shorter university magazine - spring 2015

Spring 2015

M A G A Z I N E

Transforming Lives through Christ

Ice Bucket Challenge turns personal for Dr. Cowan & Shorter FamilyMr. Shorter>

Dr.___

contentsSpring2015

inthespotlightResearch nets senior invitation

to present at conferencesSenior Dalton Robinson presents research at two conferences that feature scientific research.

Saluting Service

Chad Wilson (’14) was honored by the Atlanta Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America for his work with youth.

coverstoryThis fall, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge was all the rage. Read how the national social media campaign became a deeply personal reality for the Shorter community after beloved Shorter faculty member Dr. Richard Cowan (’64) was diagnosed with the disease.

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President | Dr. Donald V. Dowless

Editor | Dr. Dawn Tolbert

Lead Writers | Stacey McCray and Dr. Dawn Tolbert

Contri b uting Writers | Karen Allen (’09, MBA ’12),

Dr. Courtney Cash, Matt Green, Jim O’Hara

Class Notes Writer | Loni J. Watkins (’11)

Contrib uting Photographers | Dr. Courtney Cash,

Stacey McCray, Alan Storey, Dr. Dawn Tolbert

M A G A Z I N E

Departments4 president’smessage5 hillhappenings • Nursing School named to honor Ben and Ollie Brady • Nursing students inspired to help fight Ebola outbreak • Ukranian student aiding hospitals in homeland • Partnerships help School of Education impact area • Course focuses on cultivating good character • A Night with Indra event held in Washington, Ga. • NCAA awards Shorter full membership in D-II • Conference talk highlights study abroad at Shorter • Dr. Kathi Vosevich promoted to Associate Provost • Alpha Chi rated a Star Chapter for fifth straight year • AGB names scholarship for Dr. Wayne Dempsey (’70)

13 athleticsnews • Women’s Golf team claims first-ever national title • Volleyball reaches 1st NCAA tourney • Hawks play at AT&T Stadium • Coach Vic Mitchell records win number 400 • Silas Too dominates in first cross country season

28 familyconnections

Shorter University Magazine is produced twice annually by the Office of University Advancement. Alumni news or address changes may be sent to Alumni News, Office of University Advancement, Shorter University, 408 Shorter Ave., Rome, GA 30165; emailed to [email protected]; or faxed to 706-291-5344. Comments or suggestions may be sent to the editor at [email protected] or 706-291-5348.

Where in the World?

Study abroad has opened the door to life-changing experiences for many Shorter students. We share three of their stories.

Dance: the artistry & academics of Shorter’s new minor

Assistant Professor of Theatre and Dance Shell M. Benjamin teaches students to worship and minister through dance.

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The Shorter Alumni family grew by more than 300 in December as the Class of 2014 received their degrees. Those graduates —and all Shorter alumni—are encouraged to keep your contact information up to date so that you will continue to receive the Shorter University Magazine. Email address updates and news about life events to [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you.

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fromthepresident

King David stated quite elegantly his view of serving God—“I will not

sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24 NIV). David viewed the entire orbit of his life as a sacrifice of service to the Lord, which he considered to be a joy and an opportunity. One of the books I have in my library is called 70 Great Christians Changing the World, biographical sketches of committed Christians from all backgrounds who have made a significant impact upon the world because of their service to Christ. The chronicle of Christian history contains many more unnamed individuals who, because of what Jesus Christ did for them on the cross, have added to the furtherance of the Christian faith. As you read our magazine, you will see vignettes of individuals who have contributed in powerful ways to the University’s mission of “advancing Christ’s kingdom” through the gift of higher education. Years of preparation followed by years of devoted service without the desire for personal recognition is a hallmark of a Christian servant. Our faculty and staff serve

because they want to make a difference in the lives of young people. To see the full potential of a student’s God-given talent brought to full fruition is the goal of Christ-centered servant leadership.

One of the words the New Testament uses to describe the unique relationships between Christians is koinonia, meaning communion or fellowship. Early Christians joined together to promote and extend God’s Kingdom in every area of life. A Shorter University education is designed to continue this effort and to help students achieve God’s purpose for their lives. Such a mission is a gift from God, and as you can see in this issue of the magazine, our faculty, staff, and students have been given many opportunities to express these gifts. I want you to consider the value of a Shorter University education—we care about the classroom experience, and we are focused on educating the whole person. Our students deserve the best!

Deciding to attend Shorter University is an investment for a lifetime of meaningful and rewarding service.

The Sacrifice fService

Shorter University Magazine | 5

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Shorter University received a seven-figure gift from the Benjamin F.

Brady Charitable Foundation, and in recognition of this gift, renamed its nursing school the Ben and Ollie Brady School of Nursing. The name was officially unveiled during the Nov. 7 ribbon cutting and dedication.

“Ben and Ollie Brady embodied the Christian commitment to serving others, and we believe it a fitting tribute to name our School of Nursing in their honor,” said Shorter University President Dr. Don Dowless. “The Bradys worked tirelessly for causes such as improving community health and safety, promoting values-based experiences for children, and aiding families that are in distress and at-risk, and their efforts live on through the Brady Foundation. The Foundation’s work reflects Shorter University’s mission of Transforming Lives through Christ.”

The Brady Foundation continues the legacy of Mr. Ben Brady, an entrepreneur who worked as a banker, car dealer, and small business owner. He was a church leader not only in his home congregation at Birmingham Baptist Church, but also in his support of all Baptist churches in northern Georgia. Mrs. Ollie Brady

was a registered nurse, who worked at Lockheed and at the Forsyth County Hospital. She was known for her concern for young people, especially newly married couples, and for her patients.

“Ben and Ollie never had children. Ollie as a nurse encouraged many young people, including my wife and myself as we began our life together. Ben cared for

his community and those that follow,” said Mr. Phill Bettis, a trustee of the Brady Foundation. “As Ben’s life drew to a close, that concern manifested in the creation of a foundation with the challenge to his trustees to ‘do good.’ I can’t think of anything better than encouraging young people launching careers in health care who will do good for those that follow. Those that participate in this course of study will in effect be those children that Ben and Ollie never had.

“Our trustees have had a heart for Shorter University for a good portion of the last decade,” Mr. Bettis added. “The dream of the nursing school was born almost simultaneously. For much of the last decade, the discussion of the nursing school came before our trustees who wrestled with a large commitment for such a small foundation. Yet, we couldn’t

deny that helping the nursing school was our calling. Earlier this year, the trustees of the Benjamin F. Brady Charitable Foundation committed to this worthy cause and are proud to be associated with Shorter University and to remember our benefactors, Ben and Ollie Brady. I believe they would be pleased with this cause as is our Heavenly Father from Whom all

blessings flow.”Dr. Dowless added that the Bradys’

commitment to service will live on in future generations of students who attend the Brady School of Nursing. “Many who knew Mrs. Brady have remarked on her exceptional nursing skills and her compassion for others,” he said. “Those are the traits that we seek to instill in the future nurses who study in Shorter’s School of Nursing as they learn to serve and minister to the needs of others.”

Nursing School named to honor Ben and Ollie Brady

Cutting the ribbon on the Ben and Ollie Brady School of Nursing are (from left) Dr. Bert Epting, Jr., vice president for university advancement; Mrs. Teresa Dowless; Rev. David Harper, chairman of the Shorter University Board of Trustees; Dr. Donald L. Martin, Jr., executive vice president and provost; Mr. Eric Chofnas, Mr. Jimmy Myers, Mr. Phill Bettis, and Mr. Ronnie Pilcher, trustees of the Brady Foundation; Mrs. Shirley Pilcher; Mrs. Wanda Bettis; Mary Kate Smith, a senior nursing major: Dr. Angela Haynes, dean of the Brady School; Mr. Corey Humphries, vice president of student affairs; and Shorter University President Dr. Don Dowless.

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hillhappeningsNursing students inspired to help fight Ebola outbreak

Shorter’s Student Nursing Association (SSNA) hosted a Glove Drive to collect medical gloves to send to areas of Africa

most impacted by the Ebola outbreak.The glove drive was planned in response to the needs they heard about through the news and was inspired by their experience working with limited resources during their medical missions trip.

“In Haiti, we worked at clinics and orphanages and saw firsthand what it is like to have limited resources,” said Lauren West, vice president of SSNA. “We watched as health care workers turned gloves inside out and washed them to use again. We are so blessed in the United States with resources; even in our nursing practice areas, we have boxes and boxes of gloves to use when taking care of mock patient simulators.”

Fresh from their experience in Haiti, West and her fellow students heard news of the Ebola outbreak and felt compelled to take action to help. “We also were impacted by the proximity of Ebola to Shorter when the two patients were cared for in Atlanta. We would really like to be part of the solution in helping others in need, no matter where they are in the world,” West said. The glove drive idea surfaced after the students read an article in the Wall Street Journal that said “Much of this toil could have been avoided or at least mitigated if hospital workers on the front line had been provided with medical basics, starting with one of the simplest: disposable gloves.”

“At Shorter, our nursing program mission is focused on serving others and transforming lives,” West said. “We must help others. We realize it may just be a drop in a pond, but it is something we can do that will help.” The drive generated thousands of gloves, including 70,000 from Big Time Products.

Ukranian student aiding hospitals in homeland

Hospitals are supposed to be a refuge where the sick and injured can go for treatment and comfort. However, a visit to a Ukrainian

hospital often involves even more sickness and frustration as patients and healthcare workers face a critical shortage of medical supplies.

This is why Shorter University senior nursing major Vica Morokhovet decided to lend a hand. This summer, Morokhovet, a student worker in Shorter’s Student Health Services, delivered a large suitcase filled with cotton balls, latex gloves, bandages, gauze, hand sanitizer, and masks to nurses struggling to administer proper care to patients in two hospitals in her hometown of Kharkov, Ukraine. She returned in December with thermal blankets and money raised from a fundraiser that helped her purchase Christmas gifts for Ukrainian soldiers who might otherwise have gone without basics such as warm coats, socks and medicine. “There is a war in Ukraine now, and all of the injured soldiers are coming to my city,” Morokhovet said. “I just wanted to help them somehow.”

The initial plan was to deliver the suitcase of supplies to her friend Tanya Zozylya, who is a nurse at one of the city’s public hospitals. But when Morokhovet realized the military hospital was also facing a dire shortage, she divided the items between the two facilities. “We had no idea our supplies would help the soldiers. It was all God’s doing,” said Shorter University Director of Student Health Services Mary Shotwell Smith. “What we were able to do is so small, but Vica is doing incredible things. I am amazed at her strength and her kindness and care for others.”

During Christmas break, Morokhovet was able to purchase 50 warm hats, pairs of socks, pairs of underware, and toothpaste for wounded soldiers in Ukraine. Leftover funds, she made a contribution toward surgical equipment for the military hospital in Kharkov.

