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Teresa MacCartney named Interim President of Georgia Southwestern State UniversityUniversity System of Georgia (USG) Chancellor Sonny Perdue today named USG’s Chief Operating Officer Teresa MacCartney as interim president of Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW), upon the departure of President Neal Weaver this May.
Weaver announced he would be stepping down May 10 after nearly seven years. He was named president of Stephen F. Austin University in Texas by the University of Texas System on March 18.
The leadership transition between MacCartney and Weaver will begin prior to his departure.
“Georgia Southwestern State University experienced record enrollment under President Weaver’s leadership, and we wish him continued success in Texas,” Perdue said. “We’re grateful to Teresa for temporarily stepping into this role and know the university will keep thriving in the interim. As an integral part of the university system’s leadership team, she’ll provide deep institutional knowledge and consistency while we consider next steps.”
Read more about MacCartney here.
Josie Battaglia, a nursing major from Dawson, Ga., was recently named Georgia Southwestern State University’s 2024 Outstanding Scholar, the University’s highest academic honor. Battaglia was recognized by Chancellor Sonny Perdue on Academic Recognition Day at the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) in Atlanta.
The USG Outstanding Scholars represent the system’s highest scholastic ideals and are selected by each individual institution. These students have a high GPA, strive for excellence and have the ability to share knowledge in various areas of expertise.
“I am very honored to have been chosen for this award,” said Battaglia. “Nursing school has been one of the hardest things I have ever done, and it is wonderful to be recognized for everything I’ve worked for. My passion for nursing is what helped me get through school. My main goal was to study not for the next test but for my future patients.”
Read more about Josie here.
On April 19, Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) and The Fuller Center for Housing presented a local family with the keys to their new home in a special dedication ceremony, the culmination of the Blitz Build as part of the University’s inaugural Big Event service initiative.
Approximately 420 volunteers from GSW, including faculty, staff and students, worked on the three-bedroom house for three weeks, alongside other volunteers from The Fuller Center and under the guidance of contractor Peter Salemme.
The ceremony took place at the residence on South Hampton St., drawing hundreds from both the GSW and Americus communities to witness the unveiling of the new home.
“This experience has been amazing,” said Alex Espitia, president of GSW’s Student Government Association and member of the President Jimmy Carter Leadership Program. “The building of this home exemplifies the power of collective action. It’s a symbol of hope, solidarity, and the unwavering belief in the potential of every individual to create a positive change. It’s about service, it’s about leadership, it’s about personal growth. It’s our turn to give back to the community that gives so much to us, and this is one of the best ways we can do that.”
Read more about The Big Event here.
Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) celebrates another semester of enrollment success, boasting a total of 3,159 students for Spring 2024. This marks a 13.6 percent increase compared to the previous year, the highest percentage growth in the University System of Georgia (USG).
During the spring semester, GSW experienced growth across all categories, including dual enrollment, transfers, new and continuing undergraduates, and graduates, with noteworthy increases of 11.9 percent in total undergraduates and 15.6 percent in graduates.
“We are honored to serve a growing number of students and are pleased they have chosen GSW as their home,” said Gaye Hayes, assistant vice president for Enrollment Management. “New academic programs, winning athletic teams, committed faculty and staff, and exciting campus activities are reasons students tell us they found their way to GSW. The secret is out – GSW is a quality choice for higher learning!”
Read more about GSW's spring enrollment here.
Thanks to generous donations to the GSW Foundation from Charles Eames and Perry Brothers Oil Co., all currently enrolled GSW students are eligible to win a $100 Gas N' Go gift card each month. The March winners were (pictured L to R, top row) Linda White, Curtianna Johnson, Malachi Young, (bottom row) Hunter Preston, and Angeline Uzcategui.
Students can enter the drawing through the link in the Breeze email each month. Winners will be contacted via email by a representative from the GSW Foundation.
Students from the President Jimmy Carter Leadership Program (PJCLP) recently visited the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, Ga. The excursion provided a unique opportunity for the students to gain insights into the impactful leadership and humanitarian efforts of former President Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter.
Before entering the museum, the PJCLP students had the privilege of meeting Hubert "Herky" Harris, who served as the assistant director of the Office of Management and Budget during President Carter's administration. Harris, currently the owner of Harris Plantation, Inc., graciously shared valuable perspectives and many captivating stories from his time working alongside President Carter, offering insights into business, leadership, politics, people and life.
