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, April 5, for a Wednesday, April 10, publication.
Healthy Solutions
Week 3 of the Stress Management program, “Where are you on the Stress-Burnout Continuum?” will be held today, April 3, at 10:30 a.m. in the MPR. We will be discussing the downhill effects of burning out, the stress-burnout continuum and how to identify where you stand on that continuum. Light snacks and refreshments are provided.
New Staff Council Member Voting
Remember to vote! An email with the survey was sent to your inbox last week. If you haven’t already, please complete the survey by selecting one person from each group and submiting. 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!
Today Only: Averett Family Shirts
Show your pride and support Averett Athletics by purchasing some Averett swag that accurately depicts our motto, “FAMILY.” The site is only live through today, April 3, so act quickly! CLICK HERE to view.
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 tomorrow, April 4, from 7:30-9 a.m. at the Institute for Advanced Learning and 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
Proposals for the Big Idea Competition are due this Friday, April 5.
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 for a chance to win $1,000, $1,500 or $2,000! For questions, contact Charles Harris at [email protected] or (434) 791-5701.
1859 Coffeehouse Lecture Series: Dr. Liu
Join us for the last 1859 Coffeehouse Lecture series this semester on Tuesday, April 9, at 7 p.m., featuring Dr. Michelle Liu.
Liu came to Moscow, Idaho as a full-time doctoral student and studied sport pedagogy at the University of Idaho in 2003. Immediately after receiving her Ph.D. in 2008, Averett offered Liu a teaching faculty position and she moved to Danville. Liu’s home is Miaoli in Taiwan, R.O.C, and she will share insights on cultures and customs from her home country
Bridge Street Blood Drive
The Bridge Street Blood Drive will be held on Wednesday, 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.
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 on Thursday, 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!
Honors Recognition Program
This year’s Honors Recognition Program, where students will be honored for academic achievement, will be held on Thursday, 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.
This joint faculty/staff meeting will occur immediately following the regularly scheduled faculty forum.
Administrative Professionals Day Luncheon
Southside Virginia SHRM is holding it’s annual Administrative Professionals Day Luncheon on Wednesday, April 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. Cost is $25 per person. Vendors are also welcome and the cost per vendor is $25.
Treat yourself. Do a little shopping. Enjoy a delicious meal. Win fabulous door prizes! Featuring a motivational speech by Dr. Martha Walker entitled, “Shaping Your Future.”
Please contact Angie McAdams at [email protected] or stop by the CCECC to see her for registration information.
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].
Millennium Financial Focus Newsletter
The Millennium Financial Focus Newsletter (1st quarter 2019) is now available for all Averett University faculty and staff. Millennium Advisory Services will continue to make this newsletter available to all Averett faculty and staff each quarter through the CoffeeBreak Newsletter. CLICK HERE to view the newsletter.
They are committed to providing the quarterly newsletter as part of their ongoing communication and education strategy.
Advising Tips
Consider sending a reminder email to your advisees that have not registered yet. Pre-registration is open to all students until the last day of classes which is Wednesday, April 24. If a student registers after that, it is considered late registration and there is $50 penalty fee.
Dr. Samoilenko Publishes Journal Article
Dr. Samoilenko published his latest research, titled “Representation matters: An exploration of the socio-economic impacts of ICT-enabled public value in the context of sub-Saharan economies” in International Journal of Information Management. CLICK HERE to learn more.
GPS Student Spotlight
Meet Angela Butler, a student pursuing her Bachelor of Business Administration degree and is expected to graduate in 2023.
What is your motivation for obtaining your degree here at Averett?
“My motivation to pursue and obtain my degree comes from my children, first and foremost. I want to show them that even at my age, decades after graduating high school and in the middle of my professional career, I am able to dedicate time to excel in my studies and obtain a college degree.
I want to show my kids that anything is possible if you just apply yourself! I’m also motivated by the encouragement my professors, academic advisers and all of the Averett University staff give us. They truly are a representation of a highly professional, dedicated team! They want to see their students succeed, and they are willing to go above and beyond to provide whatever support you need. I think that’s really great!”
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 liked that as an aviation major, I was getting in a plane quickly.”
“I like the length of each class.”
“I like the African American studies minor.”
“The study areas in the library are great – couches and chairs make it easy to study.”
“I like the flight instructors.”
“Classes are close together, so there isn’t a problem getting there on time.”
“I like seeing my teachers during office hours.”
“Faculty and staff relationships are special.”
“I can get in touch with my professors easily, whether it’s through text, call or email.”
“Averett has the class size where the professors know your name.”