Top: Vica Morokhovet (center) with Mary Smith and Gerry Schlitz of Shorter’s Student Health Services with the collected supplies. Inset: Vica with the Ukranian hospital staff and soldiers who received the supplies.

Vica’s painting (above) was given to a soldier in serious condition to encourage him.

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Partnerships help School of Education impact area

With Science Night Passports in hand, more than 35 Pepperell Elementary

School students and their family members filed into the school’s gymnasium on a chilly evening this past fall as they prepared to take a trip around the world of science. Through interactive stations developed by teacher candidates from the Shorter University School of Education, local elementary students and their parents participated in hands-on exercises that broke down scientific concepts including magnetism, forming hypotheses, and the order of the planets.

This Family Science Night was just one of a host of events geared toward area elementary school children and their family members that will continue throughout the academic year. The School of Education is partnering with local schools including Pepperell and Alto Park to enhance learning for students — while Shorter teacher candidates gain valuable experience working with children and their family members.

Dr. Dana King, assistant professor of education, said the events help children and their parents explore learning in a fun, interactive atmosphere.

“Parents benefit by being able to be involved in a learning task with their children,” she said. “Additionally, parents usually learn important concepts and facts that may have actually changed since their schooling.”

Although family nights differ from a traditional classroom setting, teacher candidates gain valuable knowledge from working with the students alongside their family members.

Because one of the greatest resources for increasing student achievement often lies with parental engagement, it is ideal for teacher candidates to have the opportunity to participate in these events so they can get a feel for the importance of tapping into this resource, Alto Park Interventionist Dr. Karen Snow said.

“All families have to do is come and participate, and it is a bonus that the activities have the potential to increase student achievement,” Dr. Snow said. “In addition, parents report that they like having this type of fellowship with Alto Park and Shorter University staff and students.”

Senior early childhood education major Jessica Alexander said that participation in events such as family math and science nights are equipping her and her fellow teacher candidates with real-life experience that they will be able to refer to when they have classrooms of their own.

“These events are an awesome experience to work with the parents, and they give us some insight into how parents can be actively involved in their children’s lives and how this affects student success,” Alexander said. “I think our partnerships with local schools are helping to prepare me professionally because the staff we work with are very knowledgeable. We look up to the teachers as role models while watching them to learn techniques that we will also use one day as teachers.”

Feedback from parents and guardians has been very positive, Dr. King said.

Students who participated were asked to comment on the Family Science Night, and the overwhelming consensus could be summed up in a statement by one Pepperell Elementary student named Lauren: “We need to do more!”

Alto Park Elementary School Principal Dr. Aaron Anderson said the opportunity to bring in Shorter teacher candidates to assist with learning events geared toward both students and their parents works in everyone’s favor.

“It is an example of a partnership producing a true win-win,” Dr. Anderson said. “Our students and families enjoy themselves while receiving information and resources directly related to our curriculum, while the future teachers from Shorter University gain a practical and authentic learning experience.”

Based on an initial partnership initiated by Assistant Professor of Education Dr. Kristy Brown, the grant will be utilized during the 2014-15 academic year to enrich the education of elementary students by funding needs such as professional development for teachers. Shorter teacher candidates also will have the opportunity to face real student needs with the assistance of a professor and classroom teacher to help them succeed, said Dr. Tasha Perkins, School of Education Director of Assessment and Accreditation. “It also allows the Pepperell teachers to mentor our students, reinforcing their own uses of best practices. Students will benefit not only from having at least two adults work to serve them but also because our teacher candidates will be trained in a context that will mirror their own future classrooms.”

The grant will help further the School of Education’s mission of providing exemplary classroom and field experiences for its teacher candidates so that they may become successful teachers dedicated to lifelong learning, personal growth, collaborative effort, responsible citizenship, and community leadership in a global context, according to Dr. Norma Harper, Dean of the School of Education. “Shorter University and Pepperell Elementary are working together to increase student achievement and prepare teacher candidates to be learner ready on their first day of teaching,” Dr. Harper said. “Receiving the Georgia Network for Transforming Educator Preparation grant funding increases the partners’ capacity to do the work we have been called to do.”

Pepperell Elementary Assistant Principal Dr. Suzie Henderson described the partnership as a powerful example of K-12 and higher education working together to improve the learning of all students involved. “Because of our partnership, teachers will be more prepared from the first day they enter the classroom, which will mean improved student learning from the very beginning,” she said. “The grant will fuel our efforts to enrich our partnership with Shorter this year to provide professional development for teacher candidates as well as Pepperell teachers.”

The Shorter University School of Education received a $10,000 Georgia Network for Transforming Educator Preparation Award to help build upon its partnership with Pepperell Elementary School.


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When 300 Georgia educators gathered at the 2014 Professional Standards

Commission’s edTPA Technical Assistance Conference to learn about a new teacher certification assessment program, Shorter University senior education major Kaitlynn Cantrell (’14) was the one teaching the lesson.

Cantrell was invited to share her experiences after participating in Shorter’s pilot program for the new edTPA assessment program, which will be rolled out at colleges and universities throughout Georgia in fall 2015.

During her portion of the presentation, she detailed the potential edTPA has for the teaching profession as a whole and how it helped her in particular. Cantrell also discussed the challenges she encountered and talked about supports that assisted her as she successfully completed her edTPA portfolio.

Assistant Professor of Education and edTPA Coordinator Dr. Kristy Brown said that although edTPA has not yet been implemented for Georgia, the School of Education decided to test drive the assessment program in an effort to measure teacher candidates’ performance. She said Cantrell’s presentation helped provide a voice for education majors as higher ed professionals prepare for edTPA.

“It was a true honor for our teacher candidate to be asked to speak at the conference. Kaitlynn took on this role and shared how she persevered with confidence and gave advice to other universities on how they can best support their teacher candidates,” Dr. Brown said.

Educating Educators The first verse in Proverbs chapter 22 says, “A good name is more desirable than great

riches; To be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” The goal of that ancient wisdom is not popularity but instead the cultivation of good character. And that’s a goal that Shorter University instructor Rick Johnson shares with the students who enroll in his Character Education course.

The course, taught each semester, examines individual core values, self-discipline, identity, and emotional security, with particular attention paid to the role played by these elements of character on the students’ personal and spiritual relationships. The course is part of Shorter’s Health and Physical Education curriculum.

Johnson, former director of Chick-fil-A’s Camp WinShape as well as faith-based camps in Ridgecrest, N.C., uses the course to demonstrate good character in action. To accomplish this goal, he combines class discussion with field trips each semester. In each class, Johnson and his students visit the corporate offices of Chick-fil-A, where they learn how the company operates its business in keeping with its Christian mission. The trip also includes a stop designed to create an emotional connection for the students. In the fall semester, students spent a morning at the

City of Refuge women’s shelter, where they toured the facility and learned how it serves its residents and their children.

“I want students to understand that it’s all about a greater purpose that drives you whatever your mission,” Johnson said. “That may be being the best in the quick service industry (as opposed to ‘fast food’) or touching the lives of individuals who have had a hard

time in life.”The class also

includes a series of guest speakers who share their personal stories with the students. One regular speaker is Jan Priester Leonard, whom Johnson has known since she was a WinShape camper. “Her company sent her to a seminar, where she learned an exercise to determine your own core values,

giftedness, and your vision of what a perfect world would look like. Jan speaks to our course each semester, sharing those ideas, and the students come out with a life purpose statement,” he said.

Last fall, the Character Education course hosted a lecture by Jimmy Collins, former president and chief executive officer of Chick-fil-A. Collins, who retired in 2001, shared his experiences and lessons learned during the 32 years he spent with the company. The author of Creative Followership: In the Shadow of Greatness talked with students about the principles that led him to be successful.

Course focuses on cultivating good character

Character Education students tour the City of Refuge’s emergency shelter (above) and worship center (left).


hillhappenings

A Night with Indra

The Shorter University Alumni Association hosted a regional alumni event in July at First Baptist Church, Washington, Ga., featuring internationally acclaimed soprano Indra Thomas (’93). The concert featured incredible music by Ms. Thomas and her accompanist, Sandra Lutters, and was followed by a great time of fellowship for Indra and her fellow Shorter graduates at a reception hosted by Rev. Kevin Madden (’90), Alicia Madden (’89), Daphne Steedley Scott (’90), and Raymond Scott. The Alumni Association appreciates the vision of this group of alumni in hosting the event and also expresses appreciation to First Baptist Church of Washington, the Washington Women’s Club, and Congressman Paul Broun, who attended as the guest of Mrs. Vickie Bowen Henry (’71), for their support of the evening’s events.

Welcome to the Club! NCAA awards Shorter full membership in D-IIAfter three long years, the NCAA

membership process culminated in a happy ending for Shorter University. The NCAA welcomed the Hawks into full NCAA Division II membership in July, signaling an end to the university’s three-year transition from the NAIA.

After competing in a probationary capacity the past two years as a candidacy institution and provisional member of the Gulf South Conference, Shorter is now poised to challenge for conference, regional and national championships at the NCAA Division II level.

The NCAA notified Shorter University President Dr. Don Dowless of its decision by phone. “This process has been a marvelous University effort, and Director of Athletics Bill Peterson and his team have worked diligently to achieve this great outcome,” said Dr. Dowless. “We look forward to our future in the NCAA as we continue to develop young men and women to fulfill their God-given potential.”

Peterson was predictably thrilled with the news. Now, after years of anticipation, he and the Hawks’ coaching staff can shift their attention to continuing Shorter’s

athletic prowess in Division II.“I cannot say enough about the job

done by the entire Shorter family in getting us to this goal,” Peterson said. “Dr. Dowless has been a strong and effective leader in guiding us through this process while Matt Green and Dr. Richard Cowan did a tremendous job in transforming us into an NCAA institution. They were simply incredible. In addition, our coaches, our faculty and our staff could not have been more positive or more supportive. Shorter is truly blessed with a number of remarkable people.”

Shorter University Magazine | 11 10 | Shorter University Magazine

Shorter University Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Donald Martin joined other higher education representatives at the Consortium for Global

Education’s 27th Annual Strategic Meeting, where he presented a special report on the university’s study abroad programs. The meeting, hosted by Baylor University, was a time for representatives from across the United States to engage with speakers in advancing quality education through CGE’s global networks.

Dr. Martin discussed the Shorter University study abroad programs, with special emphasis on the School of Nursing’s annual trips to Haiti. All Shorter nursing students are required to complete a Global Study and Health Care Mission Abroad in their junior year. “By virtue of membership in the CGE, Shorter has been able to interact with member universities and organizations to learn about many opportunities for global study and service for our students,” he said. “The event was very beneficial because of contacts made with both new and old acquaintances. Two potential areas of interest for Shorter will be study abroad programs in China and Jordan.”

