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. For the next CoffeeBreak, please submit by Friday, Mar. 22, for a Wednesday, Mar. 27, publication.
T.R.U.T.H. Talks: Reducing Crime in Our Communities
Averett’s Criminal Justice Club and the CCECC are co-sponsoring a “Policing in the 21st Century Speakers’ Forum: Reducing Crime in Our Communities” today, Mar. 20, in Blount Chapel from 6-8 p.m. Click here to see the full flyer.
Refreshments will be served starting at 5:30 p.m. Captain Pace and Captain Thompson from Danville Police Department will serve on a panel to outline new strategies to reduce crime in our communities. T.R.U.T.H. Talks are designed after a national program to engage college campuses and local communities on issues of diversity and inclusion of all types. These forums provide a structured and safe-space environment for all involved to voice their concerns and praises.
Healthy Solutions: Week 2 of the Stress Management Series
Thank you to all that attended the first webinar of the five-week Stress Management course. Today, Mar. 20, at 10:30 a.m. in the MPR, we will be holding the second webinar of the series. You will learn about understanding your stress response, as well as how stress affects your mind, body, behavior and emotions. Please RSVP by emailing [email protected].
Staff Meeting
The March staff meeting will take place on Thursday, Mar. 21, at 11:15 a.m. in the multipurpose room. Join us for department announcements, staff council voting instructions and faculty and staff member of the year nomination information.
Remember to nominate your co-workers for the Golden Bagel! Please send all nominations to [email protected].
Final Call: Staff Council Nominations
Staff Council nominations for 2019-20 are due by tomorrow, Mar. 21, by the end of the day! CLICK HERE for the fillable PDF. To ensure a balanced representation of all University departments on Staff Council, the council members are categorized into four (4) groups, with three (3) members serving in each group, as shown on the PDF. (Please note, one person from each group will be elected annually.) You are allowed to nominate any person from any department who is a full-time employee of Averett University and is not classified as a faculty member or a member of President’s Council.
Please make sure your nominee(s) will be willing to serve as a member of Staff Council and is also committed to the three-year term if elected. You do not have to nominate one from each group. For example, your nominees may all come from the same department. You are welcome to nominate as many individuals as you would like. Direct any questions to [email protected].
Nominate Now: Engage Showcase
It is that time of year, again—The Engage Showcase! This is time for you and your students to celebrate and share your community work.
Would you and your students be interested in hosting a table to discuss engagement in the community? There will be 18 Averett tables in the Frith Lobby for the Engage Showcase on Tuesday, Apr. 16, from 5:30-7:30 pm. Students should bring tangible evidence of their work via photos, videos or products made for the community partner. We seek genuine conversation and ask that students bring what they used to connect with the community partner. If they cooked a meal, then bring some of the ingredients. If they put on an event, then bring some of the favors and promotional flyers, and so on. Please fill out this form with your interest by Sunday, Mar. 24.
Awards: Nominate a student, community partner or colleague that stands out in their community work! To nominate an Outstanding Engage Leader, please visit the criteria for award nominations and the award nomination form. All applications must be submitted by Sunday, Mar. 24.
One-Man Show
Crooner John Wilt will be performing two one-man shows at the Gretna Theatre on Sunday, Mar. 24, at 6:30 p.m. and on Tuesday, Mar. 26, at 7 p.m. Performances will feature 32 Dean Martin classic songs and historical coverage of Dean Martin’s life and singing career.
The event at the Gretna Theatre is a fundraiser for the Gretna Little Theatre. $15 general admission, $10 for students and military. For reservations call (434) 656-3377. For information about the one-man show call (434) 770-8822.
International Education Programs
The Averett Study Abroad office and the Study Abroad Association are offering an in-depth faculty workshop for professors who are interested in developing and customizing International Education programs. This opportunity encourages participants to get engaged, ask questions and become comfortable and confident with the idea of taking students abroad. Interested staff are also welcome! Click here to learn more about study abroad.
Please join us on Tuesday, Mar. 26, in Frith 205 at 11:15 a.m. Refreshments provided. RSVP preferred. Contact Dr. Catherine Clark at [email protected] with any questions.
TRUTH Talks: Women’s History Month
The CCECC and Student Life are co-sponsoring our March T.R.U.T.H Talk in celebration of Women’s History Month on Wednesday, Mar. 27, in the MPR from 6-8 p.m. The panel “Community Leadership and Pathways to Success” features four strong, powerful, female leaders in our community, and our very own Presidential Spouse Joe Franks will offer a unique perspective. Click here to see the full flyer. Refreshments will be served starting at 5:30 p.m.
