K. Johnson Bowles, MFA Vice President, Advancement and Communications
Stephanie Owens, M. ACC Vice President, Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer
Walter May, Ph.D. Dean of Students
Jennifer Prine, B.S. RU ’01, M.A. ’13
Associate Vice President, Enrollment Management and Marketing
Jeffrey Pourchier, M.B.A.
Executive Director of Athletics
Contributing Writers
Suzy Alstrin
Director of Media and Public Relations
K. Johnson Bowles
Vice President, Advancement and Communications
Copy Editors
Allison Dorman
Director of Stewardship
Madeline Nagy
Assistant Director of Prospect Research and Records Management
Contributing Photographers
Suzy Alstrin
Director of Media and Public Relations
Paige Bronner
Marketing Content Creator
Raynah Roberts (RU-2019)
Director of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving
Santiago Romeo Visual Resources & Production Manager
Get Connected
Keep up with all that’s happening with the Reinhardt online newsletter, the Reinhardt Eagle. Visit Reinhardt.edu/news to read the latest articles and register for a weekly e-mail.
7300 Reinhardt Circle Waleska, Georgia 30183 (770) 720-5545
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In This Report
2
Creating a Place of Beauty and Belonging
A Culture of Commitment, Service, and Recognition
President’s Address About Reinhardt
6
3
Academic Affairs Meets the Needs of Students with Challenge and Care
12
Athletics Shine as a Beacon of Pride
18 28
24
Advancing the Mission, Vision, and Values
Alumni Do the Real Work for the Good Life
President’s Address
Dear Reinhardt University Community,
With a new, hopeful year ahead of us, we are taking a moment to reflect on what I like to call the “Real Work” of the University throughout FY2024.
To begin, it is important to highlight that Reinhardt saw once again an uptick in total enrollment and students living on campus. To serve Reinhardt students more effectively, the faculty, deans, and provost reorganized the academic schools, launched a new Scholars Program for high-achieving academic students, and installed a Dean of Student Success to support students at their points of need.
Life on campus proved to be full of social engagement and winning athletics. Students participated in service activities, including the annual planting of daffodils in honor of the children who perished in the Holocaust. In athletics, Women’s Lacrosse took home the NAIA National Championship for the first time in the program’s history. Coaches and students alike earned awards and honors, concluding the season with the Athletics Department winning the Duard Walker All Sports award from the NAIA.
Fundraising efforts improved with the University receiving several endowment gifts to support student scholarships. Moreover, we saw an annual giving increase while at the same time our Alumni Board of Governors began sponsoring and engaging more Reinhardt graduates at special events throughout the region.
All of these achievements, improvements, and successes do not occur by happenstance. The University’s positive direction is due to the valuable faculty and staff who devote themselves to Reinhardt students as well as to their scholarly and community passions.
This annual report serves as a reminder that we, as a learning community, have many things to celebrate and many people to honor. Indeed, it is because of the members of the Reinhardt community that our University remains a positive and constructive place where “diverse talents grow together.”
Mark A. Roberts, PhD President, Reinhardt University
About Reinhardt
Reinhardt University, founded in 1883, is a private, comprehensive institution grounded in the liberal arts and affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Reinhardt began as Reinhardt Academy which provided instruction for all ages and grade levels, offering high school degrees; in 1953, it transitioned into an institution of higher education, named Reinhardt College, offering associate degrees to its students. In 1994, the College was accredited by the SACSCOC to offer its first bachelor’s degree program in business administration. In 2010, Reinhardt College became Reinhardt University as it launched its first master’s degree program.
Through its holistic approach to positively develop each student’s mind, body, and soul, Reinhardt University nurtures future leaders by providing a holistic educational experience. Engaging students in meaningful classroom experiences, enriching co-curricular opportunities, challenging research projects, community service initiatives, exciting internships, and transformational studies abroad, Reinhardt helps students grow into well-rounded, productive citizens.
Mission To Educate the Whole Person with Challenge and Care
Vision To Be a University Where Diverse Talents Grow Together
Values Learning. Serving. Leading.
Educational Ethos Do the Real Work for the Good Life (Verum Opus ad Vitum Bonam)
Student Ethnicity
Undergraduates
Graduates
Yellow Ribbon School designated by the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs.
Academic Affairs Meets the Needs of Students with Challenge and Care
Reinhardt’s Academic Affairs Division made numerous moves to improve student success during FY2024 including a refined organizational structure for schools, a groundbreaking scholars’ program led by Dr. Amy Cottrill, and an Office of Student Success led by Dr. Melissa Hickman. These initiatives strengthened Reinhardt’s stellar offerings like the nursing program and inspirational traditions such as the Evening of Honors. The articles below give evidence of a few important achievements.
During FY2024, Reinhardt offered disciplines both in person and online. This included 43 undergraduate majors, 45 minors, 2 certificates, and 5 graduate academic programs- both in-person and online, plus adult continuing education programs.
Academic Affairs Reorganizes Schools
In a beneficial move for both the University and its students, the Academic Affairs Division reorganized and consolidated its academic departments from seven to four: the Dr. John A. Cauble School of Nursing and Health Sciences, the School of the Arts, the Henry F. Jr. & Margaret P. McCamish School of Business and Professions, and the College of Humanities, Sciences, and Technology, which includes the Shade and Gladys Price School of Education.
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs John Miles pointed out the structure improved class scheduling management as well as collaboration among deans and interdepartmentally. He added, “Interdisciplinary collaborations will provide an advantage to students when they enter the world in the 21st Century.” An example is a new minor called Project HERE: Humanities and Environmental Studies,
which infuses humanities into the sciences and focuses on the history, ecology, and environmental challenges of North Georgia. It held its first class in January 2024.
New Scholars Program and Director
Reinhardt University launched a Scholars Program to offer scholarship recipients a cohort experience of engagement and reflection. Dr. Amy Cottrill joined the faculty in 2023 as the Director of the Scholars Program and a professor in the Religion Program.
