Georgia Southern engineering students win multiple awards at ASCE Southeast Symposium
Georgia Southern University’s American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) student chapter clutched several top finishes, including multiple first place honors for engineering at the 2024 ASCE Southeast Symposium held in Orlando in March.
The Symposium is an annual event that gathers civil engineering students from universities across a designated region to compete, collaborate and learn. It features a series of competitions designed to challenge students in practical and theoretical aspects of civil engineering.
“By partaking in this hands-on and competitive event, students practice the application of engineering principles, theory and best practices,” said Gustavo Maldonado, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Civil Engineering & Construction and faculty advisor. “They gain valuable experience in structural design, advanced computational structural analysis, fabrication processes, construction planning and organization, project management and teamwork.”
At the event in Orlando, Georgia Southern students competed against — and outperformed — students from other prestigious universities in Georgia and Florida, including Georgia Tech, University of Georgia, University of Miami, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and more.
Georgia Southern took first place in two categories in the Steel Bridge competition, in which students designed, fabricated and constructed a scale model of a steel bridge. The model was tested for structural efficiency, lightness, stiffness, construction speed and aesthetics among other criteria.
Anu Pradeep, ASCE student chapter president, was a member of the winning steel bridge team and says the experience has been irreplaceable in her career growth.
“ASCE has been my gateway to so many individuals, whether it’s through networking or by finding like-minded individuals within my major,” Pradeep said. “If Anu from two years ago could look at herself now, she would be extremely proud of the consistent growth displayed in all aspects of her life. Each victory isn’t just a personal achievement, but a testament to the woman I am and my dedication to engineering.”
The team also included students Ana Lanza Hernandez, Georgia Brown, Evan Hall, Trenton Clover, Dale Lee and Hunter Smallwood.
Georgia Southern students David Anderson, DJ Lee, Hunter Smallwood and Ethan Dent also took first place in the UESI Surveying competition, in which students performed precise surveying tasks using tools and techniques like total stations and GPS.
“This competition requires students to know how to survey, develop topographs, conduct measurements using pacing and the total station, along with having adept problem-solving skills related to actual issues engineers encounter in the field,” said Pradeep. “Moreover, they are required to present their pre-competition tasks, and perform field surveying the day of competitions.”
In the Concrete Canoe Competition, a long-term symposium project, students construct and race a functional canoe made of concrete. ASCE members Bennet Toci, Grant Grosch, Stefon Persaud, Ryan LaPradd and Noble Langston took second place out of 18 schools for their project proposal.
“Our students were able to test samples in the fall, and eventually started the mixing process and laid out the concrete on the mold in February, which typically needs a curing process of 28 days,” said Pradeep. “However, due to our materials arriving late, we did not get the full 28 days. Instead, we were only able to cure for around 21 to 24 days. Then the canoe was painted, the stands for it were made, and we headed to Orlando.”
This isn’t the first time that Georgia Southern’s ASCE chapter has been honored at the ASCE Southeast Symposium. The student chapter also earned several awards at the 2022-2023 symposium, the first year back after the COVID-19 pandemic. In that year, the students ended up winning first in Surveying, second in Steel Bridge Aesthetics, third in Steel Bridge Lightness, National Top Ten for Geo-Wall and third in Mystery. The team also created one of our best quality produced concrete canoes, GS Southern Rock III.
This year’s symposium was a huge accomplishment for the chapter, as many of the awards received were first-time awards for Georgia Southern.
“It was our first time successfully completing the Timber-Strong project and our first-ever win for the Concrete Canoe in the university’s recent history,” Pradeep said. “Even our professors can’t remember the last time we won anything for the canoe.”
The ASCE student chapter plans to attend the Southeast Symposium again in 2025, and its student members are working to continue to grow the organization. For more information contact gasouthernASCE@gmail.com.
Last updated: 4/24/2024
Harmonies and healing: Georgia Southern’s RiteCare Center forms singing group to aid in Parkinson’s Disease therapy
If you asked Alyson Brinkley what her favorite day of the week was, her answer of “Monday” might surprise you.
But Monday mornings are her favorite because Brinkley, a graduate student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSDS) program at Georgia Southern University, teams up with fellow students and faculty to sing and harmonize while simultaneously helping Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients with therapy.
Through a unique and collaborative singing group called the Savannah Songbirds, the RiteCare Center for Communications Disorders uses this group to raise awareness of PD while providing therapeutic support through the power of music.
