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, March 4 for a Wednesday, March 9 publication.

A warm Averett welcome is extended to…

Caroline Wilborn, our new Student Financial Services Counselor for the Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) Program. Caroline has extensive knowledge and experience conducting, researching and resolving insurance claims and unpaid settlements with private companies. She brings a wealth of expertise in implementation of policies and procedures; regulating compliances; and familiarity in licensing renewals, certifications and accreditations. She was most recently employed as a Medical Management Coordinator with Gateway Health Alliance here in Danville.

Caroline graduated from Lynchburg College and resides in South Boston with her husband, Chris. We are excited to have Caroline as part of our team and she is excited to join us!

When you see Caroline around campus, make sure you say hello and introduce yourself.

Spradley Earns Certification

Cody Spradley ’14 passed his Board of Certification exam to become a certified athletic trainer. Congratulations, Cody!

IDA Team Named Regional Champion

Averett’s Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) team is the 2016 Regional Champion! This designation has earned the team a trip to the nationals hosted by Centenary College in New Jersey at the end of April. Congratulations, ladies!

Jessica Stipic won the individual spot at nationals for lower training and Kasey Toth was reserve champion of the upper training division. In Dressage Seat Equitation finals, Jessica Allanson and Maddie Murray won their divisions.

Averett had three riders who competed in first level — junior Amanda Arnold won the division; Hannah Walters placed third and senior Micah Andrews placed fifth. In upper training, Stipic placed second and Toth placed sixth. In lower training, senior Adeline Bova placed third and Bre Casey placed eighth. The team’s intro riders cleaned up the day with Megan Grimes winning the class and Kristen Kelley placing second.

IHSA Team Places Second

Averett’s Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) team placed second in its the first show of the semester at Virginia Tech. The Cougars completed the day by taking home five first-place ribbons, four second-place ribbons, two third-place ribbons, three fourth-place ribbons and one fifth-place.

The riders that both finalized the reserve team position and received blue ribbons include junior Amanda Schoenfeld; sophomore Natalie Ringel; and freshmen Christina Hyde, Colleen Shea-Hackett and Abigail Lackey, who all cleaned up in advanced walk/trot/canter.

Hannah Walters started the day in the Open division placing second in the flat and fourth over fences. Senior Allie Crouse placed fourth in intermediate flat. Zuri Lamper, one of the team co-captains, rode in intermediate over fences and received second place while team co-captain Sam Dobbins pointed out of novice over fences and placed second as well. Other novice over fences riders included Schoenfeld and Kristen Kelley, who placed second and third, respectively.

The last divisions of Saturday’s show were beginner walk/trot/canter and advanced walk/trot/canter. Junior Kiersten Estes earned fifth in beginner walk/trot/canter.

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 recognized Clarice Ellinger, Tatyana Martin-Herndon, Ashley Rutledge, Isaac York, Ben Hicks and Destini Johnson.

Storm Alerts

Last week we had the exciting occurrence of a Tornado Watch followed by a Tornado Warning from local weather news sources. The “warning” meant that a tornado had been sighted in the region. Because of this, the university issued an E2 Campus (E2C) notice from Campus Security asking folks to be cautious, and then to take shelter, respectively. Campus reacted well to these messages and shared information appropriately. We did note there were instances where folks returned to their work-areas, and some students were moving around campus, before the E2C indicated the “all-clear” from Campus Safety.

Please know that in future instances when an E2C is issued with guidance to take shelter (for whatever reason), this also indicates we are actively monitoring the situation and that we will issue an “all-clear” when appropriate to do so ˗ this means sheltering should continue until an “all clear” has been issued.

Because we want to ensure that everyone is safe we will exercise an abundance of caution before issuing an “all-clear.” For more information on the difference between warnings and watches click here.

New Salary Change Form

A salary adjustment request form has been added to the Human Resources forms section on the Intranet. This form should be completed for all salary request changes. Please make sure all sections are complete and all appropriate approval signatures are included on the form before submitting it to the Business Office.

Van Available for Engagement Activities

If you are involved in volunteerism, service-learning or civic engagement activities, the CCECC van is available for your use. Whether you are traveling to a conference across the state or a volunteer site in town, please feel free to use the van to transport your students. Contact Tia Yancey with any questions, or to reserve the van.

Staples Advantage

After careful analysis of the office supply options available to us, the university is happy to announce is has decided to sign onto the Staples Advantage program offered through the CICV. The significantly lower pricing negotiated, and the ability for each person to order online, makes this a much better choice for Averett.

Just as our current vendor does, Staples offers free next day delivery and all purchases will be paid for with your Averett-issued credit card.

Each person ordering office supplies must have an account set-up by Mark Sheets, assistant to the chief financial officer. Please fill out this form and email it to Mark to activate your account.

Horse Festival Scheduled for Saturday

The second annual Virginia-North Carolina Horse Festival is scheduled for Saturday, March 5, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex. Attendance is free for all ages.

Demonstrations throughout the day include: barrel racing and pole bending; dressage; mounted shooting; and a parade of breeds. In addition, informational seminars on a variety of topics will be available including “What to Look for When Buying Your First Horse” and “Ask a Veterinarian a Question.” Vendors will have a variety of wares for sale and there will be a fun interactive experience for children of all ages.

The event is hosted by Averett University, the Southeastern Farriers and Horseowners Association, and the Virginia and North Carolina Cooperative Extensions. It is generously sponsored by the Virginia Horse Industry Board and Southern States Cooperative of Chatham.

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 Friday, 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.

Register for the Heart Chase

The American Heart Association is teaming up with Festival in the Park to host a Heart Chase on Friday, May 13 at 6 p.m. With Heart Chase, teams race to complete heart healthy challenges and collect as many points as possible.

Visit HeartChaseDanville.org to register today. This is a great event for the whole family! If you have questions, please contact Ashley Ege or check out this flyer for more information.