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Vol. 15 No. 41 Dec. 3, 2007  
   
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TOP STORIES

  
Southwest Georgia residents will benefit from new community-based health initiativeSouthwest Georgia residents will benefit from new community-based health initiative
The Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health (JPHCOPH) has been awarded a two-year, $500,000 grant from Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital of Albany, Ga., to develop a comprehensive assessment of community needs in the hospital’s Southwest Georgia service area. Using community and provider data, JPHCOPH will develop targeted programs to improve the health status of the community and remove health disparities among its residents.
The new project is named the Southwest Georgia Community-Based Health Initiative, and it will operate from the JPHCOPH Center for Rural Health and Research.
Stuart Tedders, director of the center, will coordinate the on-campus faculty and student involvement in the initiative and work with the project’s director, Sandra Handwerk.
“Sandra Handwerk is an Albany, Ga.-based public health professional who has been active in the hospital’s previous Community Health Institute,” said Tedders. “She has joined our project as its director, and she will work with the community and with health care providers to identify community resources and needs. One of our primary goals is to develop and maintain a community council and assist that group in developing and communicating its recommendations.” Under the terms of the grant, Handwerk will also coordinate development of other grants and funding resources that will allow the project to sustain its long-term activities.
In addition to providing opportunities for faculty research, the Southwest Georgia Community-Based Health Initiative will provide opportunities for JPHCOPH students in the Masters of Public Health and Doctor of Public Health programs to complete hands-on practicums in community health organizations.
“So many people collaborated to make the Southwest Georgia Community-Based Health Initiative a reality for us,” said JPHCOPH Dean Charles Hardy. “Karl Peace, a native of Southwest Georgia and a Georgia Cancer Coalition Distinguished Scholar, built the initial relationship we have with Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. We are also grateful for the support of Dr. James Hotz, an established leader in rural health services who created the first Community Health Institute.”
COBA preparing to unveil Eagle Executive Society in JanuaryCOBA preparing to unveil
Eagle Executive Society in January
Alumni, staff and faculty of the College of Business Administration (COBA) have been working this semester to develop plans for the newly-formed Eagle Executive Society, which will roll out its membership drive in January 2008. The Eagle Executive Society is a membership organization that will encourage investment and interest by alumni and friends of the College.
“COBA is preparing the next generation’s business leaders by providing today’s students with the best faculty, technology, facilities, and learning opportunities available,” said alumnus Doug Lambert, who will serve as the Eagle Executive Society’s inaugural president, “but we’ve reached a point where increased alumni support is essential to keep us moving toward our goal of national recognition.” Lambert served with COBA faculty and staff representatives throughout the fall semester to get the new membership organization underway.
The Eagle Executive Society will serve as a way of building communication between COBA and its larger community of alumni. Beginning in January 2008, annual membership will be extended to alumni and friends who invest $50 in the students and faculty, the programs, and the future success of COBA. In gratitude for their investment, members will receive a non-negotiable stock certificate verifying that they have taken “stock” in COBA, a subscription to COBA’s newsletter, The Eagle Executive, and personal invitations to special receptions and seminars sponsored by COBA.		  
 

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TRAINING

Human Resources
Human Resources offers training
The Human Resources Training and Development Department will offer the following courses in December.
• Excel Level II, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., College of Education Room 2150.
• Self Serve, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., HR Training Room. This course will discuss how to update personal employee data and view compensation information online.
• Welcome to Georgia Southern University, Thursday, Dec. 13, 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., HR Training Room. This workshop is intended for new campus employees.
• P-Card Training, Thursday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 11 a..m, Procurement & Contract Services conference room.
• P-Card Training, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Procurement & Contract Services conference room.
Coming in January
• Word 2007 Refresher, Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., College of Education Room 2150.
• Word 2007 Refresher, Friday, Jan. 18, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., College of Education Room 2150.
• Excel 2007 Refresher, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., College of Education Room 2150.
• Dealing with Hostile Customers, Thursday, Jan. 31, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., HR Training Room
To register for any of the courses listed, or to view other upcoming courses, visit http://jobs.georgiasouthern.edu/TD/training.
Training courses offered through the Training and Development Department are designed for the faculty, staff and student workers of the University.
For more information or questions, contact Ale Kennedy or Sylvia Everett at ext. 1687.

