Valdosta State University News Now

VSU hosts Regional Economic Development Partnership

The Regional Economic Development Partnership (REDP) Governing Board met July 11 at Valdosta State University. Dr. Hugh C. Bailey, VSU president and chairman of REDP, hosted the luncheon meeting.

REDP initiatives are validating the notion of the Board of Regents and the Georgia Assembly that higher education should have a more direct impact on communities, according to organizers. REDP community and regional projects match campus talents and resources with critical community needs. REDP was instrumental in acquiring a recent Regional Assistance Program (RAP) grant for the Rural Development Center and six counties from the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) for $127,779. This project will be a regional tourism initiative for the area. REDP committed a portion of the matching funds. and Dr. Nancy O'Quinn, REDP assistant director, wrote the grant.

The Regional Economic Development Partnership is a consortium of six area colleges and universities. The mission is to use the resources of the colleges and universities in the communities served by these institutions.

Greeks help students move in

Members of Valdosta State University's Greek organizations will help incoming freshmen and other new students move into residence halls Aug. 12. According to Dana Bekurs, coordinator of Greek Life, the Greek members will help the new students feel welcome and inform them about Greek organizations.

"This will definitely help acclimate the new students," Bekurs said. "The older students will establish a rapport with the younger students and make them feel at home."

After moving in, freshmen will be treated to comedians and other entertainment at the Blazer Blowout, scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. Later that evening, sororities will begin recruiting new members.

Fine Arts Gallery begins new season

VSU's Fine Arts Gallery will kick off a new season of shows Aug. 21. According to Dick Bjornseth, assistant professor of Art, the public has a lot to look forward to this season.

"We've got some really amazing stuff this season," Bjornseth said.

The first show will be a retrospective on the works of Walter Hamitish, a professor at Florida Atlantic University who paints realistic paintings with surreal elements. Hamitish's paintings will be on display Aug. 21 through Sept.15.
The next show will be the annual VSU faculty show. This show exhibits the latest work of the art faculty and runs from Sept. 25 through Oct. 6.

From Oct. 17 through Nov. 3, the cutting edge 3-D installation work of artist Michael Warrick will be on display. Finally, VSU senior art students will display their works Nov. 12 through Dec. 6.

VSU's Fine Arts Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For more information on the VSU Fine Arts gallery or the shows call 229-333-5835.

GHP winds down

Students participating in the 2000 Governor's Honors Program (GHP) will leave Valdosta State University July 29.

According to Dale Lyles, GHP assistant director for instruction, 660 students participated in the six-week program. The effort provides gifted high school juniors and seniors with challenging educational opportunities. The students spend about four hours on a major area of study and 2 hours on other subjects per day.

"As always, this was a very positive experience," Lyles said. "We enjoy being on this campus. VSU has been our biggest supporter for the past 21 years."

VSU partners with Georgia Public Broadcasting, Georgia G.L.O.B.E. to offer college credit courses on GPTV for Fall 2000

Valdosta State University and four other University System of Georgia (USG) colleges and universities in partnership with Georgia Public Broadcasting will offer college credit courses (telecourses) during the Fall 2000 academic term through Georgia G.L.O.B.E.

Registration for both telecourses offered over GPTV stations and online courses is under way on the Georgia G.L.O.B.E. (Global Learning Online for Business and Education) Web site at www.georgiaglobe.org. Students may also call Georgia G.L.O.B.E. at 1-888-404-2740 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday, to register for fall semester.

Georgia G.L.O.B.E. is the University System of Georgia's distance learning initiative designed to offer one-stop access to class registration, online classes, class materials and telecourses from USG schools.

In addition to VSU, the other USG institutions that are affiliates of Georgia G.L.O.B.E. are Clayton College & State University, Columbus State University, Floyd College and the State University of West Georgia.

The Fall 2000 term eCORE� telecourses and online courses are courses designed to meet some of the freshmen and sophomore core curriculum requirements.

"Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB), Georgia G.L.O.B.E. and its affiliates, like Valdosta State University, are breaking down barriers to higher education that many students face," said Dr. Richard A. Skinner, president and CEO of Georgia G.L.O.B.E. "Technology is allowing students who cannot attend traditional classes on campus to have an opportunity to take college courses via television and the Internet."

"We are excited to be a partner in this important education initiative by Georgia G.L.O.B.E. and the University System," said Claude L. Vickers, executive director of Georgia Public Broadcasting, which operates Georgia Public Television, Peach State Public Radio and the PeachStar Education Satellite network. "Expanding education opportunities for our citizens is key to ensuring our state's continued economic success and integral to the GPB mission. We hope that many Georgians will take advantage of these easily accessible resources," Vickers added.

The five Georgia G.L.O.B.E. affiliates agreed to accept standards for both students and courses. Students must be admitted as regular students to an Affiliate institution, and courses must meet the Principles of Good Practices, established by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB).

For more information about registering for online courses and telecourses through Georgia G.L.O.B.E., see its Web site at www.georgiaglobe.org or call toll free 1-888-404-2740 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.