All News @ FVSU

Wildcat stamp on sale

clinem — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:27:46 -0400

Wildcat fans are giving their stamp of approval to support Fort Valley State University’s latest fundraiser. The university will sell a limited-edition first-class U.S. postage stamp to boost the amount of student scholarships. Wildcat fans can purchase a sheet of 20 stamps for $20 on a first-come, first-served basis. A similar effort was launched last year.
“Our Wildcat stamp initiative provides an additional means to acquaint the community at large with the university,” said Dr. Melody Carter, vice president of External Affairs. “Also, it’s a fun fundraising initiative in which parents and students can participate at a relatively low cost.”
According to Carter, “We rolled out the last stamp initiative near the end of the 2007 calendar year – just before the penny increase of 42 cents. We did make a small profit, so we are implementing it again. We all need stamps from time to time!”
Stamps can be purchased in three locations: the Office of External Affairs, in Bywaters 22, the FVSU Foundation located in the Troup Building, Room 243 and the Public Service Center in FVSU’s Evans Building. Acceptable forms of payment are cash, checks, credit cards and money orders.
To order stamps, contact the FVSU Foundation at (478) 825-6474; e-mail: livatta@fvsu.edu, (478) 825-6135 or call FVSU Public Service Center Director Joy Moten-Thomas at (478) 825-6081.

Fort Valley State-Valdosta State game to be televised

lewiss — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:16:23 -0400

Fort Valley State and Valdosta State will kick off the 2008 college football season on Saturday, August 23 when the two schools meet in Valdosta, Ga. In addition to being the first game played by any NCAA institution in the country, the contest will be televised on the CBS College Sports Network at 8:00 p.m. Due to scheduling conflicts, the two schools had to receive special permission from the NCAA to open the season one week before the official starting date of August 30.

The FVSU-VSU clash is part of a six game package put together by NCAA Division II and the CBS College Sports Network. In 2006, only three Division II games were broadcast, last year it was expanded to four and this season six games will hit the airwaves. “We’ve received tremendous feedback on the success of these televised games from member institutions,” stated Division II Vice President Mike Racy. “The schools obviously love the exposure for their teams, but there’s also a collective benefit because our programming emphasizes so much about Division II from a broader perspective.”

“Our partnership has been a huge success and we’re proud to showcase even more exciting Division II games this season,” said Tim Pernetti, executive vice president, content, CBS College Sports Network. “In addition to the on-field action, we’re able to tell the stories of these exceptional student-athletes and the pageantry of Division II sports.”

Fort Valley State is no stranger to football broadcasts. As recently as last season the Wildcats faced Albany State on television before a national audience on the NFL Network.

For more information, visit the NCAA Web site at www.ncaa.org or contact FVSU Sports Information Director Russell Boone at (478) 825-6437.

College of Education receives grant

clinem — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:28:45 -0400

Fort Valley State University education majors will learn an innovative way to boost mathematics and critical thinking skills, and they’ll have state-of-the-art technology to help in the process. A grant from the U.S. Department of Education called “Enhancing a Teacher Preparation Program” was awarded to the university’s College of Education. Dr. Judy Carter, dean of the College of Education, and the department submitted a proposal to obtain the money. The congressionally-funded grant of $167,030 will be used to upgrade the college’s Curriculum Materials Center, classrooms, science and mathematics laboratories, and implement the Singapore Math Method.
The Singapore Math Method is a traditional technique used in many Asian countries to teach students math and critical thinking skills. Students use word problems to solve math equations instead of repetitive drilling and memorization typically taught in American classrooms. According to Carter, the department implemented the method after witnessing its results. “Some of our students participated in a couple of Singapore Math Method workshops last semester,” said Carter. “When they took their Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) test, which replaced PRAXIS, many did very well in math partly because of the methods they learned from these workshops. The excellent instruction from their math teachers was the other reason they did well. We thought that if it helped our students in this way, we would expand the concept. All of our students who have math concentrations will be involved in the training.”
FVSU education majors who are pre-service teachers, as well as in-service, certified teachers will learn how to implement the method in classrooms through instruction and an intensive, week-long workshop. In-service teachers from Twiggs, Peach, Crawford, Macon, Monroe, Taylor and Crisp counties are also invited to participate in the training to increase student achievement in math for grades 4 through 8.

