30 minute read
Around Reinhardt
NEWLY CROWNED
Havyn Wilson and Kevin Ross Reinhardt’s 2020-21 Homecoming King and Queen.
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THE UNITY PROJECT
First-Year Seminar students, celebrated all that makes us unique, different, similar and connected as a united Reinhardt community.
KEEPING RU BEAUTIFUL
Campus Beautification is a strong University tradition. Community members gather to plant trees and flowers, remove debris and continually restore the campus, in all its glory.
SPRING DAY
Carnival rides, cartoonists, dancing, great food and a few good rounds of tug-of-war made Spring Day better than ever!
EXECUTIVE COMMAND AND LEADERSHIP GRADUATES
Lieutenant William Ballard, Captain Erik Britt, Lieutenant James Cox, Lieutenant Todd Shinall, Lieutenant Christopher Straus, Corporal Tommy Thompkins and Sergeant Mike Wells were recognized as the first Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office graduates from Reinhardt Public Safety Institute’s Executive Command and Leadership Program.
BETTER TOGETHER
Coming together because we are better together, St. Paul AME Church, Oak Leaf Church, Chickfil-A Canton, Reinhart University and Generations Church hosted the Better Together March in Canton. The event unified Cherokee County, lifting the standard of dignity for those with the greatest needs in our community.
PANDEMIC PERSEVERANCE
Adam Powell, Campus Counselor, and members of the Student Health Center served the campus with tireless care throughout the pandemic, tracking virus cases, creating quarantine areas, delivering meals and counseling students.
Performing Arts majors tapped their inner creativity amid the pandemic, practicing outdoors, and performing in smaller, well ventilated spaces.
Campus looked different this year to accommodate pandemic challenges. Classrooms were reimagined, desks were newly spaced and some classes opted for hybrid lessons. Outdoor seating also became popular! Reinhardt Eagles found new ways and new places to remain safe and healthy.
Celebrating Achievement
Throughout its long-standing history, Reinhardt University has proudly recognized students’ impressive academic success with many meaningful traditions. An Evening of Honors offers a moment for juniors and seniors to reflect on their diligent work as they celebrate with their families and the RU community.
The 2021 Evening of Honors ceremony marked an entire year since Eagles gathered, not through screens, to be recognized for their academic achievements. At long last, Reinhardt University gathered and celebrated together in person.
The Brown Athletic Center hosted two ceremonies this year to spotlight student achievement among the Class of 2020 and 2021 graduates in a COVID-safe manner. Held each spring near the close of the academic year, the ceremony features scholarship and service awards.
The juniors and seniors in attendance received the Hugh Peterson Jr. Academic Award, requiring a minimum 3.6-3.89 GPA, or recognition as an Academic Scholar with a 3.9 GPA or higher.
Academic Program Awards were given to two seniors from each degree program, selected by faculty, and an honoree was selected from each of Reinhardt’s seven schools to receive Families and friends the School Student gathered to celebrate their Achievement Awards. Eagles in person after a year of social distancing “Indeed, because and limited events. of you, Reinhardt’s best of the best have excelled in your studies despite the obstacles of online classes, hybrid classes, strangely socially distanced classrooms; despite disruptions caused by isolations and quarantines, COVID testing, potential vaccinations,” said President Mark A. Roberts, Ph.D. “Your achievements to me seem ever keener and ever brighter because of all of these obstacles.”
NO GREATER LOVE AWARD
Kaylee Jones
Business Major
The No Greater Love Award recognizes a student who shows care for others and is ready to help. It has been awarded since 1998 to a student who has expressed a spirit of caring through extraordinary and exemplary community service and love of fellow humans. This award was created in memory of Ernest “Chip” Koella IV, grandson of longtime Reinhardt supporters the late Steve and the late Virginia Tumlin, whose final act reflected John 15:13 as he laid down his life while attempting to save the life of a stranger.
Kaylee Jones ’21 was honored with the award for her heart and her service to others, especially during her time at Reinhardt. The business major was an integral member of the Campus Ministries Leadership Team, planning weekly events, student retreats and mission trips. “Kaylee has a unique desire to see people grow in their faith, to love God with all of their being and to love others as they love themselves. She spent countless hours behind the scenes to make sure the students and staff of this university fully experience the wonders of God’s great love,” said Josh Garner, Coordinator of Spiritual Life and Service.
