A publication of the Office of External Affairs March 2015

THE HAWK’S EYEon South Georgia State College

SGSC partners with tutor.comMaking strides toward the goals of Complete College Georgia, SGSC’s Academic Support Center isundergoing a revamp and launching a new way to get students thetutoring help they need.

As a free website to students,tutor.com gives access to a great wealth of resources. Students can upload a paper and receive editing suggestions the next day. They can get general help on a particular topic as well as help with specific problems where they may havequestions. By accessing tutor.com as an external learning tool through their GeorgiaViewaccount, students can haveaccess to help outside ofconventional hours.

During the fall 2014 semester, faculty members helped test the site to ensure ease of access and accuracy from the online tutors. Theinformation sessions and webinars were well attended, and many faculty expressed their excitement atoffering another resource aimed at helping their students succeed.

Though still in the early stages of

launch, tutor.com has provententatively successful. So far, 279 students have logged time on the site in order to get homework help. tutor.com’s tracking system allows for data collection on how the site is used at a particular school. At an instructor’s request, the Director of Academic Support, Amber Wheeler, can

determine which students have utilized the site, and that data can be used to coordinate with theinstructor to further help students who are in need and track theirprogress over the course of the semester.

“I’m thankful for the support thefaculty has shown the Academic Support Center and in the planning and launching of tutor.com. Their

feedback has been essential to determine the future of the ASC. The suggestions provided on the survey last semester are helping decide how the ASC will help meet the needs of our students. I’m hoping to continue that good relationship in order to help form an even stronger support system for our students,” said Mrs.

Wheeler.

For students who preferface-to-face peer tutoring, SGSC’s three on-campuslocations and thirteen tutors are the best option. On the Douglas Campus, the ASC is located in Powell 216 and is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The STEM Center islocated in Stubbs 125 and is open Monday through Thursday

from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. On theWaycross Campus, the ASC is located in room 148A in the Dye Building and is open Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Inaddition to the permanent ASC locations, tutoring is also offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Tiger II classroom in Douglas.

Spring 2015 CommencementDOUGLAS CAMPUSThursday, May 7 • 9:00 a.m.Peterson Hall Lawn

Commencement Address:Chris Clark, President/CEOGeorgia Chamber of Commerce

WAYCROSS CAMPUSFriday, May 8 • 7:00 p.m.Gymnasium

Commencement Address:Sen. Tyler HarperGeorgia Senate, District 7

The Hawk’s Eye • March 2015 • 2

THE PRESIDENT’S NoteI am humbled and appreciative when I reflect on the incredible workload and task lists many of our employees have embraced over the past two months. Most of all, I am grateful that all of these efforts will help our students.

As you’ll read in this issue, the new tutoringopportunities will help with retention andComplete College Georgia program goals. Plus, student involvement activities such as the Quiz Team and AAMI’s participation in the recentOkefenokee Occasion in Atlanta provideenrichment opportunities to help our students build their potential for future success. While the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the SACSCOC accreditation reports are required, they, too, help us strengthen our academic programs and enhance student learning, which is the core mission of the College.

Hats off to the many folks involved in variousrecruiting activities this spring. For example, four events this semester will give over 400 students the opporutnity to visit SGSC. This is all to the good, and I salute each of you!

Lastly, I want to give a shout out to our athletics teams - in particular swimming and basketball - that have competed in postseason play this month. I applaud the coaches and the studentathletes for their dedication to their respective sports and to their academic work. Go Hawks!!!

Regards,

Quiz Team earns record wins at nationalsSGSC’s Quiz Team competed in theNational Competition for Two Year Schools and finished with a record of five wins and six losses. The overall record placed the team twelfth out of thetwenty-four teams invited. Although this will be the end of the season, amiddle-of-the-pack finish at a tournament of the top two-year schools in the nation is an astounding accomplishment.

This year’s nationally-ranked teamincludes: Chris Coleman, Jacob Kirkland, Reed Harper, April Brauda, LaDashaMinor, and Rose Nguyen. Additionalrecognition goes to Chris Coleman for placing fifth overall in the individual achievements.

The team is currently recruiting members for next year and continues to practice in hopes of besting its own record at next year’s nationals. If you know a student who would be well-suited for the SGSC Quiz Team, please contact Dr. FrankHoliwski at frank.holiwski@sgsc.edu.

