Georgia Southern University Named One of Top 100 Best Values in Public Colleges by Kiplinger

Georgia Southern University has been named one of the Top 100 Best Values in Public Colleges by Kiplinger, a leading publisher of personal finance and business forecasts. This is the second year in a row that Georgia Southern has appeared in the rankings.

“Georgia Southern University remains committed to providing our students with exceptional academic opportunities,” said Georgia Southern University President Brooks Keel. “We are very pleased that Kiplinger has again chosen Georgia Southern as one of the most outstanding values in the country. Now more than ever, it is important for parents and students to know that they are receiving the most for their educational investment.”

Georgia Southern University was one of only four Georgia schools to be ranked in 2010. Kiplinger bases its rankings on outstanding academic quality, affordable tuition and the availability of financial aid. Student/faculty ratios and on-time graduation rates are also factors.

“Record numbers of students continue to apply to Georgia Southern University. We offer a nationally-ranked College of Business Administration and the only College of Information Technology in the Southeast. Our nursing and education programs have been recognized for years as leaders in Georgia,” said Keel. “Our students also have the opportunity to interact with professors and conduct research alongside faculty. This kind of learning experience is one of the many things that makes Georgia Southern unique and helps us to stand out from other colleges and universities in the country.”

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Keel Named President of Georgia Southern University

The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) today named Dr. Brooks A. Keel, 53, vice chancellor for research and economic development and professor of biological sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, president of Georgia Southern University in Statesboro.

“Dr. Keel has Georgia roots, and is a graduate of two USG institutions, so he is an outstanding success story for the university system and the state. He brings tremendous academic credentials, understands our state challenges on all dimensions and has the experience to link industry and the academy together in creative and compelling ways,” said Chancellor Erroll Davis. “I have no doubt that he will be a great partner for the board while leading Georgia Southern to the next level.”

Regent Donald M. Leebern Jr. chair of the Special Regents’ Committee for the presidential search at Georgia Southern, added that Keel’s “history of leadership in higher education is impressive. The committee is extremely confident in his ability and readiness to lead Georgia Southern.”

Keel will assume his post on January 1, 2010, according to USG Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Susan Herbst. He will replace Georgia Southern President Dr. Bruce Grube, who will step down as President, effective December 31, 2009. Dr. Grube has served the University System in this role since July 1, 1999.

“We were searching for someone who understood that the center of Georgia Southern is its students, faculty, and staff. And in order for Georgia Southern to further build its research profile, we needed a leader who knows how to develop research infrastructure,” said Herbst. “Brooks has keen understanding of what makes a university work effectively and efficiently for its many stakeholders.”

Prior to his appointment at Louisiana State University, Keel was a professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and associate vice president for research at Florida State University, Tallahassee, from 2002-2006. His professional career began in 1985 at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, where he served in a variety of positions including the Daniel K. Roberts Distinguished Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (1995-2001), president of the Women’s Research Institute (1993-2001), and director of Reproductive Medicine Laboratories (1994-2002).

He is a member of the Society for the Study of Reproduction, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Society for Gynecologic Investigation, among others. Keel has served on numerous boards related to his discipline, including the American Board of Bioanalysis, and has been honored for his work by these and other organizations. Keel earned a Ph.D. in reproductive endocrinology from the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, and a bachelor of science in biology and chemistry from Augusta College (now Augusta State University), Augusta, Ga.

He has done postdoctoral work at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston and the University of South Dakota School of Medicine, Vermillion.

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Georgia Southern University's College of Business Administration Recoginzed by The Princeton Review

Georgia Southern University’s College of Business Administration has been recognized as one of the best business schools in the country by The Princeton Review. This is the fourth year in a row Georgia Southern University has been included on the list.

“It is an honor to be included on The Princeton Review’s best business school list,” said Ronald Shiffler, dean of the College of Business Administration. “In the 2010 edition, the publishers of the Princeton Review feature information about our outstanding academic offerings, our faculty’s dedication to students, and the flexibility of our on-line programs. We are very proud of our faculty and outstanding students who helped make this recognition possible.”

The Princeton Review names Georgia Southern University’s MBA program as one of the best in the country. The guide highlights the classes offered on the Statesboro campus, at the Coastal Georgia Center in Savannah and the on-line courses that make up the Georgia WebMBA program. Business schools are included on the Princeton Review list after an extensive research and surveying process.

“We are pleased to recommend Georgia Southern University’s College of Business Administration to readers as one of the best institutions they could attend to earn an MBA,” said Robert Franek, Princeton Review senior vice president of publishing. “We chose the 301 business schools in this book based on our opinion of their academic programs and offerings, as well as our review of institutional data we collect from the schools. We also strongly consider the candid opinions of the students attending the schools who rate and report on their campus experiences at their schools on our survey for the book.”

“Georgia Southern’s MBA program provides outstanding advanced educational opportunities with the flexibility working professionals need as they take the next step towards advancing their career,” said Melissa Holland, director of Georgia Southern’s MBA programs. “Our MBA students told the publishers of the Princeton Review about their professors’ willingness to work around their schedule and even providing students with their cell phone numbers in case they had questions in the evenings or on the weekends. Those are some of the reasons so many students choose Georgia Southern University for their MBA.”

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Georgia Southern University to offer its first Ph.D. program

Georgia Southern University has received approval to offer its first ever Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree, a Ph.D. in Logistics/Supply Chain Management. Classes are scheduled to begin in Fall 2010.

“The approval of Georgia Southern's first Ph.D. degree can be included among many firsts for the university, such as achieving university status and recognition as a Doctoral-Research institution by the Carnegie Foundation. All are major milestones along the road of our more than 100 years of history,” said Georgia Southern President Bruce Grube.

While the new program is the University’s first Ph.D. program, it is also one of only two degrees in the state of Georgia to focus on the fast-growing field of logistics and supply chain management. University System of Georgia institutions offer more than 180 doctoral programs, but Georgia Southern will be the only university to offer the Ph.D. in logistics/supply chain management through its College of Business Administration.

