Friday, September 20, 2013

Wildcat Dreams, Vol.1 No. 4

Friday, September 20, 2013 • Vol. 1, No. 4

Wildcat Dreams is Fort Valley State University President Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith’s biweekly e-newsletter. As an additional resource to stay connected to FVSU, Wildcat Dreams highlights various campus activities and updates about new initiatives and programs. Readers are encouraged to share the newsletter with friends and family. We welcome your feedback. Please send comments to fvsu_pr@fvsu.edu. Thank you and happy reading!

Read more news on the FVSU Review. 

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Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Odessa Hardison McNair

 Dr. Odessa Hardison McNair is a living legend on the campus of Fort Valley State University. Every time a special occasion–like Founders Day—takes place, students, faculty and staff members sing the university's alma mater, which is written, in part, by McNair.  This month, the university is honoring McNair as one of its featured alums.

FVSU professor and biology students conduct research at Department of Energy lab

This summer, a Fort Valley State University professor and two biology scholars took a road trip to conduct scientific research at one of America’s top governmental laboratories. Dr. Devin Horton, an assistant professor of biology; Miguel Thomas, a biology senior, and De’Marcus Wolfork, a recent FVSU graduate, conducted research at U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory, located on Iowa State University’s campus.

Issa Rae speaks to FVSU students at first JWDLS of the semester


 This week, Fort Valley State University’s John W. Davison Lecture Series kicked off with an actress and producer of a popular, award-winning comedic series on the web. Issa Rae, star of “MisAdventures of Awkward Black Girl,” spoke to students about the launch of the show, the politics of hair, and her childhood experiences on Sept. 18 in the C. W. Pettigrew Center. The actress recently inked a deal to write her own comedy series with HBO, where she will star in the lead role.
FVSU Wildcat Battalion enters to Pettigrew Center Auditorium to present colors

Community first responders --Terry Deese, Peach County sheriff (left); Lawrence Spurgeon, Fort Valley Public Safety director (center); Campus Safety Chief Ken Morgan (center right) and Rahman Grimes, FVSU Officer and Ret. U.S. Military (far right) --  hold hands to chest as a FVSU student sings national anthem.

President Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith presents speaker Ret. Major General Charles M. Hood with an award for his appearance.

Dr. Ed Hill, College of Education dean; Terry W. Deese, Peach County Sheriff; Lawrence Spurgeon, Fort Valley Public Safety director; First Lady Francille Griffith; FVSU President Dr. Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, Lauren Mitchell; Miss FVSU 2013-2014; Marlon Griffin, Mr. FVSU 2013-2014; and Rahman Grimes, FVSU officer and U.S. Military, retired.


FVSU honors Sept. 11 victims and unveils its new USA Square

Last week, Fort Valley State University and local Peach County first responders marked the 12th anniversary of a terrorist attack that claimed 3,000 victims and forever changed America. The university honored first emergency responders, service personnel and terrorist attack victims during the 9/11 Observance Day on Sept. 11. During the occasion, the university also unveiled the future location for its U.S.A. Square.

Animal science professors assist sheep industry with educational webinar

 A recent webinar conducted by Fort Valley State University animal science professors may help sheep farmers and producers sustain and expand North American wool and lamb industries. On Aug. 27, Dr. Thomas Terrill, an FVSU assistant professor of animal science, and Dr. Will Getz, professor and retired extension specialist, conducted a webinar entitled, “A New Approach to Parasite Management in Sheep.”


Participants of the recent AGMUS Research Symposium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, pose for a photo. (From L-R): Dr. Sarwan Dhir, professor and director of FVSU’s Center for Biotechnology, (middle) Dr. Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, president of Fort Valley State University, and Dr. Juan F. Arratia, director of the Universidad Metropolitana’s Model Institutions for Excellence program (standing on the far right) at the Universidad Metropolitana in San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

Plant Science-Biotechnology Undergraduates Win Awards at Research Symposium in Puerto Rico         


Two Plant Science-Biotechnology major seniors’ undergraduates recently won awards for their poster presentations at the AGMUS 2013 Research Symposium, hosted by Ana G. Mendez University System, in San Juan-Puerto Rico, September 13-15, 2013.