SGSC’s AAMI guests atOkefenokee Occasion

Members of SGSC’s African American Male Initiative were guests at this year’s Okefenokee Occasion, an event in Atlanta hosted bylocal governments and business leaders from thirteen SouthGeorgia counties, including Coffee and Ware. The men of the AAMI were part of the greeting party to welcome guests to the event, which allowed them to meet the dignitaries and public officials in attendance.

The AAMI is a project of the University System of Georgia. Thestudents comprising the group are a select few who receivepersonalized attention and guidance in order to successfully attend and graduate from college.

“The AAMI is a vital part of campus life at SGSC,” said Dr. Carson, who was also in attendance at the event. “These young men will be able to take the experiences they had, as well as what they’ve learned from their mentors in the program, and becomewell-rounded individuals capable of succeeding in whatever they choose to pursue in the future. We’re proud of what they’veaccomplished so far and eagerly await when they, in turn, invite the next generation of AAMI to be their guests at future events.”

(L-R): SGSC Career Advisor Stanley Sinkfield, SGSC President

Dr. Virginia Carson, William Miller, Quinton Cummings, DeMarcusWallace, and Logan Carpenter

Front row (L-R): Dr. Frank Holiwski, Rose Nguyen, and

LaDasha Minor. Second Row (L-R): Chris Coleman and Reed Harper. Third

Row (L-R): April Brauda and Jacob Kirkland.

The

Nursing

The Delta Epsilon Iota Academic Honor Society has selected SGSC’s Associate Professor of Nursing Bobby Jean Musgrove for membership in the local chapter at the University of Alabama. The Society has also selectedAssociate Professors of Nursing Susan Clement and Jaime Carter for membership in the local chapter at theUniversity of West Georgia.

“This leadership and excellence that DEI seeks out is what makes Bobby Jean Musgrove, Susan Clement, andJaime Carter invaluable members of the SGSC family in general and the School of Nursing in particular,” said Dr. Scott Thigpen, Dean of SGSC’s School of Nursing. “They show their dedication to furthering their education and those of the students they’ll teach in going above and beyond and being among the elite in academic honors.”

Delta Epsilon Iota was established in order to recognize and encourage academic excellence in all fields of study. The organization rewards outstanding students through financial scholarships and leadership opportunities for its members and also promotes the principles of dedication, enthusiasm, and initiative among students participating in higher education throughout the United States.

Students qualify on the basis of academic achievement. Prospective members must have completed a minimum of 30 semester hours at an accredited college or university while maintaining a 3.30 cumulative grade point average or a scholastic ranking within the top 15% of their class.

Delta Epsilon Iota’s membership is comprised of outstanding scholars attending many of the finest colleges and universities in the country.

Nursing faculty receive high honors

MusgroveClementCarter

Hartley, Jacobs receive doctorate degrees

Dr. Dale Hartley (left), chair of SGSC’s Division of Business and Social Sciences, has received his Ph.D. from Capella University in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Dr. Hartley’s dissertation research focused on problem patrons in public libraries and the training received in Masters in Library Science programs related to this issue. In addition, Dr.Hartley submitted a paper to the International Journal of Arts and Sciences Conference related to his dissertation and was accepted by reviewers in a double-blind process to present at the conference in May on the campus of Harvard University.

Dr. Angela Jacobs (right), earned her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Georgia College, adding prestige to the already excellent caliber of SGSC’s nursing faculty. Dr. Jacobs graduated on Dec. 13, 2014 and brings her newly-awarded title to SGSC’s Douglas Campus this spring semester, teaching classes and instilling her passion for nursing to her students.

Congratulations, Dr. Hartley and Dr. Jacobs!

The Hawk’s Eye • March 2015 • 4

On Friday, Feb. 6, SGSC hosted the annual science fair. Students in grades 4-12 from Appling, Atkinson, Brantley, Charlton, Coffee, Echols, Pierce, and Ware counties put their scientific endeavors on display to be scrutinized by a panel of local judges. The judges

critiqued the projects anonymously based on factors like presentation and originality in addition to scientific merit.

The big winner for fourth grade was Tanner Murray of Dr. Debbie Gowen’s class at BethuneMiddle School for his project entitled “What Floats Your Boat?” First place for fifth grade (top left photo with SGSC’s Dr. Dean Thornton) was Landon Carver of Ms. Carla Chesser’s NahuntaElementary School class for his project, “Do My Eyes Deceive Me?”

