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, Apr. 7, for a Wednesday, Apr. 12, publication.
Welcome Kelsey Blanks to Student Accounts
Welcome Kelsey Blanks to Student Accounts. Kelsey will be doing cashier duties and working with students on tuition accounts. Please drop by Averett Central when you have a chance to welcome her to Averett.
Lewis Named Athletic Training Education Program Director
The Physical Education, Wellness and Sport Science Department is pleased to announce that Ms. Melanie Lewis has been named the new program director for Athletic Training Education. She replaces Dr. Carrie Hendrick who has accepted another position in the medical field.
Melanie is in her seventh year as a faculty member in the Department of Physical Education, Wellness and Sport Science, where she also serves as the clinical coordinator for Athletic Training Education. She will be completing her doctoral degree this summer. In the past, Melanie has served as the assistant athletic trainer for the Athletic Department at Averett.
The Department of Physical Education, Wellness and Sport Science Department would like to thank Dr. Hendrick for her outstanding leadership of the Athletic Training Education Program. As a result of her efforts, the program continues to thrive and prepare students for careers as certified athletic trainers. Please wish Melanie and Carrie well in their new positions.
Dr. Marc Muneal to Attend CIC Seminar at Yale
Dr. Marc Muneal, associate professor of English, has been selected to attend a seminar on Landscape and Identity in Britain and the United States (1770–1914), which will be held at the Yale Center for British Art, in New Haven, Conn., this summer. The Council of Independent Colleges organizes an annual seminar on Teaching European Art in Context, and allows faculty to compete for the opportunity to participate. Dr. Muneal, who teaches courses in Romantic and Victorian literature at Averett, was chosen to attend this seminar because of his innovative incorporation of discussions of art and architecture in his literature courses.
Averett Graduate Published in VA Engage Journal
Moustafa Nassar ’16 and Brigid Belko, director of experiential learning, co-wrote “Seeing the Possible: My Journey through Service Learning” and were published in Volume 5 of the VA Engage Journal.
The journal promotes engaged scholarship by undergraduate, professional and graduate students, and provides a forum for students to publish research studies, reflection essays and reviews of current literature and engagement practice, all with guidance and mentorship from engaged faculty and staff.
Please consider encouraging your students to submit to the journal’s next volume. Submissions are due July 19. Submitting to the journal is a unique opportunity for students to receive feedback and guidance from a cadre of engaged faculty and staff from across Virginia, and, potentially, to be published in a visible online platform. Contact editorial board member Alexis Ehrhardt at [email protected] with any questions.
GPS Student Spotlight
Throughout 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!
Today, meet Nicole Lipford, who is pursuing her master’s of education in special education. She is expected to graduate in 2018.
What is your motivation for obtaining your degree? “I am currently an elementary school teacher and truly love my job. I want to further my experiences by eventually becoming a special education teacher. I think that being able to impact as many young lives as I can in a positive and supportive way will be a rewarding accomplishment.”
Why did you choose Averett’s Graduate & Professional Studies Program? “An Averett representative came to our school to speak about the program. I had been considering when to take the leap back into school and they gave me that little push that I needed.”
Please share one tip for your fellow classmates and future AU students. “Classes and responsibilities can become overwhelming for us all, but when you reach your goal you will feel a sense of satisfaction in yourself and be proud of your success, keep on keepin’ on!”
What helps to keep you motivated while you are in the program? “Knowing that I will be using what I am learning to help young children that need me keeps me focused. Sometimes I feel like there is not enough time to get it all done, but when you have a passion for what you are learning and why, then you can find the motivation to complete it.”
Averett Common Hour
Honoring one of our core institutional values (tradition), all faculty, staff and students are invited to spend 30 minutes tomorrow, Apr. 6, from 11:30 a.m. to noon, for spiritual formation and community.
There will be a non-denominational Christian worship service in Blount Chapel to which all are invited to attend. This is a wonderful opportunity to be inspired and to connect with your Averett family. Attendance, of course, is not obligatory. Please find a way to nurture your spiritual journey in whatever way you see fit today!
Nursing Career Fair
The School of Nursing is hosting a Nursing Career Fair tomorrow, Apr.6, from 1-4 p.m. at Riverview in the nursing area. More than 20 businesses are signed up to attend. Students from Averett’s BSN and RN-BSN program, along with Danville Community College, Patrick Henry Community College, Longwood Nursing program, SVCC and Lynchburg College have been invited to attend. Spread the word to those you know in the health care field!
