Chronicles – Fall 2014

1970s

Cynthia George (’76) joined Darton State College as interim chief advancement officer and executive director of Institutional Advancement in August. George’s new role gives her oversight of advancement, alumni, public relations and marketing efforts for the College.

1980s

Melissa Williams (’83, ’89), after a three-month search, has been named the new superintendent of public schools in Rabun County, Georgia, in a unanimous decision by the Education Board. She started her new position in September.

2000s

Jolene Byrne (‘12) has been elected president of the Savannah-Chatham Public School Board. She will begin her term in January 2015.

Writing and Linguistics graduate Kate Beasley (’11) sold her debut novel “Gertie” in a significant two-book, mid-six figure deal. The novel for middle grade readers, follows a young girl on her mission to be the best fourth-grader ever, so she can “show her distant mother that she doesn’t need her a bit.” “Gertie” is slated to be released by Farrar, Strauss, and Giroux Books for Young Readers in fall 2016.

Kimberly Suress Gaiters-Fields (’05) is the new dean of the College of Education at Albany State University in Georgia. The Curriculum Studies doctoral graduate had served in the post on an interim basis for one year before permanently assuming the post on July 1.

Chemistry alumnus Thomas Eisenhart (’10) was the lead author of the cover research article featured in the July issue of the “Journal of the American Chemical Society”. Results from the study help explain the “intimate coupling of light absorption with both proton and electron transfer,” which the authors say will help pave the way for new avenues in solar fuel production.