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, April 22 for a Wednesday, April 27 publication.
GPS Student Spotlight
Meet Nicholas Smith, a master of business administration (MBA) student at our Chesapeake Campus. Nicholas will graduate in December.
Why he chose the GPS Program: “I chose Averett because it offered a program I wanted and a schedule I could maintain. Attending class once a week on the same day for the entire length of the program was excellent. I could plan work and family around a single day that would always stay the same.”
What is motivating him to earn his MBA: “I have two huge motivations for obtaining my degree. The first reason being I wanted to be able to find a great career and be able to move up the ladder of experience and leadership, and this was just one hurdle I needed to overcome.
The second reason was for my children. Starting college later in life, being married, having children, and working full time is a lot on anyone’s plate. But I wanted to be able to show my family that anything is possible as long as you take the initiative and try.”
What keeps him motivated: “The satisfaction of earning my master’s degree has kept me motivated through the entire program, but also, knowing that once completed, my options for career changes were limitless.”
Tip for fellow and future classmates: “Never give up! Sometimes you feel like life is dragging you down and you have no desire to finish school. It feels like more of a hassle than anything else on an already jammed packed schedule. Just remember why you set out in the first place to earn your degree and keep that motivation and the end goals in sight.”
Student Accolades
The Student Life Department has been recognizing students who go the extra mile in whatever they are doing on campus since the fall of 2014. Each week during Student Life staff meetings, staff members nominate students whose dedication to the university they want to recognize. Students are notified about the nomination and their chance to win a $50 Visa gift card. At the end of the semester, all the names of those who were nominated are put into a bowl and the name of one lucky student is selected. This is the department’s way of letting students know their efforts and hard work are appreciated.
This week they are recognizing Khalil Lloyd, Michele Outlaw, Chyrel Mitchell-Shaw, Ora McMillian, Damion Bishoff, Brandon Veasey, Abigail King, Nicolette Loving, Chaze Ellis, Trevonne Thompson, Ashleigh Yando, Emily Bason, Melissa Sanchez, Kelsey Edwards, Topper Maxey, Travis Simpson, Quienton Greear, Tyler Jarvis-Bennett, Wenn Harold, Alexis Simonelli, Alysha Taylor, Joshua Boggs, Dmitruis Stone, Siana Cooper, Kristen Viegelmann, Brianna George, Darren Maracin, Samantha Hall, Clarice Ellinger, Will Lovett, Nicolette Loving, Charles Bryant, Brad Robinson and Ashley Rutledge.
If you have a story to share about a student, please send it to Sandy Bash and the Student Life Department will recognize them.
A&P Students Visit Exhibit
Biology instructors Zana Devlin ’08 and Stephanie Smith ’10 recently took students in the anatomy and physiology classes to the Body World Exhibit at the Discovery Place in Charlotte, N.C. They wanted to take the students to the exhibit to see everything they learn about The Cycle of Life in the classroom through a true human model.
In Body Worlds & The Cycle of Life, the latest exhibition from physician and anatomist Dr. Gunther von Hagens, viewers see the body throughout the human life cycle and across the arc of aging. More than 100 plastinates — real human specimens preserved through Dr. von Hagens’ invention, the remarkable process called Plastination — reveal the human body in all its stages, across youth, growth, maturity and advanced age, and in all its conditions, from health to distress to disease.
Dear Averett Family,
Thank you all so very much for your calls, cards, emails and hugs following my Mom’s passing. My family and I are so grateful for your kindness.
Mary Sullivan, Administrative Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Success
De-FEET Cancer
The university’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), along with assistance from the Athletics Department, put on a De-FEET Cancer Marathon at the North Campus on Saturday, April 9. The marathon was held in honor of Averett’s own Nick Brown, sophomore football player, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the fall of 2015.
There were 11 teams and more than 70 runners – faculty, staff, students, student-athletes and Averett supporters. Participants either made a donation or ran a few laps around the mile-long course through the heart of North Campus.
