Trump Dominates Southside Republican Vote
WSET Ch. 13

Averett’s Myers Shined on Court, in Classroom
Chatham Star-Tribune

Averett University Looking to Help Build Future Community Leaders in Southside
WSLS Ch. 10

Campbell a ‘Giant’ on and off Campus
Danville Register & Bee

Former Averett University President Frank Campbell Dies at 80
WDBJ Ch. 7

Dr. Frank Campbell Dies at 80
Chatham Star-Tribune

Averett University Mourns Death of Former President
WSET Ch. 13

Averett University Unveils New Logo
WSET Ch. 13

Averett University gets a New Look
WDBJ Ch. 7

Averett University Unveils New Logo
WSLS Ch. 10

Averett University Unveils New Look with Logo Design
Danville Register & Bee

The Seeds for Averett Planted by Campbell
Danville Register & Bee

Alumni Links

Kevin Ryan to Receive SBCA John W. McCormack Public Service Award
South Boston Today

Spradley Certified Athletic Trainer

Cody Spradley ’14 passed his Board of Certification (BOC) exam to become a certified athletic trainer (AT). Averett and the Athletic Training Education Program would like to congratulate Cody Spradley, ATC.

PHCC Marketing and Public Relations Manager to Retire after 31 Years
Danville Register & Bee

Katherine Clark is our new student concierge coordinator in Averett Central. Katherine graduated from Sweet Briar College in 2015 with bachelor’s degrees in English and creative writing. She brings a wealth of expertise in customer service and a friendly face to Averett Central. She was most recently employed by the Wendell Scott Foundation as an executive assistant here in Danville.

Cassie Williams Jones is our new director of marketing and communications. Cassie graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) with a double major in mass communications and Spanish, as well as a master’s degree in strategic public relations. She brings a wealth of expertise in public relations, marketing and crisis communications to Averett.

Cassie has worked for marketing communications agencies in Richmond, as well as in communications for VCU.

Kaitlin Marvin is our new start coordinator for the Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) Program. Kaitlin, who has been an integral part of our team since July 2015, was previously the graduate teaching assistant for the student success team.

As the new start coordinator, Kaitlin serves as part of the student success counselor team and will coordinate both new and readmitted student schedules. Throughout the scheduling process she will provide transitional support to newly admitted students through the end of IDS301 for graduate students and through the end of IDS310 for undergraduate students. Kaitlin will help guide readmitted students through the scheduling process and transition back into Averett in conjunction with the student success counselors. In addition, her responsibilities include aiding in compliance as it relates to the monitoring of attendance and grades.

Ginny Stanley is our instructional designer for the adult learning programs. Ginny holds a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation education from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Phoenix. She comes to Averett with extensive experience in instructional design and development in both the public and private sectors. Ginny resides in Phoenix, Ariz. with her husband, Jerry.

Caroline Wilborn is our new student financial services counselor for the Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) Program. Caroline has extensive knowledge and experience conducting, researching and resolving insurance claims and unpaid settlements with private companies. She brings a wealth of expertise in implementation of policies and procedures; regulating compliances; and familiarity in licensing renewals, certifications and accreditations.

Caroline was most recently employed as a Medical Management Coordinator, with Gateway Health Alliance here in Danville. She is a Lynchburg College alumnus and resides in South Boston with her husband, Chris.

IDA Team 2016 Regional Champions

Averett’s Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) team is the 2016 Regional Champion, which has earned them a trip to the nationals hosted by Centenary College in New Jersey at the end of April.

Jessica Stipic won the individual spot at nationals for lower training and Kasey Toth was reserve champion of the upper training division. In Dressage Seat Equitation finals, Jessica Allanson and Maddie Murray won their divisions.

Averett had three riders who competed in first level — junior Amanda Arnold won the division; Hannah Walters placed their and senior Micah Andrews placed fifth. In upper training, Stipic placed second and Kasey Toth placed sixth. In lower training, senior Adeline Bova placed third and Bre Casey placed eighth. The team’s intro riders cleaned up the day with Megan Grimes winning the class and Kristen Kelley placing second.

Synergis Staff Joins Averett

On March 1, the university officially welcomed staff members from Synergis Education to the Averett family. These staff members will continue in their roles overseeing our admissions and student accounting operations for the Graduate & Professional Studies (GPS) Program.