Workshop at Georgia Southern will focus on excellent customer serviceWorkshop at Georgia Southern will focus on excellent customer service
Georgia Southern’s “Customer Service with Excellence” workshop will be held on Thursday, Dec. 13, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. in the Nessmith-Lane Building.
Led by Cynthia Watts, the program will cover how to assess different types of customers and how to deal with difficult people and situations. Among other topics, the workshop will include what to say and how to say it in order to turn new customers into repeat customers.
Watts is a certified work and life coach, a writer and a corporate trainer. She has taught in such varied venues as Habitat for Humanity International (South Atlantic Region), Proctor and Gamble, and the Marine Corps Logistics Base at Albany, Ga.
The $129 fee includes continental breakfast and lunch. If six employees from the same organization sign up for the workshop, a seventh person from the same organization can attend for free. To register for the workshop or obtain more information, visit http://ceps.georgiasouthern.edu/conted/customerservice.html or call ext. 5551.

‘Hot Topics in Employment Law’ will be focus of December seminar in Savannah‘Hot Topics in Employment Law’ will be focus
of December seminar in Savannah
Business owners and managers are encouraged to sign up for a Savannah seminar that will address some of the most crucial litigation issues that employers face.
“Hot Topics in Employment Law” will be held on Thursday, Dec. 13, from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Coastal Georgia Center.
Part of the Legal Awareness in the Workplace (LAW) series sponsored by Georgia Southern University, the seminar will be taught by Shawn Kachmar, an attorney in the employment law firm of Hunter, Maclean, Exley and Dunn, P.C. Kachmar will review emerging trends in workplace claims in the 21st century and what firms and their human resources managers can do to prevent these kinds of claims.
Each seminar provides 1.5 recertification credit hours for individuals with (Senior) Professional in Human Resources (PHR/SPHR) certification. The fee for each seminar is $69 per person. The fee will be reduced to $59 for anyone who signs up for three or more seminars, and for groups of three or more people from the same firm.
Registration for any of the seminars may be made by calling Georgia Southern University's Continuing Education Center at (912) 681-5551. For more information on any of the seminars, visit http://ceps.georgiasouthern.edu/conted/lawseminar.html or contact J. Marie Lutz, SPHR, at seminars@georgiasouthern.edu or ext. 1763.

Emerging Technology Center

Emerging Technology Center offers workshops
The Emerging Technology Center will continue providing workshops for various programs throughout the fall semester. For an updated listing of available workshops, visit the training page on the Web site at http://academics.georgiasouthern.edu/etc/.
All workshops are held in the College of Education building, room 2150. For questions, contact the department at ext. 0882.

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PRESENTATIONS

Lee Greenwood in concert at Performing Arts Center on Dec. 7Lee Greenwood in concert at Performing Arts Center on Dec. 7
The Performing Arts Center (PAC) will get into the holiday spirit with a concert by a beloved country artist.
Lee Greenwood will perform at the PAC on Friday, Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets for Lee Greenwood are $35 per person for the general public. Georgia Southern faculty, staff and students will receive a $5 discount for each ticket.
In addition, if any tickets are available 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the performance, any Georgia Southern student with a valid University I.D. can purchase one ticket for $10.
To purchase tickets or obtain additional information, call ext. 7999 or toll free (866) PAC-ARTS, or visit the PAC Web site at http://ceps.georgiasouthern.edu/pac.

