Posted on Friday, February 11, 2022
Sometimes coordinating the efforts of more than 40 student organizations, groups and clubs on campus can be daunting, but Dr. John Head, Vice President for Enrollment Management & Student Experience, found a way to help student leaders connect and learn how to be more effective in their roles.
Dr. Head and his staff recently hosted a three-day Leadership Retreat before the beginning of spring semester, bringing together organization presidents, vice presidents and resident advisors.
The event was developed by Dr. Kerry Ann Wallaert, Director of Housing & Student Life; Alexandria Andrade, Assistant Director of Campus Life – Fraternity and Sorority Life Coordinator; Dr. Karen Pruett, Associate Dean and Senior Director of Career Services, Leadership and Counseling; and Siri Emereje, Assistant Director of Campus Life & Activities Coordinator.
Dr. Pruett said the purpose of the retreat was threefold.
“We wanted to provide foundational skills to help the students define their organization’s purpose,” she said. “We also discussed the process of planning agendas and how the groups can achieve their goals.”
Dr. Wallaert said other goals were to provide student leaders with the tools they need to build their organizations, sponsor campus events and build partnerships.
“It was inspiring to see these leaders come together to make the student experience stronger.”
Budgeting and event planning sessions helped students learn how collaborations and partnerships can strengthen their efforts. Campus partners Mark Davis, Director of Development; Karen Ely of National; Juanita Jackson of Aramark; as well as Emereje and Hannah Godfrey, Student Government Association treasurer, offered advice and guidance on how to plan events.
Lindsey Green ’24, representing the Panhellenic Council, was particularly grateful for learning about agendas and budgets.
“Being purposeful in planning agendas is vital to having a productive meeting,” she said. “I also learned about the Student Organization Assistance Program and how to apply for those funds.”
SOAP funds are sponsored through SGA and are available to student organizations for events, conferences, etc.
The retreat ended with a panel discussion of community leaders – Dr. Joy Baker ’02, OBGYN at Wellstar Medical Group; LC President Susanna Baxter; Trae Long ’12, CPA manager at Gay & Joseph; Gail Sherman ’78, MED ’80, Ed.S. ’12, retired educator; and Hill Daniel, Jr. '13, Accountability Courts Administrator, Troup County Felony Adult Drug Court.
President Baxter shared insights on how to lead through adversity, adapt to the unexpected and to stay positive even when things aren’t going well.
Andrew Cunningham ’23, who represented the Sci-Fi and Fantasy Club, said he was inspired by her words.
“I’ve learned how to persevere as a leader,” he said. “Sometimes you just need to toughen up and make tough calls even when you want to just quit.”
One of the most meaningful results of the retreat was the opportunity to network with other campus leaders and form relationships with each other, he said.
“I learned to work with other organizations in a whole new way,” said Andrew. “I think this will help change the direction of the club, making it into a more general organization that all students will want to join.”
Maggie White ’23, who represented Phi Mu, said she discovered the importance of time management.
“I must be courteous of other people’s time,” she said. “We are all very busy individuals and if we are purposeful with our time, more can get accomplished.”
Even though the pandemic has made growing campus clubs and organizations challenging, Maggie is excited about the future.
“Through the tools we learned at the retreat, we hope we can bring back the campus atmosphere we all have been missing,” she said.
The Black Student Union will hold an Alumni Meet ‘n’ Greet from 2-4 p.m. Feb. 19 in Dickson Assembly Room in Turner Hall. Business attire is requested, and light dessert and refreshment will be provided. Register here. All COVID policies will apply.
The Wilkinson Family Servant Scholar program is accepting applications through Feb. 28 for next year’s Servant Scholar participants. Click on this link for the Servant Scholar application. The application packet should be emailed to Sonya Hill-White, shill4@kongtiao11.com, or dropped off at 202 Callaway Academic Building. For questions, contact Jeff Lukken, 706-302-7662. If you are interested, the Servant Scholars have created a four-minute video to tell you more about their program.
February’s 3D Journeys lecture will feature Dr. Greg McClanahan, Professor of Mathematics, who will explore “Triple Play: Mathematics, Baseball and Board Games.” This free event will be at 10 a.m. Feb. 28 at Callaway Auditorium.
