Virtually Shorter
September 2007

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Homecoming/Alumni Weekend 2007 finally arrives!

The time has come to “Plug In!” to Shorter College during Homecoming and Alumni Weekend on Sept. 28-29. From class reunions to the Hawk Hustle 5K race, from the 50 Years and More breakfast to candlelight campus tours and from the alumni dinner/auction to tailgating before the Hawks’ football game, the last weekend in September will be filled with opportunities for you to “recharge” your Shorter memories as you catch up with friends and reminisce about your college days on the Hill.

Details for these events, reunion parties and campus activities are included in the brochure available online at Hawkspace. See you next week!

Welcome home, Ken!
Shorter names alumnus Ken Fincher as vice president of institutional advancement

Ken Fincher (’84), who previously served as vice president of field development for the United Service Organizations (USO), has been named vice president of institutional advancement at Shorter College. He will lead the college’s fundraising efforts.

In announcing the appointment, Dr. Harold E. Newman, president, said, “Ken Fincher has a broad range of fund-raising experience at the national level. That experience coupled with his knowledge of and love for Shorter College uniquely qualifies him for this important role that will have a significant impact on the college and our students both today and for generations to come.”

Mr. Fincher brings more than 21 years of non-profit sector experience to his post at Shorter, including leadership positions in the Boy Scouts of America, the American Red Cross, the USO and the YMCA. He earned his bachelor’s degree with a major in social sciences from Shorter College and was awarded a master’s in philanthropy and development from St. Mary’s University, Winona, Minn. He completed the executive leadership course at Vanderbilt University’s Graduate School of Business and holds a Mini-MBA for Non-Profit Managers from the University of St. Thomas, Minneapolis, Minn. He is also a Certified Fundraising Executive and a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Mr. Fincher and his wife, Gretchen, have four children: Savannah, 16; Ben, 11; Tim, 5; and Shea, 3.

Check your mailbox soon for the next issue of Shorter magazine The fall 2007 issue of Shorter magazine is expected to arrive in your mailbox soon. In the meantime, don’t forget that you can read the most recent Shorter magazine online. Featuring stories about an alumnus’ medical relief work in Zambia, an alumna’s influence as a juvenile court judge, Jamie Barton’s (’04) success at the Met and Cliff Flagello’s (’07) MLB draft selection, the current issue is ready to download in PDF format. As always, this issue also includes class notes from fellow alumni that you won’t want to miss! To update your mailing address to ensure delivery of future alumni magazines, please sign on to Hawkspace.

MORE ALUMNI NEWS

Share your Shorter experience: Invite a high school student to visit campus!

Do you remember when you first considered attending Shorter College? With their days of college visits and college applications far behind, our alumni now play a significant role in recruiting today’s prospective students. What better way to promote your alma mater than encouraging a high school junior or senior to visit the Hill, meet with faculty members and tour the campus. On Sunday, Oct. 28, the admissions office will host the first Sunday at Shorter for this academic year. If you know someone considering Shorter (or if you want to convince someone to consider Shorter),

Help us spread the word by promoting the Oct. 28 Sunday at Shorter to a high school student near you!

Sept. 15 held two firsts for Shorter football

Although the third season of Shorter Hawks football is well underway, history is still in the making. The 2007 home-opener was Shorter’s first football game to debut the Shorter band and the Shorter Hawk.

Tom Smith was selected to begin and develop Shorter’s band program last spring. As his students arrived on campus in August, the new sounds of cadence and rehearsal brought an additional energy to the Hill. As the group continues to grow and develop, photos will be updated online at Band Program.

Another unique arrival during Saturday’s game was the flight of the hawk, provided by Dr. Jamie Vick. This soon-to-be game-day tradition is sure to be a fan favorite.

No plans? No problem! Attend a Shorter arts event

Shorter’s School of the Arts has an impressive 2007-2008 calendar of events. Whether you’re looking for a reason to return to the Hill or you’re in Rome and needing a delightful cultural experience, Shorter’s School of the Arts provides more than 50 events each year. The season includes chorale events, theatre productions, guest artists, fundraisers and more.

Visit www.shorter.edu/academics/arts/calendar.htm for the School of the Arts fall calendar, and call Shorter’s box office at (800) 868-6980 ext. 7288 for ticket information and reservations.

Atlanta NPR features Shorter Chorale

On Monday, Oct. 8, at 9 p.m., the Shorter Chorale will be featured on WABE 90.1 FM of Atlanta, the city’s oldest public radio station.

During the broadcast, which includes selections recorded in Brookes Chapel in April 2007 and at Spivey Hall in 2005, listeners will enjoy 14 selections including Gilbert Martin’s When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, Morten Lauridsen’s Soneto de la Noche, Moses Hogan’s My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord, and Tschesnokoff’s Salvation is Created.

To hear the Chorale perform new works that the group has not performed in concert, as well as traditional holiday favorites of audiences and Chorale members alike, you can preorder their Christmas CD A Savior from on High for $15 by visiting Shorter Chorale online. This 19 track CD serves as a fund-raiser to defray the cost of their spring tour to Italy and features the current Chorale and several alumni.

They’re leaving on a jet plane…

Thanks to two new affiliate agreements, Shorter’s Office of International Programs continues to provide students with expanded opportunities to study abroad through more than 50 institutions on six continents.

