Averett CoffeeBreak 4-10-19

Posted on April 10th, 2019 by Danielle Staub

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 formFor the next CoffeeBreak, please submit by Friday, April 12, for a Wednesday, April 17, publication.

Week 4 of the Stress Management Program

“Week 4, How Can Food Help You Manage Stress?” of the Stress Management program will be held today, April 10, at 10:30 a.m. in the MPR. We will be discussing why non-nutritional foods provide happiness when you’re stressed and how nutritional foods can help you manage stress. Light snacks and refreshments are provided.

Please note that Week 5, the last event of the Stop Stress Now series, will have a live presenter, but it will not be held until Wednesday, April 24, at 10:30 a.m. in the MPR.

Bridge Street Blood Drive

The Bridge Street Blood Drive is today, April 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Bridge Street in front of the Riverview Campus. Email Liz Cervantes at [email protected] to be sent the sign-up link to register online. It only takes 30 minutes to save a life.

New Staff Council Member Voting

Today is the last day to vote! If you haven’t already, please complete the survey that was emailed to you by selecting one person from each group and submitting. This survey should take less than three minutes, so please participate!

The four new Staff Council members will be announced during the Thursday, April 18, staff meeting. Thank you!

Consumer Management in the Internet Age

Dr. Joshua Sperber will be discussing his book — Consumer Management in the Internet Age: How Customers Became Managers in the Modern Workplace (Lexington Books, 2019) — in the Mary B. Blount Library tomorrow, April 11, at 4:30 p.m.

Among other topics, he will be discussing some of the ways that the Rate My Professors website has affected higher education. The talk will be followed by a Q&A and refreshments. Join us!

Criminal Justice and Sociology Career Day Panel

Please encourage students who are considering a criminal justice career to attend a panel discussion featuring Averett alumni currently working in the field. The program takes place tomorrow, April 11, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. in Blount Chapel.

Honors Recognition Program

This year’s Honors Recognition Program, where students will be honored for academic achievement, will be held tomorrow, April 11. A light reception will begin at 5:15 p.m. in the Violet T. Frith Fine Arts Center lobby, and the program will begin at 6 p.m. in Pritchett Auditorium. All faculty, staff and students are invited to attend. Please RSVP to [email protected].

Averett Cougar Band and Singers Concerts

On Friday, April 12, at 7 p.m. in Pritchett Auditorium, the AU Cougar Band will host its spring concert. Admission is free.

On Sunday, April 14, at 2:30 p.m. in Pritchett Auditorium, the Averett Singers will host their spring concert. Admission is free.

Upcoming Live and Learn: Nutrition

On Monday, April 15, at 10:30 a.m. in the multipurpose room, Morgan Farmer from the Virginia Cooperative Extension will be joining us to talk about meal planning and nutrition label education.

If you are interested in learning about how to properly plan healthy meals, budgeting tips and making informed choices at the store, please mark your calendars and join us! A yogurt bar and refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP by emailing [email protected].

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 at [email protected] in Dr. Fulop’s office. The deadline for applications is Monday, April 15, by noon.

 

 

April Staff Meeting and Sun Porch 3.0 Update

The April staff meeting will take place on Thursday, April 18, at 11:15 a.m. Staff Council will be announcing the new Staff Council members for 2019-2020.

At noon, staff please plan to stay in the multipurpose room and faculty will join for an update from Dr. Franks on the Sun Porch 3.0 Sessions. Dr. Franks will share some of the big takeaways from the sessions as we plan for Averett 2025.

Happy April Birthday!

Wishing you the nicest things that life can bring your way, And this is not just a Birthday wish…it’s meant for every day!

Host: President Franks and Joe Franks
For: Celebration for Faculty & Staff with April Birthdays
When: Thursday, April 18
Where: Main Hall Penthouse
Time: 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

RSVP to [email protected]

Growth Mindset

We want to hear about what awesome things your department is doing to promote growth mindset, our school’s designated QEP. Please take an opportunity to fill out this Growth Mindset Best Practice/Event Form and send it back to [email protected] by Friday, April 26, so we can know about all the great things you are doing. Thank you!

 

Annual Rummage Sale

Averett’s Criminal Justice Club/Alpha Upsilon Lambda chapter is seeking donations of clothing and miscellaneous items to its Saturday, April 27, annual Rummage Sale. To donate items, notify Maya Hairston at [email protected] or Andrew Van Der Hyde at [email protected] or John Wilt, advisor, at [email protected]. For information about the rummage sale, call (434) 770-8822.

 

Faculty/Staff/Retiree Appreciation Luncheon and Awards

Your Punchbowl invitation is coming to your email next week so please look for it, respond to it as soon as possible and plan on joining us for an enjoyable and memorable event. The luncheon will take place on Thursday, May 2, from noon to 1:15 pm in the Dining Hall.

We will be recognizing our milestone employees and retirees and appreciating all of you for your commitment to Averett and higher education. See you at the event! Email Kathie Tune with any questions or for more information at [email protected].

