The Hawkeye (Spring 2023)

The Hawkeye Staff

The Hawkeye

Dr. Earl Kellett

Dean, College of Humanities and Social Sciences Professor of Christian Studies

Dr. William Mullen Chair, Department of Communication Studies Professor of Communication Studies

Melissa Baskin Assistant Professor of Communication Studies Faculty Advisor

Andrea Medel-Hernandez Communication Studies Editor/Photographer

Cover photo by: Andrea Medel-Hernandez

Staff photos by: Andrea Medel-Hernandez

Cooper Hunt Communication Studies Staff Writer

Mary Avis Casey Communication Studies Staff Writer

Clark Brannon Communication Studies Staff Writer/Photographer

Brianna Johnston Communication Studies Staff Writer/Photographer

Students Choose Dena Tracy for The Hawkeye Faculty Award

The Hawkeye Faculty Award is an honor bestowed via the student body to any faculty member to recognize him or her for having excellence in collegiate education, having a positive impact on students’ lives, and setting an outstanding example of Transforming Lives Through Christ daily and throughout the year. Professor Dena Tracy, Assistant Professor of Education, has done just that as she is a constant source of inspiration for her education students and teaching candidates.

Tracy was sought out specifically by Dr. Dana King, Dean of the School of Education and Associate Professor of Education, after she made a strong impression as an educator who was entirely committed to excellence in learning. “I met Dena when she was serving as the Social Studies Coordinator for Floyd County Schools,” King said. “She attended our Teacher/Educator Advisory Council meeting. Then, when the need arose to hire an additional professor, her name crossed my desk. I recognized her from that session. I don’t believe in coincidences; I believe that was ordained.”

Shorter’s School of Education is ranked number one in the state among Georgia College’s and University’s Teacher Preparation Programs. It boasts a 100 percent placement rate for sending graduating seniors into professional employment and has undeniably flourished and grown in the way it serves education students since Tracy has been at Shorter. King credits much of the school’s success to Tracy. “As our Field Experience Coordinator, she makes placements for our candidates. We are growing outside of our bounds. We are no longer tied to just Rome City Schools or Floyd County Schools; we’re now branching into Gordon County, Calhoun City, Bartow County, Cartersville City, and Paulding County schools. Tracy has also increased our ability to help students land their first teaching job. She has organized mock interview days for seniors to practice interviewing skills. The mock interviews have really blossomed in that now we have districts reaching out to us, wanting to participate instead of us having to go

to them,” said King.

An especially noteworthy achievement during Tracy’s time at Shorter has been her serving in the role of the local edTPA. Although no longer required by the state, edTPA is a notoriously intensive assessment used in teacher preparation programs to prepare candidates for skills needed in a classroom, covering planning for instruction and assessment, instructing and engaging students in learning, and assessing student learning. Regarding Tracy’s service in this position, King said, “She wanted to learn all that she could about that role and took it upon herself to become a national scorer for edTPA, which is quite a feat. It’s not something that is easily done; it’s very strenuous as far as making sure that your scores are within the bounds of what the experts say they should be. She earned that credentialing, and when she did, like teachers tend to do, we had a party. I crowned her the Queen of edTPA with a tiara with lights and all the bells and whistles! That is a credentialing that is not easy to come by and something that she just took upon herself

to do. Dena’s accomplishment showed her dedication to excellence and to making sure that students have what they need to be successful.”

Outside of her focused role in the School of Education, Tracy has also worked to be involved and connected to students in all areas of study. King said, “Dena makes it her mission to get to know every student on a personal level and to be involved in their lives. She is interested in being more involved in the university at large. Dena served as a professor in the Foundations of College Success class this year, which allowed her to build those relationships with students very early on.” Yet more than any curriculum-centered quality, Tracy meets the high standard as an exemplary member of Shorter’s faculty for the way she represents and exemplifies the university motto of Transforming Lives Through Christ. In one of the student nomination letters submitted in Tracy’s favor, a School of Education student wrote that, in addition to sponsoring and fostering academic excellence as the faculty advisor for the Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society, “Mrs. Tracy is the perfect example of a professor that should teach at Shorter University. She shines the light of Jesus in everything she does. I believe that

she truly transforms lives through Christ.” Another student letter similarly praised Tracy in saying, “She spreads the love of Christ in every class, and I can’t imagine someone more fitting for this award.”