In addition to nursing students’ required trip, Shorter offers its students a wide variety of opportunities to study abroad. Linda Palumbo Olszanski, assistant vice president of International Programs, said students have the option of spending a semester abroad, or they can choose to participate in one of the university’s faculty-led programs during summer break. “We are committed to work with study abroad partners who align with our institution’s mission, so we encourage our students to participate in the many programs that the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities offers,” she said. “We also offer a variety of programs and destinations through Veritas Christian Study Abroad and the Consortium for Global Education.”

Conference talk highlightsstudy abroad at Shorter

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Dr. Kathi Vosevich promoted to position of Associate Provost

Dr. Kathi Vosevich, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Shorter University,

has been promoted to associate provost.Dr. Vosevich has been a member of

Shorter’s faculty since 2008. As associate provost, she is responsible for oversight of university assessment, especially as it relates to accreditation, and supervision of the university’s Quality Enhancement Plan, as well as internal communications management. In addition, she will serve as the SACS Liaison and continue to serve as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Honors Academy director, and Alpha Chi sponsor.

Shorter University Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Donald Martin said Dr. Vosevich’s demonstrated abilities have well equipped her for the role of associate provost. “We are both fortunate and elated to have Dr. Vosevich serve Shorter University in the role of associate provost, in addition to her position as dean of Arts and Sciences,” Dr. Martin said. “Her leadership experience in the corporate and academic arenas have well prepared her for this broader array of responsibilities, which include oversight of university assessment and accreditation. Through her clear vision

and exceptional work ethic, we eagerly anticipate our institutional programs to grow both in quality and quantity.”

Dr. Vosevich added, “I am honored and grateful to be able to provide leadership that honors God while serving and supporting our great students and faculty. My mission is to help foster a supportive Christ-centered learning environment that will help students grow spiritually and academically.”

A resident of Summerville, Ga., Dr. Vosevich has extensive academic and corporate experience. She has worked for such companies as Sprint and Microsoft, and consulted for Intel and Faulkner, winning numerous awards. Dr. Vosevich specializes in Shakespeare and Professional Writing and is Phi Beta Kappa. She has earned the prestigious Certified Organizational Advisor (COA) designation, received

a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Fellowship, and has several presentations/publications on topics ranging from the Tudors (Syracuse UP) to “Catch-22” (Gale).

Dr. Vosevich earned the Doctor of Philosophy in English from the University of Denver. She also holds a master’s degree and bachelor’s degree in English from St. Louis University, where she graduated with distinction.

Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Donald Martin speaks at the Consortium for Global Education’s conference. CGE is a nonprofit organization that links members of accredited American private universities and colleges. CGE works to support global development in education with a goal of increasing student learning and a global worldview.


hillhappeningsAlpha Chi rated a Star Chapter for fifth straight year

Representing the top 10 percent of juniors and seniors academically,

members of Shorter University’s Georgia Theta chapter of Alpha Chi are among the best of the best, and as a Star Chapter for the fifth year in a row, Shorter’s chapter of the prestigious national honor society has stood out as one of the best in the nation.

Shorter’s chapter of Alpha Chi is dedicated not only to recognizing successful students, but also to supporting the university’s mission of transforming lives through Christ. Faculty advisor Dr. Kathi Vosevich said that the goals of Alpha Chi blend perfectly with Shorter’s mission.

“The goal of Alpha Chi on Shorter’s campus is, of course, to support the school mission, but we support the school mission by bringing to life Alpha Chi’s motto, which is ‘making scholarship effective for good,’” Dr. Vosevich said.

In 2014, Shorter’s chapter was named a Star Chapter for the fifth consecutive year. “Only about 10% of the Society’s chapters receive this prestigious award annually,” said Dr. Trisha Yarbrough, Executive Director of Alpha Chi National College Honor Society. “The award recognizes chapters for both local and national activity, including providing meaningful campus inductions, enriching of campus life through local programming, and supporting undergraduate research activities through scholarship nominations and attendance at the annual national convention.”

Dr. Vosevich added that the main emphasis is on the service and academic projects that the chapter sponsors. One such academic project that Alpha Chi has sponsored for the past three years is a résumé writing workshop. The workshop covers the essentials of a powerful résumé and how to stand out from the crowd when applying for jobs or graduate school.

This semester, the chapter is planning a nail painting fundraiser to raise money for mitochondrial disease research and awareness. Members of the chapter will paint student and faculty’s nails with Shorter blue gel nail polish for a small fee.

Chapter President Sarah Geil, a junior English, psychology and liberal arts triple major, said, “I think it will be a great way to

have some fun with the other members of Alpha Chi who usually are so busy studying or doing homework because they’re academically driven, but we can all take a break and serve together.”

Geil said that the service project also connects to the theme of this year’s national convention, which emphasizes combining art and scholarship. This year’s Alpha Chi National Convention will take place in Chicago, where representatives of Shorter’s chapter will have the opportunity to compete for scholarships, attend forums and make student presentations.

Geil said the opportunity to interact with other academically driven students from around the nation is what she values most about attending the national convention. “I really enjoy the chance to see so many people dedicated to scholarship and a chance to learn and share their own individual educational experiences and how similar we all are in the big scheme of things,” Geil said.

Shorter has had three national award winners in the past four years, which Dr. Vosevich said has made Shorter stand out, considering the small number of students from the chapter who compete annually. “If you have a school that’s sending 20 students to compete, of course you’re

going to expect them to be among the top winners,” Dr. Vosevich said. “The most we’ve ever sent is five, yet we’re still winning the big prizes.”

Other chapters in the region look to Shorter as a model because the chapter has had a nearly 100 percent acceptance rate since 2009, Dr. Vosevich added.

Dr. Yarbrough explained that Shorter’s chapter is continuing its strong legacy of success, “The chapter at Shorter, established in 1990, has long been vital to the Society. In addition to providing recognition, leadership opportunities, and campus enrichment locally, the chapter provided regional and national direction through its first advisor, Dr. Thelma Hall. Dr. Hall served as Executive Secretary of Shorter’s regional Alpha Chi organization, and served on the National Council representing the faculty and students of the region as well as providing committee leadership and national direction.

“After Dr. Hall’s untimely death, the chapter floundered for a bit, but with Dr. Vosevich’s appointment as chair, the chapter soon returned to full strength, inducting members and sending them to the national convention to present their research projects on a national stage.”

By Anna Norman (’15)

Shorter University Alpha Chi officers for the 2014-15 academic year are, from left, Alexis Gorman, treasurer; Emily Kendall, director; Taylor Proctor, director; Isabella Baldacci, secretary; Sarah Geil, president; Dr. Kathi Vosevich, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and Alpha Chi faculty sponsor; and Morgan Morris, vice president.

12 | Shorter University Magazine 12 | Shorter University Magazine

Over the past five years, the Alumni Governing Board has worked diligently to

endow a third Alumni Association scholarship, and in the fall of 2013 the first Alumni Legacy Scholarship was awarded to then-senior Courtney Overton Greathouse (’14), daughter of Rev. Jeff (84) ’and Mrs. Cheri (’84) Overton.

After the death of beloved Shorter Family member Dr. Wayne W. Dempsey (’70), the Alumni Governing Board voted to name the newly endowed Alumni Legacy Scholarship to memorialize the lasting impact Dr. Dempsey will forever have on our Shorter Family.

“One thing you could always count on when you were around Wayne Dempsey is that you would laugh,” AGB President Chip Mitchell (’02, ’03, MBA ’08) recalls. “His storytelling ability was unparalleled, and his quick wit would charm most anyone he came in contact with. At Shorter, Wayne was acquainted with not just the many administrative decisions that come with running a college, but also with every student, faculty, alumni, and donor. His knowledge of all things Shorter would come out in story after story. Knowing the impact that Wayne has made over the years on countless students who have studied on the Hill, the Alumni Governing Board has chosen to honor his memory through the naming of a scholarship. We are honored that there is now a scholarship bearing Wayne’s name that we can help to support financially, knowing that his legacy will continue.”

To make a gift to the Dr. Wayne W. Dempsey Memorial Alumni Legacy Scholarship, visit www.shorter.edu, click on “Alumni,” “Make a Gift,” and select “Other” in the designation menu. Please enter “Dr. Wayne W. Dempsey Memorial Alumni Legacy Scholarship” in the Comments box.

AGB honors Dr. Wayne Dempsey (’70)through naming of scholarship

On Saturday, June 13, 2015, join us for Shorter University’s

Global Service Day! We encourage you, our Shorter Family, to volunteer on this day to serve in your community and extend Shorter’s mission of Transforming Lives through Christ on a global scale. Visit www.shorter.edu and click on “Alumni,” “Alumni and Friends” and “Alumni News and Events” for more information as it becomes available.

A call to serve

hillhappenings

The Atlanta Chapter of the Shorter University Alumni Association held a Service Day at the Atlanta Food Bank on Nov. 8, hosting more than a dozen Shorter Family volunteers. A special thank you to Leon Staples (MBA ’09), Alumni Governing Board vice president and College of Adult and Professional Programs Committee chair for coordinating and leading the event!

Attention Alumni:Do you need a transcript?We’ve made ordering your Shorter transcript easier than ever. Just visit www.shorter.edu and select the “Alumni” menu from the top navigation. Click on “Request a Transcript” and follow the instructions.

>>>


athleticsnews

The Shorter Lady Hawks claimed their first-ever NCCAA Women’s Golf National Championship in late October.

Shorter turned in its best round of the tournament on Oct. 29, shooting a combined 308 on the day, to finish with a total of 936 for the event and earn its first-ever National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Women’s Golf National Championship.

Dallas Baptist, who was in first place to start the day, finished four strokes behind Shorter in second place with a score 940. Lee and Oklahoma Christian tied for the third spot with a total of 946 for the week.

“I’m really proud of the girls,” Head Coach Lane Pace said. “They stuck to our game plan and just kept battling to come out on top. Each girl has worked so hard this semester to get to this point, and they showed that this week. They definitely deserved this!”

Four of the Lady Hawks’ five players finished in the top 10 individually, with Jennifer Yu leading the way with a third-place finish overall. Saving her best round for last, Yu shot 73 on the final day to post a 225 (76, 76, 73) for the week. Pauline Schopp shaved five strokes off her total from the previous day’s play to move up six spots on the leaderboard and finished tied for sixth place with a 236 (81, 80, 75). Claudia Orrantia turned in an eighth-place finish, shooting 237 (78, 80, 79) over the three days. Isabella Baldacci, who finished with a combined total of 238 (77, 80, 81) placed 10th overall, and Maria Bengtsson rounded out the field for the Lady Hawks, placing 23rd with a three-day total of 255 (85, 88, 82).

Yu, Schopp, Orrantia, and Baldacci each earned NCCAA All-America honors; while Pace earned Coach of the Year accolades.

“Now we look toward the spring and winning the conference championship!” Coach Pace added.

Shorter Women’s Golf team claimsfirst-ever national championship


I’m really proud of the girls. They stuck to our game plan and just kept battling to come out on top.

Each girl has worked so hard this semester to get to this point, and they showed that this week. They definitely deserved this!

