October 2015
Exciting Times
As the days grow cooler, Georgia Southern is heating up. The fall semester is in full swing and October is filled with hundreds of events, openings, plays, lectures, athletics events, fairs and open houses. The entire University community is spending countless hours studying and teaching, working and supporting.
Last week’s wonderful Homecoming festivities — including a victory in Saturday’s game — remind us about the traditions and experiences that make Georgia Southern special. I am honored to be leading Georgia Southern at this time with so many terrific things happening. We’ve highlighted just a few of them in the stories and links below.
As we head into the holiday season, let me take a moment and give thanks for each and every person who is part of this great University. Thank you to our faculty, staff, alumni, community supporters and most of all, our students. We are so fortunate to be able to call Georgia Southern home. And I am grateful to be able to serve as president during this exciting time in the University’s history. Thank you Eagle Nation.
Jean E. Bartels, Ph.D., RN
Interim President
Twitter: @PresBartels
Catherine Returns to the Sea
Researchers at the Georgia Southern University Sea Turtle Program at St. Catherines Island received a great deal of attention last month. An endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle named Catherine had been rescued after swallowing a fishing hook this summer. Our researchers assisted in her recovery and recent release back into her natural habitat. Check out the video:
For nearly 30 years, the program has been making strides in sea turtle conservation efforts along the Georgia Coast. We couldn’t be more proud of the important work being done by these and all the Georgia Southern researchers.
Write! Write! Write!
Georgia Southern recently completed a reaffirmation review by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and as part of the process developed the new Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). The QEP focuses on strengthening students’ ability to write effectively. Faculty members are leading university-wide efforts in teaching the QEP’s writing-intensive courses that require students to research topics and think critically. Associate Professor of Child and Family Development Jerri Kropp, Ph.D., volunteered the class “Assessment of Children” to be a writing-enhanced course and says, “Although this has necessitated some changes to the way I usually teach the class, the changes have enhanced the class and the writing process.”
Rewriting the instructions for two writing assignments, adding two in-class writing days, incorporating peer reviews and using a Student Writing Fellow are among Dr. Kropp’s course changes. She also “aligned the course student objectives to the QEP student learning outcomes.” The QEP is themed “Georgia Southern Eagles! Write! Write! Write!”
Relive Homecoming 2015
View the photo gallery for Homecoming 2015.
Women’s Golf Becomes 17th Sport
Georgia Southern launched its 17th varsity athletics program on Sept. 20 when the women’s golf program teed it up at the Furman Lady Paladin Invitational, marking both the culmination of the hard work needed to get a Division I program started and the beginning of a new journey aimed to emulate the storied tradition and success of Georgia Southern golf.
Two years ago Georgia Southern announced it would start the program shortly after moving to NCAA Division I FBS football and into the Sun Belt conference. Coach Emily Kuhfeld was hired in the summer of 2014 and has been recruiting an inaugural roster, crafting a schedule, hiring a staff, procuring equipment, making travel arrangements and overseeing modifications to the Bennett-Ramsey Golf Center, which now houses both the men’s and women’s programs.
Thus far, the Eagles have played well in three tournaments and will cap a strong debut fall season this weekend.
Football Tops in the Nation in Rushing Average per Game
The Georgia Southern football team’s season-high 507 yards versus New Mexico State in a 56-26 Homecoming win this past weekend raised their average rushing yards per game to 399 — tops in the nation. Off to a 5-1 start and sitting at 3-0 in the Sun Belt Conference heading into this Thursday’s game at rival Appalachian State, the Eagles have reeled off five straight victories after a tough season-opening loss at West Virginia. The team has scored 40 or more points in each of their victories.
Led by junior Matt Breida — ninth in nation in total rushing yards — who is on pace to set several school records this season, the backfield includes L.A. Ramsby, Wesley Fields, Kevin Ellison and Favian Upshaw, who have a combined 29 touchdowns on the ground in six games. The defense has 11 interceptions, ranking them seventh in the nation as a team, and senior safety Antonio Glover has five interceptions, tied for third in the nation.
Next up are back-to-back Thursday games: first at rival Appalachian State on Oct. 22, and then Texas State at Paulson Stadium on Oct. 29.
The Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art Presents Paper Moon: an economics of gender
With “Paper Moon: an economics of gender,” Becky Sellinger creates a gallery intervention in the form of the 1970s classic comedy/drama, “Paper Moon.” Exploring the aesthetics and economics of hospitality, the power of celebrity crushes and the many ways capitalist economies make something out of nothing, Sellinger’s exhibition puts a new twist on her explorations of social conditioning and cultural perceptions of femininity. Read more >
Faculty Achievements
Our accomplished and dedicated faculty continues to not only teach and serve but conduct important research as well, and many receive grants to support their efforts. The following is a listing of some of the grant awards since January 2015:
Karelle Aiken, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Chemistry, College of Science and Mathematics, “Collaborative Multidisciplinary Investigations Through Undergraduate Research Experiences: CEMITURE,” National Science Foundation
Ahmet S. Akturk, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of History, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, “2015-2016 Library Acquisition Grant,” The Institute of Turkish Studies
Moya Alfonso, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Community Health, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, “Concerted Services,” Concerted Services, Inc.
Andrew Allen, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Computer Sciences, Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Information Technology, “Collaborative Project: Engaged Learning – Design and Development Level II: Learning and Engagement Strategies for Software Courses Using a Cyberlearning Environment,” National Science Foundation
Monique Aller, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Physics, College of Science and Mathematics, “Connecting the Interstellar Gas and Dust Properties of Distant Galaxies,” University of South Carolina (sub-award from NASA)
Bettye Apenteng, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Health Policy and Management, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, “East Georgia State College Needs Assessment,” East Georgia State College
Asli Aslan, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, “Molecular Identification of the Sources of Non-point Pollution and Microbial Risk Assessment upon Exposure to Recreational Waters at Jekyll Island Beaches,” Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Doug Aubry, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Biology, College of Science and Mathematics, “Sustainable Water Use and Bioenergy: Estimating Water Use and Vertical Rooting Distribution in Intensively Managed Woody Crop Systems,” USDA
Finbarr Curtis, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Literature and Philosophy, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, New York Public Library
George Fu, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Civil Engineering and Construction Management, Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Information Technology, “Color Removal from Pulp Mill Effluent Using Immobilized Coal Fly Ash (CFA) Produced from Georgia Coal Combustion Power Plants,” Georgia Power Company
Melissa Garno, Ph.D., associate professor, School of Nursing, College of Health and Human Sciences, “Advance Nursing Education in the Areas of Psych/Mental Health,” Health Resources and Services Administration
Delena Gatch, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Physics, College of Science and Mathematics, “Richmond County Mathematics and Science Partnership,” Georgia Department of Education
Daniel Gleason, Ph.D., professor, Institute of Coastal Plain Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, “Investigating How Coral Recruitment and Juvenile Survivorship Varies Along the Florida Reef Tract,” NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program
Alina Iacob, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Mathematical Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, “International Conference in Homological Algebra,” National Science Foundation
Chester Jackson, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Geology and Geography, College of Science and Mathematics, “Mapping Estuarine Shoreline along the South Carolina Coast,” South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control
Myung Jeong, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Civil Engineering and Construction Management, Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Information Technology, “Evaluation of Structural Integrity for a Foamed Asphalt Course with High-RAP Content,” Georgia Department of Transportation
Shauna Joye, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Wilderness Medical Society
Chris Kadlec, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Information Technology, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, “Convergence Technology Center,” ATE NSF grant
Junsuk Kang, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Civil Engineering and Construction Management, Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Information Technology, “Prefab Bridges for Georgia City and County Roads,” Georgia Department of Transportation
Howard Keeley, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Literature and Philosophy, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, “Wexford-Savannah Axis Heritage project,” Irish State Department
Jacque Kelly, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Geology and Geography, College of Science and Mathematics, “Evaluation of the role of groundwater and elevation on marsh dieback development and recovery,” Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Mujibur Khan, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Information Technology, “Collaborative Multidisciplinary Investigations Through Undergraduate Research Experiences: CEMITURE,” National Science Foundation
Jennifer Kowalewski, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Communication Arts, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Georgia Department of Transportation
Jim Lobue, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Chemistry, College of Science and Mathematics, Richmond County Board of Education – Richmond Co. MSP
Misty Loughry, Ph.D., professor, Department of Management, College of Business Administration, “Optimizing Student Team Skill Development using Evidence-Based Strategies,” National Science Foundation
Don McLemore, Ph.D., and John DiCesare, Ph.D., professors, Department of Chemistry, College of Science and Mathematics, “Enhanced Process and Product Technologies to Accelerate Business Growth for a Waste-Rubber to Value-Added Products Business,” Georgia Centers of Innovation
Marshall Ming, Ph.D., professor, Department of Chemistry, College of Science and Mathematics, Office of Naval Research
Marshall Ming, Ph.D., professor, Department of Chemistry, College of Science and Mathematics, “Soybean oil-based antimicrobial and antimold/antimildew coatings,” United Soybean Board
Charles Owens, MSA, clinical associate professor, Department of Health Policy and Management, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, “EMS Redesign Project,” Georgia Association of Emergency Medical Services, Inc.