Students attend AARCS conference

clinem — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:24:51 -0400

There’s a push under way to increase the number of African-American faculty in the area of computer sciences. Right now, blacks in the discipline make up only one percent of tenured faculty. But organizers of a conference recently held in Atlanta want to boost the numbers. Three FVSU students – Jeremy Rogers, Niraj Yadav and Paul Small, with faculty members Dr. John Dubriel and Dr. Cheryl Swanier – participated in the 3rd Annual African-American Researchers in Computing Sciences Conference at Spelman College.
“The purpose of the conference was to show individuals the different routes they can take toward becoming graduate professors, how to make yourself ready for the workforce and how to get your research published,” said Paul Small, a computer science and commercial design major at FVSU.
AARCS aims to increase the number of African-American faculty and research scientists at the tenure-track level by offering conference sessions that teach students how to write research papers, the pitfalls of getting published, how to successfully matriculate at graduate school and resources available for professors.

Financial Aid announces new budget

clinem — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:26:48 -0400

Fort Valley State University’s Financial Aid department is increasing its budget to help students cover the higher cost of college. Each new budget reflects the increased expenses associated with tuition, fees, housing and transportation to better serve students depending on their financial situations. Eula Solomon, director of financial aid, says that budget categories have been expanded from twelve to sixteen – to increase the aid eligibility amount for students.
“Bottom line, the budgets were changed because of changes in the cost of living,” Solomon added. “The old budget — that had not been changed in nine years — was based on old cost of living figures. Gas prices have made everything more expensive. We’ve had to adjust our budget to help our students meet the increased costs.”
The pricing structure will also change because of the University System of Georgia’s Guaranteed Fixed Tuition Rate started in 2006. The GFTR ensures that a new student entering an institution will pay the same tuition rate for a maximum of four years. The four additional categories will be based on the year that students enter FVSU.
“New budget categories were created because students are facing different financial situations, so we have different budgets for each individual,” Solomon continues. “For example, a student living out of state will have additional expenses – like travel – compared to an in-state student.”
“Under the leadership of Ms. Solomon, the budget has increased to help FVSU students,” said V. Regina Rockingham, associate director of financial aid. “The additional money will help students pay for college necessities like room and board, a personal computer and insurance.”

Under the old formula — a sample budget for a FVSU dependent, in-state student who lives on campus might read:
Books and Supplies - $900
Student Loan Fees - $100
Personal Expenses $1,000
Room & Board - $5,910
Tuition and Fees - $3,558
Transportation - $600

Under the new budget — dependent, in-state students who live on campus will receive:
Books and Supplies: $1,200
Student Loan Fees: $100
Personal Expenses: $3,300
Room & Board: $6,094
Tuition and Fees: $4,018
Transportation: $1,600

For more information, contact the Office of Financial Aid at (478) 825-6351.

Hall of Famer to star in FVSU commercials

clinem — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:25:43 -0400

Hall of Fame inductee Doug Porter will be tackling the bright lights of television on behalf of Fort Valley State University to raise money for a worthy cause: scholarships. The former Wildcats coach will be making an appeal for donations to the President’s Scholarship Fund. The money will help keep deserving students on campus.
Porter, who recognizes the need for the new initiative, believes that the money will make a difference in the lives of students. Eula Solomon, FVSU Director of Financial Aid, echoed Porter’s call for scholarship donations. “Our university is literally working overtime to find aid resources for deserving students, but there’s just not enough to go around,” she said. “We need all the help we can get.”
Solomon said the university needs an additional $250,000 to help students immediately. “The money will be put to good use right now, and we will face further needs as we move into the fall semester,” Solomon said. “These are good students who deserve our help.”
To donate, contact the FVSU foundation at (478) 825-6474.

