All News @ FVSU

Radio personality Michael Baisden coming to FVSU

miltonc — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:36:59 -0400

The “bad boy” of radio, Michael Baisden has a tour bus gassed up and heading to Fort Valley State University. The nationally syndicated radio personality, bestselling author and motivational speaker will host a national mentoring forum at the HPE Complex 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 24.

Baisden’s listeners are buzzing about radio commentator’s outreach program called, One Million Mentors Campaign to Save Our Kids since the official kick off in Dallas last month. The tour is scheduled to visit more than 72 markets affiliated with The Michael Baisden Show.

During symposium, local mentors from Middle Georgia and FVSU will share personal success stories about working with children in the community and representatives from mentoring programs will be available to register volunteers. Each volunteer will be trained and matched with a child to mentor. Baisden is also using his celebrity status to raise money for mentoring programs through matching contributions from participants.

Baisden’s show airs weekdays, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. ET and is number one on WRBV V101.7 in Macon and Warner Robins.

For more information visit www.onemillionmentors.com.

FVSU/Peach County schools’ program gains national attention

miltonc — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:26:40 -0400

Teaching high achieving students the relevance of math in real world success is a subject Peach County High School teacher Victor Hedgpeth grappled with. That job is now easier because of specialized training he received at a workshop facilitated by Fort Valley State University and Peach County School District. The partnership, called the Peach Educators Achieving Collaboration with Higher Education (PEACH), provided 80 hours of professional development training to 60 of the district’s math and science instructors during the school year.

“Before, students used to ask me, ‘Why learn math?’ since they didn’t believe they would use math after graduation,” said Hedgpeth. “This program shows teachers how math interacts with science. Now, I can explain to my students how mathematics relates to careers in medicine, computer science and engineering. They’re more motivated to learn.”

The FVSU/PCSD partnership is attracting national attention. Recently, the Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, a top education association dedicated to teacher development, invited FVSU’s College of Education Dean Dr. Judy Carter; the department’s Associate Dean Dr. Jean Wacaster; PCSD Assessment Testing Coordinator Jeff Fitz and PCSD math and sciences Instructional Facilitator, Mona Moses to talk about the partnership at their annual conference. FVSU faculty members Dr. Eleanor Sikes, interim Middle Grades Education Chair, and Dr. Violet Johnson, Early Childhood/Special Education Coordinator, also attended.

“It’s a very prestigious honor,” said Carter. “Thousands apply to present, and only a select number are accepted.”

The presentation, “Partnerships that Work: a PK-12 University Success Story,” generated a great deal of interest from professors asking about how to start similar programs at other schools. According to Carter, the school district and the College of Education were awarded a $400,000 federal grant for the initiative. Science and math teachers received $2,000 stipends for training at FVSU.

“This partnership is aiding with the collaborative planning process of FVSU’s College of Education,” said Fitz, who added that the program’s goal is the improvement of teacher quality and student achievement in the classroom. “It’s also helping us to increase rigor in our classrooms.”

Teachers learned to use technology tools like Texas Instrument’s TI-Nspire Calculator (which measures pH-levels) and includes a wireless classroom “navigator” (that encourages student interaction and participation).

“I’m absolutely content with the training I received,” said PCHS Advanced Placement chemistry teacher, Gina Clark. Initially, the high school teacher was hesitant about beginning the program, but says the courses improved her ability to teach. “The students love the calculator. High schools don’t always have enough money to spend on precision equipment for calculations that universities use. But, thanks to the techniques I learned at FVSU, (using a probe and the TI-Nspire Calcator), we’re getting better results and fewer calculation errors.” Clark is anxious to resume courses that will take place in FVSU’s new Academic Science Classroom Building this summer.

That the performance outcomes of students have dramatically improved lacks supportive data right now. Fitz says an program evaluation will be released once the testing cycle for PCS students is complete. Even so, PCS math teacher, Hedgpeth believes the project is working. There’s another benefit. “This program has helped our math and science teachers communicate better with one another,” he said. “Although the code between math and science is still not broken, we’re being forced to interact more with each other. In my courses, I can now build my mathematics curriculum on what’s going on in the science department and vice versa.”