By: Cooper Hunt Photos by: Brianna Johnston & submitted by Dr. Dana King

The Hawkeye

A Senior’s Short Film Farewell

As a communications studies major concentrating in digital production, a lifelong fan of movies, and an aspiring film critic, the notion of writing/directing my own short film has always been such an exciting idea. Nearing the end of my three years on the Hill and having two previous short films under my belt (the black-and-white thriller “Nemesis” and the car chase actioner “The Drive”), I wanted to take the lessons I learned on those films and make something simpler yet more emotionally evocative and relatable that audiences could readily connect with.

“Without Waffles” is a silly title on the surface, but it is one that holds a lot of symbolic significance once you have seen the film. It is a story about holding on to your loved ones in the face of lostness and grief, told from the perspective of a father and son who are unsure of how their family will stay together in the wake of a tragedy. When drafting the script, my plan was to write a poignant family dramedy inspired by Linklater, Baumbach, and a certain series that is given a loving shout-out from some of the characters in the film. However, as it often does, real life influenced art as the characters Samuel, Evan, Amy, and Brittany

grew to be more and more like people in my own life. While the film is certainly not autobiographical, Evan’s struggles are derived from my own experiences throughout my college years. Professor Katherine Dudley Blair, Associate Professor of Communication Studies, was very supportive in allowing me to use this opportunity to tell a very personal story without pretense in the hope that it could be appreciated and interpreted for the dramatized fiction that it is. Evan can be any college student. Samuel can be any father. Amy can be any young adult. Brittany can be any friend. The characters were written to be windows into the complicated feelings of human beings without making any of them a hero or villain. Every character has noticeable flaws but also admirable qualities. Samuel and Evan are the dual protagonists, but like all of us, they are entirely imperfect people.

Technically speaking, this film allowed me to challenge myself with a more ambitious approach than any previous Shorter production. Our cinematography team, led by sophomore communication studies major Clark Brannon, met every challenge I threw at them with an eager can-do attitude, making great use of

Cooper Hunt directs Clark Brannon, cinematographer, for a close-up shot of actor Chris Cole.

Gavin Gilreath, sound technician, checks the audio levels of the actors during rehearsal.

Steadicam to capture the fluid motion and turbulent nature of the emotional story. The team and I even tackled such complex shots as filming outside moving vehicles on highways as well as capturing the film’s climactic 5-minute scene of dialogue in one sustained, unbroken long-take. The rest of our crew all supported the film by providing production paperwork, props, makeup/hair, costumes, location scouting, sound recording, and more. My parents even contributed crucial assistance with food preparation for the final breakfast scene and generously allowed us to use the Hunt family home as our main location. More than any past project, this short film was immensely collaborative and was only made possible because of the hard work and commitment of the crew.

Likewise, the cast was an invaluable element of this production. As part of my desire to challenge myself with this project, I committed to using an entirely new cast of actors that I had never directed before, which allowed the film to have a freshness to it as we held auditions for actors of all ages from across the state. Our final four actors (Chris Cole, manager of the Shorter post office, senior theatre major Dee Hare from LaGrange College, senior theatre major Kayla Ray, and senior musical theatre major Lindsay Williams) are all remarkable talents who were a joy to work with. Their enthusiasm toward the project

was a significant help in telling this story as was their patience in the face of unforeseen obstacles to the production such as last-minute schedule changes, unpredictable weather developments, and more.

It seems fitting that my final short film at Shorter was largely shot at my own home and tells a story that is loosely inspired by my own life, making it the most vulnerable piece of art I have ever made. It has allowed me to reflect on the lessons learned and questions answered over the last three years that have made my experiences at Shorter so definitively formative for the future God is guiding me toward. Hopefully, the story of this hurting family will move people and remind them to cherish and cling to their own families and friends. A personal favorite quote of mine comes from a musical I once performed in entitled “Fly By Night” wherein my character, a grieving widower, reminds us that “Life is not the things that we do; it’s who we’re doing them with.” I pray that “Without Waffles” can be my own contribution to that bittersweet thought: a reminder to be at peace with the past, thankful for the present and the people we love, and trustingly anticipate the future that God is preparing us all to share and live together.

By: Cooper Hunt

Photos by: Katherine Dudley Blair

Clark Brannon, cinematographer, frames a shot of actor Chris Cole, while Cooper Hunt, director, gives him acting notes.

The entire crew works hard at getting the perfect shot before the rain starts.