— Lane PaceHead Coach, Women’s Golf


athleticsnews

The eight previous teams he coached at Shorter University were careful

about setting goals, opting instead to simply improve on a daily basis as the season progressed. This year’s Lady Hawks volleyball team, the ninth for head coach Jon Moseley, had a different mindset from the very beginning of the 2014 campaign – reach the NCAA National Tournament.

Mission accomplished.In November, the Lady Hawks had

the honor of being the first Shorter team to play on the NCAA’s national stage when they took the court in a first-round NCAA Division II South Region match.

“We’re really proud of our team,” Moseley said about the Lady Hawks, who in their first season competing as a full NCAA and Gulf South Conference member won the conference’s regular-season title. “We usually have no goals during the season but instead just focus on getting better every day. But this year,” he pointed out, “we wanted to reach the NCAA tournament, and we felt we had the talent to do that. I’m so proud that they’ve reached that goal.”

The Lady Hawks, one of 64 teams selected to be in the tourney, took a 21-5 record and a No. 7-seed to the 8-team regional and faced an immediate test when they took on No. 14 nationally-ranked and No. 2 seed Florida Southern. The Mocs were victorious, defeating Shorter 25-13, 25-19, and 25-16 in three games.

Shorter finished the season with an overall record of 21-6 and a conference record of 18-2. The Lady Hawks were one of three GSC teams at the tournament.

Season honors for the team included a GSC Coach of the Year title for Moseley. Senior standout Jasmine Crook was named an All-GSC First Team selection; she is Shorter’s all-time leader in kills, coming up with a team-high 257 this season. The Ohatchee, Ala., native also

recorded 277 digs and 39 blocks in her final season for the Lady Hawks.

Senior Erica Baker and sophomore Elizabeth Dowd each earned First Team All-GSC honors, while Anna Graham claimed Second Team recognition.

Baker, a senior from Hazel Green, Ala. was a force for the Lady Hawks on the front row; posting 217 kills on the season to go along with 64 blocks – 13 solo and 51 assisted; Dowd, a sophomore from Dothan, Ala., posted 229 kills for Shorter; while also recording 348 digs on the season; and Graham, along with Baker, anchored the Lady Hawks’ front row; tallying 218 kills and 64 blocks – 13 solo and 51 assisted.

Volleyball reaches1st NCAA tourney

Men’s Soccer plays for GSC title, makes NCCAA nationals

Advancing as far as they can in a postseason tournament is a goal every team has. This season, the Shorter men’s soccer team managed to do it twice, and although the Hawks fell just short of

bringing home the hardware, they still earned the attention for what they accomplished on the pitch.After turning in a 12-12-1 overall record and a program-best 5-4 mark in the Gulf South

Conference, where they advanced to the GSC tournament championship match, the Hawks collected a slew of National Christian College Athletic Association awards after reaching the semifinals of the NCCAA national tourney.

Named to the 2014 NSCAA/Continental Tire Division I Men’s All-America First Team was freshman midfielder Charlie Dennis, who previously was named the GSC Freshman of the Year and First Team All-GSC pick. Dennis closed out his first year at Shorter scoring six goals, led the team with 11 assists and had 23 shots on goal.

Two more Hawks were tabbed as NCCAA All-Tournament Team selection as forwards, senior Ryan Horn and junior Lucas Cavenco, while seniors Matt Goss and Sixto Moraga and junior Nicholas Ferrigno were recognized as NCCAA Scholar-Athletes.

The 2014 All-South Region team also included Hawks on the list. Earning First Team honors were Dennis and senior Irvin Espinal, who led the team with 13 goals, and Goss and Horn were Second Team selections.

Third-year Head Coach Paulo Neto saw two of his players become the first Hawks to become all-conference players as Espinal was a First Team All-GSC pick and senior Robert Ochieng was named to the All-GSC Second Team.

Hawks midfielder Charlie Dennis was named the Gulf South Conference

Freshman of the Year.


athleticsnews

SHORTER HAWKS FOOTBALL IN

9.20.2014

Pictured above: The Shorter Hawks battled West Texas A&M at the 2014 Lone Star Conference Football Festival at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys. The Hawks led 19-7 at the half, but the Buffaloes rallied to win 27-19.


Junior defensive back Jordan Shaw was named the NCCAA Defensive Player of the Year. He earned the top player award having already grabbed national attention

in other postseason lists, including being named an AFCA Division II Coaches All-American and a member of both the All-NCCAA team and The Associated Press Little All-America team.

This year’s Gulf South Conference Player of the Year and a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award presented by the Little Rock (Ark.) Touchdown Club to the nation’s top small college defensive player, Shaw closed out the season having established himself as one of the best defensive backs in the nation. He led the GSC with eight interceptions for 118 yards, including a 100-yard return for a touchdown he turned in against non-conference foe Mars Hill, a game in which he had a record three interceptions.

Shaw became the 15th player in GSC history with at least eight interceptions in a season and just the seventh player to take back a miscue for 100 yards. The junior did not stop there, ranking third in the GSC in total tackles (81) and fourth in tackles per game (7.8) and led the Shorter Hawks in tackles.

A 2013 All-NCCAA Honorable Mention selection after leading the team in tackles in just his first year playing defense, Shaw was also a first team Beyond Sports Network Division II All-American pick.

Shaw named Defensive Player of Year

athleticsnews


Vic Mitchell is a pillar of Shorter Athletics. In 25 seasons as head coach, Mitchell has built the Lady Hawks Basketball team into a

consistent contender. Already holding the title as Shorter’s winningest coach in any sport, Mitchell hit another milestone on Nov. 18, as he recorded his 400th win with a 80-67 victory over Clark Atlanta.

The Lady Hawks turned in a well-rounded effort in the win as three players finished in double figures. Ieshia Alexander led the way with 23 points on the night, while Maggie Peeples added 12, and Cynara Pitt chipped in 14. Both Shaundricka Mann and Jackie Hudson just missed joining the group; turning nine points each Mann also tallied 12 rebounds on the night to lead Shorter.

Mitchell, who also serves as senior associate athletic director for Shorter Athletics, is a three-time Conference Coach of the Year and has led the Lady Hawks to six 20-win seasons, including five straight from 2008 to 2012. He has guided the Lady Hawks to a total of four NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship appearances, including three straight from 2010 to 2012.

During 2011-12, Shorter’s 28 wins were the most for the program since 1978-79 as the Lady Hawks secured an at-large bid into the NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship. Mitchell was named the 2011-12 Southern States Athletic Conference Coach of the Year as Shorter received an at-large berth into the national tournament for the second straight year. The Lady Hawks ended that season with a No. 19 national ranking, the highest end-of-year ranking ever for the program under Mitchell.

Over the past 24 years, Mitchell has coached 54 Academic All-Conference selections, 33 All-Conference selections, 21 Academic All-Americans, six All-Americans, including one three-time performer and a pair of two-time selections, three Conference Freshmen of the Year, two Conference Players of the Year, one Kodak All-American and three NAIA National Emil S. Liston Award winners.


Winningest coach records win number

400

athleticsnews


Shorter University has been offering a transformational experience for our students since 1873. The opportunities our students receive are made possible through the generosity of our donors. As we strive to provide an engaging, Christ-centered learning environment, opportunities to support Shorter include:

• Serve as an ambassador for the University Share your Shorter experience with prospective students and news from the Hill with our Shorter Family

• Financially support our Colleges & Schools Provide funding for scholarships and professorships or support a specific academic division:

Ben & Ollie Brady School of NursingCollege of Adult & Professional ProgramsCollege of Arts & SciencesRobert H. Ledbetter College of BusinessSchool of Christian StudiesSchool of EducationSchool of Fine & Performing Arts

• Financially support the Shorter Fund

Provide funding for student scholarships, operating dollars for the University, and student engagement outside of the classroom

• Financially support Athletics

Join HawkNation by giving to your favorite team

Visit www.shorter.edu today and click on “Giving” to support Shorter and our students.

Contact the Office of University Advancement at 706-291-5343 or [email protected] to learn more about how to support Shorter University.

With your help, Hawks can fly.

Hawk Silas Too dominates in first cross country season

Silas Too is one fast runner. The Kenya native turned in a dominant performance on Sept. 13 at the

Earl Jacoby Memorial, finishing the men’s 8k race in 24:01.00. That time was 1 minute 17 seconds faster than the second-place runner and broke the previous meet record by 1 minute 12 seconds.

The time earned Too a win in his first collegiate cross country race, Shorter’s first-ever Gulf South Conference (GSC) Runner of the Week honor, and the National Christian College Athletic Association Student Athlete of the Week honor. It also ranked him among the best in the country according to Milesplit U, where he was ranked fourth over all divisions and first in NCAA Division II.

Since that performance, Too has continued to dominate, turning in three additional wins and three other GSC Runner of the Week honors. In late October, he recorded a season’s-best performance at the Mississippi College Division II Challenge, where he topped the field of mostly GSC runners by two full minutes. Too turned in a time of 23:42.80 and claimed his fourth win of the season. As a result, he was named the U.S. Track and Field National Cross Country Coaches Association Athlete of the Week.

coverstory


Mr. ShorterALS Ice Bucket Challenge turns personal for Richard Cowan & his Shorter Family

By Courtney CashPhotos by Stacey McCray & Alan Storey

This is PersonalOn September 8, more than

500 Shorter athletes and coaches enthusiastically gathered together at Barron Stadium to participate in their own version of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. However, on this occasion their participation was driven not by social media prodding, but by a deep passion to help one of their own.

Dr. Richard Cowan (’64) is a living legend at Shorter University. He has spent more than four decades in service to the university. He graduated from Shorter in 1964 and went straight to the University of Tennessee from which he earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree in mathematics. He returned to Shorter in 1969 as chair of the Department of Mathematics and began teaching math classes.

In 1979, he added a new role to his faculty responsiblities, serving as Shorter’s Director of Athletics. That transition began a relationship that has endured for more than three and a half decades. During his tenure with Shorter Athletics, Dr. Cowan has faithfully served in many other important leadership roles including faculty

athletics representative, NAIA eligibility chair, and, in 2011, became the university’s first Director of Compliance. He helped to successfully guide Shorter University through its transition to NCAA Division II membership. Despite the impressive resume, Dr. Cowan,

a member of Shorter’s class of 1964, believes his most important job has been to stand tall as the Hawks’ biggest fan.

In August, after a battery of tests, Dr. Cowan received the disheartening diagnosis that he had contracted ALS, often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” There was no irony lost on him as he considered all of the public attention the Ice Bucket Challenge was bringing to the disease. In contrast, in

his humble fashion, he very privately considered the dire consequences he was facing and began planning with his wife, Debbie, as to how they would prepare for the physical battle ahead.