“It is the best part of my week and the best way to start my Monday morning,” Brinkley said. “It has enhanced my experience as a student by providing a unique experience I would not have received at any other school. The Savannah Songbirds is the only choir for people with Parkinson’s in the nearby area.”
Founded in 2023 by Tory Candea, clinic coordinator for the RiteCare Center, the Savannah Songbirds gather weekly for rehearsals. Inspired by The Parkinson Voice Project, the group’s formation reflects Candea’s dedication to functional communication, community engagement and enriching the lives of those battling neurological diseases.
“The therapeutic benefits of music and vocal exercises for PD patients are profound,” Candea said. “PD often impairs communication by affecting the muscles involved in speech production. Through singing and vocal exercises, individuals engage these muscles in a demanding yet enriching manner, enhancing communication abilities and overall quality of life.”
Candea partnered with Associate Professor of Voice Emily Grundstad-Hall, DMA, from the Gretsch School of Music to enhance the Savannah Songbirds choir. Grundstad-Hall directs the choir, facilitates the rehearsals, selects music and helps organize an end-of-semester concert.
“This is a great collaboration between the two departments,” said Grunstad-Hall. “There has always been a positive outlook on departments and schools working together ‘across the curriculum.’ Singing is housed in the arts and speech is housed in health professions, but singing and speaking use the same instrument/anatomy to achieve a goal. It makes sense that we would work well together.”
During their sessions, the Savannah Songbirds learn a repertoire of songs, including classics like “Moon River,” “Danny Boy,” “That Old Black Magic,” “Dona Nobis Pacem” and “Give Me Your Tired.”
“I have enjoyed the collaboration with my colleagues and students in the CSDS department,” Grundstad-Hall said. “The singers that participate in the choir are amazing and I benefit from the community that being in a choir can bring. We are all working toward a common goal and we get to do it by singing songs. What could be better than that?!”
Participants describe the experience as both enjoyable and rewarding, highlighting the therapeutic value of music in their journey with PD, Candea said. Students like Moriah Pearce, also a graduate student in the CSDS program, see the benefits of participating.
“This experience working with these individuals has cemented my passion for working with individuals with Parkinson’s disease,” said Pearce, whose interest in working with PD patients developed in her undergraduate coursework at Texas Woman’s University. “It has provided me with experience outside of a therapy room in a different environment. It is rewarding to see these individuals who are motivated and happy to be part of this wonderful group.”
Like Brinkely, Pearce describes the Monday meetings as her favorite way to start the week.
“The most rewarding part of being in this choir is being part of a program that provides a sense of community and camaraderie for these individuals,” Pearce said. “Our weekly meetings provide these individuals an opportunity to spend time with people who may have the same or similar experiences with PD and who have a passion for music.”
Seeing the motivation of participants has also been rewarding for Brinkley.
“The most rewarding part of the choir is to see the members sing when they thought that their singing voices would be diminished due to Parkinson’s,” Brinkley said. “Although Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition, our members show up every Monday to rehearse. Some travel from South Carolina to be a part of the choir. It is so rewarding to see such strong motivation and to create a safe space for members to sing with their new voices and recognize what they are capable of.”
For the clinicians and faculty involved, the collaboration represents a unique opportunity to provide evidence-based therapy creatively and engagingly. By integrating music into therapy sessions, they aim to enhance outcomes and promote community service-minded efforts.
“Overall, working with the Savannah Songbirds has been immensely educational and rewarding, and one of the most enjoyable experiences of my professional career,” Candea said. “Being afforded the opportunity to provide evidence-based speech therapy services in a less traditional way has been engaging. Learning to enhance outcomes and the enjoyment of treatment through the addition of creative arts has been eye-opening. Promoting the importance of community service-minded efforts has been gratifying.”
The Savannah Songbirds will host their next performance in the Fine Arts Auditorium on the Armstrong Campus on April 29 at 11 a.m. The event is free and open to the public.
The partnership between the CSDS program, music department, and RiteCare Center offers a multitude of benefits for both PD patients and the broader community. Beyond therapeutic support, the collaboration fosters awareness and education about PD while showcasing the diverse programs offered by the RiteCare Center.
For those seeking assistance, the RiteCare Center for Communication Disorders, located in the Armstrong Center, offers comprehensive evaluation and treatment services for individuals of all ages impacted by speech, language, cognitive, or swallowing disorders.