“This is a major accomplishment for Georgia Southern, particularly as we continue to grow not only in size, but in quality,” said Gary Means, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Georgia Southern. “The Ph.D. builds on Georgia Southern’s already nationally-recognized College of Business Administration’s undergraduate degree program in logistics.”

The new degree program will train students for both advanced practice and academic positions, providing a tactical solution to the need for Georgia residents trained in logistics and materials management.

“With the Port of Savannah emerging as one of the largest ports in the country and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport’s prominence in air cargo, Georgia is home to many major distribution centers and trucking terminals,” said Ron Shiffler, dean of the College of Business Administration at Georgia Southern University. “Logistics is a critical function in the business economy and is expected to add more than 500,000 jobs during the next decade.”

“Employment opportunities for graduates in this field are abundant and in high-demand. Nationally, only a limited number of universities offer such a degree. In fact, existing doctoral programs are unable to supply enough graduates to meet current demand not to mention future expected growth,” said Jerry Wilson, chair and professor of logistics and marketing. “This program will provide a pathway for today’s professionals to teach future logistics students. In addition, those entering industry will be prepared to act as consultants and analysts helping develop Georgia’s preparedness to enhance the logistics and transportation industry.”

The College of Business Administration, which will offer the new degree, is recognized as one of the Best 296 Business Schools by Princeton Review.

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Georgia Southern University Offers New Master of Healthcare Administration Degree

Georgia Southern University’s Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health will offer a new Master of Healthcare Administration degree beginning this fall.

The two-year, 45-credit-hour degree is designed to prepare professionals for some of the top jobs in healthcare administration, a growing field that is expected to have a large need for executives and managers in the coming years.

“A Master of Healthcare Administration degree will prepare professionals for middle and upper management positions in the healthcare industry,” said James Stephens, program director and former hospital/healthcare system chief executive officer. “Right now, healthcare accounts for 16 percent of the country’s gross domestic product and aging baby boomers are expected to place more demands on the healthcare system. There is high demand for well-trained and qualified healthcare professionals.”

Stephens says the Master of Healthcare Administration degree will prepare graduates for management and executive positions in hospitals, health systems, physician clinics, public health departments, government health agencies, health insurance companies, healthcare consulting firms, ambulatory centers and surgical centers.

“Professionals with undergraduate degrees in business, nursing, public health or those working in the healthcare industry now are ideal candidates for the Master of Healthcare Administration degree,” said Stephens.

Founded in 2004, the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health was the first school of public health in the University System of Georgia. Today, the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health is nationally recognized for its efforts to enhance health and eliminate health disparities of rural communities and underserved populations in Georgia and the southeastern region, the nation and the world.

For more information about the Master of Healthcare Administration degree, visit www.jphcoph.georgiasouthern.edu.

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Georgia Southern University’s Online Courses a Popular Option for Professionals Wanting to Advance Careers

Jamey Grover visited Georgia Southern numerous times while his son was a student at the University. Then, Grover decided to pursue his Masters in Education degree online.

“I’m 51 years old, work full-time and I’ve loved this program,” Grover said prior to receiving his degree last month. “My wife was teasing me after I took my last exam – I kept heading over to my computer and I felt a little lost without a class or a test to take.”

Grover was one of 72 graduates who received online degrees from the University during the spring commencement ceremony – a record number for Georgia Southern. The University offers online degrees in the fields of business, education, and healthcare. The online programs are especially popular with professionals juggling work and family.

“These online degree programs allow working adults and those who are outside of our campus area to complete their degrees. We offer flexibility and high-quality programs that meet the needs of adult learners wishing to further their careers,” said Gary Means, dean of continuing education and public services.

While Grover completed his online degree this spring, Debbie Bose is now starting on hers. As she works full-time in Macon, Bose is enrolled this summer in her first coursework toward a Master of Education with a major in Instructional Technology.

A 27-year veteran of the U.S. Postal Service, Bose said a master’s degree will benefit greatly in her current position as a training manager. Bose’s experience will come full-circle – after earning her online degree, she will be able to apply her knowledge toward creating curriculum and using technology to enhance online training for the Postal Service.

“I’m not interested in just theory. When I get this degree, I’ll know hands-on how to do what I want to do,” Bose said.

Not everyone may think of online programs as being “hands-on,” but Bose knows differently. “Some people think, when you do courses online, they will be easy, but anyone who goes through it knows that’s not the case. It’s very challenging,” she said. “It actually requires a greater degree of dedication because you have to get in and learn it yourself. You have to be disciplined.”

Bose said she researched online programs for about a year and chose Georgia Southern’s Instructional Technology program because of its credibility and affordability. She also praised the University’s customer service, saying that any question she had was answered promptly.

The application deadlines vary among the different programs, but students still have time to register for some fall semester online classes. For more information on the University’s online offerings, visit http://online.georgiasouthern.edu.

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Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice To Speak At Georgia Southern University

Former United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will speak at Georgia Southern University on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The campus location of the event will be announced at a later date.

Rice served as United States secretary of state from January 2005 to 2009. Prior to her position as America’s chief diplomat, she served as national security advisor from January 2001 to 2005. Rice will speak on the topic of leadership.

“We believe one of the best ways to teach our students about leadership is to give them the chance to hear from people who have dealt first-hand with the pressures and rewards of leadership positions,” said Teresa Thompson, Georgia Southern University vice president of student affairs and enrollment management. “I think this is a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn from someone of Dr. Rice’s caliber. As someone who served as provost of Stanford University and then went on to become the first female African-American secretary of state, she has insight that few others can offer. I hope thousands of our students will take advantage of this tremendous opportunity.”

