August 2008

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TOP NEWS

Homecoming is just a month away, and we’re hoping to see you HERE. The festivities begin Friday, Sept. 26, and continue through Sunday, Sept. 28. Highlights of the weekend include the Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner, reunions for classes ending in 3 and 8, the third annual Hawk Hustle 5K, a carnival for the kids, an alumni baseball game and the Homecoming football game where the Shorter Hawks face off against Faulkner.

This year, we are also excited to celebrate the return of the alumni-led worship service on Sunday morning. Dr. Larry McSwain, who served as president of Shorter College from 1993 to 2000, will be the worship leader. Special music will be provided by alumni and current members of Proclamation.

Visit hawkspace.shorter.edu for a complete schedule and the latest updates. If you have questions or comments, e-mail homecoming@shorter.edu.

Shorter ranked as one of the South’s best

For the eighth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report’s “Americas Best Colleges” rankings place Shorter among the South’s best baccalaureate colleges. Shorter finished as No. 20 on the list of baccalaureate colleges, up two slots over last year’s placement. Earlier this month, Shorter was one of 139 schools that received the “Best in the Southeast” designation from The Princeton Review in its “2009 Best Colleges: Region by Region” section.

“Shorter College has seen remarkable growth during recent years as we have focused our future plans around five key areas of excellence,” said Dr. Harold E. Newman, Shorter president. “Those areas include developing a strengthened reputation as a pre-eminent teaching institution, as a Christ-centered community and as a community of global citizens. That clarity of purpose has impacted key areas considered by U.S. News and other ranking organizations, and we are gratified that Shorter is not only ranked again among the top-tier institutions in the South, but also that we have seen a slight rise in our ranking.”

Click here for more information on the U.S. News & World Report rankings.

Sports Management prof headed to Beijing with Paralympic Team USA

A gold medalist at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece, Jennifer Ruddell is headed to Beijing in September as co-captain of the U.S. women’s wheelchair basketball team. She recently joined Shorter’s faculty as assistant professor of sports management.

“I am ready to compete in Beijing,” said Dr. Ruddell. “I am also looking forward to sharing my experiences with Shorter students when I get back to campus.” Dr. Ruddell is one of the world’s top women wheelchair basketball players, according to her player bio. In addition to her gold medal performance in Athens, she helped the U.S. team claim the gold medal at the 2007 Parapan American Games. To see how Team USA fares in Beijing, visit www.usparalympics.org. For additional coverage of the games online, visit www.paralympicsport.tv.

MORE ALUMNI NEWS

136 Years and Counting

Shorter College launched its 136 th academic year on Friday, Aug. 22, with a daylong celebration. Following departmental get-togethers, the entire campus community gathered for the traditional convocation ceremony. There, President Harold E. Newman officially convened the academic year.

The featured speaker at the ceremony was Jonathan Merritt, a religion and culture writer who serves as spokesperson for the Southern Baptist Environment and Climate Initiative. His talk about the biblical foundations for environmentalism was part of the college’s yearlong theme, which focuses on the importance of caring for the environment and on the responsibilities that we hold in that area as educated individuals and as Christians.

Alumni Invited to Tour Biblical Sites in Turkey and Greece Dr. Alan Hix (’82), associate professor of religion, invites Shorter College alumni to join him on a 13-day trip to biblical sites in Turkey and Greece. The trip, offered in cooperation with the Alumni Office, will include tours of the sites of the seven churches of Revelation as well as a Greek Island tour. “The purpose of this tour is to discover the full message of the letters to the seven churches in the book of Revelation as well as to explore sites that are also connected to the ministry of the Apostle Paul,” Dr. Hix said.

For tour information and an application, visit www.shorter.edu/Turkey2009. If you have questions, you may e-mail Dr. Hix at ahix@shorter.edu or visit his booth during Homecoming.

