FALL 2009

Tolbert named vice president, heading public relations efforts Veteran public relations professional Dawn Tolbert has been promoted to the position of vice president for public relations at Shorter. Mrs. Tolbert has been a member of Shorter’s administrative staff since August 2004, serving as head of the college’s public relations efforts and as a member of the President’s Cabinet. In making the announcement, Dr. Harold E. Newman, president of Shorter College, said, “This promotion is in recognition of Dawn’s demonstrated commitment to Shorter and her outstanding leadership for Shorter College’s communications and public relations efforts. We are proud to recognize her contributions in this way.”

Mrs. Tolbert is responsible for managing the college’s public image through consistent application and enforcement of the college brand, execution of strong public relations and media relations programs, and effective use of print and electronic communication tools. She serves as the key communications counselor to the president and provides communications leadership for the institution.

Since arriving at Shorter, she has led several key initiatives for the college, including chairing institution-wide committees to coordinate a successful launch of Shorter’s football program, to plan the inauguration of President Harold Newman and to revise the college’s Crisis Response Plan. She is currently leading efforts to update Shorter’s brand to reflect the transition to university status.

A graduate of Gardner-Webb University, Mrs. Tolbert has a Master of Arts in Professional Writing from Kennesaw State University and is working toward a Doctor of Education degree with an emphasis in higher education leadership at Union University in Jackson, Tenn. She lives in Cedartown with her husband, Larry. They are active members of First Baptist, Cedartown.