NGCSU honors students at banquet

DAHLONEGA - University students were honored at the North Georgia College & State University spring Student Honors Banquet. The awards and scholarships recognized students for their achievements in their respective academic fields and for their leadership on campus and in the community. Several students received awards representing NGCSU's top scholars.

>> See full list of student awards

NGCSU named to top five in Best Values list

DAHLONEGA - Consumers Digest has named North Georgia College & State University the fifth best value in public higher education in the publication's list of top values in public and private colleges and universities.

The nationwide listing appears on the Consumers Digest Web page, www.consumersdigest.com/contents, at the "Top 75 College Values" icon.

The public universities listing includes Florida International University in Miami in first place, Eastern Oregon University in Le Grande second, California Polytechnic State in San Luis Obispo third, North Dakota State in Fargo fourth, and North Georgia College & State University in Dahlonega fifth.

Brigham Young University-Hawaii was at the top of the listing of private colleges and universities, followed by Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah; Lane College in Jackson, Tenn.; Grove City College in Pennsylvania; and MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kan.

To determine the rankings, 3,500 schools were measured on quality aspects of the institutions factored against the annual tuition and room-and-board costs for students. The formula considered academic excellence of first-time freshmen and the school's educational quality. The estimated cost of attending each university then helped determine the academic value per dollar.

For public universities, only nonresident tuition figures were considered, because attending a public school in the state where students reside usually offers the best value for their education dollars.

A news release issued by Consumers Digest says that the published edition of the magazine includes an erroneous listing. The correct Top 75 list is posted on the publication's Web site.

NGCSU president makes administrative appointments

DAHLONEGA -  After announcing that Linda Roberts-Betsch will serve as North Georgia College & State University's interim vice president for Academic Affairs until a new VPAA is appointed, President Nathaniel Hanford appointed two retired administrators to fill Roberts-Betsch's current position on an interim basis. Roberts-Betsch has served as associate vice president for Academic Affairs since 1998.

"Dr. Kathy Sisk and Dr. Terry McLeod both will serve as associate vice presidents for Academic Affairs while Dr. Linda Roberts-Betsch fulfills the interim vice president position effective July 1, 2004," Hansford said. 

"The interim AVPAA position is being split between two recently retired and experienced NGCSU administrators in order to minimize the impact on the university that would occur by appointing current faculty or administrators into the interim position," said the president, adding that he did not expect a permanent appointment to occur until spring 2005, after a new president takes office. Hansford has announced his retirement effective January 2005.

"Dr. McLeod will assume the AVPAA Enrollment Management Emphasis position overseeing the areas of Admissions, Financial Aid and the Registrar," explained Roberts-Betsch. "Dr. Sisk will be in the AVPAA Academic Affairs Emphasis position, handling the operations of the Academic Affairs Office, budgeting and other responsibilities related to academics."

On the North Georgia faculty from 1975 until his retirement in 2001, McLeod served as professor of Special Education, director of Graduate Students, director of special projects and as chief information officer.

Sisk joined the faculty in 1981 and served as professor of mathematics, head of Math and Computer Science and as the interim dean of the School of Arts & Letters before her retirement a year ago.

Student overcomes disability to obtain degree

DAHLONEGA -  Paula Sue Halcomb of Alpharetta graduated from North Georgia College & State University in May with a 3.49 grade point average and dual bachelor's degrees in early childhood education and special education. This milestone in Halcomb's life came after being seriously injured in a car accident in 1998. Because of the severity of her injuries, she had to withdraw from school.

Paula Sue Halcomb

"I received physical, occupational and speech therapy during a three-month period, but I will always be considered as having traumatic brain injury," Halcomb said.

Told she may never be able to attend school again, Halcomb made the decision to return to university life one year later in the fall of 1999. NGCSU's Office of Student Disability Resources was a major factor in Halcomb making her goal a reality she said.