Aaron Werner Named Dean of Chapel, Minister to the University Dr. Aaron Werner has joined the Shorter faculty as dean of the chapel and minister to the university. He will serve as the campus pastor, ministering to the needs of all students from all faiths; will work to expand domestic and international missions opportunities for students; will enhance spiritual development activities on campus; and will facilitate denominational relations activities for the college. He will work closely with the Rev. David Roland, who serves as Baptist Collegiate Ministries’ campus minister at Shorter. “Dr. Werner brings a rich background of experiences with him to this post, including his recent service as college and career minister at Valley Baptist Church in Bakersfield, Calif.,” said Shorter President Harold E. Newman in making the announcement. “We are excited about the work Dr. Werner will do to enhance spiritual life on campus.”

Click here to read more about Dr. Werner.

ATHLETIC NEWS

Athletes to Enter Shorter’s Hall of Fame Eight outstanding men and women will be inducted into Shorter's Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, Sept. 26. The new inductees are Hamp Alexander (baseball and men's basketball coach), Richard Cowan (distinguished service), Malin Edsand (women's tennis), Joe Hackett (baseball), Tramaine Paul (women's basketball), Dwight Rainey (men's basketball), Vaughn Robbins (baseball) and Rick Smith (tennis). Read more about this year’s inductees here.

"We are excited to honor the 2008 inductees and to present a new, first-class Hall of Fame display that is worthy of their outstanding achievements," said Shorter Athletic Director Bill Peterson. "This is something the whole Rome and Northwest Georgia community should be proud of and is a testament to the direction we are headed at Shorter."

The Hall of Fame banquet, induction ceremony and the unveiling of the new hall of fame exhibit will be held at the Winthrop-King Centre in conjunction with Shorter's Homecoming festivities. A limited number of banquet tickets will be available at $25 each and must be purchased by Sept. 15. To order, contact Shorter's box office at (706) 233-7288.

Hawks Hoping to Put Western Carolina Down for the Count The Shorter Hawks open their 2008 football season against NCAA Division I-AA foe Western Carolina University at the Catamounts home stadium in Cullowhee, N.C. The game, slated for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 28, marks the Hawks’ first game against a Division I opponent. Hawks fans can listen to the game online.

“It’s a very challenging schedule, but one we are really looking forward to,” said Shorter Head Coach Phil Jones. “Western Carolina is in a separate category for us. On one side, it is a tremendous opportunity for our school, fans and players to be involved in a large football environment; on the other hand, it will be a difficult challenge that I believe our players will be ready for.”

In their fourth season, the Hawks will return a large senior class, most of whom have played for Shorter since the team’s inaugural year. Preseason buzz has identified the Hawks as a team to watch as Shorter received votes in the NAIA Top 25 preseason poll.

Click here for season ticket information.

Cross Country ranked 24th in NAIA pre-season poll

In the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' top 25 preseason men's cross country poll, the Shorter Hawks received 112 points to place 24th in the nation. This is the first ranking that the team has received since the rebirth of the program in fall of 2006.

Last season, the Hawks took first place in the Region XIII and Southern States Athletic Conference tournament, where Shorter runners took first through fourth place. They went on to the National Championship in Kenosha, Wis., where the team finished 24th with Martin Hernandez (Region Runner of the Year) taking 84th overall.

Running with an Olympian This summer, Shorter cross country runners Jared and Josh Carson attended a Christian distance-running training camp at Mammoth Lakes, Calif. There, they ran with and learned from Olympic hopeful Ryan Hall, who had a top 10 finish in the marathon at the Beijing Olympics. The brothers recently shared their reflections on the experience.

Jared and Josh were most impressed with Hall’s Christian witness, which includes clearly stating that his only reason for running is to bring glory to God.

Shorter to host 2009 SSAC Men’s Basketball Tournament

After a 19-win season and a postseason victory over Berry College to advance to the SSAC semifinals, Shorter College men’s basketball team has new bragging rights: being selected as host site for the 2009 SSAC Men's Basketball Tournament.

"We are so excited about hosting the tournament," said Head Coach Chad Warner. "We're extremely proud of our facilities and the support we continue to receive from the city of Rome. It is our goal to put on a first-class tournament for Shorter, the SSAC and our community."

Shorter's Winthrop-King Centre has served as the home court for the Hawks and Lady Hawks men's and women's basketball programs for the past 15 seasons. The eight-team SSAC tournament will be held March 4-7. It has been held at Lee University for the past two seasons.