The primary concept of the new program is to bring together students who receive a scholarship award based on their academic work, interest in leadership, history of engagement in their high schools, or who have demonstrated another talent or have life experience that enriches the Reinhardt community. These students gather together at various points
“Interdisciplinary collaborations will provide an advantage to students when they enter the world in the 21st Century.”
Nursing cohort 10 delivered a 100% pass rate on their nursing licensing exam.
during the year to reflect on the work they are doing, ask each other questions, offer support, and make decisions about how they want to invest their time and energy in the future to make the most of their opportunities at Reinhardt.
There are 36 students this year who received the Diverse Talents, Presidential, Mary Jane Reinhardt Sharpe, Goizueta Foundation Scholars, and Lettie Pate Whitehead scholarships. Dr. Cottrill explains, “As they move through their four years, the questions about the future become different, so we also want to offer support for thinking about life after Reinhardt. That involves learning to tell the story of your education and connecting the dots, in a meaningful narrative that helps you understand the significance of your education and what you have to offer various communities in the future. It is about making meaning out of experience.”
The underpinning of the Scholars Program has a message for all students, “You belong here. We want you to succeed. This is a community,” expressed Dr. Cottrill. She encourages all students to take time to visit their professors, as it helps them teach better, and students learn better.
Dean Helps Students Succeed
A regular stream of students is a common sight at the end of the second-floor hallway in George H. Lawson Academic Center—not to attend class, but to visit Dr. Melissa Hickman, Dean of Student Success, and a professor of accounting. The dean position was created to provide students with the resources they need to graduate and be successful, including coordinating the First Year Seminar. Any student can get guidance from Dr. Hickman, and she reaches out to those who are identified by professors or coaches as struggling. She talks students through their issues and helps connect them with tutoring, counseling, financial aid, and professors, and provides guidance on whatever else they might need. She develops success strategies and works closely with each student throughout the assistance process.
Evening of Honors Tradition Continues
The University held its annual awards ceremony, An Evening of Honors, on April 9, 2024, where Reinhardt recognized faculty and student achievements. The Falany Performing Arts Center’s Flint Hall’s beautiful and stately environment proved perfect for the gathering of proud family and friends, regaled faculty and administrators, and elated students. Joyful applause echoed throughout the auditorium during the evening as students and faculty received well-earned recognition and administrators and guests spoke words of praise and inspiration.
Juniors and seniors with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.9 or higher received the Academic Scholars Awards and students with a cumulative GPA of 3.6 to 3.89 received the Hugh Peterson Jr. Academic Scholars Award. One hundred and fifty-nine students earned these awards.
Each school dean named honorees of the School Student Achievement Awards. Highlights include Sam Grayson James (RU-2025) receiving the No Greater Love Award for showing selfless giving to others. Jacqueline (Alexis) McCone (RU-2024) received the Engaged Learner Award for her campus leadership inside and outside the classroom. The student body selected Tami Smith, director of the Price School of Education, for the Elizabeth Moss Bailey Faculty Mentor Award. The prestigious traditional and nontraditional Students of the Year awards were bestowed upon seniors Salvador Castillo (RU-Dec 2023) and Luciano Fisicaro (RU-2024) respectively. The honor recognizes their leadership, honesty, community service, and service to the University.
Top-left: Amy Cottrill, Director of the Scholars Program, delivers a scholarship offer to a student.
Top-right: George Edomwande (RU-2024) works in the nursing lab. He received the Extraordinary Nursing Student Award in 2024.
Middle-left: Traditional Student of the Year Salvador Castillo (RU-Dec 2023) with President Mark A. Roberts.
Middle-right: From left: Cami Smith (RU-2025), Abigail Selkey (RU-2025), and Carly Simpson (RU-2026) practice their skills on a new pediatric simulator.
Bottom-left: Nico Brett (RU-2027) played the organ during the Evening of Honors.
Bottom-right: Dean of Student Success, Dr. Melissa Hickman.
The Dr. John A. Cauble School of Nursing and Health Sciences is One of the Top Programs in Georgia
Every Reinhardt University nursing student in the Class of 2024 officially became a licensed registered nurse (RN) after passing the required National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) exam. Both Cohort 9 and Cohort 10, who completed their degrees during FY2024 achieved a 100% pass rate. Impressively, five cohorts have achieved a perfect pass rate since the program’s inaugural graduation in 2020.
This remarkable feat keeps the Dr. John A. Cauble School of Nursing and Health Sciences among the top standings in Georgia. In 2023, the University ranked eighth in the state with a four-year average NCLEX first-time pass rate of 92.17%. These recent cohorts raise that rate to 93.9% for the life of the program. Soaring over the four-year national pass rate average of 83.66%, the success of Reinhardt’s nursing program continues to flourish.
With their successful passing of the nursing exam, the newly licensed alumni completed a milestone toward making a meaningful impact in the world of healthcare.
Above: Students at Commencement May 3, 2024.
Creating a Place of Beauty and Belonging
From casual comments to alumni results, the feelings about the Reinhardt campus community ring true: the Reinhardt community values the beautiful and safe environment afforded by the hardworking Public Safety Office and Facilities Department as well as the extraordinary leaders in the Office of Student and Campus Life.
Throughout the year, flower beds bloom magnificently, perfectly pruned trees and shrubs delight the eye, and native grasses wave gracefully. In FY2024, various renovation and maintenance projects occurred such as the Blanche and Harold T. Hagan Chapel’s new roof and flooring and Smith L. Johnston, Sr. Hall residence room upgrades. In November and December, holiday lights adorned the campus making everything merry and bright for Christmas. Again, this year, students participated in the Daffodil Project, which refreshes the magnificent collection around the W. M. and Lucy Bratton Bell Tower. The facilities department makes Reinhardt more than just a college campus; they create a home away from home and a haven for growth.
The Office of Student and Campus Life amplifies the University’s commitment to inspire students to be and do their best by offering programs that develop their minds, bodies, and souls. Throughout the year students volunteered to acclaim by supporting and engaging with the community such as with Read Across America week, Waleska United Methodist Church’s annual Halloween Trunk or Treat, Cherokee County Disability Awareness Games, MLK community service day, and Junior Achievement.
