IN THIS ISSUE
10 First-year students share challenges, triumphs14 College confers degrees on nearly 300
19 Nurse returns to Haiti to serve
summer 2010 a magazine for alumni and friends
COLUMNS
LAGR A N G E CO L L E G E A Magazine for Alumni and Friends Vol. 14, No. 3President Dan McAlexander Editor
Dean Hartman Assistant Editor Debby Durrence Development Writer Karen Clark Recruitment Writer Lee Davis
Alumni and College Relations Editors Martha Pirkle, Andy Brubaker, Susan Hancock
Webmaster David Beard ’01 Designer
Stacy Gorman Jackson ’00
LaGrange College (USPS 299-300), including Columns, its official publication for alumni and friends, and the Progress Report and Annual Donor Roll, is published quarterly by LaGrange College, 601 Broad Street, LaGrange, GA 30240-2999. Periodical class postage paid at LaGrange, GA, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to LaGrange College, 601 Broad Street, LaGrange, GA 30240-2999.
Correspondence should be directed to the Communications and Marketing Office at the above address, e-mailed to dhartman@
lagrange.edu, or faxed to (706) 880-8763.
Classnotes should be sent to the Alumni and Family Relations Office at the same address, e-mailed to [email protected], or faxed to (706) 880-8757.
Indicates additional material on the College’s Web site found at www.lagrange.edu
A four-year liberal arts and sciences col- lege affiliated with the United Methodist Church, LaGrange College is consistently ranked in the top 10 and as a “best value”
among Southern baccalaureate colleges by U.S.News & World Report. The college, an award winner in sustainability, is the oldest private institution of higher learning in Georgia and has an enrollment of more than 1,000 students.
from the president
Fulfilling the promise
The week of April 12 through 18 was a meaningful one for both this campus and for me. A series of events celebrated this 179-year-old institution and marked my inauguration as its 25th president. It was a wonderful week, and I am honored and humbled by the support you have shown to Celeste and me during our first months here.
In the midst of all the high-profile
activities of inauguration week, one event went by almost unnoticed, yet it could be considered one of the most exciting and significant. On Thursday, the Board of Trustees spent a large part of the day discussing a draft of a new strategic plan for LaGrange College.
For two months prior to this session, representatives from all facets of campus life had been considering how best to move this place to the next level. The proposal has become known as Vision 2020: From Promise to Prominence.
As the title implies, this college is in wonderful shape and has already developed much of what it needs to take its place on a larger stage. Essentially, the plan is about taking bold steps from a position of built strength. You can read about some of its broad goals in the story on page 8.
At our recent commencement celebration, nearly 300 graduates earned diplomas. They are the reason we must continually strive to refine and improve the educational experience here. They are our living legacy to a world starved for truly transformed leaders.
Dan McAlexander President
In the Beginning
During their initial semesters on the Hill, three first-year students agreed to be followed by a Col- umns reporter. In the resulting story, they share the challenges, triumphs and lessons learned during the freshman year.
by Debby Durrence
PAGE
10
2 Notebook Baseball advances to national tourney; professor named to IRS panel; duo catches fishing title; more
4 Around Campus Sustainability cultivated with new garden; new Advancement VP named; visual identity bolstered by addition of new symbol; more
17 Alumni and Friends Haitian-
American nursing student returns to island home following earthquake; golf team competes in fourth straight national cham- pionship; Hodges earns Distinguished Service Alumni Award; more
23 Classnotes Archivists search for memories and memorabilia related to cam- pus traditions; grads return to perform in the College’s production of “The Laramie Project”; Alumni share their moves and milestones; more
in this issue
‘The Best of Times’
PAGE 14
Commencement 2010 saw 286 graduates cross the stage and receive their LaGrange Col- lege diplomas.
The ceremony featured James Leach, former Congressman and current chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, as its speaker. by Debby Durrence
Cover
A weeklong celebration encompassing 14 events marked the inauguration of new LaGrange College President Dan McAlexander. On the cover, the new leader addresses the crowd gathered for the April 16 installation ceremony, an event that filled the Lewis Library plaza with alumni, friends and representatives from colleges across the na- tion. PAGE 6 by Dean Hartman
A new College symbol made its official debut this spring. PAgE 5.
notebook
snapshot Leading the way
Just in time to mark the inauguration of the College’s 25th president, new ban- ners went up around campus—and, for the first time, around the community. The red and black flags adorned not only the Hill, but also the streets approaching the College, and Main and Bull streets in downtown LaGrange. The bright banners captured much attention with their vibrant color and their prominent display of the institution’s new logo. (See the story on page 5.)
Professor selected for IRS panel
Assistant Professor of Accoun- tancy Karie Davis-Nozemack has been selected by the Treasury Department to serve on the nationwide Taxpayer Advocacy Panel. She will join other panelists who listen to taxpayers, identify issues and make suggestions for improving IRS service and customer satisfaction.
Davis-Nozemack is one of 101 volunteers serving on the panel, and will represent local taxpayers as well as work on national issues. TAP members devote 300 to 500 hours yearly to the panel.
