on the north steps of the state capitol before recognizing GMC as an institution of outstanding preparatory school and higher educational learning. This is an annual event that GMC has participated in for more than 40 years.

Participants in this year’s ceremony included Governor Nathan Deal; Brigadier General Curt Rauhut, Executive Vice President of Georgia Military College; GMC’s Prep School eighth grade class and schools Marching Band; GMC’s Junior College Color Guard; and the Junior College Regimental Commander and Regimental Staff of the 138th Corps of Cadets. During the ceremony Governor Deal paused to Representative Rick Williams, Governor Deal, and recognize MAJ Karen Grimes, GMC GMC Regimental Commander Sierra Bowser

Governor Deal with Karen Grimes

Prep’s 8th Grade Georgia History teacher. Karen is retiring after 29 years of teaching at GMC and this was her last Georgia Day Ceremony at the Capitol.

This annual tradition began in 1976 at the request of Governor George D. Busbee, a 1943 graduate of the GMC preparatory school. GMC is honored and proud to be able to provide this service to the State of Georgia.

GMC Junior College Rings are Available for All Alumni at any GMC Campus CADET RING: (Milledgeville Campus Only)

If you completed at least one-year of study at GMC (any campus*), you are an esteemed member of the GMC Alumni Association, with all the rights and privileges associated with it, to include a class ring!

Female Ring: Celestrium - $ 400.00 10K (white or yellow gold) - $ 582.00 Male Ring: Celestrium - $ 565.00 10K (white or yellow gold) - $1,240.00

COLLEGE RING: (All Campuses) Female Ring: Celestrium - $ 287.00 10K (white or yellow gold) - $ 481.00 14K (white or yellow gold) - $ 663.00 Male Ring:

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College

Cadet Female

Personalized engraving | 1 free resize | Allow 8-10 weeks for delivery Lifetime warranty | Validation of your alumni status will be made with

Celestrium - $310.00 10K (white or yellow gold) - $ 595.00 14K (white or yellow gold) - $ 820.00

Cadet Male

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GMC prior to payment being accepted by Balfour.

To order, contact Amanda Greene at Balfour: 478-452-1325

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(L-R) COL Ralph Kauzlarich, GMC’s Milledgeville Campus Executive Director; COL Chris Becking, LTC John C. Crawson, LTC Monica Radtke, COL Eric Crider, and Brigadier General Jonathan J. McColumn, GMC Alumnus (JC’84) and Commanding General of the 103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command

U.S. Army War College speaks to GMC Cadets On February 16, students and faculty members from the U.S. Army War College’s Eisenhower Series College Program spoke to GMC’s Prep School and junior college cadets about current national security matters and military issues. The U.S. Army War College is based in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The Eisenhower Series College Program was established in 1969 as a U.S. Army War College academic outreach program. This is the second year the program has spoken to cadets at GMC. “It’s a great opportunity for our U.S. Army War College officers to discuss

national defense strategy topics and allow us to engage with other college and high school students, who will be our future leaders of tomorrow,” said Colonel Eric Crider, Faculty Instructor at the U.S. Army War College. “Our goal is to reach out and spark interest and create dialogue in national security policies and national security matters. National security is everybody’s business.”

Colonel Crider says he was impressed by the questions and conversation amongst the GMC Cadets on national security and the three topics presented and hopes to come back next year to do it again.

The topics and panel of speakers included: • Integrating women into combat: Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Monica Radtke, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Army Reserve and a previous Army Congressional Liaison • The National Guard’s integration to homeland security and homeland defense: LTC John C. Crawson, U.S. Army War College student • Infrastructure in the United States: Colonel Chris Becking, Engineer at the U.S. Army War College and was commissioned in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Brigadier General Jonathan J. McColumn (JC’84), Commanding General, 103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, was the distinguished speaker for the 2016 Veterans Day Parade at the Georgia War Veterans Home.

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In December, GMC prep students sang Christmas carols and shared their holiday spirit with three generations of the Pursley family.

Gus (JC’42) and Louise Pursley and family are joined by prep students, Lt.Gen. William B. Caldwell, IV, Mark Weaver and COL Pam Grant.

Colonel Mary Martin (JC’91) was the guest speaker at GMC’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Ceremony. She spoke to GMC’s Junior College Cadets and Prep School Cadets about the importance of service and leadership. COL Martin assumed command of the Defense Opportunity Management Institute on June 17, 2016. She received her Army commission from Georgia Military College on March 15,1991 as part of the Army’s Early Commissioning Program.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Criminal Justice from Georgia College; a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Old Dominion University, a Master’s in Military Operational Art and Science, and a Master’s in Strategic Studies both from Air University.