Word of Dr. Cowan’s condition soon began to spread throughout the campus

community. Then, the heart of HawkNation took over. A national social media movement became the inspiration for an effort to help the man who has helped thousands of Shorter students, athletes, and coaches time and time again. Being doused with ice cold water was no longer a challenge; for the Shorter Family, it became a passionate cause.

“When you see a teammate in need, you help them. You stand by each other in the good and bad of life and competition. That’s the heart of a Hawk” says

Shorter University Athletic Director Bill Peterson. “However, when one of your mentors is hurting —when a person who has invested so much in you faces one of the most difficult challenges in life—it takes everything to the next level. We felt that it was important for all of HawkNation to stand with Dr. Cowan and do what we could to help him. Getting doused with a little ice water no longer seemed like a challenge.”

>

Dr.___

A national social media movement —the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge—became the inspiration for an effort to help

Dr. Richard Cowan, a man who has helped thousands of Shorter students, athletes, and coaches time and time again.


Water, Water, Everywhere!In less than a week, Shorter Hawk athletes and coaches

were in high gear planning for an event that captured the attention of the entire campus. The resourcefulness and creativity of individual coaches and athletes began to expand the event through campus, community and corporate engagement. Within only a few days, more than 500 people, multiple university departments, local media, and several local businesses had come together to orchestrate an amazing event to assist and encourage Dr. and Mrs. Cowan.

Lowe’s Home Improvement donated the 500 Shorter blue buckets needed to drench such a large crowd of willing participants. They also included a new stainless steel gas grill to be raffled to generate additional funds for the event. Dalton Ice Company donated multiple pallets of ice weighing in at more than two tons. The City of Rome Parks and Recreation Department gladly hosted the event at Barron Stadium.

In a city known for its three rivers, running water is not an unusual sight. However, when 500 waves of ice water are literally flooding down the stands of the stadium onto the football field, it takes your breath away. Just as it did for the people sitting under each bucket as it was being poured over their heads. Just as it did for Dr. and Mrs. Cowan as they stood before the crowd of so many Hawks who had come together for them. They knew each drop of cold water was filled with care and concern.


inthespotlight

A Movement of Our OwnThe “Caring is Never a Challenge” Ice Bucket event in

Barron Stadium became a catalyst for the Shorter family and the city of Rome to rally behind the Cowans and contribute to the anticipated medical expenses the family would incur battling ALS. Shorter University President Dr. Don Dowless and his President’s Council decided to recognize Dr. Cowan at the Homecoming football game and allow the community an additional opportunity to show their support for the man who had done so much for Shorter University and Shorter Athletics.

The “Caring is Never a Challenge” Homecoming activities in honor of Dr. Cowan included a special edition Game Day football program including photos and an article detailing the September 8 Ice Bucket event. Fans were given the opportunity to contribute to the “Caring is Never a Challenge” fund and show their support for Dr. Cowan by wearing souvenir “We Love Dr. Cowan” pins. In addition to these special activities, Dr. Dowless recognized Dr. Cowan during halftime, presenting him with a commemorative blazer and generous financial gift from the Shorter University Board of Trustees.

The 2014 Shorter University Homecoming game was a fitting opportunity to recognize Dr. Cowan, as he was

instrumental in bringing the football program to campus ten years earlier. Dr. Cowan has never shied away from his excitement over Shorter football. He has always maintained that the addition of the sport was a turning point for the university. Celebrating Dr. Cowan on a day when all the football players were competing with commemorative tenth anniversary logos on their helmets became a tip of the hat to a man who had done so much for Shorter football.

God Blessed the Coin TossThere have been times during the

football season when Dr. Cowan has been forced to listen to the Shorter Hawks football games over the internet while receiving treatments in the hospital. Mrs. Cowan has taken a leave of absence from her teaching position to care for and assist him in his fight against ALS. A cold blustery day in November would not seem to be the best time for him to stand

in a chilly stadium and walk out to the middle of the field for a coin toss, but, he gladly did, and God blessed the dedication of a humble, gentle man who represents everything about good sportsmanship. The smile on his face as he walked off the field told a story far beyond the referee’s gestures toward the home team. Having never played a single game for his alma mater, this year he won one for Shorter.


classof2014spotlight

By Stacey McCray

Chad Wilson (’14), who graduated from Shorter in December with a degree in Criminal Justice, feels a distinct calling to make a positive impact on the lives of America’s youth. This

is why the Carrollton, Ga., police officer decided 13 years ago to get involved with the Boy Scouts of America’s Exploring program, where he now serves as post advisor for Police Explorer Post 911.

His commitment to mentoring tomorrow’s law enforcement professionals and service to his community have drawn the attention of the Atlanta Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, which presented Wilson with the Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award. The honor recognizes unsung heroes who have been instrumental in the development of Scouting for rural, urban, and suburban youth who often face challenging barriers.

“This is a small way to give back and show that we appreciate people like Chad,” Angie McDaniel, district executive of Learning for Life and Exploring, said. “The Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award is given to people who go above and beyond to serve the youth in our communities and make a tangible impact for the good of our world. Chad was selected for this award due to his extraordinary involvement in the Carroll County community.”

Wilson has been working with the Explorers since 2001. His law enforcement background is extensive, having served 20 combined years in the National Guard/Army Reserves as a military police officer. Before retiring as a sergeant first class, Wilson served in both Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom and was recognized with multiple honors including Soldier of the Year, the Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit.

“After leaving military life, he stayed in public safety and has been a bicycle officer in Carrollton for over 17 years,” McDaniel said. “Chad is a gem to our community, and I know our city and community at large are blessed to have him and his genuinely compassionate heart serving our streets and our youth.”

In the 13 years he has worked with the Exploring program, Wilson has mentored countless young men and women ages 14 to 21 who are interested in careers in the field of law enforcement.

“I want to make a difference in their lives and hopefully help them become better citizens,” he said. “They are our future police

officers, and I want to be a positive influence in their lives and hope that they, too, can do the same as adults.”

McDaniel said Wilson’s post members have already become dedicated philanthropists. Each summer the group hosts camps for area children. One of the camps makes it possible for children with debilitating physical and mental disorders to participate in activities for youth their age.

“His post provides mentorship and guidance to these youth for the weeklong camp,” she said. “Last year’s group got to experience Six Flags, get glamour shots and learn about law enforcement. Chad and his group also put on an athletic camp, as well as a police academy for elementary school youth in the community each year. This is an extremely small sampling of what he has done through his post.”

Balancing work with his duties in the Exploring program has not hindered Wilson from pursuing his bachelor’s degree online. When he enrolled in Shorter University’s Online Program two years ago, Wilson said he was hoping to further his knowledge of criminal justice. He added that his time studying through Shorter’s Online Criminal Justice Program was a valuable experience thanks in part to the encouragement of knowledgeable professors, such as the Criminal Justice Program Coordinator Dr. Beverley Spitler. “I loved the program,” he said. “It really

worked with my schedule, and I really enjoyed learning from the professors. Dr. Spitler has been a great influence on me; she has taken the time to help me out with classes. She is a genuine person who cares for her students and is a professor who really knows what she is talking about. There is no doubt that she wants all of her students to succeed and will put forth a lot of effort to see this through.”

Dean of Online Programs Liz Mahaffey said Wilson is a wonderful example of the degree of excellence students at Shorter possess. “Chad is exemplary of the caliber of student that comprises our criminal justice program at Shorter,” she said. “We believe that it is alumni like Chad who will continue to make a difference in our communities.”

Shorter’s Criminal Justice program is one of the fastest-growing majors —traditional and online — and offers a well-rounded comprehensive study of police, court, and corrections.

Saluting Service

22 | Shorter University Magazine Shorter University Magazine | 23

That attention led to an invitation to present two abstracts at the 2014 Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Conference, where he detailed his findings related to bass catch rates in three Alabama reservoirs as well as the differences in blue catfish weight and length relationships in three sections of the Coosa River in Georgia.

Robinson also presented updated research at the Southern Division of the American Fish Society’s spring meeting in Savannah, Ga.

Robinson said he was interested to learn about the differences in catch rates, particularly during early season tournaments. He also wanted to delve further into catfish populations in the Coosa River after a project he completed in 2014.

“I have always loved being out on the water, so this is a natural progression for me,” he said. “I was a little surprised that the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies accepted my work because I’m not a grad student, so I was pretty excited to have the opportunity to be there.”

Ann Forstchen, human dimensions coordinator for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, said the majority of conference presenters were professionals from state agencies throughout the Southeast. Just 60 of the 240 abstracts

presented were from students’ research. Of the 60, only a handful of the student presenters were undergraduates, she said.

“For someone of Dalton’s age to show initiative to do this kind of research is quite a big deal,” Forstchen said. “We don’t ask undergraduates to submit their work, so he is unique in that aspect.”

Dr. Michael Crosby, Shorter University assistant professor of physical science, noted that Robinson has put in countless hours outside class to develop ideas, collect and analyze data, and formulate conclusions.

“As a researcher, I don’t think I could say enough good things about him. It’s a beautiful thing to watch a student start to put the pieces together and operate independently of a classroom. For a student — any student, let alone one at the undergraduate level — to be

able to do what he has done is really a focus of what we are trying to do here at Shorter,” Dr. Crosby said. “This is entirely Dalton’s work, and to say that I am proud of how far Dalton has come is really an understatement.”

Dr. Kathi Vosevich, associate provost and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said the Field Biology major is a relatively new addition at Shorter, and Dr. Crosby’s efforts have helped the major and its students flourish. “Shorter is proud to offer the rapidly growing area of Field Biology as a major, and Dalton’s accomplishments point to the success of the program, thanks in no small part to Dr. Crosby’s dedication,” she said. “Dr. Crosby researches and publishes in spatial/statistical modeling, applications of spatial technologies, forest inventory design and analysis, as well as forest health, and he looks forward to even more student successes.”

Forstchen said the conference, which drew more than 600 attendees, is a good opportunity for students to meet people who are researching some of the same issues. Dalton couldn’t agree more. After the conference, he received an email from a senior fisheries biologist with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources offering additional resources including use of an electrofishing boat this spring, which will help increase his sample size.

Research netssenior invitation to present at conferences

A s a child, senior Dalton Robinson spent countless

hours fishing on Alabama’s Lake Weiss with his family. As he grew older, he began competing in fishing tournaments. So when it was time enroll in college, Dalton’s love for being on the water helped make his decision to major in Ecology and Field Biology an easy one, and now his research is drawing attention from state and regional agencies. Story & Photo by

Stacey McCray

It’s a beautiful thing to watch a student start to put the pieces together and operate independently of a classroom. For a student — any student, let alone one at the undergraduate level — to be able to do what he has done is really a focus of what we are trying to do here at Shorter. — Dr. Michael Crosby

inthespotlight


Story by Stacey McCray

DATELINE: CHINAKatherine BatemanSenior, Middle Grades EducationJesup, Georgia

“I went to an orphanage and boarding school for three days, where I taught English. This was something I looked forward to from the time I signed up for study abroad because, as a future educator, teaching English is right up my alley.”