Groundbreaking for new student housing to be held Aug. 1

clinem — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:45:21 -0400

With more than 5,000 applications for fall semester 2008, Fort Valley State University’s campus population is growing exponentially. To accommodate the bumper crop of new students, additional student housing – Phase III of the Wildcat Commons – is under way. At 9:30 a.m. Friday, August 1, a groundbreaking for the new Wildcat Commons buildings will be held at the Wildcat Commons Clubhouse. The $16 million student housing complex will be adjacent to the existing dorms.

Plans for the new project stemmed from the increasing demand for more affordable, quality housing to meet the future student enrollment projections.

“We are very pleased to have under way the construction of two additional suite-style residence hall buildings that will hold 378 beds,” said Dr. Melody Carter, vice president for external affairs. “As we prepare for what will most likely be a record number of students, it is vitally important to grow the campus infrastructure – that includes additional and enhanced student housing facilities.”

The University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents approved the Wildcat Commons Phase III during their March meeting. In June, the board issued a Notice to Proceed with the project. The FVSU Foundation, Inc. has established the FVSU Foundation Wildcat Commons II, LLC to complete the buildings. Clement & Wynn will serve as project manager for the facilities; H.J. Russell will be the developers; Niles Bolton Associates are the architects.

Approximately two and a half acres will be used to build the two new 126,430 square-foot facilities.

The facilities feature:

four bedroom suites and semi-suites with two baths
two units with two bedrooms and two baths
two units with three bedrooms and one bath

The new complex will complement the existing five housing and amenities buildings. Planners also expect to upgrade the area’s sanitary sewer system, finish closing Memorial Drive, and erect the Florence and Henry Hunt statues.

“The design approach maintains the existing campus architecture to ensure consistency and respect for university history and tradition,” said Joy Moten-Thomas, director for the Public Service Center and Facilities Development. “The new buildings also evoke a sense of student community while encouraging interaction.”

The student housing complex is expected to be complete by early 2009.

Student leaders attend conference

clinem — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:43:55 -0400

Mr. and Miss Fort Valley State University, accompanied by their royal advisors Annette Johnson and Sammie Haynes, attend a leadership conference in Winston Salem North Carolina. The conference, sponsored by the HBCU Leadership for Queens and Kings Konnection, was a four day event held July 17-20, 2008.

The leadership conference was specifically designed to enhance, support and train young men and women to become not only dynamic campus kings or queens but also to expose them to business and etiquette skills that may enhance their campus and community. Kings and queens are brought together to learn from one another as well as listen to trained professionals talk about articulation, stage presence, etiquette, confidence, and professionalism.

If you’d like to schedule the Royal Court for your event, please use the attached Royal Court Service Request form.

Pictured left to right: Eric Johnson, first Mr. Fort Valley State University; Sherrise Liggins, second attendant to Miss Fort Valley State University; Shanoria Morgan, Miss Fort Valley State University; and Alexander Little, Mr. Fort Valley State University.

FVSU’s Mathematics, Computer Science and Computer Technology Program welcomes new chair

clinem — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:49:33 -0400

Don’t let the quiet, unassuming demeanor of Dr. James E. Glover fool you. The math scholar’s curriculum vita is packed with credentials and a rich background in computer programming. Glover attended Ivy League schools, worked for the nation’s top aerospace firms and through his designs, skills and knowledge assisted in facilitating safe space shuttle launches for the National Aeronautics and Space Agency. This month, he was hired as a professor and chair of Fort Valley State University’s Mathematics, Computer Science and Computer Information Systems Department.

“I hope to increase the level of enthusiasm for mathematics and the sciences which has followed me over the years,” said Glover. “I bring a wide range of technical experience to the teaching arena, as well.”

Glover earned a Ph.D. from Auburn University in combinatorial analysis; a M.A.T. in Mathematics from Harvard University and a master’s degree from State University of New York at Stony Brook. He received a Bachelor of Science at Langston University in mathematics with a minor in chemistry.