Last updated: 4/24/2024
2024 Georgia Southern Alumni Association Awards honor alumni achievements and community engagement
Front row: Garrett Clark, Jermaine Whirl, Sara Plaspohl, The Honorable Van R. Johnson, II, and John Cornelius
Georgia Southern University’s Alumni Association recognized the highest levels of achievement and service among the University’s alumni during the 2024 Alumni Awards ceremony, held at The Foxhall in Statesboro on April 19.
“Today, we recognize alumni who exemplify the values and very best of our University,” stated Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero. “We are proud that our network is now more than 147,000 strong and growing, and with each success, our reputation as a University is strengthened. Georgia Southern is an exceptional place to be right now. The excitement for the future and the belief that you all have in our University is what motivates us to work harder.”
This year’s full list of winners includes:
Sara Plaspohl, Dr., P.H. (’78, ’89, ’92, ’10) — Talon Award
John Cornelius (’01) — Marvin Pittman Award
Jermaine Whirl, Ed.D. (’10) — George & Lucy Armstrong Award
Rick Bean (’81) and Julie Bean (’84) — Sweetheart Award
Kevin A. Scott (’00, ’02) — Professional Achievement Award
Stephen Gore (’95) — Alumni Service Award
The Honorable Van R. Johnson, II (’92) — Community Hero Award
Nehemiah Robertson (’24) — Outstanding Senior Award
Rolling Monkey, Garrett Clark (’13) — Alumni Excellence in Business Award
“We have the distinct honor of recognizing some of our most outstanding alumni, individuals who have not only excelled in their respective fields but have also continued to uphold the values and traditions that define our University,” said Trip Addison, vice president for University Advancement. “Let today be a moment of reflection, celebration and inspiration as we come together to acknowledge the incredible accomplishments within our alumni community.”
To read more about the honored alumni, visit Georgia Southern University Alumni Awards.
Last updated: 4/24/2024
Nike executive, state educational leader, Georgia Power CEO, World Trade Savannah director and leading physician among speakers for Georgia Southern University’s Spring 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
SAVANNAH, Ga., April 22, 2024 — Georgia Southern University has named five acclaimed speakers for the University’s Spring 2024 Commencement ceremonies on May 7, 8, 9 and 11.
Approximately 4,200 students will graduate with associate, baccalaureate, master’s, specialist and doctoral degrees this semester during five ceremonies in Statesboro and Savannah. Candidates will have the option to choose the location where they would like to graduate.
The dates, colleges and speakers for each ceremony are:
Tuesday, May 7 – 10 a.m. — Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro
College of Arts and Humanities, College of Science and Mathematics, Waters College of Health Professions and Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
Mackenzie Anderson is the global director of Corporate Communications at Nike in Beaverton, Oregon. Since joining in 2019, Anderson has driven storytelling efforts for Nike’s executives and purpose initiatives across sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion, and social and community impact. She is also a member of the Women of Nike Leadership team.
Prior to joining Nike, Anderson held a variety of roles leading global sustainability and strategic communications at The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta. She also served as Chief of Staff to the Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer. Previously, she led business communications and media relations for the Atlanta Braves.
A proud graduate of Georgia Southern University, earning a bachelor’s in communications with an emphasis in public relations, Anderson started her career as a spokesperson for the world’s largest aquarium, Georgia Aquarium. In this role, she won two Emmy® awards for a television series on ocean conservation.
She has been named to PRWeek’s 40 Under 40 and served on the board of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Emerging Leaders.
Wednesday, May 8 – 10 a.m. — Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro
Parker College of Business and College of Education
Alton M. Standifer, Ph.D., serves as Vice Provost for Inclusive Excellence and Chief of Staff to the Provost at the University of Georgia (UGA). In this capacity, Standifer leads the Office of Accreditation and Institutional Effectiveness and the Office of Institutional Diversity, and has overall responsibility for the operations in the Office of the Provost.
In this role, Standifer leads a focused effort to develop and implement strategies and initiatives designed to advance academic excellence goals and create an environment at the institution where faculty, staff and students feel that they can learn, grow and thrive. He supports UGA’s particular focus on rural, economically disadvantaged, first-generation, underserved, military and transfer students. Standifer is also responsible for matters related to the University’s institutional accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Prior to joining UGA, Standifer taught middle school math and coached basketball in his hometown of Monticello, Georgia.