After completing her degree requirements from Georgia College, she then entered active duty as an Adjutant General Corps officer on January 1, 1993.

(top left) COL Mary Martin speaks to cadets. (bottom) Martin and COL Pam Grant shown with prep school students.

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GMC PREP STUDENT SHARES NATIONAL STEM PROGRAM EXPERIENCE Nathan Simpson attended the 2016 National Youth Leadership Forum: Pathways to STEM in Winston Salem, N.C. Last July, 11-year-old Nathan Simpson was one

engaged in a CSI workshop where they practiced

of many students from across the nation to take

analytical and critical thinking skills as they unlocked

part in the 2016 National Youth Leadership Forum

clues in an actual case. They also explored medicine

(NYLF): Pathways to STEM, an Envision program.

through dissection of a cow’s heart, and the fields

The six-day forum took place in Winston Salem,

of technology and engineering as they learned to

North Carolina. Students explored emerging

program a robot.

and evolving career fields through investigative

“There was a crime and someone stole some-

workshops, hands on simulations, and exciting

thing from a museum and we had to find out who

curriculum.

it was out of four suspects,” said Simpson. “In

“My fourth grade teacher invited me to go and I thought it would be a fun thing to do,” said Nathan

medicine we learned about the heart system and Nathan Simpson

Simpson, GMC Prep Student. “It was really fun.”

what type of medicine deals with heart attacks and strokes. We did engineering too and we built a

The forum is designed to give students the opportunity to build a solid STEM foundation. It also exposed them to critical skills needed to make informed academic and career decisions later in life. Students

house out of dry spaghetti noodles.”

Simpson is a 6th grade student at Georgia Military College’s Prep School. He wants to become a Marine Biologist.

Success for GMC During Georgia Gives Day 2016 GMC participated in Georgia Gives Day on Nov. 17, 2016 and placed #4 for most dollars raised statewide.

We also won the 9am - 10am Power Hour, which resulted in an extra $1,000. We finished the day with $157,799.00 in contributions and having 518 donors. Thank you to everyone who helped make this day a success!

Leia Bowman, Dean of Students for the Augusta

Laura Schwartz, Supervisor for Advising and Cathy

Campus, raised $200 by

Simpkins, Campus Registrar for Augusta campus

allowing herself to be taped to

raise money playing games.

the door.

11•16•17

Look for information soon on Georgia Gives Day - November 16, 2017

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GEORGIA MILITARY COLLEGE’S FAYETTEVILLE STUDENTS

FINISH SECOND AT NATIONAL ETHICS BOWL COMPETITION Congratulations to Geor-

Bowl team did just that.”

gia Military College’s (GMC)

The Two-Year College Ethics

Fayetteville Ethics Bowl team

Bowl follows the same criteria

which placed second overall

as the Intercollegiate Ethics

at the 2016 Two-Year College

Bowl. It is a team competition

National Ethics Bowl competi-

that combines the excitement

tion held at the University of

and fun of a competitive

Baltimore in November 2016.

tournament with an innovative

The team consisted of Taylor

approach to education in

Marks, Justin McNair, Jesse

practical and professional

Barnard, Alan Valdes, and Jacob

ethics for undergraduate

Rynne. The team’s coaches,

students. In advance of the

Dr. Marty Cummings and

GMC’s Fayetteville campus Ethics Bowl team: (L-R) Justin McNair,

Lauren Harris commented,

Alan Valdes, Taylor Marks, Jesse Barnard and Jacob Rynne.

“We strongly believe in ‘Shifting the Paradigm’ and constantly work to put students in the forefront by providing

competition, each team receives a set of cases that raise issues in practical and professional ethics. At the

“Our students performed magnificently at the national competition; competition, a moderator a remarkable achievement for GMC and TEAM Fayetteville.” poses questions suggested

various opportunities for student leadership roles for the

BG Scott F. “Rock” Donahue Executive Director, Fayetteville Campus

by the various cases. A panel of judges encourages

total school program. As educators and administrators, we feel

participants to justify their arguments and evaluates answers.

that students will rise to the level of expectation and exceed. We

Rating criteria include intelligibility, focus on ethically relevant

believe that if you hone in on students’ potential they will easily

considerations, avoidance of ethical irrelevance, and deliberative

exceed our standard expectation. The GMC-Fayetteville Ethics

thoughtfulness.