Rice is now the Thomas and Barbara Stephenson Senior Fellow on Public Policy at the Hoover Institution and professor of political science at Stanford University. She also serves as a member of the board of trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In addition, she is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Rice joined the Stanford University faculty as a professor of political science in 1981 and served as Stanford University’s provost from 1993 to 1999. She was a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution from 1991 to 1993 and returned to the Hoover Institution after serving as provost until 2001. As a professor, Rice won two of the highest teaching honors: the 1984 Walter J. Gores Award for Excellence in Teaching and the 1993 School of Humanities and Sciences Dean’s Award for Distinguished Teaching. Rice has also authored and coauthored several books.

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Georgia's Charter Schools to Celebrate National Charter Schools Week, May 3 - 9

Bus tour in Atlanta, reading initiative in Statesboro, proclamation readings in Alpharetta and Baconton, Principal for a Day event in Riverdale among the many activities

Charter schools statewide – from Atlanta to Baconton, Alpharetta to Statesboro – will commemorate National Charter Schools Week next week, May 3-9, with various events and celebrations.

Bus tour highlights events throughout the stateA V.I.P. bus tour, sponsored by the Georgia Charter Schools Association, aimed at legislators, board members and community leaders, is the highlight of the week’s activities. The tour, which will include state Rep. Kathy Ashe (D-Atlanta), will visit Neighborhood Charter School (K-5) and University Charter School (K-8) in Atlanta.
(9 a.m., Thursday, May 7)

At Amana Academy (K-8) in Alpharetta, a number of business and political leaders will join the school community in the reading of an official proclamation from Gov. Sonny Perdue, dubbing the week “Charter Schools Week in Georgia.” The proclamation lauds the achievements of Amana, Baconton Community Charter School in Baconton (250 miles south of Atlanta) and Neighborhood Charter School.
(2 p.m., Monday, May 4 – Baconton Community Charter will host a similar event, scheduled for 9 a.m., Tuesday, May 5)

In Statesboro, students from the Charter Conservatory for Liberal Arts and Technology (6-12) will read to pre-school and elementary school children at the Statesboro Regional Library, each day during Charter Schools Week.

In Riverdale, Scholars Academy Charter School (K-5) Principal Elsa Celestine will be “shadowed” by a young college student who aspires to be a school leader during a “Principal for a Day” activity. (Monday, May 4)

State Rep. Jan Jones to receive national honor
Nationally, State Rep. Jan Jones (R-Milton) will join U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Cumberland, R.I. Mayor Daniel McKee, as recipients of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools’ 2009 Champions for Charters Award, in honor of their leadership and outstanding contributions to the development of high-quality public charter schools. They will be honored during a Capitol Hill Reception, scheduled for 5:45 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, in the Rayburn House Office Building.

Rep. Jones worked to establish the Georgia Charter Schools Commission, an independent, statewide charter school authorizing body, by sponsoring and securing the passage of House Bill 881 in April 2008. During this year’s legislative session, Rep. Jones co-sponsored and ensured the passage of House Bill 555 to give charter schools access to school district facilities without rental charges.

Charter school movement expanding rapidly in Georgia
Charter schools are independent, tuition-free public schools that are allowed to be more innovative than traditional public schools, and are held accountable for improved student achievement. Even before President Barack Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan recently expressed their support for the establishment of more charter schools, the movement has been strong in Georgia. The state has 113 charter schools – twice as many as there were two years ago – serving more than 30,000 students, up 20 percent from 2007.

Recommendations Received for Armstrong Atlantic Presidency

Regent Wanda Rodwell, chair of the Special Regents’ Committee for the presidential search at Armstrong Atlantic State University (AASU) in Savannah, and University System of Georgia Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Susan Herbst have announced the names of the two finalists for the AASU presidency.

A national search was launched to replace AASU President Thomas Z. Jones, who will retire June 30, 2009, after nine years in office.

The recommended individuals are:

Dr. Linda M. Bleicken, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro since 2005 and a member of the university’s management faculty since 1990. Bleicken’s service to Georgia Southern — an institution with 17,764 students and eight colleges — includes administrative appointments as: acting provost and vice president for academic affairs from July 2004 to January 2005; vice president for student affairs and enrollment management from 2001 to 2004; associate provost for enrollment management and information technology from 2000 to 2001; acting provost and vice president for academic affairs from 1998 to 2000; associate dean of the College of Business Administration from 1995 to 1998; and acting chair of the Department of Management from 1994 to 1995.

In addition, she has served the University System of Georgia as a member of its Health Professions Task Force (2006), Core Curriculum Committee (2007-2008), Graduation Rate Task Force (2004), Tuition Rate Task Force (2004) and the Task Force to Develop eCore®, the USG’s electronic core curriculum (2000).

Bleicken holds a Ph.D. in management earned in 1990, a master of science degree in management also earned in 1990 and a bachelor of business administration degree in marketing earned magna cum laude in 1984, all conferred by Georgia State University.

Dr. William J. Lowe, provost and vice president, academic affairs, and professor of history at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, Minn., since 2003. Lowe also served as interim president of Metropolitan State, which has three principal campuses, five colleges and more than 7,100 students, from November 2007 to June 2008. Prior to his arrival in Minnesota, Lowe served as vice president for academic affairs and professor of history at the College of Saint Rose, an independent, comprehensive college of more than 4,600 students in Albany, N.Y., from 1997 to 2003. Before that, he was dean of the College of Liberal Arts and a professor of history at the University of Detroit Mercy in Detroit, Mich., from 1991 to 1997, and dean of graduate studies and a professor of history at Chicago State University in Chicago from 1984 to 1991.
As interim president, Lowe served on the Leadership Council of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System and, in 2004-2005 was a member of the System’s Salary Competitiveness Task Force. During 2007, he was a member of the Core Educational Outcomes of the national Voluntary System of Accountability project and is a member of the Accreditation Review Council of the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. Lowe is active internationally in research, writing and presenting in the field of modern Irish history and authored a book, The Irish in Mid-Victorian Lancashire: The Shaping of a Working Class Community, in 1989.

