Mack is new dean of College of Graduate Studies
Timothy P. Mack is the new dean of the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies at Georgia Southern University.
Mack comes to Georgia Southern from Virginia Tech University, where he served as associate dean for Information Technology and Distance Education. He had primary responsibility for graduate education in Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
The Averitt College of Graduate Studies administers graduate degree programs in more than 40 majors, concentrations and emphasis areas. More than 1,900 graduate students were enrolled at Georgia Southern last year.
Mack was a faculty member at Auburn University from 1981 through 1994. He held a 75 percent/25 percent teaching appointment in the Zoology-Entomology Department.
He moved to Virginia Tech in 1994 and served as head of the Department of Entomology through 2003. He also served as the assistant dean for Information Technology from 1999 through 2003.
Mack led the development of a sophomore-level online course entitled ‘Insects and Human Society” that grew to a regular enrollment of more than 600 students per semester. In addition, graduate student enrollment in the Department of Entomology increased from an average of 15 students to 27.
Mack became the associate dean for Information Technology and Distance
Education in 2004. He led the development of a new online master’s degree that involved 32 faculty teaching more than 24 online courses.
Working with the dean and others, Mack helped to increase graduate enrollment in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences from about 250 in 2003 to more than 400 in 2007.
Mack also led the development of new college-wide standards for treatment of graduate students, defining time limits for funding of graduate students, improving recruitment of graduate students, and increasing the number of funded assistantships.
Since 2003, Mack has been the national leader of the Food and Agriculture Education Information System (FAEIS). The organization compiles national higher education data on the food, life, human, natural resource, veterinary and agricultural sciences. The data includes undergraduate and graduate student enrollment and placement information, and faculty salary information.
In his career, Mack has had more than 240 publications and taught over 4,000 students. He has received two national teaching awards and garnered more than $4 million in grants, including more than $1 million in teaching-related grants.
Mack received a B.A. in biology from Colgate University. He received an M.S. and a Ph.D. in entomology from Pennsylvania State University.
Mack and his wife have five children, including one who has transferred to Georgia Southern.
For more information on the Averitt College of Graduate Studies, visit http://cogs.georgiasouthern.edu/ , email tmack@georgiasouthern.edu or call (912) 681-0578.
Last updated: 2/2/2018
President’s Medal presented to Department of Music professor Braz
Michael Braz has been presented with a special award that recognizes extraordinary contributions to Georgia Southern University.
A professor in Georgia Southern’s Department of Music, Braz received the President’s Medal during the University’s annual Fall Convocation Ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 8, in the Performing Arts Center.
‘It gives me great pleasure to honor Dr. Braz for his professional accomplishments, his contributions to this community, and his dedication to academic distinction in teaching, scholarship and service,” University President Bruce Grube said.
Braz teaches music theory/aural skills, orchestration and music composition, as well as courses on subjects such as Finale music software and Wagner’s ‘Ring” cycle. He is a book and music reviewer for various journals and publishers, and is in demand as a performer, conductor, clinician and adjudicator.
A member of Georgia Southern’s faculty for two decades, Braz was the 2003-2004 winner of the Ruffin Cup, which is presented annually by the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. He received the University’s Faculty Award for Excellence in Service in 1994.
In addition, Braz was honored with the Statesboro Herald’s Humanitarian of the Year award at the annual Deen Day Smith ceremony in 2003.
Braz will take an educational leave during the 2007-2008 academic year to focus on three artist-in-residence positions in England, Nepal and China.
‘In every sense of the word, Dr. Braz is truly a world ambassador for Georgia Southern,” Grube said.
Braz has served as associate director of the Miami Choral Society, conductor and musical director of the Boy Singers of Maine, and founder and director of the Capital Children’s Course in Tallahassee, Fla., and the Statesboro Youth Chorale.
A recipient of an American Composers Forum/Rockefeller Brothers Fund ‘faith Partners” grant, Braz has 18 published choral compositions in print. He has written orchestral and choral commissions for professional, collegiate, school and community ensembles across the country, and his compositions have been performed by such varied groups as the Boston Pops, the Raleigh (N.C.) Boychoir and the Georgia Tech Glee Club.