AN EVENING OF HONORS
ENGAGED LEARNER AWARD
Nataleigh Long
Digital Arts Major
The Center for Innovative Teaching and Engaged Learning (CITEL) recognizes a student each year with at least a 3.5 GPA, who exhibits campus leadership, participates in CITEL scholarly programs and is engaged in at least three High Impact Practices.
Nataleigh Long, digital arts major, received many faculty nominations and was honored with the CITEL Engaged Learner Award. Long was a Captain with the Office of Admission, leading tours for prospective students, and studied abroad in Ireland. She invests much time developing her skills as an artist. “We are proud of Nataleigh and have benefited greatly from her contributions as an extraordinary intern with CITEL. She is a gifted digital artist, a watercolorist who focuses on botanical studies and an enthusiastic international traveler. She has a bright future!” shared Mason Conkin, Director of CITEL.
See more of Nataleigh’s art on page 19.
Eagles Take Flight
134TH AND 135TH COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES
The graduates of
2020 and 2021 deeply understand and personify flexibility, perseverance and grit.
These graduating Eagles flew through unparalleled times – quarantines, isolations, sudden changes, online courses, modified performances, delayed athletic schedules, jumping into the workforce and the daily unknown – all without the chance to stop and celebrate their time at Reinhardt University.
Finally, the Eagles who persevered through circumstances unlike any other received the opportunity to cross the graduation stage, hold their diploma in their hands and move their tassels from one side of their mortarboard to the other, all while surrounded by fellow classmates and loved ones.
Reinhardt proudly hosted the 134th and 135th Commencement Ceremonies on May 7, 2021 to honor all graduates of the past year. Participating graduates and faculty donned a symbolic Reinhardt “Eagle’s Mile” Medallion, a special gift from President Mark
President Roberts honors each student with their diploma at Commencement.
A. Roberts and a commemoration of their shared experiences during unprecedented times.
Rev. Brian Smith of the Waleska United Methodist Church delivered an inspirational message to graduates, guided by the love of God and meaningful personal references to thought-provoking creativity and art.
“My first prayer is you might always remember that simple and yet surprising and profound proclamation that you are among those who are loved by God. No matter who you are, where you’ve been, what you’ve been through or what people may have said or will say to you, you are deeply loved, and you have a dignity that no one can take away.
“My second prayer for you is that you, too, might be about the work of painting and creating a beautiful and surprising world that is rooted in mercy and love and grace…may you see to make a difference in the lives of others. Be a peacemaker and a hope giver.”
Keynote speaker, Dr. Randall E. Trammell ’03, ’09, Founder and CEO, Georgia Center for Civic Engagement, followed with encouragement for his soon-to-be fellow Reinhardt alumni with three points: to find your purpose and be the best version of yourself, that it’s okay to change directions, and to leave the world a better place than you found it.
“I share a few thoughts I have learned along my journey…not as one who has arrived but rather a fellow sojourner who’s had a bit of a head start,” said Trammell. “Let me assure you: If you can find your true calling in life, you will live with passion, make the world a better place, be richer than you could imagine and feel as though the very face of God himself is smiling on you. That may happen next week, next year or in the years ahead, but the search will be worth it, and your life will never be the same again. So, for now, your purpose is to find your purpose.”
HONORARY DEGREE
Honoring a Leader
Reinhardt University bestowed C. Ken White with an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters during the 134th Commencement ceremony.
This honor recognizes White’s extraordinary kindness, professional achievements, service to the community and generosity to the University.
White graduated from Reinhardt College in 1961. He has since enjoyed a successful and varied career, first as an accountant, and then as an entrepreneur, launching two carpet manufacturing businesses. As an innovative community leader, White has served on the board of three banks, two of which were startups. He has also been a member of numerous non-profit boards, ensuring that our communities thrive through education, the arts and needed social safety nets. Today, he continues to be a minority owner in ventures across several industries. The nomination and voting among faculty to honor White with this recognition proved a unanimous one.
“Being nominated by Reinhardt’s faculty is a cherished honor and very meaningful to me. I am elated and humbled by their recognition and trust in me to play such a significant role at Reinhardt, a role that I respect and hold dear.”
In 1983, James Brown, whose gifts built the James and Sis Brown Gymnasium, invited White to serve on the Board of Trustees at Reinhardt. Now in his 38th year as a member and third year as Chairman of Reinhardt’s Board, White says that service to his alma mater ignited his philanthropic interests in creating a campus that served all students, where all students thrive.
