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. April 3 for an April 8 publication.
A Warm Averett Welcome Is Extended to:
Mary Sullivan, who began working at Averett on February 25 as Administrative Assistant to Dr. Timothy E. Fulop, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Success. Her most recent job experience includes working at Sacred Heart Catholic Church as Administrative Assistant to the Pastor/Coordinator of Religious Education for Children, and as Office Manager for her husband’s practice. Mary lives on Hyco Lake in North Carolina, and enjoys spending time with her husband, Gary, and their two daughters, Delaney and Savanna.
Save the Date
Please make plans to join us on Thursday, April 23 at 11:15 a.m. at the Student Center Plaza for a press conference announcing the success of Averett’s first comprehensive capital campaign. Following the announcement, lunch will be provided for all faculty, staff and students.
Autism Awareness Month
April is Autism Awareness Month, and there are many opportunities in which you can be involved. AU is hosting its Second Annual Autism Awareness Expo in the multipurpose room of the Student Center on Thursday, April 2 from 4-8 p.m. – World Autism Awareness Day/Light It Up Blue Day. Also on that day the city of Danville will be holding events around town. Check out the flier, Go-Blue-On4_2, for more information. On Thursday, April 9, also in the multipurpose room, from 6-8 p.m., there will be a Sensory Experience Lab in which participants will be able to see what everyday tasks might be like for individuals with sensory processing difficulties. Then, toward the end of April, you can participate in the Dan River Autism Awareness 5K on Saturday, April 25 at Angler’s Park. For more information about the 5K, visit www.danriverautism5K.org.
Each week, seven facts about autism spectrum disorders will be provided in order to assist the AU community in becoming more aware of this complex disorder.
- Autism’s modern definition was given by Leo Kanner in 1943.
- Autism is a bio-neurological developmental disability that generally appears before the age of three.
- As early as infancy, a baby can begin to show the three hallmark features of autism: communication challenges, impaired social interactions and repetitive behavior.
- Autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction, communication skills and cognitive function.
- There is no blood test, scan, or image that can detect autism. Diagnosis relies on behavioral observation and screening.
- Autism is a spectrum disorder.
- Many scholars believe autism is a combination of genetic vulnerability that is triggered by some kind of social or toxic influence.
Don’t Forget to Sign Up!
Week to Engage (April 13-17) is right around the corner and it’s not just for students. There are organized projects to accommodate more than 700 volunteers, so we need help from faculty and staff, too!
Visit www.engagedrr.org to see the list of volunteer opportunities and then contact Rachel Covington with the day and time your department/group is available to volunteer.
Staff Meeting Rescheduled
Please make a note on your calendar that the University-wide staff meeting has been moved to April 30 in the multipurpose room of the Student Center. We will see you then.
Averett & DCC Sign New Articulation Agreement
On Tuesday (March 31), Averett signed a new articulation agreement with Danville Community College (DCC) that will allow DCC graduates with an associate of applied science degree (and a cumulative 2.0 GPA) to transfer to Averett and pursue a bachelor of applied science (BAS) degree. At Averett, students will pursue a BAS degree through the University’s Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) or IDEAL programs as well as a minor in leadership or business.
Similar agreements are in the works with other community colleges in the area.
Averett Softball Ranked, Baseball Receiving Votes
The nationally ranked Averett University softball team moved up four spots to No. 21 in the nation in the March 25 National Fastpitch Coaches Association Top 25. Averett leads the USA South Conference standings with a 15-1 record in the league and a 25-1-1 mark overall.
The Averett baseball team also earned recognition last week by receiving votes in two national polls. Baseball is 17-8 overall and 12-6 in the USA South.
Theatre Atte
nds SETC 2015
Averett students traveled to Tennessee on March 4 to enhance their skills as thespians. Nearly a dozen students and five faculty and staff members of the Theatre Department attended the four-day Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) 2015 in Chattanooga, Tenn.
While at the conference, students had the opportunity to attend multiple workshops, apply for jobs at the conference’s job fair, check out graduate programs, network with industry professionals, scope out the latest theatre technology and take in performances.
When not taking in all the activities the conference had to offer, students and faculty actively recruited high school and transfer students interested in attending Averett University. Additionally, faculty and staff members sat in on multiple acting and technician auditions seeking future Averett thespians.
Aside from SETC providing students with a great learning experience and the Theatre Department an opportunity to recruit, the conference provided professional job opportunities to students. Heather McLeod ’15, Jacorey Jones ’16, and Tyler Shively ’17 secured summer jobs. Heather will be joining the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, N.Y. as an assistant stage manager. Jacorey will be joining the Prizery in South Boston as key ensemble. Tyler will be joining the Santa Fe Opera company in Santa Fe, N.M. as stage crew.
Averett to Host DRF Speaker Series
The Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness is partnering with the Danville Regional Foundation (DRF) to make Week to Engage a community-wide event! Since Week to Engage falls during National Volunteer Week, DRF is calling the entire community to engage in service to create an even larger impact on our region.
To kick off the week, join DRF’s Speaker Series on Monday, April 13 at Averett’s North Campus. A reception will start at 5:30 p.m., and Joshua DuBois will speak at 6:30 p.m. Please help us spread the word around campus, especially to students.
DuBois, considered President Obama’s “Pastor-in-Chief” by TIME magazine, will be speaking on the importance of community engagement and service in building strong and vibrant neighborhoods.
There is no cost to attend, but reservations are required. Contact Rachel Covington by Friday, April 3 to reserve your spot.
