Spring 2011 Articles

Allison L. Boutwell
Staff Writer JOUR 3131

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NSSE

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Watch for the e-mail invitation from NSSE containing your log-in information. The questions are easy. The impact is great. Let your voice be heard! Ashley ONeal, Macon State Senior Amber Osgood, Macon State Freshman Office of Student Life

By Allison L. Boutwell Staff Writer

Modern day super heroes can be found at MSC

You may know him as Chip, Dr. Rogers, Mr. Chip, Dr. Chip, but certainly not as Mr. Rogers! Hes quick to claim that hes no Pollyanna. At the age of 46, Dr. Chip Rogers, assistant professor of English, was diagnosed with stage IV chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), in June 2007. CLL occurs when white blood cells multiply so much that they eat the red blood cells, which supply oxygen to the body. I was diagnosed just by going to a regular doctor visit-the first time I did high. When asked how CLL has affected his life as a teacher, Rogers responded that it explained his fatigue, but what was already difficult was made more difficult by the leukemia. It made it a little bit harder to be hard on some students, Rogers said. According to Rogers, work was a diversion that kept him from thinking about his predicament. Even grading papers was escapist! Rogers laughed. Once he even went to work immediately after chemotherapy, and taught two classes. In the summer of 2008, Rogers received chemotherapy, which nearly killed his bone marrow. He received 20 units in blood transfusions. According to an article written by Rogers on facebook.com, he went into remission in October 2008. Oh no! Rogers said, when asked if he wanted sympathy or normalcy, I wanted to be a normal person, in fact thats why I didnt tell anybody that I worked with, except for my boss and my job in Oklahoma. Since then, Rogers has been involved with Team in Training and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

ON CAMPUS

January 24, 2011

Photo by Allison L. Boutwell Dr. Chip Rogers is an Assistant Professor of English at Macon State College

that in my life, Rogers chuckled. That is when he discovered his white blood cell count was too

Company of Players auditions held for the spring play

By Erica D. Hill Staff Writer Spring auditions were held Jan. 18-20 for Macon State Colleges Company of Players production of Tom Stoppards play, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. Director Jason Levitt said that he was looking for 15 to 25 people for the play. Call backs will be Jan. 24 from 6-9 pm. This is Levitts fourth year directing plays at Macon State College. Levitt said that he wants experienced and inexperienced students to participate, as the program provides students with supportive opportunities to learn about the art and craft of theater. The story line for the play is very fast paced and loosely based on Shakespeares Hamlet. Levitt said his analogy for the play was: words, words, thats all we have going on! Levitt said he has 43 years of theater and education experience and none of this would exist if God didnt bless him. He added that God gave him gifts, such as exceptional students who participate in his plays. Levitt also said that he is grateful for the continued support of the Macon State staff, the funding through student activity fees and most of all, the students who participate.

6 January 24, 2011

Wellness Center opens earlier to accommodate students

By Allison L. Botwell Staff Writer The Wellness Center at Macon State is now open from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 6:30 Director of Recreation and Wellness, James Hagler, the reason for the new hours is to accommodate students. The new hours came because of student suggestions, and from Macon State looking at what other schools are doing. If we can do what students want because thats what were here for, well try to accommodate them, Hagler said. I know a lot of people like to work out before they get their day started and so we just wanted to accommodate as many people as we could. Hagler, who works out at 6:30 a.m., said that he saw the advantages of having the Wellness Center open at 6:30 a.m. He cited getting up early as a con to the new hours; however, he said that he has three staff workers who volunteered to work at 6:30 a.m. Everybodys schedule varies, Mendy Smith, a senior health services administration major said. Its [the new schedule] definitely catering to everyone. Michael Spencer, a junior accounting major and a student assistant at the Wellness Center, is one of the workers who volunteered for the early shift. Spencer said that he arrives at the Wellness Center at 6:15 a.m. According to Spencer; part of his duties is to plug in the machines and to open the Wellness Center at 6:30 a.m. Im a morning person anyway. I know a lot of people that like to work out, but cant because of classes, Spencer said. The new hours give those people the extra time they need to work out; plus the early hours are good for faculty members who have family to go home to after work, according to Spencer. Hagler said that the new hours are a sort of trial, but he thinks the Wellness Center will keep the new hours. If we get two or three

ON CAMPUS

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weeks in and were only having one or two people taking advantage of it, then we would end it, Hagler said. Hagler said that on average six or seven students have been using

a.m. to noon on Fridays in order to accommodate students. According to the

the gym during the new hours. Eight had already come as of 8:15 a.m. the day of the interview.