“I am excited at the opportunity to represent American taxpayers and hope to help the IRS become more taxpayer friendly,” she said.
College named Business of the Year
The College received the 2010 Large Business of the Year Award from the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce this spring. Presented in March, the honors salute the area’s premier employers.
Taking the lead in preparing the application were Janet Hughes, Assis- tant to the Vice Presidents for Advance- ment and for Finance and Operations;
Dawn Cummings Coker ’77, Human Resources Director; and Publications Manager Stacy Gorman Jackson ’00.
Faculty and staff singled out for excellence
Three professors and one staff member were saluted for their contribu- tions at the close of this year’s Honors Day ceremony on April 30.
Professor of Nursing Dr. Maranah
Sauter, at left in the photo, earned the John R. Hines Undergraduate Research Award for promoting student research;
Professor of Political Science Dr. John Tures, center, was presented the Vulcan Materials Teaching Excellence Award for
“challenging the minds” of his students;
and Associate Professor of Biology Dr.
Sarah Beth Mallory was awarded the United Methodist Church Teaching Award for “inspiring the souls” of her students.
Not pictured is Director of Physical Plant Bob Vitale who earned the Sustain- ability Award for advancing the campus sustainability mission.
Choir visits Puerto Rico
The LaGrange College Concert Choir traveled over spring break to Puerto Rico, where they performed at the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico and Union Church in San Juan. Dr. Toni Anderson, Chair of the Music Depart- ment, led a master class at the conserva- tory before the choir performed in the courtyard and later at the church.
“We wanted to take the entire choir, all 42 members of it, on a trip this year,”
said Debbie Ogle, Director of Choral Mu- sic. “Because of the economy, we had to choose something a little closer to home.”
Ogle said the LaGrange singers received a warm response.
“Everyone there was amazed at our students’ level of expertise,” she said.
“It was very gratifying to watch the interplay among the students. I was impressed at how well some of our kids could speak Spanish.”
Students excel at history conference
New history graduate Kim Beaver won a best undergraduate paper prize—
and high praise from the judges—for
“Thomas Becket and the Quest for Martyrdom” at the Georgia Region Phi Alpha Theta Conference in March.
Beaver was joined by Catlin Vest and Joe White, who also presented papers.
“These students not only represented
themselves, the department and this College with distinction, but also took on ‘all comers’ from across the region and performed in superior fashion,” said Dr. Kevin Shirley, Associate Professor of History.
Baseball advances to championship tourney
The Panther baseball team received its first bid to the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship in mid-May and traveled to Fayetteville, N.C., to compete in the regional contest. Earlier, the team stormed through their end-of-season conference tournament undefeated to win the team’s first Great South Athletic Conference tournament title since 2006.
As both regular-season and tourna- ment champions, LaGrange had three players named to the all-conference team, five to make the all-freshman team and four more to earn all-academic honors.
The team entered the post-season ranked fifth in the South Region of the NCAA Division III rankings.
Lewis Library featured
The design of the new Frank and Laura Lewis Library was featured on the American Libraries Magazine website this spring. To date, American Libraries has featured 68 libraries, with only 13 of
those at colleges or universities.
Students take fishing title
Who knew LaGrange College had a bass-fishing club?
Well, a lot of people know now, after students Torre Pike and Ryan Wakenigg won the National Guard FLW College Fishing Southeast Division on Lake Seminole in southwest Georgia in May.
The victory earned the team $10,000 to be split evenly between the College and its newly formed bass-fishing club.
Torre and Ryan dominated the tournament, winning by 10 pounds over their closest competitor, the recently crowned national champions from the University of Florida. The LaGrange team brought in six bass weighing 24 pounds, 4 ounces.
notebook
COLUMNS, Summer 2010 3
around campus
New advancement VP on board
This spring, the College welcomed William “Will” Jones as Vice President for Advancement.
Jones most recently was vice presi- dent for institutional advancement at Vir- ginia Intermont College in Bristol, Va., following three years as a vice president for institutional advancement at Goshen College in Goshen, Ind.
“Will brings a great deal of enthu- siasm and experience to this position,”
said Dr. Dan McAlexander, president of the College. “He has a proven record of elevating the visibility and expanding the mission of an institution through his innovative fundraising and advancement skills.
“We are pleased to have him join us to complete our leadership team.”
At Goshen College, Jones oversaw development, marketing and commu- nications, alumni, the music center and church and parent relations. His team increased the annual fund by 25 per- cent over three years; set record alumni, faculty and staff, student and board of directors’ participation in giving; and solicited many major gifts while raising nearly $27 million.
Prior to his Goshen post, he headed up the Berea Fund at Berea (Ky.) Col- lege. During his tenure, the development
team exceeded the overall dollar goal for the fund, set records for alumni giving, increased alumni participation and set records for young alumni participation.
While serving as the managing di- rector and national coordinator of Call to Renewal—a national faith-based move- ment to overcome poverty and racism
—Jones coordinated 24,000 individual members, 2,000 local partner organiza- tions and more than a dozen national partners. In that role, he led efforts that reorganized and refocused CTR’s work.