Lowe holds a Ph.D. in modern history conferred in 1974 by Trinity College at the University of Dublin in Ireland, where he was a Fulbright Scholar; and a bachelor’s degree in history earned in 1971 from Michigan State University in East Lansing.

The Board of Regents expects to name the next president of Armstrong Atlantic State University at a future meeting.

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Georgia Southern College of Education Attains CACREP Accreditation

Georgia Southern University’s College of Education has attained accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) in the three specialty areas of community counseling, school counseling and student affairs. Georgia Southern is the only institution in the state to be CACREP accredited in the area of student affairs, and the only one in southeast Georgia CACREP accredited in community counseling and school counseling.
The accreditation will allow Georgia Southern students concentrating in those fields to be nationally certified when they graduate.

“These students will be eligible to take the National Counselor Examination for Certification when they graduate, without having to complete the additional post-graduate work normally required,” said Dr. Leon Spencer, program coordinator for counseling education programs.
“This a tremendous advantage because it saves the students time and money as they work to obtain this important professional certification. It also helps expedite the licensure application process.”

According to CACREP, students who attend accredited universities like Georgia Southern are also more likely to do better on licensing exams than other students and have more job opportunities after graduation.

Georgia Southern University’s CACREP accreditation is also important for the state because many of the graduates will stay in Georgia and put their professional expertise to work in local schools and community mental health agencies.

“The counseling and student affairs professionals in our schools and community agencies are critical to the success of many students. Students today are dealing with many pressures and influences that have a direct impact on their success in the classroom and their chance at future success once they leave school. We’re proud that Georgia Southern University will be able to provide counselors with an education that is nationally recognized for excellence and that they, in turn, will be able to work to positively impact the lives of young students,” said College of Education dean Lucindia Chance. “The professionals who graduate from our program will be held to a higher standard because they are expected to understand and abide by the counseling profession’s ethical standards.”

CACREP accreditation also means the University’s College of Education will be held to a higher standard.

“It took us eight years to achieve CACREP accreditation,” said Chance. “Our faculty and staff worked diligently to meet the rigorous standards set forth by this organization. Now that we are CACREP accredited, we will be expected to continually evaluate our programs and exceed nationally accepted standards in order to keep our accreditation. We are committed to maintaining this quality for the generations of future education professionals who choose Georgia Southern University for their own education,” said Chance.

To accommodate the busy schedules of education professionals, nine of the 48 required course hours are offered on-line. Some courses are also taught at the Coastal Georgia Center in Savannah.

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Georgia Southern University School of Nursing Receives $104,000 Grant from the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation

Georgia Southern University School of Nursing students will receive scholarships during the coming academic year thanks to a $104,000 grant from the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation.

Jean Bartels, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Georgia Southern’s nationally-ranked School of Nursing, says the grant will be used to fund scholarships for more than 30 outstanding students during the 2009-2010 academic year. Bartels says the scholarships will greatly reduce, or even eliminate, the hours students will have to work outside of school. “For most students, it means significant financial support in purchasing textbooks and medical equipment while easing their workload as they pursue intense clinical experiences,” said Bartels.

The scholarships will also ensure that the University will be able to recruit outstanding students, regardless of their financial situation. “This grant means more deserving students can be admitted to the School of Nursing because they will have the financial resources that will allow them to stay in school and meet an ever increasing need for well educated nurses,” said Bartels.

Educating nurses is becoming even more critical according to Bartels. The state of Georgia is expected to have a shortfall of 20,000 nurses in the next three years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics estimates that nearly 250,000 new nursing jobs will be available in the U.S. every year through 2016, and the amount of nurses around the country is expected to fall far short of the demand. Georgia Southern University’s School of Nursing graduate program is consistently listed as one of the top in the nation. The program is becoming known for not only educating future nurses, but helping current nurses obtain advanced degrees through its popular online degree programs.

The Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation places special emphasis on women studying in the fields of nursing and healthcare. The foundation’s mission is to benefit the education of women in financial need in nine southeastern states.

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Graduate School an Increasingly Popular Choice at Georgia Southern University

When college graduates cross the stage this spring, they will face an increasingly competitive job market coupled with a struggling economy.

With that in mind, a growing number of students are looking at earning a graduate degree to give them a competitive edge in the job market. Georgia Southern University is seeing an increase in applications and accepted students to its Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies, which offers 42 graduate degree programs.

“We have a wide array of degree programs to offer those looking to further their education,” said Dr. Tim Mack, Dean of the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies. “Our programs are high-quality; we know that because we have happy alumni.”

Mack said that having a graduate degree is becoming the new standard to be hired in a number of fields. He also stated that the average master’s degree recipient is paid $10,000 per year more than someone with only a bachelor’s degree, and the average doctoral degree recipient makes $20,000 per year more, according to the Council of Graduate Schools.

Even prior to the economic downturn, Georgia Southern was seeing a boom in graduate enrollment. Graduate student enrollment for the 2008-09 school year is up 14 percent from the previous year, compared to a three-percent rise nationally. The University’s number of graduate school applicants increased by 99 percent.

Georgia Southern University has become the choice of many graduate students by combining affordable tuition with a number of degree programs, according to Dr. John Diebolt, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies. A key reason for the enrollment increase has been Georgia Southern’s commitment to offering several programs online.

“We offer accessibility for those who are in the work force or are not close to campus, including full-time, part-time, and online options,” Diebolt said.

For more information about the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies, visit http://cogs.georgiasouthern.edu/.

“I would invite folks to take a look at what we have to offer,” Mack said. “We have faculty here at Georgia Southern that genuinely care about the students.”

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Georgia Southern University Sets Record With Spring 2009 Enrollment

Georgia Southern University announced that its Spring Semester enrollment reached 16,664 – an increase of 804 students, or more than five percent, from a year ago.

“Georgia Southern is continuing to attract outstanding students at record levels,” said Bruce Grube, president of Georgia Southern University. “We had a record enrollment this past fall and graduated a large class this past December, but yet we are continuing to grow.”