Will Robinson Scholarship Donations and Road Race

(L-R) Suzanne Martin Ratliff, GMC Alumni Board Secretary/Treasurer and Race Co-coordinator; Bill Massee, Baldwin County Sheriff; Shannon New-Diaz, GMC Alumni Board President; Capt. Michael Lumpkin, Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department and Race Co-coordinator and Jennifer Jones, GMC Alumni Affairs Officer.

Sheriff Bill Massee, Capt. Michael Lumpkin, and Mrs. Suzanne Ratliff, represented the Will Robinson Road Race, recently presenting the Georgia Military College Foundation with a donation to benefit two

The Will Robinson Road Race has been held since 1996 to honor a

GMC scholarships: the William E. “Will” Robinson IV Memorial

fallen hero, Deputy Will Robinson, a 1987 graduate of GMC Prep

Scholarship and the Alumni Scholarship.

School who was killed in the line of duty, Dec. 17, 1995. Funds raised

The William E. “Will” Robinson Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a prep school student (middle school or high school) who is enrolled at GMC and who is the child of a Baldwin County Deputy Sheriff.

The Alumni Scholarship funds scholarships for children or grandchildren of Georgia Military College alumni.

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through the race are shared between scholarships at GMC and community initiatives of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department.

C A M P U S

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GMC TO ADVANCE THE CAREERS OF GEORGIANS WITH NEW

BACHELOR OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAMS In an effort to help will help them pursue a graduates with Associmanagerial or ate of Applied Science supervisory role in (AAS) degrees further their specific field. their education and Pursuing a bachelor’s prepare for advancedegree with an ment in their careers, emphasis in business GMC now offers two management or four-year Bachelor supervision and of Applied Science management can help (BAS) degrees, one in those in the job market Business Management attain managerial and and one in Supervision supervisory skills. In and Management. addition, current These degrees were employees who earned initially available at an AAS or AAT GMC’s Augusta and degree oftentimes find Online campuses themselves in need of a only, but in December bachelor’s degree in STC President Larry Calhoun and GMC President LTG William B. Caldwell, IV and Southeastern 2016, the Southern Asorder to advance or Technical College President Larry Calhoun sign an articulation agreement between the two sociation of Colleges get a desired promoschools on January 26 on STC’s Vidalia Campus. Also in attendance were (L-R) Derek Stone, and Schools Comtion.

Traditionally, GMC Associate Academic Officer, Dr. Mike Holmes, GMC Vice President of Academic Affairs and mission on Colleges bachelor’s degrees Dean of Faculty, STC Vice President for Academic Affairs Teresa Coleman and (SACSCOC) fully make students more STC Vice President for Student Affairs Barry Dotson. approved the BAS marketable, and programs at GMC. frequently they open Thus, goals for the future are to expand the offering of these BAS degrees at doors to higher earning potential,” shared Dr. Holmes. additional GMC campuses throughout the state of Georgia.

Any student that has completed an AAS or AAT degree is eligible to be The Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degrees are designed to enhance enrolled in the BAS program. GMC’s BAS degrees have been created and the occupational and technical education provided by an Associate of Applied tailored to fit the needs of AAS/AAT graduates, so students will find that most Science (AAS) or Associate of Applied Technology (AAT) degree program. if not all of their courses will transfer. Full-time students enrolled in either of Where the AAS or AAT degree prepares students in technical disciplines, GMC’s BAS degree programs should be able to graduate in two years or less, GMC’s BAS degree programs are designed to prepare those students for depending on the number of credit hours taken per term. career advancement opportunities and supervisory and management roles in To facilitate entry into the BAS degree programs, GMC is working to their technical or occupational field. establish articulation agreements with all 22 technical colleges in the TechniThe inspiration for the development of these degree programs came from cal College System of Georgia. Currently, GMC has articulation agreements area technical college students themselves. In 2012, GMC’s research found that with 16 of Georgia’s technical colleges. These agreements formally recognize two-thirds of technical college students surveyed had an interest in pursuing a that the technical colleges and Georgia Military College are committed to the four-year degree program at GMC, if the college were to offer it. establishment of an educational partnership to better serve currently enrolled The Business Management BAS degree program is designed for students and future students at both institutions, as well as support economic and who have earned an AAS degree in a business-related program. The Superviworkforce development in the communities they serve. The institutions agree sion and Management BAS degree program is designed for students who to provide as smooth and complete a transition as possible for students who have earned an AAS degree in a technical/occupational non-business related elect to transfer to GMC to pursue a BAS degree following completion of program. an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or Associate of Applied Technology “GMC decided to offer BAS degrees primarily to provide an educational (AAT) degree. opportunity to those with Associate of Applied Science degrees to pursue a “Our BAS degree programs prepare students for career advancement bachelor’s degree with minimal, or no, loss of transfer credit. This is important opportunities and management and supervisory roles in their technical or as students with AAS degrees who decide to pursue traditional Bachelor of occupational field. This is another step in providing greater opportunities and a Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees often lose much of their transfer credit brighter future for the citizens of Georgia,” noted LTG William Caldwell, IV, and thus have many credits left to complete at their 4-year institution. This President of GMC. is therefore prohibitive for many students. The goal of GMC’s BAS degree programs was to eliminate this obstacle for students,” said Dr. Mike Holmes, For more information on the BAS degree programs offered by GMC, Chief Academic Officer and Dean of Faculty. please visit : www.gmc.edu/BAS. Regardless of students’ technical areas of expertise, these degree programs