“Hearing Mr. Harris’ insight into what it was actually like to work in the White House and alongside President Carter was enlightening,” said Dre’a Singleton, senior PJCLP member. “In addition to the fellowship with my peers, the discussion was by far the highlight of the trip.”
Read more about the trip here.
GSW commencement on May 10, featuring keynote by State Representative Patty Marie StinsonGSW will hold its Spring 2024 Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 10 at 11:00 a.m. in the Convocation Hall of the Student Success Center, also known as the Storm Dome. Approximately 300 students are graduating with a bachelor’s, master’s or specialist degree.
State Representative Patty Marie Stinson will serve as the ceremony’s commencement speaker. A native of Butler, Ga., Stinson has dedicated her life to public service and community engagement. After completing her education at the Georgia Institute of Technology, she began her career in public service, serving on the Taylor County Board of Elections before being elected as the State Representative for House District 139 in 2013.
Read more about Stinson here.
GSW hosted its second annual Hurricane Pitch competition on Tuesday, April 23 for entrepreneurial students with dreams of starting their own small businesses in the communities they call home.
Easton Cummings of Hoboken and Sylvester, Ga., a sophomore elementary education major, took home the grand prize of $7,500, which she will use to get her small business off the ground. Rollie Designs began when Cummings saw the need for high-quality, affordable custom jewelry and accessories. The business is named in honor of her and her late grandfather’s shared middle name – Rollie – as a tribute to him.
“I am immensely grateful to the GSW Foundation, Dr. Suzanne Conner, and the University for this invaluable opportunity,” stated Cummings. “This competition has helped grow my business as well as myself. It pushed me beyond my limits to achieve things I had no idea I was capable of. Nothing can compare to the feeling of having so many people believing in me and my business. This has truly been life changing and it is something I will never forget.”
Winning the People’s Choice Award was Solomon Motley of McDonough, Ga., a freshman pre-management major, who received $3,000 towards starting his small business, Legends in the Making. With his streetwear clothing brand, he hopes to inspire others to be their best.
Kendal Stokes, a junior communication and emerging media major from Columbus, Ga., was the third finalist. He presented Art Groove, an app-based platform that allows artists in all genres to connect and share their work.
Read more about the competition here.
GSW hosted its 6th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium featuring student research on topics such as politics and history, business, computer science and IT, psychology, biology, chemistry, and nursing.
Students from a variety of majors and fields shared their research projects with oral presentations and poster presentations. The research projects provide an opportunity for students to actively collaborate with their professors and peers, investigating real-world challenges within their chosen fields of study.
"GSW's Undergraduate Research Symposium highlights the outstanding achievements of our students as developing scholars," said Jill Drake, Ed.D., provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. "I am always so impressed with their disciplinary expertise and professional presentation skills. Their talks and posters are a wonderful testament to their dedication to their academic studies as well as the profound impact of faculty mentorship."
Find the full list of winners here.
Assistant Professor of Communication Jonathan Carter, Ph.D., was selected to be the tournament director for the first Regents Cup debate tournament. Following the vision of the BOR (particularly regents Evans and Hames) and Chancellor Purdue to host an event that celebrated civil debate on campuses, the tournament invited debate programs from across the USG to compete for the Regents Cup. Dr. Carter, due to his past experience with intercollegiate debate was selected to run the tournament. Attended by two former governors, as well as many other leaders in higher education, the tournament saw a debater from UGA win the Final round, while Valdosta State took home the Cup for best team performance.
The third-ranked Georgia Southwestern men's golf team posted a 1-over-par 289 in the final round of the Peach Belt Conference Championship at the par-72, 7,086-yard Forest Hills Golf Club to move up one position and finish in second place out of eight teams. All four of the GSW golfers to finish the three-day, three-round event landed in the top half of the 40-player field.
Prior to the Championship, the Hurricanes won their second consecutive tournament in Pensacola, Fla. They pulled away from the 14-team field at the Argonaut Invitational hosted by the University of West Florida to win by six strokes at the Pensacola Country Club.
Payne Sells won the individual championship with a 9-under par for his first collegiate victory.