In the Junior Division, first place for Physical Science was awarded to sixth grader Stokes Gowan from Dr. Debbie Gowan’s Bethune Middle School science class for his project entitled“Evaporation is Cool!” In Life Science, first place was awarded to eighth grader Caroline Morris from Karen Swain’s Ware County Middle School class for her project entitled “MEMORY

(Mnemonics Enhance Memory, Organization, Recall, and Yourself).”

In the Senior Division, first place for Physical Science went to seniors Sydney Herrington and Jason Vickers of Ashley Vickers’Coffee High School science class for their project, “What’s in Eyewash Water at Coffee High School?” First place for Life Science

was awarded to senior Hannah Roberts of Ashley Vickers’ Coffee High School class for her project, “Storage of Beef Cattle Fecal Samples.”

Second Grand Prize overall in the Junior and Senior divisions went to eighth grader Carsen Morris of Karen Swain’s Appling County Middle School class for his project, “Diamonds in the Rough.” First Grand Prize overall (bottom left photo with SGSC’s Dr. Robert Page), whichincluded a ribbon, trophy, and $1000 scholarship to South Georgia State College courtesy of the SGSC and Dye Foundations, was awarded to seniors John Barnhill and Kristaps Berzinch of Amanda Bridges’ Ware County High School class for their team project, “RecyclingComputers for Distributed Protein Folding Simulations.”

For a complete photographic list of all winners from the Science Fair, please visit SGSC’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/southgeorgiastatecollege.

SGSC hosts 2015 Science Fair

Lightfoot presentation well receivedDr. Robert Lightfoot, associateprofessor of criminal justice/sociology at SGSC, recently made a presentation on colonization at the Tennessee Valley Interstellar Workshop in Oak Ridge, Tenn. “If we go to Mars, Jupiter, or Saturn, we better make sure we have everything in order,” said Lightfoot. “This includes who’s in charge, making sure there are enough supplies, and other necessary things.”

To support his point, Lightfoot cited historical evidence of failed colonization attempts dating back to the early 16thcentury. He said his presentation was “enthusiasticallyreceived” and generated many questions and muchdiscussion. Les Johnson, workshop coordinator, confirmed Lightfoot’s assessment.

“Dr. Lightfoot’s presentation gave workshop participantssomething to think about as we contemplated hypotheticalfirst-contact situations that may arise as we extend ourexploration beyond the solar system and toward the nearby stars,” he said.

SGSC hosts annual PROBE FairOver 450 area high school students had theopportunity to meet with representatives from 39 colleges and universities when the PROBE Fair made its annual visit to South Georgia StateCollege’s Waycross

Campus. Sponsored by the Georgia Education Articulation Committee, PROBE Fairs are scheduled each fall throughout the state of Georgia. The fairs give high school and college students the chance to obtain information from variouspost-secondary institutions. Nikolaos Hutto (left), SGSC’s lead recruiter, spoke with many students at SGSC’s tableduring the event. The high schools that participated in this year’s fair were from Appling County, Atkinson County,Brantley County, Coffee County, Long County, Southside Christian, and Ware County.

The Hawk’s Eye • March 2015 • 5

? ? ???? ? ?

??

Getting toKNOW

DANIEL WARREN AMBER WHEELER

Job title: Director of Facilities (formerly Assistant Director of Facilities)

Years employed at SGSC: 9 years

What do you like most about working at SGSC?“Being able to upgrade our facilities and having a staff that will assist on any project.”

Hometown: Americus, Georgia

Family Info: Tiffany (Wife), Sadie (2-year old daughter), Max (due March 27)

Any pets? American Bulldog named “Champ” (after Champ Bailey)

Favorite restaurant/food: Five Guys and hot wings

Ideal or dream vacation: Deep sea fishing off the coast of Cabo San Lucas

Favorite singer/group: “The singer would be Dave Mathews. The group would be Journey.”

Favorite TV show: Duck Dynasty

If you could have one occupation other than your current job, what would it be? Fishing or hunting guide

Hidden talent: Hoot like a barn owl

Job title: Academic Support Director

Years employed at SGSC: 1.5 years

What do you like most about working at SGSC?“I feel like I’m home. Everyone is so nice andwelcoming. It’s wonderful to be back in a small town that boasts real southern hospitality.”