Glover has more than 20 years of experience in mathematical sciences, engineering and teaching at several universities, most recently Palm Beach Atlantic University. He taught differential equations, the calculus sequence, discrete mathematics, probability theory, number theory, statistics, matrix theory, linear and abstract algebra. Glover has expertise in VS-FORTRAN and C computer languages. He continually develops statistical applications and reliability analysis software.

The mathematician has worked in climatology: studying the effects of weather and lightning, stress facture mechanics: examining the effects of cracks on airplane parts, finite element structural analysis: analyzing different stresses on finite structures like buildings, and aerospace engineering: which studies the launching of aerospace vehicles. Several of the nation’s top engineering firms such as McDonnell Douglas (Boeing) Corporation, Richard J. Bigda and Associates (Chemical Engineering Consultants), The Aerospace Corporation, and Brookhaven National Laboratory (Fast Reactor Safety Division) are Glover’s past employers. He has also worked for NASA’s Langley Research Center Structures and Dynamics Division, the Goddard Institute for Space Studies, the John F. Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and the San Diego Naval Research and Development Laboratory (NRAD/SPAWR).

In addition to helping students on campus, Glover plans outreach activities to assist young people attending Middle Georgia secondary schools. He has also served with the Youth Motivational Task Force in Los Angeles.

Star first baseman steps up to plate for FVSU students

clinem — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:48:42 -0400

Dmitri Young, star first baseman for the Washington Nationals National League Baseball Club, has stepped up to the plate to aid deserving Fort Valley State University students.

Following a chance encounter on a flight from Atlanta to Washington, D.C. with FVSU President Larry E. Rivers, Young has contributed $10,000 for student scholarships to be available for fall 2008.

“We struck up a conversation out of the blue,” Rivers explained. “This eventually led to a discussion about Fort Valley State and how critical was our need for financial aid funds in these hard times.”

Although Young previously had held no connections with FVSU, he reacted quickly to Rivers’ appeal. “I can’t stand to hear of qualified young people not being able to go to college,” he told Rivers.

Rivers, who accepted Young’s check before the plane landed in Washington, saw the first baseman’s generosity as a challenge to others. “Here is a man who is willing to open his heart to the needs of our young people,” Rivers said. “I would ask everyone who hears of this to understand that we are sending qualified young people home because we cannot provide badly needed assistance for students willing to work. Please, please help us.”

A native of Vicksburg, Miss., Young has played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, and Washington Nationals. A USA Today High School All-American, he has played in two professional baseball All Star games and contributed to the 2006 Detroit Tigers drive for the American League Championship.

“Our FVSU family offers sincere thanks to Dmitri Young and looks forward to extending our hospitality to him in the near future,” Rivers said. “In the meantime,” Rivers added, “I extend Dmitri’s challenge to all. Don’t let qualified young people be sent home for lack of financial aid. Our need is immediate. Help us to help them.”

A gift can be made to the Fort Valley State University Foundation in several ways – with cash, securities, real estate, bequests, and personal property. Many corporations offer matching gift programs that double or triple the value of donations from their employees. All contributions are valuable, regardless of size, and all gifts offer tax advantages to donors. For more information, please contact the FVSU Foundation Office at (478) 825-6474.

FVSU goes to electronic awarding system

clinem — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:47:34 -0400

By Brandon Mackey, student intern

Fort Valley State University’s Office of Financial Aid and Veteran affairs is using an all-electronic computer system this fall in an effort to prevent long registration lines. Director Eula Solomon expects to see great success with the kiosks. The eleven desktop systems were purchased through Title III funding, for a total of $9,191.00.

“We did not invent the wheel, we just duplicated it and implemented it into our system,” Solomon says of the awarding process. The kiosks, which have been in use in small numbers since August, were designed to shorten lines, free up counselors’ time and ease students’ minds.

During past registration periods, the Financial Aid office has been swamped with students who form lines that go down the hall and around the corner. This year will be different. “There will be lines,” says Solomon, “but they won’t be registration lines.”

