Georgia Southern University Students to Witness History

Ten exceptional students from Georgia Southern University have been selected to attend the Presidential Inauguration in Washington D.C. on Jan. 20.

To be considered for selection, students were asked to provide a description of their campus community involvement and to write a 500-word essay discussing why they wanted to attend the inauguration. Ten students were chosen by a selection committee for their leadership qualities and to serve as representatives of Georgia Southern’s diverse student body.

‘The selection committee chose students who had outstanding essays and who had displayed commitment to various organizations and activities. Selected students also displayed a desire to share their experiences in D.C. with the campus and community,” said Janna Pennington, Georgia Southern’s coordinator of service learning.

The inauguration trip, organized by The Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management and the Office of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement, will serve as a learning experience and a chance for students to witness history in the making.

The trip will also allow one student to see her campaign efforts pay off. Cindy Ann Kilgo, a member of Young Democrats, was a volunteer for President-Elect Barack Obama. Kilgo and three other students, who are involved in Student Government, will have the opportunity to see the political process at work.

‘Barack Obama has inspired millions of Americans with his message of hope and change,” said Pennington. ‘I hope that this trip will inspire a group of Georgia Southern students to strive for change in their local communities.”

Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University, offers more than 110 degree programs serving nearly 18,000 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. The University, one of Georgia’s largest, is a top choice of Georgia’s HOPE scholars and is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit:www.georgiasouthern.edu.

Last updated: 2/2/2018

Georgia Southern University College of Education Dean

Lucindia Chance, Ed.D., dean of the College of Education at Georgia Southern University, has been named a Fulbright Specialist by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Department of State and the Council for International Exchange of Scholars.

The Fulbright Specialists Program provides short-term academic opportunities (two to six weeks) for U.S.-based University faculty and professionals. To be selected, a candidate must first apply and are then selected after a comprehensive peer review of the application and qualifications.

The goal of the Fulbright Specialist program is to increase the participation of U.S. scholars and professionals through academic exchanges. Each of the selected Specialists will not only participate in traditional lecture and research activities, but will also promote increased connections between U.S. and non-U.S. post-secondary academic institutions.

Chance will now be added to the Fulbright Roster and will have the opportunity to be matched with requests from overseas academic institutions. She will remain on the Fulbright Roster for up to five years.

To be eligible to apply, candidates are required to have a Ph.D. or equivalent professional/terminal degree at the time of application plus a minimum of five years of post-doctoral teaching or professional experience in the field in which they are applying.

Chance, who has 40 years of experience in education, has served as dean of the College of Education at Georgia Southern University since July 2001. She has also served as professor and dean of the College of Education at The University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She began her education career as a classroom teacher in Milan, Tenn., later becoming a principal. Her higher education career began at the University of Memphis in 1989.

Chance earned a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Memphis State University. She also earned a Master of Science degree in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Tennessee, Martin, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Lambuth College.

Chance currently serves on the editorial board and as a referee of Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning, Staffordshire University, England. She is also a member of PDK Phi Delta Kappa (Northwest Tennessee Chapter, Jackson Chapter, Louisiana Chapter and the Georgia Chapter) and the National Education Association.

Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University, offers more than 110 degree programs serving nearly 18,000 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. The University, one of Georgia’s largest, is a top choice of Georgia’s HOPE scholars and is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu.

Last updated: 2/2/2018

Georgia Southern University Expert Offers Tips on Going Green in 2009

“Going green” in the New Year doesn’t have to take a lot of time or a lot of money. Dr. Lissa Leege, who heads up Georgia Southern University’s sustainability programs, offers five easy ways to help save the environment and save money.

1. As each incandescent bulb burns out in your house or office, replace it with a compact fluorescent bulb. CFLs use one-fifth the energy of incandescents and last 10 times longer, allowing you to save 670 pounds of carbon dioxide and $55 over the life of a single 60-watt bulb equivalent.
2. Replace old shower heads in your home with new, lower-flow shower heads. By law, all shower heads are now required to release no more than 2.5 gallons of water per minute  a significant savings over the older five-gallons-per-minute models.
3. Choose water from the tap over bottled water. Eight of 10 plastic water bottles end up in crowded landfills, and the oil required to make a year’s supply of new bottles in the U.S. is enough to fuel 100,000 cars a year.
4.  Bring your own bags to the grocery store. They are much sturdier than the film plastic bags and they’ll never end up as litter in a river!
5. Give someone a nice travel mug to carry to Starbucks. That will save 10 cents a cup, but better yet it will save landfill space and trees by not trashing 365 cups a year.

