A Georgia Baptist Institution
September/October 2008
Click here to subscribe to Virtually Shorter and stay connected to everything happening at Shorter College!
TOP NEWS
|
Not even a statewide gas shortage could keep Shorter alumni and fans away on Homecoming Saturday. Shorter spirit was everywhere, from the Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner and class reunions to the third annual Hawk Hustle and kids carnival. And let’s not forget about the football! The Hawks soared over the Faulkner Eagles with an impressive show of athletic talent, breaking three team records and one individual record along the way to a 42-0 blowout. |
 |
Crowned as Homecoming King and Queen this year were seniors Britt Hester and Hannah Orr. Orr, a public relations senior from Cumming, is active in Epsilon Sigma, Student Orientation Staff, Residence Life, Shorter Relations Society, Alpha Chi Honor Society, Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM), Fitton Activities Board, and the SGA. Hester is a senior majoring in communications from Fort Payne, Ala. He serves as the BCM president and an Epsilon Sigma sweetheart. He is involved in Shorter Relations Society and participates in Intramural Flag Football.
Also honored during the game were several Shorter graduates. David Kemp (’81) was awarded The Distinguished Alumni Award. This recognizes those Shorter graduates who exhibit outstanding professional achievement, public service, or accomplishments in the arts and sciences. Dr. John Head (’87) was given The Distinguished Service Award. The award is presented to graduates who have given outstanding service to the college in leadership, volunteerism, on-campus service, recruiting efforts, or financial support. Cliff Duren (’01) was presented The Distinguished Young Alumni Award. Presented to alumni who have graduated from Shorter during the preceding 15 years, the award honors alumni who show promise through their professional achievement, community service, and/or dedication to the college, and who embrace the Shorter College mission.
To read more about those honored during Homecoming week at Shorter, click here.
We want to hear from you!
We have created a survey specifically designed to let us know what you thought about Shorter's Homecoming celebration. From the family carnival on the hill to the game at Barron Stadium, we are interested in what you have to say.
Give us your feedback on Shorter's Homecoming by clicking here.
Assistant Professor of Sports Management Jennifer Ruddell is as good as gold. Fresh from a win in the 2008 Paralympic Games in China, Ruddell can now add one more piece to her growing collection of medals. Ruddell was a co-captain for the U.S. Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team that played in Beijing and downed Germany’s team, 50-38, to capture the gold medal for the second Paralympic Games in a row. Ruddell credits God for her success on and off the court. “As long as you are following God’s path, it’s going to happen,” Ruddell said. “My sophomore year [in college], I became a Christian, and that’s one reason why I wanted to play wheelchair basketball. I realized God was giving this to me, and I wanted to give back to him.” |
 |
Ruddell, along with other Olympians from Beijing, are headed to the nation’s capital to receive honors for their accomplishments on Oct. 6 and 7.
To read more about Ruddell’s success and faith, click here.
 |
The Shorter College athletic program has announced the formation of the Little Hawks Program. “We are really excited about this program and cannot wait to see our youngest fans at all Shorter athletic events,” said Cristy Pak of Shorter’s athletic marketing. All elementary students from Rome and Floyd County are invited to join the program and will receive a complimentary pass to all Hawks’ home football games as well as any other home athletic events. The game passes are free of charge, but each student must be accompanied by an adult. Students can become a member by filling out the order form at the Shorter athletic Web site - on the left-hand navigation bar under ‘Little Hawks’ - and returning it. The one-year membership begins upon confirmation from the Shorter Athletic Department. |
Season membership runs from acceptance of program until May 31, 2009.
Registration is open throughout the entire school year.
For more information on becoming a member of the Little Hawks Club, call Cristy Pak at (706) 315-3470 or cpak@shorter.edu.
MORE ALUMNI NEWS
|
Eight sports standouts were honored during the Shorter College Athletic Hall of Fame induction. The event was held on Sept. 26 inside the Winthrop-King Centre. Added to the Hall of Fame for 2008 were Hamp Alexander, Richard Cowan, Joe Hackett, Dwight Rainey, Tramaine Paul, Vaughn Robbins, Rick Smith and Malin Edsand. |
 |
Softball cancer fundraiser, football game collection for cancer
Five teams will participate in the “Border Battle for Breast Cancer,” a Shorter College softball tournament that aims to strike out breast cancer. The tourney is planned Saturday, Oct. 4 at Alto Park – home of the Lady Hawks. All proceeds will be donated to local cancer organizations.
Last year, Shorter softball raised and donated $5,000 to the opening of Cancer Navigators – a local facility centered on the research, recovery, and support of breast cancer.
On Oct.18, a collection will take place during “Championship Saturday,” which features the Hawks vs. North Greenville University beginning at 1:30 p.m. at Barron Stadium.
To read more about how to contribute to this cause, click here.