In 1996, Jones was selected as a Southern Community Partner by the Lyndhurst Foundation and honored as one of seven individuals from nine Southern states to receive this fellow- ship. In 2000 he was named as one of
“40 Leaders for the New Century” by the Louisville Courier-Journal and Lexington Herald-Leader. Berea College, his alma mater, named him as the Outstanding Young Alum in 2003.
He has a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Berea College and will complete a master’s degree in philan- thropy and development this year from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.
Jones is married to Amy Jones and they have six children.
Watching his Cornerstone stu- dents work in local organic farmer Sim Blitch’s garden last fall gave Professor Alvin Lingenfelter an idea: Why not take that experience and open it up to the entire campus?
“The hands-on learning was some of the most enjoyable and educational of the entire semester,” he said. “Our hope was to offer a similar opportunity on campus for those beyond the course—students, faculty and staff.”
Working with Dr. Melinda Pomeroy- Black and the Sustainability Council, Lingenfelter brought together members of the College community, as well as Blitch.
“Sim was invaluable to us,” Pomeroy- Black said. “He donated the plants, soil and mulch, and helped us decide what we would plant and how to care for it.”
Four raised beds were constructed behind Manget Hall. As the weather warmed, they have filled in with toma- toes, bell peppers, cayenne peppers, jala- peno peppers, eggplant, potatoes, carrots, beets, Swiss chard, lettuce and spinach.
Kelsey Tinker, a rising senior, has been involved with the project from the beginning.
“We have high hopes for what the garden will become for the entire cam- pus,” she said. “A garden is simply fitting for LaGrange College. Now we are grow- ing greens in the green space in front of the green library. It just makes sense.”
Lingenfelter said the garden is a per- fect example of what it takes to lead more sustainable lives.
“The community must work together and share in the responsibility of con- stant care giving,” he said. “This encom- passes our relationships, our economy and our environment.”
Working, learning in the garden
Will Jones
It seemed to be everywhere. Visitors to campus for the April inauguration of President Dan McAlexander couldn’t help but notice a new College symbol adorning everything from programs and podiums to napkins and ice sculptures.
The new shield-like trademark features a stylized rendering of the Col- lege’s new pedestrian bridge with “1831,”
the year of the institution’s founding, beneath. It is often joined with the insti- tution’s trademark type treatment, which was developed in 2002.
“The College wordmark that features the arc in the ‘a’ has been tremendously successful,” said Dean Hartman, Se- nior Director of Communications and Marketing, “but we felt the need for a companion symbol in our efforts to brand the institution.
Situations often call for a visual element without words.”
To develop the mark, Communica- tions and Marketing staffers worked with the Joe Bosack Graphic
Design Company out of Philadelphia, which also developed the institution’s new Panther trademark unveiled in 2005.
Work on the symbol actually began in 2008 with a comprehensive look at campus icons and architecture. Then, a pool of possible direc- tions was continually refined through input from College constituents.
“In the end, everyone gravitated toward a symbol that featured the new Gulley Gateway,” Hartman said. “The
bridge and its clock tower are unique to our campus and help carry the ideas of progress and destination.
“The curve of the bridge’s arch was in- tentionally designed to match that of the arc of
the ‘a’ in our wordmark.”
The new look made a few appear- ances earlier in the academic year, but was intentionally restricted until the inauguration, a fitting time to unveil a new visual direction.
According to Hartman, most every- one’s feedback to date has been positive.
“We’re pleased to have another tool in our toolbox as we work to brand the College—to help it be remembered by prospective students and their families, and to make our alumni proud of their alma mater.”
aroundcampus
COLUMNS, Summer 2010 5
Dr. Linda Buchanan, Vice President and Dean for Student Life and Reten- tion, was named vice president for student affairs at Iowa Wesleyan College in April.
She begins the new job in July.
“Dr. Buchanan has been a trans- forming leader for LaGrange College,”
President Dan McAlexander said. “She is beloved by the whole college com- munity and by many in the city of LaGrange. We will all miss her very much, but we congratulate her and wish her all the best as she pursues this new professional opportunity.”
Known on the Hill as “Dean B,”
Buchanan is credited with enhancing the student life experience during her tenure. She supervised the creation of new apartment-style residence halls and student activities space, and she was the driving force behind the creation of foot- ball and women’s lacrosse teams, and the re-launch of women’s basketball.
Looking forward, Dr. McAlexander announced a restructuring that aims to put even more emphasis on student life.
Dr. David Garrison, Vice President for Academic Affairs, will assume the title Provost and Chief Academic Officer, with both Academic Affairs and Student Affairs reporting to him. The “living and learning experience” will be coordinated at the level of the Academic Council and Dean of Student Affairs, under Dr. Gar- rison’s leadership.
As Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Jack Slay will take over all areas of student life, except for Athletics. Dr. Slay will report to the provost, while Athletics will report to the president.
“As both a former faculty member and a student af-
fairs professional, Dr. Slay brings exceptional skills and experience to this expanded role,” Dr. McAl- exander said. “He has provided out- standing leader- ship for six years as Dean of Students, and we are excited
to have him assume full responsibility for the Office of Student Affairs.”