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SCHOLARSHIP

DONATE NOW TO GMC ’73 SCHOLARSHIP The GMC ‘73 Scholarship, established in February 2014, is a memorial to all GMC classmates from the 70s era (1970-1979) who have passed away. This Scholarship Fund gives us the opportunity to remember our former classmates and help pass on their spirit to deserving Prep School students in the form of a GMC education. The Scholarship, awarded annually to a Prep School freshman, is a minimum of $500.00. The recipient retains the Scholarship for four years, through graduation, as long as the selection criteria continue to be met - financial need, academic good standing, and a minimum GPA of 2.73. Thus annually a GMC ‘73 Scholarship is awarded to a Prep School freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior. Currently all donations are tripled, with both LtGen Caldwell, President of GMC, and the GMC Foundation matching donations up to $12,500. One hundred percent of all donations go to the Scholarship. Please consider a donation to this very worthwhile cause. For more information and to make a donation, visit the GMC Foundation website at alumni.gmc.edu or call the GMC Office of College Relations at (478) 387-0230.

GMC Cadets Selected for the Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency (CULP) Program Three students from

lot of sightseeing outside of the

Georgia Military College’s

United States,” said Cadet

(GMC) 138th Corps of Cadets

Valentine.

have been selected to travel

USACC performs this task by

the world through an Army

deploying teams of Cadets to

ROTC deployment program

perform missions all over the world

known as CULP to explore

during the summer training period

different languages and

(13 May-30 August). These missions

cultures. Cadets Jesse Hall, Patrick Lee, and Haley

Cadets Jess Hall, Patrick Lee and Haley Valentine

Valentine have been selected as the world other than the United States and

Cadet Command (USACC) to conduct

develop my cultural understanding and

overseas cultural deployments in support of

language abilities with foreign nations,” said

worldwide Army Security Cooperation plans

Cadet Hall.

Cadet Patrick Lee is a native of Fishers, Ind.

English Language Training Teams, and Humanitarian Assistance.

Each deployment has a mission that supports the Combatant Commander’s strategic security cooperation objectives for

Strategy. Selection into CULP is very

and his mission will be in Indonesia. “I’m

that country. Deployments are usually 31-33

competitive and those eligible for

excited to develop cultural awareness and get

days long consisting of 4-5 days Pre-

deployment, must be contracted, medically

an idea of what missions overseas is like,”

Deployment Soldier Readiness Processing

qualified, and in good standing.

said Cadet Lee.

and Training at Fort Knox, Ky., 23-25 days in

Cadet Jesse Hall is a native of

objectives worldwide and include Military to Military training, Cadet

part of the United States Army

and the Army Culture and Foreign Language

support Army Security Cooperation

Cadet Haley Valentine is a native of Platte

the foreign country to complete the mission,

Maugansville, Md. and his mission will be in

City, Mo. and her mission will be in Latvia.

and 3-5 days of Post-Deployment Soldier

Madagascar. “I’m very excited to experience

“I’m very excited and I’m looking forward to a

Readiness Processing at Fort Knox, Ky.

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Georgia Military College hosts 9/11 Remembrance Events Georgia Military College (GMC) hosted a 2-day event to remember those who lost their lives during the September 11th attacks and the Global War on Terrorism. The events took place on Friday, September 9 and Saturday, September 10 at GMC’s Milledgeville Campus.

