brightworks summer 2014

1 College of Coastal Georgia

Brightworkthe official magazine of the College of Coastal Georgia

Summer 2014

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Iwas intrigued by an article this past spring (May 7) in USA Today titled “Colleges flunk happiness

survey.” The article was summarizing the results of a Gallup study of college graduates and the reporter, Mary Beth Marklein, wrote, “It didn’t matter whether the graduate attended a big-name private university or a lesser-known public college. What mattered more, the findings show, is whether they had developed a meaningful connection on campus and had opportunities for hands-on learning.”

Marklein noted three specific points:• The importance of professors who make students excited about

learning;• The importance of internships – graduates who had an

internship were twice as likely to be engaged in their work;• The detriment of debt, as large undergraduate student loans

made it less likely a graduate would thrive.

More than 50% of our faculty hold doctoral degrees. They are here because they have chosen to “profess” – to share their love of their particular field of study. They come from top schools such as Penn State, Columbia University, University of Tennessee, University of North Carolina, University of Wisconsin, Michigan State, Purdue, Auburn, University of Illinois, Clemson and of course UGA. They are here to excite students about learning, whether it is Dr. German Vargas with his

In this issueParades of Caps and Gowns ............ 2

Student Today, Alumnus Tomorrow ... 8

Small Campus, Big Home .............. 10

Inauguration Week 2014 ................. 12

Taking a Chance ............................. 17

#MarinerPride ................................. 18

Keep Calm and Kari On .................. 20

Faculty & Staff News ....................... 22

Going Back to Move Ahead ............ 25

The Road Less Traveled ................. 26

Class Notes .................................... 28

Brightwork is produced by the College of Coastal Georgia

Office of Advancement of the with the support of the College of Coastal Georgia Foundation.

Advancement OfficeElizabeth Weatherly, Vice President for Advancement

John Cornell, Director of Marketing and PRPeggy Golden, Staff Writer/Special Projects

Managing Editor/Layout and DesignJohn Cornell

Editor/Senior WriterPeggy Golden

Editorial AssistanceRebecca Buchanan ’14, Robert Cauthen, Tyler Coen ‘16

Kimberly Leggett ’88, Kevin Price, Taylor Priest ’16

PhotographyCommencement photographs by Bobby Haven ’81. All other photographs by John Cornell unless noted.

On the Cover: Senior nursing majors Bethany Browning and Rebecca Buchanan arrive early for their first

classes of the 2014-2015 school year.

From the QuarterDeck

A Message from the President


robots and LeapMotion demonstrations or Dr. Patrizia Stahle, our student-elected Professor of the Year, telling the stories history unfolds.

We diligently work to match internships with students enthusiastic about the fieldwork, whether it’s the exciting new American Studies opportunities with Monticello and The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, made possible by the generosity of Dr. Irwin Berman, or those coordinated by our Center for Career Services, such as Kris Harper ‘15 at the Federal Reserve Bank or Mei Zi Lai ’14 at the Coastal Regional Commission in Darien. Our service-learning initiatives across the curriculum allow our students and faculty to step out into the community, testing and using what they’ve learned (or taught) in the classroom while helping literacy programs, schools, businesses, and social and not-for-profit organizations throughout the region.

Thanks to the College Foundation and the generosity of our community, 11% of our full-time students receive scholarships. We’re expanding the ACCEL and dual-enrollment programs as another way to give freshmen entering college a head start by earning hours of college credit while still enrolled in high school. Starting out with a semester or more of college credits already achieved makes a significant difference in the cost of a college education. We’re also piloting a shortened semester this fall for a test cohort of local freshmen students to allow them to finish fall semester by Thanksgiving so they can work through the holidays – an extra month of earning power which would enable them to bank enough to fund their next semester and help meet needs for a temporary seasonal workforce by local businesses.

That’s our commitment. That’s our culture. That’s what makes us a college of choice.


On Campus

On Campus

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First came the procession of College faculty, members of the University System of Georgia and distinguished

representatives from across the country as well as the state for the investiture of Dr. Gregory F. Aloia as the fifth president of the College on April 25 in the gymnasium of the Coffin Building.

Two weeks later, graduating students marched down the aisle of the Jekyll Island Convention Center and across the stage to receive their diplomas during Commencement 2014. Some were surprised to learn the document came not only with a handshake from President Aloia, but also a bite-sized Snickers bar he presented to sweeten the occasion and continue a personal tradition.

“Snickers have been part of my teaching ‘repertoire’ for many years as a quick bite of energy for students during midterms and final exams. I usually have a bowl of them in my office. When I served as president of Concord University, my wife Mary and I would hand them out in the library during final exams as a little boost. Students like them and the candy bars provided a conversation starter when meeting students for the first time – or even the tenth.”

More than 270 students marched in procession. The Class of 2014 graduated 197 baccalaureate degrees and 213 career associate degrees or A.S. pre-professional degrees for transfer to pharmacy, engineering and specialized academic programs

offered at other institutions. 2014 represents the largest baccalaureate class to graduate since the first 65 degrees were presented at commencement in 2011.

Service-learning and service to country, state, community and to the students themselves was the prevailing theme at both ceremonies.

“Service is a core component of who we are,” Dr. Aloia stressed during his inauguration address, citing examples of faculty commitment and staff concern for students’ well-being in addition to the volunteer hours inherent in the service-learning programs embedded in every academic discipline.

Tyler Mimbs ’14, recipient of the President’s Award for Baccalaureate Studies, echoed the theme in his charge to the graduating Class of 2014 at commencement, urging them to use what they have learned at Coastal Georgia to serve others.

Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Kay Hampton, speaking on behalf of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, said, “For it is through higher education that the brightest futures and the best jobs can be realized. College completion is an imperative for a prosperous future in Georgia and your success – as represented by your presence here today – is to be praised and applauded. The future of this state and of this country is brighter because of you.”

Parades of Caps and Gowns

Scenes from Commencement 2014

Clockwise from top left: Service to country was celebrated as part of commencement with the commissioning of Nicholas Teeman ’14 as a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Navy by Capt. Philip O’Connell, USN; International Golden Key Honor Society member David Powell; Suncica Beba (center) stands with hand on heart to recite the pledge of allegiance; Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Kay S. Hampton; Chenell Johnson received her A.S. in Teacher Education, illustrating that a degree is meaningful at any age or stage of life.

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ships and externships can successfully launch dreams. In September, Coach Gerald Cox announced

his plans to retire at the end of the 2013-2014 men’s basketball season. His legacy spans 31 years at

Coastal as a principles-driven man who earned the respect of his players, Mariner fans


Clockwise from top: Coastal Georgia graduates crossed the stage of the Jekyll Island Convention Center, marking the third year commencement has been held in the seaside facility; Ryan McMahan; some moments seem larger than life; Tyler Mimbs gave the class of ‘14 its charge.



From mortar board madness to snapshot selfies, graduation marked a milestone in these students lives.

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Top: Matt Wojcik (l) and Jose Zaatini; Below: VALOR President and U.S. Army

veteran Chatham Davis



The 2014-2015 recipient of Coastal Georgia’s Alumni Association Scholarship was introduced at the May

meeting of the alumni association leadership group – and he just happened to be one of the group’s members. Tyler Coen ’16 of Brunswick, a middle grades education major and president of the Student Alumni Association, was awarded the scholarship by the Office of Enrollment Management.

“I am grateful – and honored – to be the student selected to receive this award,” Coen said. “The scholarship means I don’t have to worry about loans or how to pay for text books and activities. I can concentrate on my studies and save for my graduate degree.”

A 2012 graduate of Brunswick High School and a first-generation college student, Coen is now a mentor with the Center for Academic Success (CAS) and works on campus as a student assistant. He views his volunteerism with the Student Alumni Association and CAS as a way of giving back to the campus community through service.

Coen was raised by his paternal grandparents and, as with many first-generation college students, is paying his own way. His grandmother was Director of Financial Aid at the College for 25 years until her retirement. “I grew up on this campus. I never thought about going anywhere else,” he said, “and I knew I was going to go to college. My grandmother instilled that ambition when I was a child.”

Coen has always wanted to be a teacher. “My dream job is to teach here at Coastal Georgia – government, history and social studies. At The Correll Center, I’m focused on technique, the how of teaching. Through graduate school, I’ll have the opportunity to develop my preferred discipline.”

He is counting on online graduate courses to earn his Master’s and specialist (Ed.S.) certification while he works as a teacher, with the Ed.S. as the bridge to a Ph.D.

“Thanks to interested alumni who stay connected to Coastal Georgia, I have a bright future – on the campus and as an alumnus myself in a couple of years.”

Student TodayAlumnus Tomorrow

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Call to All Classes –Let’s Endow the Alumni Association Scholarship Now!

The College of Coastal Georgia Alumni Association Leadership Group is issuing

a challenge to all their alumni friends and associates. The members of the leadership group have pledged $100 each this year to help build the Alumni Association Scholarship Fund. Now they are seeking fellow alumni willing to give $100 each to match them, giving the fund a boost towards the $50,000 required for an endowed scholarship fund.

Are you up for the challenge? Pledges can be filled online at www.ccga.edu by clicking on GIVING in Quicklinks on the left side of the screen, by calling 912.279.5702, or by mailing a check, made payable to the CCGA Foundation, to:

Office of AdvancementCollege of Coastal GeorgiaOne College DriveBrunswick, GA 31520ATTN: Alumni Scholarship Fund

up for the challenge?Are the CCGA and BJC alumni

up for the challenge?Student TodayAlumnus Tomorrow

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She can talk about that now, but for two years she couldn’t talk at all. Traumatized, realizing people were talking about her but never to her, Shamara escaped into a world of books, drawing what she could not verbalize and writing what she could.

“It was the only way I could express my feelings,” Shamara says. “As I moved between foster homes and eventually to group homes, it was too hard to be open, too painful to trust. I just knew I didn’t want to be homeless.”

Journaling became her lifeline, a daily habit that she continues to this day. And homelessness stared her in the face when she aged out of foster care at 21 with no exit plan or support network.

“Finally my case worker asked me if I had ever thought about going to college, so I could live in a dorm. I hadn’t, but I started.”

Shamara applied and was accepted to the College of Coastal Georgia, moving into Lakeside Village, the on-campus residence for students which opened in August 2011.

“This campus is my home,” she smiles. She takes 12 hours of coursework every semester, including summer sessions, and lives and works on campus.

When she first started, she was employed at Goodwill Industries and participated in the TRiO Student Support Services program, a federally-funded grant program designed to help first-generation, low-income college students who also need academic tutoring, support and advocacy

to progress in college. “But there were too many hours of work and too few hours to study,” she explains. “After my first year, TRiO offered me a job here on campus so I could study more consistently.”

Working on campus is a better environment for a student, Shamara contends. “On campus is safer and more supportive of study. It’s more supportive all the way ’round.”

During fall semester 2013, she moved to the Academic Advising and Career Services office as a student assistant, working 15 hours weekly doing filing and other office assignments while meeting and greeting the people who make their way to the second floor of the Andrews Building for appointments with Brian Weese, Coordinator of Career Services, and Patricia Morris, Academic Advisor.