Last updated: 2/2/2018

Georgia Southern Expert Shares Wellness Tips for the New Year

Getting into shape, losing weight and living a healthier lifestyle often top many New Year’s resolutions lists. This New Year’s Nigel Davies, Ed.D. , of Georgia Southern University’s Wellness Program, offers advice on how to improve all aspects of your health and wellness in 2009.

1. Set specific goals for the upcoming year. These should be behavioral and be designated as daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goals. Display them where you will see and read them each day. These goals should cover all seven dimensions of wellness (emotional, environmental, intellectual, occupational, physical, social and spiritual).
2. Create a budget based upon your take-home pay. Prioritize and include a specific amount for savings. Stick to your budget. Consolidate any debts to make them easier to pay off.
3. Identify at least one new activity and one new hobby you will try this year. Identify how you will learn and do the activity and the hobby. Encourage your friends and family to do the same.
4. Identify and completely remove at least two processed foods (anything not produced naturally) that you regularly eat from your diet. Replace them with fresh fruits and/or vegetables.
5. At least once a month, visit the wonderful state and national parks of this great country. Take friends and family for a picnic. Hike the trails to enjoy the scenery and wildlife.
6. Use reusable bags whenever you go shopping. To reduce your carbon footprint, car pool with your neighbors and friends when you go shopping or run other errands.
7. Search for and contact a long lost friend. Share your adventures and life happenings with each other.

Georgia Southern University offers wellness programs and events to the public throughout the year. For more information, contact Dr. Nigel Davies at 912-478-5436.

Last updated: 2/2/2018

Georgia Southern University Acquires Two Properties Adjacent to Campus

Georgia Southern University has acquired two pieces of property adjacent to its campus formerly occupied by Legends and Apex. The property will be used for University Auxiliary Services operations including storage and maintenance. Terms of the purchase have not been disclosed.
The purchase, part of the University’s Campus Master Plan, has been on the University’s list for consideration for some time. ‘Georgia Southern University has wanted to purchase the two properties for some time,” said Bruce Grube, president of Georgia Southern University. ‘The proximity of the property’s location to our main campus and the need for additional space for auxiliary service operations were our primary reasons for purchasing these properties. In addition, the desire to improve safety in that immediate area was also a major consideration.”
Both properties were previously known for their reputation for criminal activity. Local law enforcement has responded to numerous incidents at the two properties including fights, shootings, underage drinking and driving under the influence (DUI).
‘From a public safety standpoint, we are very pleased that the University purchased these two properties,” said Ken Brown, chief of Georgia Southern University’s Police Department. ‘My number-one concern is for the well-being of our students and this purchase, especially given its location and its reputation, will improve the overall safety of our campus for our students.”
The University continues to work with the local community to improve safety on and around its campus. ‘Georgia Southern University is a growing and vibrant institution attracting students from across the United States and from more than 80 countries. We want to ensure that when they are here, they are provided the opportunity to live and learn in a safe, but enjoyable environment,” said Grube.
As the University pursues its goal of reaching 25,000 students by the year 2020, the need to expand the campus has become an important part of the institution’s long term master plan. ‘Considering the need to support our growth both now and in the future, we have been interested in purchasing the property for some time,” said Grube.
Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University, offers more than 120 degree programs serving nearly 18,000 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. The University, one of Georgia’s largest, is a top choice of Georgia’s HOPE scholars and is recognized for its student-centered approach to education.? Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu. – See more at: https://www.georgiasouthern.edu/news/pressrelease.phpid=1743#sthash.TWsho6fD.dpuf

Last updated: 2/2/2018

Georgia Southern University Students Spend Winter Break Serving Community

Sixteen Georgia Southern University students will spend the first days of their winter break revitalizing historical sites in Liberty County.