Student groups also taught each other about cultures around the world during the International Culture Festival and World Music Day. They fostered empathy and understanding through Veteran’s Day celebrations, as well as delivered programs about disability, cancer, and food insecurity. Both new (E-Sports) and established (Reinhardt Outdoors) student groups flourished thanks to the strong sense of community at Reinhardt.
The facilities department makes Reinhardt more than just a college campus; they create a home away from home and a haven for growth.
Left: Students gathered on April 8, 2024 to witness a total solar eclipse.
Smith L. Johnston, Sr. Hall Renovations
For every Reinhardt student who lives on campus, their residence hall helps establish a sense of belonging. The University strives to keep the rooms comfortable to foster relaxation, boost productivity, and enhance overall well-being. In 2024, 20 rooms in Smith L. Johnston, Sr. Hall were renovated. Modern flooring and LED lighting, along with new vanities, fixtures, and furniture now provide a welcoming atmosphere. Drywall and fresh paint cover the old cinderblock. More electrical outlets improve students’ ability to connect and use new technology. New windows and paint brighten the laundry room and each stairwell. The building also boasts upgraded Wi-Fi access, along with refinished handrails, new stair treads, laundry flooring, and a custom-made laundry table.
Jeff Dale, Reinhardt’s Director of Facilities, oversaw the project and boasts, “The Smith Johnston project is a great example of integrating the history of Reinhardt with the innovations of today. We are able to preserve a legacy while providing the aesthetics and functionality a student needs in the 21st century. The Facilities Department strives to provide each student with a place to grow in all aspects of life and experience college life to the fullest.”
Above: One of the newly remodeled rooms in Smith L. Johnston, Sr. Hall.
U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award
A bronze U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award recognized Reinhardt’s valued support and partnership with Junior Achievement (JA). The honor, bestowed in June 2024, recognizes 1500 hours of volunteer service performed in the 2022-2023 school year.
Dr. Walter May, dean of students, accepted the award on the University’s behalf in Washington, D.C. Established in 2003 by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, the honor recognizes the integral contributions of volunteers in their communities and encourages more people to serve.
Approximately 300 Reinhardt students volunteered at JA Discovery Centers in Dalton, Lawrenceville, and Cumming, Georgia as part of the First Year Seminar (FYS). They mentored middle and high school youth in a simulated interactive environment to learn about business and finances.
Top-left: U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award.
Bottom-left: Fall 2023 welcomed 462 new students to Reinhardt.
Right: Student-athletes enjoyed volunteering at the Cherokee County Disability Games.
Trunk or Treat Draws the Community Together
The Waleska community turned out in the hundreds in late October 2023 to enjoy trunk-or-treat festivities at the Waleska United Methodist Church. Reinhardt students, staff, and faculty decorated their vehicles and themselves with fun themes and costumes.
Trick-or-treaters of all ages enjoyed gathering candy from each display and playing Halloween-themed games. The event serves as a safe environment for families in the area to participate in holiday activities and an opportunity for student groups to serve the community.
Reinhardt students and staff enjoyed partnering with the Waleska United Methodist Church to host a Trunk or Treat event at Halloween, serving families in the community.
Athletics Shine as a Beacon of Pride
In recognition of the most successful all-around athletic program of the academic year, Reinhardt University Athletics earned the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Duard Walker All-Sports Trophy. This marks the second consecutive year and the third time in school history that the Eagles have won this esteemed award.
Twenty-eight colleges compete in the AAC, accumulating points for conference standings and championships in each sport. Reinhardt’s regular-season league titles in football, men’s volleyball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, baseball, and softball contributed to the trophy win. The AAC also awards separate all-sports trophies for men’s and women’s programs. Reinhardt won the men’s trophy and the women captured second place.
Other esteemed AAC awards include Jeffrey Pourchier receiving the AAC Athletic Director of the Year Award and Dr. Joe Mullins receiving the AAC Faculty Athletics Representative of the Year. The AAC selected five Reinhardt coaches for Coach of the Year awards in their sports, and the student-athletes listed to the right earned one of the highest recognitions in the conference.
Above: The Reinhardt football team makes a grand entrance at the 2023 Homecoming game.
Football: Alex Hardy (RU-2027), AAC Special Teams Player of the Year; Braylon Jones (RU-2027), AAC Freshman Player of the Year; Keon McGhee (RU-2025), AAC Defensive Player of the Year
Lacrosse (men): JR Sess (RU-2024), AAC Player of the Year
Softball: Emily Loveless (RU-2024), AAC Player of the Year
Volleyball (men): Rodolfo Biegelmeyer (RU-2026), AAC Player of the Year; Gabriel Gutierrez (RU-2027), AAC Freshman of the Year; Alex Sanchez (RU-2026), men’s volleyball, AAC Defender of the Year
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Awards (NAIA):
Baseball: Jonathan Burton, NAIA Opening Round Regional Coach of the Year
Javelin: David Friedberg (RU-2024 & 2025) NAIA National Champion
Lacrosse (men): JR Sess (RU-2024), NAIA Player of the Year
Lacrosse (women): Roy Reynolds, NAIA Coach of the Year
Nash Crowell (RU-2026), Andrew Herbert (RU-2025), Dylan Lewis (RU-2024)
Football: Kellen Neal (RU-2024)
Lacrosse (men): JR Sess (RU-2024)
Lacrosse (women): KC Bragg (RU-2026), Anna Marie Gazzo (RU-2024), Mia Griswold (RU-2025), Jillian Mello (RU-2023 & 2024), Shelby O’Neil (RU-2024), Ashley Steele (RU-2024)
Tennis: Luciano Fisicaro (RU-2024)
Volleyball (men): Rodolfo Biegelmeyer (RU-2026)
Wrestling: Trevor Burdick (RU-2023 & 2024)
Throughout an outstanding year on the fields and courts, Reinhardt Athletics also excelled in the classroom. The Eagles boasted a 3.31 overall grade point average (GPA) for all sports. Eighty-three student-athletes had a 4.0 GPA and 266 student-athletes across all programs were recognized as All-Academic for the year. In 2023-24, Reinhardt’s athletic program included 685 student-athletes and 24 teams.