“I surprised myself,” Shamara admits. “I’m not only in college, but I also like studying. It’s shocking – it’s not the life I thought I was supposed to have.”

She credits prayer with getting her from where she was to where she is. “God became my center. I wouldn’t have made it without Him. He gave me the strength to step forward and the courage to step out.” She participates in the campus chapter of the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, preferring a smaller group emphasizing Bible study more than fellowship.

In fact, she prefers smaller in general. “On a small campus, the staff and professors really listen to you to find out

what you need and then they support you. People here work on solutions – a real ‘can do’ attitude,” she explains.

Ironically, her most challenging class has been debate. “They can hear my voice. They’re looking me in the eyes. They’re listening to me. All the things I wanted as a child. And I absolutely freeze up every time,” she laughs. “Somehow I have got to figure out how to get through that class, standing in front of all those faces.”

A psychology major, Shamara is concentrating in the psychology of human services, an emerging field that combines psychology, health and business.

“I chose psychology to understand myself and how people respond to circumstances. I wanted to understand my past and to be able to let go of that past.” She says she chose human services because she wants to help others. “I’ve seen so much in my life. I know what is needed.”

Her internship was with the Department of Family and Children’s Services in Glynn County, working with social workers in the foster care system. It is where she hopes to work after graduation.

“I’ll have a real exit plan this time,” she says, but admits she’s still figuring out the housing post-graduation, since affordable housing remains scarce in Brunswick.

“Success is full-blown happiness with where you are, not just who you are. Everything you touch should have meaning. It’s about more than a job or money. It’s also about relationships.”

She writes, “In this life we are arrows shot, propelled into the future with potential, soaring in the wind. And wherever I may land, I lean on this saying: ‘all is well with my soul.’”

She reflects, “It has seemed overwhelming at times. But I’m creating a new me based on what I’m learning.”

Shamara Thomas’15 thought she was doomed. The Brunswick native was 11 years old when she was left at school one day. When no one picked her up, the

process began to make her a ward of the state and move her into foster care.

Small campus, big home

InaugurationWeek 2014

During the inauguration luncheon prior to the investiture ceremony,

the College Foundation saluted three outstanding community partners making a difference in the lives of students, in higher education and the College, and in the community. Pinova was named the 2014 Business Partner of the Year for their corporate support and participation in College programs such as Expanding Your Horizons Day and the Math and Science Expo,

serving as the College’s community partner in promoting education and careers in science and engineering since 2011. Al Burns, Executive Director of the Coastal Regional Commission headquartered in Darien, was named the 2014 Internship Program Director of the Year. Reg Murphy, who has served two years as Executive-in-Residence for the School of Business and Public Affairs, was named 2014 Volunteer of the Year.

Pinova representatives Cedric King (left), Human Resources and Public Relations Manager, and Patrick Grozier, Operations Vice President, accepted the Business Partner of the Year Award from College President Greg Aloia and College Foundation Trustee Marie Dodd, chair of the Foundation’s committee for special events and honors.

Celebrating Community

Top: Dr. Dorothy Lord, third president of the College, at the Camden Center 10th Anniversary reception. Middle: Students, staff and community members competed in the inaugural President’s Cup three-on-three basketball tournament. Bottom: Inauguration week was capped off by a performance by Danny Zolli and the cast of Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway.

Jim L

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Jacobs Scholarship for Service-Learning

Jane Keesling Jacobs and Russell C. Jacobs, Jr., have given tirelessly of

themselves to the Coastal Georgia community through their years of church service, community volunteerism, advocacy for education and use of their musical talents. As a memorial to his wife who died in 2012, Jacobs established an endowed scholarship for service-learning

through the College Foundation in 2013. His gift improves the College’s ability to reward and retain students who are engaged in service-learning and are passionate about service leadership.

With a presidential inauguration theme of Celebrating Service: Students,

Culture, Community, State, Country, the second annual service-learning symposium and awards ceremony was one of the highlights of the campus celebration on April 25. Hosted by the College’s Center for Service-Learning & Community Engagement, the event recognized faculty, community partners and students for Excellence in Service-Learning.

Honorees included Dr. Kimberly Kinsey Mannahan, Assistant Professor of Psychology, and Dr. Sarah Hartman, Assistant Professor of Education for performance as service-learning faculty; Chatham Davis ’14 (BS, Psychology) and member of VALOR as an outstanding service-learning student; and Safe Harbor Children’s Center as a service-learning community partner.

Service-learning is a powerful teaching and learning tool that affords students enriching opportunities to connect theory with practice while meeting an immediate community need. As a teaching approach, it ensures that real learning takes place through application and community engagement. Students in service-learning coursework, which extends through every degree program the College of Coastal Georgia offers, are living illustrations of how service-learning promotes personal development, academic achievement and civic commitment.

Jane Keesling Jacobs

Celebrating the opening of a veterans’ lounge on campus, (left to right), Sawn Boatright, President of VALOR; Dr. David Snow, Director of Military Affairs, University System of Georgia; Joseph Mathney, Vice-President of VALOR; Kimberly Burgess, Admissions Counselor, Military Affairs.

Celebrating Service

Celebrating Country

Dr. Sarah Hartman Dr. Phillis George, former director of service-learning, and Dr. Kimberly Mannahan

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InaugurationWeek 2014

Investiture Ceremony

University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby, right, conferred the ceremonial medallion to Dr. Gregory Aloia during the investiture ceremony.