The 25-year-old met with the personnel in Disability Resources, the office that integrates students with disabilities into the college setting. They discussed options to help Halcomb succeed in school. A list of personalized accommodations included a reduced course load carefully selected by her advisor, preferential advisement and registration to ensure a workable schedule, an assigned note-taker for each class and testing in a distraction-free environment.  Halcomb was also encouraged to use the writing and math labs and to locate a tutor through the Office of Student Development.

"These accommodations made a world of difference to my college success," said Halcomb. "Disability services at North Georgia always supplied help to me when I needed it."

Halcomb will be teaching at Forsyth County Middle School in Cumming beginning this fall. Her parents Robert and Martha Halcomb live in Alpharetta as well.

NGCSU president makes administrative appointments

DAHLONEGA -  After announcing that Linda Roberts-Betsch will serve as North Georgia College & State University's interim vice president for Academic Affairs until a new VPAA is appointed, President Nathaniel Hanford appointed two retired administrators to fill Roberts-Betsch's current position on an interim basis. Roberts-Betsch has served as associate vice president for Academic Affairs since 1998.

"Dr. Kathy Sisk and Dr. Terry McLeod both will serve as associate vice presidents for Academic Affairs while Dr. Linda Roberts-Betsch fulfills the interim vice president position effective July 1, 2004," Hansford said. 

"The interim AVPAA position is being split between two recently retired and experienced NGCSU administrators in order to minimize the impact on the university that would occur by appointing current faculty or administrators into the interim position," said the president, adding that he did not expect a permanent appointment to occur until spring 2005, after a new president takes office. Hansford has announced his retirement effective January 2005.

"Dr. McLeod will assume the AVPAA Enrollment Management Emphasis position overseeing the areas of Admissions, Financial Aid and the Registrar," explained Roberts-Betsch. "Dr. Sisk will be in the AVPAA Academic Affairs Emphasis position, handling the operations of the Academic Affairs Office, budgeting and other responsibilities related to academics."

On the North Georgia faculty from 1975 until his retirement in 2001, McLeod served as professor of Special Education, director of Graduate Students, director of special projects and as chief information officer.

Sisk joined the faculty in 1981 and served as professor of mathematics, head of Math and Computer Science and as the interim dean of the School of Arts & Letters before her retirement a year ago.

NGCSU named to top five in Best Values list

DAHLONEGA - Consumers Digest has named North Georgia College & State University the fifth best value in public higher education in the publication's list of top values in public and private colleges and universities.

The nationwide listing appears on the Consumers Digest Web page, www.consumersdigest.com/contents, at the "Top 75 College Values" icon.

The public universities listing includes Florida International University in Miami in first place, Eastern Oregon University in Le Grande second, California Polytechnic State in San Luis Obispo third, North Dakota State in Fargo fourth, and North Georgia College & State University in Dahlonega fifth.

Brigham Young University-Hawaii was at the top of the listing of private colleges and universities, followed by Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah; Lane College in Jackson, Tenn.; Grove City College in Pennsylvania; and MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kan.

To determine the rankings, 3,500 schools were measured on quality aspects of the institutions factored against the annual tuition and room-and-board costs for students. The formula considered academic excellence of first-time freshmen and the school's educational quality. The estimated cost of attending each university then helped determine the academic value per dollar.

For public universities, only nonresident tuition figures were considered, because attending a public school in the state where students reside usually offers the best value for their education dollars.

A news release issued by Consumers Digest says that the published edition of the magazine includes an erroneous listing. The correct Top 75 list is posted on the publication's Web site.

CONTACT:  Arlethia Perry-Johnson
PHONE: (404) 656-2318

NGCSU Presidential Search Committees named 

ATLANTA  - June 11, 2004 - Board of Regents Chair Joe Frank Harris and University System of Georgia Chancellor Thomas C. Meredith announced today the appointment of the two committees that will be charged with assisting in the selection of a new president for North Georgia College & State University.

The search is being conducted to replace President Nathanial Hansford, who announced in March 2004 his intention to retire.  Dr. Hansford, who was appointed NGCSU president in April 1999, will continue to serve as president until Chancellor Meredith and the Board of Regents appoint his successor.

