MISSION The Gadsden State Community College Alumni Association is a corporation established to advance, support and promote the interests of the College, its students, alumni and Association members. ALUMNI NEWS WINTER 2017, Issue 3 www.gadsdenstate.edu/alumni B @GadsdenStateAlumniAssociation Alumni Meet and Greet Please join us April 17 at Blackstone Pub & Eatery for an Alumni meet and greet! We will meet up at 6 p.m., get to know each other and wait to enjoy, Gadsden State Show Band Director, Matt Leder and friends perform jazz music. If you know of anyone that would like to join the Alumni Association, please invite them to come and meet other Alumni members. All of the membership dues go back to the students through scholarships, so come and join the association and help change lives in our community! Blackstone offers a great selection of pizzas, quesadillas, and salads as well as a wide beverage selection: Everyone is responsible for their tab. Alumni Association 2018 Board of Directors (3-year term: 1/1/18 12/31/18) Tom McElrath Carol Gray Susan Hawkins Jared Brown Jason Bozeman Heather New Gary Udaka Kassie Mathis Buster Stewart Brooke Davis Christine Foster Cates Evan Reddick Jacob Vanderford Julie White Michael Bozeman Michelle Roberts Patti Wilborn 2018 Executive Board (2-year term: 1/1/18-12/31/18) Hope to see you there! Board of Directors Meeting May 2 3:30 p.m. Meadows LRC Room 111 Important Dates Alumni Meet and Greet April 17 6 p.m. Blackstone Pub and Eatery President Justin Hayes President-Elect Tabitha Bozeman Past President Melissa Davis Treasurer Baisha Woody Secretary Jason Millirons At-Large Carl Byers Haley Brown Joan Williamson College Representatives (ex-officio, non-voting) President Dr. Martha Lavender Designees Jackie Edmondson Brandy Hyatt www.gadsdenstate.edu/alumni B @GadsdenStateAlumniAssociation
2017 Outstanding Support Staff Award 2017 Outstanding Technical Faculty The winner of the 2017 Outstanding Support Staff Award is Janet Reynolds, an administrative assistant on the Wallace Drive Campus. Janet has worked in several capacities at Gadsden State including records and switchboard. Currently, she is the administrative assistant to two of the largest divisions on campus: Math and Engineering and Social Science. Janet lives in Glencoe with her husband Tim. Her daughter Madison is currently attending JSU and marching with the JSU Southerners. Janet is very involved in her church teaching young children in Sunday School and serving as church secretary. She is very family oriented and loves spending time with her nieces, nephew and young cousins. She is the front line for our students, helping in so many areas such as registration, advisement and prerequisites. She always has a positive attitude and is willing to assist anyone in need. Janet goes above and beyond her duties. She takes the initiative on projects that are beneficial to both departments and Gadsden 2017 Outstanding Academic Faculty Award The Outstanding Academic Faculty Award was presented to Farah Hayes, english instructor. Farrah teaches composition and developmental English and is also in charge of the Peer Tutoring program and the Cardinal Writing Center. She came to GSCC from K-12 where she taught English and served as lead English teacher for Etowah County Schools. During that time, she was also selected to complete the Alfred Learner Fellowship program at Columbia University and was recognized by the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous as a Righteous Gentile of Education. She is also an active member of the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center. In addition to her many professional accomplishments, Farrah is also an involved member of the Gadsden and Etowah County communities. She is an active member of the Rainbow Presbyterian Church and received the Etowah Youth Symphony Alumni Recognition Award in 2015 for her service. She volunteers regularly for the Family Success Center and has been a member of the Gadsden Service Guild since 2010. Additionally, she is currently pursuing her PhD from Houston University. The 2017 Outstanding Technical Faculty winner is Steven Bart Smith, welding technology instructor. Bart began his welding career in 1999 at Ayers State Technical College. It was evident early on that Bart was going to be a superb welder. He was tired of being a helper on the pipeline and was ready to become a pipe welder who had helpers himself. While enrolled at Ayers, Bart was a participant in the co-op program at the Anniston Army Depot. Upon graduating, he moved to a full-time position, where he stayed for approximately three years. He then decided that he wanted to work for a company that could offer a better learning experience as far as working with exotic metals, processes and materials. He applied to Metal Samples in Munford and had worked there for 15 years. After gaining substantial experience, Bart was hired to teach the night classes at Gadsden State s Ayers campus, which he did for four years. During this period of employment, it soon became obvious that Bart had the character and dedication required to be an effective educator. In 2015, Bart was hired and given a full-time position as the night/dual enrollment welding instructor on the Ayers Campus. 