Office of Public Relations:                                           For more information, contact: Stephen E. Snyder

(229) 931-2028                                                                        (229) 931-2037 stephen.snyder@gsw.edu

(229) 931-2072 fax

____________________________________________________________________________

Sept. 6, 2011

RCI recognizes 2011-12 Pope Fellows

          AMERICUS--The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI) at Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) honored its 2010-11 Pope Fellowship awardees at a reception recently.

            The Pope Fellowship/Scholarship Program was established in 1996 through an endowment from John and Betty Pope of Americus to promote a better understanding of the importance of professional and family caregiving. The RCI screens applicants, then grants and administers these fellowships and scholarships. Since 1996, 197 students have been awarded over $780,000 in support. Betty Pope addressed the group at the reception, along with GSW President Kendall Blanchard, Ph.D., and  RCI Executive Director Leisa Easom, Ph.D.

            The 2011-12 recipients are Miriam Rodriquez, a nursing major from Perry; Kristin Thrash, a sociology major from Hogansville; William Ellerbee, a biology/pre-med major from Thomaston; Sara Gillis, a nursing major from Bonaire; Brandi Mixon, a nursing major from Cordele; Brittany Brooks, a nursing major from Bainbridge; Kinesy Powell, a chemistry major from Buena Vista; Danielle Martin, a nursing major from Lawrenceville; Sally Anne Russell, a nursing major from Americus; Lauren Brown, an exercise science major from Kennesaw; and Rebecca Greenslade, a nursing major from Albany

            “It is indeed a distinct honor for these GSW students to be selected as Pope Fellows,” said Easom. “This fellowship experience within the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving will provide these students with an exceptional learning experience related to the field of caregiving. The need for family caregiving and knowledge about this population will only increase in coming decades. This increase in demand is related to several key trends, including an aging demographic, increased longevity, the growing burden of chronic illnesses, and an overburdened formal healthcare system.”

            The Pope Fellowships provide financial support for outstanding individuals enrolled in the Caregiver Specialist Certificate Program at GSW.  The goal of the Pope Fellowship program is to cultivate leaders in the caregiving field.

GSW’s certificate program is the only one of its kind in the state and represents a unique commitment of Georgia Southwestern to prepare leaders in the field of caregiving. The Caregiving Specialist Program includes 18 credits taken while pursuing a bachelor’s degree.  Past recipients of the Pope Fellowships have earned degrees in a variety of fields, including nursing, special education, psychology, sociology and business.

            For more information about this program, please call (229) 928-1234.

       Caption--Top row, left to right: Leisa Easom, Ph.D. RCI executive director; Miriam Rodriguez, Kristin Thrash, William Ellerbee, Sara Gillis, and Brandi Mixon. Bottom Row, left to right: Brittany Brooks, Kinesy Powell, Betty Pope, Danielle Martin, Sally Anne Russell, and Lauren Brown

 - GSW -