Throughout his duration on the board, White donated more than two million dollars to Reinhardt, significant funding for the institution that also supported, in part, the renovation of the Cauble School of Nursing & Health Sciences in Jasper.
“I want to help make Reinhardt a premier private university that is known for its challenging academic programs and its support of students who can learn in a positive, character-building environment.”
LEADERSHIP A Network of Student Support
The Reinhardt learning
community is a vast, dedicated network of faculty, students, alumni, community partners and university leaders – all stalwart investors in the success, welfare and future of our Eagles.
Student Athlete Support Board of Trustee members Dr. Austin Flint and Fred Weir exemplify this dedication through their involvement with Reinhardt’s cross country and track and field teams.
Flint provided trails for Reinhardt’s cross-country team on his farm – which also serves as an internship site for Reinhardt students – and on campus.
“Physically, the soft-surfaces – the dirt and grass trails – allow our athletes’ bodies the ability to absorb the pounding that 50-80 miles a week of running produces,” said Coach Jordan Turner. “From a coaching standpoint, the peace of mind that I have for our students to be running in a safer area of our community, rather than the public roads, is of great comfort. It’s no surprise the performance of our athletes and teams have improved since we were afforded the opportunity to have these wonderful trails made available to our students.”
Along with improved performance from opportune running conditions, Weir donated the latest in high performance technology – Nike Tempo Next% – to the entire cross-country and track team. Through the track season, 10 athletes set lifetime bests in 21 different events from the mile to 10,000 meters – the most combined lifetime bests the distance teams made during Turner’s time at Reinhardt. The shoes provided significant
Sustaining A Learning Community
THROUGH LEADERSHIP, CAMPUS SAFETY AND HEALTH SERVICES
Trustee Fred Weir (second from left) hits the Flint trails with Reinhardt student athletes.
physiological and psychological advantages.
“I can say without reservation that this gift from a valued friend and training partner made our athletes better this year,” said Turner.
Both Flint and Weir continue to support Reinhardt’s student athletes, from internships to hosting team dinners.
“They both want our young people to succeed academically, socially and mentally, and foster many opportunities
to do that with their time, gifts and friendships. Their support has helped our student athletes, and myself, more than I can express in words. I’m forever thankful for two great friends and what they mean to Reinhardt,” Turner said.
President’s Advisory Council The President’s Advisory Council equals in dedication and support. The council, led by Angie Ulm ’90, played a key role in monitoring COVID-19 cases on campus and throughout the pandemic, supporting important decisions about teaching and learning, while keeping students safe.
“Reinhardt exceled in coming together as a community and helping
SAFETY Keeping Campus Safe
Campus safety remains
paramount for Reinhardt, and the Office of Student Affairs leads significant university efforts to educate our students and campus community.
Violence Against Women Grant Ongoing prevention education, campus resources and creative partnerships equip students to thrive – safely – throughout their college experience.
To expand prevention and education efforts, with topics such as domestic violence and sexual assault, Student Affairs earned a $288,336 grant from The Department of Justice Office of Violence Against Women (OVW). The grant will fund programming for the next three years that educates and serves to protect Reinhardt Eagles during their time on campus. A coordinated community response team (CCRT) will enhance training for campus law enforcement and staff members who respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking each other as the Reinhardt family always seems to do. We heard stories of quarantined students being delivered meals by many volunteers across campus. The coordination of those efforts was impressive. Faculty, staff and students all found a way to continue moving forward with the educational process – together,” said Ulm.
Stacey Williams ’12, ’14 served as co-chair of the council, and enthusiastically assumes Ulm’s position in the new academic year. Williams also witnessed enduring commitment of the entire campus, from meal delivery to virtual education.
“The greatest accomplishment was Reinhardt’s ability to go from in-person sessions to virtual classrooms in a very short amount of time,” said Williams. “The University adapted quickly and efficiently to sustain an excellent educational experience. My daughter is an athlete, and I experienced firsthand outstanding work of Athletics. With new and constantly changing protocols, I could not have been prouder of Coach Bill Popp and his team – and their extraordinary efforts to keep athletic programs moving forward.”
Extraordinary and ceaseless dedication from our entire Reinhardt family continues to propel our university forward and shape Reinhardt, where all students thrive.
educational programming, reporting systems and victim services that work together to keep our students safe while at the same time reassuring survivors that they have a voice, their voice matters, and we are listening,” said Dr. Walter May, Dean of Students.