Hometown: “Alma, Georgia. I moved away for 10 years, and I’m happy to be home again.”

Family Info: “I am honored to be married to myhusband, Jim, since 2008 and so blessed to have a beautiful, two-year-old daughter named Azalee.”

Any pets? “No, but I hope to rescue a dog when we install our fence this year!”

Favorite restaurant/food: “I have to recommendElements in Lyons, Georgia as well as Tangerine Asian Fusion in Savannah. Otherwise, I love my mom’s oven-roasted summer vegetables andhomemade Rice Krispy Treats.”

Ideal or dream vacation: “I went to Washington, DC in sixth grade; I would like to return now that I have a different perspective and deep appreciation for this country.”

Favorite singer/group: “I enjoyed playing piano and other instruments growing up, so I have a wide range of music I enjoy. I always appreciate raw talent, but I most consistently listen to the Rat Pack.”

Favorite TV show: Downton Abbey

If you could have one occupation other than yourcurrent job, what would it be? “I think it would be fun to be a food critic. I loved being the arts &entertainment editor for my college newspaper, and critiquing local food was the best part!”

Hidden talent: “I grew up helping my grandparents in the garden; I still enjoy gardening today.”

WELCOMETO SGSC!

SCHOOL OF NURSINGLinda Freeman

Lauren Thornton

DIVISION OFBUSINESS &

SOCIAL SCIENCESMaggie Jones-May

Baseball Basketball

Softball Swimming

ARE YOUREADYTO FLY?

(16-6, 5-0)Upcoming Schedule:

Mar 13 @ West Ga. Tech 6:00 pmMar 14 @ West Ga. Tech 1:00 pmMar 17 @ Darton State 6:00 pmMar 19 Darton State 6:00 pmMar 21 Darton State 1:00 pmMar 24 @ Andrew College 3:00 pmMar 26 Andrew College 7:00 pmMar 28 @ Andrew College 1:00 pmMar 31 @ ABAC 6:00 pmApr 2 ABAC 6:00 pm

(27-6)The men’s basketball team clinched its first-ever GCAA regular seasonchampionship Feb. 21 on the road against Georgia Highlands. The Hawks also clinched the top seed in the GCAA Tournament, giving them home court advantage. SGSCdefeated Central Georgia Tech in the quarter finals and Atlanta Metro in the semifinals. The championship game was a back-and-forth affair with Georgia Highlands pulling away in the second half to defeat SGSC, 81-70.

(7-14)Upcoming Schedule:

Mar 13 @ West Ga. Tech 4 & 6 pmMar 14 @ Ga. Highlands 1 & 3 pmMar 17 Thomas Univ. (JV) 2 & 4 pmMar 19 @ Andrew College 2 & 4 pmMar 26 East Ga. State 2 & 4 pmMar 28 Gordon State 1 & 3 pm Apr 4 @ Darton State 12 & 2 pmApr 9 Ga. Military College 2 & 4 pmApr 11 Georgia Perimeter 1 & 3 pmApr 16 @ ABAC 3 & 5 pmApr 23-26 GCAA Tournament

The women’s swim team captured first place at the GCAA Regional Meet, while the men’s team finished second in its category. The teams competed in the NJCAA Swimming and Diving Championship in Buffalo, N.Y. The women’s team held on to fourth place overall with 923.5 points, only 63.5 points behind the third place team. The men’s team finished in fifth place with 798 points overall, only 62 points behind the fourth place team.

COMING SOON!

March 16-20Spring Break

March 24 • 7:00 p.m.Joe Chapman ConcertMcGouirk Auditorium

April 3Professional Development Day

April 7Advisement Day for Summer/Fall

(No Classes)

April 7-8Advance Registration for Summer/Fall

April 10Elementary Science Olympiad

Waycross Campus

April 13Honors Night

Douglas Campus

April 20Honors Night

Waycross Campus

May 7 • 9:00 a.m.Spring Commencement

Douglas Campus

May 8 • 7:00 p.m.Spring Commencement

Waycross Campus

The Hawk’s Eye • March 2015 • 7

Campus Events!

Waycross Campus Math Tournament

Valentine’s Photo Booth

Preview Day

Valentine’s Photo Booth

Preview Day