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, August 14 for a Wednesday, August 19 publication.

A warm Averett welcome is extended to:

Carianna “Cari” Beck ’14 who is serving in an interim role as Director of Writing Support. Cari most recently worked as our AmeriCorps Vista Volunteer in the CCECC. While she was a student here she worked for many semesters as a biology tutor and writing consultant.

Skyler Daniel, our new Chaplain (and the Associate Minister at West Main Baptist Church). He has a bachelor of arts degree from Lee University and a master of divinity degree from Wake Forest University.

While at Averett, Skyler will be responsible for providing leadership needed to support a vibrant religious life on campus through advising and active engagement with Christian Student Fellowship, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and other avenues for helping students nurture and grow in their faith. Among his other duties, he will be working with student groups to organize regular worship services in creative and ecumenical ways that meet the interests and needs of our student body.

Skyler and his wife, Ronella, just completed two years of mission service in Romania. They have one daughter, Charlize. Prior to going abroad, Skyler served in various roles with churches including pastoral support and serving in church leadership.

Karen Duhamel ’14 who is our new Director of Academic Support. While she was a student, Karen was employed as a history tutor and has mastered the art of coaching students on study/test taking skills. Karen received a bachelor of arts degree in English/History.

Jennifer Nunn, who joins the School of Nursing as the Simulation & Skills Lab Coordinator. Jennifer comes to us with more than 22 years of experience in healthcare, as well as extensive experience in simulation and nursing education. Jennifer and her family have relocated to South Boston from Buffalo Junction.

Ballance Earns Certification

Dennis Ballance ’15, Simulation Technologist in the School of Nursing, recently completed the necessary training to become certified to maintain and repair the Sim Man 3G manikin. This is a significant achievement, and it provides a cost-saving benefit to the School of Nursing to have someone in-house able to conduct repairs on simulation equipment. Congratulations, Dennis!

IT Leadership Transition

Since April of 2012, Tom McMurtry, Chief Information Officer & Director of Information Technology Services, has worked tirelessly to position Averett for success by improving services and our critical IT systems and infrastructure. During this time he has also been working on obtaining his PhD. Because of the work necessary to complete his doctoral program, Tom has chosen to resign as our CIO to focus on that effort. His last day on campus will be Friday, August 14.

During his three and a half years of service, Tom has provided IT leadership to help move the university forward in a number of areas, including: classroom technology updates – updated projectors, additional Elmo projection equipment, additional interactive projectors and much more; major upgrades to network infrastructure and server infrastructure – the wireless network was upgraded by adding more than 30 new access points on the Danville campuses.

Aaron Howell, Vice president for Business and Finance/CFO, will be working to engage campus stakeholders to help define the leadership of the IT department going forward. In the meantime, Kevin Lipscomb will act as the Interim Director of IT and Don D’Alfonzo will continue to provide advisory services as well. Please join us in wishing Tom the very best in his future.

Nunn Presents at VASSA

Jennifer Nunn, our Simulation & Skills Lab Coordinator for the School of Nursing, recently participated in the 2015 Virginia State Simulation Alliance, Inc. (VASSA) Conference in Virginia Beach. Jennifer presented a simulation she has created based on an end of life scenario that deals with the patient in the home and family dynamics. The scenario helps nursing students care not only for the dying patient, but helps them assess the home for safety issues, educate the family, and prepare for intense family conversations. She includes additional actors to play the roles of family members to make the scenario more realistic for the students.

Dix Named DIII Champion

Taylor Dix proved to be one of the toughest outs in all of college softball in 2015, and her success at the plate this season garnered her the NCAA Division III batting title.

Averett University went 35-5-1, 22-1 in USA South Athletic Conference play, clinched the conference’s regular season title and earned an at-large berth in the Division III tournament. Dix batted .540 in those 41 games for the Cougars, setting a new conference single-season record for her junior year.

She was also named conference Player of the Year, National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American, All-Region and Virginia Sports Information Directors Player of the Year.

Don’t go Hungry this Semester

Welcome back! We hope you had a wonderful summer and are excited about the coming semester. This is just a friendly reminder from the Bon Appétit Management team to all Averett faculty and staff members that there are meal plans especially for you that offer excellent discounted rates for dining in our Café. Click here for more information or contact Barbara Styons at 434 -791-7307 or [email protected] to enroll today.

Tomorrow’s Opening Day Schedule

Tomorrow is the big day, and we’re excited to finally be all together again! Following is the schedule for the day:

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Lunch Buffet, Dining Hall

12:30-1 p.m. – Dessert, Frith Fine Arts Center Lobby

1-2 p.m. – Opening Session for all Faculty and Staff, Pritchett Auditorium, Frith Fine Arts Center

2:15-3:15 – Preparing for Upcoming SACSOC Reaffirmation Process (for faculty and leadership forum), Pritchett Auditorium

4-6 p.m. – Reception for faculty/staff, spouses and guests, Hosted by Tiffany and Joe Franks, President’s Home (500 Hawthorne Drive)

Stuff the Bus Reminder

Don’t forget to bring in school supplies to help the Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness, which is collecting school supplies for the Danville community. Donation boxes to collect supplies are in the CCECC, Frith Hall, Main Hall and Riverview. For a list of supplies being collected, click here.