The Winter Break Service-Learning Trip is an opportunity for students to give of themselves during this holiday season. Students will work at five sites this Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday doing light construction and maintenance while learning about the historical significance of each location. The students will serve at the following Liberty County locations:

Geechee Kunda Cultural Center: This is a museum created to preserve an African-based culture that still exists in coastal Georgia.
Dorchester Academy: The academy was once a school for freed slaves and a retreat for Martin Luther King, Jr. It now serves as an African-American history museum.
Fort Morris: This American Revolutionary fort now serves as a museum.
Seabrook Village: This living history museum provides re-enactments of post-Civil War life in coastal Georgia.
LeConte-Woodmanston Botanical Garden: This nature preserve was founded by the LeConte family.

This trip is sponsored by Georgia Southern University’s Office of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement which provides students opportunities to volunteer and serve the community in a variety of ways.

Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University, offers more than 110 degree programs serving nearly 18,000 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. The University, one of Georgia’s largest, is a top choice of Georgia’s HOPE scholars and is recognized for its student-centered approach to education.Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu.

Last updated: 2/2/2018

Georgia Southern University Celebrates Fall 2008 Commencement

Georgia Southern University honored approximately 1,250 graduates and their families at the Fall 2008 Commencement at Hanner Fieldhouse on Dec. 12.

The Fall 2008 graduates represented 21 countries and 22 states; however, 92 percent of the graduates were native Georgians. The youngest graduate was 21 years old, and the oldest was 61. The average age for the fall graduating class was 25.

Thirty-two students received doctoral degrees from the College of Education, the youngest of whom was 29. Women comprised 55 percent of Georgia Southern’s Fall 2008 graduates (689 of 1,250).

A Georgia Southern alumna recognized as the nation’s top principal was the speaker for the 9 a.m. ceremony for the College of Education, College of Health and Human Sciences and Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health. Molly Howard, principal of Jefferson County High School in Louisville, Ga., was chosen as the 2007 Georgia High School Principal of the Year and was most recently named the 2008 National High School Principal of the Year, sponsored by MetLife and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

The speaker for the 11 a.m. ceremony for the College of Business Administration and College of Information Technology was Ann Bordelon, the Senior Vice President/Chief Audit Executive of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. In her current role, which she has held since June 2007, Bordelon is responsible for overseeing a global staff of 500 in 14 countries. Prior to her current role, Bordelon was the Vice President of Finance for Wal-Mart’s U.S. real estate division.

Georgia Southern University alumnus Chris Hobson was the speaker for the 1 p.m. ceremony for the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and Allen E. Paulson College of Science and Technology. Hobson is the Senior Vice President for Research and Environmental Affairs for Southern Company. He is responsible for system-wide environmental issues and environmental compliance planning as well as research and development of new technology to address future challenges.

Last updated: 2/2/2018

Georgia Southern University Releases Retailers Survey Information

A recent survey by Georgia Southern University’s Bureau of Business Research and Economic Development found local retail businesses were pessimistic about the 2008 holiday shopping season outlook.

During a survey conducted the last week in October, the Bureau of Business Research and Economic Development completed 278 phone surveys of retailers in eleven Georgia counties (including Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham and Bryan) and three South Carolina counties (Hampton, Jasper and Beaufort). The retail businesses were asked a series of questions regarding the economy and how they believed they would fare during the 2008 holiday shopping season. Here is how retailers responded to key questions in the survey:

• Eighty-seven percent said the national economy was doing worse in 2008 compared to 2007.
• Fifty percent said their company’s financial status was the same as last year.
• Twenty-four percent said their company was worse off than last year.
• Forty-one percent said they think their holiday sales will be the same as last year.
• Thirty-four percent said they believe their holiday sales will be worse than last year.
• Seventy-six percent said they would not hire additional employees during the holiday season.
• Fifty-six percent said they are concerned that high levels of consumer debt will curtail consumer spending during the holiday season.

This is the sixth year that the Bureau of Business Research and Development has conducted this survey of retailers leading up to the holiday season. The Bureau of Business Research and Development is a unit of Georgia Southern University’s College of Business Administration.

Last updated: 2/2/2018