Read more about the PBC Championship here and the Argonaut Invitational here.
GSW and Southern Union State Community College (SUSCC), located in Opelika, Ala., recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) designed to ensure concurrent enrollment and a smooth transition from SUSCC to GSW’s bachelor’s degree programs in education.
Through this agreement, students at SUSCC will be concurrently enrolled in GSW courses for two years. Upon successful completion of an associate’s degree at SUSCC in those first two years, students who meet the requirements will be eligible to transfer to GSW with up to 50% of the required credits for their selected education program.
“Together, we are fostering a seamless pathway that empowers students to reach their full potential and become tomorrow's exceptional educators,” stated Jill Drake, Ed.D., GSW provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “This collaboration embodies our commitment to excellence in education and to meeting the workforce needs of the school systems in our service area.”
Read more about the agreement here.
Canes Spotlights highlight Georgia Southwestern students who hold leadership roles, are involved in extracurricular activities and/or excel academically in their degree programs.
The March Canes Spotlights were junior English major Amari Rudison (left) and senior chemistry major Devin Fincher (right).
Amari was initially drawn to GSW for its campus and community and to the Department of English and Modern Languages for her love of writing and reading.
Now president of Sigma Gamma Rho and media editor for The Sou'Wester, Amari encourages introverted students to get out of their comfort zone. "Try to be as social as you can. Make one friend and know that more will come," she said. "If it wasn't for me putting myself in uncomfortable situations by being as social as I could possibly muster, I wouldn't be where I am right now."
Devin will be graduating with a degree in chemistry next month. He attributes interest in the subject to his love of research and understanding the world. "GSW's Chemistry program has provided me with an excellent educational experience inside and outside of the classroom that shaped me into a better person," Devin said.
"[GSW] provided me with the educational background along with the community involvement I needed to achieve my goals," Devin reflected. "This institution felt like a great place to develop lifelong connections and pursue my undergraduate degree." He plans to attend graduate school and pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry.
Canes Spotlights are nominated by GSW faculty and staff.
GSW’s chapter for Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS) held an induction ceremony followed by a reception honoring new members on Tuesday, April 9. Thirteen students and three College of Business and Computing faculty members were officially inducted into BGS.
BGS is an international honor society for juniors, seniors, and graduates with high academic achievement in business programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The mission of BGS is to encourage and honor academic achievement in the study of business, to cultivate and celebrate leadership and professional excellence, to advance the values of the Society, and to serve its lifelong members. To become a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, students must be enrolled full-time and be in the top 10% of the class academically in their junior or senior years or the top 20% in terms of graduate students.
The 2023-2024 inductees for Beta Gamma Sigma are:
Faculty: Jim Aller, Gaynor Cheokas, Qian Wang
Masters: Theodoros Gkoutsidis, Thomas Walter Koch, Abdallah Marhaba, Siew Thing Ngan, Marius Nicolae, Emma Katherine Whatley
Seniors: Romi Clingen, Kellie A. Hartman, Stephen Jason Hester, Thomas Smith, Chloe Lynn Sneed, Nehemiah Johnson
Juniors: Madeline Brooke Barnes
Pictured (L to R) are Dr. Darrin Theriault, Dr. Jim Aller, Emma Whatley, Stephen Hester, Kellie Hartman, Madeline Barnes, Dr. Maggie Wang (BGS Administrator), Dr. Gaynor Cheokas (Dean), Dr. Melinda Chatham; On the screen clockwise: Thomas Walter Koch, Abdallah Marhaba, Romi Clingen, Tim Siew Thing Ngan.
Sells named Peach Belt Conference Golfer of the WeekSenior Payne Sells was named the Peach Belt Conference Men's Golfer of the Week on April 15 by the league office.
Sells won the Argonaut Invitational last Tuesday, shooting rounds of 66-71-70 to finish at 9-under-par 207 for his first collegiate victory. The senior from Perry, Ga., tied for the low round of the tournament with his 66 opener; he then battled through winds gusting up to 30 mph in the final round for a two-under 70 to secure the win; also helping the Hurricanes to a team victory.
Sells beat a field that included five teams ranked in the top seven nationally. He is ranked #41 in the nation by Clippd and has three top-10s on the season.