By Tracey Baker Staff Writer

Enforcement of the new smoking policy will begin when signs are posted
have asked for this type of policy for years. Chief Shawn Douglas of Public Safety said there would be penalties for tobacco use in nontobacco areas. The first smoking or tobacco signs that will direct tobacco users to areas where tobacco use is allowed, said Douglas. The tobacco use areas will be approximately Warner Robins Campus: the south side of Oak Hall and the center courtyard of Academic Services/ Thomas Hall. Macon campus has six areas: (1) The car wash

Enforcement of the new smoking policy will begin when signs are posted By Tracey Baker Staff Writer In December, the Macon State community participated in an online survey regarding tobacco use on campus. A new smoking policy was implemented beginning Jan. 1. A total of 1,586 individuals participated in the survey. The results reported that 82 percent of participants were students. According to the survey, 72 percent of participants supported a campuswide policy that permits the use of tobacco and tobacco products only in designated areas on campus. Lynn McCraney, Dean of Students, said, Students, faculty, staff and guest have encountered difficulty in escaping secondhand smoke as they enter and exit campus buildings and

offense will result in a warning being issued to that individual; any violation of the smoking policy after the initial warning ticket will be $10 per violation. A student found to be a habitual violator of the rule would be sent before the disciplinary board. Human Resources will be notified if a staff or faculty member is found to be a habitual violator. Plant services are in the process of putting up no

50 feet or 20 paces from main entries. This will ensure that anyone who is allergic to tobacco or wishes to refrain from secondhand smoke can do so, said Douglas. Persons are not allowed to walk across campus and smoke, said Chief Douglas. According to Dean McCraney, smoking will still be allowed in personal cars. Currently there are two tobacco areas on the

station at Residence Life; (2) behind Plant Operations; (3) the gazebo will cover the buildings for Learning Support, the library and the Science Annex building; (4) Jones and PSC building area is located behind Jones on the first floor at the entrance of the PSC building; (5) humanities area is located on northwest side where the plants are located and (6) Student Life Center area will be located at the rear

of the building near the lake. We want to promote this in a positive light and we also want to provide a happy median for those who do smoke, said Douglas. Full force of the rules will begin in approximately two weeks. By then all the smoking receptacles will be in place and the signs will be up as well, said Douglas. Senior nursing student, Clay Burdette said, I am glad I dont have to walk through smoke anymore. I like being able to walk into a building without a cloud of smoke in my face, said Elizabeth Peterman, junior, nursing student. Junior nursing student, Deedra Hoeft said, Im all for it! Jamie Watson, a junior English major said, I have yet to see it enforced, I didnt vote for it, but when they put up covered areas, I will smoke there. Right now I smoke where there are ash trays.

MSC Public Safety Departments newest member and second-in-command

News Bureau Shannon Williamson has joined the Macon State College Department of Public Safety as lieutenant and secondin-command. A native of Barnesville, Williamson has 12 years of lawenforcement experience. He previously served in the Lamar County Sheriffs Office, where he was dayshift supervisor and sergeant on patrol. He has also served with the Barnesville Police Department and the Gordon College Police Department. Williamson is an Army veteran who was serving as a military police officer in Bosnia when the 9/11 attacks occurred. He has accumulated more than 1,800 hours of training and is specialized in such areas as interstate criminal interdictions, K-9 units, and narcotics investigations, and was a SWAT team police counter sniper.

Photo submitted by News Bureau Lt. Shannon Williamson

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SPORTS

February 7, 2011

Photo courtesy the Blue Storm Baseball Club The Macon State Blue Storm Baseball Club will be playing its home games this season at historic Luther Williams Field.

BLUE STORM

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best pop time, meaning he was the catcher who was the fastest at throwing out base stealers at second base. With all of Blue Storms talent what is different about the team this year? One of the most significant differences in baseball at Macon State is this seasons change in competition. Furman University has been removed from their division to be replaced with the addition of: Chattahoochee Tech, University of Oxford, Kennesaw State University, and West Georgia Tech. To insure that the team stays one step ahead of their competition, the team will be increasing practice

sessions from 1-2 sessions a week to 2-3. Another difference in this years baseball team is that the experience gained from last years successful season can rub off on the new recruits. New additions to the team include; junior Dillon Mitchell (OF, P), freshman Blake Burriss (third base), junior Clae Mathis (first base), freshman Elijah Acklin (second base, OF), freshman Shane Smith (P, OF), and freshman Travis Grimes (OF). The upcoming season is predetermined by the success of last season, the increase in competition, and with the addition of new players. Bearing the new name of Blue Storm, playing on a new stage, Macon State Baseball is about to begin.

Photo courtesy The Blue Storm Baseball Club The 2011 Macon State Blue Storm Baseball Club, is (from left, back row) Brandon Byram, Austin Duckworth (assistant coach), Clae Mathis, J.P. Mitchell (head coach), Tyler Sailors, Jake Wood, (front row) Kody Patrick, Devon Crouse, Shane Smith, Travis Grimes and Kurt Thornburg. Not pictured are players Dillon Mitchell, Elijah Acklin, Blake Burriss and assistant coaches James Hagler, Chris Summerlin, Jeremy Aikin and Steve Wallace.