Jamil Basket won first place in the Environmental Science category for his poster presentation titled “Epifluorescence Microscopy of Temporal Interactions of Enterobacter cloacae and Onion Bulbs (Allium cepa L.)”. He conducted his research under the guidance of Dr. Brenda Schroeder at Washington State University, Pullman in the Department of Pathology.



Derrick Smith ((Research and academic Mentor/Advisor: Dr. Max Feldman and Dr. Dhir) research also won top 1st place in the Biology category for his poster presentation titled “Identifying Relationships of Soil Characteristics and Genotypes of Natural Seteria viridis Populations”, he conducted his research at Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO.



Twelve students presented at the conference along with more than 350 other undergraduate and graduates from twenty-two institutions throughout the country. Undergraduate student poster presenters and graduate student oral presenters are recognized for their outstanding research presentations. Recognitions are determined based on scores provided by mentor-judges and the collective recommendations of all judges within each sub-discipline.


 
Click here to see images from FVSU's inaugural Celebration of Scholarship Day, held Friday, September 20, 2013. More news to come on the FVSU Review!



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Friday, September 6, 2013

Wildcat Dreams, Vol. 1 No. 3

Friday, September 6, 2013 • Vol. 1, No. 3

Read more news on the FVSU Review. 

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FVSU to hold memorial for 9/11 Victims
Twelve years ago, America was attacked on its own soil for the first time in decades. On September 11, 2001, armed terrorists hijacked and crashed four airplanes that destroyed the iconic World Trade Center’s twin towers in New York, damaged the renowned Pentagon, and killed thousands of men, women and children.

Fort Valley State University will commemorate this unforgettable tragedy during its annual 9/11 Observation Day program at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 11 at the C.W. Pettigrew Farm and Community Life Center.

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How-To Series kicks off on campus

America’s most famous entrepreneurs and corporate CEOs—Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and Sam Walton—are legendary. These innovative risk-takers are renowned for their shrewd business sense, leadership skills and knowledge, but their success did not happen overnight. Every entrepreneur has to start from ground zero.

This semester, Fort Valley State University students will learn the basics during the Department of Business Administration and Economics’ how-to workshop series. At 5:30 p.m., on Tuesday, September 24, the “How to Own, Create and Profit from Your Own Music” session is scheduled to take place in the Student Amenities Building. The event is open to the public.


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President Griffith pens for Huffington Post
and the Georgia Department of Agriculture 
Fort Valley State University's president, Dr. Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, was recently invited to become a guest columnist for two online media outlets, the Huffington Post and the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Read "Dreaming and Doing in Middle Georgia -- About Things National and International" and "Fort Valley State U - National Expertise, Global Reach" by clicking the links below:


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FVSU honors alum Eugene “Bruiser” Jones posthumously
This week, Fort Valley State University honors Eugene “Bruiser” Jones, a strong supporter of Fort Valley State University. Jones, a 1957 FVSU alum, died last week, on August 28. He was 82 years old.

Jones was a Tuskegee, Ala. native. As a young child, his family moved to Atlanta where he was educated in his formative years. In his teen years, he enrolled at FVSU and majored in education.

Jones challenged fellow alums to support FVSU. He would often say, “If you can’t give $1,000 to your alma mater, then you need to give back your degree.”

Services for Jones were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3 at the Cascade United Methodist Church, 3144 Cascade Road, Atlanta Ga. Condolences may be sent to 2771 Collier Dr., Atlanta, Ga. 30318.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked that contributions be sent to FVSU in his honor. Mail donations to the FVSU Foundation, Inc., 1005 University Drive, Fort Valley, Ga. 31030.

Read more about Eugene Jones in the FVSU Review.