The Department of Residential and Campus Life held its annual Greek Awards on Monday, April 22 in the Storm Dome. This event celebrates the combined contributions of all of our 13 Greek chapters. This year, our 200 Greek students made almost 400 contacts with alumni, hosted almost 50 events open to the student body, participated in 29 student organizations, did over 3000 community service hours, and gave over $38,000 to charities. During the ceremony, the following students and chapters were also recognized:
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was recognized for leadership in Academic Achievement, Alumni Engagement, Campus Involvement, Community Service, and Philanthropy.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was recognized for leadership in Academic Achievement and Community Service.
Kappa Delta was recognized for leadership in Academic Achievement, Alumni Engagement, Community Service, and Philanthropy.
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was recognized for leadership in Academic Achievement.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was recognized for leadership in Academic Achievement, Alumni Engagement, Campus Involvement, and Community Service.
Zeta Tau Alpha was recognized for leadership in Alumni Engagement, Community Service, and Philanthropy.
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. was recognized for leadership in Academic Achievement, Alumni Engagement, Campus Involvement, and Community Service.
Kappa Sigma was recognized for leadership in Alumni Engagement and Community Service.
Espitia attends USG conference, selected for awardGSW Student Government Association President, Alex Espitia, attend the Student Advisory Council Conference that is put together each semester by personal from the University System of Georgia office. Alex had the opportunity to meet with SGA Presidents and representatives from all 26 institutions. He was excited about learn more about the transition of power, speak with the Chancellor about issues that institutions are facing, and also take an adventure on the Lady Jane Shrimpin Excursion.
Alex has been selected to receive the Student Advisory Council Leadership Award from the System of Georgia Board of Regents. The SAC Leadership Award is given to a dedicated SGA President in honor of Regent Willis J. Potts for his strong support and involvement with SAC students. On Friday, April 5, 2024 SGA President Alex Espitia was nominated by his peers to be the 2024 recipient. He will be attending the Board of Regents meeting on May 14 to accept the award.
"This is such a huge honor and knowing that not only GSW knows how hard SGA is working but other institutions sees it too," said Alex. "I am so grateful to GSW for allowing me to serve as SGA President for two years and representing them away from campus. I am excited for the future of SGA and I look forward to seeing all of the accomplishments to come. I want to give a huge thank you to all of the members of SGA for their hard work, dedication, and love to make GSW a better place."
Men's golfers Erik Fogel and Payne Sells were named to the 2023-24 Peach Belt All-Conference teams released on April 22 by league office.
Fogel was a first team selection. He ranks sixth in the conference with a 71.8 scoring average this season. The Stockholm, Sweden native has finished in the top 10 of five of nine events completed. He had a pair of fourth place finishes that included the Hurricane Invitational in October and the Southeastern Collegiate in March, the latter earned him Peach Belt Golfer of the Week on March 18. Fogel becomes the Hurricanes 10th Peach Belt All-Conference First Team selection and the program's first since the 2019-20 season.
Sells claimed his first all-conference honor a week after earning his first PBC Player of the Week award. Sells, a native of Perry, Ga., was named to the second team. He has four top 10 finishes in 10 events. Sells won the Argonaut Invitational on April 9, shooting rounds of 66-71-70 to finish at 9-under-par 207 for his first collegiate victory. The senior tied for the low round of the tournament with 66 in his opener.
Both golfers have posted rounds of 66 this season, which ties them for the PBC lead for low round in 2023-24.
Fincher presents in North GeorgiaDevin Fincher, senior chemistry major, and Dr. Michele Smith, Professor of Chemistry, attended the Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Confluence 2024 Conference at Unicoi State Park on March 22-23. Devin presented his research on “Water Quality Monitoring in the Kinchafoonee-Muckalee Watershed.” An abstract of the presentation is given below:
“Routine assessment of the local creeks, streams, and lakes is essential to ensure that our freshwater system is not contaminated. In this study six different sites in the Kinchafoonee-Muckalee watershed underwent chemical and bacterial analysis multiple times throughout the span of this project. Utilizing varying chemical methods, levels of nitrates, orthophosphates, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, conductivity, and pH were analyzed for each site. Bacterial analysis involved the use of 3M Petrifilm™ plating to quantify colonies of E-coli. Collected water samples were also analyzed for the presence of microplastics. The analysis of microplastics utilized a method in which a fluorescent dye, Nile red, was used to dye the particles so then can be quantified using a fluorescent microscope. Over the course of this research project, the overall chemical and bacterial testing results indicate that the water from the selected sites in the Kinchafoonee-Muckalee watershed fall within the established EPA water quality standards. Microplastic analysis proved to be beneficial in providing insight into plastic pollution as multiple sites produced samples that contained particles.”