—FVSU—
Christina Milton, editorial assistant
Office of Marketing and Communications, FVSU
(478) 825-6319, miltonc@fvsu.edu

Farmers air concerns at listening session

miltonc — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:12:58 -0400

March 16, 2010 - Farmers from all over South Georgia attended a listening session sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Fort Valley State University’s Cooperative Extension Program. The event was March 4 at the Brooks County Extension Office in Quitman.

The listening sessions are part of the Environmental Justice Farmers’ Initiative. These meetings are held periodically at extension offices across the state, and run about two hours long. Several topics were discussed at this recent session, including water quality projects, water conservation, irrigation and cost share assistance.

Elvie Barlow, an EPA representative, said the listening sessions are vital in assisting farmers. “I think that just getting the input from these farmers is helpful. This is good from an Environmental Protection Agency standpoint, as well as the United States Department of Agriculture. We’re getting feedback from these farmers, and we can take this information, compile it, put it in a database and use it to form programs that could really help the farmers,” Barlow said.

Claven Williams, a 23-year U.S. Navy veteran who is now a full-time farmer, was among about 60 attendees. This Worth County native, who has been around farming most of his life, began farming six years ago. Williams says farming is more challenging than when he had to earn his aviator wings in the Navy because of the costs associated with running his business.

“It’s so expensive trying to get the startup money and the equipment. Earlier in the meeting, I stated that I bought two pieces of equipment last year to upgrade my hay equipment and I’m out of over $130,000 just for a tractor, roller and front end loader. It takes a long time to recoup that expense, if you ever recoup it. It’s tough,” Williams said. Williams was just one of many farmers expressing their concerns as to how difficult it was to obtain a government sponsored loan.
Williams did say though that he will attend more listening sessions in the future and that they help keep him stay up-to-date with current issues.

Some in attendance also stated earlier in the meeting that farmers do not have any representation in certain situations, and that’s where the county agent can step in to help. “Meetings such as these can help forge such relationships,” Barlow said. “It can really help in improving communications so that people can know what kind of problems farmers are having.”

Fort Valley State University extension agent Calvin Willis, who covers nearby Lowndes County, was pleased with the turnout. “As you can see, the people that I work with really came out, especially from Lowndes County. Approximately 70 percent of them showed up. I have a good working history with them in working with the university in presenting solutions to them. It’s just wonderful to see a following like that to support you,” said Willis, one of the event organizers.

Willis, like so many others, stressed the importance of meetings such as this. “This meeting allowed growers to express their opinions about issues they are concerned with. I hear these issues every day, but when they have important people to come, such as those from the regional office of the EPA, it gives them validation that someone is listening that can help them solve their problem and give them some better solutions in the long term. It also shows that agents, such as those that work for Fort Valley State, are trying to look out after their interests,” Willis said.

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Contact:
By Russell Boone Jr., public information editor/writer
FVSU College of Agriculture, Home Economics and Allied Programs
(478) 825-6345

New classes planned at Summer Kids University

miltonc — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:12:03 -0400

March 16, 2010 - A fun-filled Fort Valley State University day camp located at the Warner Robins Center is returning for a second year. At Summer Kids University, children played basketball, tennis and wrestled. Some sharpened math, science, computer and Spanish skills; while others expanded creative talents in art and drama courses. The day camp, held at the Osigian Boulevard location, is scheduled June 1 through July 16, at the cost of $99 each week.

The summer program is designed to help students in kindergarten through 12th grade develop athletic, artistic, academic and social skills. Students and their parents can choose up to four classes from a changing lineup each week. New courses planned for 2010 include robotics, speech and debate, college skills and Princess and Gentleman’s academies.

“I made the school basketball team this year and the practice in the summer helped. I’m faster now,”said Diondre McCrary, a 13-year-old Huntington Middle School student. “The people were fun and easy to get along with,” he said.

Summer Kids University classes are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each weekday. Before-care will begin at 7 a.m. and after-care will continue until 6 p.m. at an additional cost. Before camp begins, there is a mandatory parent orientation 10 a.m. Saturday, May 22 at the Warner Robins Center. For more information, visit http://www.fvsu.edu/summerkidsuniversity.