Angie Vaughan, Admissions, Richmond
Andrea Levengood, Admissions, Tidewater
Christy Davis, Admissions, Danville – Riverview
Denise Garrett, Student Accounting, Danville – Averett Central
Jonathan Nichels, Admissions, Danville – Riverview
Katherine Pappas, Admissions, Danville – Riverview
Kristi Phillips, Student Accounting, Danville – Averett Central
Melissa Anderson, Admissions, Richmond
Pat Williams, Admissions, Richmond
Penny Hudson, Student Accounting, Danville – Averett Central
Rena Leggett, Student Accounting, Danville – Averett Central
Rhonda Reavis, Student Accounting, Danville – Averett Central
Ron Lonzo, Admissions, Danville – Riverview
Sarah Hudson, Admissions, Roanoke
Valerie Murphy-Point, Admissions, Tidewater

Humphries Promoted

Bonnie Humphries ’10 has been named Coordinator for the IDEAL Program. Bonnie has been with Averett for more than five years, and during that time she has provided exceptional service as the Distance Education Specialist for IDEAL. She currently serves on Staff Council and is always eager to participate in university events. She has a BBA degree from Averett and a MBA in information technology from Golden Gate University.

Rowland takes new Position

Susan Rowland has transitioned to a new position – Director of Curriculum Services for Distance Education. For many years, she was also Director of the IDEAL program; and three years ago, was also given the responsibility of Director of Distance Education.

In her new role, Susan will oversee the launching of new functions – curriculum design and instructional development. In addition, she will oversee instructional designers for distance education. She has successfully met all of the requirements for the Quality Matters Certified Peer Reviewer designation, and is currently enrolled in the graduate Instructional Design Certificate program at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

Changes in Student Life

The Student Life office is in the process of hiring a director of residence life. Once this position is filled, Marsha Foster will transition into a new position – Associate Dean of Health and Wellness as well as our Title Nine Coordinator. Additionally, Kyle Patterson has been promoted to Assistant Director of Residence Life.

Hawkins Publishes Article

Since the mid-1990s, Dr. Ralph Hawkins has been one of just a few American “disciples” of Israeli archaeologist Adam Zertal. After working with him in the highlands of Israel from 1995 to 1998, Hawkins went on to do graduate work in Near Eastern archaeology, and wrote a dissertation focused on one of Zertal’s excavations. A few years later, he wrote a historical and archaeological reconstruction of early Israel’s emergence in Canaan that was heavily influenced by Zertal’s work.

In the wake of Zertal’s death last year, Hawkins was invited by Biblical Archaeology Review (BAR), the world’s highest circulating magazine dealing with biblical archaeology, to write a feature article exploring some of Zertal’s most controversial findings. The article appears in the current issue of BAR and be found by clicking here.

Phillips Serves as Guest Conductor

Dr. Janet Phillips, assistant professor of music and band director, was a guest conductor for the Silver Honor Band at the Pittsylvania County All County Band Festival held in Gretna on Feb. 25 and 26. Middle and high school students from all over the county spent two days immersed in learning new music and making new friends. The event culminated with a successful concert on Friday evening.

CCECC Presents at Conferences

In February, Alexis Ehrhardt, executive director of the Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness (CCECC), co-presented with Danville Assistant Director of Economic Development, Corrie Teague, at the NC Campus Compact Pathways to Civic Engagement (PACE) Conference. The presentation was entitled, “The Power of Place, Space, and Community Engagement: Pathways to Innovative Campus-Community Partnerships.”

Also in February, Rachel Covington, assistant director of community engagement, presented “Volunteer Recruitment: Finding Your Why” to the Dan River AmeriCorps members at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR).

On March 23, also at the IALR, Brigid Belko, director of experiential learning, presented “STEM Students Serving” with DCC Biology professor Chris Pantazis at the SoVA STEM-H Conference.

Wall Joins HR Staff

Tammy Wall has joined the human resources (HR) department and will retain her role as the senior accountant/benefits coordinator. Tammy will continue to support the business office by providing payroll and benefits (health and pension) management accounting and reporting. She has been the key contact with our online benefits enrollment software (benefitsolver.com) and instrumental in our ACA compliance reporting. Tammy will continue in those roles as the benefits coordinator.