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 FVSU holds inaugural meeting on Honors Program 


This week, Fort Valley State University administrators held their first meeting about the university’s new Honors Program. Interim Provost Dr. Linda Noble, Honors Program Director Dr. Meigan Fields, Office of Strategic Initiatives Director Denise Eady and President Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith discussed ways to brand and launch the new initiative on campus.


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Carter prepares for education mission to Brazil


Fort Valley State University is taking part in an important, international mission that will seek a global partnership with one of South America’s largest countries and economies. Dr. John Eaves, chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, invited FVSU to be a partnering member of its Education Mission to Brazil to help construct study abroad partnerships with the coastal country’s colleges and universities. Dr. Melody L. Carter, vice president of external affairs and executive director for the FVSU Foundation, Inc., will serve as FVSU’s representative on the Brazilian Mission Delegation from Sept. 7 to 14.

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CDEP signs agreement with Thurgood Marshall College Fund


Fort Valley State University’s Cooperative Developmental Energy Program and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund have signed a memo of understanding to establish a working and financial relationship. The MOU establishes a new, dually-funded CDEP/TMCF Scholarship. Ten CDEP students will receive funding from the partnership to support their matriculation at FVSU.

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Veteran employee earns award for volunteer work overseas


Schauston Miller, a research professional for the Georgia Small Ruminant Research and Extension Center located on Fort Valley State University’s campus, received the President’s Volunteer Service Award for his work with goat farmers in Myanmar. The 22-year FVSU employee received a certificate, pendant and letter from President Barack Obama for his efforts.



The award is a national honor offered in recognition of volunteer service. Miller is one of 123 people to receive the honor this year.


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Extension agent earns award for children’s car seat safety


Fort Valley State University’s Cooperative Extension Program is making an effort to improve the safety of children in cars through the works of one of its extension agents.



Brenda Maddox, FVSU’s Marion County extension agent, received the Buckle-Up Award from the Georgia Traffic Injury Prevention Institute for her work in promoting the proper use of car seats for children. The GTIPI is an educational outreach unit of the University of Georgia. It is primarily funded by the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.



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Royal Court attends leadership conference


 Members of the Fort Valley State University’s 2013-2014 Royal Court attended a regal conference where they learned important leadership skills that will help them standout during their reign on campus. On July 25-28, the group attended the 12th annual Leadership for Queens and ninth annual Kings’ Konnection conference at the historic Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tenn.



At the conference, campus royal courts were assessed by peers and advisors on appearance, participation and character for awards. The groups learned the winners of each category at an awards banquet. FVSU’s 2013-2014 Royal Court won Most Impressive Court; and in the previous year, the 2012-2013 Royal Court won Most School Spirit. Additionally, Annette Burgess, FVSU’s royal court advisor, was nominated for Advisor of the Year.

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Fort Valley State recognized as the most comprehensive athletic program


The Cost of College Sports recently recognized Fort Valley State University as having the most efficient comprehensive athletic program in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.



The Cost of College Sports produces an annual report, which examines the financial and performance efficiency of athletic programs at each member institution within the NCAA’s 23 Division II conferences.  This report includes eight primary team sports categories: football; baseball; softball; men’s and women’s basketball; men’s and women’s soccer; and women’s volleyball.



The programs were reviewed over a four-year time frame to determine rankings, ratios and trending in a conference-based comparative format.



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Erica Henry named interim head basketball coach at Fort Valley State


Fort Valley State University interim Athletic Director Willie Williams recently announced that Erica Henry will become the interim Head Coach of the Lady Wildcats basketball team.



“I am excited to have Erica Henry joining our family, “said Williams. “Her skill set and personality fits perfectly into our Wildcats family. We're looking forward to her return.”



The Shreveport, La. native is joining the Lady Wildcats for the first time as Head Women’s Basketball Coach, but this will be Coach Henry’s second stop at FVSU. In 2011-12, she served as an assistant coach under Coach Lonnie Bartley.




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