—FVSU—

Misty Cline, Communications Manager
College of Graduate Studies and Extended Education
Fort Valley State University
(478) 953-6128, clinem@fvsu.edu

FVSU's first responders receive emergency training

miltonc — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:11:32 -0400

March 16, 2010 - Whether it’s a small campus brawl or a life-threatening medical emergency, Fort Valley State University’s police and security officers are the first to respond to keep the peace and the campus community safe. While students and some faculty enjoyed Spring Break, the university’s police and security force received in-service training in Founders Hall to help them handle law enforcement issues.

“It’s important for our officers to undergo additional training each year to increase their awareness level about how to handle serious situations,” said Chief Kenneth Morgan, FVSU’s director of Campus Police and Safety. “We’re trying to increase their awareness level because every situation is different, because they usually respond before ambulances arrive.”

On March 9, FVSU’s 15 police officers, who have arrest powers, attended an eight-credit hour Crime Scene Integrity and Investigations Course for the Peace Officers Standards and Training.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Scene Specialist and Special Agent Cecil Hutchins taught officers how to identify and preserve evidence for use in trials. Hutchins is a 23-year veteran of the GBI and has spent the last 16 years specializing in Crime Scene Investigations.

‘By Georgia law, peace officers are mandated to undergo 11 weeks of training to become certified. Each year, they have to take an additional 20 hours to retain certification,” said Chief Morgan.

Alphonso Ford, Peach County’s Emergency Management Services director, taught FVSU police and security personnel the fundamentals of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. Officers learned how to resuscitate adults and children, using dummies with electronic sensors that indicated whether they’d saved a life.

According to Chief Morgan, “High school, college and university campuses across America are experiencing steady increases in crimes and serious health related issues. With the continued growth of FVSU, it is very important for our police and security officers to be ready to handle situations as they arise, and there is no better way than continuous training.”
—FVSU—

Christina Milton, editorial assistant
Office of Marketing and Communications, FVSU
(478) 822-7589, miltonc@fvsu.edu

FVSU’s accreditation reviewed this week

miltonc — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:10:29 -0400

March 16, 2010 - This week is a crucial one for Fort Valley State University’s future. A team from the accrediting board for higher education institutions in the southeast, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is visiting campus March 16-18 for an onsite review. The evaluation will determine FVSU’s accreditation status.

A school’s SACS accreditation lasts for ten years. The preparation process at FVSU began in 2006 when FVSU President Larry E. Rivers created a SACS Institutional Steering Committee. Dr. Julius Scipio, associate vice president for academic affairs, and Dr. Josephine Davis, professor of mathematics, are spearheading the university’s efforts. The administrators assessed the effectiveness of the university’s academic programs.

In 2007, to fulfill a SACS requirement, the university began the development process for a five-year Quality Enhancement Plan; then engaged the campus in formulating a QEP topic. Discussions were held campus-wide and several topics were considered including retention, the use of technology in student learning, service learning, reading across disciplines, student leadership and development. Ultimately, the QEP Committee recommended the topic, “Enhancing Critical Thinking in the General Education Curriculum.”

In 2009, a Compliance Certification Report and support documentation were submitted to SACS.

The QEP’s first phase will be fully implemented in fall 2010, pending approval of the plan by SACS. It targets eight sections of ENGL 1101 and MATH 1111, and four sections of ENGL 1102 and MATH 1113. Fifteen faculty members will be awarded stipends to develop course resources and instructions on how to teach basic foundational critical thinking concepts to students.

FVSU’s accreditation status will be determined at a SACS meeting in Louisville, Ky. this year.

Highlights of SACS on-site team visit includes:

Tuesday, March 16
• 8 a.m. – Off-campus site visit to FVSU’s Warner Robins campus
• 2 p.m. – Meetings with FVSU’s Institutional Leadership Team
• 3 p.m. – Committee meetings with the FVSU’s QEP Leadership Team
• 4 p.m. – Committee interviews and document reviews

Wednesday, March 17
• 8:15 a.m. – Visit to FVSU’s campus
• 8:30 a.m. – Committee executive session on campus
• 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Interviews and document review
• 5 – 6 pm. – Executive session at a local hotel

Thursday, March 18
• Exit Conference

—FVSU—
Contact:
Christina D. Milton, editorial assistant
Marketing and Communications
(478) 822-7589, miltonc@fvsu.edu

Lady Wildcats Rally But Still Lose to Valdosta in Regional

miltonc — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:48:29 -0500

The 2009-2010 season for the Lady Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) came to an end earlier today after a 50-49 loss to the Valdosta State Lady Blazers University in the first round of the NCAA Division II South Regional Tournament on the campus of Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Ark.