T.R.U.T.H. Talks are designed after a national program to engage college campuses and local communities on issues of diversity and inclusion of all types. These forums provide a structured and safe-space environment for all involved to voice their concerns and praises.
2019 DRF Speaker Series
The Averett community is invited to hear New York Times bestselling author, Dr. Robert Putnam, as he talks about his most recent book, Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis. The event is taking place on Thursday, Apr. 4, from 7:30 – 9 a.m. at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research. There will be free breakfast and the event is open to the public. To reserve your space, please call (434) 836-6990 or visit dpchamber.org
Big Idea Competition
Don’t forget to submit your proposals for the exciting new initiative, the Big Idea Competition!
As a way to prioritize and accelerate innovative thinking, reward and cultivate creativity and advance a greater culture of experimentation, the Averett Board of Trustees is piloting and funding a competition for faculty, staff and students to generate proposals for new ways to move the University forward. Submit your individual or group proposal through this fillable form by Friday, Apr. 5, for a chance to win $1,000, $1,500 or $2,000! For questions, contact Charles Harris at [email protected] or (434) 791-5701. Good luck!
Vote for Averett to win $10,000 Scholarship
Help pick which Virginia college will win $10,000 in student book scholarships from the KLM Scholarship Foundation. Vote for Averett University up to once a day now through Saturday, Mar. 30. The winning school will be revealed during the KLM Scholarship Foundation’s 11th annual Black & White Affair Charity Benefit on Saturday, Apr. 6. Click here to vote!
Student Conduct Board Nominations
As many know, Student Conduct is an essential part of our campus life, and we value your input in choosing students who would be strengths in the conduct process. As we reach the end of the academic year, I am interested in any nominations you have for students to serve as our 2019-2020 Student Conduct Board members. We have a number of our current members rolling off of the Board, or who are graduating this semester.
Due to your unique involvement with student leaders, I am asking if you would be willing to submit any names and email addresses of those who you think would be assets to our Conduct Board. We are looking for students who are in good academic standing, and have stood out to you as fair, professional and a good representation of the Averett community.
I will be contacting the suggested students by email to fill out an application and set up an interview. Please submit names to [email protected]. Thank you in advance for your help in this search!
Career Development for Graduating Seniors
As graduation quickly approaches, please remind graduating seniors to visit the CCECC for help with landing that first job! Students may schedule an appointment with Angie McAdams, our director of career development, by visiting her calendar site by clicking here, or by visiting the CCECC.
Advising Tip
Consider following up by email on your advising session with students. In the event that a student may have forgotten how to navigate the PC Self-Serve registration process, this link offers a short video reminder of the basics.
MEP Transition
The first phase of the transition to the MEP is complete and without incident according to our Transition Team at TIAA. The next phase includes moving client IDs out of old plan and into the new one which means that there will be a window of restriction specific to moving funds from the old contracts to the new Retirement Choice contract.
All other functions will work, like reallocating investments, distributions, etc. while TIAA does their work in the plan. New forms for changes in contributions to your plan and the new Universal Availability Notice are now on the intranet. More information will be coming soon from Millennium Advisors.
SOVAH Health Clinic
Not feeling well? Sovah Health Clinic is open Monday- Friday from 8 a.m. to noon, for Averett students, faculty and staff. The clinic is located on the 4th floor of the Student Center, above the cafeteria. It accepts walk-ins and offers routine care.
Common services include but are not limited to: cold and flu symptoms, health maintenance and prevention, lab work, sport physicals, flu shots, TB skin tests, non-life threatening injuries, pap smears and depression. Appointments can be made by calling (434) 797-2828.
GPS Student Spotlight
Meet Tanesha Lockett, a student pursuing her Bachelor of Business Administration degree.
Why did you choose Averett’s GPS program?
“I was recommended by my boss to go through Averett because of the night school program that was once a week. He thought it would better support my family life by only having to attend class once a week with a duration that allows for some work assignments to be completed. My boss also graduated from Averett so it seemed to work for him. Therefore, I followed his lead and am proud to say that I’m currently taking my very last course which ends this week!”
Averett 101: From the Eyes of Freshmen
During every Averett 101 class each fall semester, the students go to the president’s house and enjoy a dinner with Dr. Franks and her husband, Joe. During that time, Dr. Franks asks the students what they love about Averett and if they have any concerns. During the spring, we will be sharing some of the comments students shared with Dr. Franks and Joe about Averett!
“I like getting involved and there are so many opportunities.”
“There are so many opportunities to get involved in activities.”
“Everyone is involved and they care.”
“Opportunities to grow not only within school, but in the community too.”
“Averett is military friendly.”
“I feel at home here – at Averett and in the community. I like the small town feel.”
“It’s a home environment even for commuters.”
“I love meeting the president.”
