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, Aug. 12 for a Wednesday, Aug. 17 publication.

A warm Averett welcome is extended to …

John Cochran, who was named the head coach of the men’s and women’s cross country programs over the summer. Cochran has a wealth of experience as a cross country and track coach at the collegiate and high school level.

Ashley Evans, who was recently named as Averett’s new softball head coach. A native of Aliso Viejo, Calif., Evans comes to Averett with eight years of experience as an assistant coach at the collegiate level. Evans helped guide Concordia University Irvine, her alma mater, from 2007-15 as the Eagles compiled an impressive 371-100 overall record with three consecutive conference titles (2012-14), back-to-back regional championships in 2012 and 2013, five NAIA national tournament appearances and the 2013 NAIA national championship.

Mark Hopkins, who joined us as the new men’s head golf coach over the summer. Hopkins, who has more than 30 years of experience in the golf industry, previously coached the Averett golf program for two seasons from 1996-1998.

Tony Mackin, who was hired as the first head coach of the Averett men’s lacrosse program this summer. The Cougars will begin competition during the 2017-18 academic year. Mackin comes to Averett from Tusculum College, a Division II school in Greeneville, Tenn., where he was the associate head coach for three seasons. He helped start the men’s lacrosse program there during the 2013-14 school year. Over the past two seasons, Mackin has been the defensive coordinator after serving as the offensive coordinator in 2014.

Kelly Ryan, who was hired as the new women’s lacrosse head coach this summer. The Cougars’ program will begin competition during the 2017-18 academic year. Ryan comes to Averett after serving as an assistant coach for the past two seasons at Division II University of Tampa. Prior to that, she was an assistant for one season at Southwestern University, where she helped establish the university’s women’s lacrosse program. She also coached two seasons as a graduate assistant at Frostburg State University.

Wilson to Participate in Leadership Southside

Drew Wilson, our sports information director, has been selected to represent Averett University at Leadership Southside XXII this year. Congratulations, Drew!

Leadership Southside, presented by the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce, is an interactive and informative program that offers skill building, leadership development and an introduction to Southside Virginia. The program is designed to identify and develop potential community leaders in order to build an alliance of the finest leaders for present and future leadership needs in the region. The Leadership Southside program strives to bring together individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences who have demonstrated talent and commitment for leadership and expand that potential.

Leadership Southside XXII will begin in September 2016 with an orientation and will be followed by nine monthly programs (with two being held in January). The class will graduate in May 2017.

Parting is such Sweet Sorrow

Please join us in sending Emily Tomlinson ’15 (MBA), communications specialist in Institutional Advancement, off with well wishes and refreshments on her last day – Friday, Aug. 12, from 1:30-3 p.m. in Alumni Hall. Emily has been with the university for 12 years, and started as a public relations assistant before becoming a communications specialist. In her role, Emily has written countless news stories about the happenings around campus, worked with local media members, overseen all university level social media accounts, managed a number of digital and print publication stories and newsletters (including this one!) and much more.

Emily will be working at Smart Beginnings Danville as the director of community engagement. We will miss her and wish her nothing but happiness and success.

A Caribbean Cookery Lesson

Dr. Marc Muneal, professor of English and a scholar studying aspects of food history and presentation, will demonstrate how to prepare three dishes from his native Trinidad and Tobago, a twin-island nation in the West Indies, on Thursday, Sept. 1 from 6-8 p.m. at 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Company. The event is a fundraiser for the Out of the Dark Walk 2016, which focuses on suicide prevention. Tickets are $33 and may be purchased here.

The ticket price includes a beer or wine pour from a pairing list prepared by the expert staff of 2 Witches. Free tasting samples of the prepared food will be available following the end of the event.

Move-in Dates & Activities

The time is nearing for all students to return to campus for the fall semester. We would like to invite all staff and faculty to join us at each of the check-in dates and times listed below:

• Friday, Aug. 12, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. — international students, residential transfers who did not attend orientation and freshmen who did not attend orientation will check-in at the multipurpose room
• Saturday, Aug. 13, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. — freshmen who did attend orientation and residential transfers who did attend orientation will check-in at the multipurpose room
• Sunday, Aug. 14, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. — all returning students check-in at the multipurpose room

Furthermore, we would like to invite staff and faculty to attend the New Student Induction ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. in the Violet T. Frith Fine Arts Center. Directly following the ceremony, there will be a reception at the president’s home.

Football Tickets for Faculty/Staff

Averett football tickets are now available. All Averett faculty/staff are allowed two general admission tickets to each game. Faculty/staff are able to upgrade their seating. Single game upgrades to gold reserved seats are $6, and the season pass is $24. There are no discounts for reserved parking.

Call for Submissions

The “Averett Journal” is seeking submissions for the 2016 issue. Averett faculty and staff, in Danville and branch campuses (Southern, Central and Tidewater regions), are encouraged to submit short critical essays, reviews, fiction, poetry and art work. The deadline for submissions is Friday, Sept. 30.

Submission guidelines will be distributed by email to Averett faculty and staff. You can also request information about submissions by sending an email to [email protected]. For more information, contact Dr. Patrick Wasley, assistant editor.

Reminder: Opening Event Tomorrow

This year’s Opening of the Year Kick-Off session for faculty and staff will be held in the Grant Center on the North Campus, Thursday, August 11, beginning at 3 p.m. The session will include important university updates, pinning of new faculty and staff members, “Experience Averett 2020” – an engaging and informative way to get updated on projects that are advancing the Averett 2020 Strategic Plan with a chance to give your feedback, and, an opportunity for you to help welcome students back to the new academic year. Following the opening session, President Franks and Joe will host a picnic for you and your families (to include dinner, children’s activities and tours of the new Frank R. Campbell Stadium), which will begin at 5:15 p.m.

Strengthening Your Facilitation Skills

One of the things community leaders and organizations want to know is how to facilitate discussions that result in planning and clear direction. The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce will be holding a two-day, interactive workshop that will provide tips on facilitating and its challenges.

The workshop will be held Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 15, from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Danville Family YMCA in the community room. The workshop costs $129 per person, which includes lunch both days and training materials. To register for the workshop click here.