DAHLONEGA – Barry Friedman, professor of political science and coordinator of the graduate program in public administration at NGCSU, will be the speaker at fall commencement at North Georgia College & State University, which takes place in the Memorial Hall Gym on Dec. 20 at 7 p.m.

Friedman has taught at the university for 10 years and started the Master of Public Administration degree program in 1996. He was named the NGCSU Alumni Association Distinguished Professor in 1997 and 2002.

Brig. Gen. James A. Kelley will speak at the officer commissioning ceremony in the Memorial Hall Gym on Dec. 20 at 4 p.m. In July 2001 Kelley was assigned to Fort McPherson, Ga. as the assistant deputy chief of staff, serving in that role during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the early stages of operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom. He assumed his current duties as the U.S. Army Reserve Command Chief of Staff in July 2002. 

During commencement, 266 students are expected to graduate with either associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s or education specialist degrees. Currently 12 students are scheduled to earn an academic minor in leadership, one of the university’s newest programs, offered in a military or a service track.

At the commissioning ceremony, 20 cadets will take an oath of office and become newly commissioned second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. Six will serve in Georgia as officers in the Army National Guard.

The public is welcome to attend the commencement and commissioning ceremonies.

DAHLONEGA – North Georgia College & State University has the highest graduation rate of the 13 state universities in Georgia, one of the best retention rates and a top teacher-certification pass rate, according to the 2001-2002 Annual Report Card on the University System of Georgia, released by the Office of Education Accountability this month.

COLLEGE DAYS: North Georgia students study for finals during the last days of fall semester. Classes for spring semester start Jan. 8.

“We are pleased with the high rankings of our graduation rates and retention rates,” said Philip Buckhiester, vice president for Academic Affairs at NGCSU. “North Georgia has enjoyed high rankings in these categories for many years.”

North Georgia’s six-year graduation rate is 49 percent, the only state university rate above the university system’s 41 percent average. Students who start at NGCSU and transfer to other schools within the university system have a 62 percent graduation rate, the highest among Georgia state universities and the only one above the 48 percent system average.

Two of the state’s research universities, Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia, had the only higher graduation rates of 67 percent and 69 percent respectively.

North Georgia’s retention rate is among the best, with 77 percent of first-time, full-time freshmen still enrolled a year later. Albany State University had the highest state university retention of 78 percent. NGCSU students who transfer and stay within the university system have an 86 percent retention rate, again only third behind Georgia Tech and UGA.

NGCSU’s pass rate of prospective teachers taking the Praxis II certification tests last year was more than 90 percent, higher than the other 12 state universities. UGA was the only other state institution of higher education to post a pass-rate over 90 percent. The complete listing of Praxis II pass rates is not yet available from the OEA. 

The OEA report card can be accessed at http://reportcard.ga-oea.org/.

DAHLONEGA—Among the 266 students graduating from North Georgia College & State University on Dec. 20 is the husband and wife team of Erick and Vanessa Sutton of Dahlonega.

Vanessa has completed her bachelor’s of business administration degree with a concentration in management, and Erick is receiving his master’s degree in public administration. The couple chose to return to NGCSU, where Erick had received his bachelor’s degree in 1992.

Although he had served in the Corps of Cadets as an undergraduate, he decided then not to receive his commission upon graduation. Eight months later, however, Erick chose to enlist in the U.S. Army. After several years of service, first with Ranger Battalion, then stationed in Korea and Hawaii, he left the Army and went into private business with his wife, whom he married in June 2000. Deciding to return to the Army, Erick chose to receive his commission as an officer from his alma mater, an achievement he accomplished last July when he was commissioned as a second lieutenant.

At North Georgia, he has served as a cadet captain in the Corps of Cadets and has been active in the American Society for Public Administration, the Non-Traditional student Organization, the MPA Student Association and Graduate Student Senate, among other campus organizations.

Vanessa has been named to the President’s and Dean’s List honor rolls, served as president of the Non-Traditional Student Organization, where she also held several other offices, and was involved in numerous campus projects and events.

Both Suttons are listed in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.

Following a three-week vacation in Europe, the Suttons will move to Fort Gordon in Augusta, Ga. After Erick attends the Signal Officer Basic Course, the couple will be stationed in Hawaii for three years, beginning next July.

Vanessa is the daughter of Von and Christina Starkey of Norcross, Ga. Erick’s parents are D. L. and Phyllis Sutton of Sandy Springs.

HOLIDAY TRADITION: North Georgia College & State University President Nathaniel Hansford continued his annual tradition of reading “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” to children of NGCSU employees and even North Georgia students on Dec. 3 in the Hoag Student Center.

DAHLONEGA – Inspiration sometimes comes from unexpected opportunities. John David Raper of Marietta, a 24-year-old photography student at North Georgia College & State University, had an opportunity to work in New York City and seized it.

Raper was in the city last summer on a three-month internship under the tutelage of the widely celebrated photographer Annie Liebowitz. He worked five days a week as her fifth assistant.

“I began very awestruck,” said Raper, with a laugh, “but eventually lost the feeling and began working.”

