Monthly Column September 2016
New Academic Year Is Off and Running
We are entering one of my favorite seasons of the year. The new academic year has begun, and for the second year in a row, our enrollment appears to be up. There is so much promise that comes with the beginning of the new school year, and this year seems to be particularly eventful. The new Mashburn residence hall has opened and our students are excited about their new home. Students are also pleased with the food in the renovated Pope Student Center. I do hope you will drive by campus and see the changes if you have not had a chance to visit lately. And while you are here, stop in for a meal at the Roadrunner Café in the student center or a cup of Starbucks coffee in the Rage Café in Peeples Hall.
Our Athletics teams are also off to a great start. Women’s soccer began competing in its first season at Dalton State last month alongside men’s soccer which completed its first season last fall. The men’s golf team held its own against top universities in the Carpet Capital Collegiate Classic tournament at the Farm last weekend. And Women’s Volleyball hosted their first home matches this week. Our men’s basketball team will hold their opening scrimmage game on Oct. 25. Have you purchased your tickets yet?
The shuttle buses to and from the Dalton Convention Center are assisting us with our parking challenges again this year. Despite the usual grumbling, it is working out very well. Both students and employees are able to make use of this overflow parking arrangement during peak times of the day - even when vice presidential candidates visit. Shuttles run continuously Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. so students and employees do not have to wait long for a ride. (Note: Those are the official hours but I am told one of our employees is typically at the Convention Center as early as 7 a.m. just in case there is a need). The shuttles drop off and pick up in the heart of campus. Now that the campus is not in the midst of construction, it is an easy walk from the drop off location to any building on campus.
The Bandy Heritage Center held its first lecture this fall; Dr. Judy Cornett spoke on the life of Lenna Judd and her contributions to the Dalton community in the early twentieth century. The Bandy Heritage Center, located in downtown Dalton at the Freight Depot, will open its exhibit entitled “Dalton and the World: The Odyssey of Lenna Gertrude Judd” on Sept. 28. This exhibit will run through March of 2017. This past week the Bandy Center launched the first in a three-part series on genealogy. Dr. Dorothy Weathersby, Regent of the Robert Loughridge Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, conducted this first seminar on how to begin the search for our own family’s history by concentrating on making the most of the information that exists within the family itself. I am certainly looking forward to the rest of the series and I hope to see you at some of these events. For further information about the Bandy Heritage Center events, please contact Brian Hilliard at bhilliar@daltonstate.edu or 706-272-4453.
Dalton State recognized Constitution Day with a lecture by Matt Hipps on “The Racial State of America: Prejudice or Progress?” Each year Matt reminds us of the enduring strength and resilience of the Constitution by examining a provocative topic and applying Constitutional principles. If you’ve never heard Matt speak, I encourage you to attend next year.
This week we will hold our first musical event of the fall season. On Tuesday, Sept. 21, please join us at 7:30 p.m. in the Goodroe Auditorium of Gignilliat Memorial Hall for pianist Jerico Vasquez. Described as having “intelligent ardor and exceptionally clear and bright technique”, Vasquez has performed as concerto soloist, recitalist and chamber musician in the United States, Canada, Europe and the Philippines.
Finally, please hold the date of Friday, Oct. 21 for the investiture of the fifth president of Dalton State College at 2 p.m. This is a community celebration of all that is good about Dalton and Dalton State, so please plan to attend if your schedule permits. As part of the inaugural festivities leading up to the ceremony, there will be a Campus Community Concert on Monday, Oct. 17 at 7:30 pm in the Goodroe Auditorium of Memorial Hall. Watch for more details about the ceremony and other activities planned for the inauguration week.
If you would like to know more about campus events, please visit our website at www.daltonstate.edu and select the “Calendar” link under “Quicklinks” at the top of the page. Then choose the “Master Calendar” for all campus events. The entries listed in the “Events” category are most relevant for the entire community. Part of the value of having a college in our community is the opportunity to enjoy the variety of activities associated with the College. Please make yourself at home at Dalton State.