Senior student Sydney McCord (pictured far left) attended annual research showcase at University of Florida Health Cancer Center, Gainesville, FL. The research showcase held on Jan. 30, 2024, featured 181 posters across cancer program presented by predoctoral students. Sydney was one of the 32 undergraduate students from across the country who were selected to attend the showcase and to learn about graduate degrees offered in cancer research at UF. She also participated in a daylong career explorations event and toured cancer research labs.
In another campus tour, pre-vet majors Destiny Musgrove, Lakyria Burden, Brayley Phillips, and Makayla Lashley-Dorough (second from left to right) visited College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL on March 29th, 2024. During this visit they participated in an hour long guided tour of the veterinary campus and attended seminar from admissions chair to learn about the Veterinary college admissions process.
Dr. Surya Amarachintha arranged the trips and encourages biology students to continuously take advantage of any such career events. Funding for these events was provided by Thomas chair foundation and Biology Club.
Dr. Glenn Robins, professor of history, presented a paper, “Antecedents to the Noble Cause: Jimmy Carter and Vietnam Veterans” at the Society for Military History meeting in Arlington, Virginia, on April 19 as part of a panel on Changing Perceptions: Political Activism, Presidential Speeches, and the Reinvention of the Vietnam Veteran Image. His paper addressed four topics: Carter’s legislative accomplishments on behalf of Vietnam veterans, the president’s rhetoric of gratitude and his national apology to Vietnam veterans, and a comparison of Carter’s and Ronald Reagan’s views of Vietnam veterans.
Assistant Professor of Computer Science Satyaki Nan published a paper titled "Hardware Trojan Testing with Hierarchical Trojan Types Under Cognitive Biases" and presented it at the 58th Annual Conference on Information Sciences and Systems (CISS), IEEE. The conference was at Princeton University, NJ in March 2024. The paper abstract is below:
In this paper, we consider the problem of testing Integrated Circuits (ICs) to check for the presence of hardware Trojans while diligently accounting for the hierarchical classification structure of Trojans, the error-prone nature of testing processes, and the strategic mindsets and behavioral irrationalities (cognitive biases) of buyers and manufacturers of ICs. As shown in the paper, such factors greatly impact the design of Trojan insertion and testing strategies. Under a hierarchy of Trojan types and testing imperfections, the paper first analytically characterizes Trojan insertion-testing strategies at Nash Equilibrium (NE) considering a buyer (defender) and malicious manufacturer (attacker) to be strategic and rational in nature. Then, the paper analytically characterizes such strategies when the involved entities are strategic but irrational in nature. Among others, results presented in the paper emphasize the asymmetric nature of the impact of behavioral irrationalities on the defender’s and attacker’s utilities. The paper also presents numerous simulation results to gain important insights into our analytically characterized Trojan insertion-testing strategies.
GSW retiree Gabriele Stauf has published several books of poetry titled "Living Into Inheritance," "East Window Matins," and "Eye of the Morning." She also publishes a poem and reading weekly on Substack.
Abbott presents alongside GaDOE in San DiegoCollege of Education Dean Rachel Abbott, Ph.D. was invited to partner with the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) to attend the Teach to Lead Summit in San Diego, California. The team - led by GaDOE Department of Rural Education and Innovation (REI) Teacher Recruitment and Retention Specialist, Heather Finley - included Deputy Superintendent Dr. Bronwyn Ragan-Martin, REI Senior Program Manager, Dr. Kermit Gilliard, Director of Federal Programs, Dr. Kathleen Yarbrough, Fannin County Special Education teacher Jerrica Green, and Abbott. The U.S. Department of Education hosted the three-day event and approved 10 team proposals from around the country. Each team was assigned a ‘critical friend’ to facilitate the team in activities and discussions around a problem of practice.
