AU CoffeeBreak 3-29-17

Posted on March 29th, 2017 by Danielle Staub

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, Mar. 31, for a Wednesday, Apr. 5, publication.

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Averett Riders Successful at IHSA Regionals Competition

IHSA Regionals CBThe Averett University Equestrian Studies department hosted the Zone 4, Region 5 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) regional championship show on Saturday, Mar. 18. Eight Averett equestrians competed in tough competition against the top schools in our region including Appalachian State University, Emory & Henry College, Virginia Tech, High Point University, Wake Forest University and UNC-Greensboro. Senior Amanda Arnold finished 2nd in the extremely competitive Novice on the Flat division, qualifying her for the zone competition on Apr. 8, at St. Andrews University. Junior Josh Boggs placed 2nd in the Novice over Fences division and will also be representing Averett at the zone competition.

Senior Hannah Walters finished the competition year as the Reserve Champion High Point Rider in the region, as well as placing 3rd in the Open on the Flat division at the regional competition. Senior Amanda Schoenfeld finished 3rd in the Novice on the Flat division, while Sophomore’s Paige Robbins and Abby Lackey each finished 3rd in the Walk/Trot and Walk/Trot/Canter divisions respectively at the regional competition.

The Averett IHSA team finished the year as 3rd place in overall points for the team competition, just behind Emory & Henry College and Virginia Tech.

“I am extremely proud of this group of students. For a small team, the riders consistently put the points on the board when it counted and held their own against teams with 40 or more riders. To finish in the top three schools in our region is an incredible accomplishment. We have had great senior leaders this year who have inspired the team to work hard,” said Coach Cricket Morris.

Intercollegiate Band Clinic

Band Clinic CBThree Averett band students, Tiffany Bowker, Jena Brearley and Emily Myers, along with Janet Phillips, Averett band director, participated in a very successful inaugural intercollegiate band clinic at Catawba College on Mar. 20 and 21. Band students from several small colleges gathered for a day and a half of rehearsal, fellowship, music learning and a concert. This event provided our students with the opportunity to play more challenging repertoire and work with a larger and fuller instrumentation group, showing them tangibly how “the more the merrier” works in a college band situation.

 

Student Accolades

thumbs up accodales

Last fall, the Student Life department began recognizing students that go the extra mile in whatever they are doing on campus. Each week, the staff meets to select students for recognition for their dedication to Averett, and they are notified they’ve been nominated for a chance to win a $50 Visa Gift Card. At the end of the semester, we put all the names in a bowl and draw the name of one lucky student. This is our way to let the students know we appreciate all that they do.

This week, Student Life would like to nominate Anthony Cheeks, Logan Lantrip and Kamihla Preston.

GPS Student Spotlight

Kathleen Hubert CB GPS SpotlightThroughout the month, the Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) admissions team interviews and highlights our GPS students. We hope you will enjoy learning more about these amazing members of our Averett family!

Meet Kathleen Hubert who is pursuing her associate’s of science in business. She is expected to graduate in 2019.

What is your motivation for obtaining your degree? “What’s really motivated me in obtaining a degree at Averett was looking forward to possibly moving into a higher position at the company that I work for. I never thought at this time in my life that I will be starting college for the first time. I truly think this is the best move I could make for my family and me.”

Why did you choose Averett’s Graduate & Professional Studies Program? “I had spoken to a friend of mine who is attending Averett as part of the GPS program, and they recommended that I give Jonathan a call and let him explain how it works. He has been such a great help since the start of all this. There is such a great group of support from the Averett Student Success team. I thank you all for what you do for us.”

Please share one tip for your fellow classmates and future AU students. “The one helpful tip I’d love to share with my fellow classmates is if you ever get sick during a class even though it’s an online class, give your advisor a call and let them know what’s going on with you. Your teachers and advisors can help you out a great deal. I was very sick with pneumonia and hesitated to call them. Don’t hesitate to ask for help like I did. Call them as soon as you can and let them know what’s going on. They’re there to help you.”

What helps to keep you motivated while you are in the program? “My main motivation while going through this program is my best friend. He has always been there in my life to make me work to my fullest potential to reach my goals.”