Regent Patrick S. Pittard will chair the Special Regents' Committee for the presidential search, announced Harris and Meredith. Additional members of the committee include Regent James R. Jolly and Regent Glenn S. White.

Chancellor Meredith will charge the eight-member Presidential Search and Advisory Committee formally on Tuesday, June 15, 2004, at 1:30 p.m., in a meeting to be held in the third floor conference room of the Price Memorial Building, on the NGCSU campus.

 "As one of the nation's six senior military colleges, North Georgia College & State University fulfills a unique role in the University System of Georgia through its special mission of leadership development," said Meredith. "We will conduct a broad search and cast a wide net to identify a new president with the background and skills needed to continue leading this great institution forward."

Members of the Presidential Search and Advisory Committee were selected from a list of nominees submitted for consideration by the leadership of their respective groups, as called for in the Board of Regents' policy on presidential searches.  Dr. Mark Spraker, associate professor of physics, will serve as chair of the Presidential Search and Advisory Committee. Additional faculty members selected to serve include:  Dr. Shirley Holmes, professor of teacher education; Dr. Andy Schaffer, assistant professor of business administration; and Dr. Linda Williams, chair of the Department of Language and Literature. Ms. Karen Roop, an advancement services coordinator, will represent the institution's staff.  Mr. Scott Dickson, president of the NGCSU Student Government Association, will represent the student body. Mr. Ed Nix, chairman of the NGCSU Foundation executive committee, will represent the Foundation. Mr. John Cavender, vice president of the NGCSU Alumni Council, will represent the University's alumni.

Meredith also announced that an executive search firm, Greenwood & Associates of Miramar Beach, Fla., has been retained to assist the advisory committee and the search by identifying qualified candidates.

The campus-level committee will screen applicants and forward at least five unranked candidates to the Special Regents' Committee. The regents on that committee will interview identified candidates and make a recommendation to the chancellor and the full Board of Regents for consideration and final approval.

Chancellor Meredith expects to conclude the search during fall 2004.

NGCSU hosts summer camps 

DAHLONEGA - Most of the college students may be away from campus, but a younger generation is evident on playing fields and in classrooms at North Georgia College and State University.

Camps for children ages 7-18 began on June 6 and will continue through August 6. Brenda Ricketts, administrative secretary for Public Services and Continuing Education said that openings are still available for most of the camps.

Approximately 3,200 children attended the various camps last year and the number of participants is expected to be about the same this summer. Each camp offers students the opportunity to learn new skills while improving the talents and abilities they already possess. Campers may stay on campus overnight or choose to attend sessions during the day. 

Athletic camps include two five-day sessions of basketball, soccer and tennis for boys and girls. Also offered are girls' fast-pitch softball and boys' baseball.  NGCSU men's basketball Coach Chris Faulkner will direct both sessions of the boys' basketball camps while NGCSU women's basketball Coach Buffie Burson directs the girls' basketball camps. Soccer Coach Chris Adams directs soccer camp and Randy Dunn, NGCSU athletics director, oversees the boys' and girls' tennis camp. Tennis Instructor Jonathon Gusthart is an Academic All-American and current North Georgia tennis player.

NGCSU Coach Tom Cantrell directs the baseball camp. The fast pitch softball camp is co-directed by NGCSU's Mike Davenport and Georgia Perimeter's Ed Schutte. Additional instructors include assistant coaches and current and former university athletes.

Art Camp, held in the Continuing Education Building, is directed by Anita Elder and focuses on exploring creative potential. Children ages 8-14 have half-day instruction in drawing, painting and mixed media in three five-day sessions. 

In addition to camps sponsored by North Georgia, the campus also services camps sponsored by outside groups. High schools have scheduled wrestling, soccer, football and band camps on the campus. Other sessions include a Chinese Cultural Camp, Lutheran Confirmation Camp and the Bagataway Lacrosse Camp for boys and girls. 

For more information, see the apache.northgeorgia.edu Continuing Education link and click on the Summer Camps icon or telephone (706) 864-1918.

This page last modified on: Friday, 05 November 2004 16:25:08 -0500 by University Relations    

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