Standifer earned a doctorate in public administration and policy from UGA’s School of Public and International Affairs, where he now also serves as an adjunct faculty member. He received a bachelor’s in middle grades education and a master’s in higher education administration from Georgia Southern.
A member of the UGA Alumni Association’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2022 and the Georgia Southern University 40 Under 40 Class of 2023, Standifer was selected by the University System of Georgia to participate in its 2022-2023 Executive Leadership Institute. In addition, he is a member of the 2022 class of Leadership Georgia and currently serves as program chair for the Class of 2024. He is also a 2020 graduate of LEAD Athens and served as president of the Georgia Southern University Alumni Association Board of Directors from 2020 to 2022.
Thursday, May 9 – 10 a.m. — Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro
College of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing
Kim Greene is chairman, president and chief executive officer of Georgia Power, and is a strong voice in the energy sector, especially on issues related to safety, emerging technologies, innovation and STEM-related education. She is a respected thought leader and advocate for the future of energy – from national energy policy to the overall customer experience.
Prior to her current position, Greene served for five years as chairman, president and CEO of Southern Company Gas.
Throughout her career, she has taken on diverse and challenging roles across all areas of the utility industry including engineering, operations, finance, external affairs and asset management and trading. She has also held executive roles for Southern Company’s subsidiaries as well as the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), including chief executive officer for Georgia Power and Southern Company Gas; chief operating officer for Southern Company; president of Southern Company Services; chief generation officer for TVA; group president for TVA’s Strategy and External Relations; and chief financial officer for TVA.
Greene currently serves on the board of directors for the Atlanta Committee for Progress, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited, Valero Energy Corporation, the Georgia Research Alliance and the Rowen Foundation. She serves on the board of trustees for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and The Woodruff Arts Center, and on the Board of Governors for the Georgia Historical Society. Greene is also a member of the Atlanta Rotary Club.
Most recently, the Atlanta Business Chronicle named Greene as one of Atlanta’s Most Admired CEOs. In 2022, she was awarded the Edison Electric Institute’s inaugural Thomas F. Farrell, II Safety Leadership and Innovation Award by her industry peers for her significant contributions to improving safety in the utility industry. She is a member of the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame, a recipient of the University of Tennessee’s Distinguished Alumna Award and the University of Tennessee’s Nathan W. Dougherty Award, the most prestigious honor bestowed by the College of Engineering.
A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, Greene earned a bachelor’s in engineering science and mechanics from the University of Tennessee, a master’s in biomedical engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a master’s in business administration from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. Greene also completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.
Saturday, May 11 – 10 a.m. — Enmarket Arena in Savannah
College of Arts and Humanities, College of Education, College of Science and Mathematics, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Parker College of Business, Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing
Chris Ahearn is the director of research and trade development for the World Trade Center Savannah, where he facilitates and oversees all aspects of partner-specific research, international lead development, and planning and receiving of inbound and outbound delegations. He also manages the Savannah side of TradeBridge, a partnership between World Trade Center Savannah, the Savannah Economic Development Authority and the county of Wexford, Ireland.
Ahearn graduated from Georgia Southern University with a bachelor’s in psychology and a minor in Irish Studies. He then attended Dublin City University in Ireland where he earned a master’s in international relations. Following that, Ahearn spent 12 years working in higher education and nonprofit organizations in Chicago, Illinois. In 2022, Chris returned to Georgia to begin the position with World Trade Center Savannah.
Saturday, May 11 – 3 p.m. — Enmarket Arena in Savannah
Waters College of Health Professions and Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
Candicee Childs, M.D., is an emerging beacon of inspiration in the fields of medicine and literature. At present, she is a resident physician at Massachusetts General Hospital, the largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, with a focus on child and adolescent psychiatry.
Her literary work, including the Amazon bestseller Christian memoir, “Lemons, Lemonade, and the Lemonade Stand,” reflects her passion for living life with purpose and making a positive impact on those around her.
Dr. Childs is also a public speaker, model, fitness enthusiast and mentor. Most recently, she presented at TEDxSavannah in 2023 where she discussed embracing empathy while also protecting your mental wellness.