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Clockwise from top left: Five of the Aloia children (Anna Marie, Benedict, Alphonse, Filumena and Therese); Assistant Coordinator of Academic Services and Staff Assembly Chair Linny Bailey; Dr. Jennifer Hatchel, Assistant Professor of Biology and Faculty Senate Chair; Dr. John Teel, former president (1968-1990) of the College of Coastal Georgia, and his wife Frances; Dr. Valerie A. Hepbern, former president (2008-2013) of the College of Coastal Georgia; Golden Isles Youth Orchestra members Stephenie Powell and Thomas Launi.

Center: College First Lady Mary Aloia


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Now four years later, it looks like Freeman made a wise choice to spend his college years here.

While attending Coastal Georgia, Freeman, an Athens native, blossomed in the classroom as the inaugural male recipient of the Dinos Scholarship, an endowed scholarship awarded annually to a member of the men’s and women’s golf teams for commitment to academic excellence.

Freeman shined on the golf course for the Mariners, becoming an All-American while leading the team to the 2014 NAIA men’s golf national championship. The national title was the first in Coastal Georgia’s history for any sport.

“I have truly cherished my time at Coastal Georgia,” Freeman says. “It has been a great place to further my education while also continuing to play the game I enjoy in a program that rivals others that have existed for much longer.

“Even though my athletic eligibility is complete, I plan to finish my degree here at Coastal Georgia and also look forward to seeing what the golf program can accomplish going forward. I would definitely recommend the College to prospective students, particularly any aspiring golfers looking to play at a high level in college while getting a quality education at the same time.”

Freeman, a senior this past season for Coastal Georgia, has certainly had a decorated career with the Mariners, one that includes a multitude of academic and

athletic accomplishments. He is probably the most accomplished student-athlete in the school’s short time competing at the four-year level, but his achievements while representing the Mariners could very well stand the test of time.

On the golf course, Freeman finished his Coastal Georgia career with six wins including three in his final campaign. Perhaps his biggest individual win came this spring when he claimed the title at the Southern States Athletic Conference tournament.

His performance on the links throughout his four-year career at Coastal Georgia earned Freeman numerous individual accolades. He was named the SSAC Player of the Year as a junior and was voted to the SSAC All-Conference team each of the past two seasons.

This year, he was honored as the NAIA Golfer of the Week following his individual victory in March at the Sand Shark Invitational hosted by University of South Carolina-Beaufort. That same week, he was named the SSAC Player of the Week.

In addition to earning first-team All-America honors from the NAIA this season, Freeman was also chosen for the Golf Coaches Association of America NAIA-Ping All-America first-team. He had made second-team as a junior.

Of course, Freeman’s most cherished prize from his playing days with the Mariners is the national championship trophy. He called the team’s march to the

crown “the brightest moment from my time at Coastal Georgia.”

Freeman tied for 12th individually at the national tournament which was played on the Jones Course at LPGA International in Daytona Beach during mid-May. That finish gained him a spot on the All-Tournament team and played a large role in the Mariners capturing the team championship at the 54-hole event. Coastal Georgia won by four strokes over perennial national power Oklahoma City and was the only team to shoot under par in two of the three 18-hole rounds.

While the NAIA championship trophy will stay with the school, Freeman and his fellow Coastal Georgia teammates will get their own individual championship rings to keep as a reminder of their accomplishment.

Freeman’s excellence extended beyond the golf course, however. A business major, he also scored high marks in the classroom, earning him SSAC All-Academic Team honors and a spot on the Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar Team.

Freeman’s combined academic and athletic performance led to his naming as the Coastal Georgia Men’s Student-Athlete of the Year for three consecutive years.

“He’s had a stellar career here,” said Coastal Georgia coach Mike Cook. “I asked him to come to Coastal Georgia four years ago when we started the program. I still remember his first round. He shot 80. The next day he shot 72, so he rebounded to help the team. That shows you what kind of player he is, but he’s come a long ways since then.

“He’s played sick, he’s played hurt. He just wants to play. I’m probably going to have to coach a long time to coach a player with a record like his.”

Dylan Freeman ‘14 took a chance when he came to the College of Coastal Georgia four years ago. The College was still in its infancy as a four-year

institution and the golf program that Freeman signed up for was starting from scratch.

Taking a Chance by Kevin Price

Since joining the Southern States Athletic Conference and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics three years ago, the Mariners have made their mark on the sports

scene:

• The men’s golf team won the national golf championship this year, giving Coastal Georgia its first national crown as a state college, and the women’s golf team finished sixth.

• The men’s tennis team made their first appearance in the national tournament this year and the women’s tennis team, their second.

• The volleyball team has vied for the SSAC championship for two consecutive years.

• The women’s basketball team made their first national appearance last year after only their second year playing as a team.

As a result, Coastal Georgia finished in the top one third of the final point standings for the NAIA Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup after only three years in the program.

The Cup standings included 189 schools within the NAIA which scored points, reported Kevin Price, Sports Information Director for the Mariners. The only other SSAC schools to finish higher in the standings were Emmanuel College and Auburn University at Montgomery, which finished 33rd and 34th, respectively.

Points are awarded based on each institution’s finish in up to 12 sports (6 women’s and 6 men’s), according to Price.

The Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Learfield Sports, a collegiate marketing firm, has sponsored the award for the last six years.

Coastal Georgia finished this year tied for second in the Commissioner’s Cup standings for the SSAC.

