All entries by this author

VSU Homecoming 2013 — View Photos

Oct 3rd, 2013 | By

VSU’s homecoming celebration featured numerous activities throughout the week of Sept. 30 – Oct. 5 for alumni, students, faculty, staff and members of the community. Homecoming activities also featured events that recognized VSU’s 50 years of integration, including acknowledgement of the pioneers who were pivotal to the integration efforts of the university.  The weeklong homecoming…

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Steel’s Diamond is a Field of Dreams

Oct 1st, 2013 | By

Longtime friends of Valdosta State University, Chuck and Susan Steel believe in the importance of education and the benefit of having a regional university within their community. The owners of Steel’s Jewelry have been generous contributors to VSU for many years, sponsoring various sporting events and recognition programs for student-athletes and donating auction items for…

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Scholarship Helps Recruit Best and Brightest

Oct 1st, 2013 | By

What began as an invitation to a basketball game nearly 40 years ago has blossomed into a friendship between Jerry and Kay Jennett and Valdosta State University. A highly successful businessman, Jerry has always been an avid sports fan and someone who sees a need and immediately takes action. “Kay and I were at a…

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Alumnus Works with Students to Create Jobs in Kenya

Oct 1st, 2013 | By

  Contributing writer: Amber Smith, ‘13 Levy Odera, ’05 & 06, teamed up with Valdosta State University Enactus (formerly Students in Free Enterprise) students to help create jobs for women in Kenya. Odera, a native of Kenya, was a member of SIFE as a student and is excited to be working with Enactus students on…

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VSU Announces New Center for Excellence in STEM Education

Oct 1st, 2013 | By

Valdosta State University received $2.5 million from the FY2014 Georgia Assembly budget to create the Center for Excellence in STEM Education. The center will provide expanded training to Valdosta State students and regional teachers in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) areas. The center, which will be housed in Martin Hall, will serve as…

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Veteran Coach to Lead the Blazer Volleyball Team

Oct 1st, 2013 | By

  Valdosta State University has appointed Mike Swan, a 27-year veteran in collegiate coaching ranks, as head coach of the Blazer volleyball team. Swan comes to VSU from the University of Evansville, where he served as head volleyball coach since 2003. During his 10 seasons at the Division I institution, Swan tallied 124 victories and…

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Founding Members of Theta Tau chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Establish a Legacy

Oct 1st, 2013 | By

  Written by: Atiya Elliott-Semper ’13, student writer When seven women were selected to join the sisterhood of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. by chartering a chapter at Valdosta State College (VSC) in 1971, they helped to establish the first predominantly black Greek organization on campus. The Theta Tau chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority…

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Creating an Innovative Classroom Experience

Oct 1st, 2013 | By

In the world of higher education, the term MOOC—massive open online courses—continues to gain attention as colleges develop courses that educate thousands of students simultaneously and, in most cases, free of charge. An experienced filmmaker and media producer, Dr. Michael Savoie, professor of mass media and interim dean of the Honors College, became interested in…

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VSU Alumnus Recognized as Georgia Principal of the Year

Oct 1st, 2013 | By

Dr. Robbie Hooker, ’88 and ’89, was named the 2013 Georgia Principal of the Year by the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals. The Clarke Central High School principal was also nominated for the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) award. Hooker, a native of Boston, Ga., was raised in a single parent home and credits his…

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50 Years of Integration: A Celebration of Inclusion

Oct 1st, 2013 | By

  In 1963, President John F. Kennedy dealt with issues surrounding peace, both in relationship to the possibility of war with the Soviet Union and at home with the moral crisis of civil rights and segregation. In a televised speech to the American people, June 11, 1963, Kennedy outlined his plan for civil rights legislation….

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