Student Credits the School of Education for Opportunities in Her Field

Shorter’s School of Education has earned a reputation for excellence among colleges and universities in the state of Georgia for preparing its teachers for careers in the classroom. “Shorter University has a job placement rate of 100 percent among our education majors. Typically, students line up jobs around the months of January or February during their senior year,” said Dr. Dana King, Dean of the School of Education and Associate Professor of Education.

Students majoring in education receive excellent training from professors who have years of teaching experience as well as training outside of classroom instruction. During the students’ senior year, they are afforded many opportunities that better prepare them for life in the classroom. All education majors are required to participate in a semester of student teaching. In addition, students are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities like paraprofessional jobs and long-term substitute teaching opportunities to enhance their preparation for the classroom. This academic year, many seniors took advantage of these outside opportunities to further their classroom experiences.

Brynn Hall, a senior elementary education major, secured her mandatory student teaching assignment at West End Elementary School in Rome, Ga., where she gained classroom experience. During Hall’s student teaching, everyone at West End Elementary welcomed and supported her. “I am thankful that God called me to be one of the lucky ones to teach and help shape these little minds,” she

said. Many students like Hall said the professors in the School of Education prepared them very well for the real-world teaching experiences and noted that the school has a positive reputation among educators in the community. Hall said, “My school (West End Elementary) raves about the student teachers from Shorter. I am so blessed to be a Teaching Hawk.”

During her student teaching, Hall focused her attention on her cooperating teacher to learn about teaching techniques, interaction with the students, and the day-to-day management of the classroom, as well as assisting the teacher in student instruction. Hall also observed other educators. She was encouraged by all the teachers she worked with because they gave 100 percent to their job and showed passion for teaching. Being surrounded by educators who loved teaching and focused on the positives of teaching was exciting for Hall.

With a job secured, Hall is focusing on getting her classroom ready and settling in as a full-time educator. Shorter’s School of Education has produced many successful graduates through the years, and Hall is happy and excited to be one of those. Upon graduation in the spring, Hall joins a group of successful alumni in the area to help further the lives of young children. She is thankful for the opportunity to learn at Shorter University and knows that has set her apart in the field. The School of Education has given multiple opportunities to students here at Shorter, and Hall is a great example of the success that has come from Shorter.

By: Mary Avis Casey

Brynn Hall says Shorter has prepared her to teach.

Photo submitted by Brynn Hall

Student Inspired by Her Brother to Work in Special Education

Working in special education is a unique and different field, focused on helping students with disabilities learn. Many who work in special education consider it a calling. Shorter’s School of Education has offered a degree in special education since 2016. Since then, numerous students have graduated and gone on to work in this field of education.

Aspen Sorrels, a junior special education major, is an example of one who displays a true calling in the field of special education. Sorrels felt called into special education because of younger brother Spencer who is on the autism spectrum. Autism Spectrum Disorder can be diagnosed at a fairly early age, and Spencer was diagnosed at the age of two. As a child, Spencer’s parents realized that he did not meet certain required milestones for children his age nor was he exhibiting ones that were supposed to be met later in childhood. Aspen said, “He has given my family so much joy. Throughout my life, Spencer and I have been very close. He was the reason I chose special education. It will always have a huge place in my heart.”

Even though Aspen wanted to major in education, the field of special education was not her first choice. “When I went into education, I did not think I wanted to work in special education,”she said. However, Aspen soon realized that God was calling her to work in special education. “God kept telling me over and over again to major in special education. So, I finally listened to God, submitted to His will, and changed my major. I knew the hardships that came with children who have disabilities, and I truly felt

called to work with them,” said Aspen. At Shorter, Aspen has had the unique opportunity to take Spencer into her classes for her classmates to observe and get hands-on experience working with a special education student. Sorrels’ professors and her classmates were so welcoming to her brother. Because of these experiences and the welcoming environment, Aspen felt that both Spencer and the students in the classes benefited from these unique opportunities.

After graduation, Aspen plans to work with special education students in younger grades. While she is not sure where the Lord will lead her, she is solely dependent upon Him. Through all the opportunities she has been given as a special education major at Shorter and her experiences with her brother, Aspen feels thoroughly equipped for the real-world experiences and encounters she will face when teaching special education students.

Along with her brother Spencer, Shorter University broadened Aspen’s horizons and made her realize her need to work in special education. Despite the hardships that come with those who have disabilities, Aspen knew the need that she was called to, accommodating people in this field. The School of Education has allowed Sorrels to pursue her calling to special education while also giving her brother an amazing opportunity to be in classes with her. Her brother has impacted her life and calling greatly, just as the School of Education has made that love grow.

