Georgia Southwestern State University

Georgia Southwestern State University
Georgia Southwestern State University
Established	1906
Type	Public
Endowment	$17.8 million
President	Kendall A. Blanchard
Students	3,033
Undergraduates	2,420
Postgraduates	297
Location	Americus, Georgia, USA
Colors	Navy Blue, Gold
Nickname	Hurricanes
Mascot	"Surge"
Athletics	Peach Belt Conference
Affiliations	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (Academic)
Website	www.gsw.edu

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For other uses, see GSW.

Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Georgia, is a school in the University System of Georgia.

[edit] History

[edit] Pre 1960s

Georgia Southwestern State University, a four-year unit of the University System of Georgia, was founded in 1906 as the Third Agricultural and Mechanical School. In 1926, the General Assembly granted a charter authorizing the school to offer two years of college work and to change its name to the Third District Agricultural and Normal College. The new charter resulted in the expansion of the curriculum to include courses in teacher training, and the State Department of Education gave teacher certification to students who completed the program.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Two year status

In 1932, by legislative enactment, this college and other state-supported institutions of higher learning in Georgia were organized into the University System of Georgia and placed under the jurisdiction of the Board of Regents. As a unit of the University System, the College continued its two-year curriculum and changed its name to Georgia Southwestern College.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] 1960-1996: Four year collegiate status

In 1964, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia authorized Georgia Southwestern College to begin its transition to a four-year degree-granting institution. This action resulted in the development of baccalaureate programs, and the first bachelor's degrees were conferred in June 1968.^{[citation needed]}

A program of graduate studies leading to the Master of Education degree was approved by the Board of Regents and initiated in June 1973. This program has undergone continuous growth and development, and the Specialist in Education degree was begun in the summer of 1982. The Master of Science in Administration was added in the winter of 1983. The Master of Science in Computer Science was added in the Spring of 1986.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] 1996-Present day: University years

In July 1996, Georgia Southwestern, along with several other schools in the USG, were granted the option of how to rename themselves as universities. Several options were considered, including State University of Southwestern Georgia (West Georgia College would adopt a name similar to this), Georgia Southwestern College & State University (several schools opted for this name, including North Georgia, Clayton State, and Georgia College), but Georgia Southwestern opted for a conservative approach by just adding "State University" to their name. The official name took effect in July 1996, but even campus stationery reflected the old name through the 1997 academic year.

Since 1996, Georgia Southwestern, or GSW as it is known by alums and students, made several additions to campus life, including a new basketball arena and student center, a campus TV station, new baseball, softball and soccer fields, two new residence halls and its own golf course.

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, a massive building program aimed at a total retrofit of the campus was undertaken. During this time, several new residence halls were constructed while others, such of Complex III, were torn down to make way for ultra-modern "apartment style" facilities. Campus housing capacity was nearly tripled during this time frame. Parking lots were removed to make room for new walkways and green space, and the campus now has a modified version of the commonly seen "quad" settings found on most campuses.

In addition, the Student Success Center was constructed during this time. This multi-function facility houses classrooms, offices, a student lounge and snack bar, offices for student organizations, a study facility and fitness facilities. The centerpiece of this new facility is the NEW Storm Dome. The old basketball gymnasium has become a practice facility, while the new dome features a full sound system, NCAA regulation court, scoreboard and lighting, as well as modern "Stadium" style seating with upper deck bleachers and padded lower level chairs complete with arm rests and ADA-compliant railings.

A recent donation of a local golf course has given the college the facilities to institution a Bachelors of Golf Management program, to begin in 2010.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Academics

[edit] College of Arts and Sciences

Dean: David Garrison

The College of Arts and Sciences at GSW offers undergraduate degrees in art (both the B.A. and the B.F.A.), biology, chemistry, dramatic arts, English and modern languages, geology, history, music, political science, psychology, and sociology. It has the only undergraduate art program in the University System of Georgia with a concentration in glass blowing.

A journalism major was once considered, but that has since become offered as minor with the English Department.

[edit] School of Business Administration

Dean: John Kooti

The School of Business Administration offers undergraduate (B.B.A.) and graduate (M.B.A.) programs in business. It also hosts Center for Business and Economic Development and a SIFE chapter. In the Spring of 2009, GSW's School of Business received it's AACSB International Accreditation.

[edit] School of Computer and Information Science

Dean: Boris Peltsverger

Georgia Southwestern's School of Computer and Information Science includes two departments: Department of Computer Science and Mathematics. The first one offers certification, undergraduate (B.S.) and graduate (M.S.) programs, and the latter, B.S. in Mathematics. From 1974 through 2006, the Department of Mathematics has hosted a tournament for high school students from throughout the state.^[3]

[edit] School of Education

Dean: Lettie Watford

Long considered one of the top programs in the state for professional educators, GSW has a particularly rigorous curriculum, with many entry requirements. The College of Education is recognized around the country as being one of the best, and one of the toughest. It offers degrees in Elementary, Secondary, and Early Childhood Education, as well as concentrations in Administration and Special Needs.