The electronic system is expected to help greatly with time management. In the past, it could take an advisor up to forty-five minutes to walk one student through the financial aid and registration process. After activating the kiosk system in 2007, the department served 1,300 students in less than fifteen minutes. By using the computerized system, the department has already helped 2,800 students for fall 2008.

FVSU develops training curriculum to help combat sheep and goat parasites

clinem — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:46:28 -0400

By Ayanna McPhail, publications editor/writer
Agricultural Communications Department

Parasites lurking in a seemingly healthy sheep or goat can wipe out a flock. The harmful internal worms can devastate the financial earnings of those whose livelihoods depend on raising and selling healthy animals.

After years of testing and research, Fort Valley State University has taken a practical approach to detecting low blood levels in animals due to parasites. The method, which originated at a veterinary institute in South Africa, has been altered by FVSU researchers for animal producers here in the Unites States. The idea is to reduce treatment for sheep and goat, and as a result save animal producers money and prevent drug-resistance buildup.

Now, easy-to-understand curriculum about the method is being disseminated throughout the United States to veterinarians, extension specialists and qualified animal producers who can train those in the goat and sheep production industry on how to use what’s known as the Smart Drenching and FAMACHA system.

A laminated card, about the size of a postcard, has a photo of a goat’s inner eyelid. The producer simply compares the pinkish color of their animal’s eyelid to that of the color chart on the card. Since the parasites suck blood from the animal and cause anemia, the color of the eyelid is likely to change, according to Dr. Seyedmehdi Mobini, the FVSU professor of veterinary science/research who led the efforts to develop the curriculum recently published by Southern Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control.

So far, 400 notebooks and electronic CDs have already been mailed out. The training and curriculum goes far beyond the Smart Drenching and FAMACHA system, experts go into depth about managing parasites, Mobini said.

“The concept is to make this information available to more producers in more states,” said Mobini, also an extension veterinarian for FVSU’s Cooperative Extension Program which offers various types of assistance to animal producers.

A $72,955 grant awarded in 2006 to develop and print the materials was given by an organization that focuses on 13 states in the Southeast. Southern Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) also funded research efforts to test out the FAMACHA system that provides instant results, according to researchers.

“Not everybody can take a blood sample and send it to the lab to detect blood level,” Mobini said. “A producer can check the color of the goat’s inner eye in the field to detect the level of anemia.”

The use of drugs to control parasites is very expensive. Also, these internal parasites in sheep and goats are becoming resistant to the medications, according to professors at FVSU.

Fort Valley State is a leading institution when it comes to goat and sheep research. In 1986 the university established the Georgia Small Ruminant Research and Extension Center which is the largest facility of its kind east of the Mississippi River, according to university professors.

The center is designed to respond to the informational, problem-solving and advisory needs of people who raise goats and sheep for milk, meat, show or fiber.

For more information about training materials, visit www.scsrpc.org http://www.scsrpc.org/

Wildcats Men’s Basketball Team Finishes #1

clinem — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:50:32 -0400

On July 14, 2008 a package from the NCAA was hand-delivered to Coach Emory Lightfoot Jr., the interim head men’s basketball coach at the Fort Valley State University. The item is an NCAA plaque congratulating FVSU as the Division II Statistical Men’s Basketball Champion with an average of 12.3 steals per game for the 2007-2008 season.

The defensive prowess of the Wildcats of Fort Valley State University brought an excitement to the Health and Physical Education Complex that had not been seen in recent years. The steals led to alley hoops and powerful rim rocking dunks that electrified the crowd. The men’s basketball team finished second in attendance regarding averaging some 1,300 plus per game.

Fort Valley State finished 3rd in the conference during the 2007-08 season, a far cry from the predicted 9th place finish the SIAC pre-season coaches’ poll. The Wildcats also ran a string of 10 games tying a record set in 1966 for the most consecutive wins in a season. This streak was accomplished while the Wildcats were defeating their opponents by an average of 16.8 points per game. Defense aided to one of the largest comebacks in school’s history. On January 31, 2008 FVSU rebounded from a 29 point deficit to win over Lemoyne Owen 88-87.

