June 2009

Experience Israel through the words of Phill Bettis

Ever wonder what it would be like to walk the streets of Nazareth or gaze out over the Sea of Galilee? Shorter College friend and supporter Phill Bettis knows exactly how it feels and wants to share his experiences with alumni.

As part of Shorter’s Israel Study Abroad Program (May 11 – June 12), Mr. Bettis and his son took part in an archeological excavation at the site of Kursi on the eastern edge of the Sea of Galilee. They also visited sites of religious and historic significance to Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Mr. Bettis chronicled his adventures and thoughts in an online journal and created online photo albums of the places the group visited. “To have worked on a site and a roadway that was very likely walked on by Jesus will be one of my fondest memories,” Mr. Bettis writes in his journal.

“I felt unworthy to scrape away dust and dirt that had accumulated over centuries of neglect and damage by earthquakes and war. That road will likely soon be covered in dirt and shaken by the forces of nature and man again and again.  My work will fade into insignificance except in this record and my remembrance.”

Read Mr. Bettis’ journal>

Master voice teachers, interns welcomed to Shorter

The Hill was home to the 2009 National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Intern Program. Four of the nation’s master voice teachers spent 10 days on the Shorter campus teaching valuable lessons to 12 of the most-promising young voice instructors from around the United States.

NATS interns 2009

As the icing on the cake, the 12 interns took what they learned and taught 24 Shorter College students in one-on-one sessions. Current Shorter music faculty members Dr. Matt Hoch and Dr. Linda Lister are both alumni of the NATS program and served as on-site coordinators. The event culminated with a public performance in Brookes Chapel of the Shorter students who were instructed by NATS interns during the program.

Read more about tne NATS Intern Program>

Shorter’s School of Nursing receives praise from state board The Shorter College School of Nursing continues to stay busy this summer as local business and community leaders take part in making sure the new program gets off to the best start possible. A community advisory committee, comprised of educational administrators, community members and leaders in the local healthcare field, recently formed with the idea that input from seasoned professionals would add a little something extra to a program that’s already receiving praise. Set to launch in the fall of 2010, Shorter’s nursing program received overwhelming feedback from the Georgia Board of Nursing (GBON) after submitting its first progress report this month, explained Shorter College School of Nursing Dean Vanice Roberts. Read about the report>

MORE ALUMNI NEWS Come “home” to The Hill Don’t forget to mark your calendars now for Shorter’s 2009 Homecoming! Coming Oct. 16 and 17, it’s a weekend you don’t want to miss. Class reunions, family fun and football will make this year’s event full of smiles and laughter. More details about Friday and Saturday’s events will be announced as the date approaches. See a photo gallery from last year’s event>

You’ve got mail!

Shorter College alumni have a chance to own a small piece of the college’s history.

Starting July 1, Shorter’s Office of Institutional Advancement will be selling old student mailboxes that were left behind with the recent renovation of the college post office. Mailboxes will be sold for $20 and will be available until Oct. 16. The old mailboxes served the college and its students for decades and have now been replaced with a more modern design.

Those interested in buying a mailbox can stop by the college’s Welcome Center, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Boxes can also be purchased online by visiting http://hawkspace.shorter.edu.

Tech veteran tapped to lead Shorter band, instrumental activities Andrea Strauss, a veteran director of bands at Georgia Tech, has now found a home at Shorter College. Dr. Strauss, who has also served as associate director of the 1992-1996 Atlanta Olympic Band, was recently tapped to serve as Shorter College’s director of marching band and assistant director of instrumental activities. For sixteen years, Dr. Strauss served as the associate director and director of bands at the Georgia Institute of Technology. In addition to sustaining a career in public school teaching, Dr. Strauss served as the associate director of the 1992-1996 Atlanta Olympic Band. Significant performances included the closing ceremonies for the 1996 Olympic Games held in Atlanta; the Presidential Inaugural Parade for President Bill Clinton in Washington, D.C. and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Read more about Dr. Strauss>

Trading spaces: Admissions and Advancement Visitors to the Shorter campus take note: our admissions office is now located at High Acres, the previous home of our office of advancement. Advancement is now located in the Eubanks Welcome Center.

Online courses for Sport Management now available

Alumni can help spread the word about Shorter’s new online courses in sport management. Shorter College’s existing degree program in sport management focuses on the preparation of professionals qualified to manage and lead sport-related organizations,” said Dr. L. Craig Shull, provost at the college.

Registration is now open for fall courses that are scheduled to begin Aug. 24.

Read more about other classes offered online>

Shorter students’ hard work, compassion highlighted in The Christian Index

The rebuilding efforts of eleven Shorter College students in New Orleans over spring break was featured in the May 21 edition of The Christian Index.

Read the story>

ATHLETIC NEWS

Shorter’s Justyna Mudy sets new NAIA national record in 3,000-meter steeplechase Shorter freshman Justyna Mudy became the first Lady Hawk to be crowned a national champion when she won the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a dominating performance on May 30. Add that fact to a track program that already had 17 All-Americans and a pair of top-ten finishes, and you’ve got a remarkable 2009 season. Read more> Soccer standouts prepping for 2009 with the semi-pros Championships are made in the offseason, so goes the old sports adage. Four Shorter Hawks soccer players are taking that advice to heart and are spending their time away from Rome this summer playing for semi-professional clubs across the country.

Read more about their commitment to the game of soccer>

Softball ready to take the next step

Nothing can take away that sour taste left in their mouths. Yet in the wake of being unable to advance out of pool play for the third straight year at the NAIA National Softball Championship, the Shorter Lady Hawks softball team knows that the 2009 season was truly a sweet one.

Read more about the Shorter softball team>

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW FOR THESE UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENTS

Oct. 16 – 17 Shorter College 2009 Homecoming More information at Hawkspace.

Got news? Maybe a new job or a new baby? Recently married? Share the good news with your friends through class notes in Shorter magazine. E-mail your news to wtaylor@shorter.edu . Be sure to include your full name, class year, e-mail address, mailing address and phone number. Please let fellow alumni know that they can subscribe to Virtually Shorter by visiting Shorter's alumni web community Hawkspace. You also can reach the Alumni Office at (800) 868-6980.

Virtually Shorter is compiled by Shorter Public Relations. If you have questions, comments or suggestions for our e-newsletter, e-mail Aimee Madden at amadden@shorter.edu.

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