The Lady Wildcats came into the tournament seeded third while the Lady Blazers were ranked sixth. The winner is scheduled to meet the Lady Statesmen of Delta State University in the semi-finals on Sunday at 1 p.m. Unfortunately, the Lady Wildcats had a first half that did irreparable harm to their chances for advancing to semi-final round.

In a first half in which the Lady Wildcats scored a season low 15 points, the five of 27 (18.5 percent) shooting performance led to a comfortable cushion for the Lady Blazers who took a 28-15 advantage at halftime. In the first minute of the second half, that lead was stretched to 17 points with 19:09 remaining.

However, you don’t win your regular season conference championship; rise to as high as seven in national polls; and get the number-one ranking in the NCAA South Region without showing heart. The Lady Wildcats did so in their loss to Valdosta!

FVSU’s main entrance redesigned

miltonc — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:45:07 -0500

March 12, 2010 - Traffic pileups and near misses at Fort Valley State University’s alternate entrance will soon be issues of the past. The installation of a new security booth and roadway upgrade at the main campus entrance is nearly complete. The red, rudimentary brick booth was replaced with a sleek, modern structure located in the center of the road. The white security outpost with tinted glass isn’t simply eye candy: the new design, a prototype for future campus gates, is equipped with telephone and internet connections, electrical outlets; also heating and air conditioning.

Barring rain delays, the new gate will open late next week, once Georgia Power completes the installation of power and lighting. According to Dr. Dwayne Crew, associate vice president for business and finance, planning for the new gates began in 2006. The redesign was conceived by Arthur Henderson, FVSU’s vice president for business and finance.

“The primary reason Mr. Henderson recommended the changes was because the old design was ineffective. Security booths were off to the side, and didn’t give officers enough control over traffic coming in and going off campus,” Crew said.

Atlanta-based H.J. Russell and Company installed the new booth at a cost of $42,000 from Wildcat Commons Phase III proceeds. Initially, FVSU planners selected the Memorial Drive location for the security station due to its proximity to Wildcat Commons, but later decided to relocate it because of the Loop Road extension.

To better protect officers manning the booth, a new curb with four steel and concrete girders were added. “The metal barrier will prevent people from running over our security staff,” said Crew. “It will also help them connect with the public in a more professional manner.”

Tall pylons were also added. “The new pylons will slow drivers,” said Chief Kenneth Morgan, director of Campus Police and Safety. “There have been a number of close calls in the past, because some people don’t like following the rules to slow down and stop. People don’t realize that the officer may have vital information about an incident in their building.”

When more funding is available, a similar booth will be installed at the Health and Physical Education Complex. In the future, unmanned gates will require swipe keycards to enter campus.
—FVSU—

Contact:
Christina Milton, editorial assistant
Marketing and Communications
(478) 822-7589, miltonc@fvsu.edu

FVSU Celebrates 59th Annual Honors Convocation

miltonc — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:35:33 -0500

March 12, 2010 - They study when others party, participate in class, make assignment deadlines and take copious notes . Now comes the payoff. Fort Valley State University’s highest achieving scholars will be praised for academic excellence at the 59th annual Honor’s Convocation Tuesday, March 25 at 11 a.m. in the Woodward Gymnasium.
During the ceremony, full-time students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better will receive awards. Honorees also include National Dean’s list nominees; students elected to membership in regional, national or international honor societies; recipients of departmental honors and special scholastic awards.

The keynote speaker is Cheryl Dozier, associate provost and chief diversity officer for Institutional Diversity at the University of Georgia. Dozier is the lead co-principal investigator for the Peach State Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, a $4.9 million grant funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The tenured associate professor in the School of Social Work is the Director of the Inter-Disciplinary Ghana Study Abroad Program which is in its 10th year.
Classes are suspended from 10:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. to accommodate students attending the convocation.

For more information, contact Committee Chair Fred McLaughlin at (478) 825-6241.