Gernant's work displayed at AverittGernant’s work displayed at Averitt
A hand-designed Christmas card collection by Frieda Gernant, a member of the art faculty from 1946-76, will be on display in the main gallery of the Averitt Center for the Arts Friday, Dec. 7, through Friday, Dec. 28. The display will open Friday, Dec. 7, with a reception from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The collection was created over the years from 1935 to 1998. Gernant, who taught for more than 30 years at Georgia Teachers College, designed her first card in 1935 for an art class assignment. She continued this artistic greeting to family and friends each year until her death in 1999.

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CAMPUS EVENTS

Georgia Southern’s Fall 2007 commencement is Dec. 7Georgia Southern’s Fall 2007 commencement is Dec. 7
Georgia Southern will hold its fall commencement ceremonies Friday, Dec. 7, at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. in the Hanner Fieldhouse. Degrees will be awarded to 998 undergraduate students and 263 graduate students, for a total of 1,261 graduates.
The fall commencement brings the University’s total number of graduates for the 2007 calendar year to 3,173, up from 2,950 in 2006.
Three ceremonies will be held to accommodate graduates and their families, and the College of Graduate Studies will present master’s and doctoral degree candidates at all three ceremonies. The 9 a.m. ceremony will includes graduates from the College of Science and Technology, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, and International Studies. Speaker for the ceremony will be Georgia’s 12th District Congressman, John Barrow.
The 11 a.m. ceremony will include graduates of the College of Business Administration, the College of Information Technology, and International Trade. Speaker for the ceremony will be Joseph W. Alsop, co-founder and CEO of Progress Software Company.
The 1 p.m. ceremony will include graduates of the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, College of Education, and College of Health and Human Sciences. Speaker for the ceremony will be Trey Carter, president and CEO of Acadia Healthcare.
More detailed information about fall 2007 commencement is at http://students.georgiasouthern.edu/registrar/CommBrochure/commbrochure200708.pdf.

Note from the editorNote from the editor
This is the final This Week of the semester. The deadline for the Jan. 7 issue will be noon, Wednesday, Jan. 2.
Please continue to send your faculty and staff notes to be included in upcoming issues of This Week.
Thank you and have a happy holiday season!

 

 

Holiday tree-planting ceremony set for Dec. 10Holiday tree-planting ceremony
set for Dec. 10
Georgia Southern President Bruce Grube and Mrs. Kathryn Grube will host the University’s annual holiday tree-planting ceremony on Monday, Dec. 10, at 3 p.m. in front of the Recreation Activity Center.
The Grubes plant the tree in lieu of sending holiday cards to the campus community.
The tree-planting ceremony is a Georgia Southern tradition that was started by former President Dale Lick, who served the University from 1978 through 1986.
The University’s faculty, staff and students are invited to enjoy refreshments immediately following the ceremony.

Purchase engraved bricks for Centennial PlazaPurchase engraved bricks for Centennial Plaza
Add an engraved brick to the Centennial Plaza, located between the College of Education and College of Information Technology buildings, as a gift or to recognize or honor a friend or family member. You may choose the words to be engraved with a maximum of three lines and 20 characters per line. These bricks will be a permanent and lasting part of the University’s campus.
A certificate suitable for framing will be sent to you immediately upon receipt of your order. When the engraved brick(s) are installed in Centennial Plaza, you will receive a mini replica of your special brick.
All purchases are 100 percent tax deductible and will support scholarships for future students. For more information, call ext. 0671. An order form is available at http://coe.georgiasouthern.edu/brickcampaign.html.


Proposals for Southern Regional Conference due Nov. 30Proposals for ACIS Southern Regional Conference due Nov. 30
The Center for Irish Studies is requesting proposals for the 2008 American Conference for Irish Studies (ACIS): Southern Regional Conference to be held Thursday, March 6, through Saturday, March 8, at the Coastal Georgia Center in Savannah.
The presentations should focus on any aspect of Irish Studies, however those that elaborate on the theme “Ireland: Assent and Dissent,” are especially encouraged.
The proposal deadline is Friday, Nov. 30. For more information, visit http://ceps.georgiasouthern.edu/conted/ACIS.html or contact Janice Reynolds at ext. 1755 or janreyn@georgiasouthern.edu.