Help Wanted
Love to watch sports? Can you tell someone all about a game and get them excited about it? How about becoming a SPORTS WRITER? You can be paid and published! Apply at The Macon Statement, in the Media Room 120 in the Student Life Center.

Ultimate!!! Intramural Frisbee Sign-Ups Going On

By Allison Boutwell Staff Writer Signups for the intramural sport Ultimate Frisbee are taking place until Feb. 10 on the Intramural Sports Leagues website for all interested students taking six or more hours of college credit at Macon State College. The season will start on Valentines Day, Feb. 14, and lasts for four weeks according to Intramural Sports Coordinator Rachel Hardy. Thats up to the team captains, Hardy said when asked when practices will be held. She said that some teams do not practice, because they have enough experience. Registration ends Feb.10; students can form teams until that date. After registration, students cannot form teams, but they can join an existing team, according to Hardy. To register, students must go to imleagues.com to sign up, Hardy said. Id like to encourage everybody to come and sign up, Hardy said. If students encounter any problems, Hardy encourages students to come and see her. I want them to have an opportunity to play. If students do not have a team to with which to sign up, they can sign up as a free agent, and they will be assigned to a team, according to James Hagler, Director of Recreation and Wellness. Hagler also said that there are no requirements for playing Ultimate Frisbee or other intramural sports, except that players must be Macon State College students taking at least six credit hours. Its a really simple game, Brandon Thomason, a senior business major from Byron, said. Pretty much anyone can pick it up and know what to do. Thomason says he will play if he can get enough players for a team. Games will be on Mondays from 3-6 p.m., and on Wednesdays from 4-8 p.m., according to Hardy. Games are free and open to the public and will be held on the track field, Hardy said. Playoffs will be the week of March 14, and food will be served on the 16th; each winner will receive an intramural championship shirt, according to Hardy.

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By Summer Leverett Manager Editor In honor of Black History Month, we celebrate these remarkable individuals that made significant contributions to science, politics, the legal field, medicine and the arts. James Weldon Johnson An author who most notably composed the Black National Anthem in 1900, Lift Every Voice and Sing Henry McNeal Turner A Georgia politician who helped organize the Georgia Republican Party and in 1868 was one of the fourteen black state representatives elected to the Georgia House of Representatives. Benjamin Banneker An ingenious Mathematician and inventor who was best known for his annual contribution of the Farmers Almanac. Zora Neale Hurston A novelist who expressed issues facing woman, in particularly African American women, in her work. Her most famous novel was Their Eyes were Watching God (1937).

onSTATEMENT ac M
CHEER STUNT | Page 4 SOCCER | Page 4 BASEBALL | Page 5 CLUB RUSH | Page 8

The

February 21, 2011

Volume 42, Issue 12

#2 Brandon Bryan, pitched game one Blue Storms opening series.

Photo by Lily Billingsley

Blue Storm Baseball Club sweeps the Yellow Jackets 3-0

By Kaleb Clark Sports Editor Blue Storm Baseball Club swept away the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during their opening weekend series at Luther Williams Field. The series began Feb. 12 on Blue Storm Baseballs opening day. To mark the importance of the game, David Bell, Ph.D., president of Macon State, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. The first game of the season was game one of a double header Feb. 12 at 1:30 p.m. In the first game of the season, veteran left handed No. 2, Brandon Bryam, took to the mound for Blue Storm against the Yellow Jackets. It was a shaky start for Blue Storm. During the first inning, Bryam allowed two runs and two walks while Blue Storm was set down and struck out in order by the Yellow Jackets pitching staff. Momentum found Blue Storm when they were down by two in the third inning. Pitcher Bryam reached base by an E6, followed by a single by No. 9 Travis

AFRICAN AMERICANS
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Grimes. Second basemen and coach, J.P. Mitchell, followed up with a single that drove in Blue Storms first two runs of the season and then he stole second base. The last flare of the third inning was catcher Tyler Sailors single that drove Mitchell in from second.
continued on page 5

BLUE STORM

BLUE STORM PEP RALLY Come support your Macon State sports clubs at a Pep Rally in the Macon State Gym, 4:30 to 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 24. Afterward head over to Steak n Shake for the Cheer Club Spirit Night fund raiser. For more information, contact Director of Recreation & Wellness james.hagler@ maconstate.edu.