Friday’s Patriot Day Ceremony took place on Grant Parade as the community observed GMC’s Prep School Formation. LTC Scott Seagraves gave the welcome and LTG William B. Cladwell, IV, President of GMC, addressed formation. GMC Prep students wrote Patriot Day Essays on the topic “ ‘DUTY. HONOR. COUNTRY.’ What these words mean to me.” The top essays were read and awards were presented to the GMC Prep Middle and High School winners.

Patriot Day Essay winners were Cadet Ty Mock and Cadet Anna Caldwell for High School, and Isaaiah Wilson for Middle School.

Milledgeville Mayor Gary Thrower was a guest speaker. NewDay USA Foundation made a scholarship presentation to six GMC Prep students to cover their tuition costs for the remainder of their prep school education. NewDay USA selected the six cadets based on outstanding per-

Caroline Wood (class of 2019), Hope Martin (class of 2020),

formance, potential, and the distinguished military service of a parent.

Alex and Alexis French’s father was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2009, while Caroline Wood lost her father in the same war when she was just 3-yearsold. The Newells’ General Caldwell and prep students write step-father survived names on the bricks of 9/11 victims. deployments in both Iraq and Afghanistan, but is severely medically affected. Hope Martin’s father, an alumnus of GMC, suffered debilitating exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

With the playing of bagpipes, some Prep school students assisted LTG Caldwell in laying a wreath in memory of the nearly 8,000 men and women who died on 9/11 and in the years following. GMC Prep students also created a memorial by writing the names of the 9/11 victims and those who have perished in the Global War on Terrorism with chalk on the North bricks. Members of the 48th Infantry Brigade honored those who lost their lives with a 21-Gun Salute at the approximate time when the first plane struck the World Trade Center. Cadet Maxwell Hopkins and former GMC Band Director, Charlie Harbor, played echoing taps to mark the time when the first aircraft hit the North Tower.

Friday evening, GMC Prep School Varsity Football Team played Schley County High School at Davenport Field. During halftime, First Responders and GWOT Veterans were recognized.

On Saturday, September 10, GMC’s Junior College Football Team played Palmetto at Davenport Field. The game’s theme was Military

Alex French (class of 2022), Alexis French (class of 2022)

Appreciation with special recognition during halftime.

Mr. Gary Morrison and COL John Fenzel from NewDay USA present scholarships

NewDay USA Scholarship Recipients: Macie Newell (class of 2019), Meaghan Newell (class of 2019),

The Georgia Power Foundation Scholarship On February 16, Georgia Power’s Milledgeville Area Manager, Greg Tyson, presented a check on behalf of the Georgia Power Foundation to provide more scholarships for non-traditional students at Georgia Military College. The Georgia Power Foundation has been awarding scholarships to students at GMC for more than 15-years. Georgia Power and the Georgia Power Foundation have awarded scholarships totaling more than $30,000 to more than 70 non-traditional students at all of GMC’s campuses. The Georgia Power Foundation scholarship is open to any non-traditional GMC student with a 2.0 GPA or above.

General Caldwell, Mr. Greg Tyson, and Mr. Mark Strom

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’73

Gerald (Gerry) Cowart (HS’73), FAIA of Savannah has been elevated to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) prestigious College of Fellows. The Fellowship program was developed to elevate those architects who have made a significant contribution to architecture and society and who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession. Election to Fellowship not only recognizes the achievements of architects as individuals, but also their significant contribution to architecture and society on a national level. Out of a total AIA membership of over 90,000, approximately three percent are distinguished with the honor of Fellowship.

Gerry Cowart is Principal of Cowart Group, Architects in Savannah, GA.

Team to COL Matthew Smith during a ceremony on December 9, 2016. He led the brigade for nearly two years. Brig.

Gen. Joe Jarrard, Georgia’s Adjutant General, reflected on the milestones of Neal’s command time.“ Colonel Neal executed a warfighter exercise a year earlier than expected, added a third maneuver battalion and met Department of the Army metrics, brought on Task Force 1-28 from Fort Benning, excelled at the command logistics inspection from National Guard Bureau and brought the 48th Brigade to the level it needed to be to be successful,” said Jarrard. COL Reginald Neal is currently serving at the Pentagon as the Executive Officer for Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel, Chief of the National Guard Bureau.

The Bureau ensures 453,000 Army and Air National Guard Soldiers and Airman are accessible, capable, and ready to protect the homeland and to provide combat forces to the Army and the Air Force.