From Savannah, Childs earned a bachelor’s in chemistry with a minor in Spanish from Valdosta State University, a Master of Health Administration from Georgia Southern University and a Doctor of Medicine from Augusta University – Medical College of Georgia. She also has two certifications in nutrition and personal training from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution founded in 1906, offers approximately 155 different degree programs serving more than 26,100 students through 10 colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast Georgia with expert faculty, the University is focused on public impact research and engaging learning opportunities through knowledge and know-how that prepare our students to take ownership of their lives, careers and communities. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.
Last updated: 4/22/2024
Georgia Southern Clay Target Team clinches national titles in San Antonio
The Georgia Southern Clay Target Team soared to victory at the 2024 ACUI/SCTP Collegiate Clay Target Championship by earning the Division II Classic All-American (CAA) and the All-Division American Skeet champion titles in a historic first for the University.
The student-athletes competed at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio, Texas, during the weeklong tournament that drew nearly 1,200 shooters and 106 college teams representing 34 states.
“To say that I am proud of this team would truly be an understatement,” said Head Coach and alumnus Marty Fischer (‘74). “This team has accomplished more in just over three years of existence than perhaps any sports team in the history of Georgia Southern. Eagle Nation can be very proud of how they have competed nationwide at the highest level of the sport and how they have professionally represented this University.”
The team shot a record 497/500 to win the All-Division American Skeet national title. The top shooters for the Eagles were Tate Skipper, Andrew Cohen, Dawson Peek, Jackson Schaaf and Brayden Floyd.
Seniors Skipper and Cohen shot 100/100 scores in American Skeet and were joined by 17 other shooters with perfect scores. Skipper went on to win a head-to-head shoot off earning him first place in High Overall Skeet.
Not only was Skipper excited about his win, but he also reflected on the success of the team over the years.
“Throughout the four years at Georgia Southern, we’ve won three national championships, only coming up short last year by just seven targets to finish second,” he said. “It was just great to finish on a really high note and walk off technically being the best in the country at skeet. It was a good feeling.”
Cohen, a senior, shot 99/100 in skeet, 98/100 in trap and 94/100 in sporting clays for a 291/300 total that earned him the High Overall Champion for the CAA event.
Sophomore Cheyenne Anderson posted a 282/300 total score and claimed second place High Overall Lady in the CAA Division II. She also placed third in sporting clays with a 93/100 score.
Freshman Blake Reed shot a 100/100 in American Trap and finished third overall for High Overall in the CAA Division II. This was the first 100-straight American Trap finish for a Georgia Southern shooter in the Collegiate Clay Target Championship.
Junior Landon DeLoach shot 96/100 to earn second place in Sporting Clays.
This is the third ACUI high overall Collegiate Clay Target National Championship that the Eagles have won. They were the Division IV National Champions in 2021 and the Division III National Champion in 2022. Divisions are based on the number of shooters a team enters rather than the size of the school.
Skipper is reflective of the camaraderie among the group and his time at Georgia Southern.
“We’ve been shooting with this group of guys this whole time,” said Skipper. “We’ve always been very competitive at a high level, and I’ve enjoyed that. Georgia Southern was definitely the right fit for me to be able to go and shoot at a very high level and be with some of my closest friends who are in the shooting world.”
Graduating seniors Andrew Weiche, Skipper, Cohen and Neal Sellers were all four-year athletes that will leave Georgia Southern as some of the most decorated student-athletes ever at Georgia Southern, Fischer added.
“As phenomenal as it is for the Georgia Southern Clay Target Team to win its third National Championship in four years, the All-Division American Skeet National Champion is truly a crowning achievement,” said Fischer.
Georgia Southern’s Clay Target Team is a club sport, which is administered by Campus Recreation and Intramurals. Each club sports team is organized and led by students. Most club sports are highly competitive at the state, regional and national levels.
Last updated: 4/10/2024
Georgia Southern senior DeAndre Coles named Mr. Georgia Southern 2024
Georgia Southern University has a new Mr. Georgia Southern, and his name is DeAndré Coles.
No stranger to wearing a crown, Cole was named a Georgia Southern Homecoming Duke in 2022.
Coles is a senior economics and marketing double major. As the Xi Tau chapter president for the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Coles also serves as executive secretary of the Men of Vision and Excellence, and is a member of the business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi. In addition, he has served as a Fraternity and Sorority Life Ambassador.
Following an internship with customer service giant Sykes Enterprise, Coles became an outbound operations – area manager for an Amazon fulfillment center. These experiences helped him gain the knowledge and skill set needed to succeed in a career in Corporate America.
