NGCSU Points of Pride 2004-2005
U.S.News & World Report’s America’s Best
Colleges’ 2005 online edition ranks North Georgia College & State University
as No. 13 in the South among public universities offering undergraduate and
master’s programs.
Consumers Digest named North Georgia College
& State University the 5th Best Value in public higher education in
the nation for 2004-2005. To determine the rankings, 3,500 schools were
measured on quality aspects of the institutions factored against the annual
tuition and room-and-board costs for students, plus academic excellence of
first-time freshmen and the school’s education quality.
The combined economic impact in the northeast
Georgia region of North Georgia College & State University and Gainesville
College was $234 million, with an employment impact of 2,910 jobs during
fiscal year 2004.
The Health & Natural Sciences building was
featured in the November 2004 American School & University magazine for its
design in the “Outstanding Designs Post-Secondary”category.
The NGCSU
Appalachian Studies Center
has been
established to work locally and regionally to improve the economic, health
and cultural well being of Appalachian communities and the state.
For the third consecutive year, North Georgia has the
highest graduation rates of Georgia's 13 state and two regional
universities, far outpacing those public post-secondary institutions in
conferring degrees.
North Georgia purchased three parcels of real
estate, totaling 108 acres, from the NGCSU Foundation. The university
acquired the land the first week of 2005 for $1.7 million, following the
Board of Regents approval of the purchase.
Divisions and Departments
The Master of Science in
Family Nurse Practitioner’s program received a one-year grant from
the Department of Health and Human Services for $33,463 to offset costs for
graduate nursing students. Each year since 1999, the university has received
the grant, submitted by Dr. Toni Barnett, head of the Department of Nursing.
For the third successive year, the program has been awarded $293,782 for
2005-2006 by the Health Resources and Services Administration.
The May 2005 class in the
NGCSU MS/FNP Program had a 100 percent pass-rate for the
certification exam.
In teacher
certification pass rates, North Georgia is the top school in the
University System of Georgia.
North Georgia’s
Secondary Mathematics Program received the prestigious National
Recognition designation from the National Council of Teachers of
Mathematics.
The Board of Regents
approved a new minor in philosophy for North Georgia.
In summer 2005 the
Graduate Studies Program reached an all-time enrollment record of 596
graduate students.
North Georgia’s
Gainesville University Center Program added an enrollment management
position to keep up with the enrollment growth.
The NGCSU Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, the
National Leadership Honor Society, was awarded the Circle of Distinction. Of
the society’s 398 national circles, only 19 received the award for the
2003-04 school year.
The NGCSU Le Belle Voci women’s choir, under the
direction of Dr. Jack Broman, is one of only three college choirs chosen to
perform at the Georgia Music Educator Association’s conference in January
2006 out of 31 ensembles that applied.
Alpha Phi Omega, a national co-ed service
fraternity, is being chartered at NGCSU.
Collaborations between the Minority Advising Program,
the Corps of Cadets, financial aid and admissions led to MAP hosting an
orientation for minority cadets from a high school ROTC Program in South
Carolina.
Military
In the fall 2004 semester, more than 650 students participated in
the Corps of Cadets, with 84 women
included, the highest cadet enrollment since the Vietnam War era.
North
Georgia’s commitment to train leaders for every component of the U.S. Army
became official on Sept. 26, 2004, when the U.S. Army Reserve detachment
at NGCSU was activated during the Distinguished Military Student Review
on the drill field. Maj. Gen. Charles E. Wilson, deputy commanding general
of the U.S. Army Reserve Command, the guest speaker and reviewing officer,
presented the guidon, or company flag, to the Mountain Detachment of the
81st Regional Readiness Command.
The March issue of the Atlanta Construction News
featured the Brooks Pennington Jr. Military Leadership Center,
highlighting the redesign and transformation of the structure that opened in
September 2004.
ROTC students on the Ranger Challenge Team
captured two gold medals, a silver and a
bronze after competing in the Bataan Memorial Death March in the New Mexico
Desert in March. The marathon, 26.2 miles, commemorates WWII veterans who
were forced on a grueling trek through the Philippine jungles by the
Japanese in 1942.
Sports
North Georgia moves to the NCAA Division II Peach
Belt Conference in fall 2005.
The Lady Saints basketball team made the
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ National Tournament
"Sweet Sixteen" and finished as No. 9 in the final national ranking. The
team also won the Georgia-Alabama-Carolina Conference Tournament
Championship for the fourth consecutive year. Megan Huffman was named
the SSAC “Freshman of the Year.” Jeanine Dorminey, Katie
Williamson and Jenica Johnson were selected to the NAIA
All-Academic Team. Brandi Owen, Katie Williamson and Megan
Huffman were named to the NAIA All-American Team.
The Saints basketball team set a school record
for the most points scored in a
season (3,015), along with setting a school record for the most conference
games won
(16) and tied the school record for wins (23). Matt Causey was
selected as a First Team NAIA All-American and set a school record for
scoring in a season (783 points), assists in a season (225), free throws
made (227), and was named the SSAC men's basketball “Player of the Year.”