Grube attributes the increased enrollment to the growing interest from students not only in the state of Georgia, but the Southeast and across the nation. Graduate enrollment as well as enrollment in the University’s popular online degree programs also contributed to the record Spring numbers.

Georgia Southern University began the fall semester with an enrollment of 17,764, an all-time record for the institution. Even more important than the numbers is how the University is growing. This year’s incoming freshman class had a record average SAT score of 1,111 and an average grade point average of 3.1. Additionally, the University recently celebrated a new record rate of retention, the number of students who come to the University and stay the entire four years.

Georgia Southern University was recognized this year as one of America’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report, one of America’s Best Values by Kiplinger and one of America’s Best Colleges by Forbes. As the University has grown, so has its impact on the regional economy. From 2007-2008 Georgia Southern’s economic impact on the region was more than $748 million.

“We often say that we’re Georgia’s large-scale, small-feel research University,” Grube said. “Students and their parents are seeing that we offer all of the benefits of a major institution with the personal touch of a much smaller private college. They appreciate not being just a number and as a result, are choosing Georgia Southern at a record level.”

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Georgia Southern University College of Information Technology Offers Students High-Demand Certificate

Georgia Southern University College of Information Technology students are not only graduating with a competitive edge, but saving employers thousands of dollars in the process. Georgia Southern is one of the rare universities in the country, and the only in the state of Georgia, that includes a SAP® Certificate as part of its curriculum. This provides a major competitive edge for graduates as they begin their job search.

SAP AG, headquartered in the EU (Waldorf, Germany) and is the third largest software enterprise in the world in terms of revenues. SAP is currently used by more than 35,000 companies and with new products targeting small and medium enterprises. Its customer base is projected to include more than 100,000 companies by 2010. Other institutions that award a SAP Certificate include the University of Southern California, Louisiana State University and the University of Central Florida to name a few. Only a handful of other institutions in the U.S. offer an equivalent number of SAP-approved courses and have a comparable level of SAP integration in their curriculum.

“Being able to include a SAP Certificate as part of Georgia Southern’s curriculum provides students with hands-on experience with SAP products and solutions that are used by thousands of the world’s major companies,” said Tom Case, professor and chair, Information Systems Department in the College of Information Technology at Georgia Southern University. “The state of Georgia serves as the corporate headquarters for numerous corporations that are heavy users of SAP including Coca Cola, Georgia Pacific, Home Depot and Newell Rubbermaid. Our SAP Certificate gives students a true competitive edge in the marketplace and provides SAP user organizations with a valued pool of SAP-experienced talent that is rarely found in recent university graduates.”

Georgia Southern has partnered with SAP’s University Alliance to enable students to use and understand SAP products. Through hands-on experience with SAP solutions, students gain insight into how SAP and other enterprise solutions can empower a business to optimize key processes such as accounting and controlling, human capital management, materials management, and sales and distribution. Students who complete three SAP-approved courses are eligible to receive a SAP Certificate signed by SAP America. Information Systems majors in the Enterprise Resources Planning Emphasis typically receive this certificate as part of their normal course work. The SAP Certificate may also be earned by undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students who minor in Information Systems.

“Employers would typically have to spend significant amounts of money to provide an employee with a comparable SAP skill-base as that obtained by students who earn our SAP Certificate,” said Case. “We are one of the few universities in the country using SAP this extensively and we are receiving a lot of interest from prospective students and working professionals. Our graduates are in high demand and many are receiving multiple job offers with major companies.” In the past two years, BMW, Georgia Pacific, and UnderArmour are just a few of the companies that have come to campus to recruit Georgia Southern students pursuing their SAP Certificate. Georgia Southern students have also completed SAP internships at IBM, JCB, Shell and ZEP.

Georgia Southern is currently working with Coldwater Creek, headquartered in Boise, Idaho, to establish an ongoing relationship to help the company satisfy its demand for new workers with SAP skills. David Edwards, divisional vice president for Business and Technology Alignment at Coldwater Creek says, “We are working directly with Georgia Southern University because they not only recognize our needs, but are preparing their students to be immediate contributors once they graduate. In today's challenging business environment, the ability to recruit students that already have hands-on SAP experience is a major cost savings."

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Georgia Southern University College of Information Technology One of Ten VMware Academies in the World to Teach Virtualization

Georgia Southern University’s College of Information Technology, the only one of its kind in the Southeast United States, is now one of only 10 universities in the world to teach the cutting-edge technology of virtualization on VMware software, thanks to VMware and a donation of computer equipment by Corus Consulting and Canvas Systems.

Corus Consulting and Canvas Systems values the equipment at $126,000 but professors in the College of Information Technology said it is hard to put a price on what the donation will add to an IT student’s education and career potential long term.

“With the equipment from Corus Consulting and Canvas Systems, our students will now have access to an educational experience that not many in the world have today,” said Timur Mirzoev, Ph.D. who is already using the donated equipment in two of his IT classes this semester. “We now have x86-based and UNIX servers, FC, iSCSI networked storage, switches, firewalls, VolP and much more dedicated specifically to education. We believe that this type of experience will give our graduates an additional competitive edge when they start their job search in an already in-demand field.”

The new equipment is being used to teach virtualization, which allows one server to host multiple virtual computers without the loss of their purpose or function. In addition, virtualization is changing the way businesses deploy and manage resources, simplifying and speeding IT response.

Designated a VMware Academy, Georgia Southern University’s College of Information Technology may teach VMware courses and certify students as Virtualization Certified Professionals. This certification saves future employers thousands of dollars in training costs and makes Georgia Southern graduates much more competitive in the job market. The designation as a VMware Academy was one of the key elements that impressed executives with Corus Consulting and Canvas Systems and prompted the computer equipment donation.