During the luncheon, the Outstanding Faculty and Staff of the Year recipients will be announced. There is still time to nominate!

The criteria for the award and nomination process can be found by clicking here. The nomination form can be found by clicking here. These forms can also be found on the intranet.

The deadline to submit nominations is Wednesday, April 17, by 4:30 p.m. Completed nomination forms need to be sent to [email protected].

Averett University Receives Federal Grant for Domestic and Sexual Violence Critical Services Coordination in the Region

Averett University yesterday announced it is the recipient of a $500,000, three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. In partnership with Sovah Health, HAVEN of the Dan River Region, Inc. and the City of Danville Police Department, Averett will lead a community wide initiative to bring together key stakeholders to collaborate on a coordinated response to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking in the region. Click here to read the full story.

Averett Receives Governor’s Volunteerism & Service Award

Averett today announced that it is the recipient of a 2019 Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Award. Presented by Virginia Governor Ralph Northam yesterday evening during a special ceremony held at the Executive Mansion, these awards spotlight the outstanding efforts individual volunteers and organizations make on behalf of citizens throughout the Commonwealth. Click here to read more.

Rev. Dr. Daniel Carlton to Give Commencement Address

We are very pleased to announce that Rev. Dr. Daniel Carlton will be giving the commencement address during our upcoming spring graduation on Saturday, May 4. Rev. Dr. Carlton is an Averett graduate from the class of 1990, and he currently serves as the vice-chairman of Averett’s Board of Trustees, and will transition into the role of Board Chairman beginning July 1. He received his bachelor’s degree in church ministries and sociology from Averett, his master’s of divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and his doctorate of ministry in renewal of the Church for Mission at Palmer Theological Seminary.

He has been a pastor for 26 years, and he currently serves as the pastor of Culpeper Baptist Church in Culpeper, Va. Carlton met his wife, Emily, while at Averett University and they have three children, Averett senior Frances, Allie and Will. In addition to his service on Averett’s Board of Trustees, he also serves on the boards of LifeSpire of Virginia, Smart Beginnings Rappahannock, the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce and Culpeper Youth.

Summer Fridays

Averett is pleased to announce that our “Summer Friday” schedule will begin on Friday, May 10, and end after Friday, July 19. Regular Friday work hours will resume on Friday, July 26. As with last year, we have three Fridays that will not be half days as they are Summer Orientation days – May 31, June 21 and July 26.

During the summer schedule, Friday workdays will be from 8:30 a.m. to 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.

Thank you for Engaging!

The CCECC would like to thank the Averett community for engaging with us during our 2019 Day/Play to Engage! The day would not be a success without you!

 

 

 

Hiring Friends & Family

Averett always seeks to hire the best qualified candidates for open positions, but also desires to avoid situations that could create conflicts or perceptions of unfairness in the workplace. Thus, the policy on hiring friends and relatives of current employees has been clarified and updated. The policy applies to new hires, with all currently employed personnel being grandfathered into the positions they hold.

Under the new policy, applicants must disclose significant relationships with current employees. The disclosable relationships include:
• Spouse/partner
• Residents of the same household
• Dependent of an employee
• Family members by birth, marriage or adoption – immediate family, grandparent relationships, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew and first cousins
• Significant others such as romantic relationships

Individuals in these categories are eligible for hire at the University, they just cannot work within the same department or functional unit as the current employee. This restriction does apply to student workers as well. So, your child, parent, partner or sibling (etc.) can work at Averett, but not together with you, for you or not you for them. This is only a summary of the policy; please review the policy in its entirety in the Policy Library or click here.

Averett Representation at the NCAA Leadership Forum

Averett students, Owen Story and Caitlin Reed, as well as Coach Patrick Henry, have been selected to represent Averett at the 2019 NCAA Leadership Forum from April 11-14 in Orlando, Fla.

The NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum engages a diverse and dynamic representation of student-athletes, coaches, faculty and administrators from Division I, II and III. Student-athletes selected to attend the forum return to campus with invaluable leadership skills, the experience of exploring the relationship between personal values, core beliefs and behavioral styles, and a thorough understanding of the NCAA as a whole.

Good luck to Owen, Caitlin and Coach Henry!

 

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GPS Student Spotlight

Meet Erin French, a student pursuing her Master of Education in Special Education degree, expected to graduate in 2019.

What is your motivation for obtaining your degree here at Averett?  

“Before deciding where to attend school to obtain my master’s in special education, I looked at several schools that had online programs as well as on-campus classes. When I talked with Averett they were by far the most motivational and inspirational school I had dealt with. They did not hesitate to encourage me and warn me about the problems that could occur. They also were extremely easy to get in contact with when I had additional questions, and within days it was obvious they were a school that cared about me being a successful student and that was where I wanted to attend.”

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!

“Teachers are always available.”

“Appreciate the help I get with my learning disability – it really helps.”

“There is a good connection between faculty and students.”

“Everything on campus is so close.”

“The community members are kind.”

“I’m from Danville and being at Averett has given me a totally new perspective on Danville. I see Danville differently now.
People are so helpful – they ask if you need anything.”