Charles Owens, MSA, clinical associate professor, Department of Health Policy and Management, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, “Health Needs Assessment Data Project,” Draffin & Tucker, CPAs, LLP
Angela Peden, MPH, coordinator, Center for Public Health Practice and Research, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, “Healthcare GA Foundation Accreditation Support RFA: TA for District 4 Public Health,” District 4 Public Health Department
Fred Rich, Ph.D., professor, Department of Geology and Geography, College of Science and Mathematics, “Horseshoe Crab Tagging on St. Catherines Island,” American Museum of Natural History
Jamie Roberts, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Biology, College of Science and Mathematics, “Flatwood Salamander Survey and Endangered Species Management and Monitoring,” Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Jamie Roberts, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Biology, College of Science and Mathematics, “Conservation genetics of Roanoke Bass in North Carolina,” North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Biswanath Samanta, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Information Technology, “Master Agreement,” Georgia Power Company
Hans Schanz, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Chemistry, College of Science and Mathematics, 1) “Synthesis of a water-soluble Olefin Metathesis Catalyst,” BASF; 2) “Synthesis of Six Grams of A06, a Catalyst for Emulsion ROMP,” BASF SE
Jeff Schmuki, MFA, assistant professor, Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, NEA Artworks
Junan Shen, Ph.D., associate professor and director of the Asphalt Lab, Department of Civil Engineering and Construction Management, Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Information Technology, “Evaluating Georgia Asphalt Mixture Properties Using a Hamburg Wheel Tracking Device,” Georgia Department of Transportation
Valentin Soloiu, Ph.D., professor and Allen E. Paulson Chair of Renewable Energy, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Information Technology, “Engaging Educators in Researching Energy,” National Science Foundation
Zach Stahlschmidt, Ph.D., and Tavis Anderson, Ph.D., assistant professors, Department of Biology, College of Science and Mathematics, “From Complex Environments to Underlying Mechanisms: A Network Approach to Multi-trait Tradeoffs,” National Science Foundation
Laura Valeri, MFA, assistant professor, Department of Writing and Linguistics, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, South Arts
Kelly Vance, Ph.D., professor, Department of Geology and Geography, College of Science and Mathematics, “GSUSTP@SCI Conservation Support,” MK Pentecost Ecology Fund
John Van Stan, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Geology and Geography, College of Science and Mathematics, “Measurement and Modeling of Rainfall Interception Loss from Georgia Southern University’s Urban Forest,” National Science Foundation
Ashley Walker, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Community Health, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, “Community Health Assessment,” Georgia Department of Public Health
Shelley Woodward, M.Ed., instructor, Department of Teaching and Learning, College of Education, U.S. Department of Education
Tiehang Wu, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Biology, College of Science and Mathematics, “Microbial Conversion Of Nitrate And Selenate to Remove Nitrogen and Selenium from Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) Wastewater,” Georgia Power Company
Another Record-Breaking Year for A Day for Southern
The 42nd annual A Day for Southern fundraising campaign raised $2,335,990, breaking last year’s record of $2,221,424 million. This marks the third straight year the campaign has raised more than $2 million.
We are so grateful to the Statesboro and Bulloch County businesses along with Georgia Southern faculty, staff, students, retirees and alumni who donated to the campaign as a way to show their support for the University. The gifts received support University programs not funded through state dollars, allow students to achieve academic excellence and support outreach centers such as the Center for Wildlife Education, the Georgia Southern Museum, the Botanic Garden and state-of-the-art facilities and programs that attract and support research and scholarships.