NAIA All-Americans: Baseball:
Left: The Eagles
Women’s Lacrosse team celebrate winning the national championship in May 2024.
Women’s Lacrosse Wins National Championship
The Eagles captured their first 2024 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Women’s Lacrosse National Championship title in Savannah, Georgia on May 4, 2024.
The NAIA named Shelby O’Neil (RU-2024) the most valuable player of the tournament and head coach Roy Reynolds received the NAIA Coach of the Year Award. O’Neil, a biology major who graduated the day before the championship game, explained her view of the path to success, “This national title is the sum of all the years of hard work. We worked on physical toughness, but at the end of the day, it was the mental toughness that set us apart. My goal was to give it my all.” She felt that everyone on the team had a voice in how to keep improving, and by staying positive and treating each other with respect, her team became a cohesive unit on and off the field.
“The encouragement this team received from our Reinhardt family was outstanding this year,” expressed O’Neill with gratitude. “The support for each other by all different sports teams is such an awesome statement to the community that Reinhardt has built.”
Left: David Friedberg (RU-2024 & 2025) won his third-straight national title in the javelin and competed in the Olympic trials.
Athlete
Makes Olympic Trials and Secures Third National Title
Once David Friedberg (RU-2024 & 2025) picked up a javelin, the possibilities developed into new goals and dreams. Unafraid to try something new, the 22-year-old from Ellabell, Georgia who came to Reinhardt four years ago on a football scholarship now pursues dreams of Olympic gold.
Having become the most decorated athlete in Reinhardt’s history, the dual athlete reflected, “I picked up a javelin for the first time, and as things progressed, I started competing. I fell in love with the javelin, and it just stuck with me.” It didn’t take long for his natural talent to shine, winning his first national championship as a sophomore. “That’s when my mentality changed of what I want to do in the future,” Friedberg explained. “Over the past few years, I’ve been working hard and now it’s to the point that I think I can do this professionally.”
Shortly after graduating in May, Friedberg became the top National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) javelin thrower of all time as a three-time NAIA champion and the NAIA record holder with a throw of 76.08 meters (nearly 250 feet). He also won the esteemed 2024 Penn Relays.
During the Spring 2024 season, Friedberg qualified for the U.S. Track & Field Olympic Team Trials. In June, he and his coach Josh White headed for Oregon. Friedberg showed he was one of the nation’s top javelin throwers. He made the finals after placing in the top 12 in the qualifying round. He finished seventh overall with a throw of 75.06 meters.
Baseball Participates in World Series
The best baseball season in the Reinhardt Eagles program’s history concluded with a third-place finish in the NAIA World Series semifinal game and Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) regular season champions. The extraordinary season also included an overall record of 44-18 (25-5 in AAC play).
In their second-ever World Series appearance, Reinhardt hosted an opening bracket where they won and advanced. In the battle into the winner’s bracket, the Eagles won three games and broke or tied over a dozen NAIA World Series records. The Eagles nearly made the championship game, battling into extra innings against Tennessee Wesleyan in Lewiston, Idaho. Andrew Herbert (RU-2025) pitched from start to finish in an impressive showing, throwing 132 pitches, facing 42 batters, and striking out 10.
Left: Luis Mendoza (RU-2026).
In recognition of the most successful all-around athletic program of the academic year, Reinhardt University Athletics earned the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Duard Walker All-Sports Trophy.
This marks the second consecutive year and the third time in school history that the Eagles won this esteemed award.
Alumni Do the Real Work for the Good Life
Reinhardt University’s more than 12,000 alumni reside in all 50 states, with a majority living in Georgia, and several living abroad. Their stories and accomplishments embody the University’s ethos: Verum Opus ad Vitum Bonam (To Do the Real Work for the Good Life). While Reinhardt celebrated its 140th year, perhaps even more exhilarating to celebrate was two alumnae exceeding the age of one hundred years: Martha Jo Boston Carmichael Lingefelt, who turned 105; and Annie Mae Bigham, who turned 103. FY2024 proved to be another banner year for alumni achievements. Dr. Jerry Dobson (RU-1965), a pioneer in Geographic Information Science (GISc), was named an AAG Fellow by the American Association of Geographers (AAG). Marguerite Cline (RU-1958) received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canton Rotary Club. C. Ken White (RU-1961, 2021) was named Alumnus of the Year by the Cherokee Education Foundation. Travis Johnson (RU-2005) was elected to Canton City Council. Meagan Hurley (RU-2014) received Reinhardt’s Distinguished Alumna of the Year for her work freeing the innocent from prison. Alumni also served the campus community and community at large. Author Andre Diaz Winkleman (RU-2022) spoke to students about the craft of writing and his novel’s depiction of his grandmother’s courageous immigration journey from Cuba. Winkleman serves several area Hispanic organizations and was named one of the 50 Most Influential Latinos in Georgia in 2023. Motivational speaker, Michael Goodroe (RU-2016), returned to campus to tell his inspiring story of the challenges of autism and his path to success. Francisco Lozano (RU-2003) served as president of the Canton Rotary Club and championed the Club’s connection with international students and Reinhardt. Jeffrey Dobson (RU-1965) extended empathy and compassion by creating a device (a cigar holder) to help a disabled man safely enjoy a once-treasured pastime. These are but a few of the many good things alumni are doing.
With the help of the new director of alumni relations, Raynah Roberts (RU-2019), and the support of the Alumni Board of Governors, the alumni began gathering again post-COVID-19. During programs held throughout the year, alumni played basketball, learned about the return of the American Chestnut tree led by Reinhardt students, faculty, and donors, gained insights about the University’s new strategic plan, imbibed and played trivia, and visited the Tellus Science Museum and Savoy Automobile Museum in Cartersville.