Most recently, Braz composed his second opera, ‘A Scholar Under Siege,” in honor of the Georgia Southern’s Centennial celebration. The opera told the story of University President Marvin Pittman, who was fired by Gov. Eugene Talmadge for supporting integration. ‘A Scholar Under Siege” received national publicity when it debuted in April.
Braz has performed with numerous orchestras, music festivals and ensembles ranging from chamber music to jazz and rock. In 1975, he premiered his first opera, ‘Memoirs from the Holocaust,” which was inspired a visit to the Dachau concentration camp in Germany.
Braz’s community service includes the past presidency of the Statesboro Arts Council. He also served as a volunteer piano teacher at the Boys and Girls Club.
Braz earned his B.M. and M.M. degrees at the University of Miami and later completed his Ph.D. as a University Fellow at Florida State University.
The first President’s Medal was presented by Georgia Southern in April 2005. The medal was designed by Christina Lemon, an associate professor in the Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art.
Last updated: 2/2/2018
Six receive Faculty Awards for Excellence
Six members of Georgia Southern University’s faculty were recognized at the Fall 2007 Convocation Ceremony with awards for excellence in instruction, research and service.
The Faculty Award for Excellence in Contributions to Instruction recognizes contributions to the teaching-learning process at the institutional level. It was presented to Patricia Humphrey, an associate professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences; and Jeffrey Orvis, an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry.
The Faculty Award for Excellence in Research/Creative Scholarly Activity recognizes individuals who excel in their research efforts in addition to fulfilling full-time teaching responsibilities. It was presented to Sophie George, an associate professor in the Department of Biology; and Xiao-Jun Wang, a professor in the Department of Physics.
The Faculty Award for Excellence in Service recognizes faculty who use their academic disciplines to provide non-compensated assistance to the region as well as the academic community. It was presented to Michael Nielsen, a professor in the Department of Psychology; and Bruce Schulte, an associate professor in the Department of Biology.
Each recipient of the Faculty Award for Excellence is awarded a summer contract with the University to continue instructional, research or service activities and to develop a mechanism to share their expertise with faculty, staff and students.
During the course of the 2007-2008 academic year, each of the six award winners will present an on-campus lecture on a selected topic.
The Faculty Awards for Excellence were presented by University President Bruce Grube and Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Linda Bleicken on Wednesday, Aug. 8, in the Performing Arts Center
Last updated: 2/2/2018
Eagle Entertainment hosts “Eagles After Dark” this fall
Eagle Entertainment will host seven ‘Eagles After Dark” throughout the fall semester. Following are the dates and activities:
- Friday, Aug. 17 – Outdoor Laser Tag, RAC Pavilion, 9 p.m. to midnight. Suit up in real laser tag uniforms and guns.
- Friday, Aug. 25 – Inflatables, Russell Union Ballroom, 8 p.m. to midnight. Bounce around on a wide range of inflatable equipment. The attractions are designed for individuals of all ages and always provide great physical entertainment. The evening will include various games, free food and a live DJ.
- Friday, Sept. 7 – Demo, Dinner and a Movie, Russell Union Ballroom 9 p.m. to midnight. Get a taste of what professional chefs learn at the Culinary Institute of America. The hour-long cooking demonstration, tasting highlights and recipes reflect the theme of the featured movie, ‘Shrek 3.”
- Friday, Sept. 21 – Free Miniature Golf at Hackers, 9 p.m. to midnight. Take a break and enjoy free rounds of miniature golf at Hackers Twin Falls Miniature Golf Course. Unlike your typical miniature golf course, Hackers features dog legs, rolling fairways, traps and water hazards that will challenge participants on every putt.
- Friday, Oct. 6 – Halo 3 Tournament, Russell Union Ballroom, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Do you have what it takes to be crowned the best? Put your skills up to the test against the rest of Georgia Southern in Microsoft’s highly anticipated third installation of the Halo Trilogy and win a $200 grand prize.
- Friday, Oct. 26 – Fireworks & LaserTron. Kick off Homecoming weekend with a fireworks show in J.I. Clements Stadium at 9 p.m. followed by LaserTron in the Russell Union Ballroom at 9:30 p.m. LaserTron is a version of laser tag developed for indoor-arena play.
- Friday, Nov. 9 – Zane Williams: Story Tellers, Russell Union Ballroom 9 p.m. A recently signed, up and coming singer/songwriter plays his music and tells the stories behind his songs. With such diverse musical tastes, it’s not surprising that finding his own voice as an artist has been a long journey for the Abilene, Texas, native.