Sea lions, tigers and snakes, oh my! 2011 Cherry Blossom Festival
By Allison L. Boutwell JOUR 3131 The 29th Anniversary of the Cherry Blossom Festival (aka The 2011 Pinkest Party on Earth) will be held March 18-27. According to a Cherry Blossom Festival Press Release, Macon is known as the Cherry Blossom Capital of the World. Last year, Macon State had the opportunity of hosting Tunes and Balloons. This year, Tunes and Balloons will again be held at Macon State on Saturday, March 19. According to the Cherry Blossom Festival website, the gates will open at 4 p.m., parking is free, and admission is $5; children under age 6 get in free. The location worked so well last year that festival organizers couldnt be more excited to take it back to the campus of Macon State, Marketing Director for the Cherry Blossom Festival Stacy Campbell said in an email interview. The feedback on parking, location, and the entire event was all favorable! Im actually considering [attending the Cherry Blossom Festival] since Im so close this year, Joshua Akins, a freshman business major

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SPORTS

February 21, 2011

SOCCER

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Christians and non-Christians welcome at BCMs 2twenty2 Bible study

By Allison L. Boutwell JOUR 3131 Macon States Baptist Collegiate Ministries is sponsoring a new Bible study in collaboration with Ingleside Baptist Church; the Bible study meets on Tuesdays outside the PSC cafe at 7:30 p.m. MSC junior, Philip Bartuska a business management major, a member of both BCM and Ingleside Baptist Church, leads the Bible study, called 2twenty2. Bartuska said that the name of the Bible Study is 2twenty2, based on 2 Timothy 2:22 in the Bible. Chris Fuller, the Maconarea Baptist campus minister for the Georgia Baptist Convention, said the new Bible study got started when Ingleside Baptist told him that a student could not attend the Bible study that Fuller leads. Ingleside told him the student would be willing to lead another one. That student was Bartuska. Although I guide our discussion, everyone is encouraged to give input and share what they think, Bartuska wrote in an email interview. We start out by introducing ourselves and talking about the weeks that we are having. . .We encourage one another and lift each other up in prayer. Then, we study a passage in the Bible and ask each other how can we apply this to our daily lives? The purpose of the Bible study is just to give college students a chance to come learn about Christ, Bradford Jones, an attendee of the Bible study said. Jones also said students growing in their faith with other college students and fellowship is part of the purpose as well. I think that that relationship component is so important, too, Susan Durr, associate professor of psychology, and faculty advisor for the BCM said. And they get prayer support. Fuller said that all are welcome: MSC students, faculty, staff, as well as non-MSC students. According to Jones, students from Wesleyan and Mercer come to the Macon State Bible study. If someone wants to know Jesus or know more about Jesus, then we welcome them. So, participants do not even have to be Christian to attend! Fuller said. The Place to Be: 2twenty2 Bible Study. When: Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. Where: PSC Building outside the cafe.

Photo submitted by Chris Tsavatewa Coach Tsavatewa takes a break with his soccer players at Sonic on Peake Road, the clubs sponsor.

by head coach Tsavatewa who said that he was inspired by the work that J.P Mitchell did with starting the baseball program at Macon State. With dedicated players like Jessica Barker, who plays on the mens soccer

team because there isnt an established womans soccer team, and Bulgarian born Martin Velinov, a man who has played for over 25 different soccer teams, Blue Storm soccer is determined to succeed.

Philip Bartuska

Steak n Shake spirit night

Photo by Kayla Barton Macon States soccer team: Torrey Clowers, Chris Tsavatewa (head coach), Tanner Sauls, Stuart Martin Spears, William Edwards, Vicente Maya, Jessica Barker, Kyle Jones, Dean Yeomans, Spencer Taylor, Carlos Lizotte, Michael Purvis, Ganael Bukamba, James Murphy, Jonathan Daniels, Casey Purvis, Matt Poley, Martin Velinov.

The CHEER CLUB hosts a Steak n Shake Spirit Night fundraiser, 6 to 10 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 24, at the Steak n Shake on Mercer

University Drive, behind the Macon Mall. For more information, please contact Cheer Club adviser shane. trayers@maconstate.edu.

Unexpected benefits of attending poetry readings on campus

By Allison L. Boutwell JOUR 3131 The Georgia Poetry Circuit gives Macon State students access to the valuable, but often overlooked, academic art form of contemporary poetry that few people explore beyond the college context. Having these wonderful poets come to our campus helps highlight the great work that is being written right now and makes clear that poetry is not dead; it is alive and kicking said. Kelly Whiddon, Ph.D. associate professor of English/Creative Writing at Macon State and a representative for Macon State in the Georgia Poetry Circuit. The Georgia Poetry Circuit consists of eight colleges with other likeminded professors who bring poets to each campus as an investment that enriches students college experience. The institutions pool their resources, so they can bring poets that they might not have been able to bring on their own said Whiddon. Using those resources brought Cleopatra Mathis to Macon State on Jan. 25 in the Professional Sciences Center. Mathis poetry reading included selective readings, books sales and signing, comments and questions. Mathis spoke of the experiences that contributed to the poems she read. Her poetry incorporated modern experiences with Grecian mythology. Greek mythology is one of the diverse topics incorporated by past and future featured poets. At Mathis reading Christopher Willis, a junior in communication and information technology at Macon State, found the question and answer portion valuable on an unexpected level. The main thing that stuck with me since Mathis reading is the urgency to find one thing in college that you love and devote yourself to it. She studied music in college, had an impressive resume but chose to develop her skills in poetry said Willis. Recently other poets have covered topics spanning a soldiers experiences in the Iraqi wars, a childs perspective of their coming of age in the Appalachian Mountains and a citizens response to society and politics. Beyond an interest in poetry or topics, attending poetry readings can spark additional interests. The best way [to optimize these experiences] is to show up to the readings, really absorb the work, and ask questions. Most of the poets teach creative writing, and they have all been in the shoes of the students said Whiddon. Rick Campbell is the next poet scheduled to read at Macon State. His reading will take place on March 30 in PSC room 112 at 2 p.m.