Students get ‘crunk’ during FVSU Cultural Arts Tour

miltonc — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:21:49 -0500

March 12, 2010 - Fort Valley State University is getting young people “crunk” about college (means hyped for readers over 50). The university’s signature Spring Break Cultural Arts Tour kicked off Monday, March 15 in Americus, Ga. High school crowds went wild as President Larry E. Rivers, recruiters and a 12-member ensemble known as the Wildcat Force performed old-school hits such as “Outstanding” by the Gap Band and “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly.

The electrifying, hour long show featured familiar tunes with a FVSU twist and popular dances such as the Electric Slide to captivate the audience while providing valuable information about the university’s academic programs, traditions and amenities. As an added bonus, President Rivers waived application fees for seniors in the audience.

“This tour is one of the university’s most successful and effective tools for getting our message to high school students,” said Marcus Swearington, FVSU junior political science student from Atlanta and member of the Wildcat Force. “The students are always impressed by the president’s energy and accessibility.”

Students like Quinton Lott, a senior at Southwest High School in Macon, were eager to ask questions after the program while filling out applications and information cards.

“I’m interested in studying music, so a presentation like this really grabs my attention,” said Lott. “It was good to see some of the talent that the college students have. I’m really considering going to FVSU in the fall.”

The Spring Break Cultural Arts Tour, currently in its third season, made additional stops in Albany, Stone Mountain, McDonough, Milledgeville and Sparta.

To schedule a Blue & Gold campus tour at Fort Valley State University contact the Office of Recruitment at (478) 825-6307. See pictures from the Spring Break Cultural Arts tour online at http://www.fvsu.edu/about/photos.
—FVSU—

Contact:
Tauheedah Shukriyyah Asad, public relations specialist
Marketing and Communications
(478) 825-6319

Students learn the value of a dollar at workshop

miltonc — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:52:55 -0500

March 12, 2010 - Students learn the value of a dollar at workshop
A group of students had to grow up fast after participating in a recent Mad City Money Workshop in Blackshear. Mad City Money is a two-hour simulation of life as an adult offered through the Credit Union National Association Inc.

Woodie Hughes Jr., Fort Valley State University’s 4-H youth and development specialist, along with Keishon Thomas, FVSU’s housing specialist, co-facilitated the workshop. They were invited by Lynn Pratt, a housing counselor for the Credit Union National Association Inc.

The simulation created families for some students with wallet-sized pictures of their imaginary children. Students were provided with monthly incomes from which they had to purchase housing, vehicles and childcare. Hughes said the participants, ages nine to 17, said they never knew having children was expensive.

“Some did not have a place to live, some were unable to provide childcare for their children, many did not have enough food to last from paycheck to paycheck, and some paid $700 to $800 for car notes which prevented them from being able to afford their mortgages,” Hughes said.

Hughes said he is planning to hold a Mad City Money Workshop for his 4-H students.
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Contact:
ChaNae Bradley, public information specialist
FVSU Agricultural Communications Department
(478) 825-6345

Scholars at FVSU showcase their activities

miltonc — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:29:05 -0500

March 12, 2010 - A large group of Fort Valley State University students that gathered recently had never met the woman who recommends funding for their scholarships. Through applause and cheers Feb. 24, more than 80 STEM scholars, and several faculty members, expressed their appreciation to Dr. Claudia Rankins of the National Science Foundation in the Alva Tabor Auditorium on campus.

All scholars are majors in what’s known as STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – disciplines. Each student, who attended the meet-and-greet session with Rankins, program director for NSF’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP), introduced themselves and described their research and internship experiences. They also discussed how this program has impacted their career objectives and helped them to achieve recognitions. The students’ experiences range from working with scientists at institutions such as the University of Florida and the University of Michigan to working at Monsanto Agriculture Company to attending conferences in Puerto Rico, San Diego and Washington, D.C.

“I was a summer participant in the Summer Research Apprenticeship Program funded by NSF and directed by Dr. Dhir in 2007. It was a wonderful experience where I was exposed to a lot of different and interesting scientific topics, as well as an intelligent and supportive staff. Along with the program, I received a scholarship of $3,500, which I get each academic year, and ultimately I enrolled in Fort Valley State University as a plant science-biotechnology major, which has been a priceless and rewarding experience ever since,” said Brandon Crumsey, a junior.