#MarinerPride

Malhar Mali ’14 Reggie Burke ’15 Jaclyn Harten’14, Camryn Cole ’14, Christian Liggin ’14, Colbi Tyre ’14, Sarah Gilliard ’16 and head coach Nicole Johns

Kara Neisen ’16

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Two new coaches started this year with high hopes for what the next year will bring their way: Mike Minnick for women’s softball and Jesse Watkins as the new head coach for men’s basketball after Coach Gerald Cox retired after 32 seasons with the Mariners.

Jonathon Barbaree joined the coaching staff August 1 as the new women’s basketball coach. He replaced former coach Betsy Harris who left CCGA for NCAA Division II Florida Southern.

Coastal Georgia student-athletes continue to post impressive

records, not only in national rankings for their sports, but in their academic standing. Forty-six student-athletes finished the spring 2014 semester with a GPA of 3.0 or higher; six student-athletes earned a perfect 4.0 grade. The women’s tennis team held the highest team GPA for the semester with a 3.6 GPA; all eight members of the team made 3.0 or higher.

The College added new intramural clubs this academic year - rugby, soccer, and baseball – with student interest expressed in also organizing a lacrosse team for fall.

Olivia Melvin ’15 Luisa Lopes ’14Haley Craven ’15

Left to right: Head Coach Mike Cook,Trevor Smith ’16, Hunter Cornelius ’15, Chase Miller ’14, Dylan Freeman ’14, Shiloh Snow ’14 and Allen Bradford ’15

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She is also a founding member and president of the campus chapter of Rotoract, a student assistant in Career Services and an intern with both the St. Simons Community Church and United Way during summer 2014.

“Balancing it all has been a learning process,” Kari admitted, “and sometimes I miss flexibility. So do my friends. I’m schedule-driven, always conscious about what time I need to be where. So no spontaneous escapes to the beach for me!”

Kari grew up in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, where she still has close ties. Her family moved to Brunswick in 2002 and she began taking ACCEL courses in 2010 while attending Glynn Academy. When she started college, she already had 10 credit hours – almost a full semester ahead of her freshman classmates – and could graduate at the end of the 2014-2015 academic year.

“But there are more classes I want to take,” she laughed. “I’m in the public management track, but I’d like to have a double concentration that includes non-profit management. Plus I want to graduate with honors.”

Kari hasn’t always been so focused. In high school her goal was to go to college, but she hadn’t thought beyond attaining that first step. “Now I’m thinking about graduate school. If you had asked me a year ago, I would have said I intended to go to UGA for an advanced degree in non-profit management. But with my internships, I’m beginning to lean more towards public communication rather than policy.”

Her United Way internship involved research for the Blueprint project as well as general-purpose surveys. At the St. Simons Community Church, she interned with family ministry, working with middle and high

school girls as a mentor and planning activities to keep them involved during the summer. The internship also involved interaction with different aspects of church operations, including leadership, financial growth and fiscal responsibility, as well as self-assessment of strengths and skills.

Her internship for fall term at the Glynn County Public Information Office will provide opportunities for her to compose as well as proofread. She will be writing press releases and e-newsletters to publicize the county programs and events.

As a student assistant, she works with Career Services Coordinator Brian Weese, helping with career fairs, preparing information packets, and learning to analyze resumés and cover letters. “Thanks to Brian, I have a better understanding of how perception makes a difference – not just the quality of the content, but also the quality of the presentation. There are a thousand ways to do it right, but also a thousand ways to do it wrong,” she noted.

“I don’t want to be average,” Kari concluded. “There’s nothing special about that. With a small school, I’m not just a number – I have opportunities to be more than average. Maybe my slogan should be ‘I can do this.’ That’s one of the things I’ve learned.”

“Keep calm and carry on” might be a good slogan for junior Kari Butler, president of the Student Govern-

ment Association, but for the public affairs ma-jor who averages 15 hours or more each semes-ter and a 3.6 GPA, “now or never” sounds more like her reality.

Keep Calm and Kari On

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Dr. Marci R. Culley, Assistant Professor of Psychology, School of Arts and Sciences, attended an interdisciplinary conference at Penn State which commemorated the 35th anniversary of the partial meltdown of the Three Mile Island (TMI) nuclear power plant located in central Pennsylvania on the Susquehanna River, about 10 miles south of Harrisburg, the state’s capital. Dr. Culley served a triple role as a presenter, panelist and discussant at the two-day conference held March 27-28.

TMI@35: The Three Mile Island Nuclear Crisis in Perspective invited experts to address the complexity of the accident, analyze lessons learned and provide current perspectives in the era of Homeland Security, according to the conference program. Viewed both as a catalyst for social change and a precedent for nuclear security and safety, the TMI crisis shaped policy for response and recovery of complex catastrophic events.

“Much of my published research has focused on TMI,” Dr. Culley explained. “I was honored to be involved. The conference included several notable individuals who served as keynote speakers, including former Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburgh, and Harold Denton, former Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation at the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, who was a personal adviser to President Jimmy Carter during the TMI accident.”

Dr. Claire Hughes, Associate Professor of Education, School of Education and Teacher Preparation, has been recommended by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and the Institute of International Education’s Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES) for the Fulbright Specialist Roster.

The roster represents candidates eligible for matching with project requests from overseas academic institutions which require specialized expertise. If tapped

for a Specialist project, Dr. Hughes’ application would be forwarded to the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board for final approval of grant money. She is eligible to remain on the roster for up to a maximum of five years.

Her two specialties within the field of education are special education and gifted education. “…I could contribute in the areas of teacher training, program development and curriculum development,” she explains.