LiveSafe: New Emergency Notification App

LiveSafe_logoThe Threat Assessment Team is pleased to announce a new tool that Averett University will be using to ensure campus safety and security – the LiveSafe app.

We are committed to constantly improving our safe campus experience for our students, parents, faculty, staff and community, and taking safety and security measures into the 21st century using technology for instant reporting and response. The LiveSafe service is a two-way communication application between users and safety officials. It consists of a mobile app for users on their cell phone and a web-based dashboard for officials. The tool ties right into our existing “See it, say it!” campaign.

The mobile app allows for:

  • Tip reporting, including the option to add in video, audio and image files, and then engage in real-time chat with the safety officials.
  • Emergency communications, which enables users to call 911 and the dashboard at the same time, while our system has record of the sender’s profile and real-time location tracking on a map.
  • Mapping, an in-app map that shows users’ safety locations, and published crime info of potential hot spots.
  • User-to-user communications, allows users to send their real-time location to their contacts and friends as well as 911 and the dashboard, engage in real-time online chat, or alarm button in case of emergency.  This item will be particularly useful for women walking alone to their car, for example, to have someone online talking with them.

This new tool will enable us to interact directly with anyone reporting a tip, and push out emergency notifications. It also allows for data capture and retention to record statistics on number of incidences, images and safety record – all of which are important facts for Averett, students and parents.

All faculty, staff and community members are strongly encouraged to download the app right away. The free app can be used on iPhones or Androids, and can be downloaded from the app store or Google Play. Once you’ve got the app, explore and learn more about the many great features it offers our campus security.

Please note: you still need to be registered for our e2campus notifications, as we will continue to push out notifications with this tool for the rest of the semester. Please take some time now to be sure that you are signed up to receive messages via the e2campus system. You can sign up on the Averett website at: https://www.averett.edu/safety/.

For questions or concerns, contact Cassie Jones at [email protected] or Lesley Villarose at [email protected].

TIAA-CREF on Campus

TIAA-CREF-logoTIAA-CREF is on campus today, Mar. 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Main Hall, room 131. If you did not schedule a session and would like to make a last-minute request, you still can by clicking here, or go to Main 131 and ask Matt Meade in person.

Averett Women’s Network

Women Impower networkPlease join us for the next Averett Women’s Network session, where our own Carly Pearce will be on hand to discuss her leadership philosophy and experiences. Bring your lunch to the multipurpose room on Friday, Mar. 31, at noon to hear her speak!

Blue Jeans Gala

Blue Jeans Gala CBWhat are you doing this Friday night? The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Danville Area (BGCDA) is to inviting you to the third annual Blue Jeans Gala. This isn’t your average black tie gala! Leave the black tie at home and pull on those blue jeans. All the appetizers you can handle, dancing, door prizes and more!

The gala is taking place Friday, Mar. 31, from 7 to 11 p.m. at Gentry Farm, 220 Gentry Farm Rd., Ringgold. Tickets are $30 and include a drink ticket. To purchase tickets and learn more, click here. All funds raised go to support the BGCDA’s educational programs.

Day to Engage!

Day To Engage 2017Day to Engage is Tuesday, Apr. 4, and you can sign up to volunteer TODAY on Get Connected! The CCECC is partnering with Danville Parks & Recreation again this year to host ‘Play to Engage’ from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Carrington Pavilion and we need 200 volunteers to help at this event. Play to Engage is a fun field day for children in local afterschool programs, and there are several volunteer opportunities!

If you are unable to volunteer, you can still DONATE! Danville-Pittsylvania County Community Services is in need of the following items: diapers, baby wipes, baby lotions, baby body wash and baby shampoo. All donations can be dropped off at the CCECC during the month of April.

Also, Apr. 4, is Equal Pay Day, and you can stop by the cafe from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to send a message to your legislator encouraging him/her to close the gender pay gap.

If you have any questions about Day to Engage, please contact Rachel Covington at [email protected]

Engage Showcase Awards and Honors Recognition Program

engage showcaseThank you for submitting nominations for the Engage Leader Award. The CCECC’s 3rd 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.