“Georgia Southern University’s College of Information Technology is now not only unique to Georgia and the Southeast, but the world. We wanted to work with an institution that was both innovative and a leader in IT education. Being one of only 10 VMware Academies in the world is an outstanding accomplishment for Georgia Southern and shows their commitment to preparing outstanding IT professionals,” said Brian Hoffman, Managing Director of Technology Services for Corus Consulting and Canvas Systems.

“Georgia Southern graduates will posses hands on skills with industry leading technologies that very few IT students in the world have – including many graduates of the most respected universities in the world. These graduates will be productive employees on day one.”

According to Mirzoev, virtualization will ultimately save money, make computer systems perform more efficiently and allow for fast data and resources recovery in case of a disaster. Mirzoev says 90 percent of businesses in the world will virtualize their computer systems within the next five years. Many U.S. government agencies already require disaster recovery plans that rely extensively on virtualization technologies. But because only 10 universities in the world teach VMware technology, Georgia Southern University’s College of Information Technology graduates will be in great demand. “As a University, our goal is to be one of the leaders in this field,” says Mirzoev.

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Georgia Southern University Presidential Search Committee Named

The newly appointed Georgia Southern University Presidential Search and Screen Committee will hold its initial meeting on Monday, February 23 at 11 a.m. in the President's Dining Room in the Nessmith-Lane Continuing Education Building on the Georgia Southern campus. Regent Donald M. Leebern Jr. and Dr. Susan Herbst, University System of Georgia (USG) executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer, will give the committee its formal charge at this organizational meeting.

A national search will be conducted to replace Georgia Southern University President Bruce Grube, who will step down as President, effective June 30, 2009. Dr. Grube has served the University System in this role since July 1, 1999.

Regent Leebern, at the February 23rd meeting, will outline to the Presidential Search and Screen Committee the duties and responsibilities associated with its role in the search for new leadership at Georgia Southern.

The Presidential Search and Screen Committee will develop a position description; place announcements in appropriate national media and conduct on-campus interviews.

Members of the Presidential Search and Screen Committee are as follows:
Dr. Luther (Trey) Denton, professor of Marketing, chair of search and screen committee
Dr. Jean Bartels, chair and professor of Nursing
Dr. Peggy Hargis, chair and professor of Sociology
Dr. Fayth Parks, associate professor of Counselor Education
Dr. Georj Lewis, Dean of Students
Mr. Brandon Cook, president, Student Government Association
Mr. Don Howard, chairman, Bank of North Georgia
Ms. Caroline Harless, Georgia Southern University Foundation
Mr. Mike Cummings, past chair, Georgia Southern University Alumni Association

The campus-based committee will forward the credentials of three to five unranked candidates to a Special Regents’ Search Committee for the second phase. Regents Felton Jenkins, William H. NeSmith Jr., Benjamin J. Tarbutton III and Richard L. Tucker will serve as members of the Special Regents’ Search Committee chaired by Regent Donald M. Leebern Jr. This committee is responsible for recommending finalists to Chancellor Erroll B. Davis Jr., who will make a recommendation to the full Board of Regents.

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Recession Proof: The Need for Nurses Continues to Rise at Record Rate

With announcements of rising unemployment and an ongoing economic recession, Georgia Southern University Nursing graduates are finding that they are not only in high demand, but those employers are fiercely competing for their services upon graduation. Among the highest ranked Nursing program in the state of Georgia, Georgia Southern University is seeing not only increased interest in its graduates, but also a rise in applicants to its highly competitive program.

“It is really amazing to see the interest from not only employers, but also the increase in the number of applicants to our program,” said Jean Bartels, Ph.D., professor and chair of the School of Nursing at Georgia Southern University. “Employers continue to aggressively recruit our students, considered to be the best in the state, both at the undergraduate and graduate level.”

Some students within the School of Nursing at Georgia Southern are not only receiving one or two job offers, but receiving them before they even graduate. In fact, more than two thirds of the December 2008 graduating class received two to three job offers from health care agencies both in and out of state. For area health care agencies, Georgia Southern graduates were the most heavily recruited Nursing graduates of any regional University. In fact, one large metropolitan hospital hired only Georgia Southern graduates this December.

A recent news story by the Associated Press noted that some employers are becoming very creative going as far as offering red carpet treatment and gas cards just to entice job seekers to attend job fair. “Nearly every recruiter that comes to Georgia Southern’s campus is trying to find a way to stand out versus the competition. In such a competitive market, recruiters are definitely searching for unique ways to attract graduates.”

Demand on the Rise

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 233,000 additional new jobs will open for registered nurses each year through 2016. That is on top of about 2.5 million current positions. When you take into consideration that only about 200,000 candidates passed the required RN licensing exam in 2008, the need for new nurses becomes even more alarming.

According to Bartels, Georgia ranks 42 nationally in the supply of RNs creating an RN vacancy rate of as high as 15 percent, well above the national average. By 2012, Georgia alone will have an estimated shortfall of more than 20,000 nurses. “Even with a best-case scenario, assuming all nursing graduates pass the licensure exam, remain in Georgia, and work full time, it is estimated that with current capacity and practices, the state will only be able to produce a maximum of 12,000 of the needed 20,000 RNs by 2012.”

“The need for well educated nurses is not only tied to the increased demand for healthcare, but can also be attributed to increasing numbers of retiring nurses,” said Bartels. “Nurses are retiring at a faster rate than Universities can train and supply new nurses not to mention addressing additional need on top of that.”

Becoming More Competitive

Bartels is also seeing another trend – the desire of current nurses to earn additional higher degrees in their field. Georgia Southern University offers several programs that have grown rapidly in the past year. These include the RN-BSN program where a currently registered nurse may earn a bachelor’s degree through a completely online program. In addition, the University also offers a Master of Science and Nursing and this past year introduced a Doctor of Nursing Program (DNP). The RN-BSN and DNP are offered completely online while the Master of Science in Nursing is taught through a combination of online and classroom instruction.