Shorter College Athletics has partnered with Coosa High School Engineering and Technology Department to produce a 30-minute T.V. program, which will broadcast each week on Comcast Sports South (CSS, channel 35 on local cable) at 1 p.m. on Thursdays. The program will highlight Shorter College Athletics, concentrating on football and basketball through March 2009. It will be produced by the Work-Based Learning Students at Coosa with help from professional broadcasters from around the area and state.
"The program is a great way to showcase our athletic program," said Athletic Director Bill Peterson. "This will increase publicity for our student athletes and coaches on both a local and regional level."
The show will also broadcast on Thursday nights at 9 p.m. on Comcast Spotlight Channel 44 in Rome and Calhoun, as well as SKY TV 21 in Summerville. It will air later in the week on Comcast Channel 4 on Fridays at 3:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 p.m.
The Hawks and Lady Hawks' fall sports season is now in full swing, with football, men's and women's soccer, cross country, volleyball and men's and women's golf. For complete information, including schedules, news and rosters, please visit www.goshorterhawks.com.
Focusing on excellence and student success
In the continued effort to provide excellence in education, Shorter College has developed the Office of Student Engagement and Success.
“Shorter College has a long tradition of providing an atmosphere where students can learn and grow in a Christian environment. We have always been committed to helping each student realize their potential and the Student Engagement and Success Office is another demonstration of Shorter’s commitment to helping students,” said Dr. John Head (’87), vice president of enrollment management at the college. “We want them to be successful academically and to help them make connections with the Shorter and Rome communities. We have assembled a talented and caring team that will provide students with support and guidance to help them get the most out of their college experience.”
Click here to meet the staff online.
A new face in PR, new address to send YOUR Shorter news to
 |
Aimee L. Harmison has joined the staff of Shorter College’s Office of Institutional Relations. Selected as the college’s public relations specialist, Harmison will assist with the college’s bi-annual magazine and monthly alumni electronic newsletter, along with other projects designed to highlight the accomplishments of Shorter’s students, faculty and alumni. |
Harmison has worked for more than nine years in the mass communications industry, specializing in print and Internet media, as well as photojournalism, making her a perfect fit for the job, said Dawn Tolbert, director of institutional relations.
To send in your story ideas, e-mail Harmison at aharmison@shorter.edu or call 770-233-7241.
To read more on this story, click here.
ATHLETIC NEWS
Hawks soar over Eagles, 42-0, break into NAIA Top 25
The Hawks opened their home football season in style Sept. 27, breaking three team records and one individual record, in a 42-0 victory over Mid-South Western Division foe the Faulkner University Eagles. To read the game play-by-play, click here. Shorter is on the road again Friday, Oct. 4 in Campbellsville, Ky., in a divisional game against Campbellsville University. The team returns home on Oct. 11 for a 1:30 p.m. game against Lambuth University at Barron Stadium. Two days after that impressive win, the Hawks broke into the NAIA Football Top 25 Coaches' Poll at No. 23, the NAIA announced on Sept. 29. This is the third regular-season edition of the Coaches' Poll, and the first time Shorter has been ranked since preseason. To read more about the rankings and view the Top 25 poll, click here. |
 |
Men's soccer receives first-ever NAIA top 25 ranking, then jumps from No. 24 to No. 16
Kansas City, Mo. - After taking their first-ever victory over the Lee University Flames last week, the Shorter College Hawks men's soccer team took a big leap in the latest NAIA Top 25 coaches poll, jumping from No. 24 to No. 16. Additionally, Shorter was ranked first in the Southern States Athletic Conference, ahead of cross-town rival Berry College (entering the poll at No. 17), and No. 23 Auburn University-Montgomery (down from No. 8).
"It's a first for us and a great sign of how far we've come," said head coach Josh Severns. "There are still a lot of games to be played, and we want to keep improving each practice and each game." The Hawks (6-2, 5-1) will travel on Saturday to play nationally-ranked No. 15 Belhaven College. |
 |
Student-Athlete Advisory Board formed
The Shorter Athletic Department has formed a Student-Athlete Advisory Board. This group of student-athletes will be asked to work with Shorter's athletic administration to communicate concerns and issues on behalf of the school's student-athletes.
Along with this expectation, the Advisory Board will help the department with community service projects that involve all of Shorter's athletic programs.
"An appointment to this Board is a significant honor for each athlete chosen," said Shorter College athletic director Bill Peterson. "They are the best of the best."
The board will consists of one or two athletes from each sport, with only 21 of Shorter's approximately 450 student-athletes receiving this invitation. Athletes were selected by their coaches based upon athletic and academic achievements.