8 March 14, 2011

ON CAMPUS & COMMUNITY

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Spring Garden Tutors get a dose of training at the 11th Annual GATA Conference Symposium teaches By Allison L. Boutwell on Feb. 25, 2012, GATA into the tutoring sessions, community members JOUR 3131 Secretary and Coordinator Allen Wilson, peers tutor of the Warner Robins ARC at the ARC and a student The 11th Annual about gardening Jeannie Ruggerio stated at Macon State, said. The Georgia Tutoring
By Allison L. Boutwell Staff Writer The Spring Garden Symposium was held on the first floor of the Professional Sciences Building at Macon State College Saturday, Feb. 26 from 8:30 a.m. 4 p.m. Attendees were greeted with breakfast and provided lunch later of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program; Mike Sikes, Horticulturist and Marketing Coordinator for McCorkle Nurseries, Inc.; Hal Massie, Local gardener and naturalist; Ian Campbell, of Bartlett Tree Experts; Tm Smalley, UGA Horticulture Department; and keynote speaker, Dorinda Dallmeyer, editor of Bartrams Living Legacy: The Travels and the Nature of the South. in an email. benefit to the students is Association (GATA) Weve held it here better tutors. Conference was held because of our central According to this years Saturday, Feb. 26 in the location in the state, Vick secretary for the GATA, Professional Sciences Jeannie Center at Ruggerio, Macon State the following College. officers were According instated at the to Tim Vick, Conference: director of President Academic Kim Ascani, Resource Coordinator Centers Tutoring (ARC) at Center, Macon State Abraham College and Baldwin conference Agricultural chair for College; the 2011 Presidentconference, Elect Robert 235 Photo by Kayla Barton Jordan, attendees The majority of Macon State College tutors attended the 2011 GATA Math and Conference. Top Row-left to right: Jeannie Ruggerio, Burgundy Mathis, were Omar Aba, Trey Bernard, Paul Johnson, Tim Vick, Allen Wilson, Josh Bryant, Science Lab expected at Johanna Acevedo; Bottom Row-left to right: Nalini Pattanaik, Frankie Coordinator, this years Israel, Joshua Harrelson, Allison Boutwell, Elisa Acevedo; Not Pictured: Kennesaw conference, Sandy Calla State making this said. Everybody can drive University; Vice President the largest conference in, and then drive back Kimberly Sloan, Manager since hes been a part of home before dark. of the Student Success the organization. Vick said There were 21 different Center, DeKalb Technical he has been a member of workshops offered at this College; Treasurer Alan the GATA since 2003. years conference. Among Craig, Coordinator The conference is an presenters were Macon Learning and Tutoring opportunity for anyone States own Jeannie Center, Georgia Perimeter involved in tutoring or Ruggerio; Paul Johnson, College; Secretary Jeannie academic assistance at coordinator, ARC; Nalini Ruggerio, Coordinator the post-secondary level Pattanaik, academic Warner Robins ARC, to network [and resource specialist; Macon State College. to] provide professional Burgundy Mathis, partRuggerio also stated development, Vick said. time academic resource that Vick will be the For the tutors, we hold specialist; Joshua conference liaison to the workshops [and] talk Harrelson, peer tutor; council for next years about the tutoring craft. Omar Aba, peer tutor; conference. The GATA Conference and Allison Boutwell, peer The writer of this article has been held at Macon tutor. attended and presented State for the past five The GATA Conference at the conference, and years, Vick said. The was helpful by giving me is a tutor at Macon State conference will be held useful tips that I can take College. there again next year

Photo by Lily Billingsley

in the day. During the conference attendees had the chance to purchase plants and pictures of plants at the plant and art sale. The Garden Symposium is part of the Waddell Barnes Botanical Gardens, Director of Plant Operations David Sims said. The purpose of the symposium is to allow folks to be able to come out and learn more about gardening in Central Georgia. According to the registration form, guest speakers included Tom Patrick, a botanist for the Georgia Department

My mother worked for Dr. Barnes for 33 years, so Ive known Dr. Barnes ever since I was a child, Dallmeyer said. Thats really my connection with [the Waddell Barnes Botanical Gardens], is through him and his ability to get something like this started like this in Macon. Its just great to be able to see something that he has been so instrumental in creating, Dallmeyer said, after noting that this was her first time coming to the Symposium. According to Andrew Goodman, a reporter with MSC-TV, Tim Smalley spoke on cutting propagation and had participants actually taking cuttings. Attendees paid a $30 admission fee that went toward the programs, paying for the speakers and the food, according Photo by Lily Billingsley the Sims.