’89

COL Reginald Neal (JC’89) relinquished command of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 48th Infantry Brigade Combat

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Professional, Mission Command Training Program, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Executive Staff Director (Brigade Executive Officer), 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Fort Riley; and Organizational Staff Director (Battalion Executive Officer), 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, Fort Riley. Baker holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and enrolled Master of Arts in Leadership and Public Administration.

He married the former Clarinda Bree Johnson “CJ” on November 13, 1993. They have four children.

Robert Scott McKee, (JC’91) was sworn in as Judge of the 392nd District Court of Texas on January 1st, 2017. McKee was elected to the position in November 2016. McKee served eight years as the Henderson County, Texas District Attorney prior to his election as District Judge. He is pictured with his wife, Ashley, and sons, Ryan and Ranger.

’77

Cliff Scott, (HS’77, JC’83), Gospel recording artist is producing a new album entitled, “Cliff Scott Presents....Christian Voices.” It’s a compilation of eleven new songs Mr. Scott has written from southern, contemporary, and soulful gospel genres.

Along with Mr. Scott will be top lead vocalists from around the country and a few in the local area. Songs off his albums, “The Gospel Train” and “Thank You Jesus” are currently being heard internationally. Be on the lookout for this new release in early Spring available on iTunes, Amazon.com, Concerts, and CliffScottMinistries.com.

Baker and family

Smith and Neal

’91

LTC (P) Lawrence “LJ” Baker (JC ‘91) held his formal retirement ceremony from the U.S. Army on September 9, 2016 at Georgia Military College, where his Army career began in 1991. LJ’s Army career included serving as the Lead Management and Program Analyst and Chief Administrator of the United States Army Garrison, Fort Riley, Kansas; Deputy Chief of Staff for the 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley; Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCO) for the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, Fort Riley; Chief Executive Officer (Battalion Commander) of the 2nd Battalion, 54th Infantry Regiment, Fort Benning, Georgia; Senior Executive Training

’01

Randell C. Robinson (JC’01) is the new deputy chief at Clark Atlanta University. He received an associates of science degree in Criminal Justice from GMC.

Army Sgts. Maj. Kenya L. Berry (JC’93) and Tara J. Haywood

Berry.

Because of their parents’ friendship and constant communication over the years, Berry and Haywood were able to keep in touch while separated, but finally reconnected in person at Fort Drum, New York, when Berry spotted Haywood at the Syracuse Mall. Berry said that once they saw each other, from that point on, they never separated.

Although she was already in the U.S. Army Reserves, Berry wanted a stronger and more sustainable career and wanted to keep her family together. Her husband had been in the Army for six years, and she would always have to quit her job every two to three years to follow him as he advanced in the Army.

She wanted more for her future and career when she decided to enlist as active-duty Army in 1997.

“The only way that I could potentially not have it all, but have it all, was to become active duty,” said Berry.

Berry said that Haywood played a part in her decision to join the Army, after she saw Haywood’s progress and success.

“I was able to talk to her and get her point of view,” said Berry. “I listened to her

N O T E S

positives and saw that she was doing just fine and she liked it.”

For more than 40 years, Berry and Haywood have been close friends and have overcome hardships, all while staying motivated and succeeding within the ranks of the Army.

Both Berry and Haywood have many accolades and said they have been blessed throughout their careers. Together, they contribute their success to their upbringing in Milledgeville.

“The values that have been instilled in us are to be hard workers and to have a never quit attitude,” said Haywood.

Before Berry departs the states and goes on to her follow-on assignment in Korea, she left advice for those hoping to walk in her footsteps one day.

“Anytime you want success, be around success,” said Berry. “Do not run from the hard jobs because sometimes the hard jobs are the ones that make you successful.”

Army Sgt. Maj. Kenya L. Berry (JC’93) receives shoulder boards for her new rank of sergeant major from her husband, Army Command Sgt. Maj. Michael L. Berry, right and her mother, Alma J. Snead, during the Sergeants Major Course pinning ceremony at the United States Army Sergeants Major

Army photo by Command Sgt. Maj. Montigo D. White

FORT BLISS, TEXAS - It all started in a set of duplexes in the West End Projects of Milledgeville, Georgia. At the ages of 2 and 5, two girls became friends as toddlers. Their mothers were good friends and lived next door to each other, so the girls played together often, which allowed the pair to literally grow-up together.

Throughout adolescence, the two managed to go to the same schools and stay close, even when one girl moved to another part of town.