Dustin David and Mark Causey were named to the NAIA All-Academic Team.
Lady Saints basketball Coach Buffie Burson was
included in the 2004-2005 NAIA Media Guide as 7th in the list of
all-time Winningest Coaches, with a .741 winning percentage after 10 years
and a 246-86 record as head coach.
NGCSU head baseball Coach
Tom Cantrell earned his 400th career game win on Feb. 19.
Cantrell has a current record of 224-114 at North Georgia, while his career
record stands at 401-166.
Lady Saints softball head
Coach Mike Davenport won his 200th career game on April 15.
Coach Chris
Faulkner reached a career milestone as he won his 100th career game as a
head basketball coach on Jan. 27.
Richie Daigle, a North Georgia alumnus and
Saints right fielder, signed a free agent contract to be a pitcher for the
Peoria Padres. Last season he was selected as a NAIA Second Team
All-American, NAIA Region XIII All-Region Team and SSAC All-Conference Team.
NGCSU senior Kevin Bulger was picked by the Kansas City Royals in the
25th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft. Senior Ryan Garmon
signed a free agent contract with the Cincinnati Reds organization.
Junior Irina Watkins finished 36th in the nation
in women’s cross country, the highest finish ever for a North Georgia
runner. Watkins also finished fourth in the 1500 meters at the Finnish
National Championship in her native home of Finland.
The Lady Saints softball team finished 5th
in the nation, along with winning a fourth consecutive conference title and
third consecutive tournament championship. Following its most successful
season in history with a record of 45-18, the team advanced to the
quarterfinals of the NAIA National Softball Championship, finishing 4-3 in
the tournament. Senior Beth Willis was named to the National
Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-American second team for
softball. She also was named the SSAC “Pitcher of the Year” for a second
straight season. Brittany Cobb was selected as the SSAC softball
“Freshman of the Year.” Seniors Beth Willis, Lynsey Thompson
and junior Lara Seamon were selected to the NAIA Region XIII
All-Region team.
The Saints baseball team finished the season
ranked 18th in the NAIA National Rankings. The team also won the SSAC
Tournament with a 5-0 sweep. Brian Lauderdale was selected to the
NAIA first team All-American; Richie Daigle, Jason Willard and
Justin Rickett were selected as NAIA All-Americans; and Ryan
Gurley was named an NAIA Academic All-American. Eric Good was
named the SSAC “Freshman of the Year” for baseball.
Junior Millie Dalton was named to the NAIA
All-Academic team in women’s tennis.
Faculty and Staff
Gov. Sonny Perdue appointed Dr. Toni Barnett,
nursing, to serve a three-year appointment on the Georgia State Board of
Nursing. She also received the Georgia Association for Nursing Education’s
Jane Van de Verde Nurse Educator Award for 2005, given in recognition of an
Outstanding Nurse Educator.
Dr. Brian Jay Corrigan, language and literature,
recipient of a 2004 Georgia Board of Regent's Award for Teaching Excellence,
also is the author of “The Poet of Loch Ness,” which made the southeast
region's bestseller list, ranking #6.
Dr. Harrison Davis,
psychology and sociology, received the “Outstanding Contribution to
Professional Knowledge” award for his workshop and journal article, “Healing
the campus: A suicide survivor helping model,” at the American College
Counseling Association’s national conference. Davis also earned the
“Meritorious Service Award” for his three years of service on the ACCA
executive board and the editorial board of the Journal of College
Counseling.
Laurie Davis,
bookstore manager, won the “President’s Award” and Jim
Barnaby,
assistant bookstore manager, won the “Store Employee of the Year” award from
the Georgia Association of College Stores.
Dr. Leo Downing,
political science and criminal justice, was elected president of the
Criminal Justice Association of Georgia for 2005.
Dr. Barry D. Friedman,
political science and criminal justice, was elected to a four-year term on
the National Executive Council of the Pi Sigma Alpha political science honor
society, the third largest among all honor societies.
Dr. Robert Fuller,
physics, was installed as the Georgia Lakes Society’s director for Northeast
Georgia. GLS is a non-profit organization promoting the understanding,
protection, restoration and comprehensive management of lakes, reservoirs,
wetlands and their watersheds.
Dr. Sraboni Ghosh, math and computer science,
has been selected as a Project NExT Fellow for the 2005-2006 academic year.
Project NExT (New Experiences in Teaching) is a nationwide faculty
development program sponsored by the Mathematical Association of America.
Dr. Marc J. Gilbert, history, was a guest of the
SaNir Foundation in New Delhi, India, where he lectured on the life and work
of the late artist Sri Sirdari Lal Parasher.
Dr. Charles Hawkins,
director of Institutional Research and Planning, served as secretary of the
University System of Georgia Administrative Committee on Institutional
Research and Planning for 2004-2005, and has been elected to serve as the
vice-chair of that committee for 2005-2006.
Dr. Ralph Hitt,
biology, was selected as a National Academic Advising Association
Outstanding Advising Certificate of Merit recipient for 2005. Hitt also was
named the 2005 NGCSU Outstanding Academic Advisor.