After spending a brief time in China in 2013, Katherine knew she had to find a way to return to the country with which she had quickly fallen in love. Her desire was rooted in the

opportunities that flourish in newness: to study in a new country, experience a new culture, learn a new language, and seek Jesus in the newest of ways. So she signed up for classes at Xiamen University in Xiamen, Fujian, through the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities Best Semester program.

Katherine recalls her first day as a blur of money exchanges, train rides, and using broken Chinese to ask for directions. “I was surrounded by the sounds of people speaking a language that I knew very little of, so a lot of my communication involved pointing and hand motions.” However, after just a few weeks of fully submersing herself in Chinese culture, Katherine said she could hold her own in conversations, order food, bargain with shopkeepers, and much more.

“Learning the language has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done mentally, but I loved every minute of it,” she said. “Because of this experience, I’ve become more patient, more brave, and more thankful. I’ve learned so much about who Jesus is as my sustainer, and I’m so much closer to Him. I truly feel like the Lord has used this time to not only remind me of how much I need Him, but also to prepare me for what comes next.”

Where World?in the

“I sat on my bed before I unpacked and prayed, ‘God, you told me to come here, and here I am. Use me.’ I had come to a city that I didn’t know, ready to learn.”

Shorter senior Becca Newell’s first few hours in Valparaíso, Chile were viewed through bleary eyes after an overnight flight had whisked her from the peacefulness of familiarity and deposited her in a country she had only laid eyes on in photographs. Her home for the next five months suddenly seemed a million miles from her loved ones, and she worried that she wouldn’t quite fit in with her fellow Veritas Christian Study Abroad students at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso. “I think about

that first day and laugh now because those people became my family while I was there,” she said. “I left my home hopeful of what my experiences would hold, but I also shed tears knowing I was leaving a community where I felt safe to begin an unknown life.”

Each semester, a handful of Shorter University students like Becca exchange the comforts of home for the experience of studying abroad. These students are in for the time of their lives as they begin their journey, Shorter’s Assistant Vice President of International Programs Linda Palumbo Olszanski said. Shorter students have chosen to study in countries including Chile, China, England, Spain, and Italy through several study abroad programs endorsed by the university. Each of their experiences is life changing, but an added bonus, Palumbo Olszanski said, is that study abroad students often find their résumés have an extra boost upon graduation. “When an employer reads a résumé and they see that somebody has studied abroad, they know that that person will challenge themselves and can function and be productive in an environment that is not familiar,” she said. “That tells a lot about a person and the great potential that person has to connect with others. It’s tremendously vital to have an international experience.”

Here are the stories of three Shorter students who would strongly agree.


inthespotlightDATELINE: CHILEBecca NewellSenior, English major, Carrollton, Georgia

“I’ve learned so much about the world and the different cultures of my own country. I was born in Georgia and have grown up there with basically the same kinds of people. But this trip gave me the opportunity to show Jesus to people who didn’t live in the Bible Belt. I feel proud that they have told me I have changed the way they thought of the South. I am thankful to have been a small example of Christ to them.”

Instead of treading a well-worn path to popular study

abroad countries, Becca decided to take a chance on Chile. Having already traveled to England and Scotland on a professor-led study abroad trip through Shorter during summer 2013, she was excited to discover what life would be like in a vastly different country. “I wanted a new experience. I wanted to go to Latin America where their world is a bit tougher than what I am used to,” she said. “I chose Veritas Christian Study Abroad because opportunities to serve were built into the program, and I had a missions mentor I met with weekly. It was important to me to grow in my faith while I was abroad and have someone to offer me wisdom and accountability.”

Living in a region in which Christianity is not an integral part of most residents’ lives gave her the opportunity to build relationships with people on a variety of spiritual levels. “I grew a lot from a spiritual perspective, but I think my character became stronger, too,” Becca said. “I saw people not for their spiritual label but for who they were as individuals, and I had some amazing, thought-provoking conversations with the people in Chile. I left a really wonderful community in Georgia, but God provided another one for me in Chile.”

DATELINE: ENGLANDElle RyanJunior, History & Liberal ArtsMarietta, Georgia

“I’ve made amazing friends, and there’s always an interesting discussion to join. It’s been nice to be surrounded by such like-minded people, who exclaim, ‘Cool!’ when I share what I’ve been researching that week. Being encouraged by so many people who are also giddy about learning has been the greatest blessing.”

Elle discovered at a young age that she had the travel bug. “I’ve always wanted to travel the world and explore learning and different

cultures,” she said. “There’s so much that different cultures have to offer. It would be a shame to miss out on them.”

England, in particular, held a certain draw for the honor student who had previously participated in two other study abroad programs in the country. But the distinct opportunity to study at the prestigious University of Oxford fulfilled a dream Elle had harbored since she was 8 years old.

“While I watched my father work for his Ph.D, I recognized the value of pursuing knowledge and got into a habit of exploring deeper concepts through conversations with him. I had heard about Oxford in passing, and when I was young I recognized it as a place of high academic pursuit,” she said. “To me, Oxford became symbolic of pursuing knowledge. As I grew, the dream of being in such a scholarly atmosphere did not dissipate, especially as I was encouraged daily in my love of learning by both my father and mother. They’ve constantly been supportive of my endeavors to stretch and challenge myself as much as possible.”

Elle, who is taking a full academic year of classes at Oxford, is soaking up every second she has at the oldest university in the English-speaking world. “The city itself is stunning and teeming with history. The libraries are world-renowned, and it’s a dream to be able to research in them,” she said. “My constantly developing level of thought and my sharpened ability to research and write numerous essays in short periods of time is the perfect preparation for graduate programs. Life in Oxford is still like a dream, albeit a scholarly and sleep-deprived one.”


Dancethe artistry and academics

of Shorter’s new minorStory & Photos by

Dawn Tolbert

inthespotlight


“Five. Six. Seven. Eight.”With a rhythmic count, Shell M. Benjamin sets her Dance Ministry

students in motion. Responding to the prompt, “We Come to Serve,” they spin and glide, each following his or her own agenda, finding his or her own direction. As they interact with cell phones and textbooks—never one another—Ms. Benjamin explains. “‘We Come to Serve’ focuses on the fact that we are so busy with technology. As a believer, what are you doing to serve? You have to love people where they are. It comes down to being present in the moment and asking ‘are you really serving?’”

The dance embodies the busyness of modern life; it also embodies the heart of one of Shorter’s newest academic programs, a minor in dance. “The dance minor is far reaching,” Ms. Benjamin says. “It is for all majors and is open to students who have always loved to dance as well as those who are new to dance and want to explore it.”

The minor allows students to study the technical side of dance, learning ballet, jazz, tap, waltzing, Charleston, and musical theatre dance. But the minor is about more than moving to music. “Dance Composition explores the how of choreography; there’s math and science and art to it,” Ms. Benjamin adds. “Dance Appreciation has a research component as students explore the theory and history of dance. When we see a dance on MTV, what are we seeing? What is the history of the dance? What is its context? What is its origin? What category would you place it in? These are all questions that must be answered to fully understand a dance.”

The students are guided on the journey by Ms. Benjamin, who has been dancing since the age of 3. Growing up in Queens, N.Y., she had a childhood punctuated by the rhythm and movement of dance. She attended the High School of Performing Arts, dancing in the mornings and, after school, continuing her training with the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. Her talents earned her a spot at the prestigious Juilliard School, from which she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, and led her to the University of Milwaukee-Wisconsin, where she earned a Master of Fine Arts in Dance and received the prestigious Advanced Opportunity Fellowship, Graduate Travel Award, and Wisconsin’s Higher Education Award.

Her life path includes not only impressive training on the dance floor, but also a passion for dance as worship. Her academic research, presented at Hawaii’s 8th International Arts and Humanities Conference and accepted at Athens International Conference on Visual and Performing Arts, explores the validity of ballet and modern dance forms for praise and worship dance in Christian Churches of the 21st Century.

That validity came to life at Shorter during the fall semester, as the Dance Ministry performed in chapel. “When we first presented our Dance Ministry in chapel, there was a lot of giggling at men and women wearing tunics. But within 30 seconds, there was a complete silence. It was dance that had a purpose. It was worship. That

moment, that focus, is what sets dance teams apart from a dance ministry.”

The Dance Ministry, an aspect unique to Shorter’s dance program, is designed to allow students to delve deeply into scripture and thoughts of their relationship with God “before we ever think about movement,” Ms. Benjamin explains. “We started with the concept of ‘Peace Be Still’ from Mark 4:39 and then asked how does that speak to the anxiety and stress you feel as college students? Who is your source? How do you

communicate with God? What are things you allow to take over? Do you know who you are? Do you know whose you are? We questioned that for them based on a belief that they are loved and provided for by a God who can and will talk to them. The dance then translated those answers into movement.”

As she leads students on this journey of personal spiritual discovery, she marvels at the individuals who invested in her life. “There were a lot of sacrifices made along the way,” she recalls. “My parents sacrificed to buy toe shoes for me—and it seems I could go through a pair in about a week! A lot of teachers believed in me. It’s that gift you get from people who mentor you; it’s an experience of sewing into another soul, another life.”

Ms. Benjamin transfers the investment that she recognizes in her own life into the lives of her students. “It’s more than just dance. I am concerned about their spiritual well being. I pray God brings the right student to me—a student who comes to learn, who is hungry for truth and information.”

Under Ms. Benjamin’s direction, the dance minor at Shorter is growing. “We are focusing on getting the word out to students that a dance minor is available at Shorter,” she says, adding that the minor is open to students in all majors. “The curriculum allows students to take courses that allow them to combine their major with dance.” The student emerges with knowledge of both, and the self-discipline learned through dance carries over into the major and future career.

It’s more than just dance... I pray God brings the right student to me—a student who comes to learn, who is hungry for truth and information.

—Shell M. BenjaminAssistant Professor of Theatre and Dance

Director of Dance

5TOP highlights from 2014

Homecoming& Family Weekend

1 Shorter Spirit

2Reunions Galore


5 Special Moments

3 Family Fun

4Good Friends


2014 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

Ruth Parham Manning (’51)Distinguished Alumna Award

This award is given in recognition of outstanding personal achievement, public service or accomplishment in service to the global community.

Mrs. Manning has been recognized by a number of organizations and received several awards for her service to parents and children and for her work in teaching. NASA named her the National Parenting Leader of the Year and recognized her for her volunteer service to the Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy (SEMAA) program and Parent Café. In 1988, Gov. Joe Frank Harris recognized her as the Georgia Mother of the Year. Mrs. Manning has also been named one of the 17 Gracious Ladies of Georgia, and her peers named her Teacher of the Year 11 times.