Above: Homecoming 2023 welcomed alumni to the annual tailgating event.
Left: Alumna of the Year Meagan Hurley (RU-2014).
Alumna of the Year
Meagan Hurley (RU-2014)
Meagan Hurley (RU-2014) was awarded the Distinguished Alumna of the Year Award for her career dedication and successes in championing justice, advocating for the innocent, overturning wrongful convictions, and instructing law students to do the same. Her award was conferred at the annual Evening of Honors.
President Mark Roberts introduced Hurley saying, “Meagan has dedicated her career to championing justice and advocating for the innocent. Her unwavering commitment to overturning wrongful convictions and securing the release of those wrongly accused exemplifies the very best of our university’s spirit. We celebrate Meagan’s outstanding achievement and commend her for her remarkable contributions to our community, to our state, and to our nation.”
Meagan Hurley (RU-2014) made national headlines in 2023 for her involvement in freeing a man who spent 22 years in prison for a murder he did not commit. After obtaining her Juris Doctor degree from Mercer Law School in 2019, she began working for the Georgia Innocence Project. Simultaneously, she returned to Reinhardt to teach media law and ethics as an adjunct for three years, as well as the first-year seminar and a multimedia journalism workshop. Over the past 5 years, Hurley helped exonerate four wrongfully convicted men who served a combined 115 years behind bars.
Hurley currently serves as an assistant professor of law at Mercer University’s Law School. Her teaching and research focus on criminal law and procedure, with particular expertise on post-conviction litigation and wrongful convictions. She also leads the Habeas Project, Mercer Law’s nationally recognized postconviction defense clinic. In the Habeas Project, Professor Hurley supervises third-year students who provide pro bono representation for convicted persons without the right to appointed counsel whose constitutional rights have been violated. Her scholarly work focuses on conviction integrity, official misconduct and accountability, and access to justice.
Left: Marguerite Cline (RU-1958) (left) received the Rotary Club of Canton’s Lifetime Achievement Award presented by club President Francisco Lozano (RU-2003) and past President JoEllen Wilson (RU-1961).
Service Above Self: Marguerite Cline (RU-1958) Receives
Lifetime Achievement Award
Care, compassion, and commitment describe a Reinhardt alumna and prominent member of the Cherokee County community. The Rotary Club of Canton presented its 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award to Marguerite (Thigpen) Cline (RU-1958). The plaque presented to Cline reads, “In recognition of your outstanding leadership and amazing heart for service. You are an inspiration to all of us.” The award presented by club President Francisco Lozano (RU-2003) and past President JoEllen Wilson (RU-1961) marks the first recognition of an individual in ten years. Since graduating from Reinhardt, Cline spent over 50 years making an impact on her community. After teaching elementary students for twenty years, she became the first and only woman to serve as Superintendent of Cherokee County Schools, the first woman to be elected Mayor of Waleska, and the first woman elected Chairman of the Board at the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce.
Many organizations chose her as their president, including the Ninth District School Superintendents Association, the Cherokee County Teachers Association, and the local chapter of the Delta Gamma Association Honor Society for Women in Education. She also served as Commissioner of the Cherokee County Jury Board and Chairman of the Cherokee County Sports Hall of Fame Founding Board. She was a board member of the Cherokee County Parks and Recreation Commission, the Cherokee County Arts Council, and the Cherokee County Historical Society.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is Cline’s fifth award from the Rotary Club during her 35 years of membership. Other accolades include the Georgia School Superintendent of the Year Award, the Georgia Press Association Awards for Serious Writing and Humorous Writing, the prestigious First Citizen of Cherokee County Award, the Blue Ridge Bar Association Liberty Bell Award, Cherokee County 4-H Club Volunteer of the Year Award, the Goshen Valley Foundation Spirit Award, and the Reinhardt University Distinguished Alumna of the Year Award.
Left: Jerry Dobson (left) (RU-1965) with Gary Langham, Executive Director of the American Association of Geographers.
Geography Pioneer
Jerry Dobson (RU-1965)
Dr. Jerry Dobson (RU-1965), a pioneer in Geographic Information Science (GISc), was named an AAG Fellow by the American Association of Geographers (AAG). This honor of distinction recognizes the outstanding contributions that made him a distinguished leader in the field.
During the April 2024 award ceremony, Dr. Dobson was lauded as having “a rare combination of experience in government, academia, and the private sector. His innovative and diverse scholarship and commitment to helping people worldwide through research and action are exemplary.” These sentiments echoed those spoken several weeks earlier at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where Dobson was recognized with a lifetime achievement award.
In addition, Dobson serves as president emeritus of the American Geographical Society (AGS) and professor emeritus of the University of Kansas. Dr. Dobson holds the Cullum Geographical Medal in common with Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, and the Anderson Medal of Honor with the ‘father’ of the Geographic Information System, Roger Tomlinson. Dr. Dobson’s leadership led to world standards for estimating populations at risk during disasters and how landmines and minefields are represented on maps. He led the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Coastal Change Analysis Program’s (C-CAP) effort to map change in uplands and wetlands and secured funding to establish the National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis.
By mapping ocean floors and studying sea level changes dating back to the Ice Age, Dr. Dobson discovered a potential human migration pathway via previously unknown islands between Asia and North America. His groundbreaking work linked iodine to human evolution, and decades ahead of today’s artificial intelligence boom, he wrote about automated geography engaging computers in research. Currently, he strives to help indigenous South Americans map their lands to protect them from encroachment. These represent just a few of his many contributions to the field and expanding the depth of knowledge about humans and their relationship to their environments.
