Shorter University Office of Public Relations merging with Office of University Advancement

August 9, 2012 - Shorter University Vice President for University Advancement Bert Epting and Dawn Tolbert, who has served as Vice President for Public Relations at Shorter since 2009, announce the merging of the university’s Office of Public Relations with the Office of University Advancement. This change is designed to maximize university resources and to allow a more unified approach between Shorter’s brand-building and support-raising efforts. Mrs. Tolbert will continue to provide oversight for the university’s media relations, print and electronic communications, and branding efforts, while her new role as Associate Vice President for University Communications also will allow her to work closely with the Advancement staff on new communications initiatives. “Public Relations is a natural part of the University Advancement operations,” Mrs. Tolbert said. “Our efforts to build the Shorter University brand are a perfect fit with the efforts to raise support for the institution. I am looking forward to working with Bert and his team to continue to share the good things happening at Shorter University.”

Mr. Epting added, “We, in University Advancement, are excited about the opportunity to work even more closely with Dawn and her team. Their professionalism, creativity, and overall talent is amazing. We look forward to being a part of sharing the great things our faculty, staff, and students are doing for the Lord each and every day.”

Mrs. Tolbert has been a member of Shorter’s administrative staff since 2004, when she was hired as head of the institution’s public relations efforts. Since arriving at Shorter, she has led several key initiatives for the university, including chairing institution-wide committees to coordinate a successful launch of Shorter’s football program, to revise the university’s Crisis Response Plan, and to update Shorter’s brand to reflect the transition to university status.

Having double majored in Communication Studies and English at Gardner-Webb University, Mrs. Tolbert has a Master of Arts in Professional Writing from Kennesaw State University and is a doctoral candidate at Union University, where she is completing a Doctor of Education degree with an emphasis in higher education leadership. She lives in Cedartown with her husband, Larry. They are active members of First Baptist, Cedartown.

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