Hurricane Idalia Impacts VSU
The storm caused a campus-wide power outage around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 30.
Generators were activated to maintain critical Information Technology systems, the VSU Emergency Operations Center, and the VSU Police Department.
The power was restored to Centennial Hall and the Student Recreation Center sometime between the evening of Friday, Sept. 1, and the morning of Saturday, Sept. 2.
Main Campus, the Oak Street Parking Deck, and the Education Center received power around 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2, followed by the University Center area around 8 p.m. that evening.
The Honors House and My Friends House were the last properties to have their power restored around noon on Thursday, Sept. 7.
According to a damage estimate, VSU has lost more than 200 trees (snapped or fallen over).
The majority of the tree loss was on North Campus.
Several campus facilities sustained damage from fallen trees.
• Softball batting cage
• Baseball batting cage
• Billy Grant Field outfield wall
• Fulbright / International Scholars house
• 221 West Moore Street house
• Fence / wall behind Student Health Center
• Georgia Hall
• Langdale Hall
• Former FCA house
• Intramural field fences
• Challenge / Ropes course
Several facilities fell victim to water intrusion.
Odum Library first floor and fourth floor (Archives and Special Collections)
Various residence halls
Fine Arts Building
Two facilities sustained roofing damage.
STEAM Center
Odum Library
Recovery efforts continue on campus. Like the rest of Valdosta and Lowndes County, this includes significant tree debris to clean up.
VSU’s Impact on Area Economy Increases 1.3 Percent, Surpasses $409 Million
According to a report from the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia Terry College of Business, VSU’s total economic impact on its host region — defined as Lowndes, Brooks, Lanier, Berrien, Cook, and Echols counties — was a little more than $409.7 million during Fiscal Year 2022, a 1.3 percent increase compared to the previous year. This includes the creation of 4,028 total jobs, of which 2,702 are off-campus jobs in the public and private sectors.
“As the flagship institution of higher education in South Georgia, it is inspiring to see how our efforts on campus and through our public/private partnerships contribute to the area’s progress and prosperity,” shared Dr. Richard A. Carvajal, president of VSU. “With an economic impact of nearly $410 million, we are an integral part of the lifeblood of Valdosta, Lowndes County, and surrounding communities.
“We understand that what we do at VSU is critical to the economic growth and vibrancy of South Georgia. We remain committed to finding ways to sustain our institution for generations to come and to leading solution-oriented innovation that will continue to support and advance this region we call home.”
Focus on Faculty-Student Mentoring Very Personal for VSU Voice Professor
Dr. Susan Boddie, assistant professor of voice in the Department of Music at VSU, discovered early in life that she was musically inclined. It took her a little longer to discover her passion for teaching, but now she cannot imagine doing anything else.
“Mentoring our students is the excitement that gets me out of bed every day,” said Boddie. “I could wake up with low energy, but as the day builds and I’m teaching, and I just get so excited to pay it forward.”
Jason Van Nus, a V-State alumnus, was recently named 2023 Georgia Association for Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year. He is the director of work-based learning and youth apprenticeship programs at Lowndes High School.
Van Nus has worked in education for more than two decades. His Lowndes County School System leadership team says his work has had a tremendous impact on their students and the workforce community.
A two-time VSU graduate, Van Nus earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in Business Education (Grades 6-12) in 2004 and a Master of Education in Business Education (Grades 6-12) in 2008.
Donovan Head, a V-State alumnus, was recently named executive director of the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia.
Prior to joining the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia, Head worked as deputy director of the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement. He served on Governor Brian Kemp’s transition team as deputy campaign manager for Kemp for Governor in 2018 and as a senior congressional staff member for former U.S. Representative Karen Handel of Georgia’s 6th District and U.S. Representative Austin Scott of Georgia’s 8th District.
Head earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at VSU in 2011. He is currently a member of the VSU Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Christopher Anderson, a V-State alumnus, was recently named one of eight additions to the Jacksonville Jaguars coaching staff as part of the NFL’s Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship program. He will be with the team for the entirety of training camp.
Anderson is currently serving his first year as wide receiver coach and recruiting coordinator for Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia. He previously coached at Hampton University, Rutland High School, Tusculum University, University of West Georgia, and Brunswick High School. He played wide receiver for the VSU Blazers from 2012 to 2015.
Anderson earned a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies at VSU in 2016.
Mark Alan Scott, a V-State alumnus, was recently named president of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police.