Tim Fitz-Gerald, Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre, will present a virtual Lunch-and-Learn event from noon- 1 p.m. Feb. 23. He will share his recent Interim Term course, “No Games – Just Sports,” in which he examined the role of sports in storytelling, specifically how sports can be used as a vehicle in demonstrating man’s ability to overcome adversity, disadvantage and prejudice. During the course, students watched selected films, read screenplays in class, critiqued productions and engaged in discussions about the role of sports within filmmaking, its effect on character and its ability to help influence and shape society. During the Lunch-and-Learn, Fitz-Gerald will provide an overview of some of the basic ideas covered in class, and then ask participants to apply them to the movie “Hoosiers,” that starred Gene Hackman as a high-school basketball coach in Indiana. Register here to receive details about this event.
Nominations are being taken for alumni awards to be presented during Homecoming 2022, Oct. 7-9. Deadline for submissions is March 20. The Shackelford Distinguished Achievement Alumni Award is given to alumni who have distinguished themselves professionally and brought honor to the college. The award is named for Walter Malcolm Shackelford, a former professor of education (1958-1972) and academic dean of the college (1972-1982). The Outstanding Young Alumni Award goes to someone who graduated from LaGrange College within the past 10 years and who has been distinguished in his or her career and community and has brought honor to the college. For more information or to make a recommendation, contact Martha Pirkle, Director of Alumni and Community Relations, at mpirkle@kongtiao11.com or by calling 706-880-8245.
Wesley Fellowship offers a casual, contemporary-style gathering for Christian worship at 8 p.m. Tuesdays in the Spiritual Life Center in Henry Hall.
Felecia Moore, Archives Specialist at Lewis Library, will be one of the local tellers at “A Taste of Storytelling” at 2 p.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church. This free event is a lead-up to the 25th anniversary of the Azalea Storytelling Festival, March 4-6, in Callaway Auditorium.
Preston James IV, Assistant Professor of Sports Management and Business Law, was quoted in this Wallethub.com blog about the Super Bowl.
http://wallethub.com/blog/super-bowl-facts/1589#expert=Preston_James_IV
The Never Stop Hip-Hop Festival, the college’s first-ever hip-hop event, will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday on the Residential Quad. It will feature some of the most talented rappers, DJs and B-Boys in LC’s history.
Check LC Connect for Virtual CE events and instructions. For in-person events, all COVID guidelines apply.
THROUGH MARCH 22
Service Project: Panthers Protecting Children
TUESDAY
Concord Coalition
11:15 a.m., Bailey Room
Pioneers of LaGrange Women Athletics
11:30 a.m., Dickson Assembly Room
THURSDAY
Be the Match
11:30 a.m., Dickson Assembly Room
Men’s Basketball
The Panthers (11-10, 6-2 USA South) edged Huntingdon 78-76 on the road Tuesday night. Zac Hill led LC with 21 points, while Kyle Brown had 20, and Bershard Edwards 18.
Women’s Basketball
The Panthers (13-9, 8-5 USA South) lost 69-52 to Piedmont on Wednesday night in Mariotti Gym. Breonna Glover had 14 points and nine rebounds for LC, while Jalaya Lewis had 12, and Gracie Brunel 10.
Men’s Lacrosse
The Panthers (0-2) lost 13-7 to Berry on Tuesday night at Panther Field. Aiden Story had three goals for LC, while goalie Isaac Bohrer had 16 saves.
Beach Volleyball
The Panthers open their 2022 season against Tusculum and St. Andrews on Friday in Lauringburg, N.C.
Baseball
The Panthers open their 2022 at the Millsaps Baseball Classic beginning Friday and running through Sunday in Jackson, Miss.
Softball
The Panthers, under new head coach Melanie Rushing, open their 2022 season with a doubleheader Sunday against Centre at the LC Softball Complex.
Calendar
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm. Bold games are home games.))
Today (Friday)
Saturday
Sunday
Tuesday
Wednesday
In this month’s Inside LaGrange, take a look at romantic customs and traditions over the years, including the Smith Hall “engagement window,” meetings on the red brick patio, and interviews with alumni couples who met as strangers and left as family.
Panthers fall to Covenant – LaGrange Daily News, Feb. 8, 2022
http://www.lagrangenews.com/2022/02/05/lagrange-men-lose-to-covenant-in-key-usa-south-game/
LaGrange College women get revenge against Maryville, win on senior night – LaGrange Daily News, Feb. 8, 2022
LaGrange women’s upset hopes fall short – LaGrange Daily News, Feb. 9, 2022
http://www.lagrangenews.com/2022/02/09/lagrange-womens-upset-hopes-fall-short/Category: Philanthropy, Community, College, Faculty, Academics, Service, Students
Keywords: student leadership