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CAMPUS & COMMUNITY

Speaker events consist of a video seminar teaching students how to be successful or how to be a leader in some particular aspect of their lives. There is usually an activity for attendees to do after the video. According to Simmons, speaker events are open to both members and the public. She also said that the Macon State chapter is planning to invite a motivational speaker to come to Macon State. Members are also encouraged to be part of a Success Networking Team (SNT). These teams serve as accountability groups to help students reach their goals. All aspects of the leadership training are beneficial, but I strongly believe that the Success Networking Teams have really made a difference in our students lives, said Diaz. SNTs have proven to be extremely successful in enabling students to set and achieve their personal and career goals. These teams also provide an environment for gaining the invaluable skills of networking, teamwork, leadership, goal-setting and accountability. The society does community service events as well. In December 2010, the society stuffed stockings for children at the Childrens Methodist Home in Macon. Students are required to attend Orientation, Leadership Training Day, three speaker events and three SNT meetings in order to be inducted into the Society and receive lifetime membership, according to the Societys website. If you are a non-member, NSLS

March 28, 2011

By Allison Boutwell JOUR 3131

Training students to be successful: The National Society of Leadership and Success

sends out invitations before Fall Semester starts to students with a 2.7 GPA or higher, Simmons said. If a student does not receive an invitation, they can come to Career Services to obtain a nomination form which requires two faculty references. Simmons listed several benefits to members including: Success Networking Teams, personal success coaches, job bank, a onetime fee lifetime membership, leadership certification, resume enhancement, and opportunities for leadership positions. According to the Societys website awards and scholarships are also available. This years induction ceremony will be Friday, April 8, from 10 a.m. 12 p.m. in the Professional Sciences Center Banquet Hall, Simmons said. For more information about the National Society of Leadership and Success, contact Career Services at (478) 471-2714, or visit www.societyleadership.org. The author of this article is the Publicity Chair for the National Society of Leadership and Success.

The Macon State chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) is growing whilst training Society members to be successful in life. The Society currently has 365 members, including inducted members and pending but active members, according to Marcella Diaz, the Macon State chapter advisor of the NSLS. As a chapter, we strive to accomplish six steps of leadership: clarify your purpose, create a shared vision, challenge the status quo, inspire positive action, empower others and seek constant improvement, Diaz said in an email interview. Every semester we have three speaker events, Jennifer Simmons, president of the Macon State chapter of the NSLS, said in an email interview. Speaker events are held on the Macon Campus (Learning Support Auditorium) and Warner Robins Campus (Room 102 Administrative Services Building WRC2).

Dogs and Cats of Middle Georgia are in need of adoption

By: Kelly Geeslin JOUR 3131 Many dogs and cats in the Macon area are in need of adopting this spring, especially with the recent low adoption rates with several pet shelters and other adoption groups due to the economy. Springtime is normally a time when pet adoptions increase. Myshea Robinson, ARC Humane Society president, says that the economy of the last few years has taken its toll on the number of pet adoptions though. It has been horrible the last few years with the economy the way it is, Robinson said. Its been slower in the past year, Carol Lentz, treasurer of the Heart of Georgia Humane Society said. Right now because of the economy, there are more and more dogs. Its just slow right now, but a few more have been adopted in the last few weeks. Robinson said that there is also an increase in the number of puppies being born during the springtime. She said that springtime is also the peak of parvo season, a time when dogs and especially puppies can become seriously ill if not properly vaccinated, so it is important that pets are given the proper shots and vaccinations. The ARC Humane Society (not affiliated with the United States Humane Society) is one of several local pet adoption groups that make sure that all pets taken in are given all of the proper shots and vaccinations as well as being spayed or neutered. Once we can rescue and pull them from high kill shelters, they go to the vet and are spayed or neutered, get shots, and heartworm tested, Robinson said. If they have any kind of behavioral or aggression problems, we work with them until they are better. Several other such adoption groups bring some of their pets out to Petsmart on Saturdays or Sundays for the public to see. Save A Pet, FURever Friends, the Barnesville Animal Shelter, and Manes and Danes out of Savannah are several groups that also do pet adoptions and sometimes work along with the Heart of Georgia Humane Society, All About Animals, and the ARC Humane Society. The ARC Humane Society, a relatively new group, has a cat shelter on Pio Nono Ave while the dogs are kept in foster homes in order to ensure that they are thoroughly socialized. ARC Humane Society had adoption fees of about $150 to help cover the vet costs. All About Animals has an adoption fee of about $125, which includes similar services for the pets such as spaying, neutering, shots, and six months of Heart Guard. The Heart of Georgia Humane Society has a comparable adoption fee of around $150 for dogs only. When asked what the most important quality for a pet owner is, groups unanimously said that they adopt for companionship and make it a lifelong commitment. When you adopt one, you save the life of two. Because when you adopt one, it opens up another spot for another one to be saved, Robinson said.
Photos by Kelly Geeslin

