March 2008

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Nursing plans continue

The Georgia Board of Nursing has granted Shorter College “developmental approval” for its proposal to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. “The decision by the Georgia Board of Nursing gives us the authorization to proceed with developing the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program,” said Shorter College President Dr. Harold E. Newman. “We will return to the board several times during the two-year developmental process for additional approvals.” As published in last month’s Virtually Shorter, the college announced on Feb. 16 its plans to make application to the state nursing board for approval to offer the BSN degree. The plans for the program call for the inclusion of a medical missions experience in the curriculum, which would have Shorter students serving needy populations both domestically and abroad.

Interested students should begin enrolling in the prerequisite general education classes at Shorter beginning Fall 2008. Students completing the core sequence at Shorter will be the strongest competitors for the available spaces to begin the nursing curriculum in Fall 2010, pending final approval from the Georgia Board of Nursing. Individuals interested in pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Shorter are asked to e-mail nursing.students@shorter.edu or contact Dr. John Head at 706-233-7342.

The recruitment of nursing faculty is expected to begin in late April. Potential nursing faculty members who are interested in learning more about the program may e-mail nursing.faculty@shorter.edu or contact Shorter College Provost Dr. Craig Shull at 706-233-7203.

No fools on April 1 Having been ranked for seven consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report as one of the South’s top baccalaureate colleges, Shorter College remains committed to promoting academic excellence, and Shorter students prove it. To honor the scholastic achievements of the college’s student body, Shorter’s second annual Celebrate Shorter day will be held on Tuesday, April 1.

Throughout the day, the Shorter community will recognize the college’s best and the brightest by honoring students' hard work in the classroom, their intensive study in the field, and their creativity and skill in each academic discipline. Celebrate Shorter will also include award programs throughout the day to recognize student success and achievement.

From science presentations to business presentations and from poetry readings to theatre showcases, the morning and afternoon student symposia span the spectrum of academic disciplines.

For a schedule, click here.

Soon to arrive in a mailbox near you The spring issue of Shorter magazine has been mailed and should arrive in your mailbox soon, if not already. Be sure to read recent news from alumni, athletics and campus updates. Featured in this issue is alumna Phyllis Tickle (’55), faculty member Tom Smith, a wrap-up of recent mission work around the world, and work toward hosting the upcoming NAIA football championship. Be sure to also check the magazine’s Online Extras.

MORE ALUMNI NEWS

Magness to head first-ever competitive cheerleading team

Rachel Harrell Magness has been selected to head Shorter’s first competitive cheerleading squad, which will begin competition in the fall of 2008. With the announcement of this new program, Shorter becomes the first private college in the state of Georgia and one of only a few private schools in the entire Southeast to offer full scholarships to competitive cheerleading athletes.

The new program will consist of a 20-member co-ed competition squad and a 16-member non-competition squad. The co-ed squad will compete in the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA), which holds its college championship every April in Daytona Beach, Fla., and includes such teams as the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech and Kennesaw State University. Recruiting for both squads is underway. For additional information, contact Magness at rmagness@shorter.edu or (706) 409-7469. Magness, a native of Kissimmee, Fla., came to Rome in 1994 to attend Berry College, where she was MVP of the co-ed cheerleading squad during her freshman year.

Upon graduation in 1998, she began work on what was to become the first All-Star Cheerleading Center in Northwest Georgia, Hot Shots Cheerleading, which she opened in February 1999.

Magness went on to coach the first National Cheerleading Championship All-Star teams in the history of Floyd County, and in eight years of All-Star coaching experience, she has coached her teams to more than 85 regional, state and national championship cheerleading titles.

NAIA championship Web site launched

The official Web site of the 2008 and 2009 NAIA national football championship games is now online at www.NAIAnationalchampionship.com.

The site includes information regarding pre-game activities, information about Shorter College and the city of Rome, the history of the game and ticket sales. "We are excited about the Web site and the ability to share the story of the game with the public," said Shorter College Athletic Director Bill Peterson and co-chair of the host committee. "Not only will the site provide information surrounding the events of the game, but football fans can now begin buying tickets. We believe it will be an exceptional resource for NAIA fans in the coming months." The NAIA Football National Championship will be played on Dec. 20, while the 2009 event will be on Dec. 19. Both championship titles will be played at Barron Stadium, home to the Shorter College Hawks. Shorter, the city of Rome and Floyd County are teaming up to host the event.

The site was designed and developed by Shorter College's Web manager Dana Thompson. Other individuals involved with the project were Peterson; Dawn Tolbert, the college's director of institutional relations, Jim O'Hara, the Rome News-Tribune's sports editor, and Grant Kersey, Shorter's sports information director.

Arts events conclude in April

Shorter’s School of the Arts concludes its 2007-2008 season with five events in April. With the chorus spring concert on April 5, Guys and Dolls April 18-20, the Chorale spring concert on April 19, an afternoon of opera on April 20, and the preparatory department spring recital on April 27, this month is full of events for musical and theatre audiences.