Toys for Tots drop-off pointToys for Tots drop-off point
The Nessmith-Lane Building has once again become a Toys for Tots drop-off point. New unwrapped toys can be dropped off in the Nessmith-Lane Building lobby through Monday, Dec. 10. Monetary donations, made by check, will also be accepted and should be delivered to Deborah Champion in the Nessmith-Lane Building or P.O. Box 8124. Make checks payable to Toys for Tots.
Toys for Tots in Bulloch County made a difference in the lives of approximately 500 children last year. This year the need is even greater.
For more information, contact Champion at ext. 1760 or via e-mail at dchampion@georgiasouthern.edu.

 

BCSATF annual fundraiser going on nowBCSATF annual fundraiser going on now
The Bulloch County Sexual Assault Task Force (BCSATF) is a community effort that assists victims of sexual assault. The group has offered a 24-hour-a-day/7-days-a-week rape crisis hotline (531-1771) since 2003 and has trained more than 100 crisis advocates. The crisis advocates assist rape victims at East Georgia Regional Medical Center and have accompanied victims to the police or sheriff’s office.
The BCSATF is holding its annual fundraiser, Pecans Galore, through Monday, Dec. 31, to raise money to continue the rape crisis hotline.
The group is offering gift-wrapped bags of freshly picked Georgia pecans in the following flavors:
• Chocolate covered (12 oz.) - $9
• Cinnamon sprinkled (12 oz.) - $9
• Glazed (12 oz.) - $9
• Buttered Toffee/Pecan Popcorn (12 oz.) - $8
• Pecan Caramel Clusters (8 oz.) - $8
• Large Pecan Halves (16 oz.) - $10
To order pecans, contact Linda Rohrer Paige, professor in the Department of Literature and Philosophy and co-chair of BCSATF, at ext. 0232 or 536-4164.

Sigma Delta Pi inducts new membersSigma Delta Pi inducts new members
The Department of Foreign Languages recently hosted one of its two annual initiations for eight new members into Sigma Delta Pi, the Spanish honor society.
The event was organized by the society’s advisors, Doralina Martinez-Conde and Jose Manuel Hidalgo, both assistant professors of Spanish.
For more information on Sigma Delta Pi, visit http://class.georgiasouthern.edu/spanish/spsigma.html.

Awards of Merit nominationsAwards of Merit nominations
Every year eight classified and/or administrative professional employees are selected from campus nominations to receive an Award of Merit. The award is based on meritorious job performance during the last year. Recipients of the award receive a check for $1,000 and a medallion acknowledging their outstanding and meritorious service.
Nominations for the Award of Merit may be submitted through Friday, Jan. 18. The Personnel Advisory Council representatives will review the nominations in January and early February. The recipients will be announced at the Awards Ceremony held on Wednesday, April 9, in the Performing Arts Center.
Information on the Award of Merit and a nomination form can be found at http://services.georgiasouthern.edu/ppac/awards.html.

Continuing Education Call for ProposalsContinuing Education Call for Proposals
The Continuing Education Center is actively recruiting instructional proposals which feature innovative ideas for classes, workshops, training, lectures and other educational experiences for professional development, personal development and leisure. The target audiences are the general public, professionals, seniors and youth.
Faculty and staff members are encouraged to respond to this Call for Proposals. Visit the Web site at to http://ceps.georgiasouthern.edu/conted/teachCE.html read the proposal guidelines and access the online proposal submission form. There are several programs that need qualified instructors as soon as possible.
If you have any questions, contact Tony Bretti, assistant dean and director of Continuing Education, at ext. 5442.