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ON CAMPUS
Glenda McGriff, Custodian Glenda McGriff has worked with Macon State for six and a half years. Her job consists of the upkeep to the Professional Sciences and the Jones buildings, including the restrooms, making sure the rooms are ready and presentable, as she put it, for conferences and workshops that will take place in the PSC building, mopping, cleaning the warming kitchen in the PSC building, as well as emptying the trash cans. Pretty much, I multitask during the day, McGriff said. Im doing a little bit of this and that, anything that needs to be done as far as whats still here, or an office needs something [I] check so I multitask during the day. McGriff said that as far as her hobbies go, she simply looks forward to the weekends, when she can relax with her family, and she enjoys cooking during the holidays. She likes learning new recipes. When asked what she has always wanted to do, McGriff replied: I want to just be the best person that I can be. Im a merciful person, Im always a caring, a helpful person, McGriff McGriff also mentioned she wants to make a difference in life. When things get a little overwhelming, and I have someone to come up to me and tell me how they appreciate what I do, well that makes a big difference, McGriff said when asked about what she likes about her job and working at MSC. When I work, I work with a passion; I take my work seriously, she added. I thank Macon State for allowing me to be a part of the upkeep of the campus, McGriff said when asked if she had any other comments. Im very thankful that Im making a difference also. Im one thats making a difference. Derrick Catlett, Head Arborist Derrick Catlett has worked at Macon State for six years come fall. His job consists of tree and shrub management and tree inventory with a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) inventory, which he describes as a GPS with database collection behind it. Catlett oversees the irrigation system and chemical applications (fertilizer, insecticides, herbicides, etc.). Catlett also does most of the updates on the Waddell Barnes Botanical Gardens website. I like listening to good music. I love camping. I have a canoe, and a pontoon boat and a fishing boat, so its safe to say I like being on the water, Catlett said when asked what his hobbies were. Other than that, I hang out with my wife and my pets,

April 11, 2011

Behind the scenes at Macon State: How does Macon State stay so pretty?
By Allison L. Boutwell Staff Writer Behind the scenes at Macon State: How does Macon State stay so pretty? Have you ever wondered how Macon State always seems to look so good, inside and out? Its almost like little fairies keep the restrooms and halls clean during the day and do lawn maintenance at night. I interviewed two of these

Derrick Catlett

little fairies, or staff members, at Macon State, about their jobs and about themselves.

(and) do a little gardening in my yard. Catlett did mention, however that he is a workaholic. Travel the world, see the worldI havent been over the Mississippi River. So yeah, going over the Mississippi River has always been a real good goal, Catlett said about what hes always wanted to do. If I go that far, then Im probably going to make it to the Grand Canyon and the Redwood Forest, all in one. Im just going to do a loop. Maybe end up skiing in Denver in the end, fly home. When asked what Catlett likes about his job and working at MSC he responded rather quickly: Couldnt ask for a better job, being outdoors and the fruits of your labor to see the beautiful landscape, that says a lot in itself, Catlett said. Catlett said that people may stop and talk about the plants if they see him.

Ready, Set, Go
Staff Reports Ready, Set, Go, a conference to help new teacher education graduates get ready for their first day in the classroom, will take place from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, in the banquet hall of the PSC building. The one-day conference, sponsored by the Georgia Educator Support Alliance at MSC, is designed to be an action-filled day of practical information and experiences to help new education graduates prepare for a successful start to the school year as they begin their first teaching jobs. Jadun McCarthy, Bibb Countys Teacher of the Year and a finalist for state Teacher of the Year, will speak.

The conference is especially designed for graduates or soon-tobe graduates who have already been placed under contract for next school year and those expecting to be hired. The registration fee is $35 for Macon State teacher education graduates and $65 for teacher education graduates of other colleges or universities. The fee includes a light breakfast, lunch, and materials. Door prizes will be given. This conference is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Peyton Anderson Foundation. For more information and to register, contact Lisa Collins at Lcollins@ etcmcn.org or (478) 4715380.