To view a list of board members, click here.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS
For more information on the events listed below, call the Alumni Office at 1-800-868-6980, ext. 7353 or 706-233-7353 or e-mail sgraves@shorter.edu
 |
"Songs For A New World" continues until October 5 The deck of a 1492 Spanish sailing ship will make the seamless transition this weekend into a modern-day apartment ledge high above the busy streets of Fifth Avenue, as the Shorter College Theatre Department presents “Songs for a New World.” With music and lyrics written by Jason Robert Brown, the performance will transport the audience from the high seas to a bustling city high-rise to meet a startling array of characters ranging from a young man who has determined that basketball is his ticket out of the ghetto to a woman whose dream of marrying rich nabs her the man of her dreams in a soulless marriage. “Songs for a New World” opened Friday, Sept. 26 at Shorter’s Callaway Theatre. Additional performance dates are scheduled for Oct. 2 -4, 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. Admission is $12 and $8 for students and senior adults. For tickets, call the Shorter College box office at 706-233-7288. |
 |
Oct. 6 – Classical Guitarist Petar Jankovic, part of Shorter’s Guest Artist Series International award-winning classical guitarist Petar Jankovic will perform Monday, Oct. 6 at Shorter College’s Brookes Chapel at 7:30 p.m. The concert is part of the college’s Guest Artist Series and is free to the public. To learn more about Petar Jankovic please visit his Web site at www.petarjankovic.net |
 |
Oct. 23-26 – The Music of Menotti: “The Old Maid and the Thief and the Medium” Thursday, Oct. 23 through Saturday, Oct. 25, at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 26, at 2 p.m. at Shorter’s Callaway Theatre. These two one-act operas by Gian-Carlo Menotti highlight his gift for soaring melody and intense drama. In The Old Maid and the Thief , two busybody society ladies find some excitement in their lives when a handsome wanderer passes through town. In the famous aria "Steal Me, Sweet Thief", their housemaid Laetitia hopes that the romantic stranger will save her from a similar life of spinsterhood. In The Medium we meet Madame Flora, a faux clairvoyant whose world turns upside down when she starts really hearing the voices of ghosts. |
 |
Oct. 21 through Nov. 14 – Student Art Exhibit, Arnold Gallery The philosophy of the Shorter College Juried Art Show is to present the highest quality works completed during course work at Shorter College and have it juried by an art professional outside of the college. We invite you to view and enjoy the hard work and talent of Shorter's art students. |
 |
Oct. 25 - Friends of Theatre Cabaret Fundraiser Saturday, Oct. 25; Coosa Valley Technical College Conference Center at 1 Maurice Culberson Drive in Rome. Starting time for the event will be announced at a later date. |
 |
Oct. 27 - Northwest Georgia Chorale Festival Concert Martha Shaw, conductor, Melissa Arias, conductor, Monday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m., Winthrop-King Center. Shorter College is excited to host the 13th Annual Northwest Georgia Choral Festival for high school students (grades 10-12) and elementary school students (grades 4-6) and their directors. The public is invited to attend the final concert featuring the festival choirs and the Shorter Chorale. |
 |
Oct. 30 - Shorter Chorus Fall Concert Thursday, Oct. 30, at 7:30 p.m., Brookes Chapel Shorter College is thrilled to welcome Elizabeth Robbins as the new conductor of the Shorter Chorus and we eagerly anticipate her debut! |
 |
Nov. 10 - Faculty Recital - Joy Rotz, Soprano; Matthew Hoch, Baritone Monday, Nov.10, at 7:30 p.m., Brookes Chapel |
 |
Nov. 12 – 14 - Second Annual Shorter Dance Revue Nov. 12 - Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 16 at 2 p.m., Callaway Theatre An evening of singing and dancing that will get your heart thumping and take your breath away! |
 |
Nov. 15 - Shorter Chorale Fall Concert Sacred Compositions of the 20th Century The Shorter Chorale will begin its 41st year with a wonderful concert featuring sacred choral works of the 20th century. Messiaen's O Sacrum Convivium, Te Deum in C of Benjamin Britten, and Stravinsky's Pater Noster will be programmed, along with other significant choral compositions of this period. |
 |
Nov. 16 - Prepatory Department Fall Recital Sunday, Nov. 16, at 2 p.m., Brookes Chapel The Preparatory Department in the Arts offers lessons in piano, voice, Kindermusik and more. |
 |
Dec. 6 - Shorter Chorale, Shorter Chorus and the Rome Symphony Orchestra present "The Feaste of Caroles" Saturday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m., Rome City Auditorium Advance tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for senior adults; and $3 for students At the door, tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior adults, and $6 for students The Choral Department of Shorter College presents the highlight of the Christmas season featuring the Shorter Chorale, the Shorter Chorus and the Rome Symphony Orchestra in a concert of holiday music. The performance will feature the Gloria! of John Rutter. The Rome Symphony Orchestra will also perform music of the season. The event will feature choral favorites and audience sing-a-longs. |
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 Shorter Public Relations. If you have questions, comments or suggestions for our e-newsletter, e-mail Aimee Harmison at aharmison@shorter.edu.
Read past Virtually Shorter issues.
For website problems or questions, please email dthompson@shorter.edu