By: Mary Avis Casey

Aspen Sorrels (right) chooses special education because of her brother Spencer. Photo submitted by Aspen Sorrels

Shorter Hosts Science Olympiad Competition

The Science Olympiad Competition, founded in 1984, has challenged bright and creative students to reach their maximum potential by pushing them to think through hard situations and form creative and effective solutions. The central goal of the program is for students to learn science while actively competing against their peer groups. Each year, approximately 6000 teams from elementary to high school age compete at 425 different tournament locations nationwide. Shorter began hosting the competition in 2021 and recently hosted a 2023 event.

Associate Professor of Chemistry Dr. Daniel Clayton originally pitched the idea of bringing the competition to Shorter and hosting a tournament location in 2020. Liking the idea of this, Shorter University started hosting the Science Olympiad Competition virtually in 2021. The entire competition across the country was virtual that year looking very different than previous years. The competition was held online by student video submissions of build events and online proctored tests for the others. The Science Olympiad Competition was held in person for the first time on campus in 2022. Since the first year of holding it on campus went well, Shorter was asked to host the regional tournament in 2023.

On February 4, 2023, 100 to 150 students came to the Shorter University campus to compete in the Science Olympiad. This competition is broken up into several parts for a total 23 events held at Shorter this year. The first part of the competition was a traditional test of knowledge where students were tested on a variety of science-based concepts and topics. The next part of the competition was the build event where

students had to solve a problem or create something to complete a task with a certain set of items. This year, students were instructed to build a rubber-powered aircraft and competed for how long their aircraft flew. Students also participated in building a musical instrument. They were tasked with playing a certain song in the correct pitch with their hand-crafted instrument. One of the most popular events was the bridge competition. Competitors were given popsicle sticks to build a bridge that could hold the most amount of weight possible. All of these events were all proctored and judged by Shorter science faculty and student volunteers.

This event could not have happened without the help of Shorter professors and students who gave their time because they truly cared about the goal of others learning and growing in science. When asked about the impact that having this competition had on participating students, Dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Clint Helms said, “The love the professors and college students showed toward the students competing made a great first impact of Shorter.”

Sophomore biochemistry major Keaton Brown agreed. “The Science Olympiad provided an opportunity for Shorter students to serve and engage with middle schoolers who are pursuing future medical professions all while showing God’s love,” he said.

With plans to host a 2024 Science Olympiad Competition, Shorter science faculty and students are eager to continue hosting the event and mentoring young scientists for years to come.

By: Clark Brannon

Taylor Moore, sophomore biology major, demonstrates how to properly conduct an experiment. Photo by: Clark Brannon

Keaton Brown

Biochemistry Major

Dr. Bert Exsted, Associate Professor of Chemistry, and sophomore biology majors, Taylor Moore and Logan Martin volunteered in the newly renovated science labs.

Photo by: Clark Brannon

A student analyzes rocks and records his findings for a geology assignment. Photo by: Makayla Gay

A competitor searches for the tools he needs to finish constructing his tennis ball-launching device.

Photo by: Clark Brannon

Students engage in a hands-on science activity during the competition. Photo by: Makayla Gay

“The Science Olympiad provided an opportunity for Shorter students to serve and engage with middle schoolers who are pursuing future medical professions .”

Sophomore

Senior Musical Theatre Major Finds Home on the Hill

Lindsay Williams, a senior musical theatre major, found the place she called home when she first came to Shorter University. Before coming to Shorter, Williams took a gap year after high school to discover herself, find her talents, and make a choice about her future career path. When it was time to choose a college, Williams toured Shorter with her mom and was impressed with the musical theatre program as well as the professors and students in that program. Williams ultimately chose Shorter because of the small class sizes and personal attention from professors. Growing up, Williams only had a few close friends. When she came to Shorter, Williams was “completely immersed in the family of the theatre department.” Halfway through her second semester, the Covid-19 pandemic began. Even though this was a difficult time, Williams was encouraged that she and her classmates stayed so well-connected. When students came back the next academic year, things changed due to the pandemic. Students learned to dance with masks and take proper precautions when interacting with one another. Despite the changes, Williams and fellow students connected with each other through this difficult situation. She said they made it work and “came out stronger because of it.”