2017 Outstanding Alumni June Bearden is the 2017 Outstanding Alumni winner. June was a stay-at-home mom and worked in her husband s business. When she decided to go to college, her children were grown and she wanted to further her education. As an adult learner, she was a very good student, never satisfied with anything but an A. Gadsden State helped her find a new career, one she has been dedicated to for almost 25 years. She worked in the Business Division and the Fine Arts Division and is now the administrative assistant to the Dean of Academic Programs and Services. In addition to working at GSCC, she is a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and now a great-grandmother. She is also active in her church and community. 2 Alumni News www.gadsdenstate.edu/alumni B @GadsdenStateAlumniAssociation
Take a walk through the Courtyard The bricks are $100 each and include three lines of 16 characters or spaces per line. Monies raised will go towards student scholarships. Gadsden State students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters are encouraged to purchase a brick. To purchase a brick, please complete the form below or go to www.gadsdenstate.edu/brickcampaign. In 2017 93 bricks were sold! Please complete the following information and return to : Gadsden State Community College Alumni Association Attn: Melissa Davis P. O. Box 227 Gadsden, AL 35902 Purchaser s name (please print) Address City State Zip Phone (Day) (Night) Email Address I m purchasing a brick as a gift for: Name Address City State Zip Yes, please notify recipient of my gift Memorial Important Brick Size: 4 X 8-3 lines, 16 characters or spaces per line. Indicate your engraving info in boxes below. $100 per brick Method of Payment (please check one) Cash Check Make check payable to: Gadsden State Alumni Association Paypal An invoice will be sent to your email address and a $3 fee will be added if payment is received through Paypal. Employee Payroll Deduction Start date of the deduction Amount per pay period # of pay periods to be deducted For more information, please call Brandy Hyatt at 256.549.8247. www.gadsdenstate.edu/alumni B @GadsdenStateAlumniAssociation Alumni News 3
Invite an Alumni to join Today! How to Join Complete an Alumni Association application by logging on to www.gadsdenstate.edu/college-life/alumni.php. Click on Membership Application. Print, complete and send in with payment (address on application). Call 256.549.8427 with questions. Membership Levels Associate: Gadsden State faculty and staff, spouses of graduates and friends of Gadsden Corporate: Business and industry within the College service area (includes 3 employee memberships). Graduate: Individuals who have graduated from certificate or degree programs at Gadsden Regular: Current and former, full-time or part-time Gadsden State students. Membership Dues Gadsden State students graduating with a certificate or degree receive a one-year complimentary membership. Student Chapter = $10 Annual Membership = $20 (Renewal - October) Lifetime Membership = $300 (Installment plans are available) Membership Benefits Discount at the Gadsden State Bookstore. A copy of the Etowah Chamber of Commerce Magazine. Admission to home athletic events. Membership Activities & Awards Annual $1,500 Student Scholarships Outstanding Faculty Awards Outstanding Alumni Award Distinguished Service Award Award recognitions are selected from nominations made by Gadsden State faculty and staff, students and alumni members. These recognitions are presented at an annual catered event, open to all members and friends of Gadsden 8 new lifetime members 21 annual members Total of 173-lifetime members! We need NEW members! Scholarships! Alumni Association Scholarships The Gadsden State Community College Alumni Association is offering $1,500 scholarships to two currently enrolled Gadsden State students. The scholarships can be applied toward tuition, fees and books for the 2018-2019 academic terms at Gadsden The scholarship criteria and application can be located at http://www.gadsdenstate.edu/alumni/ home or attached to this email. All applications must either be submitted or postmarked by 4:30 p.m. March 22. The scholarships will be awarded at the Gadsden State Honors Day programs April 24 and 25. For questions or information contact Melissa Davis at 256-549-8383 or mdavis@gadsdenstate.edu. gadsdenstate.edu > College Life > Alumni Contact: 256.549.8247 4 Alumni News www.gadsdenstate.edu/alumni B @GadsdenStateAlumniAssociation