The project focused on the development of a Georgia Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program to address the teacher shortage. Rural districts tend to have greater difficulty filling vacancies as they typically lack the finances to attract and retain teachers like their more suburban and urban counterparts. GaDOE, specifically REI, is partnering with Abbott and the GSW College of Education to work with southwest Georgia districts to grow their own educators and allow paraprofessionals to "earn while they learn." With only a handful of active apprentices in the state and one apprenticeship sponsor, it is time for growth.
This project will create a statewide model to be replicated and scaled throughout the state of Georgia. The project will model the current GSW elementary education program for paraprofessionals but will provide additional supports, resources, and funding to districts. Sumter County, Lee County, and Crisp County will be the trail blazers for the first two years while the model and framework will be developed for a scalable and sustainable apprenticeship program.
Ashley Jones presented at the Popular Culture Association's Annual Conference in Chicago, IL on March 29. She presented a paper titled "*Sigh*: Exploring Cozy Gaming as Feminist Procedure" which examines the feminist and queer potential of the cozy gaming genre that is currently gaining popularity among the gaming community.
Grimes presents in FloridaMark Grimes recently presented research in progress at the 24th Annual Society of Business, Industry, and Economics (SOBIE) Conference in Destin, FL about “Implementing HR in Very Small Businesses.” The concept driving the research is that HR is critical for the successful growth of any organization, and perhaps especially so for very small businesses, which the research group defines as being 20 or fewer employees. These businesses are typically the least likely to have anyone on payroll who is performing any sort of formal HR function for various reasons: they can’t afford the dedicated staff person, the owner is reluctant to give up control related to people decisions, or the owners simply don’t feel that it is all that important. While a need exists for research on how these very small businesses can implement some degree of HR function, most of the existing research looks at Multi National Enterprises, which are large business that span the globe, or large businesses that are nationwide, or Small and Medium Enterprises, which tend to be defined as 50 or more employees. The researchers are looking specifically at businesses with 20 or fewer employees, as these very small businesses are exempted from most employment anti-discrimination laws. After presenting highlights of what has been found in the literature thus far, Grimes got some thoughts from attendees on how the study could be developed, and how the researchers could find very small businesses to survey or interview.
Assistant Dean and Associate Professor of Education Chris Pritchett, Ed.D., and Assistant Professor of Education Jessica Watson, Ph.D., presented at the 2024 USG Teaching and Learning Conference on April 16, 2024, in Athens, Georgia. The title of their presentation was Practicing Educators’ Perceptions on Classroom Management to Inform Educator Preparation Programs. They provided an interactive presentation/workshop outlining results from their research project concerning how teachers are trained and supported to manage their classroom.
Comeau presents on YouTube content and ghostsDr. Joseph Comeau, Associate Professor of Sociology, gave two presentations at professional conferences in one week. The first presentation was about creating sociology YouTube content at the University System of Georgia Teaching and Learning Conference in Athens, Georgia.
The second presentation was at the Southwestern Social Sciences Association conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. Comeau's presentation, titled “'I try really hard to not believe in this stuff, however, I saw what I saw.': Examining responses to self-reported haunt-type phenomena," was based upon interviews with people who have experienced ghost encounters.
More than one attendee told Comeau that it was the most fun they've ever had in a conference session.
The Department of Human Resources has launched an Employee of the Month program with the purpose of encouraging recognition of GSW faculty and staff who have significantly benefited the University and made contributions beyond the usual expectations or their employment.
Nominations can be made online each month here.
The March 2024 Employees of the Month were (pictured L to R, top row):
The April 2024 Employees of the Month were (pictured L to R, bottom row):
Associate Professor of Human Resources Management and Associate Dean of Graduate Programs Jim Aller, Ph.D., has been included in Marquis Who's Who for his dedication to the field of human resources.
Read more about Aller's HR career here.
Missy Tiber named GSW Women's Basketball Head CoachGSW has hired Missy Tiber as its new head women's basketball coach.
"We are very excited that Missy has accepted our offer to be the next head coach of the Georgia Southwestern State University Lady Hurricanes," Leeder said. "Coach Tiber came in and immediately connected with the women on our current roster, and her national recruiting contacts should allow us to remain nationally competitive going forward."