LiveSAFE Partners Cherokee County Sheriff Frank Reynolds, Cherokee County District Attorney of the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit Shannon Wallace, and incidents (DVDVSAS). Stronger Executive Director of LiveSAFE internal and external partnerships will Resources Tracey Atwater will serve provide more resources to students, as community partners as Reinhardt expand ongoing prevention education grows its campus resources. efforts to raise awareness of these kinds “As the District Attorney for of incidents on campus and reinforce Cherokee County, I am pleased to see Reinhardt’s security infrastructure. that Reinhardt University has taken The funds will also support a full-time a proactive approach to reducing the project director to oversee training and prevalence of sex-related crimes on educational campaigns for the campus campus. Education and awareness are community. The CCRT will assist and key to helping to prevent these types of support the director to inform, assess, crimes in college environments,” said design and implement Reinhardt’s Wallace. “I look forward to working in prevention, education and responses to partnership with Reinhardt University.” DVDVSAS. “LiveSAFE Resources looks forward
“One incident, reported or to partnering with Reinhardt unreported, is too many. This grant University to educate students and will help the University build on its Continued, page 14
faculty and enhance awareness around intimate partner violence and stalking,” said Atwater. “We look forward to bringing our expertise to help reduce the incidences of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking on campus and throughout the Reinhardt community.”
CPN Seal Earned In January 2021, Reinhardt earned the EVERFI Campus Prevention Network (CPN) Seal of Prevention, signifying the proactive nature of education on topics such as drugs, alcohol and safety. The CPN Seal represents the
HEALTH SERVICES Tackling the Pandemic as a Team
Reinhardt’s health care
professionals exemplify deep commitment, positive attitudes and boundless energy – quite extraordinary, especially during a historic year of the unknown.
Former Campus Nurse Kristy Hough and Head Athletic Trainer Ashley Wolary proved themselves indispensable, helping to maintain the health and safety of Reinhardt faculty, staff and students. Together, day and night, they managed COVID-19 cases on campus, assuming responsibility for student care, contact tracing, quarantines and isolations.
“The biggest impact for me was not being able to spend much time with the athletes,” said Wolary. With few face-toface connections and many late nights of updating information and managing enormous data files, the caregivers had to find ways to care for themselves. Hough turned to several colleagues for support, sharing, “I learned how completely selfless people are at Reinhardt through this experience.”
Though met with indescribable challenges, Hough and Wolary found great rewards within their roles, slowing the spread of the virus. They both became essential members of the COVID-19 Task Force, a large team of Reinhardt deans, directors and staff, organized and led by President Roberts. From the onset of COVID-19, this team met several times a week to review data and make informed, time-sensitive institutional health and safety decisions – remaining critical to sustaining the University throughout the pandemic. Hough’s and Wolary’s input informed such decisions.
For Hough, “The most rewarding experience was being invited to COVID meetings with those I look up to the most. I felt so honored to be collaborating with the most brilliant people I know. During sessions, everyone had a chance to voice their opinions; there was a sense of belonging and mutual respect. It has been truly amazing to experience the passion and love expressed by all, and how well we worked together to get through something no one has been through before.”
The pandemic profoundly impacted our lives, with some elements changed
highest standard for online prevention education. It demands a rigorous set of criteria to ensure a measurable impact across the critical health and safety areas of sexual assault, alcohol and drug misuse, mental health, and diversity and inclusion.
“Alcohol, drugs, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking are problems on every campus and in every community. While Reinhardt is not immune from these issues, we truly believe that with appropriate and proactive prevention strategies we can work toward creating a safe and healthy community,” said May. Prevention Education Reinhardt requires students to participate in online training programs before arriving on campus. The Student Health Center continues the investment in prevention education throughout the year with resources and events like the Student Health Fair.
“We want the campus experience at Reinhardt to be a positive learning experience in and out of the classroom,” said May. “These programs help us build a strong community and help students navigate their college experiences.”
Former Campus Nurse Kristy Hough demonstrates the proper way to wear a face mask.
forever – many perhaps for the better. Reinhardt University faces the future with strong momentum – from a year of postponements and cancelations to a time of great discoveries, innovations and bold new ways to move forward.
“I learned so much from this experience,” said Wolary, “and I think we’ve all become better communicators and practitioners because of it.” She found solace in Reinhardt’s ability to keep its doors open without having to send students home, especially during the initial onset of the pandemic.