Visit the School of the Arts online calendar for ticket information.

Heritage on the Hill arrives April 19

Heritage on the Hill, a favorite springtime reunion tradition, will be held on April 19. This event will serve as the reunion weekend for the 50-year reunion class and earlier classes. All other reunion classes will continue to celebrate their reunions during Homecoming in the fall.

For more information, please contact Suzanne Scott at sscott@shorter.edu or (706) 233-7341.

Spring break in Israel

Earlier this month, a group of 15 Shorter students participated in a 10-day study-abroad trip to Israel led by Dr. Robert Wallace, assistant professor of religion and the college’s director of international programs. Joining him in leading the trip was Dr. Chuck Pearson, assistant professor of physics.

The “Travels in Biblical Lands” trip featured visits to key locales of historical and biblical significance. The trip was the culmination of an extended learning experience. Their pre-trip studies included learning 40 cities and geographic regions within Israel as well as the history and significance of the featured sites. Assistant Director of Institutional Relations Tracy Batchelor traveled with the group and compiled an online journal of their experiences.

SPORTS NEWS

High jump Hawk: A national champion

Freshman Montagious Brown soared to a national championship in high jump at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' Indoor National Championship at East Tennessee State University on March 7. The Union City, Ga., native led competitors from across the nation with his 6' 10.75" jump. Brown, who also was named to the All-Freshman team for his performance with Shorter's men's basketball team, left immediately after taking the national title to take part in the Final Four game of the Southern States Athletic Conference basketball tournament.

Brown was of the nine individuals and four relay teams from Shorter’s indoor track and field team to compete in the NAIA national championships on March 6-8. To read more about the Hawks’ success, visit www.goshorterhawks.com.

Hawk sets new free throw record

Shorter men’s basketball player Tomas Pranciliauskas finished the season making history. By being named No. 1 in the nation in free throw percentage, (going 112-for-118 at 94.9 percent,) the Hawks junior set a new Shorter record. He was also named to the NAIA All-American Third Team, which is the third All-American the Hawks have seen in the past 10 seasons. He led the Hawks in points scored (488), free throws (112) and three-pointers (76).

Softball ranked eighth in nation

In the first NAIA national poll of the season, the Shorter Lady Hawks softball team was ranked eighth in the nation. In the Region XIII ranking, Shorter was placed second, below the 2006 national champions, the University of Mobile. Shorter (28-8, 8-4 in conference) hosts Lee University on April 2 for a doubleheader at Alto Park. To keep up with the Lady Hawks season, visit www.goshorterhawks.com.

Hawks Super Night returns April 5

The third annual Hawks Super Night fundraiser dinner and auction will take place on Saturday, April 5, at the Forum in downtown Rome. Tickets may be purchased by calling Shorter’s box office at (706) 233-7288. The silent auction will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a catered dinner by Outback Steakhouse at 7 p.m. The evening’s guest speaker is Big Tom, star of Survivor: Africa. The live auction will begin at 8 p.m. and include items such as autographed sports memorabilia, vacation getaways and gift certificates.

Visit www.hawksbooster.com for additional information.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS

Heritage on the Hill
Saturday, April 19
Heritage on the Hill will serve as the reunion weekend for the 50-year reunion class and earlier classes.
Click here for more information.

Commencement
Saturday, May 3
Speaker: Dr. Carmen Acevedo Butcher
Click here for more information.

Homecoming
September 26-28
If you graduated in a year ending in 3 or 8, this is your class reunion year!
Interested in serving on your class reunion planning committee? Contact the alumni office at cmitchell@shorter.edu.

SHORTER ALUMNI BENEFITS

Liberty Mutual: Savings on auto and homeowner’s insurance to Shorter alumni

For a free, no-obligation rate quote, call Beth Blalock at 770) 924-6464 x 206 or e-mail Beth.Blalock@LibertyMutual.com.

"I've switched my homeowner's and automobile insurance to Liberty Mutual. Not only does Shorter receive a portion of my payments, but coupled with the discount for alumni, I've realized an annual savings of more than $1,300. I've also made a new friend in Beth Blalock, who
is Liberty Mutual’s quote representative for Shorter.”
Shorter alumnus Clark Samples (’71)

Shorter College Alumni Association Platinum Plus MasterCard Credit Card

"The Bank of America credit card is a wonderful tool for alumni to promote Shorter through name recognition. Every time I present the card, a new person sees the Shorter College name, and often asks about the college.
Shorter alumna Patsy Drummond (’62)

Travel Benefits: Savings on resort vacation
condominium rentals for Shorter alumni

To review available locations and dates as well as booking information, visit www.alumnitravelbenefits.com/shorter.asp or call (888) 729-3842. Use Shorter’s code AGA-002.

"We had a wonderful trip to Disney World! The condo through Alumni Travel Benefits was beautiful; it exceeded our expectations in every way!”
Shorter alumna Tina Chapman (’04)

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 Tracy Batchelor at tbatchelor@shorter.edu.

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