New trademark makes official debut
Buchanan takes Iowa post; realignment announced
Dr. Linda Buchanan
Dr. Jack Slay A wall in Banks
Hall displays the new College sym- bol paired with the institution’s wordmark.
6 COLUMNS, Summer 2010 by Dean Hartman
T
he contrast between the two scenes was striking.Thursday evening, April 15: Guests in dressy attire at an elegant reception move through a receiving line in order to greet new College President Dan McAlexander.
Saturday morning, April 17: Stu- dents, faculty, staff and Dr. McAlexander (clad in jeans and a Panther polo shirt) serve the community by searching a deserted inlet of West Point Lake for discarded trash.
The two images capsulize the story of an inauguration week welcoming LaGrange’s 25th president—seven days celebrating a 179-year-old institution and its aim to transform students’ lives.
Diverse lineup
Fourteen events filled the official in- auguration week calendar, running from Monday, April 12, to Sunday, April 18.
And while the individual activities were especially diverse, one thing remained constant throughout the week: bright sunshine and clear blue skies.
The ideal weather was a plus for the Panther softball and baseball games on the schedule. Softball started the week and baseball helped close it, with both teams winning all their contests.
In between, the spotlight shifted from
the physical to the mental, starting with the arrival of two in- ternationally known Bible scholars who visited campus for a Monday lecture and a Tuesday discussion with students.
Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan appeared at Price Theater as part of the College’s Waights G. Henry Jr. Lecture Series and spoke on the topic
“To Walk in the Presence of God.”
The events filled the theater to over- flowing and sparked ongoing conversa- tions on campus and in the community.
Appropriately, given Dr. McAlex- ander’s background,
music played a key role in the week’s activities.
The LaGrange Sympho- ny Orchestra saluted past presidents and the newest one during its concert Tuesday evening. Music was fea- tured during the prayer
service hosted at First United Methodist Church on Wednesday evening.
And closing the week were the LaGrange College Singers, who per- formed their spring concert on Sunday, featuring Mack Wilberg’s “Requiem.”
During the April 16 installation ceremony, Dr. McAlexander receives the presidential medallion from his two most recent predecessors, Dr. Walter Murphy, left, and Dr. Stuart Gulley.
At right, during the Thursday evening gala, Pellie Jones Manning ’44 and her husband, Dr. James “Jim” Manning, survey an ice sculpture. Below right, Dr. McAlexander greets his mother, Billie McAlexander, as she moves through the receiving line. Below, after taking the oath of office, the new president addresses the crowd as his wife, Celeste Myall, holds the historic Smith Bible.
8 COLUMNS, Summer 2010
Fanfare for the President
Of course, it was the installation ceremony on Friday where the spotlight shined brightest during the week.
Filling all available campus parking, representatives from other institutions and LaGrange College alumni, faculty and leadership groups gathered to form a processional from the Chapel to the Lewis Library plaza.
Accompanied by a fanfare written by Lee Johnson, Fuller E. Callaway Profes- sor of Music, each body was announced as it filed into the ceremony.
Receiving particular attention from the crowd were alumni representatives from class years beginning with 1938.
“LaGrange College has been an important part of my life more than 50 years now,” said Dr. Sally Curtis AsKew
’62, H’06, as she joined the proces- sional. “To represent my Class of ’62 is very special.”
Finally, when all were in place—and
the plaza filled to capacity—the guest of honor was announced, and LaGrange College’s 25th president strode to the platform to enthusiastic applause.
‘It’s about the students’
Formal greetings were extended from the campus community, and then rep- resentatives from the city of LaGrange, the United Methodist Church and the Associated New American Colleges and Universities addressed the crowd and the new president.
After the oath of office was adminis- tered, Dr. McAlexander approached the podium to share his thoughts on the day and the future of the institution.
“I am deeply honored and humbled by your presence here, by this grand cer- emony, by the magnitude of the trust you
have placed in me as the leader of this, your beloved college, and by the love and support you have shown to Celeste and me in our first months here,” he said.
“For all of this, and for so much more, we are deeply grateful and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
He told the audience of his recent visit with Sarah Bond, a member of the LaGrange College Class of 1934. Upon hearing vivid memories of her days on the Hill, the new president asked her who the leader was during her years as a student … and she couldn’t recall.
“It was an abrupt reminder of what I have always known, but, succumbing to the lavish attention afforded the holder of this office, had forgotten,” he said.
“You know, this really isn’t about you. It’s
Inauguration week was filled with a range of activities including softball and baseball games. Saturday featured a service project at West Point Lake. At right, Professor of Political Science Dr. John Tures and his daughter, Valerie, help clean the shoreline.
Internationally known Bible scholars Marcus J.
Borg and John Dominic Crossan, below, started the week with two appearances at Price Theater. At right, ending the celebration was a concert by the LaGrange College Singers.
COLUMNS, Summer 2010 9
Vision for the future
In his inaugural address, new President Dan McAlexander reminded the audience that the college experience centers on “students and the faculty and their relationships with each other.”
