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North Georgia alum named new VP for Student Affairs
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Dr. John Clower, center, gets
acquainted with some students during his second week of work at
North Georgia.
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DAHLONEGA (July 20, 2007) –
When Dr. John Clower was a graduating senior at North Georgia, he had no
idea that some day he would return to his alma mater to hold the same
position that his mentor Mike Hyams held. Clower, who up until recently
served as the director of Residence Life at the State University of West
Georgia for the last 17 years, is now the new vice president for Student
Affairs at North Georgia College & State University.
Clower, who started July 1, brings a wealth of
knowledge and years of experience in the areas of student personnel services
and residence life. His original career plans were different though when he
first came to North Georgia as a young freshman cadet who intended to go to
medical school after graduation.
“During my sophomore year, Dr. Tom Davis engaged me in
some intense career counseling through organic chemistry. I was convinced
that I was not destined to attend med school,” he recalls.
“At the beginning of my senior year, realizing that I
was about to graduate without any plans for my future, I began to explore
options. Reflecting on my experiences as an INTRO Leader and realizing that
I really enjoyed helping students adjust to college, I decided to see if
there was a future in that.”
It was during this time that he turned to Mike Hyams,
who was the vice president for Student Affairs and oversaw the INTRO program
for incoming freshmen.
“I asked him how one gets to do what he did,” says
Clower, who graduated from the college in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science
degree in biology. “He told me I had to go to Louisiana and get a master’s
degree, so that is what I did. I don’t think either of us had any idea that
conversation would eventually bring me back to North Georgia.”
Clower feels fortunate to have made many lasting
friendships during his student days, many through being an INTRO Leader,
playing on the soccer team, working as a night manager in the Hoag Student
Center and being a member of the Sigma Omega Fraternity.
Looking back at his childhood, he recalls becoming fond
of North Georgia at an early age.
“My dad’s idea of a family outing was taking a day to
drive to the mountains,” says Clower, who is originally from Smyrna, Ga.
“When I was old enough to attend sessions at Camp Glisson in Dahlonega, an
additional trip to the college campus became a part of our summer routine. I
fell in love with the mountains and with North Georgia. I was so certain
that I would attend here that I never even applied to another college.”
“A lot has changed since my time as a student, but the
one thing that remains fairly constant is the culture of respect and
consideration,” he says. “That is not easy to find among college students
these days.”
Clower plans to devote time to becoming well acquainted
with the students, faculty and staff.
“I have so much to learn and it may take some time to
formulate goals based on the needs of the students and the division,” says
Clower. “I do know that I want the Student Affairs staff to remain committed
to assisting students with academic success and with their personal growth
and development.”
Some of his past positions include working as the
director of Residence Life at Austin College in Texas, and the assistant to
the vice president for Student Affairs at Florida State University. He
received a Master of Arts in Student Personnel Services from Northwestern
State University of Louisiana and his doctorate in Higher Education
Administration from Florida State University.
Clower and his wife Jean have been married for 23 years
and they have two children – Stacey, 20, and Thomas, 18. Thomas will attend
North Georgia this fall and follow in his father’s footsteps as a cadet. In
his not-so-often spare time, Clower enjoys working with wood and stained
glass. |