The Engage Showcase will take place Monday, Apr. 10, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Violet T. Frith Fine Arts Center lobby. If you have any questions, please email Brigid Belko at [email protected].

At 7 p.m., the Honors Recognition Program will being in auditorium. Everyone, students, faculty and staff, is encouraged and welcome to attend, to take part of their own accomplishments as well as those of their fellow classmates. If you have any questions, please email Mary Sullivan at [email protected].

Academic Workshops

Academic Workshops CBAcademic Support Coordinator Holly Kilby is leading targeted academic workshops for Averett students. Kilby is pictured here working with students as they complete a learning style inventory; this activity was part of a “How to Study” workshop held Wednesday, Mar. 22, in the Galesi Student Success Center.

Future workshops focused on study skills and reading comprehension will take place on Tuesday, Apr. 11, 4:30-5:30 p.m., and Thursday, Apr. 13, 4:30-5:30 p.m. All workshops will take place in Dillon rooms A and B of the Galesi Student Success Center.

Bustard Award

apply nowApplications for the Elizabeth and James Bustard Distinguished Award for Graduate Study are 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 is Wednesday, Apr. 12, by noon. Any questions can be sent to Mary Sullivan at [email protected].

Outstanding Faculty and Staff Awards

employee awardsIt’s that time of year again to recognize our outstanding faculty and staff members at Averett! Here are a couple of things to keep in mind as you are nominating for the Outstanding Faculty Award and the Outstanding Staff Award.

1. The nominee must currently be employed by Averett. Sorry, no Aramark/Bon Appétit employees.
2. The nominee must correctly be reported as faculty or staff.  Some AU employees look like faculty but are actually staff (i.e., Theatre), and some look like staff but are actually faculty (i.e., Elaine Day at the library).
3. The prior three years’ winners are not eligible to be nominated: Staff – Kevin Lipscomb, Carly Pearce and Sandy Bash. Faculty – Richard Breen, Peggy Wright and Barb Kushubar.

Please fill out this form, and email your nomination(s) to [email protected]. Nominations are due by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Apr. 14.

2017 Cougar Golf Classic

Cougars Golf TourCome join in on the fun and get a four-person team together for this year’s Cougar Golf Classic on Friday, June 9. There is a minimum handicap of 30 required for each team. Prizes are given for 1st and 2nd place and then a random draw for 3rd place so everyone has a chance to win. Every participant receives a gift and has a chance to bid at the silent auction. (Rumor is there are items autographed by Steph Curry along with other valuable choices.) Please contact Barb Kushubar for more information at [email protected] or at (434) 791-5687. To register click here.

Cougar Connection: New Deadline

cougar connectionCougar Connection, the weekly student enewsletter, has a new deadline. Please submit all information for the Cougar Connection by Wednesday at noon for a Sunday night publication. Anyone with questions can contact Danielle Staub, marketing and communications specialist, at [email protected] or (434) 791-5681.

Birds of North America

Birds of North America CBBlount Library has arranged a free Birds of North America trial for Averett students, faculty and staff through June 30. Click here to check it out.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, in collaboration with the American Ornithological Society, offers Birds of North America (BNA): a comprehensive reference for the life histories of over 760 bird species that breed in the United States and Canada. Species accounts by ornithologists and other experts are accompanied by bird songs, images, video, distribution maps and model output from the Citizen Science eBird project.

Please send comments on the value of this source for Averett academics to [email protected] or simply enjoy browsing as you plan spring nature walks with family and friends!

New Government Relations Partner

Merchant McIntyreAverett is entering into a partnership with Merchant McIntyre + Associates, a leading Washington D.C.-based federal government relations agency serving nonprofits and for-profit corporations. The group will work closely with Averett’s Institutional Advancement team and others around the University to pursue federal grants opportunities and lobby on behalf of Averett on Capitol Hill.

Healthy Solutions

employee health screeningsDon’t forget to register for your wellness screening via the online beBetter portal. All eligible employees received an email with directions on how to sign up for a screening time. We must meet a minimum of 25 appointments or we will have to reschedule and move all screenings to the Fall dates. So schedule your time on Thursday, Apr. 6, between 7 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., in the multipurpose room by clicking here.