Fostering those relationships and en- riching the LaGrange experience, he said, will be the focus of the institution’s new strategic plan, which is currently under development.
“For the past two months, a group of 30 members of the staff, faculty, Student Government Association, and admin- istrative leaders have been engaged in a series of meetings to consider how we can do just that: ‘How can we enrich this place and the educational experience it provides?’”
He outlined for the audience four broad goals, which form the basis of a plan that has become known as Vision 2020: From Promise to Prominence:
Differentiation: Clarify and strength-
• en the distinctive differentiating qualities of the LaGrange College educational experience.
Program Portfolio: Develop and/or
• strengthen undergraduate, adult and graduate educational programs with strong student demand and delivery models appropriate to the target population.
Market Position: Hone the insti-
• tutional message and position the College for deeper penetration into existing primary markets and es- tablish visibility and reach into new secondary markets.
Resource Development and Manage-
• ment: Boldly develop and manage resources to support the College’s
mission, ensure fiscal stability and provide dynamic support of con- tinuing efforts to improve and enhance achievement on the first three goals.
The College community is now at work on refining the plan, with the goal of having a final approved document this October.
about the students and the faculty and their relationships with each other.
“It’s about the students and the faculty and their relationships with each other.
“What a liberating moment. This speech, fortunately, will not be how I or this presidency will come to be de- fined or remembered. Rather we, all of us who work at this special place, will all be defined and remembered by how we are able to work together to enrich this place and the educational experi- ence it provides.”
Taking bold steps
To that end, Dr. McAlexander described in broad brushstrokes the new strategic plan currently under develop- ment. (See the sidebar at right.) The day before, the Board of Trustees worked at refining the document, which had been under development for two months.
He described the plan as one taking bold steps from a position of strength,
“focusing with persistent discipline and incisive clarity on that at which we are already good, honing these things into the distinctive hallmarks of an increas- ingly well recognized, highly valued, prominent, academic enterprise ….
“Founded in 1831 and proud of its relationship to the
United Methodist Church and its Wesleyan and liberal arts traditions, the College supports students in their pursuit of
truth,” he said. “Valuing civility, diver- sity, service and excellence, the College prepares students to become successful, responsible citizens who aspire to lives of integrity and moral courage.
“Rededicating ourselves to build boldly on its mission, which is its prom- ise; using all that has been given it to prepare it for its time; we will lead this college to a place of prominence.”
After the ceremony’s close, the crowd flowed down to the Residential Quadrangle for a campuswide picnic.
Students and faculty sat on the grass or at tables, enjoying barbecue and ice cream. They danced to the musical entertainment. And the brave attempted scaling the portable “rock” climbing tower erected for the occasion, while those below cheered them on.
The setting seemed to underscore the new president’s point: It’s about the students, the faculty and their
relationships with each other. n
Above, the picnic following the installation ceremo- ny featured student entertainers, from left, Jocelyn Martin and Shari Garrett, accompanied by Joseph Hamilton. At right, students attempt to scale the rock climbing wall erected for the occasion.
10 COLUMNS, Summer 2010
T
he first year of college is one of transitions—from life at home to life in a dorm, parental supervision to no supervision, old friends to new friends.For some students, those changes can be a little more profound. But for all of them, that first year is the first step in a journey that can lead to lives transformed.
Three young people started their college careers at LaGrange College last August. They came from different backgrounds, with different interests and stories. But here on the Hill they shared a common experience—they found new confidence and talents they didn’t know they had.
A family tradition Carmillia Har- ris is the youngest of eight children of James M’95 and Carolyn Harris ’90, M’95 of Man- chester, Ga. All of her immediate fam- ily are graduates of LaGrange College.
She says it can be a little intimidating following in their footsteps.
“Everybody knows my family, so there is a kind of pressure,” she says. “But
it is also kind of comforting.”
Carmillia was preceded on the Hill by her parents and Naomi ’97, Antipas
’98, Andronicus “Duke” ’99, Miriam ’00,
COLUMNS, Summer 2010 11
Alexander “LX” ’02, Alonzo ’04 and David ’09.
She says she quickly learned that LaGrange College is much different today
than when her older siblings attended.
“I think the fact that they didn’t stay on campus had something to do with that,” she says. “I live in Hawkes Hall, and that’s helped me become involved more in student activities.”
The transition to college life wasn’t without its challenges.
“I graduated from Christian Way Academy, a school that was founded by my father in the 1980s,” she says. “Most of my high school work was independent study, so I had to get used to the class-
room environment. It didn’t take me too long to adjust, though.”
One thing that she says helped her
that first semester was her First Week experience.
“My academic symposiums were two very enjoyable and enlightening points of First Week,” she says. “And all the social opportunities helped me make new friends.”
An aspiring professional musician, Carmillia has been taking voice lessons from Dr. Toni Anderson for almost five years, beginning as a private student.
She’s performed several times around campus this year, appearing a couple of times at Acoustic Café and at Thursday Night Soul, a showcase of African-American music that she helped start. She serenaded guests at President McAlexander’s inauguration picnic and says she is looking forward to other singing op- portunities.