Lightfoot says, “One of the greatest decisions that I made in my life was to follow in my father’s footsteps and sign with the Fort Valley State Wildcats.” Lightfoot played from 1988-92 under the leadership of former coach Anthony Witherspoon.

Coach Lightfoot was a student-athlete at Fort Valley State College (now University) and a graduate of the institution. His father and mother are also proud alumni of FVSU. Lightfoot took it a step further as he wore the number 25, the same number his father wore during the time he was a basketball player from 1958-1960.

Last season marked Lightfoot’s first as head coach. Fort Valley State University is an SIAC and NCAA affiliated institution with 11 intercollegiate sports under the direction of Interim Director of Athletics/Head Football Coach Deondri Clark.

One of FVSU’s own receives outstanding service award

lewiss — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:56:21 -0400

By Jennifer Jordan, student writer
Agricultural Communications Department

Vivian Fluellen was awarded for her outstanding service for pioneering efforts toward faculty development in family financial planning for the 1890 Family and Consumer Sciences and Distance Instructional Alliance.

This assistant professor at Fort Valley State University received the award on June 10 at the Association of Extension Administrators and Association of Research Directors Land-Grant conference in Memphis, Tenn.

She collaborated with seven other 1890 land-grant institutions to form a grant worth nearly $185,000. This U.S. Department of Agriculture capacity building grant was used to train faculty members and teach financial planning certification classes offered at eight land-grant schools, including Fort Valley State.

This Family Financial Planning Program that certifies people to become financial planners would not be possible without Fluellen who has been teaching in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences since 1997.

“This program fulfills a need to offer more online courses to increase enrollment at Fort Valley State University,” Fluellen said. “The online program offers many opportunities for our students. The program qualifies students to take the Certified Financial Planner Examination after receiving training and experience.”
Fluellen has a joint appointment as an assistant professor and specialist with FVSU’s Cooperative Extension Program which provides training and educational opportunities for Georgia residents.

For more information about the Family Financial Planning Program, and how to enroll, contact FVSU’s Department of Family Consumer and Sciences at 478-825-6234.##

New assistant to executive director of enrollment management named

lewiss — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:45:47 -0400

By Christina Milton
Marketing and Communications

Dr. Dawn DeVeaux is known for her upbeat personality, the ease with which she connects with students as a faculty member and her willingness to serve in any capacity. In June, DeVeaux took on a new role: assistant to the executive director of enrollment management. Working with Dr. Myldred Hill, executive director of enrollment management, DeVeaux will help increase enrollment on campus, recruit international students, and oversee the offices of financial aid, admissions and counseling.

“I hope to help African-American scholars who are pursuing higher education,” said DeVeaux. “I was blessed to attend an HBCU, which helped shape my professional life today. I would like nothing more than to help shape this generation of scholars and thinkers at FVSU.”

DeVeaux’s education credentials are focused in communication and public relations. She earned a Doctorate of Arts in community college education with a specialization in communication. She received a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Howard University in 1984 and a master’s in mass communications in theater and speech from Austin Peay University in Clarkesville, Tenn. in 1987.

DeVeaux has taught public speaking and theater at FVSU for three years. “I have made very good use of my time while here,” said DeVeaux. For the past two years, she has helped produce student works. DeVeaux served as a faculty point-person for the John W. Davison Lecture Series, bringing lecturers like historian Mary Frances Berry, actor and actress Tim and Daphne Maxwell-Reed, and astronaut Mae Jemison to campus. DeVeaux has worked on the Miss FVSU advisory council and the committee for judiciary affairs and orientation. She also helped secure a grant for the African-American male initiative at FVSU.

In her spare time, DeVeaux enjoys writing articles and reading scholarships. Her heroes and “she”-roes are Stephen Carter, Bell Hooks and Cornel West. She is currently writing two articles on the achievement gap of African-American males in public schools and examining the careers of African-American community college presidents.

—FVSU—