“As a teacher of teachers, a consultant and a researcher, I am focused on helping teachers, administrators and parents create environments in which students can flourish,” Dr. Hughes writes. “I possess deep knowledge about gifted children, children with disabilities- particularly students with autism and Asperger Syndrome- and twice-exceptional children- or gifted children with disabilities. I teach future teachers who are learning strategies to differentiate their instruction. I have worked extensively with both the Council for Exceptional Children and the National Association for Gifted Children to raise awareness of, and work towards solutions for, children who learn differently. I have worked with schools and systems who are working to align instructional practices with standards. And I have worked with colleges and universities as they strive to understand the changing students who are coming to them.”

Dr. Hughes has also been selected for the Governor’s Teaching Fellows Program during summer 2014 at the University of Georgia. That program “seeks to explore

‘the leading edge of instructional practice’ through an examination of effective pedagogies and technologies with an interdisciplinary faculty,” she explains. “It seeks to make an active impact on the colleges and universities within the USG system by promoting excellence in teaching.”

A report released in February by Dr. Don Mathews, Professor of Economics and Director of the Coastal Georgia Center for Economic Analysis and Student Research, School of Business and Public Affairs, on the region’s human capital and labor force participation has been cited in the local newspaper and quoted in speeches.

In the white paper, he compares the region’s statistics to national and state averages. Dr. Mathews’ research demonstrates that compared to the nation and to the state as a whole, the coastal region has a human capital deficiency which is even more notable in the more rural counties of this region. Looking at Brantley, Charlton, McIntosh and Wayne counties, 63.1% of the population age 25 or older is at a high school graduate level or less; 10.4% has a bachelor’s degree or more. The average for bachelor’s degrees or more is 28.5% nationally, 27.8% for the state and 23.3% for Camden and Glynn counties. In other words, the region’s rural counties have less than half the number of college graduates right next door along the coast, or in the state as a whole.

He explains the correlation between educational attainment and labor force participation. “It’s straightforward: more

Faculty and Staff News

Marci Culley Claire Hughes Don Mathews Ronald Reigner


educated workers have more employment opportunities and earn higher wages than less educated workers. A shortfall of human capital – educated workers – can impair the region’s ability to grow and develop. But that problem can be addressed by developing a culture that values education and critical and creative thinking,” he says.

The full report is available at http://www.ccga.edu/Academics/SchoolBPA/files/HumanCapital.pdf

Dr. Ronald S. Reigner, Associate Professor, School of Education and Teacher Preparation, and holder of the Community-Supported Professorship in Early Childhood Reading and Language Arts, made a presentation at the annual conference of the International Reading Association in New Orleans during mid-May. The presentation, “Measuring Affect in an After-School Tutoring Program,” was based on the spring 2014 semester’s after-school literacy program at

Goodyear Elementary School, Brunswick. Dr. Reigner is working with Coastal Georgia seniors majoring in education to provide free one-hour tutoring sessions for third and fourth grade students at Goodyear Elementary School in Brunswick. The elementary school students are participating in the 21st Century Afterschool Matters.

The tutoring sessions focus on reading and writing – sight words, phonics, fluency, comprehension and motivation. The College tutors are enrolled in the School of Education and Teacher Preparation’s Prescriptive Literacy Instruction course during spring term, which is taken by both early childhood/special education and middle grades education teacher candidates.

In describing the program which Dr. Reigner is directing, Dr. Michael Hazelkorn, Dean of the School of Education and Teacher Preparation, noted, “This is a fantastic opportunity for our teacher candidates to put into practice

their coursework with a pertinent age group, using their reading and assessment knowledge as well as the other skills they have been developing. And the elementary school students are receiving top-tier tutoring from enthusiastic, highly motivated future educators.”

The Community-Sponsored Professorship in Early Childhood Reading and Language Arts was created to improve early childhood literacy rates and enhance educational success for children in Glynn County and the region. Supported activities include developing and delivering training programs to improve skills and outcomes for area children’s education and care programs as well as designing and conducting evaluating activities which measure impact of childhood literacy programs and recommending to community partners improvement strategies.

The professorship was made possible by restricted grants to the College of Coastal Georgia Foundation through private funding.

Jason W. Umfress, PhD, was selected to serve as Vice President of Student Affairs, effective July 7. In that role,

Dr. Umfress is responsible for student programs and services, including residence life, counseling and disability services, career services, student life and activities, student government and organizations, student conduct and judicial matters, and intramural programs.

“Jason’s selection follows a successful national search for the best candidate to fill this important role. As a college of choice for students from Georgia and beyond, Coastal Georgia is gratified to also be the college of choice for some of the brightest talent in college administration today,” College President Greg Aloia said in making the announcement. “Jason brings outstanding leadership and enthusiasm to the position.”

Prior to this appointment, Dr. Umfress was serving as Associate Provost and Dean of Students at Coker College in Hartsville,

South Carolina, a position he has held since 2009. A native of Hatley, Mississippi, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics, with honors, from Delta State University, a Master of Education degree in college student affairs administration from The University of Georgia, and a Ph.D. in higher education leadership from Clemson University.

Dr. Umfress has served at both public and private institutions in Mississippi, Georgia, Texas, and South Carolina. A fervent advocate for students, Dr. Umfress received service awards and teaching excellence awards at three institutions. He is an active supporter of the arts, previously serving as president of the board of a community theater, and also on the Hartsville Downtown Development Association’s special events committee.

“I am honored, but mostly humbled, to join the team at the College of Coastal Georgia,” Dr. Umfress said. “From the moment I stepped on campus, I could feel this was a special place. The energy and excitement were overwhelming. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve CCGA’s students and community in this capacity.”