But she almost didn’t come to LaGrange College.
“I had been looking at an- other school but it just didn’t feel right,” she says. “My family has a legacy here, and I need to honor that. This is where I need to be, and I sincerely feel I am here for a reason.”
Carmillia says although she looks the same as she did in August, this past year
Carmillia Harris performs during the campuswide picnic held on the Residential Quadrangle following the inauguration of President Dan McAlexander.
by Debby Durrence
12 COLUMNS, Summer 2010
has changed her.
“Even though (it appears) I’m the same 17-year-old girl who came in Au- gust, I have matured as a student, woman and leader,” she says. “I no longer have braces, and I’m looking forward to facing the challenges of the next three years of my college career because I think that my first year has prepared me well.”
‘It just felt like home’
Paige Castle of Decatur has strong family ties to Emory University in Atlan- ta. Her father is vice president for utility management, and her grandfather, Dr.
James Laney, is a former ambassador to South Korea and was president of Emory for 16 years.
In fact, Paige’s introduction to LaGrange came courtesy of her grand- father.
“He had been asked to speak at a cultural enrichment program here and invited me to come along,” she says.
“I had heard so many positive things about LaGrange College that
I decided to check it out.”
She liked what she saw, so she planned a campus visit. And that’s when she knew LaGrange was the place for her.
“Everyone went out of their way to learn my name and answer my questions,” she says. “LaGrange was so much more wel- coming than anywhere else I went. It just felt like home.”
The kicker was learning that the Col- lege was starting a lacrosse team.
“I played lacrosse in high school and loved it,” she says. “I was so excited to hear about the new women’s team.”
Her introduction to the academic world on the Hill went
well, although she says she had to adjust to a different way of teach- ing.“I wasn’t used to the lecture style,” she says. “I had to learn how to listen better.
But my professors were great.”
She also found her life’s calling.
“I took a psycholo- gy class my fall semester and it took my heart
right there,” she says.
But she credits her new “sisters” for helping make her first year at LaGrange so successful and so memorable.
“I am a member of Kappa Delta, where I am on the executive council,” she says. “I’ve had to step up a lot as a leader, getting Greek Week together, helping with recruitment, things like that. I’ve learned how to speak out a little bit more and be more confident.”
Through it all, it’s been the love and support of her sorority sisters that have helped her first year be a joyous one.
“They definitely opened my eyes up to a lot of things,” she says. “I’ve learned how to better manage my time and de- velop as a person. The best thing that has happened to me has been Kappa Delta.”
From tragedy to triumph
Hill Daniel’s first day on the Hill was much different than he had imagined it would be.
He had hoped to play soccer at the college where his sister was attending and where his parents met and married. But on Nov. 12, 2008, his life changed forever.
Dr. Toni Anderson, Chair of the Music Department, leads Carmillia through a pri- vate voice lesson. Carmillia has been studying with Anderson for almost five years.
At right, Paige Castle falls in the mud during a riotous Greek Week game. Paige, far right, plays in one the the College’s new lacrosse team’s first games. She says lacrosse is one of the things that attracted her to LaGrange.
COLUMNS, Summer 2010 13
He and his younger brother Matthew were involved in a single-car accident near their home in Forsyth. Matthew es- caped with cuts and bruises, but Hill sus- tained severe damage to his spinal cord.
He is paralyzed from the waist down.
However, with characteristic good humor, strength of character and pow- erful will, Hill started his career at LaGrange on schedule, with just a few minor adjustments.
He’s not playing soccer, but he is working as a sports trainer, helping out in the training room and on the sidelines for the school’s athletic teams.
The campus is called The Hill for a reason, and that offered a different set of challenges. New ramps were put in, but it still made for some strenuous wheel- chair driving.
That’s when a golf cart manufacturer in Macon stepped in, building a cart that has hand controls and a mounting rack for Hill’s wheelchair. It even features headlights, taillights, blinkers, a horn and a stereo with a CD player.
“Everybody loves my golf cart,” Hill says, with a broad grin. “And it came in handy during Greek Week.”
He says he only uses the cart to get back and forth to the athletic facilities on south campus.
“I still use my wheelchair on the main campus. It helps me stay in shape.”
Hill pledged Alpha Delta Gamma in the fall. Since then, he’s become the chapter’s pledge educator.
“I’m in charge of making sure all
the new guys know the history of Alpha Delta Gamma, and I help organize Greek Week,” he says. “I serve on the executive council, too.”
Good time management is some- thing Hill is still trying to learn.
“I’m a lot better at it now than I was at the first of the year,” he says. “I’m a little more independent now, but I still have to be careful with my time.”
He says one of his biggest adjust- ments was in his living arrangements.
“I have a dorm room by myself on the ground floor of Henry Hall,” he says. “At first, it was a little lonely, but now my fraternity brothers come over all the time. And I’m hoping I can move into one of the apartments next year
with some friends.”
Hill says he’s not sure what his major will be, but he is drawn to psychology.
“I really enjoyed my psychology class in the fall,” he says. “I have decided to ma- jor in psychology and minor in sociology.”
