Gordon State College Enhances Student Leadership Academy, Welcomes New Cohort From Karolina Philmon, GSC Marketing Manager - February 26, 2024 Gordon State College Division of Student Affairs awarded thirty individuals the opportunity to join the revitalized Student Leadership Academy. This program is designed to cultivate deeper understanding, purposeful action, and a stronger sense of community. “The pandemic created a significant gap in recruiting and retaining student leaders causing many higher education professionals to think differently about how we train our student leaders. This provided us with an opportunity to review our current practices and find ways to improve them to fit today’s students,” said Dr. LaToya Stackhouse, GSC dean of students. Several leadership roles are available at the Academy including Community Leaders, Gordon Orientation Leaders (GOL), Campus Activity Board (CAB), and Student Marketing Team. Each of these necessitates specific skills and presents a wide variety of responsibilities. This program was a collaborative effort between all departments across the Division of Student Affairs that consists of Counseling and Accessibility Services, Student Life, Housing and Residence Life, Student Health, and the Dean of Students. The program's curriculum is centered on 'The Five C's': change, communication, caring, connection, and character. “Students who hold leadership positions on campus develop a strong sense of belonging and purpose which increases their chance of graduating from college,” Stackhouse said. Current Student Leadership Academy cohort includes: Latayla Billingslea, Faith Wilson, andDionna White from Newton County; Saray Castro, Haja Kamara, Janaya Jean, I’sis Robinson, Kelly Sarmiento, Kiarra Thomas, William Shiflett, and Michelle Mills from Henry County; Makayla Dorsey from Coweta County; Sabrina Fania from Rockdale County; Doyd Fletcher and Lashaunda Turnipseed from Dekalb County; Peige Davis-Hudson, Ashley Giles, Trevion Harris, Jada Maddox, Makaylah Somuah, Mahki Stephens, and Khalil Washington from Clayton County; Idaya Hales, Alyssa Reisen, and Noel Henderson from Fayette County; Jacquelyn Harris from Athens-Clarke County; Shakerria Hudson from Hall County; Nathaniel McDougall from Spalding County; and Ryann Simmons and Elicia Williams from Bibb County. |
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February 22, 2024 The Lamar County Sheriff’s Office Incident Summary for the week of February 14 through February 21, 2024 appears below, courtesy of the office of Sheriff Brad White: |
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No Sale R. N. DeVane - February 15, 2024 In a noonday meeting today (Thursday), Lamar County Commissioners let a local investor know that the old Booker School Property is not for sale. A local businessman attending the Thursday called County Commission Meeting expressed interest in purchasing the Booker School property the County now owns. A lively discussion took place when one commissioner said he was blindsided by the request. He expressed that this property is in his district and that he had not been notified of this upcoming request. The Commission is supposed to operate as a team serving the people of Lamar County. This is just not the way you do the transparent business of the people. Someone could have picked up the phone and informed each and everyone of us. Secretive snake bites hurt. |
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Important Meeting Thursday |
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Spalding County - Heads Creek Reservoir Area Emergency Activation Plan InitiatedFrom DeAndre Smith, Citizen Engagement Specialist - February 12, 2024 In response to ongoing inclement weather conditions, while prioritizing public safety, the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for the Heads Creek Reservoir area has been initiated. Spalding County is required to close the following roads in accordance with Georgia's Safe Dams Emergency Plan as rainwater continues to fill the Heads Creek Reservoir: West McIntosh Rd. @ South New Salem Rd. Vaughn @ W McIntosh Rd. West Ellis Rd. between Parker Rd and Campground Rd. West Ellis Rd. between Quail Rd and Vaughn Rd. Moon Rd. between Parker and Campground Rd. Recommended alternate routes include Hwy 19 & 41, Hwy 92, or Hwy 16. This is a proactive measure to prioritize community well-being during these weather conditions. All residents and travelers are urged to adhere to these closures and exercise caution while traveling. For further information or inquiries, please contact the Spalding County Public Works Department at 770-467-4774. |
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Spalding County - Bridge Closures |
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Lamar County Sheriff's Incident Report Summary |
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Monday Morning Accident on Forsyth Street |
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Annual Downtown Illumination Held Tonight  | November 22, 2023 - Photos by R. Neal DeVane |
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Fraud at Georgia Teche="font-family: Arial;">of $476,960.95. Fraley was convicted on these charges on September 2, 2016, after he pleaded guilty. |
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Butts County Man Arrested for Allegedly Running Over Woman in Driveway October 25, 2023 Nathan Shane Upchurch, age 50 of Jackson, has been arrested by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and charged with felony murder and hit and run. The victim has been identified as 51 year old Brooke Bedard Sides. In a press release from the GBI, Upchurch and Sides had gone out, but once they had arrived back home, a fight began. As Upchurch left the home, Sides was run over. She was found deceased in the driveway by the Butts County Sheriff's Office. This investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information may contact the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office at 478-445-5102 or the GBI regional investigative office in Milledgeville at 478-445-4173. |
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Lamar County Sheriff's Incident Report Summary |
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Opinion- Where are We? Ask Concerned Citizens |
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Gordon State College Represented at AASCU Academic Affairs Conference From Karolina Philmon - August 14, 2023 Gordon State College was represented by a panel of faculty and staff at the 2023 American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Academic Affairs Summer Meeting conference in Baltimore. The topic of innovative mentoring practices and how these practices provide key elements of the student success ecosystem were discussed. The panel consisted of GSC’s Provost and Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Joanne Ardovini; Associate Professor of History, Dr. Scott M. Shubitz; and Interim Dean of the School of Education, History, Math, and Applied Sciences, Dr. Stephen A. Raynie. “At Gordon State College, we want our students not just to graduate, but to thrive once they graduate; our EDGE paradigm for student development is transformational and developmental: Engaged Innovators, Dedicated Scholars, Gifted Communicators, and Ethical Leaders,” Raynie said. “Mentoring is one method we can use to fuel that development.” GSC's faculty mentor program provides first-year students with professional and academic guidance and connects them with on-campus resources. |
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