CoffeeBreak is an e-newsletter distributed to Averett faculty and staff to keep them up to date on campus activities and information.
Please send information you would like included in CoffeeBreak via this form by 4:30 p.m. March 20 for a March 25 publication.
A Warm Averett Welcome is Extended to:
Angie McAdams, who has joined Averett as the new Director of Career Development. In this role, Angie will provide students and alumni with leadership and direction for comprehensive career planning through career exploration and self-assessment, counseling and networking opportunities.
Angie comes to Averett from Danville Community College where she served as the Director of Career Pathways and Placement as well as the Service-Learning Coordinator. She was also an adjunct faculty member in the Sociology Department. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Radford University and a Master’s degree in Sociology from Longwood University. Welcome, Angie!
Honoring Jamie Williford
On March 26 at 12:15 p.m. we will honor Jamie Williford, our Chaplain, in the dining hall. If you would like to have one to two minutes to share a story, a skit or a departing thought, please email Lesley Villarose.
Saying Goodbye
After more than 23 years of service, it is bittersweet to announce the retirement of Carter Neal, Faculty Services Manager for GPS. Please join us at the Riverview Campus boardroom on Tuesday, March 24, from 1-2 p.m. to wish her well and thank her for a job well done.
Carter, we know you will now be able to spend as much time as you want on the tennis courts. Good luck in your new adventure – you will be greatly missed! Godspeed, dear friend!
Student Accolades
Last fall, the Student Life Department began recognizing students who go the extra mile in whatever they are doing on campus. Each week during Student Life staff meetings, members of the department nominate students whose dedication to AU they want to recognize. Students are notified about the recognition and informed of their chance to win a $50 Visa Gift Card at the end of the semester.
The following students were nominated at the March 5 meeting: Allie Crouse, Emma Olsson, Kieren Jenkins, Lisette Mendez, Riley Smith, Taylor Booze, Annalies Jobsis, Blake Fowles, Jewel Dale, Barry Purnell, Jessie Gomes and Carter Jones.
Averett Partners with Marine Corps
Averett has entered into a formal relationship with the United States Marine Corps. We will be celebrating this new partnership on Friday (March 20) at the Falk Flight Center. Please join us for this special announcement. The program begins at 3:45 p.m. with the landing of a USMC training jet. This new partnership broadens the opportunity for our students to apply to the USMC Officer’s Training Program.
Along with their involvement in Aviation Day, USMC representatives will provide several leadership training programs and special lectures to our students throughout the year. Please contact Mary Vanderlinden for additional information about the partnership.
Announcing VP Search Committee
The following members of the Averett community have agreed to serve on the search committee for our new Vice President for Business and Finance: Brian Turner, Chair; Stacy Gato; Charles Harris; Vince Kania, Faculty Emeritus; Mike Keck, Trustee; Barbara Kushubar, Alice Obenchain-Leeson, Meg Stevens and Travis Williams. The search is underway and the committee will hold its first meeting in mid-March.
Alumni Award Nominations
The Alumni Association wants to recognize alumni who have done great things, and it is seeking nominations. There are two kinds of awards you can nominate an alumnus for: Service Awards for doing great things for the University and Distinguished Awards for doing things the University should be proud of. Please think about alumni you know and nominate them for awards by clicking here. All nominations must be submitted by Friday, April 10. If you have questions, call Director of Alumni and Friend Development Dan Hayes at 434-791-7252 or [email protected].
Applications Available for Graduate Study
Faculty and staff, please let students know that applications for the Elizabeth and James Bustard Distinguished Award for Graduate Study are now available. Those who are interested in applying for this scholarship may do so by picking up an application from Mary Sullivan in Dr. Fulop’s office. The deadline for applications to be turned in is Wednesday, April 1 at 4:30 p.m.
Upcoming Engagement Symposium
Save the date for The Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness’ first Engagement Symposium. The symposium will be held in the lobby of the Violet T. Frith Fine Arts Center on Tuesday, April 28 from 5-7 p.m. We will be recognizing the great work of students, faculty and staff who have been engaged in community service and service-learning at Averett University, Danville Community College and Piedmont Community College.
More information will be coming soon, but if you have questions, please contact Rachel Covington. Please click here for the save the date invitation.
University Staff Meeting
The next University-wide Staff Meeting will be held tomorrow (March 19) in the multipurpose room at 11:15 a.m. We are still accepting food donations for our HOPE Project to be able to help those in need. You may bring your donations to the meeting for collection.
Hardwired for Sound
Dr. Anne Lewis will present “Communication Through Music—Hardwired for Sound” on Tuesday, March 24 at 7 p.m. in the multipurpose room of the Student Center. International scholars have described music as a true universal language. No matter what the cultural barriers, any music can be interpreted and validated globally. This talk will explore how music is used to communicate emotional states, social and economic behaviors, and brain re-connections to lost memory functions. It is free and open to the public.
Student Art Show
Our annual Student Art Show will be on display in the multipurpose room of the Student Center beginning Friday, March 20 and will remain there until April 20. Stop by and check out the work our student artists have created.
Sign up for Week to Engage
We are ready for students, faculty and staff to start signing up for Week to Engage projects. We had more than 300 volunteers last semester, and we need your help to make an even larger impact this spring! The full list of projects can be found here. Sign up with Rachel Covington or by calling her at ext. 17215.
Many of the projects can occur at any time throughout the week for groups of volunteers, so please email Rachel with the day and time you are free if you are signing up your department, class, team or club. Follow us to stay up to date: @engageaverett, #weektoengage, #365daysofservice.
Honors and Scholars Banquet
If you have been invited to attend the Honors and Scholars Banquet, please RSVP to the invitation if you have not already done so. Also, information regarding awards and nominees is due as well. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Sullivan at ext. 15631.
Event Rescheduled
Due to previous inclement weather, Dr. Andrew Canady’s talk, “A Long Civil Rights Movement,” has had to be postponed several times. A new date and time has been set – Thursday, March 26 at 7 p.m. in Blount Library. #thirdtimeisthecharm
Institute to Focus on Service-Learning
The Center for Community Engagement & Career Competitiveness (CCECC) invites faculty to discover service-learning this summer during Old Dominion University’s Annual Summer Faculty Institute May 19-20. Space is limited, so if you are interested in attending, contact Brigid Belko, Director of Experiential Learning.
Student Leadership Conference
Our annual Student Leadership Conference is coming up on Saturday, March 28 from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. If you know of a student who would benefit from this conference, please encourage them to attend. The registration deadline is this Friday. Please contact Sierra Braxton-Sears for more information or click here.
Spoken Word Poetry Cafe
Josephus Thompson and The Poetry Project will be coming to Danville to host a Spoken Word Poetry Café on World Poetry Day this Saturday. The event is a kick-off for a regional Spoken Word Program that will be available to Averett students. Come down to The Venue (318 Main St.) from 5-6:30 p.m. to join us for a great performance and to get a sneak peek of what’s to come! For more information about the performers, visit http://thepoetryproject.com and check out this flyer.
Academic Commons Celebration
Please remember to join us for the celebration of the opening of the Academic Commons at Blount Library tomorrow (March 19) from 4-7 p.m. Enjoy light refreshments and live entertainment. Drop in to see the new design and learn how the Academic Commons can benefit you!
Faculty/Staff Award Nominations
It’s time to nominate your peers for the annual Faculty and Staff of the Year Awards. Nominations are due by 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 31 and may be emailed to [email protected]. In your nomination, you must include why you are nominating the faculty or staff member. For more information about the awards, please click here.
