Fort Valley State University

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.

Feb. 23, 2010 - A popular recruitment fair is back on the campus of Fort Valley State University. The HPE complex filled quickly as 150 aspiring educators arrived early in search of jobs at the Teacher Recruitment Expo on Feb. 17. Administrators representing 30 school districts from Florida, Georgia and Maryland attended the event sponsored by FVSU’s College of Education and the Office of Career and Alumni Services. According to Romelda Simmons, FVSU Director of Career and Alumni Services, it’s the first time an invitation was extended to Middle Georgia teachers.

“Every minute you have with a child counts, whether you believe it or not,” said Georgia College and State University professor of education, Dr. Edward Hill. Hill spoke to a standing-room only audience huddled in Founders Hall auditorium for the annual Educator Initiation Ceremony Thursday, Nov. 19. The ceremony, officiated by Dr. Judy Carter, dean of the College of Education, celebrated the induction of 30 new teacher candidates accepted into Fort Valley State University’s education program.

December 1, 2009 - Four Fort Valley State University students and faculty members joined 70 of their counterparts from state institutions to share good news about Georgia’s public schools during a road trip. Middle grades education student Travis Phelps and early childhood education/special education students Iris Johnson, Jeffrey Reynolds and Amber Perkins, hit the road for the 17th Annual Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education Bus Tour. Associate COE dean, Dr. Jean Wacaster traveled with students.

September 22, 20009—When school health care providers and researchers from around the nation gather in Denver next month, they will get an eye full of Fort Valley State University. Fourteen of the nineteen student research presentations accepted for the 83rd annual American School Health Association National Conference are the work of FVSU Master of Public Health graduates.

Our nation’s teachers can inspire a new generation of future leaders. Their impact on our society was recognized and lauded by Fort Valley State University’s College of Education at an orientation event recently. More than 151 education majors attended the session held Tuesday, Sept. 15 in the C.W. Pettigrew Center.

“It was a rousing and motivational meeting which gave an overview of all of our programs,” said College of Education Associate Dean Dr. Jean Wacaster. “Our faculty is hoping for the success of every single student.”

August 20, 2009—The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education honored Dr. James Ervin Glover, chair and professor of FVSU’s mathematics and computer science department, with a 2009 Noble Laureate Award at their 40th Anniversary Awards Celebration. NAFEO CEO and president, Dr. Lezlie Baskerville and Chairman of the Board, Dr. Ernest McNealy, president of Stillman College, presented the award before an audience of corporate executives, academicians, political leaders and celebrities. Glover accepted the honor on behalf of his department and staff.

July 2, 2009—Fort Valley State University’s FAME Summer Camp wrapped up its sixth season on June 19, with a gala performance and exhibition in the C.W. Pettigrew Center. FVSU supporters, friends and family packed the center in impressive numbers to watch this year’s talent showcase which featured performances by instrumentalists, singers, actors and visual artists.

June 16, 2009—“A tireless health educator who, for the past 50 years as an administrator, has been a catalyst for health education innovation….”

This description by Dr. Mike Perko, director of Graduate Studies, University of North Carolina Greensboro, begins one of many letters of nomination for Fort Valley State University professor William Zimmerli.

In April, the American Association for Health Education agreed with those letters and awarded Zimmerli the 2009 Health Education Professional of the Year Administration Award.

June 16, 2009—Three years of data-keeping and relationship-nurturing has paid off for Fort Valley State University’s Master of Education in School Counselor Education program. This summer, twenty-four new students attended the program’s dynamic orientation.

June 4, 2009—Fort Valley State University is celebrating a milestone. This month, the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GAPSC) — a licensing board responsible for overseeing teacher certification programs — recently approved two bachelor’s degree programs. The GAPSC gave the greenlight to proceed with the university’s Family and Consumer Science Education, and Health and Physical Education degree tracks for teachers this month. Dr. Judy Carter, dean of the College of Education, made the announcement on Tuesday, May 26.

June 2, 2009—How early is too early to expose middle school students to the college experience? If Fort Valley State University’s Career Day at Ballard-Hudson Middle School is any indication, the sooner, the better. Eighth graders at BHMS learned about potential careers and the university’s academic programs, while bopping to African drumming during the May 14 event. A motivational speech by keynoter, Dr. Dawn DeVeaux, FVSU ombudsman, stressed the importance of academic achievement and building bridges to others.

May 15, 2009 - Middle Georgia students are receiving a head start in reading thanks to a Fort Valley State University afterschool program that works to ensure their academic success. The university’s literacy lab tutors celebrated 30 elementary and middle school students from the Boys and Girls Club of Georgia Heartlands and Students Transitioning and Mentoring Program (STAMP). Their accomplishments received praise at graduation celebrations held April 23 and 24.

The deal is sealed between Fort Valley State University and Middle Georgia Technical College. An agreement between the institutions signed earlier this month will enable aspiring educators with associate degrees to complete their bachelor’s degree at FVSU. The first memo of understanding, signed in 2008, allowed MGTC early childhood education students to matriculate at FVSU in the middle grades education program.

Harry Potter, Arthur the Aardvark and the Berenstein Bears are starring characters in the world’s most popular children’s books. Next week, Fort Valley State University is the spot where children can journey into their imaginary world created by best-selling authors. The College of Education holds its third annual Scholastic Book Fair Feb. 16 - 20. The fair opens 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to noon Friday.