In hindsight
Carmillia, Paige and Hill agree that the first year of college can be scary and intimidating, as well as freeing and exhilarating.
But they have some advice for future first-year students.
“Get involved with something on campus,” Carmillia says. “It doesn’t matter what, just get involved. It’s the best way to make friends and to make a difference.”
Paige agrees, and recommends Greek life.
“I absolutely love my sisters,” she says. “We look out for each other, and are always doing something on campus. It’s been the best thing I ever did.”
And Hill’s suggestion is simple.
“Talk to people,” he says. “Get out there and talk to your fellow students.
That’s been my favorite part of this first year. I’ve made a lot of new friends, and I’ve gotten a lot more confident.
“Don’t be afraid to get outside of your shell. That’s what college is all about.” n
Hill Daniel, far right, plays video games with friends Brett Buehler and Grey Clevenger in his dorm room.
Rob Dicks, left, Head Athletic Trainer, shows Hill how to tape the ankle of Katie Hein, a softball player.
Under a bright blue sky on a late spring morning, a crowd gathered on the College’s Residential Quad for the 179th Commencement ceremony. Fami- lies, friends and supporters staked out the best possible positions from which to cheer on their own graduates. Anticipa- tion filled the air.
Promptly at 8:30 a.m. on May 15, the sounds of the John Mohr Mackintosh Pipes and Drums rang out across the grassy lawn, announcing the entrance of the 286 members of the Class of 2010. As each graduate marched across the lawn, a college career was ending and a world of opportunity was beginning.
Most of the class was made up of Georgians, but it also included students from Mexico, the Republic of Georgia, the United Kingdom and Venezuela. From the Albany campus, Sara Khalil Wari, 20, was the youngest graduate. At almost 62 years old, Mary F. Bailey-Mitchell was the eldest member of the class.
LaGrange College President Dan McAlexander welcomed the crowd by noting that 150 years ago, after relocat- ing to the Hill, the College community gathered to celebrate Commencement.
“At the heart of the occasion and the soul of the college were the students,” he said. “And that continues to this day.”
Speaker calls for civility
As Dr. McAlexander introduced Commencement speaker James Leach, chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, he praised Leach’s qualities.
Below, Dr. Celia Hay, Chair of the Nursing Department and Associate Professor, watches as Michelle Phil- lips (RN) pins her mother, nursing graduate Melody Mindler, during the annual pinning ceremony held at First United Methodist Church two days before commencement.
Honor graduates Wesley Meares and Sarah New- land both will continue their education at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Ky.
by Debby Durrence
“James Leach has intellectual distinc- tion, independence of judgment and personal integrity, all things we hope to instill in our own graduates,” Dr. McAl- exander said. “We are honored to have him on our campus.”
Leach returned the compliment.
“It is an honor to address gradu- ates of a college that transforms lives through a faith-based, liberal arts educa- tion,” he said.
He went on to note a disturbing trend in our country—a crisis of civility.
“America owes its greatness to honor, dignity and love, or at least respect, for our neighbors near and far,” he said. “In recent years, American society and poli- tics have become increasingly polarized…
and many Americans are becoming angst-ridden, disrespectful of their leaders and each other.”
He urged the graduates to slow down and set aside time to reflect.
“Be known for the decency by which you approach your family and careers, the ‘who’ of what you are, not the ‘what’ of the job or position you hold,” he said. “And remember, you are part of a community of love in which this college is an academic and spiritual anchor. Go forth in faith, with the trust of this community, and confidence that you can make a difference.”
Honorees share thoughts
Dr. Linda Buchanan, Vice President and Dean for Student Life and Reten- tion, introduced the Waights G. Henry Jr.
Award winner, Morgan De Ann Shields.
“There is no more deserving recipi- ent,” Buchanan said, as she turned the podium over to the honoree.
“I was told to keep this around three minutes, but for the first time in four years, I can disregard instructions with- out it impacting my GPA, so enjoy,” she said, to laughter from the crowd.
She used Charles Dickens’ first sen- tence in his novel “A Tale of Two Cities”
to describe her LaGrange experience:
“It was the best of times, getting to know our professors. But it was the worst of times when those same professors would advise us to take classes where the finals were scheduled at the same time. It was the age of wisdom, when we thought we were getting good grades, and it was
the age of foolishness when we learned we weren’t as smart as
we thought we were. ‘We had everything before us, we had nothing before us; we were
Below, left, President Dan McAlexander, right, greets James Leach, chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, who served as keynote speaker. At right, graduates celebrate before the ceremony.
Seniors were joined by faculty, staff, friends and family at the baccalaureate service held the night before commencement at First United Methodist Church.
Heather Peake receives her sociology degree.
16 COLUMNS, Summer 2010
Real-estate developer Scott Hawkins and retired newspaperwoman Andrea Lovejoy were awarded honorary doctorates during the Commencement ceremony.
Hawkins is a 1974 graduate of the College and went on to earn his law degree at the University of Georgia and his master’s in business admin- istration from Harvard Business School. He is CEO and found- er of Resource Real Estate Partners, LLC, which purchases, develops and manages real estate in the eastern half of the U.S.