“The scholarships for students provided by NSF and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with prestigious research opportunities, are preparing our students for well-known graduate programs and jobs in the STEM industries,” said Dr. Sarwan Dhir, who mentors the scholars as the director of FVSU’s Center for Biotechnology.

There are 82 students who receive annual $3,500 scholarships through the NSF HBCU-UP, Scholarships in STEM program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Capacity Building Program. FVSU students have benefited from NSF funding, through various programs, for nearly 10 years.

“The funding we receive is having a monumental impact. Once our students graduate, they are able to fill the gaps in industries, such as genomics, biotechnology and engineering, where there are shortages,” said Dhir, an associate professor of plant biotechnology. “Fort Valley State will continue to lead the way with producing graduates who, are proving that with a little support and financial backing, can become leaders in their respective fields of study.

During the visit, Rankins met with FVSU administrators, which included Dr. Larry E. Rivers, the university’s president and principle investigator of the NSF HBCU-UP grant, Mr. Arthur Henderson, vice president of Business and Finance; Dr. Isaac Crumbly, vice president of Career and Collaborative Programs and Director of the Cooperative Developmental Energy Program; and Dr. Melody Carter, vice president of External Affairs.

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Contact:
FVSU Agricultural Communications Department
(478) 825-6345

FVSU’s Under One Roof Housing Conference focuses on healthy homes

miltonc — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:58:40 -0500

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, poor housing conditions in the United States have been linked to childhood lead poisoning, asthma and other adverse health effects.

Fort Valley State University’s Cooperative Extension Program housing specialist, Keishon Thomas, noted this fact and decided to focus the seventh Annual Under One Roof Housing Conference on the topic of Transitioning to Healthy Homes.

“Americans spend 90 percent of their time in their homes. The home needs to be a safe place, but often times it isn’t,” said Thomas, coordinator of the conference held Feb. 25 at FVSU. She expects the Fort Valley community to share the information presented during the conference with their churches, family members and civic groups.

The topic of healthy homes focuses on making the home a safe place with regard to ventilation, radon exposure, lead exposure, energy efficiency, residential remodeling, pest control, community recycling, air quality and home-safety measures.

Conference participants attended breakout sessions at the C.W. Pettigrew Farm and Community Life Center on campus. Some of the session topics were: making homes healthy places for children, pest management, indoor air quality and living “greener.”

Breakout sessions were taught by representatives from several agencies including: the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Program, Georgia Power, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Auburn University and Louisiana State University AgCenter.

Alvin Sheats, executive director of the Hancock Community Development Corporation, said the conference exposed him to new methods of weatherizing and conserving energy. “I can go back and share this information with people in my community, and begin some new projects, “Sheats said.

Edda Cotto-Rivera, University of Georgia Dekalb County Family and Consumer Science agent/radon educator, presented a session on radon exposure. “I’m here to encourage people to get their homes tested for radon. Radon kills people and can cause lung cancer. The only detection is testing,” she said.

After attending breakout sessions, attendees had the opportunity to listen to keynote speaker, Dr. David Satcher, former U.S. Surgeon General and director of the Satcher Health and Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine.

Satcher addressed how an individual’s environment is directly correlated to their health.

“As a medical student, I witnessed several sick babies in the emergency room due to lead poisoning. There are also more asthmatic children today in the United States than ever before due to toxins in the environment. Many toxins are present in the home,” Satcher said.

Satcher said exposures to toxins such as asbestos, are linked to breast cancer, autism and Alzheimer’s. Many of these diseases have increased tremendously in the past decade, Satcher said.

In addition, Satcher mentioned social environments as another aspect of healthy homes. “Social environments are more important to health than medical care. Americans spend 80 to 90 percent of their time indoors, eat hearty diets, and are not exercising. This is increasing childhood obesity, and increasing health disparities among African Americans,” Satcher said.

Satcher concluded his speech by applauding conferences, such as the Under One Roof Housing Conference, for being a networking session to help fight health disparities and to promote healthy lifestyles starting in the home. He encouraged participants to collaborate and work to develop partnerships to steer change.

“In America we have the science, but not the policies to improve the health of Americans. Let us not be guilty of low aim,” Satcher said.