Welcome Aboard

Birghtwork 24

KEEPCALM

AND

COASTAL ON

Family and Alumni Weekend - September 26-28, 2014www.ccga.edu/familyweekend


Brenda Blocker Keene ’95 graduated from Glynn Academy in ’65 as 8th in a class of over 500 students, but her family could

not afford to send her to college. A college degree remained her dream.

She was married and working in customer service at Georgia Power Company when her chance to realize that dream came true. In 1974 she learned of a program Georgia Power offered to assist employees in obtaining a degree.

“My kids were small and I didn’t think I could handle college and work full-time,” she admitted. “I didn’t check into the program until 1992, when my kids were mostly grown and I had time to study. The program paid tuition in full for course work earning a grade of A, with a graduated scale for passing grades. I didn’t have to pay tuition while attending Brunswick Junior College from 1992-95. All I had to pay for was my books and supplies – quite a deal – and then continue to work fulltime while I studied.”

Because she had been out of school for so many years, Keene had to take a college placement exam. “I passed the exam, but my math grades were low,” she continued. “I had forgotten a lot of the math I had taken in high school. I opted to take remedial math my first quarter, not realizing I was in a second class that built upon the previous first class. In order to make it in the second class, I checked out tapes from the library to learn the first class

material on my own. My first grade was a 75, but my exit exam was a 94.”

Keene noted that her husband’s support was critical to her success. “Mike did most of the cooking and housework for me. He even read my papers and critiqued them. He was a big help.”

She graduated from Brunswick Junior College in 1995 with an A.S. degree and a 3.5 GPA. The next quarter, she began classes – primarily distance learning – at Georgia Southern College. In May

1997, she was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, the honor society for collegiate schools of business, and graduated summa cum laude in December 1997 with a B.B.A. degree.

“I was a very happy person that day.” She reflected, “I always heard people say that college made for a well-rounded person. I totally agree with that…I don’t know what difference not getting my college degree may have had on my life, but I’m very thankful that dream came true.” Keene concluded, “I feel

I am a better person because I went to college.”Brenda and Mike’s son, Christian, graduated

from Glynn Academy in 1989 and, as member of the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union, followed in his father and grandfather’s footsteps as a pipefitter and welder. Daughter Melissa graduated from Glynn Academy in 1991 and works in property management in Florida.

Brenda and Mike continue to reside in Brunswick.

Going back to move ahead

Cou

rtes

y Ph

oto

Birghtwork 26


For alumnus and student Mitchell Tuttle ’10, ’14, that happened not once, but twice.

A 2008 graduate of Glynn Academy, Tuttle graduated from Coastal Georgia in 2010 with an A.S. in chemistry. He then transferred to Kennesaw State to complete his B.S. in professional chemistry.

“Professional chemistry usually leads to graduate school or a career in industry. The emphasis is different from the coursework for pre-professional studies for medical, veterinarian or pharmacy schools,” Tuttle explained. “I liked the challenges and I didn’t know what I wanted to do at that point, so I took the harder road with the additional math and physics required for research.”

Graduating from Kennesaw in 2012, he applied and was accepted into the doctoral program for physical chemistry at Emory University with a full scholarship. One year later, he returned to the College of Coastal Georgia.

“After my first year, with five of my six required classes out of the way, I was facing four to five more years of research to receive my Ph.D. Then I realized I didn’t like research,” he laughed. “Research requires repetition of the process over and over again to test and confirm the results.

There was more interaction in the test tube than in the lab.”

So he voluntarily exited the program. “I thought I’d take the year off, but

I started thinking about pharmacy,” Tuttle said. “I decided to try the retail environment to see if I liked it, so I got a job as a pharmacy technician at Publix. I also contacted my mentor at Coastal Georgia, Dr. Andrea Wallace.”

“Coming back home and picking up needed classes – I’ve seen that happen several times,” Dr. Andrea Wallace, Professor of Chemistry and Chair of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, agreed. “I had Mitchell in my classes for two years and had watched him grow, so I didn’t hesitate.”

The next thing he knew, he was enrolled again at CCGA for a human anatomy and physiology class – a required course for the A.S. in pre-pharmacy.

The following semester, he was taking 17 hours of classes and working 30 hours or more weekly at the Publix pharmacy.

“I enjoy the interaction, the intellectual stimulation and the flexibility of working in a pharmacy,” he said. He’ll complete one more class during this summer’s term and attend the UGA School of Pharmacy in the fall.

“A pharmacy degree provides me with more options, including geographically. A PhD, whether applied to teaching, research or industry, pretty much limits me to a metropolitan or university setting,” he pointed out. “I now have experience in retail pharmacy, which I enjoy, but I would also like to work in a hospital pharmacy to compare environments.”

Tuttle cited several advantages to returning to Coastal: home-based, familiar campus, and his mentor, with whom he had kept in touch after graduating in 2010.

“She helped me navigate late enrollment and credit transfer. She served as my advisor. She counselled me through the whole process and this time, I feel more confident about understanding my options and choices,” he concluded. “I may still stress out as I try to balance classes, exams and my job…but I know where I’m heading this time around.”

Dr. Wallace has been teaching for 24 years, 19 at Coastal Georgia. She remembers the important role some professors played in her development, as an undergraduate at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and during her graduate school years at Clemson University.

“As a professor, you never truly know your impact,” she admitted, “but sometimes those words of encouragement, at just the right time, will help guide a student along their way.

“Students let us into their lives. Every time I walk into a classroom, I marvel at what a profound privilege that is.”

Not all college students know what they want to do when they graduate. Some students change their minds – and their majors - mid-course. When

facing such choices, students often find a faculty mentor to be critical in helping them navigate the transition.