Scott has worked in law enforcement for 34 years, including seven years as police commissioner in Americus, six years as assistant chief of police for the Albany Police Department, and 10 years as captain for the Thomasville Police Department. He is currently chief of the Americus Police Department. He graduated from the 194th session of the FBI National Academy and the 23rd session of the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College.
Scott is a two-time VSU graduate. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts in 1985 and a Master of Science in Sociology and Anthropology in 1993.
Kaley Clay, a V-State alumna, was recently promoted by Draffin Tucker, a public accounting firm with offices in Albany and Atlanta. She works with clients in the firm’s healthcare practice.
Clay earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting 2018
Whitney Bradford, a V-State alumna, was recently named deputy chief assistant district attorney for Appling County and Jeff Davis County in the Brunswick Judicial Circuit in Georgia. She previously worked as assistant district attorney for the Cordele Judicial Circuit and has a passion for justice and helping victims.
Bradford earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from VSU in 2010.
Derek Kolb, a V-State alumnus, was recently named director of the Thomas County Library System in Thomasville, Georgia. He has served at the helm of several large libraries in Georgia and Florida.
Kolb is ready to tackle the task of renovating the Thomasville County Library System’s main library branch and ensuring his team continues to meet the changing needs of the community.
Kolb earned a Master of Library and Information Science from VSU in 2021.
Red Hots Feature Four All-Americans, Clinch Bid to 2024 Nationals
The VSU Red Hots recently attended the National Dance Alliance camp in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in preparation for the 2023-2024 season — and to qualify for College Nationals.
At camp the Red Hots competed in a gameday run-off competition, where the dancers won the D2 division and first place in the team dance competition. The dance team was voted Most Spirited by all the teams in attendance, which included D1 schools, and also claimed the title of Best All Around after earning the most overall points at camp.
The Red Hots earned a Gold Paid Bid to the NDA College Nationals in April in Daytona Beach, Florida, to contend for their ninth National Championship. Four team members — Caroline Schenck, Caliyah Sinkfield, Mylin Harris, and Maria Tsesmelis — earned All-American recognition.
The Latest Blazer Sports Report
• VSU Football is currently 2-0 for the season and ready for win No. 3 this weekend. The Blazers play the Keiser University Seahawks at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.
• McCall Bennett, a sophomore from Milton, Georgia, made VSU football history — first female football player and first female football player to score points during a game — when she kicked an extra point in the middle of the fourth quarter against Point University Skyhawks on Sept. 2.
• The remaining September VSU Athletics schedule includes more than 30 home and away games for Women’s Volleyball, Women’s Soccer, Men’s Cross Country, Women’s Cross Country, Men’s Golf, Men’s Tennis, Women’s Tennis, and Football.
Legendary Valdosta State Athletic Director Herb Reinhard Announces Retirement
After 31 years at the helm of VSU’s Blazer Athletics, Herb Reinhard has decided to retire effective June 30, 2024.
Reinhard is credited with prominently placing VSU on the national map of collegiate athletics, including a dominance across NCAA Division II programs. During his tenure, VSU’s athletic programs have won 48 of the school’s 52 Gulf South Conference Championships and seven of its eight National Championships.
VSU Kicks Off New Year with Renewed Sense of Optimism
Increased traffic around campus, full classrooms, and the traditional “Doughnut Day” — when President Richard A. Carvajal welcomes random students with free doughnuts on the first day of class — all mark the start of another academic year at VSU. This year, however, features something else — a renewed sense of optimism.
During his recent faculty and staff opening convocation address, known on campus as BlazerCon, Carvajal detailed the challenges VSU has faced in recent years, while also sharing reasons for hope about the future.
VSU Enrollment Looking Up
Overall enrollment at VSU is trending up, which would be the school’s first increase since 2020.
“The last couple years following the pandemic have been tough for all of higher education and for VSU,” said Dr. Richard A. Carvajal, VSU president, “but we put a plan in place last year to turn things around, and thanks to the hard work of our faculty and staff, that plan is working.”
As part of that work, VSU re-tooled its admissions and advising teams, launched a new national marketing campaign, and revamped multiple degree programs to increase student interest. The university also made significant investments in its Graduate School and Online College for Career Advancement, which was launched in 2021.
Learning in Retirement Presents 80-Plus Opportunities to Learn Something New at VSU
Learning in Retirement (LIR) will soon 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.
If you are 50 years of age or older, LIR offers 80+ opportunities to learn something new this fall, including everything from trips and tours to one-day workshops to multi-week classes.
Membership is $75 per semester, or $135 per year if you join in the fall. Join today by calling VSU's Office of Professional and Communication Education at 229-245-6484.