[edit] School of Nursing

Dean: Sandra Daniel

The School of Nursing offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree through three tracks:

Generic
RN to BSN
Accelerated BSN

There is a Georgia Southwestern Association of Nursing Students and a chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, Mu Pi.

[edit] Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving

Mrs. Carter is the Board Chair of the Rosalynn Carter Institute (RCI) at Georgia Southwestern State University.^[4] The RCI was established in 1987 and works to address issues related to caregiving in America. The Institute focuses its work on both family and professional caregivers for individuals living with chronic illness and disabilities, limitations related to aging, and other health concerns. The work of the Institute is extensive both locally (in Americus), throughout Georgia and the United States. For example, the Institute provides scholarships and fellowships to students throughout Georgia, offers a Certificate Program in Caregiving at the University, conducts needs assessments and research on caregivers, provides training and education for caregivers through its own curriculum, operates a Caregiver Resource Center for residents of southwest Georgia, offers a number of national caregiver awards including the Rosalynn Carter Caregiver Award, and partners with Johnson & Johnson to support innovative community caregiving programs throughout the United States.

[edit] Student life

[edit] Student activities

GSW offers a variety of activities for students, including NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics, intramural sports, multiple clubs and activities, and chapters of major Greek organizations, including Chi Phi, Zeta Tau Alpha, Kappa Delta, Kappa Sigma, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Pi Kappa Phi, and Sigma Chi. Other student activities include movie nights and weekend cookouts.

[edit] Homecoming

Homecoming at GSW is very special time for the campus. As GSW does not field a football team, the Homecoming Week is centered around a weekend basketball women/men doubleheader. During this game, the campus Homecoming Queen is crowned after an on-campus vote is tallied.

In 1996, a scandal involving alleged vote-rigging with the Homecoming Queen elections resulted in those votes being tossed and new election being held. The allegations were made by a group of African-American students who claimed that the mostly white student government had violated voting rules and created a conflict of interest by not have an independent auditor tabulating the ballots. The racially charged atmosphere that followed resulted in an all-white Homecoming Court, as well as a sit-in by the group that protested the initial result. Later that year, the unofficial results of the cancelled election was revealed and had it been allowed to proceed, it was suggested that the GSW would have had its first-ever African American Homecoming Queen. As it turned it, that happened in 1997.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Student publications

GSW has two student publications - the Sirocco and the Sou'Wester. Both are student run and college-funded publications. The Sirocco replaced the Clay & Pine.

[edit] The Sou'Wester

The Sou'Wester traces its origins back to the 1930s. The Sou'Wester did have two brief runs of collegiate glory during the early 1980s, when it won several awards in statewide competition, and the mid 1990s, when it won an unpredecented 16 awards in a three year span. During this span, the newspaper also achieved respect among its peers, with members being voted to the Board of Directors of the Georgia College Press Association.

The Sou'Wester made its reputation for being an independent-minded student newspaper on a campus with no journalism major. During the mid 1990s, the publication debuted a special section for Homecoming Week, published full color for the first time, and won state awards for news coverage, advertising design and editorial commentary. It was also known for controversial editorials and columnists, and for, at times, even breaking campus news before the local commercial daily did.

Some notable Sou'Wester student staffers during that time included:

Kimberly Raybon - Editor
Chris Shoemaker - Arts & Entertainment Editor/Senior Editor
Christie Nestor - News Editor
Tonya Mathis - Managing Editor
John Guzzardo - Editor

The Sou'Wester's past issues for nearly the entirely of its existence can be found in the Rare Books Room of the James Earl Carter Library. Today, The Sou'Wester mainly publishes online through its offices located in the newly constructed Student Success Center.

[edit] Athletics

GSW Athletics

[edit] Men's Soccer

Head Coach Warren Russ

Warren Russ just finished his second season at the helm of the Georgia Southwestern State University men's soccer program. He comes to GSW from the University of Georgia, where he joined the staff of the start-up women's program in 1995. The Bulldogs made the NCAA Tournament in his third year on staff and reached the "Sweet 16" the following season. Russ' coaching experience is extensive and includes serving on the staff of Florida Olympic Development, as a staff coach at Gwinnett Soccer Association and stints at Lake Highland Preparatory School, University High School and Lake Brantley High School in the central Florida area. Coach Russ, a native of Coral Springs, Fla., earned his bachelor's degree in business administration-marketing from the University of Central Florida in 1989 and was a four-year letterman for the Golden Knight's soccer team. Following his graduation, Russ spent three years as an assistant coach for his alma mater. In addition to his work on the sidelines, Russ spent 10 years playing professionally, starting with the Orlando Lions Soccer Club in 1990 and continuing with clubs at home and abroad throughout the decade. He earned two league all-star awards and played for clubs in a semifinal and two championship matches.