These free activities are offered to students as an alternative to parties and other alcohol-related events.
‘Eagles After Dark” is sponsored by the Office of Student Activities, Office of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement, University Housing and the Multicultural Student Center.
Last updated: 2/2/2018
Georgia Southern anticipates largest enrollment in school history
Georgia Southern University will enter its second century of service with what is expected to be the largest enrollment in the history of the institution.
President Bruce Grube made the announcement during his ninth annual State of the University Address, which was part of the Fall Convocation Ceremony held on the morning of Wednesday, Aug. 8, in the Performing Arts Center.
Grube also revealed that the incoming freshman class is expected to have the highest average SAT score in Georgia Southern history, and that the University’s retention rate is expected to reach its highest level ever.
‘A Century of Progress, Pride and Promise” was the theme for the ceremony that marks the official beginning of a new academic year for faculty and staff at Georgia Southern.
The theme recognizes the University’s Centennial celebration, which began last December and will continue through this October.
According to preliminary estimates, the University expects its final enrollment for Fall 2007 to exceed 17,000 students. That number would break the record of 16,646 students established in Fall 2005. In fact, it would mark the fifth time in six years that Georgia Southern has set a new record for enrollment.
In addition, preliminary figures indicate that the average SAT score of the incoming freshman class will increase over the previous fall for the 13th year in a row.
The freshman class of Fall 2006 had an average SAT score of 1104, which was the highest such figure ever at Georgia Southern.
The average SAT score of the incoming freshmen at Georgia Southern has increased by more than 110 points since Grube became the University’s 11th president in 1999.
Also, the University’s retention rate the percentage of first-time freshmen from one fall semester who return for the following fall semester is expected to exceed 80 percent for the first time in school history.
The final official enrollment number, average SAT score for incoming freshmen, and retention rate for Fall 2007 will be announced in October.
In addition to Grube’s address, the convocation ceremony featured a showing of the University’s official Centennial video, a 22-minute production in which campus and community leaders from the past and present tell the story of Georgia Southern’s first 100 years.
The convocation ceremony also included the presentation of the President’s Medal to Michal Braz, a professor in the Department of Music. The annual Faculty Awards of Excellence were presented, too.
Finally, the convocation ceremony included remarks from Linda Bleicken, the University’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs; Marc Cyr, the Faculty Senate moderator; Melanie Mosley, who represented the Personnel Advisory Council; Jon Simpson, the president of the Student Government Association; and W. Bede Mitchell, the dean of the Zach S. Henderson Library.
As it enters its second century, the University is continuing to update its physical facilities. During the previous academic year, for example, both the Henderson Library and the Recreation Activity Center (RAC) unveiled beautiful and functional new additions.
The first phase of the Henderson Library construction and renovation project is an 89,000 square foot addition to the east side of the original building. Featuring a striking three-story glass atrium and virtual waterfall, the new structure houses an automated retrieval system capable of storing more than 800,000 items in bins that are stacked 45 feet in the air.
Meanwhile, the RAC saw its size more than double to 215,000 square feet with an addition that features basketball courts, multiple swimming pools and a weight room.
The conversion of Veazey Hall from a residence hall into classrooms, offices and administrative space for the Communication Arts Department is expected to be completed in September. The revamped facility will also house the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies as well as the Office of Strategic Research and Analysis.
The Center for Art and Theatre is scheduled for completion in October. Covering almost 30,000 square feet, this brand-new facility will house galleries for displays by student and professional artists, an experimental Black Box theatre for student productions, and administrative offices.
The conversion of Cone Hall from a residence hall into administrative space and offices for the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health is scheduled to be finished in November. The Academic Success Center, the Regents Center for Learning Disorders, and the Student Disability Resource Center will also be housed in Cone Hall.
The second and final phase of the Henderson Library project remains on schedule. Occupying a total of 12,000 square feet, the four-story addition to the west side of the original building is expected to be completed in June 2008.
Finally, the makeover of Paulson Stadium is continuing. The previously plain concrete concourse between the press box and concession stands on the home side is being replaced with decorative brick pavers and enhanced with trees and other plants. In addition, the concession stands and restrooms on the home side are being renovated. The project is scheduled to be finished in time for the football team’s season opener against West Georgia on Saturday, Sept. 8.
