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Jan. 22, 2010

Former GSW president returns for portrait unveiling         

AMERICUS--Former Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) President Michael L. Hanes, Ph.D., was back on campus recently. Saturday, Jan. 16, GSW hosted a reception and the official unveiling of a portrait of Hanes.

Hanes’ portrait, which was painted by award winning artist Suzanne Lavone Smith, will hang beside those of seven other former GSW presidents in the Presidents’ Conference Room in the Wheatley Administration Building.  Smith is an Atlanta native who resides in Nashville, Tn.  She and her family were present at the unveiling along with Hanes, his wife, Madlyn, and a large group of Hanes’ local friends and former colleagues.

Hanes served as the ninth president of Georgia Southwestern from 1996 to 2006. Under his leadership GSW made significant advances in a number of areas including the creation of a new honors program, the development of international service learning opportunities with Habitat for Humanity International, the integration of information technologies across the curriculum with online learning potential in every class, and the implementation of a facilities development plan involving major renovation projects in every academic building on campus, the total renovation of eight buildings, and the construction of three buildings for a total investment of more than $70 million.

In addition, during the Hanes’ years a campus historic district recognized by the state of Georgia was created, roughly $1.5 million in state grant funds were secured for campus beautification, and the Early College program was established for at-risk high school students with grant support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

“No matter where I am on the GSW campus I am reminded of the many contributions made by President Hanes,” said current GSW President Kendall Blanchard.  “The results of his efforts are seen in the several major buildings that were constructed during his tenure, such as new residence halls and the Student Success Center. 

“They are also witnessed in numerous renovations, in many special programs, and through the work of the many outstanding faculty and staff that were hired while he served as president,” Blanchard added. “In many ways, his work at GSW laid an essential foundation for much of the success that the University is enjoying today and for that I am extremely grateful.”

From 1973-1996, Hanes served in a number of progressively responsible positions as a professor and administrator at West Chester University in Pennsylvania, the University of South Carolina, and the University of Florida. He also served as director of the Early Education Division of the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation in Ypsilanti, Mich.

            He holds a Bachelor of Science in biology, a Master of Science in educational psychology, and a Ph.D. in educational psychology with minors in developmental psychology and research statistics, all from Indiana University.

Hanes' currently serves as president and CEO of the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts in Harrisburg, Pa. His wife, Madlyn L. Hanes, Ph.D., is chancellor of Penn State Harrisburg.                                            

            Portrait--Former GSW President Michael Hanes, now retired from higher education, recently attended a reception at GSW to unveil his presidential portrait. Hanes' wife, Madlyn, and the portrait artist Suzanne Lavone Smith, right, accompany Hanes with the portrait.

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