All three programs have been designed for nurses working long hours or varying shifts. “There is an obvious interest in achieving additional nursing education and we designed the programs so that nurses could not only pursue their degree, but do so while they continued to work,” said Bartels.

One need that Bartels continues to reinforce is the need for additional nursing faculty. “I am trying to search for a faculty member right now to fill a position and there are just not enough faculty members to go around.” To counter this trend, programs like Georgia Southern have launched doctorate level programs designed to prepare nurses not only for advanced nursing practice, but also to return to the classroom to teach what they have learned. Georgia Southern’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program is one of only two of its kind in the state and now students have access to one of the nation’s top nursing programs at any location with an Internet connection.

With current economic conditions, demand for new nurses, the challenge to provide additional training for current nurses and the need for new faculty, Bartels says creativity is the key. “You’ve got to be creative, persistent and willing to step outside the box,” she says. “At Georgia Southern we are continually looking for new ways to not only address the existing shortage, but prepare for expected future demand.”

Prospective students may find out more about Georgia Southern’s nursing programs at: www.georgiasouthern.edu. The application deadline for the Doctor of Nursing Practice program is March 1, 2009. The RN-BSN program and the Master of Science in Nursing program accept applications throughout the year.

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Georgia Southern University President Bruce Grube Stepping Down

Bruce Grube has announced that he is stepping down as President of Georgia Southern University effective June 30, 2009. On July 1, 2009, Grube will take one year of educational leave to prepare to return to the classroom as a professor of Political Science for the 2010-2011 academic year at Georgia Southern University.

In addition to preparing to return to the classroom, Grube will also serve as a consultant and mentor with the University System of Georgia where he will work with new and newer presidents within the 35-school state system. The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia will begin a national search to replace Grube.

Grube began his tenure as the 11th President of Georgia Southern University July 1, 1999. During his presidency, Georgia Southern University has undergone the greatest increase in academic quality, and the greatest expansion of physical facilities than during any other comparable period in the history of the institution.

“It has certainly been an honor beyond words for my wife Kathryn and me to have served at Georgia Southern University,” Grube said.

Grube recently informed the University System of Georgia of his plans to step down as president next year, providing the University time to complete a search and transition to a new president. “While I have enjoyed serving as President, I am excited to begin this next chapter in my life. Kathryn and I are looking forward to spending more time with friends and family.”

Timing played a role in his decision. “It is the right time for the University. The University’s strategic plan has been developed and put into action, numerous construction projects are underway and a new president will have the opportunity to come in and not only build upon what the University has already accomplished, but take Georgia Southern to new a level. An experienced leadership team is in place and we have an outstanding base of alumni, friends and supporters not only at the institution, but in the community, the state of Georgia and throughout the country.”

University System of Georgia executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer Susan Herbst, applauded Grube’s service, “During Dr. Grube’s tenure, Georgia Southern University has made tremendous progress in nearly all areas. He has expanded university facilities, beautified the campus, introduced the most sophisticated practices in higher education, and inspired his faculty, staff and students. Most important has been his keen and unyielding focus on academic excellence and achievement.”

President Grube is a bold leader and a true intellectual; he has made Georgia Southern University one of the real success stories in academe today. We will miss him immensely. Dr. Grube has served as a visionary leader, not only for Georgia Southern, but the University System as well. His work has benefited and will continue to propel the entire system forward.”

Academic Success

Grube’s tenure has been marked by records in enrollment, academic quality, fundraising and retention. He has increased student enrollment by more than 3,200 full-time students during the past 10 years and the composite SAT score for incoming freshman has risen 124 points with the Fall 2008 class scoring a record 1111. In addition, the University has increased its student retention rate, a key measure of academic and University quality, from 69 percent to a record 81 percent this past fall. Under Grube’s leadership, Georgia Southern University was designated a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University and the institution has been featured in U.S. News &World Report’s Best Colleges guide. In addition, the institution was recently named one of the Top 100 Best Values by Kiplinger. While at Georgia Southern, Grube also oversaw the introduction of new ways to learn. The first Internet-based courses were introduced in 1999 and the University now offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees online via Georgia Southern University Online. A student may now also earn a full engineering degree while never leaving Georgia Southern University’s campus through a unique relationship with the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), while previously their only option was to take two years here before transferring to another institution. The Honors endowment has attracted significant support from donors, and the rapid growth of qualified applicants has ensured its success.

Perhaps one of the most visible additions has been the creation of two new colleges: the College of Information Technology, the only one of its kind in the Southeast, and the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health. Both have greatly expanded the University’s ability to offer unique and innovative programs that are not only in high demand, but result in the continued improvement in the quality of life in the Southeast.

Funding for the Future

Another remarkable accomplishment is the doubling of the amount of scholarships funded through the Georgia Southern Foundation, Inc. In 1999, scholarships totaled $644,000. In 2007, the Foundation distributed $1.3 million to deserving scholars. Georgia Southern University’s Campaign for National Distinction, between 2001 and 2006, set a new standard for private support, more than tripling the highest amount ever raised in a capital campaign collecting $53.1 million. In addition, thanks to private sector support, the University Foundation’s permanent endowment has grown from just more than $21 million in 2000 to nearly $40 million today. Finally, during the past 10 years, Georgia Southern has raised more $1 million each year through the A Day for Southern campaign.

Building for Growth

During the past decade, more than one billion dollars in capital has been invested in the growing campus. In fact, Georgia Southern has enjoyed a boom in new construction and building re-use since 1999. The College of Education building opened in 2000 and was followed in rapid succession by other academic and support buildings. Public service was given a huge boost when the expanded Nesmith-Lane building and its 825-seat Performing Arts Center opened in 2002.

One of the most visible additions to campus is the Zach S. Henderson Library. Serving as the center of campus, the University began a massive expansion of the facility and has since renovated the original structure. When complete, it will be among the finest university libraries in the Southeast.

Other major building projects completed during Grube’s tenure have included the College of Information Technology, building, the Nursing/Chemistry building, the Center for Art & Theatre, the Soccer and Track facility, the Gene Bishop building and the Bennett-Ramsey Golf Center.