Hawkins serves on the College’s Board of Trustees and was chair of the
$67.5 million Defining Moment cam- paign. He and his wife, Susan, donated
$1.5 million toward the campaign, the largest contribution LaGrange has ever received from a living alumnus.
He is the recipient of one of the Col- lege’s highest honors, the Distinguished Service Alumni Award.
Lovejoy recently retired as editor of the LaGrange
Daily News, ending a newspaper career that spanned three decades.
joined the She
Daily News as a part-time feature writer in June 1978, was named city editor in 1985 and editor in April 1995. She helped lead the newspaper to dozens of awards, including four straight General Excellence awards, the highest recognition conveyed by the Georgia Press Association.
Lovejoy was active as a member for many years and a term as president of the AP News Council, advisory body of Georgia’s AP newspapers.
She also served LaGrange College as a member of its Leadership Council from 2001-2007.
all going directly to Heaven, we were all going the other way.’ Well, that pretty much says it all. Congratulations, Class of 2010. We made it.”
Honorary doctorates were presented to three individuals. Commencement speaker Leach was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree. Scott D.
Hawkins ’74, longtime supporter of the College, received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree, and Andrea Lovejoy, retired journalist, was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree.
Bill Hodges ’72, chairman of the College’s Board of Trustees, received the Distinguished Service Alumni Award.
(See story on page 21.)
During the presentation of the degrees, students could be seen handing something to Dr. McAlexander, who then would place the items on a table.
In his final comments, the president remarked with a chuckle that several students had “lost their marbles.”
He then congratulated the class and wished them well.
“Each of you has a story, and we are pleased to have shared them with you.” n
Above, Morgan De Ann Shields, this year’s recipient of the Waights G. Henry Jr. Award, addresses the crowd. Below, Kimiko Dixon, left, and Shaundra Patterson embrace after receiving their degrees.
Hawkins, Lovejoy honored
At right, summa cum laude graduate Rachel Wat- son smiles as she carries her class banner in the recessional. Rachel earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics.
LaGrange College has accepted 45 new students to its nursing program for this fall. Together with those returning for their senior year, the classes should create the College’s largest nursing enroll- ment since the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program was launched in 1995.
And, there is no better time to be a nursing student at the College. New classroom technology will enhance the way LaGrange nursing students learn and nursing faculty teach when the nursing program receives its first human patient simulator in August.
The METIman simulator is anatomi- cally precise and reproduces physiologic responses to treatment. It is controlled by a single wireless computer that enables it to respond verbally and physically to procedures performed by students.
The simulator is equipped with on-board fluid, electrical and pneumatic systems for bleeding, pulses and other clinical signs. It can
also be programmed to simulate a patient with a mental illness.
Research has shown that practicing on a simulator without the fear of harming a live patient builds student confidence for learning critical care, recogniz-
ing symptoms and responding to acute changes in a patient’s condition.
“It’s great to have the experience of working on a simulator, knowing that I don’t have to worry about hurting him,”
said LaGrange nursing student, Heather
Dalfiume.
The technology is designed to enrich learning and foster best prac-
tices, enabling students to develop the skills necessary for all types of care—from routine patient assessment to advanced life support.
“For me, one of the hardest things about nursing is learning to detect the unique sounds of a patient’s lungs and heart. You can find definitions in text books, but until you actually hear the sounds, you don’t really know what you’re listening for,” she said. “The simu- lator exposes us to a variety of lung and heart sounds.”
And there are many other benefits as well, according to Dr. Celia Hay, Associ- ate Professor and Chair of LaGrange’s Nursing Department.
“That kind of experience improves critical-thinking skills and increases a student’s level of on-the-spot decision making,” she added.
“Simulator training also reduces the time spent learning clinical skills by al- lowing repetitive practice.”
Until now, LaGrange’s nursing program was the only one in Georgia without a human patient simulator. The College is able to purchase its first one thanks to charitable donations from many alumni and friends and generous grants from the Mary Allen Lindsey Branan Foundation, Heart of West Geor- gia Inc., West Georgia Health and the Davison Bruce Foundation.
LaGrange nursing graduates are help- ing to fill the enormous need for health care professionals in Georgia. Data indicates that there is one nurse for every 753 residents, which puts the state in the bottom one-fourth of the country.
In the future, the College hopes to purchase additional simulators, represent- ing other nursing specialty areas such as maternal-newborn and pediatrics.
alumni & friends
COLUMNS, Summer 2010 17
LaGrange nursing faculty members perform a patient assessment on a simulator like the one the College has purchased. From left are Dr. Maranah Sauter, Professor of Nursing; Dr. Celia Hay, Chair and As- sociate Professor of Nursing; Read S. Blumberg ’97, Medical Education Technologies Inc.;
and Linda Mason Barber, Assistant Professor of Nursing.
Simulator technology to boost nursing instruction
“It’s great to have the experience of working on a simulator, knowing that I don’t have to worry
about hurting him.”
– Heather Dalfiume nursing student