Mrs. Manning’s volunteer work also gained her recognition from the Fernbank Science Center and the Morehouse College Hall of Honor. The Salvation Army honored her for her work with homeless children, and she has received the National May Lindsey Service Award for her work with mentally and physically challenged people. Mrs. Manning’s willingness to help make Georgia a greater place also earned her the title of Mrs. North Georgia.

Mrs. Manning graduated from Shorter with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Since her graduation, she has taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and Bible study classes, as well as volunteering for many years at a homeless shelter in downtown Atlanta. She served as Alumni Association president from 1970 to 1972. Today, Mrs. Manning enjoys collecting butterflies, singing and teaching in her church. She has sung in a choir for 60 years.

Mrs. Manning and her late husband, the Rev. Norman Manning, have four grown children who are all married, 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Lisa Howell Nelson (’90)Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award is given in recognition of outstanding service to the university in leadership, volunteerism, service, recruiting efforts or financial support.

After graduating from Shorter with a degree in History/Secondary Education, Mrs. Nelson began her teaching career at Model High School in 1991 and was selected as STAR teacher in 1994, 1995, and 1998. She received a master’s degree in Secondary Education from Berry College in 2002.

She left the public school classroom in 2000 in order to devote herself full time to motherhood, and also in 2000, became the owner and operator of Tailor Made Tutors.

Mrs. Nelson began serving on Shorter’s Alumni Governing Board in 2000, on which she has served as the secretary and now serves as treasurer. She has also chaired the Alumni Association’s Scholarship Committee since 2012. Mrs. Nelson serves on the Eunomian Council along with other Epsilon Sigma alumna and participated in the Alpha Delta Pi alumni initiation process in order to continue serving in an advisory role to the sisterhood through its time of transition.

Mrs. Nelson has also remained active in Floyd County Schools and the community. She has volunteered as a mentor in Floyd County Schools since 2005, has continued to be involved in education at the collegiate level through Tailor Made Tutors and has recently become a part of the team launching The Church at Rome.

“I cannot imagine ever not being involved at Shorter,” Mrs. Nelson said. “I’m so grateful that my Shorter experience continues to be so rich nearly a quarter of a century after receiving my degree.”

Trey Kelley (’08)Distinguished Young Alumnus Award

The Distinguished Young Alumnus Award honors a Shorter graduate from the past 15 years who has shown promise through his or her professional achievement, community service and/or dedication to Shorter and who embraces the Shorter University mission.

Kelley graduated from Shorter in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. He was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives for District 16 in 2012 and graduated with his Juris Doctorate degree from Georgia State University in May 2014.

In addition to serving as a state house representative, Kelley is employed with Parker & Lundy Law Firm in Cedartown and is involved with leading marketing efforts and special projects for W.C. Brooks Co.

Kelley said that his experiences with classmates and teachers during his time at Shorter impacted the way he lives out the mission of transforming lives through Christ. “Shorter helped mold me into a leader by providing me the opportunity to interact with students and professors from all walks of life and learn in a Christian-based environment,” he said.

During his time at Shorter, Kelly also met his wife, the former Amy Marvin (’08), who earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Shorter.

Trey and Amy live in Cedartown, Ga., where he enjoys golfing, fishing, reading and spending time playing with his dogs, Ralph and Lauren. He is the son of Doyle and Laura Kelley.


familyconnectionsShorter University Magazine celebrates the Shorter family by sharing YOUR life stories with the extended Shorter family. We invite you to submit information about marriages, births, career accomplishments and family updates. [Our policy is to not print announcements about engagements or babies who are on the way.] Alumni news items are edited for style and content.

To add your news to familyconnections in an upcoming issue mail news and photos to: Shorter University, Office of University Advancement, 408 Shorter Ave., Rome, GA 30165 or email it to [email protected].

Bobbie Jean Stephens Smith (’57) shares outstanding achievements of her grandchildren: Grandson Charlie Smith, 11, was honored by the Clemson Fellowship Club for outstanding academics within Clemson Elementary School and recently earned a first degree black belt in martial arts; granddaughter Sarah, 5, authored a book titled His Birthday Party about her brother and has been accepted to the MultiAge Class at Clemson Elementary in Clemson, S.C. Charlie and Sarah are the children of Drs. Kerry and Cheryl Smith of South Carolina.

Rachel Barrett (’65) was invited to join the Valley Chamber Chorale in Phoenix, Ariz. Rachel is a lifelong singer and is also a member of the Phoenix Symphony Chorus.

Tim Taylor (’76) has been named Pastor of Bethel United Methodist Church in Morganton, Ga. Tim and his wife, Susie, recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. They have two sons, both of whom are married. They also have one granddaughter. In addition to pastoring Bethel, they have a non-profit organization,

For Even One, which is currently working in the mountains of Haiti, supporting a remote school with 150 children.

Darrell Black (’75), above left, recently traveled to Cooperstown, N.Y., for the 2014 National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Dr. Glenn White (’82), principal of Model High School, has been elected president of the Georgia High School Association. The 58-member State Executive Committee elected him unanimously.

Rev. Dr. Virginia Anna “Ginny” Dempsey (’97) recently became associate pastor for students at Milledge Avenue Baptist Church in Athens, Ga. In her new position, she will lead the spiritual and educational development of the congregation’s children, youth and families.

Clark Bunch (’98) announces the publication of his first book, God is Near: His Promise to His People, by Outskirts Press in May 2014. The photo is from the back cover and features Clark and his wife, Teresa Goad Bunch (’00). Clark and Teresa met at Shorter. Clark serves as senior pastor at Unity Baptist Church in Plainville, Ga.

Pictured above are members of Epsilon Sigma who affiliated as alumnae members in Alpha Delta Pi national fraternity along with Shorter’s Theta Upsilon chapter. Left to right are Karen Allen (’09), Nancy Jenkins Claxton (’71), Haylee Hunt (’14), Vickie Bowen Henry (’71), Lisa Howell Nelson (’90), Sally Thomas (member services manager for Alpha Delta Pi), Lauren Harper (’08) and Whitney Pack (’07).


Drew Bowers (’99), who serves as choral director at Milton High School, was honored with the Atlanta Families’ Award for Excellence in Education. Drew is in his eighth year at Milton, where he directs four different choral ensembles and teaches Advanced Placement Music Theory.

Sabrina Price (’01), an English/language arts teacher at Armuchee High School, was one of three finalists for the 2015 Floyd County Teacher of the Year Award.

Andrew Smith (’05) and Jessica Henry Smith (’08) announce the birth of their daughter, Maisie Jessalyn Smith, on May 7, 2014.

Dr. Oris Guillame (’07) recently published a book titled A Trail to Success – From Nowhere to Anywhere. Oris serves as director of Shorter’s graduate business programs and assistant professor of management in the university’s College of Adult and Professional Programs. Regarding his book, he said, “There is no way to make it happen overnight, as realization is a process. You only have to follow the voice of God for yourself and allow Him to order your steps.” In the book, Oris shares extensive personal testimony of his humble beginnings and how his faith—and hard work—brought him from poverty in his native land to a position of successful living.

Dr. Joeann Harris Malone (’07) and her husband, Willie J. Malone, recently celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary.

Will Bentley (’08) has been named executive vice president of the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association. He had worked for the association since January 2014 as director of association services.

Gary E. Silvers (’08, ’10) received his Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Tennessee Temple University on May 10, 2014. Dr. Silvers dissertation was on Nurse Retention in the Hospital Setting. Gary and his wife, Ansley Dekle Silvers (’12), reside in Rome with their three children. Gary works for Care Management Organization and is an adjunct instructor at Georgia Highlands College. He is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Theology from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.

Melissa Powell Johnston (’09) recently graduated with the Master of Arts in Arts Administration from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Her program of study included internships at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and the Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundation. She and her husband, Todd, live in Fairfax, Va.

Clint Harrison (’10), a former baseball player and assistant coach for Shorter’s baseball team, has been named head baseball coach for Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga.

Johnathan William Hunter (’10) and Melissa Lou Atkins were married Nov. 2, 2013. The couple lives in Rome.

Tyler Murray (’10), a former assistant coach for the Shorter Hawks men’s basketball team, has been named assistant coach for basketball at Charleston Southern University.

Kim Orr Wooten (’10, ’12) has been selected as the practice manager of Occupational Health Services at Parkridge Medical Center in Chattanooga. She began her career as an LPN and has more than 20 years of healthcare experience.

familyconnectionsLaShell Williams (’00) was a featured

author and panelist at the 2014 National Book Club Conference, which took place in Atlanta over the summer. The author of two books, Single Mother Breakthrough: 7 Proven Life-Changing Steps to Success and Your Breakthrough on the Other Side, spoke about the pros and cons of self-publishing before the audience of about 350.

“I love writing and speaking to empower, and I really enjoy helping aspiring writers by sharing my own experience and research,” LaShell said. “Being selected as one of the featured authors and speakers at such a serious literary conference with celebrities and national book clubs from throughout the United States attending made me very excited and inspired to another level.”

In addition to being a published author, LaShell serves as an account executive with Asurion, for whom she has worked for the past eight years. In this role, she oversees and maintains a national program within the South and Northeast territories. She said she puts the knowledge she gained while earning her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Shorter University to work on a daily basis in her job and that it helped prepare her to earn a Master of Business Administration degree from the Keller Graduate School of Management.

LaShell is looking forward to the upcoming publication of her third and fourth books, D.I.V.A., It’s Your Time! and Success in Progress, later this spring. Her books are available on Amazon.com as well as www.yourbreakthrough.org.


Marcus Todd Holloway (’11) and Anna Lauren Catanzano were married March 15, 2014. The couple lives in Rome.

Tyler Watkins (’11, ’12) has been named head varsity boys basketball coach for Christian Heritage School in Dalton, Ga. Tyler lives in Dalton with his wife, Loni Beth Jones Watkins (’11).

Kevin Pratt, II (’12) and Moira D. Law Pratt were married in the Turk & Caicos Islands on June 1, 2014.

Kesley Buckles (’12) has been named the director of communications and marketing for Hands and Feet Ministries.

Claire Sparks (’12) and Matt McClain (’11) were married June 14, 2014. The couple resides in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Laura Michelle Barwick (’13) and Robert Karl Cowart (’13) were married April 26, 2014. The couple resides in Cedartown, Ga.

Kali Berry Copeland (’13) and Jonathan Copeland were married on March 8, 2014. Jonathan is the son of Rev. Anthony Copeland (’82) and Rhonda Copeland. Kali and Jonathan now reside in Albertville, Ala.

John Fricks (’13) and Hailey Hyde (’13) were married May 31, 2014, at Belle Terra in Rome. John teaches math and coaches football and wrestling at Rome High School. Hailey teaches pre-k at Southeast Elementary School. The couple resides in Rome and attends Pleasant Valley South.

Jordan Brooke Bramlett (’14) and Morgan James McPherson (’12) were married June 7, 2014, at Proctor Farm in Rome. Jordan is employed in the ICU at Floyd Medical Center; Morgan works for the Rome Braves.

flightinHawks Members of the Shorter family are encouraged to photograph themselves with a Shorter rally towel

and submit the photo for possible inclusion in an upcoming issue of the Shorter University Magazine.

