Fall 2002

Volume 6 Number 1
A publication of Macon State College

Annual Report 2002

Beth Byers, far left, MSC's associate director of development, talks with, left to right, Annette Pellerin and Judge Ed Lukemire, both Macon State alumni, during an organizational meeting. Dr. Waddell Barnes, chairman of the MSC Foundation's Board of Trustees, is on the far right.

MSC Foundation 2002 Highlights

Annual Campaign

The Foundation’s Annual Campaign took a major leap forward in 2002. Investors in Macon State’s future gave more than $223,000, a 40 percent increase.

Jimmy Patton of SunTrust Bank and his Community Campaign team raised just under $100,000, a 208 percent increase over last year.

“Clearly, the community has strong, positive feelings about Macon State College and its leadership,” said Sue B. Chipman, the Foundation’s executive director. “That was reflected by the generous donations to this year’s Community Campaign.”

Beginning this year, the Foundation will publicly acknowledge all who contribute $100 or more to the Annual Campaign on a professionally designed “Investor Recognition” structure mounted outside the Foundation Board Room in the Student Life Center.

Scholarships

The MSC Foundation's 2002 Annual Community Campaign leadership group. From left to right are Al Satterwhite, Mike Boggs, Jimmy Patton (chairman), Don Faulk, Linda Shingler and Mardie Herndon.

This year, the Foundation added two named scholarships to the 19 it already provides for Macon State students: the Stephen R. Portch Study Abroad Scholarship and the E.M. Ashford and John C. Pirez Scholarship.

Named for the former University System of Georgia chancellor, who strongly believed that college students should develop global perspectives, the Stephen R. Portch Scholarship is designed to encourage more Macon State students to take advantage of study abroad opportunities. This is an endowed scholarship, meaning that interest income is used to fund it annually.

Jason and Tina Ashford, both information technology faculty members, established a scholarship in memory of E.M. Ashford and John C. Pirez. E.M. Ashford was an independent child of the early 20th century who enjoyed Frank Sinatra and classical music and had a fascination with technology and computers. John C. Pirez was a loving father and husband whose life was tragically cut short. An able programmer and “computer geek,” his good humor even during the darkest periods of his battle with cancer were an inspiration to all who knew him. This scholarship is awarded to students majoring in IT.

The Foundation also added two more scholarships—for a total of six—sponsored by Dixie Crow, a regional chapter of the Association of Old Crows, a professional group made up of individuals engaged in the science of electronic warfare, defense and related disciplines. The name “Old Crows” emerged from the first large-scale use of electronic warfare during World War II. Operators who flew on missions to monitor and jam enemy signals were known as “Raven Operators.” The term “raven” eventually evolved into “crow.”

In all, the Foundation awarded more than $51,000 in scholarships for the 2002-2003 academic year.

MSC faculty members Linda Green, left, and Carol Cheshire, with two Morgan Elementary School students who participated in last year's Young Authors project, which the MSC Foundation supports.

Alumni Council

With support from the Foundation, the MSC Office of Development organized an Alumni Council to reconnect Macon State graduates to the College and encourage them to participate in the institution’s development. The Council will greatly increase its visibility during the 2002-2003 academic year. Plans call for the Alumni Council to host a major event on campus this spring and create an annual Outstanding Alumnus recognition program.

Members of the Alumni Council are: Bill Anderson, ’99; C. Bruce Clark, ’88; Lenda Burney Dillard, ’75; Kevin S. Floyd, ’00; David Lee Greenway, ’01; Andrea Haddix, ’92; Mike Impink, ’74; Patti J. Impink, ’74; Ed Lukemire, ’74; Renee Martinez, ’01; William Grier Sowell, Sr., ’77; Debra Z. Sowell, ’77; Monica Thomas, ’97; and Terry Tripp, currently enrolled.

Faculty & Staff

The MSC Foundation supported a variety of projects sponsored or organized by Macon State faculty and staff. They included the Georgia Science Olympiad Regional Tournament, Math Olympics, Young Authors and Artists Conference and PREP for Central Georgia elementary, middle or high school students; the Macon State College Authors Series, where faculty members who have recently published books discussed their works in a public forum; and an Employee Retirement Recognition Program to honor MSC faculty and staff who retired at the end of the 2001-2002 academic year. In addition, the Foundation provided funds to academic divisions and departments for special projects.

The Foundation also provided cash awards to faculty and staff recognized for outstanding service to the College. Faculty receiving awards this year were: Dr. Linda Cooper, Bob Durand, Dr. Myra Jackson and Dr. Gwen Sell.

Strategic Plan

The MSC Foundation hosts an annual reception for retiring faculty and staff. Retirees at the end of the 2001-2002 academic year, shown with President David A. Bell, fourth from left, were, left to right, Dr. David Dever, Dr. John Edwards, Dr. Janice Edens, Dr. Joseph Popson, Dr. Diane Craine and Larry Stinson.

The Foundation took major steps toward meeting the goals of its long-range strategic plan. The goals include establishing more scholarships, creating the Alumni Council, attracting top academic talent to MSC through endowed chairs and other means and developing partnerships with Central Georgia business, industry and government that help the region’s economic development. The Foundation also conducted a comprehensive planning study in preparation for a major fundraising campaign. Private funds raised will be used to supplement public funding to raise Macon State to a higher level of academic excellence through scholarships, recruitment of top-notch faculty and faculty development.

Visiting Economic & Civic Groups

Raising the visibility of Macon State College throughout the region and state, the Foundation hosted a variety of public and private organizations on campus. Holding meetings at MSC were the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism (which Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes attended), Downtown Macon Rotary Club, 100 Black Men of Macon-Middle Georgia, Inc. and the Bibb County Board of Education, among
others.