Following Satcher’s speech, three students in FVSU’s College of Agriculture, Home Economics and Allied Programs were awarded the Under One Roof Housing Conference Scholarship. Keneisha Harrington, Tameira Brown and Adrianne Brown were awarded educational scholarships for $350. Scholarship recipients have to major in an agriculture discipline, maintain a 3.0 GPA and have involvement in a civic group.

Dr. Mark Latimore Jr., interim dean for the College of Ag, said he is proud to see a scholarship as an added dimension to the conference. He also said the speaker and the sessions during the workshop were inspiring.

“The speaker left us with a goal to work towards. We must aim towards improving our homes, neighborhoods and health. This conference expressed housing as more than a physical structure, but as an important component to our overall health,” Latimore said. “This conference was another opportunity for FVSU’s Cooperative Extension Program to carry out its mission of educating the community.”

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Contact:
ChaNae Bradley, public information specialist
Agricultural Communications Department
FVSU Agricultural Communications Department
(478) 825-6345

Hunt Memorial Library holds day-long symposium honoring women

miltonc — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:52:39 -0500

March 10, 2010 - America’s unsung, trailblazing female pioneers will be celebrated during a Fort Valley State University symposium. To honor Womens’ History Month in March, the Hunt Memorial Library Symposium will feature a panel discussion on the book, “The Varieties of the Women’s Experience: Portraits of Southern Women in the Post-Civil War Century”. The event scheduled for Tuesday, March 23, in FVSU’s Founders Hall auditorium and library, will feature the book’s editors, President Larry E. Rivers and Executive Vice President, Dr. Canter Brown Jr., and contributors Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Terrance D. Smith, history professors Drs. Fred van Hartesveldt and Dawn Herd-Clark. A general discussion of the book begins at 10 a.m. in Founders Hall, followed by presentations by historians from Tallahassee, Fla. and a researcher from the University of North Florida on Hunt Memorial Library’s 2nd and 3rd floors.

“This symposium is significant, because it will highlight the experiences women have endured to find their place in society after the Civil War,” said Dr. Annie Payton, director of Hunt Memorial Library.

A grant from the U.S. Department of Education last year launched the Hunt Memorial Library Symposium. The objective is to enhance library acquisitions and increase facility usage.

The collection of 14 essays in the history book, published by The University Press of Florida in fall 2009, also features contributions from faculty at the University of Georgia, Florida A&M, the University of Florida, the University of Central Florida, Florida Southern College, the Historical Association of Southern Florida, the University of North Florida and Wofford College. Several contributors will attend to introduce their research.

An afternoon reception will be held at Hunt Memorial Library, followed by a book signing from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

—FVSU—

Christina Milton, editorial assistant
Office of Marketing and Communications, FVSU
(478) 822-7589, miltonc@fvsu.edu

Fourth annual 'Wheels in the Valley' rolling soon

miltonc — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:50:50 -0500

March 10, 2010 - Car show competitors across Florida and Georgia are getting their machines in showroom condition for Middle Georgia’s premier car show. Fort Valley State University’s 4th annual Wheels in the Valley Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show will be held 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Saturday, April 24 at the Health & Physical Education Complex. Hundreds of car lovers will pack the parking lot to show off their prized possessions sporting fresh paint jobs, shining chrome wheels, and complex machinery.

In addition to dozens of vehicle displays, the family-oriented event includes games, food, prizes and oldies music.

“Every year we look for new ways to improve the car show,” said Stacie Barrett, FVSU’s student program manager and event co-chair. “I think this is going to be the best one yet. We’ve added a few surprise activities that we think our audience will really enjoy.”

Besides bragging rights for a year, the top placers will receive plaques and specialty awards. The grand prize winner of FVSU’s Wildcat Battalion and Yamaha of Byron’s motorcycle raffle will be announced during the closing awards ceremony and presented with a brand new YZF R6 Yamaha sport bike.

Registration takes place from 8 to 11:30 a.m. The entry fee for pre-registered cars, trucks and motorcycles is $20; additional vehicles, $10. On-site registration is $25. Proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Georgia Heartlands and FVSU’s Scholarship Fund.

Sponsorship and vendor opportunities are still available. The car show is free and open to the public. For more information or to register, call Barrett at (478) 825-6290.

—FVSU—

Contact:
Tauheedah Shukriyyah Asad, public relations specialist
Marketing and Communications
(478) 825-6319