Grube has also led projects to expand on-campus living. Residence halls like Southern Courtyard, Southern Pines and Eagle Village have set new standards for student housing. An even higher benchmark will soon be raised when the 1,001-bed Centennial Place is complete. It will feature recreational spaces and even retail shops on the ground floor.

On the Field

Another aspect of Georgia Southern’s success in the past 10 years is the excitement and institutional loyalty of students, faculty, staff and alumni brought about by athletics. Since 1999, Georgia Southern has enjoyed great athletic successes by both teams and individuals. Some of the accomplishments include two NCAA championships in football, two Walter Payton award winners, multiple NCAA tournament and playoff appearances, Southern Conference championships and a cheerleading national championship.

More recently, Grube launched a study to research the feasibility of moving its football program to the Football Bowl Subdivision. While President, Grube has served as Chair of the Council of Presidents of the Southern Conference and as Vice Chair of the Council of Presidents of the North Central Conference. He is currently a member of the NCAA Executive Committee and Division I Board of Directors. He also serves as Chair of the NCAA Division I Presidential Advisory Group.

“As I begin this next phase of my life, I will never forget the people or the students of Georgia Southern University. It has been an honor,” said Grube. Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University, offers more than 110 degree programs serving nearly 18,000 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. The University, one of Georgia’s largest, is a top choice of Georgia’s HOPE scholars and is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu.

Quoting Bruce Grube

“I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be involved with engaged colleagues in the efforts that have resulted in such positive changes.”

“It has been an honor to work with the very supportive Statesboro and Bulloch County community—both the people and the leadership.”

“Without the team at Georgia Southern University and without the University community, the achievements of the past ten years could not have been realized. The University is clearly positioned to continue its vigorous progress, and it is a strong institution.”

“I have been very fortunate and lucky to have spent these past 10 years as President at Georgia Southern University. These have been the most rewarding years of my career.”

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Georgia Southern University’s WebMBA® Program Attracting Students in Current Economy

Georgia Southern University’s WebMBA® is attracting working professionals who are looking for a competitive edge in the current economy. The program, taught through a consortium of five Universities in the state of Georgia, has been named one of the Best Buys among online MBA programs by GetEducated.com, a consumer group that rates, ranks, and verifies the cost and credibility of online colleges and online universities.

The WebMBA, was ranked 17th in the Best Buy list among Universities that are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the premier accrediting body for business schools and their degree programs. The program has also been recognized in U.S. News & World Report, Business Week Online, and Georgia Trends. Georgia Southern University’s MBA program is also listed in Princeton Review’s Best 296 Business Schools publication.

The WebMBA, taught through Georgia Southern University’s College of Business Administration, is entering its eighth year and is continuing to grow. The WebMBA has enabled Georgia Southern University, which traditionally draws interest from students within the United States, to expand its reach to numerous countries and continents around the world. The program now has students from 18 U.S. states and a variety of countries including Afghanistan, Canada, Germany and Italy, to name a few.

“The Georgia Southern University WebMBA offers professionals the opportunity to earn an accredited online MBA degree without interruption to their work and personal lives. Students benefit from our online format because it offers flexibility with the same commitment to quality and service as our on-campus programs,” said Ronald Shiffler, Ph.D., dean of the College of Business Administration at Georgia Southern University. “Moreover, you can earn a respected and accredited graduate degree from virtually anywhere with an internet connection.”

Interest in the program has exploded with enrollment having tripled from 2006 to 2008. “The demand for our online MBA, especially in today’s uncertain world-wide economy, has grown well beyond expectations,” according to Joe Bocchi, Ph.D., executive director of the WebMBA program. “The program was first intended to provide Georgia residents with easy access to graduate business study. Now, we receive hundreds of applications each semester from residents in Georgia and from throughout the nation and world.”

Students interested in the WebMBA are encouraged to apply now. Orientation will be held on January 9-10, 2009 with classes beginning January 13, 2009. For more information about the Georgia Southern University WebMBA, interested professionals may contact (912) 478-5767 or e-mail mba@georgiasouthern.edu.

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Georgia Southern University Named One of Kiplinger’s Top 100 Best Values in Public Colleges

Georgia Southern University has for the first time been named one of the Top 100 Best Values by Kiplinger, a noted personal finance and business forecasting company.

Georgia Southern is one of only three Georgia universities to be recognized in the annual list that helps parents of prospective students identify outstanding universities that not only provide a good education for their sons or daughters, but offer an outstanding investment. The other two Georgia institutions named to the list include the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Georgia.

“We are very pleased to be recognized as one of the best values in the country,” said Dr. Teresa Thompson, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management at Georgia Southern University. “While Georgia Southern University has continued to grow, we have done so in a way that allows us to attract outstanding students from across the country and around the world. Parents are recognizing the value of a Georgia Southern education and students are applying at record numbers.”

Kiplinger bases its college rankings on a combination of outstanding academic quality and affordable tuition. The publication examines nationwide data from more than 500 public four-year colleges and universities provided to Peterson's/Nelnet. The list is then narrowed to about 120 schools based on several measures of academic quality, including the percentage of the 2008-09 freshman class scoring 600 or higher on the verbal and math components of the SAT (or scoring 24 or higher on the ACT), admissions rates, freshmen retention rates, student-faculty ratios and four- and six-year graduation rates.

This year, Georgia Southern University announced enrollment of 17,764 students, freshman retention of 81 percent and an average freshman SAT score of 1,111. Each was an all-time high for the growing University.

Kiplinger also ranks each school based on cost and financial aid. The rankings look at total cost for in-state students (tuition, mandatory fees, room and board, and estimated expenses for books) along with several other factors.

“Georgia Southern University has undergone a period of incredible growth, not only in size, but in quality,” said Thompson. “We are proud of our accomplishments and the work of our students, faculty and staff.”

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