July 2010 - Who says that summertime on the Hill is slow? June and July have been full of excitement, including a special announcement from President Dr. Harold Newman, a great accolade for Dr. Carmen Acevedo Butcher (’82) and an entertaining road tour that traveled the southeast enthusiastically spreading the news of Shorter’s transition to university status.

Let’s start with the big announcement. After 25 years at Shorter, Dr. Newman announced his plans to retire. He won’t be leaving right away though, as he has plans to continue filling his presidential role until a new president is onboard. Even with the announcement of his plans to retire, Dr. Newman made it clear that he will continue to lead the institution in its current and future successes and assist the new president, when selected, to the best of his ability. And speaking of successes, Dr. Butcher can add yet another honor to her ever-growing list of accomplishments. She was recently named the Georgia Author of the Year for her book The Cloud of Unknowing with the Book of Privy Counsel. The book’s message is easy to understand: true contemplative prayer can end any spiritual drought. Pick up your copy by visiting Dr. Butcher’s personal Web site at www.carmenbutcher.com The crew of the Shorter University Road Tour could no doubt write a book of their quirky highway experiences (though it probably would not earn them the Georgia Author of the Year award). Three of Shorter’s staff members, Chip Mitchell (’02), Mallory Jones and Rachel Rogers (’04), loaded up a Nissan van and headed out to give away free food, T-shirts, bumper stickers – all to celebrate the transition of Shorter College to Shorter University.

But don’t worry if you weren’t able to make it out to mingle with fellow Shorter alums at one of the 20 road tour destinations. Just plan on coming to homecoming this year. It’s a great way to reconnect with former classmates and take in a good football game. This year’s homecoming is set for Oct. 2. Go ahead and mark it on your calendar; we’d love to see you!

Speaking of athletics, be sure to check out all of the awards and special honors our student-athletes have received over the past year. Have a look at the 2010 Shorter Athletics Annual Report.

And while you’re on the World Wide Web, be sure to stay up-to-date with all of SU’s current news, events and photo galleries by visiting our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/shorteru and keep up with our tweets on Twitter at http://twitter.com/shorteruniv.

Did You Know? With this series, we will highlight some of the individuals — faculty, staff and students, past and present — who are part of the amazing heritage of Shorter University.   Throughout Shorter’s history and continuing today, the faculty has been a dynamic group of individuals who have had a profound influence on the lives of countless students. We wanted to spotlight for you Miss Clara Louise Kellogg, who taught history at Shorter for 38 years until her retirement in 1955. It is rumored that she was at King Tut’s tomb when it was opened and was so close that she inhaled the poisonous gasses, which apparently no one considered might be a danger. Her lungs were permanently damaged, and she was told she needed a quiet environment. That’s how she came to be at Shorter and why she had to rest between classes. Do you have a favorite story about a faculty member that you’d like to share with us? If so, e-mail it to publicrelations@shorter.edu.

Shorter History at a Glance

1873: 
The Cherokee Baptist Female College (a forerunner of Shorter College) is founded by  Luther Rice Gwaltney

1877:
Name changes to Shorter Female College in honor of the generous contributions of Alfred and Martha Shorter College

1900s:
 “The Chimes” literary magazine is established

1910:
College moves from downtown Rome to its current site (see photo above)

1910s:
Shorter’s Alma Mater is written, and the Periscope student newspaper is created

1920s:
Shorter becomes home to the nation’s first indoor swimming pool, which still exists in the Fitton Student Union; the Argo student yearbook is established; and the college is first accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

1930s:
Shorter’s music programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, the first school in Georgia to be so honored

1950s:
First male students are admitted

1954:
Shorter College is approved by the Georgia State Department of Education to train teachers

1958:
Shorter College begins its first affiliation with the Georgia Baptist Convention

1973:
Shorter celebrates its Centennial

1990s:
Shorter begins offering international programs as well as professional studies programs in the Atlanta area; the Hugh Davis Center for Ministry Education is established

2006:
Dr. Harold E. Newman, longtime provost at the college, is named Shorter’s 18th president

June 1, 2010:
Shorter College transitions to Shorter University