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, Feb. 26 for a Wednesday, March 2 publication.

Student Accolades

The Student Life Department has been recognizing students who go the extra mile in whatever they are doing on campus since the fall of 2014. Each week during Student Life staff meetings, staff members nominate students whose dedication to the university they want to recognize. Students are notified about the nomination and their chance to win a $50 Visa gift card. At the end of the semester, all the names of those who were nominated are put into a bowl and the name of one lucky student is selected. This is the department’s way of letting students know their efforts and hard work is appreciated.

This week they are recognizing Brandon Veasey, Alex Argentieri and Jessie Gomes.

GPS Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Tiffany Lee, an adjunct professor for the GPS Program, recently published her first article in the Emergency Medicine International journal on “International Good Samaritan Laws.” Right after publishing the article, she was contacted by the Emergency Physicians Association in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) about consulting with them as they try to pass a Good Samaritan law in their country. Lee states “My work with the UAE is through their main emergency physicians’ organization. They’ve been doing some grassroots work to try to get a Good Samaritan type law passed, but they’re still in the very early stages of obtaining governmental support. I’ve been talking to them about potential legislative strategies, and have provided them with an annotated model law to use when they make their initial presentation to the various legislative bodies in the country. The UAE has a very interesting governmental structure; it’s more segmented, and more complicated, than the federal system in the US. Later on I’ll be working with them to review their English language PSAs, which will be designed either to encourage people to contact their legislators, or, after the law passes, to educate people about the law.” She is following a similar movement in India.

Lee holds a Juris Doctor from Washington & Lee University School of Law. She teaches in the criminal justice program for GPS. She is a disaster responder for Team Rubicon and an emergency planning volunteer with the Rescue Mission of Roanoke.

Neighborhood Walk

As a partner in the city’s efforts to imagine Danville as a crime-free community, we will host the Neighborhood Walk this Friday, Feb. 26. We will gather outside of Main Hall at 6 p.m. to walk to Ballou Park and back.

Donate Bottled Water

This week the CCECC is partnering with Dan River AmeriCorps to collect donations of bottled water for the residents of Flint, Mich. Click here for more information about donations. All donations may be dropped off at the CCECC.

University Staff Meeting

Our next university staff meeting is tomorrow (Thursday, Feb. 25) at 11:15 in the Student Center multipurpose room. We hope to see you all there!

Engaged Leader Award

Nominate a student, instructor or community partner to receive an Engaged Leader Award at the Second Annual Engagement Showcase Tuesday, March 29, from 5-7 p.m. in the Violet T. Frith Fine Arts Center.

To Nominate an Outstanding Engaged Leader, please visit the criteria for award nominations and the award application. All applications must be submitted by March 11.

The Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness’ 2nd Annual Engagement Showcase is focused on recognizing the great work of students, faculty and staff who have been engaged in volunteerism, internships, and service-learning at Averett University, Danville Community College and Piedmont Community College.

“Hunger Games” Book Review

Linda Lemery, circulation manager in the library, will lead three book reviews on the “Hunger Games” trilogy using the Socratic Seminar Method. The reviews, which will take place on the main floor of the library in the couch seating area, will be held at 4 p.m. on the following dates Tuesday, April 5, (“The Hunger Games”); Tuesday, April 12 (“Catching Fire”); and Tuesday, April 19 (“Mockingjay”).

These reviews are open to Averett students, faculty, staff and the public. Free books will be available to participants up to March 28. Books will be ordered in early March based on the number of people who’ve indicated they will attend, so please let us know as soon as possible if you are interested in participating. We ask that people only take a copy if they intend to attend the book reviews.

Simple Socratic Seminar rules and eight questions will accompany each book so that the reader may develop answers to the questions as a basis for discussion. For questions, or to indicate attendance and reserve your copies of the books, email [email protected].

Who is CAPTRUST?

As a follow up to last week’s article on Staying the Course for Retirement, some background information on CAPTRUST Financial Advisors was requested. CAPTRUST Financial Advisors serve as fiduciaries to Averett’s retirement plan and support investment fund selection and monitoring as well as a wide variety of retirement plan functions for Averett (plan design, fiduciary management, participant engagement and plan administration oversight).

For additional information, go to www.captrustadvisors.com.

Growing up Musically

Today, during a press conference at 11 a.m., Averett will announce a new music initiative in early childhood education – Growing up Musically (GUM). The initiative, which was generously funded by benefactors and former Averett campaign co-chairs, Ben and Betty Davenport, began in January at local Head Start and Smart Beginnings’ childcare facilities.

The specialized programming is pulled from Averett’s music department in order to deliver unique benefits to existing early education providers’ curricula and to the children. GUM also integrates service-learning for student-teachers in Averett’s education program. Student-teachers are working as interns to deliver the 12-session GUM program at childcare facilities and teach early childhood education (ECE) providers how to incorporate music and movement as part of their instruction.

Anthem Representative on Campus

Connie Eggleston, our Anthem account representative, will be on campus Wednesday, March 16, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on the second floor of the Schoolfield House Booksellers. She will be available to answer questions, address concerns, clarify coverage, etc.