The convocation ceremony is the highlight of Fall Convocation Week, which began on Friday, Aug. 3, with a series of workshops and meetings for faculty and staff.
Convocation week will conclude on Friday, Aug. 10. That same day, some 3,800 students are scheduled to arrive on campus and move into the University’s 10 residence halls. A series of Welcome Week activities for the students will begin on the evening of Aug. 10 with the annual cookout on Sweetheart Circle.
Classes will begin on Monday, Aug. 13.
Last updated: 2/2/2018
New season subscriptions going on sale for Georgia Southern’s Performing Arts Center series
On Tuesday, Aug. 14, Georgia Southern University’s Performing Arts Center (PAC) will begin selling new season subscriptions to its 2007-08 entertainment schedule.
For $270, a season ticket purchaser will have access to 10 outstanding shows that comprise this year’s PAC lineup. A season subscription represents a 20 percent savings versus the purchase of individual tickets to all 10 presentations. In addition, season subscribers have the same reserved seating for all events, and when the next season is announced, they receive advance notice to reserve their seats before anyone else can purchase tickets.
‘New subscribers, like our veteran subscribers, will realize that seeing our entire season will give them a journey they couldn’t take unless they were in Chicago, New York or maybe Atlanta. Given the variety of entertainment, it’s definitely a great bargain,” said Albert Pertalion, PAC director.
The 2007-08 Performing Arts Center schedule is listed below.
All shows begin at 7:30 p.m.
Country music legend Roy Clark – Friday, Sept. 28
Philadanco Dance Co. – Friday, Oct. 5
Instrumentalists Edgar Meyer and Mike Marshall – Saturday, Oct. 13
Lee Greenwood Christmas Show – Friday, Dec. 7
‘Julius Caesar” – Saturday, Jan. 19
Hubbard Street 2 – Saturday, Feb. 2
‘The Producers” – Thursday, Feb. 7
‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” – Friday, March 14
Dallas Brass – Saturday, April 5
‘Rent” – Tuesday, April 22
New season subscriptions may be purchased through the PAC box office. Individual tickets to all shows go on sale Tuesday, Sept. 4. For additional information, visit the Web site http://ceps.georgiasouthern.edu/pac/, or call the PAC box office toll free at 866-PAC-ARTS.
Last updated: 2/2/2018
University welcomes students back to campus
Georgia Southern University’s Welcome Week, the traditional kick-off for the fall semester, will begin on Friday, Aug. 10, with the annual welcome cookout. This year’s theme is “ETV – Tune In To Win.”
“Our various activities provide students an opportunity to connect and make new friends, meet faculty and staff, and get acclimated to the university setting,” said Bill Pickett, director of student activities. “This is especially important with our first-year students. We want them to feel like Georgia Southern is their new home and to get them connected immediately.”
Following are the activities taking place:
Friday, Aug. 10
“ETV – Tune In To Win” Welcome Cookout, Sweetheart Circle, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Enjoy free food, prizes and more. The cookout is open to all Georgia Southern students, faculty, staff and their families.
Saturday, Aug. 11
The film “Accepted” will be shown at 7 p.m. in the Russell Union Theatre. Admission is free.
Trivia game show “Think Fast,” Russell Union Ballroom, 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Built around the concept of team effort, Think Fast is a trivia-based game show. Participants can win prizes and money.
Sunday, Aug. 12
“Eagles Night Out” will be held at the RAC from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Inflatable games, prizes, free food, RAC sporting facilities and more will be available. Enjoy the music of Black Violin from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 13
“Blizzard of Bucks,” Russell Union Ballroom, 9 p.m. Blizzard of Bucks, the original crazy game show, is bigger, better and more fun. Contestants will be chosen at random to participate in wild and zany games for a chance to win cash and prizes. The grand prize winner will receive an opportunity to step inside the “Incredible Money Machine” to go for the dough in a swirling sea of green.
Tuesday, Aug. 14
Comedian Jessi Campbell will take the stage in the Russell Union Ballroom from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Campbell will discuss everything from the outrageous emergency room she worked in to the simple things in her life. Her quick wit and fast-paced style keep audiences entertained from the moment she hits the stage.