Tiber takes over a Georgia Southwestern program that has a record of 78-18 over the past three seasons with back-to-back Peach Belt Conference regular season and tournament championships. The Lady Hurricanes have earned an invitation to the NCAA Division II national tournament for three straight seasons and have advanced further each year, this past season reaching the Elite Eight.
"Missy is a proven winner at the NCAA Division II level," Leeder said. "We are looking forward to watching her come in and continue the upward trajectory our women's basketball program has been over the course of the past five seasons."
Tiber comes to Georgia Southwestern from the University of North Alabama, where she led the women's basketball program at the NCAA Division I level for five seasons. Over 11 seasons at North Alabama, Tiber compiled an overall record of 172-147. She began her stint at UNA in 2013-14 and led the UNA women's basketball program through the Division I transition.
Read more about Tiber here.
Madison Wilson joined the Office of Human Resources as an HR Specialist on Apr. 1, 2024.
Hailey Henderson, Web Content Strategist in the Department of University Relations, exited that role on Apr. 19, 2024.
Jalisa Mitchell, Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach in the Department of Athletics, exited that role on Apr. 23, 2024.
Zachery Ward, Lecturer of Education in the College of Education, exited that role on Apr. 25, 2024.
Queen Brown passed away on Mar. 26, 2024. She was Professor in the College of Education and had retired in 2022.
"I would like to thank Brian Mallet, Director of Institutional Research, and Chelsea Collins, Director of Marketing and Communications, for theirs talks to the students of my Communication in Organization (ENGL 4310) course, spring 2024. Brian discussed his insights of organizational communication and Chelsea provided a comprehensive picture of the role of communication at GSW. The students benefited immensely from their experience and insights. Thank you, Brian and Chelsea."
- Dr. Anish Dave, Professor in the Department of English and Modern Languages
"Thank you to the 420 students, faculty and staff who contributed over 1,500 volunteer hours for The Big Event – Blitz Build. A local father and 3 young children have a new place to call home. Thank you for coming together as one Cane Nation to serve the community."
- Dr. Laura Boren, Executive Vice President for Student Engagement and Success
"I want to thank you all for working with me, for welcoming us to this incredible campus, and for including us in the life of GSW. During our time here, we have witnessed the unwavering dedication of the faculty, staff, students, and alumni to creating a culture of excellence, innovation, and inclusivity. Together, we have overcome challenges to achieve numerous milestones and accomplishments, while staying focused on the core elements of GSW’s identity and never wavering from our commitment to the transformative power of education.
Each corner of the GSW campus holds memories that I will cherish forever, and as I transition to my new position, I leave with a sense of pride in all we have accomplished together. I leave with tremendous confidence in the bright future of GSW, and I will continue to support and advocate for its success in any way I can.
I want to thank you for your support, collaboration, and friendship. You have made my time here unforgettable and professionally transformative, and I am deeply grateful for the privilege to have served as GSW’s President."
- Dr. Neal Weaver, GSW President
English faculty host library eventIn conjunction with the Sumter Country Friends of the Library, English and Modern Languages faculty participated in an event at Lake Blackshear Regional Public Library on April 4, 2024 to celebrate National Library Week.
Faculty members Anish Dave, Alaina Kaus, Michael Moir, Lydia Rogers, and Jennifer Ryer each selected a favorite book to discuss in front of an audience of community members; Dave chose Beryl Markham's 'West with the Night,' Kaus spoke on Celeste Ng's 'Our Missing Hearts,' Moir selected J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings,' Rogers gave a synopsis of Anthony Doerr's 'All the Light We Cannot See,' and Ryer discussed her evolving relationship with Jane Austen's 'Persuasion.'
It was a bittersweet evening at the final Waffles with the Weavers on April 30. Over 350 students came out to say farewell to the Weavers and enjoy a well-deserved break as the semester winds down. Drinks were served in Dr. Weaver's iconic GSW cups and photos from the last seven years covered The Pods and Dining Hall. Dr. Weaver was also presented with a Silver Presidential Challenge Coin on behalf of the student body, as well as a handmade quilt made of past Waffles with the Weavers shirts.
Find more photos on GSW's Facebook page.