[edit] Women's soccer

Head Coach Tony Economopoulos

A native of Oklahoma City, Economopoulos was a two-sport star in soccer and football at Putnam City North High School. He played his collegiate soccer at Oklahoma City University and helped lead the Stars to a Sooner Athletic Conference championship. Economopoulos also played semi-professionally in the USISL with the Oklahoma City Slickers and the Oklahoma City Warriors. Upon his graduation from OCU in 1997, Economopoulos was hired as a head coach for the ESC Royals, where he also trained the goalkeepers. He coached three different teams to the State Cup title and led one squad to the Region III finals. In 1999, Economopoulos was hired at Edmond Santa Fe High School. The Wolves compiled a record of 35-9-1 from 1999-2001 and were ranked as high as third nationally by USA Today in '99. During his time at Santa Fe, he also served as the state goalkeeper coach for the Olympic Development Program, where he selected and trained all the goalkeepers in the program. Economopoulos made his collegiate coaching debut in 2001 where he assisted the men's team at Western Illinois University. He served as the goalkeeper coach and the recruiting coordinator, and in 2002 his efforts were rewarded as he was nominated for the AFLAC Insurance National Assistant Coach of the Year Award. In 2003, Economopoulos left for Bowling Green, where he assumed additional responsibilities aside from his coaching duties. He was the NSCAA Great Lakes Regional Chair, the site coordinator for the United States Soccer Federation's National Coaching School and was the site coordinator for the U.S. Youth Soccer Region II Symposium. Economopoulos also briefly served as the interim head coach at Bowling Green in the spring of 2004, and the following season, the Falcons were recognized as one of the most improved Division I soccer teams in the country. Economopoulos currently possesses a National "B" Coaching License from the United States Soccer Federation and has been a member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America since 2001. He is also on the USYSA Region III coaching staff.

[edit] Women's cross country

Head Coach Tripp Beard

Beard comes to Georgia Southwestern State University from Crisp County High School (GA), where he served as an assistant track and field coach in 2006 and 2007. In addition to his duties with the GSW Hurricane cross country program, Beard serves as the assistant coach of GSW Lady ‘Canes women's basketball. A 2003 graduate of Georgia Southwestern State University, with a degree in sociology, Beard has returned to campus in pursuit of a physical education degree. Beard is a native of Unadilla, GA. While attending Fullington Academy in Pinehurst, GA, he competed in track and field and basketball. Beard currently resides in Americus.

[edit] Men's golf

Head Coach Stan Shurling

[edit] Men's basketball

Head Coach Michael Leeder

[edit] Women's basketball

Head Coach Kelly Britsky

Kelly Britsky just finished her second year at the helm of the GSW Lady Hurricane program. Britsky comes to GSW from LaGrange College where she led the Panthers to a 15-12 record last year. In 1999-2000 she started the Women's Basketball Program at LaGrange College which in 2002 appeared in the United States Athletic Association National Tournament. Britsky has coached two All Americans, 12 All Conference Team Players and five All Freshman Team members and one Freshman Player of the Year. Her teams have also enjoyed a 100% graduation rate of students that finished their careers in program and have also had 16 All Academic Team Members. Britsky was also honored as 2001-2002 and 2006-2007 Great South Basketball Coach of the Year At LaGrange College Britsky also coached volleyball for 10 years with a record after of 193-150. Her teams appeared in three United States Athletic Association (USCAA) national tournaments and finished runner-up three times in the Great South Athletic Conference (GSAC). The Panthers won 20 or more matches in six of the ten seasons.Her first team in 1997 set a school record for wins with 29 and the first of two runner-up finishes in the Georgia-Alabama-Carolina Conference. The volleyball team produced four All-Americans, seven all-region players, a region player of the year, a three-time region setter of the year, 20 all-conference players and two conference players of the year and many All Academic team members. Britsky Attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and was a member of the 1991 National Championship Team in softball, also named to the All National Team that year. She then went on to LaGrange College were she finished up her athletic career and earned a degree in history and education. She stayed on as an assistant coach after graduation in 1994 when LaGrange College won a national championship in softball. She left LaGrange College and spent three years at Perry High School where she coached softball, basketball and track before returning to LaGrange College to continue her coaching career and earn her Master in Education.

[edit] Baseball

Head Coach Brian "Scooter" McClain

Assistant Coach Robert Morgan

[edit] Softball

Head Coach Edward Ward

[edit] Men's and women's tennis

Head Coach Brennon Sewell

[edit] Alma Mater

Hail to thee, our foster mother

Praise to thee we bring,

Of thy teachings altruistic,

lovingly we sing,

For thy spirit through the ages

Ever shall prevail

Hail to thee, our own Southwestern

Alma Mater, hail!

Fires are kindled at thy alter

Fires that never die

Bright they burn in hearts eternal

‘Neath the southern sky

Burning for divine approval