The Road Less Traveled

Three alumnae were among the 21 women recognized by the Golden Isles YMCA 2014 Tribute to Women Leaders, celebrating inspired community service and leadership. The June 3 event marked the 16th consecutive year for the fundraising luncheon. This year’s class included Kathy Bonnett Merck, Plant Quality Administrator and certified Internal Auditor at Pinova, Inc.; Brenda Murray, team leader of the Brunswick customer service division of Georgia Power Company; and Dana Parker, wine and gourmet foods buyer for the Parker Companies at Parker’s Village.

Alumna Tammy Crumley recently joined Heritage Bank at its Brunswick main office. As a vice president for Heritage, she has consumer and commercial lending responsibilities, business development and operational duties.

Pinckney “Pinkie” Butler ’68 is now a retired banker living on Tybee Island with his wife, Mary Ellen.

Candace Jones ’11 (A.S., Chemistry) has been accepted at four medical schools

(Medical College of Georgia, University of Alabama School of Medicine, University of Miami School of Medicine, Albany Medical College in New York) and is waitlisted for two (University of California Irvine School of Medicine and Duke School of Medicine). She completed her B.S. in chemistry at Emory University. Candace keeps in touch with Trish Rugaber, Associate Professor of Biology, and Dr. Andrea Wallace, Professor of Chemistry, who look forward to learning her final decision.

Darby Chancey ’12 (B.B.A.) was elected president of the Alumni Association Leadership Group during their May 2 meeting. Chancey is a Human Resources Specialist with FLETC under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Tiffany Curry ’13 (B.B.A.) joined Coastal’s Residence Life and Housing staff in January as the new area coordinator overseeing Lakeside Village on campus and Coastal Place Apartments in Brunswick. Prior to accepting the position, Curry was a resident director in Arkansas Tech University’s Office of Residence Life.

Katelyn Henderson ’13 (B.B.A.) received her acceptance letter to Mercer Law School in mid-January.

Rebekah Lindborg ’13 (B.S., Biology) began a one-year internship with Disney in January, working with their highly regarded sea turtle research program. She had previously interned at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island and was involved in additional research there under the direction of Dr. Kimberly Andrews.

Mark Taylor ’13 (B.S., Psychology) was a presenter at the Georgia Psychological Society’s 9th annual research conference held at the College on April 5. Taylor, who graduated with one of the inaugural B.S. degrees in psychology conferred by Coastal Georgia, is attending graduate school at Georgia Regents University. He also presented a research poster with Coastal’s Dr. Kimberly Kinsey Mannahan, Assistant Professor of Psychology, at the 16th annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association in Nashville during March.

Class Notes

Birghtwork 28

Chelan Copelan ’14 (A.S., Pre-Pharmacy), Remley Highsmith ’14 (A.S., Pre-Pharmacy) and Leah Whitman ’14 (A.S., Pre-Pharmacy) began their pharmacy studies this summer at South University School of Pharmacy in Savannah.

Chad Highsmith ’14 (B.S., Psychology) is attending Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville. He started the two-year fast track program in mid-May with the goal of completing his JD and joining the U.S. Marine Corps Judge Advocate Generals (JAG).

Melissa James ’14 (B.S., Math) is going to Purdue University to pursue a Ph.D. in mathematics.

Marshall “Don” Jones ’14 (B.B.A., Accounting) accepted the position of purchasing agent with Industrial Insulation Group, LLC (IIG), a division of Johns Manville Company in Brunswick.

Jenna Kindle ’14 (B.S., Biology) is entering Armstrong Atlantic’s Master of Public Health program.

Hollie Manning ’14 (A.S., Pre-Pharmacy) will be attending the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Suwanee this fall.

Brandy Mizzell ’14 (B.B.A., Accounting) is expecting a summertime arrival for her first child. She has been offered full-time employment with Lewis Raulerson, Inc., working in accounting and training under the Controller.

Melissa Oliver ’14 (B.B.A., Accounting) has been promoted to Controller of Teamwork Services Inc. (TSI) in Brunswick. The company provides human resource management services.

Carrie Parker ’14 (A.S., Pre-Pharmacy) and Mitchell Tuttle ’10 (A.S., Chemistry) and ’14 (A.S., Pre-Pharmacy) have been accepted at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy in Athens and will begin classes in fall 2014.

Achal Patel ’14 (A.S., Pre-Pharmacy) will enter the Mercer University College of Pharmacy in Atlanta for fall term.

Ashley Sitalo ’14 (B.S., Psychology) was accepted into the Masters program (counseling) at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, MI.

Carol Van deVier ’14 (B.S., Psychology) is working for Morningstar Children and Family Services, Inc. in Brunswick.

Alumni are invited to share their good news through Brightwork by emailing [email protected]

In Memoriam

Russell “Rusty” Lambright ‘70, Brunswick, GA (June 1, 1950-April 10, 2014)

Lt. Col. Elizabeth H. Bryant Hutchinson of West Palm Beach, FL, formerly of Brunswick, GA, was a 1969 graduate of Glynn Academy and a graduate of the Brunswick Junior College nursing program. In 1974 she was commissioned 2LT Nurse Corps U.S. Air Force. Her ashes were interred at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC, on August 9, 2013, with military honors.


Office of AdvancementOne College DriveBrunswick, Georgia 31520ccga.edu

NON-PROFITU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDBRUNSWICK, GAPERMIT NO. 245

Juniors Dena English (Bunbury, Australia) , Gabby O’Sullivan (Perth, Australia) and Andrej Tomic (Banja Luka, Bosnia) take a break during move in day at Lakeside Village.

brightworks summer 2014

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