A Culture of Commitment, Service, and Recognition
The University community holds dear the service, scholarship, and wisdom of long-serving employees as the effects resonate in the hearts and minds of others. Dr. Ken Wheeler, Dean of the College of Humanities, Sciences and Technology, made remarks at the 2024 induction of the newest class of emeriti faculty and staff. The summary of his words applies to all of Reinhardt’s dedicated employees. The success of students, alumni, and the institution itself is the sum of faculty and staff efforts. Employees help individuals learn, think in new ways, and grow. The spirit of unselfish service, devotion, and generosity remains evident. The University extends its profound gratitude. University employees not only have high standards for their students but also for themselves as professionals in higher education by striving to do better and be better. In FY2024, following an iterative process involving all employees, students, alumni,
administrators, and board members, the University unveiled its strategic plan. The administration and board of trustees held a retreat and workshop focused on the future. Employees participated in a campus-wide workshop to learn more deeply about how to practice the University’s vision of creating an institution where diverse talents grow together. Faculty members conducted research such as Professor of Art Jym Davis’ sabbatical focused on mask making. Faculty shared their expertise during colloquia presentations thanks to the effort of the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITEL).
In addition to service on campus, employees work to better their communities and the world as a whole. During FY2024 examples include: Professor of English Donna Coffey Little worked towards the preservation of Pine Log Mountain’s historic sites by having it officially recognized on the Places
Top-left: From left: Emeriti Dr. G. David Moore, Dr. Eddie Robertson, Sylvia Robertson, Susan Naylor.
Top-middle: Angela Pharr, Senior Executive Assistant to the President.
Top-right: Dr. Walter May, Dean of Students.
Bottom-left: Dr. Ken Wheeler, Dean of the College of Humanities, Sciences, and Technology.
Bottom-middle: Robin C. McNally, Assistant Professor of Math.
Bottom-right: From left: Price School of Education faculty Tami Smith, Kimberly Crowe, Alison Attavar, and Debby Pinion were awarded the RESPY (Reinhardt Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) Fan of the Year Award for their dedicated and continuous support of programs throughout the year.
in Peril list. Director of Academic Support Tunji Adesesan’s efforts to promote literacy in Africa reached the milestone of 100,000 books donated. Campus nurse Gwen Chambers (RU-1984) earned the inaugural Carol Rice Nurse Advocate Award at the 2024 Georgia PTA District 13 Spring Conference and Awards Ceremony for her pioneering work and service as a mentor to others. President Mark Roberts was named one of Georgia’s most influential leaders by Georgia Trend.
Faculty and Staff Earn Emeriti Status
Years of service, contributions, excellence, and lasting effects on the academic community earned emeriti status for 19 former Reinhardt faculty and staff. Following a process including evaluation based upon established criteria, voting by peers, and approval by the University’s Board of Trustees, the honorary title signifies the respect of their peers for their performance, achievements, and impact on the University. They joined the ranks of numerous outstanding individuals who came before them.
A formal ceremony on April 9, 2024, bestowed the high honor to:
Viviana Baxter, Associate Professor of Spanish Language and Education
Nancy Carter, Assistant Professor of Education, Coordinator of the Master of Arts in Teaching Program
Dr. William DeAngelis, Dean of the School of Mathematics and Sciences, Associate Professor of Psychology
Andrew Edwards, Jr., Dean of the School of Mathematics and Sciences, Associate Professor of Science, Coordinator of the Evening on Campus Program
Dr. Catherine Emanuel, Director of the Center for Student Success (CSS), Assistant Professor of English
Beatrice Flint, Associate Professor of English
Dr. A. Wayne Glowka, Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, Professor of English
Joel Langford, Director of Library Services
Dr. Dennis McIntire, Dean and Associate Professor for the School of Music and Performing Arts
Dr. G. David Moore, Assistant Professor of Physics
Susan Naylor, Associate Professor of Music
Margaret O’Connor, Dean of Henry F. Jr. & Margaret P. McCamish School of Business, Dean of the School of Communication Arts and Music, Associate VP for
Academic Affairs at the N. Fulton Center, Interim VP and Dean of Academic Affairs, Director of Falany Performing Arts Center
Dr. Eddie Robertson, Professor of Geology, Biology, Ecology, and other Sciences, Chair of the Biology and Pre-nursing Department, Director of the Institute for Teaching Excellence
Sylvia Robertson, Associate Professor of Social Work, Academic Support Office Director
Dr. S. Beth Russell, Director of Counseling and Career Services, Associate Professor of Psychology
Larry Webb, Assistant Professor of Communication
Dr. Donald Wilson, Jr., Interim Dean of the Henry F. Jr. & Margaret P. McCamish School of Business, Associate Professor of Marketing
JoEllen Wilson (RU-1961), Alumni Director, Special Assistant to the President, Interim Vice President for Student Affairs, Adjunct Faculty for the Shade & Gladys Price School of Education, Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Community Relations, President of the Reinhardt College Alumni Association
Dr. Pamela Wilson, Professor of Communication and Media Studies, Director of International Studies
Long-Serving Faculty and Staff
Faculty and staff at Reinhardt University boast an impressive number of years serving the institution, and many harness over two decades of commitment and excellence. Their dedicated service, expertise, challenge, and care contribute to the academic and personal growth of each student. Thank you to the following individuals with 20 or more years of service:
31 years: Dr. Joy Farmer, Professor of English
30 years: Robin C. McNally, Assistant Professor of Mathematics
27 years: Dr. Donna C. Little, Professor of English
26 years: Dr. Theresa L. Ast, Professor of History
26 years: Angela Pharr, Senior Executive Assistant to the President, Special Project Manager, and Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees
25 years: Dr. Donald G. Gregory, Professor of Sociology
25 years: Dr. Kenneth H. Wheeler, Dean of the College of Humanities, Sciences, and Technology, and Professor of History
Reinhardt
24 years: Dr. Margaret M. Morlier, Professor of English
23 years: Dr. Walter P. May, Dean of Students
23 years: Andrew E. Kaplan, Head Women’s Soccer Coach
21 years: Peter J. Bromstad, Instructor of Accounting
20 years: Elizabeth A. Smith, Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Retiring Faculty and Staff
The following individuals retired from service in 2024. The University thanks each one for their dedication and offers wishes for a happy, healthy, and fulfilling retirement.
