News
Georgia Southern university celebrates largest graduation
President Brooks Keel presided over the largest-ever graduation ceremony at the University last May, with a record 2,400 graduates participating. The honorees included Sara Plaspohl, the first student to graduate from the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health’s Doctor of Public Health program. Plaspohl, as the first doctoral graduate, represents a key step for the College in its ongoing process to earn accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health. Along with the “traditional ” graduates, Georgia Southern recognized 153 fully and 63 partially online graduates.
Bachelor of General Studies available online
The dream of a degree from Georgia Southern will soon be within reach for many adults who thought it was too late to return to college because of career or family obligations. Beginning in January, the University will offer a Bachelor of General Studies major offered completely online.
“The online Bachelor of General Studies degree has been designed specifically for people who have always wanted to earn their college degree, but life got in the way, ” said Georgia Southern President Brooks Keel. Keel noted that the degree is not only perfect for working adults, but also is a great option for members of the military and students at two-year colleges and technical schools that want to earn a four-year degree. The program provides students with the opportunity to customize their program by choosing three concentration areas from a list that includes business, justice studies, sociology and writing.
University sets record summer enrollment
While many college students around the country took the summer off to relax at home or to work at a summer job, a record number of Georgia Southern students were taking classes. The University once again set a new record for summer enrollment with 9,950 students, which also played a major role in the local economy. According to a study conducted by the Bureau of Business Research and Economic Development (BBRED), students spent about $59.1 million on books and supplies, room and board, transportation and other expenses during the summer of 2010.
Georgia Southern student wins National Security Education Program Scholarship
Kendra Mosley, a student in the University Honors program, has been awarded a prestigious National Security Education Program David L. Boren Scholarship for study in Moscow, Russia. Boren Scholarships are awarded to students who wish to study in countries and regions of critical importance to U.S. interests. Mosley is a history and international studies major who will spend the 2010-2011 academic year in Russia. Boren scholars also commit to a year-long service requirement in a government agency with national security responsibilities.
Public Safety named nation’s best for traffic efforts
Georgia Southern’s Office of Public Safety has been selected as a National Law Enforcement Challenge first place winner in the College/University category by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The honor recognizes the campus police department’s overall efforts to strengthen and support traffic enforcement at the University.
Georgia Southern was selected from more than 483 applications by departments and agencies throughout the country. Judged by traffic safety and law enforcement professionals, Georgia Southern was the only institution in the state of Georgia to be recognized.
Allen E. Paulson College of Science and Technology
Professor and staff member receive national honors
Biology professor William Irby and First-Year Experience (FYE) program academic advisement coordinator Ellen Murkison have each received a 2010 Outstanding Advising Award from the National Academic Advising Association.
Irby has chaired the Department of Biology’s Advising Committee for many years and holds advising workshops for faculty, gives advising updates during faculty meetings, and volunteers to meet with prospective students. Murkison came to Georgia Southern in 1996 to establish the University’s first advisement center solely for undeclared students. Her contributions include implementing a major exploration exercise during summer orientation to guide students to earlier declaration of major, organizing FYE’s inaugural Majors Fair, and integrating peer academic advisors into the advisement process.
College of Business Administration
New Ph.D. program welcomes students this fall
Georgia Southern’s College of Business Administration welcomed its first Doctor of Philosophy degree students this fall. They will be seeking a Ph.D. in Logistics/Supply Chain Management. The state of Georgia has become home to many major distribution centers and trucking terminals, and graduates of this program will be trained for advanced careers in the logistics and transportation industry.
Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
College joins statewide healthcare campaign
Georgia Southern’s Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health (JPHCOPH) has joined a new effort to tackle some of the biggest health challenges in the state through the “Partner Up! For Public Health ” campaign developed by the Healthcare Georgia Foundation. The Foundation asked the JPHCOPH and others to work with them to identify and resolve the problems that are threatening the health of thousands of people in Georgia.
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Art professor recipient of Ruffin Cup
Art professor Bruce Little was presented with the 2010 Ruffin Cup. The Cup recognizes the highest achievement in teaching, scholarship and service in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. It is awarded annually to a professor/scholar with at least 10 years of service to Georgia Southern who has combined excellent teaching with outstanding contributions to the spirit of the liberal arts.
In 2003, Little was named Georgia Educator of the Year by the National Art Education Association, and his works have been featured both in solo shows and juried exhibits, including The Gallery of the Office of the Governor in Atlanta. Additionally, he has chaired more than 40 MFA thesis committees and was University supervisor for more than 50 student teachers.
College of Health and Human Services
School of Nursing teams Up with U.S. Army
Two of the University’s most competitive and successful programs – the School of Nursing and the Army ROTC have joined forces to meet the U.S. Army’s need for nurses. Georgia Southern’s ROTC program currently has 32 nursing students among its 270 cadets. According to LTC George Fredrick, Commander of Eagle Battalion, the University produces more Army ROTC nurses than any of the other 38 ROTC programs in the 6th Brigade, which includes schools in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
College of Information Technology
Online master’s degree offered
Classes began this fall for the University’s new online Master of Science in Computer Science.
“The online Master of Science in Computer Science degree program is another example of how Georgia Southern’s College of Information Technology is leading the way in preparing professionals for a future in a field that touches every aspect of our lives, ” said Georgia Southern President Brooks Keel. “As the only College of Information Technology in Georgia, we are dedicated to educating professionals who will have a large impact on the businesses and industries already in Georgia, and whose presence here will attract new ones as well. ”