Wednesday, Aug. 15
The film “Spiderman 3” will be shown on the big screen as an outdoor movie at the Russell Union Rotunda. The movie begins at 8:30 p.m. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the free movie under the stars.
Thursday, Aug. 16
At X-Treme Air, participants can experience the feeling of falling at 120 mph without jumping out of a plane. X-Treme Air is powered by inverted DC-3 airplane propellers. RAC Pavilion, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Comedian and game show host Grant Edmonds will entertain in a fully interactive, audience-participatory comedy game show where every contestant will win cash. Russell Union Ballroom, 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 17
“Eagles After Dark: Outdoor Laser Tag,” RAC Pavilion, 9 p.m. to midnight. Suit up in real laser tag uniforms and guns.
Friday, Aug. 17, through Sunday, Aug. 19
Eagle Entertainment is sponsoring a Welcome Week trip to Busch Gardens and Tampa, Fla. Cost of the trip is $100 per person and includes a two-day pass to Busch Gardens/Adventure Island Waterpark, transportation by bus, hotel room for Saturday and breakfast at the hotel on Sunday. A non-refundable deposit of $50 is due at sign-up with the balance due on Thursday, Aug. 16, by 4 p.m. Payment may be made by cash, check, Visa or MasterCard. For more information, or to sign up, contact the Office of Student Activities in Russell Union Room 1058 or call 912-486-7270.
Monday, Aug. 20
“The Price is Right” game show, Russell Union Ballroom, 9 p.m. A scaled down version of the popular game show will allow students to win a variety of prizes.
Tuesday, Aug. 21
“Balloons by Lester and Art by Susan,” Russell Union Rotunda, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. He’s got some of the best BPM (Balloons per Minute) in the business. She’ll paint (almost) anything (almost) anywhere you want. Together they are the best husband and wife novelty team in the business.
Wednesday, Aug. 22
The 2007 Business Expo and Student Organizational Fair will be held outside the Russell Union Rotunda area from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Local businesses will be on hand to provide information, coupons and free merchandise. Recognized student organizations will also be there to provide information to students.
Welcome Week is sponsored by the Office of Student Activities and Eagle Entertainment.
Last updated: 2/2/2018
Campus and community: The tradition continues
Statesboro native Joe McGlamery believes in Statesboro and its people. He recognizes the difference Georgia Southern University has made for his community, so this year he will serve as the 34th chairman of ‘A Day For Southern.”
‘I grew up on a farm near Statesboro, and I remember when most of the towns around here were similar,” said McGlamery. ‘Today I see the huge difference Georgia Southern has made in Statesboro. The University is an economic development engine that continues to help us grow and thrive.”
This year’s ‘A Day For Southern” is planned for Tuesday, Sept. 11. On that day, more than 200 volunteers will call on members of the Statesboro-Bulloch County business and professional community for support of both academic and athletic programs.
‘We are enormously grateful to Joe McGlamery for taking the lead in “A Day For Southern’ this year,” said Wendell Tompkins, the University’s director of annual giving. ‘We couldn’t accomplish what we do without the support of our alumni and friends.
‘”Together We’re Better: Campus and Community’ has become the permanent theme of “A Day For Southern.’ ”
‘Over the years, A Day For Southern’ has grown to become a finely tuned, highly organized operation,” said McGlamery. ‘I am pleased to be a part of it, but the day’s success depends on volunteers, who are the life blood of the effort.”
McGlamery is regional vice president of Morris Newspaper Corporation, serving as president of the Statesboro Herald and publisher of Statesboro Magazine. He has held leadership roles in local and regional Kiwanis, the United Way of Southeast Georgia, the Bulloch County Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Georgia Press Association, First United Methodist Church, the Georgia Southern University Foundation, and the Ogeechee Technical College Foundation.
He currently serves on the boards of the Georgia Press Educational Foundation and the Georgia Southern University Foundation, and he is founding chairman of the board of trustees of the Bulloch County Foundation for Public Education.
In 1989, McGlamery along with Patsy Bobo organized the Deen Day Smith Service to Mankind Awards, a program that has recognized and honored more than 700 residents of Bulloch County for their service to others.
To learn more about ‘A Day For Southern,” contact Georgia Southern’s Office of Annual Giving at (912) 681-5680.
Last updated: 2/2/2018
