VSU Promotes Rural Economic Vitality With Retail Academy
With a focus on enhancing rural prosperity, VSU’s Center for South Georgia Regional Impact invited economic development, city, county, and community leaders from across Georgia to participate in Retail Academy and learn about maximizing retail opportunities in their communities.
Presented by Retail Strategies, with funding from the United States Department of Agriculture, Retail Academy was an opportunity for Bacon County, Crawford County, Dawson County, Lanier County, Mitchell County, Seminole County, Twiggs County, and Worth County leadership to learn how to attract retail to their rural cities and towns.
Veteran Paraprofessional Highlights First Online Elementary Education Class
Sometimes in life, timing is everything. Just ask Sarah Lambert, a member of the first graduating class of the Online Elementary Education program offered through VSU’s Online College for Career Advancement. She currently works as a paraprofessional for Echols County Schools.
“My passion to be a teacher comes from school never being easy for me growing up,” she said. “I was always up until 1 or 2 in the morning, but I still wasn’t getting it. My teachers would call my parents and tell them I needed to study, and they would tell the teacher I am studying.”
Lambert will continue with her paraprofessional work for the remainder of this academic year. She is looking forward to being a teacher and helping all her students, especially those who also struggle with school.
“When I have a student who isn’t getting it, I completely understand. That’s where my heart goes because I’ve been there too.”
Amanda Dyson-Thornton, a V-State alumna, was recently named executive director of the Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus. She will work to promote and protect Georgia’s tourism industry.
Dyson-Thornton began her career in hospitality with the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, where she served in various marketing and sales positions, including director of membership, corporate events, and visitor services. She also has experience working as a concierge at the Georgia World Congress Center.
Dyson-Thornton earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts at VSU in 2001.
Sandy Wisenbaker, a V-State alumna, was recently named assistant administrator for Coweta County, Georgia.
Wisenbaker has worked for Coweta County for 20 years. She began her career as an assistant solicitor and worked her way up to chief assistant solicitor. She was elected solicitor general in 2012. She was named 2019 Georgia Solicitor General of the Year and 2010 Georgia Assistant Solicitor of the Year.
Wisenbaker earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at VSU in 1996.
Sandra Wilcher, a V-State alumna, has unanimously been selected as the next superintendent for Lowndes County Schools in Valdosta, Georgia. She has been a member of the OneLowndes family since 1999 and has served as interim superintendent since June 2023.
Wilcher has worked in administration with Lowndes County Schools since 2009. Before being named interim superintendent, she served as assistant superintendent of student services. She created and manages the crisis response program for the school system, led the system through the global health crisis known as COVID-19, and more. She has developed and implemented numerous procedures and programs currently in use in the schools and helped the school system secure more than $5 million in support.
At VSU Wilcher earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Speech Communication in 1991 and a Master of Social Work in 1998.
Joe Hilton, a V-State alumnus, was recently promoted to assistant special agent in charge of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Regional Investigative Office in Eastman, Georgia.
Hilton began his career with the GBI in 2015 as a special agent assigned to the Regional Investigative Office in Douglas, Georgia. He transferred to the Southwest Regional Drug Enforcement Office in Albany, Georgia, in 2020. He completed the FBI Hazardous Devices School in 2021 and is a certified bomb technician with the GBI.
Hilton earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing at VSU in 2001.
Valdosta Symphony Guild Presents Tunes for Tots Jan. 13
The Valdosta Symphony Guild presents Tunes for Tots on Saturday, Jan. 13, in VSU's Whitehead Auditorium. Admission is free of charge and open to the public.
Tunes for Tots fun begins at 10 a.m. with instrument demonstrations by musicians from the American Prize-winning Valdosta Symphony Orchestra. This is an opportunity for all ages to discover the unique sounds of instruments from the string, woodwind, brass, and percussion families.
A short performance by the South Georgia String Project follows.
From 10:45 a.m. to noon, the Fine Arts Building converts into a petting zoo of sorts, allowing children a chance to try all the instruments of the orchestra.
Logan Kraus Goes From VSU Student-Athlete to Combat Pilot for the NATO Alliance
VSU's Logan Kraus is one of 35 cadets selected nationwide for the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas. The Blazer Cross Country standout graduated with a Master of Business Administration in December 2023 after earning a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from VSU in May 2021.
The Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program is the world's only multi-nationally manned and managed flying training program chartered to produce combat pilots for the NATO Alliance. This program is a joint initiative between 14 (of the 31 total) NATO countries. Kraus will train alongside pilots from various countries as well as learn from instructors from around the world.
VSU Receives Grant to Promote Safe Driving, Reduce Traffic Crashes
VSU announces the receipt of a $7,433.31 grant to participate in the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety’s Georgia Young Adult Program. This award includes funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Through its Georgia Young Adult Program, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety partners with colleges and universities throughout the state to help address young adult driver crashes, injuries, and fatalities. The program uses peer education, guest speakers, and other strategies to encourage schools to develop creative and innovative techniques to promote driving safety in their communities.
Learning in Retirement Presents 65-Plus Opportunities to Learn Something New at VSU
Learning in Retirement is excited to kick off another action-packed season of meeting the educational, physical, intellectual, and social needs of VSU’s South Georgia and North Florida friends and neighbors.
A member-led and VSU-sponsored organization, Learning in Retirement offers area residents 50 years of age and older nearly 70 opportunities to learn something new during Spring Semester 2024. Classes and activities begin Monday, Jan. 29, and continue through early May.
VSU Earns Spot on VDT Top Stories of 2023
The opening of VSU's highly anticipated J. Donald Lee Center for Entrepreneurship earned a spot on The Valdosta Daily Times' list of Top Stories of 2023: A Year in Review.
Under the direction of Dr. Trent Coggins, business law lecturer, entrepreneur, and owner of Recoil Trampoline Park, the J. Donald Lee Center for Entrepreneurship serves as a creative and collaborative hub for students, faculty, and staff across all academic disciplines. It brings emerging student entrepreneurs, faculty, staff, and experienced entrepreneurs together to ignite a spirit of innovation and foster connections that extend across the university, the region, and even the world.
VSO Performances Featured on GPB Radio's Front Row Georgia Program
VSU is excited to announce that select Valdosta Symphony Orchestra performances are available on Georgia Public Broadcasting Radio’s Front Row Georgia.
Front Row Georgia airs Sundays at 7 p.m. on GPB Radio statewide and streams Sundays at 5 p.m. and Mondays at 1 p.m. on GPB Classical (https://bit.ly/3GAum76). The entire schedule will be rebroadcast again later in 2024.
Meet Dr. Denise Reid, Fall 2023 Undergraduate Commencement Mace Carrier
“I am extremely honored to be selected as the mace carrier. VSU has been such a huge part of my life for over half of my lifetime. I have invested so much of myself to VSU, and it means so much to me to know that VSU recognizes and appreciates that.”
Dr. Denise Reid is a full professor in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Physics. She joined the VSU faculty in 1995.
Meet Dr. Jin Wang, Fall 2023 Graduate School Commencement Mace Carrier
“Being selected to carry the mace is an immense honor and a profound personal accolade. It symbolizes not just my commitment to VSU but also the university's trust in me as a leader and representative of our academic community. This opportunity allows me to embody the history, achievements, and aspirations of VSU, reflecting the institution's core values and its dedication to excellence in education. I am deeply grateful for this recognition and the chance to play a prominent role in such a significant ceremonial occasion.”
Dr. Jin Wang is a tenured full professor in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Physics. He joined the VSU faculty in 1994.
The Latest Blazer Sports Report
• VSU will host its 27th annual Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20, in the Student Union Grand Ballroom. The Class of 2024 features 10 inductees — Shelby Altman (Softball 2013-2014), Leo Blay (Men's Tennis 2015-2017), Michael Doscher (Coach 1996-2020), Skip Fite (Baseball 1976-1977), Mike Leach (Coach 1992-1996), Kenny Moore II (Football 2013-2016), Cedric O'Neal (Football 2012-2015), Herb Reinhard (Athletic Director 1992-2024), Holly Satterfield (Softball 2009-2011), and Dr. Cheri and Hamilton Tillman (Supporter 1995-Present).
• The VSU Athletics calendar features lots of Men's Basketball and Women's Basketball action. Softball, Men's Golf, Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis, and Baseball begin playing in early February.
• The Harlem Globetrotters are scheduled to return to The Complex on April 8.