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, July 26, for a Wednesday, July 31, publication.
Save the Date: Annual August Opening Session for Faculty & Staff
Wednesday, Aug. 14, Pritchett Auditorium in the Violet T. Firth Fine Arts Center
2:00-2:30 p.m.
Faculty and Staff Fellowship
2:30-3:45 p.m.
Opening Program: Averett Family Feud
Opening of the Year Interview with Dr. Franks and Danielle Staub
Messages from Students
Closing Remarks and Blessing for the Year
4:00 p.m.
Averett Family Social hosted by Tiffany and Joe Franks at the President’s Home
Mark your calendars for the 2019 August Opening! Join your fellow faculty and staff as we celebrate the new school year on Wednesday, Aug. 14, starting at 2 p.m. in the Violet T. Frith Fine Arts Center. The afternoon begins with refreshments and fellowship in the lobby until 2:30 p.m., followed by our program in Pritchett Auditorium featuring new faculty and staff pinning, a live interview discussion with Dr. Franks, and a fun and informative game of Averett Family Feud! Following our Opening of the Year Session, President Tiffany Franks and Joe Franks will host you and your loved ones for a family social at their home, 500 Hawthorne Dr.
You received a PunchBowl invite yesterday via email. Please RSVP for yourself and the number of family guests you will be bringing by Wednesday, Aug. 7. Please note, families are invited to join at 4 p.m. at the President’s House, but the program in Pritchett is for faculty and staff.
Save the Date: Fall New Employee University Orientation
Just a quick reminder to RSVP to your invitation for the New Employee Orientation. We’re looking to a full audience on Monday, Aug. 12, from 9 a.m. until noon with an optional campus tour to follow. We want to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to attend this fun and informative onboarding event. Click here to see the schedule. We’ve heard it’s one of a kind! Contact Kathie Tune, [email protected] with any questions or if you need additional information.
2019-20 Middle Border Forward Fellowship
The Middle Border Forward (MBF) Fellowship Program is accepting applications for its next round of fellows. The MBF Fellowship is a year-long, leadership development program designed to introduce emerging leaders to the opportunities and challenges within the Middle Border region, encourage civic engagement and create a network of grassroots leaders poised to make a change where they live & work.
Fellows meet monthly for day-long sessions on a variety of topics and work collaboratively to complete a community impact project prior to graduation. Interested applicants can apply here through August 19.
2019-20 Staff Meeting Dates
The dates of the University staff meetings for the 2019-20 school year are as follows:
Thursday, Sept. 19
Thursday, Oct. 31
Thursday, Nov. 21
Thursday, Jan. 2
Thursday, Feb. 20
Thursday, March 19
Thursday, Apr. 16
Thursday, May 21
Staff Council is accepting nominations for the Golden Bagel Award! If you feel that one of your coworkers has gone above and beyond this month, please email your nomination to [email protected].
Save the Date: Dan River Soul Food Festival & Competition
Calling all food lovers! Save the date now, and start thinking about which of your favorite dishes you want to enter into the 2019 Dan River Soul Food Festival & Competition on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Danville Community Market. All are welcome to enjoy the community meal, the arts displays and all of our entertainment. Click here to see the full flyer.
Averett Athletics Announces 2019 Hall of Fame Class
Averett University is proud to announce it will induct five new members into its Athletics Hall of Fame in October during Homecoming Weekend. The 2019 class features five former student-athletes — men’s tennis standout Tapio Martti ’87, football’s Scott Swann ’06, men’s golf’s Brad Hartman ’09, and volleyball’s Paige Aaron Echols ’13 and Allison Sparks Williams ’14.
All five will be inducted during a ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 19, and honored during halftime of the Homecoming football game that evening. Click here to read the full story on the Athletics website.
What’s New with Averett Study Abroad
Averett Study Abroad is excited to announce the launch of our student study abroad blog by Averett students before, during and after studying abroad. Follow our page for stories, photos, videos and tips from our students on international education and world travel! Currently, nursing students Aariyana Britton and Antonia Mullins share their experiences from London.
Averett Study Abroad is creating a new Averett scholarship to supplement existing financial aid. Click here to learn about the new “Diversity in Study Abroad Grant” that is geared to support students from diverse economic, educational, ethnic and social backgrounds by ensuring they are aware of and have equal access to the benefits and opportunities afforded through global education exchanges.
The GPS Resource Fee and Fall 2019 Term
A GPS Resource Fee, which covers the many learning tools provided to the GPS students including Moodle/Canvas, Tutoring Services, Zoom accounts, Student Services, Library services, IT help desk, and more, will be added to student accounts beginning with the Fall 2019 term. All Non-Traditional/GPS students will incur this fee each semester starting with Fall 2019.
The GPS Resource Fee will be charged as follows:
Non-Traditional/ GPS TERM students:
January, May and August starts: $150
March and October (midterm) starts: $75
Each semester thereafter: $150
Non-Traditional/GPS NON-TERM students will be charged $150 per semester.
Please note that this fee is not included in the tuition remission benefit for faculty, staff, their dependents and graduate assistants. These fees are subject to change at any time.
Questions concerning the tuition remission benefit, contact Kathie Tune, director of HR, at [email protected]. Billing questions should be directed to Rhonda Reavis, assistant director of GPS Student Accounts, at [email protected].
Announcing the Holiday Season Break
Dear Averett Staff:
The holiday season can be a wonderful time of religious, cultural and seasonal celebrations with your family, friends and communities. So, in the true spirit of the season, and to allow maximum time to make plans, we are happy to announce that Averett University will recognize Friday, Dec. 20, 2019 through Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, as our holiday break. Offices will close at end of day Thursday, Dec. 19, and will reopen on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020. (Kathie Tune’s birthday!)
Averett is very pleased to be able to provide this wonderful additional benefit to recognize the exceptional work that all of our faculty and staff do every day.
Please note: If you are one of those positions that will be required to be on-call or in the office during this time (primarily Admissions, Mailroom, Registrar’s Office, Student Financial Services, Institutional Advancement, IT, Athletics, GPS, etc.), you will be notified by your supervisor as to what those hours and the expectations will be during the break.
New Employees in GPS Education Department
Please welcome Dr. Jaime Stacy who joined Averett on July 15 as program director for GPS Education, assistant professor of Education. Dr. Stacy comes to Averett after serving as a teacher, administrator and professional learning specialist for both Chesterfield and Henrico schools. Additionally, she has served as an adjunct professor for the Ed.D. program at Virginia Commonwealth University for the past six years.
Another addition is Donna Barker, who will join Averett as an administrative assistant for the GPS Education department on August 1. Mrs. Barker comes to Averett with administrative experience in both the educational and healthcare fields, most recently serving as the unit secretary on the inpatient pediatric floor at St. Mary’s Hospital. Prior to, she worked for Hanover County Public Schools. Her organizational skills, attention to detail, and flexibility will make her an asset to the Averett community!