Dr. Shirley Holmes,
education, presented at the National Gang Crime Research Center
International Gang Specialist Training Conference in Chicago, Ill. She was
awarded a Special Agent Badge for her work on violent gang activities among
children in schools and communities.
Kim Hudson-Gallogly, nursing, was elected as the
Georgia Representative for the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners in
2005.
Dr. Christopher Jespersen,
history, was one of three U.S. historians selected by the Organization of
American Historians to receive an OAH-JAAS Short Term Residency at Kyoritsu
Women's University in diplomatic and cultural history to give lectures,
seminars, and advise students and researchers interested in the American
past.
Bob LaVerriere, director of Undergraduate
Admissions, is the vice chairman of the University System of Georgia’s
Regents’ Advisory Committee on Records and Admissions for the 2005-2006
academic year.
Annette Hannon Lee, director of University
Relations, is the chair of the Public Relations Administrative Council for
the University System of Georgia.
Dr. You Ju Lee,
fine arts, was selected to perform a piano recital at the Sejong Center for
the Performing Arts in Seoul, Korea.
Michael Marling de
Cuellar, fine arts, had artwork included in the Valdosta National
2005 exhibition at Valdosta State University. His was among 42 pieces
selected from 332 individual artists’ works submitted.
Dr. Timothy May,
history, was invited by the Turkish Ambassador to Mongolia, Taner Karakas to
present his paper at the first International Symposium on Turkish and
Mongolian Historical and Cultural Relations held in Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia.
Judy McHan, information and instructional
technology, achieved senior-level certification as a WebCT Certified
Trainer. WebCT is a Web-based course management tool for faculty to develop
online courses and institutions to develop e-learning programs.
Dr. Grace Newsome,
nursing, is the president of the Georgia Association for
Nursing Education for 2004-2005. She also serves as one of eight
commissioners for the National League for Nursing.
Dr. Reza Nourbakhsh, physical therapy, was
certified as an orthopedic clinical specialist by the American Board of
Physical Therapy Specialities.
Charlene Portee,
physical therapy, was named the Outstanding Physical Therapist of the Year
for 2004 by the Physical Therapy Association of Georgia.
Dr. Richard (Bud) Reiselt,
health and physical education, was elected for a second term as the
president of the Georgia Association for Health, Physical Education,
Recreation and Dance for 2005-2006.
Dr. Andy Schaffer,
business administration, published the paper “Learning Management in a
Crisis: A Service Learning Response to 9-11-01” in the December 2004 issue
of the Journal of Management Education. The article describes “Project
thAnks,” a service-learning project that NGCSU management students, under
Schaffer’s guidance, developed and completed in Fall 2001.
Dr. Marina Slemmons, nursing, was the 2004-2005
president of the Georgia Chapter of National Association of Pediatric Nurse
Practitioners.
Dr. Jeff Sommers,
history, received a Fulbright Scholarship renewal for the 2004-05 academic
year to teach, develop curriculum, organize a lecture series and assist with
strategic planning at the Stockholm School of Economics-Riga and the Center
for European & Transition Studies at the University of Latvia.
Dr. Mark Spraker, physics, was named the
2005 Distinguished Professor by the NGCSU Alumni Association.
Nancy Stahl, nursing, was re-elected to the
Georgia Nurses Association Workplace Advocacy Commission.
Mike
Stapleton,
director of public safety and chief of police, was elected the 2004-2005
president of the Georgia Association of Campus Law Enforcement
Administrators.
Dr. Robert Thomas,
leadership initiative director, served as an advisor for a project promoting
Corporate Social Responsibility in the Carpathian Region for the Carpathian
Foundation, which serves Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine. In
June, he made a presentation to the foundation’s board in Budapest, Hungary.
Dr. Donna Waddell, nursing, was appointed to the
National League for Nursing Test Development Committee for the development
of a Nurse Educator Certification Examination.
The Association of American Colleges and Universities
selected teams of faculty and administrators from NGCSU to attend two
separate institutes, the Institute on General Education in
Newport, R.I., and the Greater Expectations Institute on Campus
Leadership for Student Engagement, Inclusion, and Achievement in
Burlington, Vt.
Students
Jason Ryncarz was recognized by the Georgia
Academy of Science for his outstanding paper, “Water Quality Trend Analysis
of the Yahoola Creek Reservoir and its Tributaries.” The paper was the
culmination of a year-long study of Lumpkin County’s new water supply
reservoir carried out under the supervision of NGCSU physics professor
Robert Fuller. Ryncarz presented the paper in the Earth & Atmospheric
Sciences section at the Academy’s 2005 annual meeting at Gordon College in
Barnesville, Ga. He commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and
graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in biology and minors in criminal
justice and leadership.
Corrie Duvall won three university-wide awards,
including the Paul M. Hutcherson Outstanding Student Award, the H. Michael
Hymns Jr. Leadership Award, and was named the North Georgia Omicron Delta
Kappa National Honor Society’s Leader of the Year. Duvall also was
recognized as the Province VII ODK Leader of the Year. Each award recognized
Duvall’s contributions to North Georgia as a student leader. She
graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in political science in
May.
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