Request your rally towel today by emailing [email protected]

George O’Neill, a student in Shorter’s online program who lives in Chicago, showed his Shorter spirit as he sported a Fly Hawks rally towel at major European landmarks during his recent vacation. Thanks, George, for sharing your photos from Berlin, Dresden, Munich, and Paris for our Hawks in Flight feature!

Shorter University Magazine | 35 34 | Shorter University Magazine

withdeepestsympathy

Claire Davis Smith (’41) died May 6, 2014, at the age of 94. Mrs. Smith

received Shorter’s Distinguished Alumna of the Year Award in 1964 and had served as a member of Shorter’s Board of Visitors.

The Moultrie, Ga., native and former Miss Moultrie High School majored in music at Shorter and served as a vocal instructor for one year after her graduation. She later accepted a scholarship to study music at Julliard.

During World War II, she met and married John Franklin “Jack” Thompson and the couple returned to Atlanta after the war, where Claire began what would become a lifelong affiliation with the Girl Scouts by leading Troop 68. Jack enlisted in the Air National Guard and was killed in action in Korea. Claire then returned to her teaching career as music teacher for Northside High School and also returned to her volunteer work with the Girl Scouts. She created the Atlanta Girl Scout Chorus and went on to direct Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from all over the world as they performed at the Girl Scout Chalet in Switzerland. Later she would be known as “Lark” as she became the volunteer member of the trio called the Piper program and her white-gloved hands directed songs at National Girl Scout Conventions and gatherings for many years.

In 1953, she went on a blind date with John Lucian “Luke” Smith; they married four months later in New York City. His career path with The Coca-Cola Company took them to New Hampshire, back to Atlanta, and to Houston to head the Food Division, before returning to Atlanta where he became president of Coca-Cola in the 1970s.

After Luke’s death in 1980, Claire began to spend time focusing on her community interests, including the Iris Garden Club and helped develop the Gift Shop at Shepherd Spinal Clinic. Later, she served as president of Shepherd Auxiliary, on the Auxiliary Board of Piedmont Hospital, on the Regional Boys and Girls Clubs Board of Directors among many others.

Survivors include daughter, Susan Peyton Smith; son, Daniel Davis Smith; four grandchildren; brother, G. Grady Davis; and two sisters-in-law.

Former Alumna of Year Claire Davis Smith dies

Shorter University extends heartfelt sympathy to the families and friends of the following alumni and friends.Elizabeth Ward Turner (’31) died Dec.

31, 2012, at the age of 104.Vondelle Kicklighter Miles (’36) died

June 7, 2014Claire Davis Smith (’41) died May 16,

2014.Joanna Black Block (’42) died July 8,

2014.Mary Ellen McDowell Clement (’42)

died July 15, 2014.Betty Marie Carlisle Haynie (’45) died

Sept. 11, 2014.Constance “Connie” Williams (’46)

died Nov. 12, 2014.Hazel Donaldson Rice (’50) died June

3, 2014. Betty Strickland Davis (’50) died Aug.

18, 2014.Gloria Preston Ahearn (’51) died July

14, 2011.Rebecca “Becky” Alexander McCrackin

(’52) died April 24, 2014.Betty Claire Cooper Neill (’52) died

June 6, 2014.Mary Catherine “Kitty” Allen Barnes

(’61) died Nov. 3, 2014.Jere Eugene McGinnis (’63) died Aug.

8, 2014.Emmilyn Hunter New Dempsey (’65)

died June 23, 2014. Barry D. Vandigriff (’68) died July 16,

2014.Abraham Bernard Duncan, III (’69)

died Feb. 3, 2014.Dr. Hoyt Richard Coker, Sr. (’73) died

June 8, 2014. Thomas “Britt” Carter (’90) died Sept.

19, 2013.Sarah Vanessa Williams (’90) died

April 28, 2013.Robert Joseph Kiser (’93) died Nov. 2,

2014.David Norman Kirkland (’98) died June

16, 2014.Angela Marie Yarbrough (’98) died Oct.

4, 2014.Amber Leigh Selman (’01) died Nov. 2,

2014.Linda Kimberly Maxwell (’04) died July

18, 2014.Cheryl Kay Bogue (’12) died Sept. 24,

2014.Nettie Choate (former staff) died June

24, 2014. Mrs. Choate had worked as a nurse in the college infirmary.

Dr. Robert G. Gardner died Aug. 11, 2014. Dr. Gardner served as associate professor and then professor of religion from 1957 until his retirement in 1994. He served as the college historian and archivist for 25 years and authored On the Hill: The Story of Shorter College (Shorter College, 1972).

Dr. Thomas K. Lagow, Jr., died June 17, 2014. Dr. Lagow taught history at Shorter from 1961 until his retirement in 2005.

Shorter University offers sincere condolences to the following alumni and friends on the death of their loved ones.Anita Jenkins Sayer (’59), on the death

of her husband, Dr. John Lawson Sayer, on Aug. 18, 2014.

Lois Duncan McDermott (’63), on the death of her brother, Abraham Bernard Duncan, III (’69), on Feb. 3, 2014.

Eula White Kirkland (’64), on the death of her son, David Norman Kirkland (’98), on June 16, 2014.

Louie Ray Dempsey (’67), on the death of his wife, Emmilyn Hunter New Dempsey (’65), on June 23, 2014.

Susan Gardner Broome (’73), on the death of her father, Dr. Robert G. Gardner, on Aug. 11, 2014.

Carolyn White Coker, former staff member, on the death of her husband, Dr. Hoyt Richard Coker, Sr. (’73), and to their children, Ruth Coker Stevenson (’80), Hoyt R. Coker, Jr. (’84), and Maria Coker Ratliff (’00).

Dr. Michael H. Keown (’77), on the death of his mother.

Karen Lagow (’84) and Laura Lagow Leathrum (’91), on the death of their father, longtime Shorter College History Professor Dr. Thomas Kenneth Lagow, Jr., on June 17, 2014.

Rev. Douglas F. Maxwell (’87), on the death of his daughter, Linda Kimberly Maxwell (’04) on July 18, 2014.

Dr. Orville Adams (’94), on the death of his brother-in-law.

Natalie Choate Edwards (’96), on the death of her grandmother, Nettie Choate, who had worked as a nurse in the college infirmary.

David Dockery (’11) and his wife, Maegan Wallin Dockery (’12), on the death of David’s paternal grandmother, Cleo Dockery.

Jessica Sanders (’13), on the death of her mother, Janet Sanders.


withdeepestsympathy

Dr. Tom Lagow, professor of history at Shorter College from 1961 until

his retirement in 2005, died June 17, 2014. He was 79.

The Waco, Texas, native was educated in the Dallas, Texas, public schools and attended Rice University and Baylor University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in history. He also attended Southern Methodist University, receiving a Master of Arts in history; Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, receiving a Bachelor of Divinity degree; and The University of Georgia, receiving a Doctor of Philosophy degree in history.

Dr. Lagow taught at North Carolina State University before coming to Rome in 1961 to become a professor of history at Shorter College. He retired in 2005 after more than four decades in the classroom and 32 years as chair of the social sciences division.

At the time of his retirement, former students recalled his love of history and his deadpan humor. Bob Harris (’72)

said in an interview at the time, “Dr. Lagow would lead me to many historical doors in my journey, but he never seemed intrigued with battles or the tools of war. While I found knight’s armor, submarines

and airplanes alluring, Dr. Lagow would spend very little time on these facts, but give him a peace treaty and he ‘would go to town’! I believe his main lesson was ‘while heroes can come from the battlefields of war, the true heroes are those who struggle to keep the peace.’”

Dr. Lagow was a member of First Baptist, Rome, where he served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and church historian. He was a member of the Georgia Baptist Historical Society, Pi Gamma Mu Social Science Honor Society and advisor for Phi Delta Tau fraternity at Shorter. He also served on the Georgia Baptist Historical Commission and Georgia Council for Teacher Education. He also enjoyed gardening.

Dr. Lagow was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Glenn Cox Lagow. Survivors include daughters, Karen Lagow (’84) and Laura Lagow Leathrum (’91), and two grandchildren.

Longtime History Professor Dr. Tom Lagow dies at age 79

Dr. Robert Granville Gardner, a member of the Shorter College

religion faculty from 1957 until 1994 and author of On the Hill: The Story of Shorter College, died Aug. 11, 2014. He was 90.

A native of Lima, Ohio, Dr. Gardner served in the United States Air Force from 1943 to 1946 and went on to graduate from Mercer University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Christianity and philosophy and from Duke University with the Bachelor of Divinity degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in church history.

Ordained to the gospel ministry in 1947, he was pastor of four Baptist Churches in Georgia and North Carolina. Beginning in 1957, he was associate professor or professor of religion at Shorter College. For 25 years, he served as college historian and archivist. He was named professor emeritus of religion upon his retirement in 1994. He was a member of First Baptist, Rome, and later

First Baptist Church of Christ, Macon.Dr. Gardner served as visiting

professor at the Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary in 1967 and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1976 and 1983. From 1995 to 2012, he was senior researcher in Baptist history at Mercer University.

Dr. Gardner was the author of six books and numerous pamphlets, articles, book chapters, and reviews dealing with the history of Baptists. He was editor of Viewpoints: Georgia Baptist History, 1971 to 1997. For 40 years, he took an active part in the Georgia Baptist Historical Society and the Baptist History and Heritage Society, serving as president of each.

He received the Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Contributions to Baptist History from the Southern Baptist Convention’s Historical Commission and the Citation for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Georgia Baptist History from the Georgia Baptist Convention’s Historical Commission.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Anne Fargason Gardner; daughter, Susan Gardner Broome (’73); son, David R. Gardner; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Professor Emeritus of Religion Dr. Robert G. Gardner dies at 90

CorrectionIn the Summer 2014 issue of Shorter University Magazine, the obituary for Dr. Charles Whitworth, Sr., did not correctly identify

two of Dr. Whitworth’s daughters, the late Sara Beverly Whitworth (’69) and Sheron Collins Kenaston (’69), as Shorter alumnae. We apologize for the error.

Homecoming

& Family Weekend

@ Shorter U.

Mark your calendar

Save the date for Homecoming & Family

Weekend 2015 on October 9-10.

As we strive to offer additional affinity reunion events, we ask that you let us know the activities you were most impacted by during your Shorter experience. Email [email protected] with your full name, class year and the activities you were most involved in during your collegiate experience. We welcome your ideas for reunion events!

315 Shorter Ave., Rome, GA 30165

on the roadShorter Cities & dates

to be announced soon.

For additional details, check your email inbox and

www.shorter.edu or send an email to

[email protected]’ll be back on the road in 2015 & hope to see you along the way!

shorter university magazine - spring 2015

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