Two of their favorite hangouts on the weekends were the McDonald’s parking lot and the skating rink.

“Kenya actually worked at McDonald’s,” said Army Sgt. Maj. Tara A. Haywood, a recent honor graduate of Class 66 at the United States Army Sergeant Majors Academy.

“We used to hang out in the parking lot after different sporting events. Another popular hangout was the skating rink on the weekends. Back then, they had step shows so that was the highlight.”

Growing up in the projects, the pair did not want to become a victim of their environment.

They wanted more out of life and saw their potential could take them further than the streets of Milledgeville could. Army Sgt. Maj. Kenya L. Berry, also a recent honor graduate of Class 66, said that because there were not a lot of opportunities, living there could make you stagnate in your career choices.

“You could pretty much be a nurse, a teacher, or work in a factory,” said Berry.

Being strong-willed and determined is a spirit that both Berry and Haywood were raised with. Berry attributes her strength to how she was raised and the strong line of highly educated females in her family.

“For me, I think my background played a role in how my future would look because the females were the strong point in my life,” said

Army photo by Command Sgt. Maj. Montigo D. White

C L A S S

Academy graduation at Fort Bliss, Texas, June 17, 2016.

| CLASS REUNIONS FOR 2017 SUMMER: HS Football Reunion (1970’s) Date: TBD Reunion Agent: COL Tom Torrance 703-483-5054 (c) Email: tgtorrance@gmail.com

If you would like to help with planning your anniversary reunion, please contact Janeen Garpow (478-387-4786) Jennifer Jones (478-387-4806) or alumni.gmc.edu.

ALUMNI WEEKEND REUNIONS: (SEPT. 29-30) Band Company Class Agent: Terry Johnson gmclostcadets@gmail.com 706-466-4757

HS 1967 – 50th Reunion Reunion Agent: TBD

HS 1992 – 25th Reunion Reunion Agent: Stacey Flurry seflury@yahoo.com

HS 1997 – 20th Reunion

Reunion Agent: Jodi Outler Sappe 703-483-5054 (c)

Alumni weekend 2017

HS & JC 1967 – 50th Reunion “The Gold Brigade” HS & JC 1972 – 45th Reunion HS & JC 1977 – 40th Reunion HS & JC 1982 – 35th Reunion HS & JC 1987 – 30th Reunion HS & JC 1992 – 25th Reunion “The Silver Brigade” HS & JC 1997 – 20th Reunion HS & JC 2002 – 15th Reunion HS & JC 2007 – 10th Reunion

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’04

N O T E S

John C. “Cliff” McGhee III (HS’04, JC’07) received a BSN from Armstrong Atlantic State University, 2011, and then worked for Navicent Health, Macon, Ga., for five years as a Level 1 Trauma ICU nurse. In 2017 he earned a MSN as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Walden University. McGhee works with Central Georgia Pulmonology Assoc. as a FNP in Pulmonology Critical Care.

’11

At GMC Prep, Jenna was a Silver Medalist in 2012; Georgia All-State selection for the 2013-14 season; took first place at the 2013 CMP Junior Air Rifle Camps and third place at the Buccaneer Open in three-positions air rifle.

She also earned a Gold Junior Distinguished Badge during her prep career. Jenna plans to be a pre-med student.

Anthony Finch (JC’11, Regimental Commander) has been promoted to Captain in the U.S. Army.

’16 LTC Christopher M. Brown (right), “Performance 6”, battalion commander for 526 BSB/2 BCT, 101st Airborne Division, pins the rank on Finch (left).

Ibrahim Tantawi (JC’04) and his wife, Lori, welcomed their child, Tyrell Ibrahim Tantawi, into the world on December 1, 2016.

’08

April Lawson (HS‘08) received a Doctorate of Pharmacy from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine – Georgia Campus on May 27, 2016.

April is a former GMC prep cheerleader and was Homecoming Queen in 2007.

’09

Cassidy Clayton (HS’09) graduated from the Secret Service Academy in January 2017 and is working in New York City, N.Y. She is the daughter of Larry and Patricia Baugh (HS’73) Thompson.

CPT Emmanuel Sosa (JC’11) and his wife, Marie, announce the birth of their first child.

Madeline Christina Sosa was born on February 26, 2017, weighing 8 pounds and 2 ounces. CPT Sosa is a graduate of the Early Commissioning Program and has served overseas in Afghanistan, where he earned the purple heart.

Marie Sosa also serves in the U.S. Army.