Zykeem Garnder was named the first runner-up. Other winners and individual categories include:
- Best Talent: Zykeem Gardner (as seen in winner’s picture on left)
- Best Formal Wear: DeAndré Coles (as seen in winner’s picture in middle)
- Best Lifestyle & Fitness: Jaylin Wood (as seen in winner’s picture on right)
- Best Spirit Wear: DeAndré Coles
- Mr. Photogenic: Zykeem Gardner
The 2024 Mister Georgia Southern University Competition was supported by the University Store and Awards South in Statesboro.
Last updated: 4/10/2024
‘Silent Sky’ showcases the true story of an overlooked 20th-century female astronomer whose groundbreaking work changed the way we see the universe
Beginning on April 11, the Georgia Southern University Armstrong Masquers will present their first main stage show this year with a three-day run of “Silent Sky.”
Written by playwright Lauren Gunderson, the semi-fictionalized story follows astronomy research assistant Henrietta Leavitt, who works at the Harvard College Observatory in the early 1900s, where she isn’t allowed to touch a telescope or express an original idea. Instead, she joins a group of women “computers,” charting the stars for a renowned astronomer who calculates projects in “girl hours” and has no time for the women’s probing theories. In her free time, Henrietta attempts to measure the light and distance of stars, while also measuring her life on Earth as she tries to balance her dedication to science with family obligations and the possibility of love.
“‘Silent Sky’ is a beautiful, rich story that shines a light on often-overlooked contributions by women in history, especially in the field of science,” said “Silent Sky” director and theatre professor Courtney Grile, Ph.D. “It also invites us to reflect on the vastness of the universe, our understanding of it and our beliefs about what is beyond.”
Freshman theatre major Sarah Whitney, who takes on the role of Henrietta, appreciates the topical themes of the play.
“One thing I truly admire about ‘Silent Sky’ is how it showcases the timelessness of female friendship and the marvels that are possible when women are encouraged to explore their passions and curiosities,” she noted.
What: “Silent Sky”
Where: Jenkins Hall Theatre on Georgia Southern’s Armstrong Campus in Savannah
When: April 11-12 at 7:30 p.m. and April 13 at 3:00 p.m.
Price: $12 for general admission (discounts for military, seniors and children are available)
*Free admission for Georgia Southern students, faculty and staff
Tickets can be purchased by calling 912-344-2801, visiting the Fine Arts Box Office website or by visiting the Fine Arts Box Office, located in Fine Arts Hall, weekdays between noon and 3:00 p.m.
Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution founded in 1906, offers approximately 155 different degree programs serving more than 26,100 students through 10 colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast Georgia with expert faculty, the University is focused on public impact research and engaging learning opportunities through knowledge and know-how that prepare our students to take ownership of their lives, careers and communities. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.
Last updated: 4/9/2024
Grant Gearhart presented with leadership award from Foreign Language Association of Georgia
Grant Gearhart, Ph.D., associate professor of Spanish, was recently presented with the Foreign Language Association of Georgia’s Post-Secondary Leadership Award at the 2024 Southern Conference on Language Teaching, held in Atlanta, Georgia.
“This award means a lot to me because leadership is collaboration,” said Gearhart. “There are too many collaborators to thank, but I am grateful for their support and initiative.”
“If you are a language teacher,” he continued, “press on and know that your work is important. If you are a parent, support language teachers and learning because it is a unique field that equips students with tremendous cognitive, communicative and professional benefits. It’s about much more than word-to-word translation or apps.”
Gearhart is also the coordinator of Georgia Southern’s experiential learning for the Department of World Languages and Cultures, and host of the “World Languages Collaborative Podcast,” which shares innovative ideas, strategies and best practices from experts in the field of language education. The podcast is an extension of the World Languages Collaborative, an annual event sponsored by the Georgia Department of Education, the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System and the Department of World Languages and Cultures.
Gearhart’s scholarship focuses on medieval and early modern culture, and he specializes in chivalry, sport, warfare and masculinity. Additionally, he presents and publishes on various topics related to language pedagogy. His work has appeared in journals such as La corónica, Romance Notes, Letras Hispanas, The Journal of Popular Culture, The Language Educator and Hispanic Journal. He teaches courses related to language pedagogy, Spanish for the Professions and courses about medieval and renaissance Spain.
Last updated: 4/9/2024