“We emerged from this experience while still playing sports and remaining in our classrooms which is so rewarding,” shared Wolary. “As an institution we persevered together. We made it happen!”
Aligning a Vision for Reinhardt’s Future
A dynamic movement that began in Georgia, 3DE re-engineers education to create engaging learning environments that reflect the world in which we live and empowers students with the knowledge, skills and confidence to unlock greater economic opportunity. The vision of 3DE aligns with Reinhardt’s mission and values in creating an environment where every student thrives.
3DE was developed through a shared vision from leaders in education, business and Junior Achievement (JA). This collective of passionate and innovative individuals united around the belief that equitable access to high quality education is the lever to economic mobility. With 90 percent of students in public schools, the focus was to develop public-private partnerships to systemically reengineer education to better reflect the real world and prepare students for life beyond the classroom walls.
Launched in 2015, this joint venture between Fulton County Schools, JA of Georgia and the broader Atlanta community led to the pilot of a new school model that quickly captured the attention of leaders in education, civic and corporate sectors.
Recognizing the profound potential of our students and the long-term socioeconomic health of our country, Junior Achievement USA made two pivotal decisions in the summer of 2018. The first was to develop a new brand that properly reflected the core elements driving systemic transformation of our schools and students. Second, they created a new national organization to allow the model to scale with fidelity. This work led to the advent of what is now known as 3DE. 3DE currently has 28 schools across six states and Washington, D.C., with plans to expand to 55 schools by 2024. With the long-term goal of 2,500 locations, 3DE will equate to 10 percent of all public high schools in America.
Reinhardt is proud to be part of this new model.
“When I first learned of 3DE’s innovative work being forged to transform educational opportunities for public high school students, I knew then that Reinhardt had to get involved in some way,” said President Mark Roberts, Ph.D. “Thanks to the great partnershipbuilding led by Dr. Tish Szymurski, Reinhardt’s admissions team has engaged with such intelligent and motivated students who participate in the 3DE program. This initiative is not just about spreading the good word about Reinhardt, it is also about connecting with our region and contributing to the constructive and innovative teaching being performed by 3DE. We are so excited to be a part of these educational solutions because it fits Reinhardt’s ethos and commitment to continuous educational improvement.”
Reinhardt began partnering with 3DE in Fall 2020, serving as a client for the Senior Capstone Consultancy project, and supporting three groups of high school seniors at Norcross High School. These seniors became “consultants” to the Office of Admissions. Dr. Tish Szymurski, Vice President for Enrollment Management, Marketing & Communications, led the initiative and designed the consultancy project with Reinhardt and 3DE staff to inform strategic recruitment: increasing awareness and visibility of Reinhardt University in Gwinnett; reaching Hispanic populations Continued, page 16
Reinhardt, 3DE and Norcross High School unite to deliver valuable student-led high school consultancies.
within communities; and developing a Reinhardt recruitment event in Gwinnett. Hayley Cooper, Valencia Flores, Jennifer Prine and Heather Tilden, Reinhardt’s dedicated leaders of recruitment and marketing for the Office of Admissions, coached the students through their projects.
The results proved extraordinary, with our Norcross High School consultants delivering key takeaways for immediate application: recruitment strategies, community opportunities and increased visibility for the university. Who better to direct admissions than high school seniors? In addition, these Norcross students further engaged as Reinhardt “ambassadors” at recruitment events, both virtually and on campus.
“Collaborating with 3DE students has been so rewarding,” said Heather Tilden, Associate Director of Admissions - Marketing & Communications. “These students bring forth diverse and real-world ideas that we have been able to implement into our event planning and admissions strategies. Watching the development of the students from the beginning of a project to its completion is without a doubt what I enjoy most about this partnership.”
With the success of Junior Achievement BizTown, and now 3DE, Reinhardt has been invited to facilitate three additional consultancies – again with Norcross High School, as well as a unique opportunity with 11th graders at Northview High School in John’s Creek. The 11th grade students will dive into a Reinhardt-focused case study with the topic of “planning strategically.” Specifically, students will examine the use of data and test scores in math and English course placements for college freshmen. Mallory Newsome, Admissions Counselor, helps lead these collaboratives.
Reinhardt launches Storefront at JA-Gwinnett
Imagine: You are a 6th grader. You step into a colorful, bustling town of shops, restaurants and local businesses. Your pocket is filled with money (limited budget, of course). You are eager to spend and investigate the possibilities. What’s next?