While given the opportunity to roam the streets from his apartment loft in the Greenpoint area of Brooklyn, Raper found himself working side by side with celebrities and other aspiring photographers.

His first day of work included a Vogue magazine photo “shoot” of one of the survivors of the collapse of the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11.

“This was a very emotional shoot,” Raper said. “It made the event hit a little closer to home.”

Other photography assignments included Paul Simon, Gwen Stefani of the musical group No Doubt and a photo session with Robert De Niro. Raper says his most inspiring shoot was the work he did for the cover of the Vanity Fair November music issue.

The North Georgia photographer also found time to devote to his own work.

“My personal work was concerned with the spontaneous energy of the city more than the controlled studio lighting effect,” he said.

The wealth of New York shots produced a number of photographs that have appeared in Atlanta-area shows. These include “Passages and Connections” in the Hartsfield Atlanta Airport Atrium Gallery, one of 17 artists in “FOUR!” in Atlanta and one of forty invited artists premiering in “One Night Stand” in Decatur.

“John David is an example of the high degree of excellence being demonstrated by our students,” said Hank Margeson, assistant professor of Fine Arts at NGCSU. “The university promotes high expectations for internships among art students.”

Raper was awarded the 2001-02 Hal B. Rhodes “Artist of the Year” award for NGCSU.

Of Liebowitz, Raper said, “It was a phenomenal experience to work side by side with a woman of such caliber. That’s what was so amazing.” Raper is seeking a full-time job in January with Liebowitz.

When asked specifically about what the trip contributed to his overall attitude toward his photography, he replied, “It makes me want to push harder, along with a much deeper drive toward my own photography.”

He is the son of David and Lana Raper of Marietta.

DAHLONEGA - The Athletic Training Education Program at North Georgia College & State University has been granted full accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

North Georgia is now one of four accredited Athletic Training Education Programs in the state along with the University of Georgia, Georgia Southern University and Valdosta State University.

"Accreditation is very important because only students graduating from CAAHEP accredited programs will be able to sit for the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification exam starting January 2004," said Mary Ann Westerfield, coordinator and assistant professor of athletic training. "Passing this exam is required to be able to work as an athletic trainer."

The AT Education Program started fall of 1999 at North Georgia and was accredited this semester after an on-site visit from the Joint Review Committee on Athletic Training. There are currently 12 students in the program at NGCSU.

"Accreditation is a grueling three-year process," Westerfield said. Two years are spent in candidacy giving reports and the last year is submission of a self-study and the site-visit.

"Last semester, the site-visitors stated that they have never seen a program come so far so fast," said Westerfield. "I credit this to the support of the faculty and administration working together to get our athletic training major recognized as an accredited allied health program."

Certified athletic trainers specialize in the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries and illnesses. Certified athletic trainers work in a variety of settings including secondary schools, universities, sports medicine clinics, professional sports, health clubs and industrial settings.

DAHLONEGA - Donna Gessell, associate professor of English at North Georgia College & State University, was named director of Graduate Studies and External Programs at the university. She began her new position in October, following the retirement of Graduate School Coordinator Steve Ross.

"Those of you who have had opportunities to work with Dr. Gessell know that she is committed to academic excellence, meaningful service and faculty development," said Vice President for Academic Affairs Phil Buckhiester in announcing the appointment to the faculty and staff. "Her conscientiousness, her commitment to students, and her interpersonal skills will serve her well in this new position."

"While remaining committed to teaching, scholarship and service, I wanted the opportunity to apply my leadership skills to greater effectiveness here at North Georgia," said Gessell. "NGCSU has given me many experiences to develop these skills, and the position gives me to opportunity to give back to the university."

Her new responsibilities include the Office of Graduate Studies plus the Forsyth County and Gainesville College University Center programs.

"NGCSU must maintain the quality of our programs for our students here on this campus and in Gainesville and Forsyth, both at the graduate and the undergraduate level," Gessell said. "I will coordinate the ongoing evaluation of the effectiveness of our graduate programs and help add programs where needed."

Gessell earned her Ph.D. and M.A. from Case Western Reserve University, where she also taught, and her B.A. and B.S. from Ohio State University. She joined the North Georgia faculty in 1995. Classes she teaches include English, English Literature of the Restoration and Eighteenth Century, Milton, and World and British 2000-level survey courses. She has served on numerous committees, and she was named Distinguished Professor of Teaching and Learning for the 2001-2002 academic year, in addition to several other honors and awards.

APPALACHIA ART: The clay sculpture titled "Panning for Gold" by Mary Mashburn, a 1983 North Georgia graduate, is part of the "Images and Objects of Appalachia" exhibition on display through Jan. 24, 2003 in the Hoag Student Center Gallery on campus. In addition to the clay folk figure sculptures by Mashburn, the exhibit also includes photographs by Doris Ulmann from the John C. Campbell Folk School Collection. The works bring together images and objects inspired by the lives of rural working people of the southern Appalachians. A reception for the exhibit is planned for Jan. 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Hoag Student Center Gallery.

This page last modified on: Friday, 05 November 2004 15:43:18 -0500 by University Relations    

:: Disclaimer   :: Accessibility