Office of the President: October 2013

Friday, October 18, 2013 • Vol. 1, No.6

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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The Hon. Kenny Davis Anthony, prime minister of Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia's Prime Minister will be FVSU commencement speaker

The second-in-command of the Caribbean’s eighth-largest economy will deliver sage wisdom and leadership advice to Fort Valley State University’s latest graduating class. On 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, The Hon. Kenny Davis Anthony, prime minister of Saint Lucia, will be the keynote speaker during the 2013 Fall Commencement in the Health and Physical Education Complex. During the ceremony, the dignitary will also receive an honorary degree from FVSU.

University president, Dr. Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, says he is looking forward to the visit from this top government official.

Grand opening of the Stallworth Biotechnology Addition

Fort Valley State University President, Dr. Ivelaw L. Griffith, and the College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology cordially invite you to the grand opening of the Stallworth Biotechnology Addition and the groundbreaking ceremony for the Family and Child Development Center.

When:
Monday, Oct. 21, 2013, from 9:30 a.m. to 11a.m.

Where:
Fort Valley State University
1005 State University drive
Fort Valley, GA 31030

Across the street from Wildcat Stadium at
The Houston Stallworth Agricultural Research Building.

Visit http://review.fvsu.edu/homecoming13 or https://www.facebook.com/fvsuhc

to learn more about activities planned for Homecoming 2013.

Tuesday, Oct. 22
11 a.m.
Homecoming Convocation
John W. Davison Lecture Series
w/ Dr. Cardinal Warde, MIT Professor

Topic: "The State of STEM in the Black World"
Pettigrew Center • Free and Open to the Public

Thursday, Oct. 24
9 a.m.
Parade of Nations
Historic Quadrangle

Darryl Turner, 1984 Wildcat alum

FVSU Alumni Spotlight: Darryl Turner

Located in the international city, Warner Robins, is one of the state’s largest employers: Robins Air Force Base. At this facility, a Fort Valley State University alum is leading one of the base’s more instrumental programs in support of our nation’s defense. This month, Darryl Turner, a 1984 Wildcat graduate is our featured spotlight alumnus. Turner is currently the lead contracting official for the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) program.

Bishop Martha Edwards

FVSU Women’s Center Kicks off Speakers Series

At Fort Valley State University, an upcoming series will give students a unique opportunity to learn the secrets and strategies in becoming sophisticated women of purpose. The university’s Women’s Center is launching its Fall 2013 Versatile Woman Speakers Series. The inaugural keynoter for the Versatile Woman series is Bishop Martha Edwards. She will speak to students on campus at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1 in the C. W. Pettigrew Center.

President Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith introduces two-time Super Bowl Champion Tyrone Poole.

President Griffith and Super Bowl Champion speaks to students

Dr. Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, president of Fort Valley State University, held his first presidential address before the student body to motivate and encourage students to become successful leaders and alums. To piggy back off his encouraging words, Dr. Griffith brought in Fort Valley State alum, Tyrone Poole, a two-time Super Bowl Champion and College All American football player.

Students gather to commemorate domestic violence victims on Fort Valley State University's campus.

FVSU students take a stand against domestic violence

Alpha Beta Chapter of Fort Valley State University hosted a domestic violence forum called “Take Back the Night, Shatter the Silence,” on Oct. 8 in the Student Amenities Building to promote its social justice and human rights initiatives. The event encouraged students and the community to stand up against domestic violence and shatter the silence. The chapter collaborated with Hodac (Houston Drug and Action Council) and the FVSU Peer Educators group to ensure the message reached its target audience.

Peach County High School

FVSU to start School of the Month award

Next month, Fort Valley State University is spotlighting phenomenal high schools that have proven instrumental in the continued growth of the campus. Starting in November, the university will award its first School of the Month honor. Peach County High School in Fort Valley, Ga. will be the initial award recipient. The high school campus will be highlighted on university’s homepage, with a link to its homepage. for an entire month.

According to Sha-Ron Jones, FVSU’s director of admissions and recruitment, the town and gown relationship remains an important one for the university. He says that the school wanted to show its appreciation of the hard work of high school counselors, teachers and administrators who play a major part in recruitment for FVSU’s campus.

“This is an opportunity to recognize high schools who have produced many enrolled students at FVSU in recent years,” said Jones.

Lady Wildcats fight to block a goal.

FVSU Lady Wildcats Fall to Columbus State 0-3

The Fort Valley State University Lady Wildcats volleyball team went down in defeat 0-3 (10-25, 15-25, 16-25) to Columbus State University at Lumpkin Center on Tuesday, October 9, 2013 before a crowd of 150.

FVSU overall record is 5-20 and 5-6 in the SIAC, while Columbus State improves to 11-6.

Friday, October 4, 2013 • Vol. 1, No.5

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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The FVSU Blue Machine Marching Band horn section entertains a crowd at the 2012 Homecoming Kickoff.

FVSU to celebrate Homecoming, Oct. 20-26

Homecoming is a longstanding tradition at Fort Valley State University. The week-long celebration is a time when alums return to their second home on campus, to reconnect with former classmates and see how the campus has changed. It is also a chance for students to take a small break from their rigorous courses to socialize and enjoy themselves. The nonstop, fun week culminates in the ultimate football showdown when the FVSU Wildcats battle the Concordia College Hornets at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 in Wildcats Stadium. An annual parade will precede the game at 9 a.m. Saturday morning in downtown Fort Valley. President Dr. Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith will be this year’s marshal.

