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. Please submit by Friday, July 13, for a Wednesday, July 18, publication.
New Executive Director of the CCECC
Dr. Billy Wooten will start as the new executive director of the Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness on Monday, July 23. Wooten joins us from Berea College where he spent the past 20+ years teaching communications with service-learning and internship strategies. Wooten was also a member of Berea City Council and looks forward to continuing his civic engagement in the Dan River region.
Thank you, everyone, for supporting the CCECC and search committee through this process for the past seven months.
Swanson Joins Averett as Assistant Sports Information Director
Please give a warm welcome to Joseph Swanson, assistant sports information director.
Swanson previously served as the director of athletic communications at Brevard College and sports information graduate assistant at Lincoln Memorial University.
While at Brevard, Swanson served as the primary contact for football, volleyball, golf, men’s basketball, baseball, lacrosse and the Tornados’ national championship cycling program. He served as the voice of Brevard’s coaching show, Coaches’ Corner, and helped developed the Tornados’ athletic website, bctornados.com. Additionally, Swanson campaigned for Brevard’s first Division II All-American honoree and developed an extensive graphics background. To see the full story on Swanson, click here.
Men’s Basketball Adds Baker to Coaching Staff
Congratulations to former men’s basketball player Brandon Baker who is now an assistant coach under head coach David Doino.
A native of Virginia Beach, Va., Baker was a four-year member of the Averett men’s basketball program and was a part of two USA South Conference regular season championships. He earned USA South All-Sportsmanship Team honors as a senior and twice received the program’s service award at the annual athletics awards banquet. To see the full story on Baker, click here.
GPS Student Spotlight
Meet Joseph Baker, a student pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: Management Science degree who is expected to graduate in 2019. To learn more about Joseph on the GPS blog, click here.
QUESTION: What is your motivation for obtaining your degree here at Averett University?
ANSWER: “I started in 1976 at Averett College. I did not finish due to a family tragedy; I had to move back home to work in my dad’s business. When I started dating my now wife, Dedy, several years ago, she asked me why I did not finish my degree. I always wanted to get my degree during the first couple of years after I left Averett in 1979, but I did not. Once Dedy and I discussed going back to Averett, I spoke with a person in the IDEAL program. I had never taken an online course before – it was very challenging. My biggest cheerleader is my wife. She has been very encouraging and understanding (late nights).”
Shakespeare in the Park 2018
Shakespeare in the Park will take place Saturday and Sunday, July 21 and 22, at 6:30 p.m. at Ballou Park. Come and enjoy a youthful adaptation of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, written and directed by Averett University professor Dr. Marc Muneal. Cast members range in age from 13 to 30. Grab your blankets or lawn chairs and bring the whole family to the Ballou Park stage free of charge!
Synopsis – The campers at the Stratford Tennis Camp are all antsy because of the approaching Midsummer Meet. A couple of lovesick camp counselors, a visiting troupe from the neighboring Avon Dramatic Arts Camp and a bag of forbidden chocolate heighten the tension. Hijinks, hilarity and a mad sugar rush ensue.
Save the Date: Conference on Freshman Engagement and Empowerment
Please mark your calendar for the Conference on Freshmen Engagement and Empowerment, which will take place on Thursday, Oct. 25. This conference will allow freshman to demonstrate an understanding of issues in our region, and gain skills needed to meet volunteer needs with our community nonprofits. More details coming soon!
We’re Almost There…70 Percent
When we launched our annual employee training initiative in March of this year, our goal was to have 90 percent of our employees complete each of the required training courses. Our first course reflected our University’s core value of diversity and understanding how some behaviors can have a negative impact on our workplace. At July 1, we have a 70 percent overall completion rate, with a number of departments leading the way with 100 percent participation. If you have not yet taken the training, please do. It will take only about 40-45 minutes. If you tried to take it but experienced difficulty, here are some tips:
• Use Firefox or Explorer as your browser, as the course will not run in Chrome.
• Be sure you are using the “Login” fields and not the “Register” fields.
• Use your full Averett email address as your username, not just your name.
• Temporary passwords were generally set to be your PID number, including the P and zeros. You will reset it to a permanent password the first time you login.
• If you cannot get the password to work, simply use the “Forgot password?” link to reset it or call Anna Kautzman at (434) 791-7244 for assistance.
• Be sure to complete each section of the course, watch all of the videos and answer all of the questions so that the system will recognize your attempt as complete.
• This course does not give a “Congratulations, you’re done” message at the end; however, within 24 hours of finishing you will receive an email providing your certificate of completion (for your records).
Thank you for supporting our efforts to keep our Averett community strong and welcoming.