Thank you to all the volunteers and community leaders who made this campaign a success. I’d like to give special recognition to alumnus Anthony Waters, a Bulloch County native and co-owner of L.A. Waters Furniture Company, who chaired the community phase of the campaign, as well as Lissa Leege, Ph.D., and Robert Meguiar, who co-chaired the faculty/staff phase of the campaign. We could not have done this without them. Read more >>
Recognizing Support: the Annual 1906 Society Event
Every year, the Georgia Southern University Foundation welcomes alumni and friends to its annual 1906 Annual Giving Society Event to recognize the men and women who contribute to the success of Georgia Southern by giving back.
Last month, guests enjoyed delicious hors d’oeuvres and entertainment by dueling pianos at the Eugene M. Bishop Alumni Center with opportunities to sing and dance along to favorite songs. We take this opportunity to say “thank you” to our generous supporters, honoring those who have reached milestone at five, ten, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of consecutive donations, as well as other mid-level and annual supporters.
Membership in the 1906 Society is extended to contributors who make annual gifts of $1,200 or more and cumulative giving of $12,000 to $24,999 to support the University. Visit the 1906 Society for more information about giving.
AROUND CAMPUS
Shooting Sports Education Center Opens
The University’s Shooting Sports Education Center held a ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this month. There was a tremendous turnout with friends of the University, government officials and partners in attendance.
The instructional, state-of-the-art facility is now open to students and the public. This facility was made possible through our partnership with Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), who secured a $3.3 million grant, and the generosity of the Easton Sports Development Foundation, the City of Statesboro and the Archery Trade Association.
Following the ceremony, visitors enjoyed self-guided tours of the instructional facility which will not only serve as an educational and recreational resource for our students but also as a hub for archery and sport shooting for all of southeast Georgia. Members of the University’s NCAA Women’s Rifle Team participated in demonstrations of the firing range and members of the Women’s Club Archery Team were on hand to answer questions about the archery center.
The Shooting Sports Education Center is a partnership with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The 30,000-square-foot facility is open to the public and equipped to serve a variety of shooting sports interests through the 16-lane, 25-meter firing range, and 16-lane, 25-meter archery center, as well as two training/seminar rooms.
The SSEC is the only facility of its kind on a college campus. The Center is dedicated to providing exceptional education in archery and firearms, and to developing the knowledge and skills necessary to enjoy lifelong participation in shooting sports. Instructional programs, training classes, recreation, competition, and special events allow youth, adults, students, law enforcement, hunters, first-time shooters, elite athletes and other groups to participate in and learn more about archery and sport shooting. The facility also provides a much-needed indoor space for the University’s championship-winning archery club team and the University’s women’s varsity NCAA rifle team to practice and host competitions with seating for visitors. We are very proud of this new facility and we thank everyone who played a role in making the SSEC a reality.
A ‘Hotbed’ of Talent
Leadership Georgia Visits Statesboro
Presidential Search Update
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia has begun the search for our new president. Board of Regents Chairman Neil Pruitt has formed two committees required by regents’ policy and has engaged Parker Executive Search to assist in the recruiting effort.
On Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015, the University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby, met with the GS Campus Search and Screen Committee to discuss the search process, position requirements and timing for this exciting endeavor.
The Campus Search Committee is currently working with Parker Executive Search to establish a timeline, develop the job description and advertisement. At the conclusion of its work, the campus committee will forward the credentials of three to five unranked candidates to the Regents’ Search Committee chaired by Regent Lori Durden.
A website has been established to keep the community apprised of the progress and to provide candidates with useful information.
ON THE CALENDAR
Nursing Students Memorial Tree Planting
Monday, Oct. 19, 3 p.m. at Nursing/Chemistry Building Patio
Department of Music presents Georgia Southern University Symphony
Tuesday, Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center
Lighting of Sweetheart Circle
Thursday, Dec. 3, 5 p.m. at Sweetheart Circle
Georgia Southern University will kick off the holiday season with the official “flipping of the switch” to commemorate the start of the festivities. Activities for the event include refreshments, music, holiday-themed crafts, pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus and a snow machine. The event is free and open to the public. Students should bring their Eagle IDs.
For a full list of upcoming events, visit the Campus Calendar.
Mailing Address:
The President’s Newsletter
1850 Southern Drive
Statesboro, GA 30458
Copyright © 2015
Georgia Southern University
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Last updated: 4/2/2022