This is Junior Achievement (JA) of Georgia’s innovative approach for middle- and high-school students to engage in a simulated economy – a fun, interactive, immersive opportunity called JA BizTown. BizTown is experienced as a physical town, built with storefronts of familiar Georgia companies, where we, as consumers, spend our money and fuel our businesses. Young students enter BizTown with varied career interests, financial profiles and imaginary funds. Community volunteers guide students on goalsetting, financial literacy and the experiences of being a consumer.
The businesses vary accordingly in four state-wide JA Discovery Centers, representing different industries like Chick-fil-A (food), Atlanta Braves (entertainment) and Gas South (utilities). Now representing education in Gwinnett is Reinhardt University! At the Reinhardt storefront, students can purchase items at the simulated bookstore and apply to the university at Admissions House. Students, volunteers, and employers from across metroAtlanta will experience Reinhardt in a real way.
“A few years ago, when Dr. Tish Szymurski invited me to meet with JA leaders at BizTown, I immediately envisioned and hoped that Reinhardt University would be represented in this unique, simulated business environment,” shared President Mark Roberts, Ph.D.
Our partnership exposes Reinhardt to 32,000+ students from Gwinnett County Public Schools, private and charter schools, and outlying educational systems. An additional 2,500+ teachers, over 5,000 volunteers – representing employers, parents and community groups – and 22,500+ families receive additional materials that highlight BizTown partners — including Reinhardt!
Along with a Gwinnett presence, Reinhardt continues its JA partnership with volunteer service. Over the past two years, Dr. Walter May, Dean of Students, integrated JA as a service-learning site for the freshmen First Year Seminar (FYS). During FYS, Reinhardt freshmen volunteered to facilitate the JA experience with younger students.
“Engagement with Junior Achievement, and now 3DE, offers tremendous honor and opportunity for Reinhardt University,” said Szymurski. “3DE students provide deep insights and creative, innovative paths to our future – theirs and ours. RU’s vision is keenly aligned with 3DE’s – to systemically re-engineer education to better reflect the real world and prepare students for life beyond the classroom walls. It is in our collective best interest to work together, and I am excited about our relationship with 3DE. We can’t do it alone – our concerted best interest is our united best future.”
“3DE is a fully immersive model that transforms the student journey through all four years of high school,”
“Junior Achievement is a wonderful partner,” shared Dr. May. Like Reinhardt, JA’s curriculum focuses on high impact learning and active engagement. Reinhardt students, as volunteers, apply the concepts they learn in FYS to the JA experience. During Fall 2019, Reinhardt FYS students broke records with over 3,500 hours of JA volunteer service!”
“Dr. May and Reinhardt’s tireless student development staff provided a transformative servicelearning opportunity to nearly every first-time RU student,” shared Dr. Roberts. “We are so appreciative of our partnership with Junior Achievement to deeply educate students about the value of service.”
Reinhardt’s JA BizTown Storefront launches in Fall 2021 for three years – a celebration of student opportunity and achievement at all levels – from middle school to Reinhardt!
To read more about JA Discovery Centers, visit www.georgia.ja.org
said John Hancock, President and CEO, Junior Achievement of Georgia. “Its success is directly linked to involvement from organizations like Reinhardt who not only bring real-world business connectivity to our students, but also expose them to the high quality post-secondary education options that exist right in their own communities.”
Aproud first-generation college student, J’aLai Price ’21 studied musical theatre at Reinhardt. After spending much of her education in homeschool, Price searched for a small, more personal college, leading her to Reinhardt University.
“I know there are many small schools out there, but what made Reinhardt different was the people on campus,” said Price. “It felt like each person cared about me, and after I was accepted, the university lived up to its message. I wasn’t just a number, and I had – and still have – a support system around me who push me to accomplish each and every one of my goals.”
First-generation students – those first to attend college in their families – navigate new territory with their families.
“Going into an environment my parents and I knew nothing about was a challenge itself,” Price said.
Financial aid is often the first step and most significant learning curve in college exploration for many, which Price and her family experienced firsthand. Once Price and her sister entered high school, her parents began to approach the financial aspects of college.
“They never filled out a FAFSA, or even knew what a FAFSA was. Therefore, among other difficult obstacles, the preparation and application process were one of the biggest challenges because it was something new that we all had to quickly figure out and learn how to do.”