Being a musical theatre major has afforded Williams many opportunities to perform. In December of her junior year, auditions were held for the Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella.” Williams secured

the role of Cinderella, which was her “dream role.” Playing Cinderella was very exciting for Williams and really affirmed her love for theatre. Williams said that it was her favorite show at Shorter, and it was very cool to see “the magic of theatre bring everyone together from all majors.” Since Cinderella was such a huge undertaking, students needed to raise funds for the show. Since Williams owned so many princess costumes, she helped create an event called the “Royal Tea on the Hill” where musical theatre majors dressed up as princesses and hosted young girls from the community. The event was a great success!

William’s senior year came fast, and she had to start thinking about her future. Her current plans are to attend professional auditions at theatre conferences across the country. She also attended the A1 Conference auditions in early January and recently attended the Unified Professional Theatre Auditions (UPTAs) and the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC). She hopes that a job will come as a result. Williams has learned a lot about herself by being at Shorter. She has been able to figure out who she is and learn her identity as a performer and as a person. Her experience at Shorter was very impactful. She said that the professors in the musical theatre department pushed her and her classmates to get out of their comfort zones and to do hard things. It helped form her into the person she is today.

By: Brianna Johnston

Being cast as Cinderella was Lindsey Williams’s dream role. Photo by: April Moore

“The magic of theatre brings everyone together.”

Lindsay Williams Senior Musical Theatre Major

Lindsay Williams sews an American flag in “Songs for a New World.” Photo by: Brian Gaukel

Lindsay Williams plays K.C. Downing in “My Favorite Year.”

Photo by: Hannah Duvall

Cinderella (Lindsey Williams) dances with Prince Charming, played by Shorter 2022 musical theatre graduate Jared Ivey, in the production of “Cinderella.” Photo by: April Moore

Dance is Lindsey William’s minor. Here, she performs in a spring recital. Photo by: Becca Schmidt

BCM Participates in Spring Break Mission Trip to Utah

Shorter’s Baptist College Ministry (BCM) and churches in Northwest Georgia Baptist Associations partnered with the Utah/Idaho Baptist Convention for the second year to help support local churches in Utah. Seven students, one faculty member, and one staff member from Shorter worked with three local churches and one church plant in the Logan, Utah, area. Students who served were Alexis Bagley, a sophomore Christian studies major, Owen Lewis, a senior Christian studies major, Andrew Bearden, a junior business administration major, and Maddi Hutchens, a sophomore biochemistry. Other students on the trip included Hayden Lanier, Sydney Pledger, and Parker Wolfe, all sophomore middle grades education majors. BCM Director David Roland, and Dr. Lucas Butler, Adjunct Instructor of Christian Studies, led the trip. The purpose of the trip was to share the Gospel and to support and encourage local churches in the Logan, Utah, area. To accomplish their mission, students helped lead church services and participated in a prayer walk at Utah State University. During the church services, several students shared their testimonies, while others preached. One of the highlights of the week was assisting with a youth rally where 60 students attended, which was the highest number of students they ever had.

In addition to leading and serving with local churches, the groups also learned more about the Church of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon) religion by touring a tabernacle and museum led by tour guides of that faith. Meeting with

Parker Wolfe, a sophomore middle grades education major, speaks in a worship service.

The BCM group took time to tour the area while in Utah. Going on short-term mission trips allow students to learn about others, to share the Gospel, and to minister to those in need.

those of the Mormon religion opened the door for Shorter students to discuss their faith in Christ on numerous occasions. At first, the locals who were of the Mormon faith were hesitant to talk to Christians since the two faiths are so vastly different. However, by the end of the trip, both groups were better able to understand one another better. One of the tour guides said that those from the Shorter group greatly impacted them and was their favorite group to visit the area.

When asked how the trip impacted them, Bearden said, “We had numerous opportunities to share about Christ and the gift of salvation through street ministry as well as three other events. This allowed me to work on sharing my faith with unbelievers face to face. I can bring back these experiences to our campus and use them for the advancement of God’s kingdom here in Rome, Georgia.”

Serving in the Utah area for two years made such a difference in the lives of these Shorter students, faculty, and staff. All agreed that if given the chance they would go back and serve in this area again.

By Brianna Johnston Photos submitted by Dr. Lucas Butler

Left to right: Dr. Lucas Butler, Andrew Bearden, David Roland, Sydney Pledger, Parker Wolfe, Owen Lewis, Hayden Lanier, Maddi Hutchens, and Alexis Bagley travel to Logan, Utah, for a spring break mission trip.

Sydney Pledger, a sophomore middle grades education major, shares her testimony at a youth rally.