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. Friday, Nov. 3, for a Wednesday, Nov. 8, publication.

GPS Student Spotlight

Meet Sarah Goode, a student pursuing her Bachelor of Business Administration degree and is expected to graduate in 2021. To see her on the GPS blog, click here.

QUESTION: What is your motivation for obtaining your degree?

ANSWER: “After being a full-time wife and mom for 16 years, I decided to do something just for me. That’s my motivation.”

Annual Open Enrollment

Annual Enrollment is underway and will end at midnight tonight, Nov. 1. Printed instructions on how to access the benefits portal are included in the packet sent to your office.

The Open Enrollment process is mandatory and must be completed by all eligible employees. Failure to enroll or waive coverage will result in the termination of your current participation in Health, Dental, Vision, Pre-tax Payment plans for you and your eligible dependents. You will not be able to enroll again until Open Enrollment for 2019, unless you experience a qualifying life event.

Arts@Averett Presents: POPS Concert and Low and Lower

AU Cougar Band POPS Concert will take place Friday, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m. in Pritchett Auditorium. The concert is free and open to the public.

On Nov. 9, at 7 p.m., Arts@Averett invites you to, “Low & Lower” in Blount Chapel. Cellist Brooks Whitehouse and Bassist Paul Sharpe are Low & Lower, America’s no. one-selling cello bass duo. This ensemble’s performances are a mashup of artistry, virtuosity and satire. With MacGyver-like determination they create, inspire and commission works using only the limited materials at hand – a cello, a bass, two voices, a sense of humor, a touch of theater and a willingness to do almost anything. The event is free for faculty, staff and students!

In God’s Image – Women’s Seminar

Every day our world hammers us with harmful narratives about our identity as women… sometimes subtly, sometimes brazenly. God offers us a different story, a more empowered story about who we are, and the hope that can be found in Christ for our life.

Join Averett Spiritual Life and Averett Catholic Campus Ministry on Friday, Nov. 3, at West Main Baptist Church, 450 West Main St., for an evening of worship, connection and hearing a better story about who we are in Christ. Beginning at 5 p.m., we’ll share a meal together, hear a powerful message from national speaker and author Emily Wilson, take time for breakout groups, and rejoin to worship through song. A reception will follow. Donations (suggested $10) will be received at check-in and reception.

The program will run as follows:
5 p.m. – Registration and Dinner
6 p.m. – Message – Emily Wilson
7 p.m. – Breakout Sessions
8 p.m. – Worship

Please register here, and contact Skyler Daniel with any questions at [email protected] or call (434) 791-7104.

Flu Shot Clinic

There will be a flu shot clinic on Tuesday, Nov. 7, and Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 7 a.m. until noon in the multipurpose room. Bring your insurance card and your photo ID. No sign-ups required, just show up. It is free if you are Averett insured. We cannot say for certain it will be free if you are under other insurance companies, just in case they don’t call it preventive, although most do. All are welcome.

Celebrating the Thanksgiving Holiday

Please join us in the dining hall for a festive lunch on Thursday, Nov. 9, beginning at 11 a.m. Bon Appétit Management Company will prepare a special meal to honor the traditions of the Thanksgiving Holiday. The menu will feature carved turkey with all the trimmings, a seasonal salad bar, traditional desserts and other holiday favorites. We look forward to seeing you there!

This event will have special pricing. All taxes included: adults, $8.50; children 6-12 years of age, $6.40; children five and under, no charge. There is a $3.10 surcharge for Faculty and Staff with meal plans.

Averett Women’s Leadership Circle: Fall Speaker Series

For our annual Fall Speaker’s Series, the real-life Averett Indiana Jones – Dr. Ralph Hawkins – will detail the lost secrets of an ancient society; the first Biblical settlers of Jerusalem – an undiscovered, completely untouched archaeological site and the earliest settlement in the Jordan Valley. Join us on Thursday, Nov. 9, at 4 p.m. in the multipurpose room.

International Education Week

International Education Week will take place November 13-17. Students, faculty and staff can submit their favorite international dish with the country it’s from to Tia Yancey at [email protected], and it will be served during the week. International Education Week celebrates the benefits of international education and exchange, advances cultural understanding and promotes transnationalal global experiences at home and abroad.