Wellness Screenings
Wellness screenings are tomorrow! Have you registered via the online beBetter portal? Screenings run from 7 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., in the multipurpose room. If you have not registered, click here. Email Kathie Tune at [email protected] with any questions.
Averett Theatre Department Presents: “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike”
Take a trip to Buck County, Pa., where adult siblings Vanya and Sonia are still residing in their old family home and mourning their lost dreams and missed opportunities. When their often-wrong, fortune-telling maid warns of impending dangers and their movie star sister, Masha, arrives suddenly with her young, sexy, boy toy, Spike, the family is launched into a rollicking weekend of one-upmanship, exposed nerves and a lot of broken mugs.
Come see our students perform on April 6-8, at 7 p.m. in the Pritchett Auditorium in the Violet T. Frith Fine Arts Center. Students get in free, faculty and staff have two free tickets. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students/senior citizens (60+).
Softball to Host First Round Conference Games
Averett softball will host the first round of the USA South Conference Tournament this weekend. Averett’s softball team earned the right to host a best-of-three series in the opening round of the USA South Conference Tournament. The Cougars will play Greensboro College on Saturday, Apr. 8, in a 1 p.m. doubleheader. If necessary, a third game will be played on Sunday at 1 p.m. The first 100 Averett students and the first 50 faculty/staff receive free admission with an Averett ID. Otherwise, tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for senior citizens/students.
Engage Showcase Awards and Honors Recognition Program
Thank you for submitting nominations for the Engage Leader Award. The CCECC’s 3rd Annual Engage 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 the auditorium. Students, faculty and staff are 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].
CoffeeHouse Lecture Series
Join us for the last CoffeeHouse Lecture Series of the year, Sweet-ly International. Dr. George Odongo, education department faculty member, Jonna Koski, international student from Finland, and Linda Lemery, staff and adjunct professor at Averett, will introduce a dessert from their home country. They will present the culture and meaning in the country of origin behind the dessert. The event is free and starts at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 11, in the multipurpose room.
Bustard Award
Applications 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
You still have time to nominate the person you think deserves an outstanding faculty or staff member award! Here are a couple of things to keep in mind when making your decision.
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.
President’s Special Announcement
President Tiffany Franks and the Averett Board of Trustees cordially invite you to a Special Announcement on Thursday, April 20, at 11:30 a.m. in front of the steps of Main Hall. The announcement will be followed by lunch on the lawn of Main Hall. Please RSVP to Jennifer Hooper at (434) 791-7184 or [email protected] by Wednesday, Apr. 12.
Special Olympics Contest
Averett needs your vote to win $500 for a future Special Olympics event. Averett recently hosted and helped with a Special Olympics regional basketball tournament. The story was selected as one of the top three finalists for the NCAA Division III Special Olympics Spotlight Poll. The winner of the poll votes will receive $500 toward a future Special Olympics event. We need your votes! Click here to vote each day. You can also vote from multiple devices each day to help our voting total! The school with the most votes by April 25 will win.
Save the Date: Faculty/Staff/Retiree Luncheon
Our annual spring luncheon recognizing service year milestones, announcing faculty and staff member of the year awards, and honoring our 2017 retirees will be held at noon on Thursday, May 4, in the dining hall.
Invitations will be sent from Kathie Tune, director of human resources, as a Punchbowl e-vite. We hope you can join us for this special event. Contact Kathie Tune at [email protected] or (434) 791-7106 with any questions.
2017 Cougar Golf Classic
Come 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.
Faculty Survey of Student Engagement is Open
Last week, many of our faculty were invited to complete the Faculty Survey of Student Engagement (FSSE), a corresponding survey to the NSSE, which is administered through the Center for Postsecondary Research at Indiana University.
The information you provide will help identify areas of strength and improvement, as well as lead to constructive discussions related to teaching, learning and the quality of our students’ educational experience.
Your participation is voluntary, though we hope you will respond. Should you have any questions about this project and our interest in using the results, please contact Pamela McKirdy at [email protected] or (434) 791-5618. Thank you very much for your participation.