Greater Savannah Eagle Club fall business luncheonsGreater Savannah Eagle Club
fall business luncheons
Open to all alumni, boosters and friends of Georgia Southern, the Greater Savannah Eagle Club business luncheons are held on the fourth Thursday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. at Johnny Harris Restaurant, 1651 E. Victory Drive. Following is a list of dates and speakers:
• Dec. - no meetings.
• Thursday, Jan. 24 - Rodney Hennon, head baseball coach.
For more information, contact Rick Bean at (912)629-2143 or rbean@krtcpa.com or visit http://chathameagleclub.org.


WGST project competition submissions due March 1 WGST project competition submissions
due March 1
The Women’s and Gender Studies (WGST) Research and Project Competition submission forms are available online at http://class.georgiasouthern.edu/wgender/awards.php.
Faculty are asked to encourage students who have excelled in their classes to submit projects for the WGST Award. Projects may come from spring or fall 2007 courses. Submissions are due by Saturday, March 1.
For more information, contact Nancy Malcom at ext. 5168 or nmalcom@georgiasouthern.edu.

OTHER EVENTS
December  
2 Seasonal Celebration, Performing Arts Center, 3 p.m.
3-6 Final exams
7 Commencement
  Lee Greenwood Christmas Show, Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m.
24-28 Christmas Holidays. Administrative offices closed.

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Submit news items and faculty/staff notes to be included in This Week
E-mail items for This Week to thisweek@georgiasouthern.edu or use the online submission form at http://news.georgiasouthern.edu/thisweek_form.htm. All submissions are subject to editing for style and length. Submissions should be summarized in typed narrative form. Deadline for submissions is noon Wednesday. Submissions received after the deadline will be held until the next issue. Please be sure to include your name and campus telephone number.

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KUDOS
Timur Mirzoev, assistant professor in the Department of Information Technology, successfully negotiated with VMware Inc. for the Department of Information Technology to receive licenses of all the best-selling Vmware software for free.
Bede Mitchell, dean of the library and professor, delivered a presentation about Henderson Library’s automated retrieval system at St. Petersburg State University, Russia, on Nov. 15. He was part of a People to People Ambassadors delegation of academic librarians who visited four Russian universities in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Mitchell’s e-mail reports from Russia may be viewed at http://library.georgiasouthern.edu/news/mitchell_russiaindex.html.
Michael Reksulak, assistant professor of economics, writes a bi-weekly column on business and economics in the Savannah Morning News. His latest column discussed the government’s “Thanksgiving express lane” initiative for air travel and economic suggestions of how to decrease the number of flight delays in the U.S. The article can be found at http://savannahnow.com/node/403968. Previous columns are available at http://coba.georgiasouthern.edu/depts/sed/SEDinthenews.html.
Phil Waldrop, professor in the Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Technology, was elected to an expenses-paid international role in service to the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). As an elected member of the International Director/Member Council Nominating Committee, he will assist in identifying international-level candidates to be responsible for Society management and member engagement. He previously chaired two senior chapters and SME’s first international conference on metal matrix composites. Waldrop was recently notified that he will be a recipient of the SME Chapter President’s Award in recognition of multi-year service as area chapter president and retention chair.
Denise M. Weems, assistant professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning, published the article “America’s Next Top Model: Parent Behaviors that Promote Reading” in the Winter 2007-2008 issue of Childhood Education (Vol. 84 No. 2, pp 105-106).

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EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

For a list of all current job opportunities on campus, please check with the Division of Human Resources (for classified staff positions) at (912) 681-5468, TDD: (912) 681-0791; the Office of the Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs (for faculty positions) at (912) 681-5258, TDD: (912) 871-1654; or the University’s web site at http://jobs.georgiasouthern.edu.
Georgia Southern University affirms its commitment and pledges its full support to equal opportunity in hiring, promotion, and training for all persons, regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, or disability.
Georgia Southern University further affirms its commitment to prohibit retaliation by any University employee against an employee who in, good faith, complains about alleged discrimination.
For further information, including information about the complaint and grievance procedures, please contact the Diversity Services Office, at (912) 681-5136, TDD: (912) 681-0273 or by e-mail at affirmac@georgiasouthern.edu .

 

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