Earlier this semester, Shorter College signed agreements with Study Abroad Italy and the Institute for American Universities. These programs provide Shorter students the opportunity to study in Italy and France, respectively, with financial discounts and smoother administrative processes.

“We add affiliate agreements because it is important to give different majors opportunities that fit their unique needs,” explained Dr. Robert Wallace, director of international programs. “The international experience is a growing priority of Shorter College, and we want to provide programs within a global context that meet the requirements for our students’ areas of study.”

To find out more about the lasting impact of Shorter’s international programs, read the feature story about alumnus Eric Nix in the fall 2007 Shorter magazine, available online at www.shorter.edu/about/magazine/Feature_Stories.pdf.

A “new” sound in Brookes Chapel

The Shorter College Department of Music debuted its “New Music” Series on Monday, Sept. 17, in Brookes Chapel.

The New Music Series is devoted entirely to works for voice and piano by 20th and 21st century composers. The goal of the program is to provide more opportunities for the students of Shorter College to experience and perform contemporary art music, according to Assistant Professor of Music Matthew Hoch, who coordinated the event.

The debut concert featured works written in the past 100 years, with special emphasis on the past 20 years. The two halves of the program were devoted to works for keyboard and works for voice, respectively, beginning with two of the founding fathers of modern music: Oliver Messiaen and Arnold Schoenberg. Also in the program were works by Shorter College professors Sam Baltzer and Linda Lister and sophomore Thomas Williams, who is majoring in piano performance. All works were performed by Shorter College music faculty and students.

The first New Music Series commission has already been contracted for debut in the fall of 2008. The hallmark of this series will be a sequence of world-premiere commissions from up-and coming composers that will be performed and recorded by the faculty and students of Shorter College’s music program. “It is our hope that this series will, over time, create a rich body of published and recorded literature that will nurture the students of Shorter College, enrich the audiences of Northwest Georgia, and create significant contributions to the canon of American art song, keyboard music and choral repertoire,” Dr. Hoch said.

SPORTS NEWS

Cross country takes first in Georgia invitational

After receiving votes in the latest NAIA poll, Shorter College men's cross country team won their second consecutive meet on Sept. 15, taking first place among non-NCAA Division I schools in the Georgia State Invitational.

Jared Carson was the lead runner for the Hawks, running the 8K course in 26:52 to earn second place overall. Martin Hernandez and Jerad Godsave ran 12th (27:43) and 14th (27:48), respectively, and Cyrus Wakaba (30th - 28:40), Marc Burgess (42nd - 29:16), Dustin Mitchell (43rd - 29:17) and Josh Carson (29:42) rounded things out for Shorter.

The women also ran well at the meet, placing third among non-NCAA Division I schools.

Magrina Chepkoech led the Lady Hawks in seventh place with 20:04. Following her were Amy Worthy (26th - 21:00), Julie Frayre (46th - 21:58), Kaitlin Shaw (47th - 22:12), Courtney Pike (62nd - 23:35), Rachel Tucker (66th - 23:46) and Dawn Siddons (69th - 23:54).

The Georgia State Invitational success follows the teams’ impressive finishes in the Sept. 8 SSAC Invitational hosted by Berry College, where the Hawks took first place and the Lady Hawks took home third. For the Hawks the performance was one of the best in their recent history since the restart of the program in 2006. Shorter's 22 points topped Berry, who came in second with 48 points, Lee University with 60 points, and Reinhardt College with 118 points.

To stay up-to-date on upcoming cross country results, visit Shorter Cross Country online.

Hawks earn inaugural Governor’s Cup The Shorter College Hawks football team (2-1) was the victor of the inaugural Battle for the Governor's Cup on Saturday, Sept. 15, as they beat the visiting NCAA Division III LaGrange College Panthers (0-3), 38-12. The Hawks have four home games remaining this fall, with homecoming being the next on Sept. 29. To view the schedule visit Shorter Football online. If you can’t make it to the games, remember to tune in online for each game. A link to the online broadcast is posted each Friday on Shorter’s homepage, www.shorter.edu.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENTS

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

Homecoming & Alumni Weekend
Sept. 28-29

This year's theme is "Plug In," so be sure you get plugged in to all the exciting events happening during the weekend!

Christian Focus Week
Oct. 2-5

Professional Studies Day at Shorter Hawks Football Game
Saturday, Oct. 6
1:30 p.m.

Professional Studies students will receive complimentary tickets to the game with the invitation flyer and student ID

Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours
Thursday, Oct. 25
5:30-7 p.m.
Parking lot behind Cancer Navigators, near Barron Stadium
Chamber guests will receive two complimentary tickets to the Hawks’ football game at 7 p.m.

Sunday at Shorter – Admissions event for prospective students
Sunday, Oct. 28
For an itinerary, visit www.shorter.edu/admissions/visit.asp

Conversations with President Harold Newman
Tuesday, Nov. 6
Macon , Ga.

Reunion celebrating 40 years of the Shorter Chorale
Nov. 9-10
For an itinerary, visit www.shorter.edu/chorale.htm

Alumni luncheon during the Georgia Baptist Convention Annual Meeting
Tuesday, Nov. 13
12 p.m.
Augusta , Ga.

Alfred E. Shorter Society Dinner
Saturday, Nov. 17

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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