After meeting with Reinhardt’s financial aid office, Price and her family felt more prepared, knowledgeable and comfortable with navigating the world of higher education.
“Although it was a challenge, my financial aid counselor helped me and my family every step of the way and is one of the reasons why now, when my sister begins her college career, she and my parents will be far more equipped than we ever were four years ago.”
Price – who earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre – embraced the journey of a first-generation student with stride. She became deeply engaged in campus activities, actively participated in the honors program and earned the privilege of speaking at her commencement ceremony.
“For many of us obtaining our degrees today, we are first-generation students. For some of us, this is only our first point to our educational finish line. In March 2020, our campus and the world changed forever. Classes moved online and we were forced to proceed. Through the storm, each and every one of us grabbed hold of a miracle – someone or something – that helped us to stay focused and accomplish the vision we set out for ourselves,” Price said to her fellow graduates. “Reinhardt let me know I made no mistake in choosing where to pursue my degree. God made the way, and I walked the path. I encourage you to walk the path and embark on this journey to better yourself and your community.”
Director Jeff Bishop points out a new exhibit to President Roberts.
NEH Grant Funds Trail of Tears Project at the Funk Heritage Center
The Funk Heritage Center will kick off Summer 2022 with 72 educators from around the United States, as it hosts an educational program funded by an award-winning grant.
Of $30 million granted to 238 humanities projects across the country from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the Funk Heritage Center won a $189,004 Landmarks of American History grant to fund educational seminars.
“This NEH grant is a big feather in our cap for the Funk Heritage Center and Reinhardt,” said Director of the Funk Heritage Center, Jeff Bishop.
The grant will fund the project known as “The Trail of Tears: Context and Perspectives.” Reinhardt faculty, along with nationally known Cherokee scholars, plan to host two one-week workshops, providing teachers with resources on how to tell the story of the Cherokee Removal and the Trail of Tears.
“School teachers from all over the country will have the opportunity to visit important sites involved in the Cherokee Removal” and utilize “resources at the Funk Heritage Center,” said Bishop. “We are thankful for the opportunity to host this important event.”
The Center received the highly competitive grant — received by only two Georgia higher education institutions — through the diligence of Bishop; President Mark A. Roberts, Ph.D.; Dr. Wayne Glowka, retired Dean of the School of Arts & Humanities; and Myra Hopper, Federal Grants Manager at Reinhardt, and others.
“Securing the NEH Landmarks of American History grant advances Reinhardt’s academic reputation, educational mission and engaging vision,” said Dr. Roberts. “I am honored to lead a university that values, preserves and shares its unique, historical place.”
STUDENT WORKS
My Journey to the Moon
–Max Rampley
Long after Neil Armstrong fled this misty blue, I donned a red ball cap and leapt from the front stoop.
The space race had begun.
Not every child was prepared to achieve excellence, but I had all the equipment I needed. Barefoot and shirtless, I drew a schematic in the dirt, recruiting my cousins and neighborhood pals as my flight crew.
Atop our Cozy Coupe fuselage was my cousin’s Fisher-Price Kitchen. Once we duct-taped my dad’s ladder to the top of the kitchen, our lunar prize was sky high. Before my ascent, I offered a nod to my faithful crew.
Left foot on the Cozy Coupe, right foot on our Fisher-Price Kitchen and seven feet in the air, I felt weightless as I climbed the last leg of our mission. While working towards the moon, the ladder lost its footing.
I descended to Earth far too soon, far too quickly. My head clattered off the cold ground and I woke up in my room with a frozen pack of peas on my knocked skull, staring at my ceiling’s stars, glowing in the dark.
IRON MAN
Matt Corrales
Rumspringa
–Brianna Arnold
I miss that type of nostalgic satisfaction...
Feeling full after that cornbread and buttermilk combo, and using that homemade lavender lard soap when I bathe. Being baptized in vinegar, and watching the aftermath of the riots.
Feeling those Hot Easter Sundays. Young, beautiful black boys selling water. Purple onions thrown under the bed. Weddings at New Springfield Baptist Church.
Holding my great-grandma’s hands. Glass cases filled with African figurines. Having prayers that end with both Amen and Asè. And finally the way life still surprises me.
Yes...I miss that type of nostalgic satisfaction.
RETRO PHONE Catherine Shope
OPIUM POPPY and VERDIGRIS AGARIC
Nataleigh Long