Women's soccer player Grace O'Shaughnessy was one of over 230 to attend the 2024 Student-Athlete Leadership Forum in Bethesda, Maryland.
"To be given a space to share your experiences and not be judged is powerful," said O'Shaughnessy. "Building relationships has by far been my favorite part of being here."
Learn more about the Forum here.
Students from the Herpetology and Plants of Georgia classes at GSW recently embarked on an educational field trip to Floyd and Walker counties in Northwest Georgia. The trip, led by faculty members Dr. Anne Jacobs, Dr. Tom Lorenz, and Dr. Stephanie Harvey, provided students with hands-on experience in exploring various ecosystems and identifying numerous plant and animal species. The field trip included visits to The Pocket Recreation Area in the Conasauga District of Chattahoochee National Forest, as well as Pettyjohn's Cave and the Shirley Miller Trail within the Crockford-Pigeon MT Wildlife Management Area (WMA).
These locations offered students the opportunity to study diverse environments ranging from aquatic to dry-upland sites. Throughout the trip, students observed and identified an impressive array of organisms. Notable species included the Pigeon Mountain salamander (Plethodon petraeus), Cave salamander (Eurycea lucifuga), Barred Owl (Strix varia), Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferous), Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus), Bashful Wakerobin (Trillium catebaei), 5-Leaved Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema quinetum), Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata), and Devil's Urn (Urnula criteria). The Herpetology students, led by Dr. Tom Lorenz, successfully identified 12 species of amphibians and reptiles during the trip. Meanwhile, the Plants of Georgia class, under the guidance of Dr. Stephanie Harvey, observed, identified, and cataloged over 80 plant species.
"This field trip provided our students with an invaluable opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge in real-world settings," said Dr. Anne Jacobs. "Engaging with such diverse ecosystems and species allows them to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the natural world."
Participating students, including Zoe Willis, Jenna Cuff, and Rees Smith, benefited from the learning experience and the chance to explore the rich biodiversity of Northwest Georgia.
Rees Smith commented “We were able to see plants and animals that we don’t see around this area which was neat.” The successful field trip demonstrates GSW's commitment to providing students with immersive, hands-on learning experiences that complement their classroom education and prepare them for future careers in the field of biology.
Staff Senate hosts Let's Break to Educate eventsThis academic year, GSW's Staff Senate has hosted several events in a series titled Let's Break to Educate. The aim of these events is to explore places and disciplines on campus staff may not normally get a chance to experience.
The most recent event - Science Xplained: Ice Cream Chemistry - was help on March 29, 2024. Professor of Chemistry N. Iordanova, Ph.D., made ice cream with liquid nitrogen and explained the science behind it all for attendees.
On February 209, 2024, attendees took a tour of GSW's Baseball and Softball Training Facility, one of the newest facilities on campus.
Staff members were also able to experience The Art of Glassblowing through demonstrations in the Fine Arts Building on October 23, 2023.
The College of Education hosted its third annual Recruitment and Appreciation Fest on April 11, 2024. Over 30 high school students interested in teaching as a profession from Sumter County and Crisp County were welcomed to campus for food, fun, games, and a campus tour. Faculty, staff, and teacher candidates from the College of Education socialized with the high school students inside and on the front lawn of the Education Center. Admissions staff completed the high schoolers' visit by giving full campus tours.
The GSW Concert Choir and Southwest Civic Chorus performed in "A Beethoven Birthday Bash" with the Albany Symphony Orchestra and combined area choruses on April 20, 2024 at the Municipal Auditorium in Albany, Ga. Dr. Claire Fox Hillard, conductor, led the choruses in Beethoven's "Elegiac Song, Op. 118" and "Choral Fantasy, Op. 80", which featured pianist Albert Cano Smit.
Soloists included soprano Dr. Julie Megginson, Professor of Music, and tenors, Mr. Beau Palmer, Lecturer of Music, and Christopher Reed, GSW alumnus 2004 (BA Music) and 2010 (MBA). This was the 10th collaboration in which the GSW Concert Choir and Southwest Civic Chorus, under the direction of Dr. Julie Megginson, participated with the Albany Symphony Orchestra.
Find more events on the GSW academic calendar, on CanesConnect, and on the Events Open to the Community webpage.