Robin Blackwell, Student Account Coordinator
Rebecca Goodwin, Library Assistant
Dr. Michelle Harlow, Associate Professor of English
Dr. Linda Morgan, Interim Dean of the Dr. John A. Cauble School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Stephanie Owens, Chief Finance Officer and Vice President for Finance and Administration
Charla Peoples, Assistant Professor of Nursing
Janet Rodning, Registrar
Dr. Martha Shaw, Director of Choral Activities and Professor of Music
Phil Unger, Assistant Professor, School of Professional Studies
Top: Reinhardt President Mark Roberts with emerita professor Beatrice Flint.
Bottom: Dr. Linda Morgan, Dr. Marsha Shaw, and Dr. Michelle Harlow retired following a combined 53 years of service to Reinhardt.
Campus Police Officer
Receives Lifesaver Award
An award for heroic actions illustrated how far a Reinhardt University police officer’s service to the community extends beyond campus borders. Officer Miguel Castro (RU-2021) also serves as a Fire Apparatus Operator Paramedic for Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services (CCFES). On April 9, 2024, the CCFES presented him with an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Lifesaver Award. The award recognizes Officer Castro for saving the life of a man in cardiac arrest in Canton, Georgia.
Just days before the prestigious award ceremony, Castro’s valiant efforts again served a fellow citizen. While on duty at Reinhardt, he heard of a multiple casualty vehicle accident in Waleska through a cell phone firefighting app. Jumping into action, he arrived on the chaotic scene to find three people hurt and all responders working on a woman with life-threatening injuries. Noticing gasoline coating the ground, Castro made sure it was treated and prepared a fire hose, ready if it ignited. He also didn’t hesitate to tend to a male victim, administering an IV and other critical treatment.
Firefighters on the scene gratefully remarked to Castro, “Thank you so much for doing everything you’re doing because we just needed that extra hand on the scene.” Castro reflected, “Thankfully I was there and able to help. We did it all as a team. It wasn’t just me.”
Reinhardt Police Chief Jay Duncan recognized Castro’s actions that day, “What’s special about Miguel is he has a unique skill set so he was the right person to respond to that call and handled it admirably.”
Reinhardt Campus Police staff (from left): Officer Miguel Castro (RU-2021), Captain Chris Findley, Deputy Chief Rhonda Kelley (RU-2020).
C. Ken White (RU – 1961 & 2021)
Receives the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Cherokee County Educational Foundation
The Cherokee County Educational Foundation (CCEF) selected Dr. C. Ken White (RU-1961 & 2021) as their 2024 distinguished Alumni of the Year. CCEF supports students and staff of the Cherokee County School District. This honor recognizes Dr. White for his exceptional service, commitment, and contributions to the district.
As a “remarkable alumnus” stated in a CCEF news release, “he exemplifies the spirit of giving back to the community which nurtured his path to success.”
Dr. White graduated from Cherokee High School in 1959 and Reinhardt College in 1961. For over 40 years, he has served on Reinhardt’s Board of Trustees, many as its chairman, and left a lasting imprint on its campus. His generous contributions are reflected in the C. Ken White Atrium and Music Center, C. Ken White Field, and the C. Ken White Courtyard.
Dr. White’s philanthropy extends to the Cherokee County History Center, where the C. Ken White Main Hall invites visitors to explore the rich history of Cherokee County, and the White Family Foundation enriches lives and fosters educational opportunities for the community. Dr. White’s enduring legacy of leadership, generosity, and dedication continues to inspire and uplift both Reinhardt University and the Cherokee County community for generations to come.
Dr. C. Ken White (RU-1961 & 2021) received the Cherokee County Educational Foundation’s Alumnus of the Year award.
Advancing Reinhardt’s Mission, Vision, and Values
Reinhardt extends gratitude to the many who make the fulfillment of the institution’s mission, vision, and values possible. In FY2024, financial contributions grew across the board, most notably for student scholarships, and successful federal grant applications funded necessary improvements in the classroom.
Of the more than $19 million in financial aid students receive, approximately $1.6 million was provided through Reinhardt’s annual giving program, fundraising events, and endowed scholarship fund earnings. Every donor and every dollar mean another student will benefit from Reinhart’s extraordinary learning experience. Here are just a few examples of students who received scholarships and what it means to them:
Kelsey McReynolds (RU-2027) is one of nearly 30 percent of the student body to be a first-generation student, and she holds a membership in Reinhardt’s Scholars Program. She said, “None of my parents had the opportunity to attend a formal four-year university. I really wanted to help people even from a young age. After being here for some time, I discovered a call to the field of sociology.”
Talia Gomez (RU-2027) is also a member of the Scholars Program and a firstgeneration student. “I decided to come to college for my future and the future of my family. I saw college as an opportunity for growth and doors opening.” With the goal of becoming a nurse, she hopes to make a difference, adding, “In simple words- to be a first-generation student is the start of new beginnings.”
Macain Pharr (RU-2025) received the Noyce Scholarship and is a part of a program that seeks to increase the number of STEM K-12 teachers in high-need school districts. His ideal position after graduation is to work at his alma mater, Cherokee High School. Pharr notes, “Scholarships aren’t only sports-driven. For me, I love math, and I received a scholarship for something that I love.” He’s grateful to have found that opportunity at Reinhardt, “When I walk around the campus, I’m always going to find somebody that I know. It’s like a family here. It’s always been home to me.”
“It’s like a family here. It’s always been home to me.”
Each year, Reinhardt depends on the selfless efforts of volunteers whose deep commitments find inspiration from the steadfast belief in the institution’s mission, vision, and values. Volunteers serve as institutional leaders, as with the Board of Trustees, Alumni Board of Governors, and the President’s Advisory and Advocacy Committee. One Board of Trustees member, C. Ken White (RU – 1961 & 2021) has served more than 40 years. Other individuals serve departments and forward efforts which enable student success and well-being, including the Falany Center for the Performing Arts (FPAC), F. James and Florrie G. Funk Heritage Center and John H. Bennett Sr. and Ethel C. Bennett History Museum, and the Athletics Program.