’14

Jenna Bethea (HS’14) continues to excel as a member of the University of Kentucky Rifle Team. Last year as a sophomore, she averaged a 563.67 in smallbore, and 586.56 in air rifle … season high in air rifle (591) came on Oct. 24, 2015 in Lexington in a tri-match with Ole Miss and North Georgia, while season high in smallbore (572) came against N.C. State on Jan. 17. She was named a Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association Scholastic All-American.

Calli McMullen (HS’16) made a very impressive debut on the Army West Point Women’s Track and Field team during the Crowell Open on December 3, 2016. The Black Knights captured four of the top five spots in the 60-meter dash. First-year Calli McMullen led the way with a time of 7.77 seconds, breaking into Army’s top ten records list with this time. She continued her success in the 200-meter dash, capturing first with a time of 25.29 seconds. And again, as a member of the 4x400 meter relay team, placing first with a clocking of 4:01.54. McMullen’s time of 25.29 seconds in the 500-meter dash placed her in a tie for 8th all-time record at Army.

McMullen is front center.

The Cadence would like to keep your classmates up to date with your latest news.

We want to hear if you have recently married, had a baby, received a promotion, retired, or accomplished some other noteworthy milestone.

Please submit your news by email to: alumni@gmc.edu.

You may also mail to: The Cadence, Alumni Affairs, 201 East Greene Street, Milledgeville, GA 31061 Please provide your class year(s), degree(s), address, phone number, and email.

If you include a photograph, please be sure to identify all people pictured. We look forward to hearing from you!

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The Cadence

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SPRING 2017

T A P S

“Let no one weep for me, or celebrate my funeral with mourning; for I still live, as I pass to and fro through the mouths of men.”

-- Quintus Ennius

Lewis S. Anderson HS 1936, JC 1939 October 21, 2016

Charles Virgil Frazier JC 1958 December 8, 2016

Donald Lee Brandt JC 1990 January 4, 2017

Henry S. Burch JC 1940 September 1, 2016

Myles R. Golden HS 1959, JC 1960 February 8, 2017

April Gilreath Rocker JC 1998 December 15, 2016

The Honorable W. J. Usery, Jr. HS 1940 December 10, 2016

The Honorable Bobby E. Parham HS 1959, JC 1960 February 6, 2017

Hugh Wallace Cheek Former GMC Faculty December 6, 2016

Raymond T. Hall JC 1943 January 24, 2017

Henry D. “Dean” Robbins HS 1959, JC 1961 December 7, 2016

Robert Murray Cobb JC 1948 April 29, 2016

Charles Dennis Purvis, Sr. JC 1962 January 26, 2017

Albert F. Gandy Former GMC Board of Trustee member Honorary Alumni recipient ’76 November 30, 2016

Harkness A. “Buddy” Duncan HS 1954, JC 1956 October 31, 2016

COL Wallace “Jack” Dees JC 1974 October 17, 2016

Billy Eugene “Gene” Hammett HS 1956 February 21, 2017

John E. Stansbery, Jr. JC 1981 July 25, 2016

Patricia Ann Carpenter Weaver Former GMC Librarian December 13, 2016 Caroline Poland Phillips Former GMC Faculty February 24, 2017

A look back ... 75 years

Social graces 1942 Commencement at GMC was filled with social and military activity. The season opened with weekend events — a band concert and music class recital.

On Friday evening a banquet was held followed by the Battalion Ball on Saturday evening.

The commencement sermon Sunday morning was followed by a review of the battalion and then a band concert on Sunday afternoon.

SPRING 2017

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The Cadence

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NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID MACON, GEORGIA PERMIT NO. 280

GEORGIA MILITARY COLLEGE OFFICE OF COLLEGE RELATIONS 201 EAST GREENE STREET MILLEDGEVILLE, GA 31061

SAVE THE DATE

TEMBER P E S | S E IT T IV WEEKEND AC AME P FOOTBALL G E R P G IN M O C HOME MENT GOLF TOURNA NS CLASS REUNIO S CAMPUS TOUR RILL KNOCK OUT D ME BBQ WELCOME HO ERN BULLRING TAV DE ALUMNI PARA DEDICATION MSD BUILDING GAME JC FOOTBALL T SHOW CONCER D A O R E L IL V H NAS

ee e

& MAKE PLANS NOW! 2 9 -3 0

DON’T MISS IT!

Look for more information being mailed in the summer, or go online: alumni.gmc.edu to find out about Alumni Weekend 2017!