There was also a small gathering area at the front doors of the Grant Center where those not currently running could take a break, eat, play corn hole, or just enjoy the music and atmosphere around their Averett family. SAAC sees a lot of potential in this event and hopes to hold it again in the future.
Thank you to all faculty and staff who donated during the “raid” last week. The Admissions Office won the competition thanks to a last-minute donation from Jillian Gourley ’09. The group appreciates everyone’s support. If you would still like to make a contribution for Nick Brown, SAAC is taking donations until Saturday, April 23.
Summer Fridays
Averett is pleased to announce that our “Summer Friday” schedule will begin on Friday, May 13 and end on Friday, July 29. Regular Friday work hours will resume on Friday August 5.
During the summer schedule, Friday workdays will be from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (with no additional lunch break). Regular work hours continue during the summer on Mondays through Thursdays.
Please note that during the summer schedule some offices still require coverage on Friday afternoons. Those requirements are determined by respective vice presidents and directors. In such cases, alternative arrangements can be made to ensure that everyone is able to enjoy this extra time off. Please check with your supervisor if you have any questions.
Employment Verification Requests
If you, or a member of your department, receive a request to verify an employee’s employment, please make sure to send the call or the form to Kathie Tune, director of human resources (434) 791-7106. A written authorization from the employee is required to release any information with few exceptions to the policy.
Denim Day
On Wednesday, April 27 the university will be recognizing Denim Day, a full campus awareness and educational event. Everyone is encouraged to “wear jeans with a purpose, support survivors and educate yourself and others about sexual assault.”
Peace Over Violence has run its Denim Day campaign on a Wednesday in April in honor of Sexual Violence Awareness Month for the past 17 years. Wearing jeans on Denim Day has become a symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault. For more information about Denim Day go to denimdayinfo.org.
“American Idol” Contestant to Perform
The Arts@Averett Series wraps-up Tuesday, April 26 with a performance by former “American Idol” contestant Michael Lynche. Known to America as “Big Mike” Lynche appeared on the ninth season of “American Idol.” He was famously “saved” by the judges, giving him a second chance to continue through the prized competition, where he finished fourth.
Lynche, in association with DCA Productions, will perform his new breed soul at 7:30 p.m. in Pritchett Auditorium in the Violet T. Frith Fine Arts Center. Faculty and staff receive two, free, non-transferrable tickets to the show. Tickets may be picked up on the night of the performance at the box office.
Teach It Forward! T-Shirt
The Teach It Forward! Challenge has come to an end, and our student and staff volunteers contributed more than 600 hours of tutoring to our community!
Team Arsenal, led by Kelee Marcy, won first place with 91 hours tutored at Cardinal Village Youth Center, and Team Ohana, led by Tevin Perry, won second place with 71 hours tutored at Pleasant View Youth Center.
Anyone may purchase a TIF! T-shirt. The shirts are $7 and are available at the CCECC.
Update Your ID Card
All faculty and staff are asked to stop by the Security Office on the Main Campus to have their photo ID updated and a new ID card printed. Jamie Walker, Director of Security, has designated Thursdays from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. as the time he will be in the security office to take photos and issue new IDs. If you need to set up another time, you can email Jamie or call him at 434-791-5874.
Community Emergency Response Training
Next month, a free, six-day course in community emergency response training (CERT) will be offered to Averett faculty and staff. The training will be offered from 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. May 11-13 and 16-18. Participants must be able to attend all days. To sign up for the training, contact Kathie Tune by Friday, May 6.
Averett currently has about 20 CERT trained faculty/staff, and we would love for that number to grow. For a list of those who have already completed the course and could answer questions, please log into the intranet and look for Emergency Management under the groups/committees tab.
Late Night Breakfast
As the end of the semester and exams are quickly approaching, we are beginning to coordinate the annual Late Night Breakfast on Reading Day (Thursday, April 28). The breakfast will begin at 10 p.m., and we need any volunteers willing to help cook and serve breakfast to be in the dining hall at 9 p.m. Please contact Sierra Braxton-Sears or Taylor Mahaffey by Monday, April 25 to sign up to help.