During the FY2024 season, 71 active FPAC volunteers gave over 3,600 hours. In addition, volunteers helped raise funds for the University as with the Dave Henritze Golf Classic and the United Methodist Church Golf Outing. Both raise vital scholarship monies for students.
Reinhardt’s Board of Trustees recognized Reverend David Melton for his 30-year service as a volunteer for the UMC Golf Outing. Rev. Melton’s dedication and volunteerism helped countless students pursue higher education. The award honors his unwavering commitment to making higher education more affordable and accessible and recognizes his outstanding and selfless service to Reinhardt University and its students. Driven by a belief in the transformative power of education, Rev. Melton continues to bring churches and individuals together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Left: The United Methodist Church Golf Outing and the Dave Henritze Golf Classic raised student scholarship funds.
Middle: Northside Hospital Cherokee was one of the sponsors of the Dave Henritze Golf Classic. Its team members from left: Johnathan Schooler, Katie Pearson, Tommy Pinyan, Bryan Roach.
Right: Rev. David Melton (third from left) and his team competed in the United Methodist Church Golf Outing. Rev. Melton has served as a volunteer organizer for the event for over 30 years.
“It’s the ending of one chapter and the starting of another.”
A new symbol adorns the entrance plaza of the Fred H. and Mozelle Bates Tarpley Education Center. Reinhardt Nurse Gwen Chambers (RU-1984) and her sisters, Dr. Sharon Pappas and Gina Mitchell (RU-1978) donated a bell in honor of the late Cora Belle Tarpley Holcombe (RU-1951), their mother, and Fred Tarpley’s sister. As they rang the bell at the dedication ceremony on November 10, 2023, they sparked the beginning of a new tradition. Each Reinhardt student now rings the bell at their new student induction ceremony and again following their last class before commencement. “It’s the ending of one chapter and the starting of another,” explained Chambers. “Sending that sound out is an echoing reminder of the trickle effect of touching others in your career.”
The first groups to ring the bell were the Fall graduates of the Dr. John A. Cauble School of Nursing and the Shade and Gladys Price School of Education. This was a fitting tribute to Chambers’ career and her mother’s, who was a local educator, a community member, and a Reinhardt alumna. Chambers said. “She was a person who not only helped the child but helped the whole family. It also models one of Reinhardt’s missions, which is to ‘educate the whole person with challenge and care.’”
Right (Pictured from left): Sisters Dr. Sharon Pappas, Gina Mitchell (RU-1978), and Reinhardt Nurse Gwen Chambers (RU-1984) at the dedication of a bell honoring their mother, Cora Belle Tarpley Holcombe (RU-1951).
New Bell Rings in New Traditions
Hawkins-Ramsey Scholarship Endowment Established
The Hawkins-Ramsey Scholarship memorializes John Harold Hawkins (1892-1961), and his grandson, John Hawkins Ramsey (1945-1981) through a major gift by John Harold Hawkins’ granddaughter and John Hawkins Ramsey’s sister, Elizabeth Ramsey Berry by the grace of her parents Charles W. and Jane Hawkins Ramsey. The scholarship gives preference to a first-infamily student of outstanding academic promise.
Justice John Harold Hawkins of Marietta, Georgia was an attorney and civic leader who served on the Georgia State Supreme Court. After his death, the Supreme Court of Georgia prepared a memorial highlighting his life, service, and character. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Perry Hawkins. He married Irene Northcutt of Marietta in 1914, and they had two daughters (Jane Hawkins Ramsey and Elizabeth Ann Hawkins Dosser) and numerous grandchildren.
Hawkins could not afford to attend law school, but he studied law at night in his spare time and was admitted to the Bar in 1916. During his long career, Hawkins served as secretary to Judge W. Frank Jenkins (Court of Appeals of Georgia), member of the firm Morris, Hawkins & Wallace of Marietta, Judge of the Superior Court of the Blue Ridge Circuit (1931-1948), and Associate Justice of the Georgia State Supreme Court (1948-1960). He served as a deacon of the First Baptist Church of Marietta (35 years), Sunday School Superintendent (27 years), President and Director of the Marietta Savings and Loan, Chair of the Marietta Board of Education, Y.M.C.A., Boy Scouts, Ten Club.
Elizabeth Ramsey Berry states about her grandfather, “My grandfather never saw the inside of an educational institution after the age of 13. I believe he may have been the last auto-didact to serve on the Georgia State Supreme Court.” Berry believes her grandfather would be proud to have this scholarship named in honor and to provide educational opportunities to those who have none without support.
Grant Funds Provide Realistic Simulations for Nursing Students
New equipment at Reinhardt’s Dr. John A. Cauble School of Nursing and Health Sciences offers students advanced real-world experience, thanks to a U.S. Department of Education grant and the support of Senator Raphael Warnock. The $350,000 award enabled the program to improve its equipment and enhance student clinical experiences and learning outcomes.
Funds allow for upgrading the simulation, computer, and skills labs. New lifelike, high-fidelity simulation pediatric, adult, and geriatric mannequins, headwall fixtures, and an air compressor simulate a real hospital environment. New teaching software includes a birthing simulator and upgraded classroom technology.
Interim dean Kimberlin Zelinsky elaborated, “The simulation equipment we purchased with the grant money allows us to provide state-ofthe-art experiences where students can practice taking care of the patient in a realistic environment where it is safe to make mistakes.” Senior Abigail Selkey (RU-2025) agrees, “It’s the closest we can get to real life. These new mannequins have been extremely beneficial because we are able to take vital signs, give injections, insert and flush IVs, and see results from catheters. During one of our biggest simulations, it was up to us to notice that the mannequin was suffering symptoms of septic shock and respond.”
Top-left: Nursing cohort 9 delivered a 100% pass rate on their nursing licensing exam.
Top-right: Students enjoyed speaking with Sara Jo Cauble at the annual scholarship luncheon which brings together donors and scholarship recipients.
Bottom-left: Talia Gomez (RU-2027) a scholarship recipient, became the first in her family to attend college.
Bottom-right: FPAC volunteer Mary Chandler with Jessica Akers (RU-2011), Executive Director of FPAC.