Competitive Cheerleaders Begin Practice Shorter College officially launched its 17th intercollegiate sport as the Hawks and Lady Hawks competitive cheerleaders reported for practice in mid August. The team is training for performances at football and basketball games as well as competition at the National Cheerleaders Association’s college championship. Community service has also been a part of the team’s early activities, as they hosted a free cheerleading clinic on Saturday, Aug. 9, for kids from the Boys and Girls Club. Head Coach Rachel Magness described the event as “a great way for our new team to become acquainted with the basic needs of our community.”

For more on competitive cheerleading and updates on how the other intercollegiate athletic teams are gearing up for the season, visit goshorterhawks.com.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS

For more information on the events below, call the Alumni Office at (800) 868-6980, ext. 7353 or (706) 233-7353 or e-mail sgraves@shorter.edu.

	Sept. 2-Oct. 2 – “Inner Visions” Exhibit by Reginald Laurent at Arnold Gallery A Chicago native and Atlanta-based artist, Laurent creates colorful abstracts that have won many awards and are in many public and private collections including that of Michael Jordan.
	Sept. 8 – Faculty recital by Sherri Weiler, Mezzo-Soprano 7:30 p.m., Brookes Chapel Read more about Sherri Weiler>
	Sept. 15-18 – Christian Focus Week Guest speakers include Tim Martin, Executive Director of Building Better Communities in New Orleans, Louisiana and Al Stagg, a Christian Actor/Performer from Arizona.
	Sept. 20 – “All that Jazz” Chorale Fundraiser 6:30 p.m., Hilltop Café The Shorter Chorale presents a wonderful evening of jazz and Big Band standards surrounded by a reception, dinner and dancing. Tickets are $40 each; call (800) 868-6980, ext. 7288, or e-mail boxoffice@shorter.edu.
	Sept. 22 – Faculty recital by Linda Lister, Soprano, with special guest Daniel Ihasz, Baritone 7:30 p.m., Brookes Chapel Read more about Linda Lister>
	Sept. 26-28 – Homecoming If you graduated in a year ending in 3 or 8, this is your class reunion year! Get more information at hawkspace.shorter.edu.
	Sept. 26-28 and Oct. 2-5 – Shorter College Theatre presents Songs for a New World Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., Callaway Theatre $12 for general admission; $8 for students and senior adults. Call (800) 868-6980, ext. 7288, or e-mail boxoffice@shorter.edu. Songs for a New World transports the audience from the deck of a 1492 Spanish sailing ship to a ledge 57 stories above Fifth Avenue to meet a startling array of characters – characters who tell the stories of today.
	Sept. 29 – Faculty recital by Peter DeWitt, Organ 7:30 p.m., Brookes Chapel Read more about Peter DeWitt>
	Nov. 11 – Alumni and Friends Luncheon in conjunction with the GBC Annual Meeting Additional information coming soon.
	Dec. 6 – Feaste of Caroles with the Rome Symphony Orchestra 7:30 p.m., Rome City Auditorium Advance tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for senior adults and $3 for students. Call (800) 868-6980, ext. 7288, or e-mail boxoffice@shorter.edu. This year’s Feaste of Caroles event, sure to be a highlight of the Christmas season, features the Shorter Chorale, the Shorter Chorus and the Rome Symphony Orchestra.
	Dec. 20 – Shorter hosts the NAIA National Football Championship Game Click here for more information on the game.

Got news? Maybe a new job or a new baby? Recently married? Share the good news with your friends through class notes in Shorter magazine. E-mail your news to wtaylor@shorter.edu . Be sure to include your full name, class year, e-mail address, mailing address and phone number. Please let fellow alumni know that they can subscribe to Virtually Shorter by visiting Shorter's alumni web community Hawkspace. You also can reach the Alumni Office at (800) 868-6980.

Virtually Shorter is compiled by the Office of Institutional Relations. If you have questions, comments or suggestions for our e-newsletter, e-mail Dawn Tolbert at dtolbert @shorter.edu.

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