Events will be ongoing  in the Dining Hall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every day!
•Foods from around the world,
•Flags and fun facts about countries represented on the Averett campus
•International music and videos
Tuesday and Thursday international students will set up booths highlighting their country and culture – grab a “passport” and visit each one for a stamp!

Sam’s Club on Campus

Karen Shields, our Sam’s Club representative, will be on campus to renew memberships and register new ones on Wednesday, Nov. 15, and Thursday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the dining hall. Karen can renew several months in advance if necessary. Contact Kathie Tune at [email protected] or Karen at (434) 250-4303 for additional information.The Plus Membership (Advantage and Business) is $100. The Basic Membership (Advantage and Business) is $45.

Annual Boys and Girls Club Angel Tree Celebration

It’s that time of year again! The CCECC is partnering with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Danville Area to host an Angel Tree on campus for the fourth year in a row. Students, faculty and staff can stop by the CCECC any time in November to choose an Angel to sponsor. All presents must be dropped off at the CCECC before Thanksgiving Break.

The Angel Tree Celebration will be on Tuesday, Nov. 28, from 5:30-7 p.m. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR THE CELEBRATION! Volunteers must arrive by 5 p.m. in the multipurpose room. From there, each volunteer will be “buddied up” with a child for dinner in the back cafe. After everyone has eaten pizza and decorated cookies, the volunteers will walk with their “buddy” over to Carrington Gym to open presents! For questions, contact Tia Yancey at [email protected].

Save the Date

The TIAA representative is returning on Wednesday, Nov. 29. Additional information will be available soon on the TIAA website. Call or email Kathie Tune with questions at (434) 791-7106 or [email protected]. 

Thank you for Participating!

Thank you to everyone who attended the staff meeting and dressed up for Halloween! Pictured here are our winners, Institutional Advancement with the Wizard of Oz! (There really is no place like home, the Averett home!) Congratulations to our second place winners, as well: Averett Central and the Registrar’s Office as Hocus Pocus. The winner of the individual costume went to Jillian Gourley as Tetris. Remember to pick up your prize with Mark Sheets. The dinning hall was filled with worker bees, Dalmatians, hipster Disney princesses and more! Thank you for your Halloween Spirit, everyone looked great!

Cougar Nation Discount Program

Do you like to eat, play and shop in Danville? Averett’s new community-wide Cougar Nation Discount Program is helping you do just that! Not only does this program reward students, faculty, staff and alumni for supporting local businesses, but it also encourages the growth in our community!

The list of participating businesses is posted on the Averett University website under Student Life and Student Engagement. Please be sure to present your Averett ID card at the time of purchase. If you know of any businesses in the Danville area that would be interested in participating, please contact Katherine Bishop at (434) 791-5632 or [email protected]. Go Cougars!

French and Spanish Language Placements

Advisors: A reminder that students can take Averett’s online language placement at any point during the year in order to find the appropriate Spanish or French class. Students whose scores border two different course levels or whose score is higher than the 202 level should be referred to the appropriate language professor for accurate placement. If you do not have the exam instructions, please contact Dr. Catherine Clark at [email protected].

Mindset Minute: Averett’s QEP

Have you helped a student think with a growth mindset today? Need ideas for encouraging students? Each week we will provide a snapshot into the world of growth mindset research and practice through “Mindset Minute,” where you can check back for tips!

Growth Mindset Tip of the Week: Make a new goal for every goal accomplished. You’ll never be done learning. Just because your midterm exam is over doesn’t mean you should stop being interested in a subject. Growth-minded people know how to constantly create new goals to keep themselves stimulated.

Yankee Candle Fundraiser

Alpha Sigma Phi (Theta Beta- Averett University) is currently holding a Yankee Candle Fundraiser that will run through December 31.

It is the perfect time of the year to start thinking about Christmas presents for friends and family. Enter the group number 990105478 and start shopping!

Alpha Sigma Phi will receive 40 percent of each product you buy. This fundraiser goes towards helping the brothers go to their leadership conference in St. Louis, Mo., creating scholarships for potential members, and to donate to philanthropic partners. To support Alpha Signma Phi and buy a candle, click here.