Dr. Linda Noble, Fort Valley State University vice president for academic affairs (right), Dr. Sarwan Dhir, professor of plant biotechnology and principle investigator, and FVSU President Dr. Ivelaw Griffith (bottom row, second left) pose with team of STEM faculty members from the university's College of Agriculture, Family Sciences, and Technology, and College of Arts and Sciences. The individuals were involved in securing the National Science Foundation grant.

NSF awards grant to FVSU for new biofuel program

A federal agency is reaffirming its longstanding commitment to help strengthen science, technology, engineering and mathematics education at Fort Valley State University, and bring more minorities and women into STEM-related fields. Last month, the National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded FVSUfaculty members $398,208 in funding to create a Bioenergy Undergraduate Research and Instruction program. The multidisciplinary bioenergy curriculum will prepare undergraduates for future careers and graduate degrees related to the production of efficient and renewable bioenergy. Learn more here.

Dr. Jerry B. Daniel, temporary professor of Behavioral Sciences

FVSU faculty member Dr. Jerry B. Daniel selected as Fulbright Scholar

The U.S. Department of State recently announced that the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board selected Fort Valley State University temporary professor of behavioral sciences, Dr. Jerry B. Daniel, as a Fulbright Specialist Project. During the month of October, Daniel will be a visiting professor at Volga Region State University of Service, the largest center for education, science and technology in Russia. There, he will also serve as a consultant to Russian students and faculty regarding social work training, policy development and analysis, behavioral and social research, and clinical and community-based practices within the U.S. The Fulbright Specialist is also a 1994 FVSU alum.

Dr. James Newton, FVSU assistant professor of behavioral sciences

FVSU professor selected for national workshop to write certification test

Congratulations to Dr. James Newton, an FVSU assistant professor of behavioral sciences. He was recently selected by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification to attend the 2013 Item Writing Workshop for the national Certified Rehabilitation Counselor’s Exam. Only 15 people were selected from a national pool of applicants. The assistant professor will fly to Schaumburg, Ill. to attend the four-day workshop in October.

Alumni Spotlight: FVSU alum Robert J. Jones inaugurated as SUNY-Albany President

A Fort Valley State University alum recently took the helm of a leading, prestigious northeastern state university. Dr. Robert J. Jones, who earned his bachelor’s degree in agronomy from Fort Valley State University, was formally inaugurated as president of the State University of New York – The University of Albany at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 in the Main Theatre, Performing Arts Center on the SUNY-Albany Uptown Campus in Albany, NY. Read more on the FVSU Review.

Fort Valley State University recruitment officer Michelle Knolton helps a prospective student.

FVSU to hold Open House for prospective students

Next month, prospective students and their families can learn about the best that Fort Valley State University has to offer at a fun, informative event. The university will hold its first annual Open House at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 in the Lyons Student Center. During Open House, the university will showcase its finest academic, research and mentoring programs.

“The Open House event is an extraordinary opportunity for FVSU to showcase its Wildcat spirit,” said Sha-Ron Jones, FVSU’s director of recruitment and admissions. Jones says that the program will give prospective students time to meet personally with college deans and professors in different academic disciplines.

FVSU students learn about graduate school options at UGA

Wildcat students within Fort Valley State University's TRiO Student Support Services Program traveled north to Athens, Ga. during a fun, informative trip to learn about graduate and professional offerings. On Sept. 18, a small group of young people, accompanied by TRiO program director, Dr. Davida Curtis, visited the University of Georgia’s graduate school. Read the story here.

Billy Brown, energy educator for Fort Valley State University’s Cooperative Extension Program and FVSU housing specialist, Keishon Thomas, promote the Georgia Residential Energy Efficiency Network (GREEN) program during the Home Help Resource Fair in Macon Sept. 14.

GREEN program promoted at Home Help Resource Fair in Macon

Middle Georgia residents looking to receive information about housing and home ownership such as budgeting and performing simple home maintenance, flocked to Macon to attend the Home Help Resource Fair on Sept. 14. The event, held at Central Georgia Technical College, attracted more than150 people.

Fort Valley State University’s Cooperative Extension Program, which offers housing education programs such as Home Buyer Education and Healthy Homes, supported the event by serving as a source of information for fair participants. The fair also provided FVSU an opportunity to promote its latest program designed to assist homeowners.

“Fort Valley State University’s Cooperative Extension Program participated,because we wanted to promote the new GREEN (Georgia Residential Energy Efficiency Network) project,” said Billy Brown, FVSU’s Cooperative Extension Program energy educator. Read the entire story here.

Fort Valley State University President Dr. Ivelaw Griffith, meets with U.S. Department of Agriculture officials, and Dr. Mark Latimore Jr., FVSU’s interim assistant vice president for land grant affairs, Dr. Govind Kannan, FVSU’s dean of the College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology and Karla Martin, FVSU’s USDA 1890 Program liaison Sept.23 in the Troup Building on campus.

U.S. Department of Agriculture officials visit Fort Valley

Fort Valley State University’s land-grant mission of providing research-based technical assistance and education to rural citizens attracted U.S. Department of Agriculture officials to campus Sept. 23. Malcom Shorter, USDA deputy assistant secretary for administration; Quinton Robinson, state director for USDA rural development; Christian Obineme, facilities director for the USDA and Daniel Westcott, outreach coordinator for the Natural Resources Conservation Service visited campus to learn about the USDA Strikeforce for Rural Growth and Opportunity activities in Georgia. They also visited to learn about additional outreach activities occurring through FVSU’s College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology. Read the entire story on the FVSU Review.

Friday, October 18, 2013

Wildcat Dreams, Vol. 1, No. 6