Paul Roadarmel has a hobby that you dont hear about often: he juggles. Roadarmel said he was at a conference when he first became interested in juggling. A booth at the conference was giving away squishy balls, and Roadarmel picked some up. One of the people in the band at the conference knew how to juggle and showed Roadarmel. It was really kind of a spur of the moment thing, Roadarmel said. Roadarmel said that juggling is more of a hobby, something he does for himself right now, though he did juggle at the Bizarre Bazaar, a fundraising event of the Crossroads Writers Conference. It took a lot of stick-toit-iveness to actually learn

By Allison L. Boutwell Staff Writer

Interesting People: Paul Roadarmel

how; it took me about a solid week ofspending quite a bit of time working on it each day, Roadarmel said. Ive shown people the pattern, and people have picked it up in five minutes before it drives me crazy and Ive shown other people, and they still havent gotten it, so I think it comes down to a personal aptitude I think anyone can [learn to juggle] if theyre willing to put the time and effort into it. Roadarmel recommends using items that are heavier and items that will not bounce or roll away to learn with. The most dangerous its ever gotten has been dropping [pins] on my toes and hitting myself in the head, Roadarmel said; although he did mention a time when he broke the welding on a stairwell on the MSC Macon campus trying to

Paul Roadarmel

walk a slack line. Roadarmel mentioned that he would like to have street corner performances in downtown Macon on First Fridays, maybe with a friend who plays guitar.

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walks slowly, according to Chalfa. But these symptoms do not hinder her from living a fairly normal life. I thought it would be the end of the world, Chalfa said. She said her sons were two and five years old at the time. I Chalfa said that she first refused, but changed her mind and underwent chemotherapy to help her MS. She encourages anyone with MS to try chemotherapy. Chalfa said that since she has gone through chemotherapy, she does not need her walking cane much anymore. This past January I just finished two years of chemotherapy, Chalfa said. I am thrilled; I am in such good shape because of that chemo. Novantrone is the name of the drug, its a new drug approved by the FDA, and it heals a lot of the damage to your body done by the disease. According to Chalfa, her hobbies include reading, writing plays, watching and going to movies, playing with her dogs and communicating with her sons. I dont think of myself as a victim, at all, of anything, Chalfa said. I have a great life. I love teaching; I love my students; I have a phenomenal family. If I didnt have a great family and friends, I would never have done near as well with the disease as Ive done, because Ive got a great support network. Chalfa said that MS is simply a portion of her life and not who she is. It makes me very grateful for what Im able to do, Chalfa said when

April 25, 2011

11

Allison L. Boutwell Staff Writer Sydney H. Chalfa, associate professor of theatre, was diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (MS) 27 years ago. Chalfa has been teaching at Macon State for 21 years. MS is a disease where the body attacks itself, and it attacks the lining of the nerves, Chalfa said. [Relapsing-Remitting MS is] when youre first diagnosed, you have reached a certain level of damage to the body, and then youre supposed to have episodes of symptoms. Although she has not had an episode in a couple of years, Chalfa said she has weakness in her legs from the early damage of the disease. Two major obstacles of having MS are a lack of energy and she By Jacqueline Hunsicker JOUR 3131 Macon State Communication Information Technology (CIT) graduate Amanda Meadows uses degree skills in running her own bakery. Meadows owns and operates her bakery Amandas Cakery in downtown Macon. Meadows was busy in the back of her bakery, bringing out the fresh cupcakes for the day. Despite being the owner, she was working directly with her staff with flour caked on her hat. Meadows had no initial plan after college or a degree choice. Like many students she went

Multiple Sclerosis doesnt stop this professor

Photo by Allison L. Boutwell

made up my mind at the time I was diagnosed that I would do everything possible to keep [MS] from being what my life was about.

Sydney H. Chalfa

You can have something like MS and not have to stop livingYou are not the disease.

-Sydney H. Chalfa

asked how MS has affected her life as a teacher. It makes me very grateful for the people I work with.

I love my studentsmy students keep me young and it makes me appreciate people so much more because the students are so accommodating when they sense that I need it, that I need help, and I appreciate that. I cant tell you what its taught me about appreciating people, and I mean that sincerely. Chalfa said that having MS has also taught her that she needs to be organized, to appreciate her students, to appreciate people and to appreciate other peoples needs and abilities. I dont want to be corny, Chalfa said. But the best medicine for living with something like this is to be happy. Have people around you who are supportive; have people around you who make you laugh; have people that you can depend on and be happy!

Information Technology and cupcakes prove a success for graduate

from degree to degree, trying to find something that fit. Finally deciding to join her friends, she chose the CIT major and took off from there. While a student, Meadows worked at the local Backburner Grill and Locos to pay her tuition. After graduation she had no plans on where she wanted to take her degree. Answering an expired ad for a bakers assistant, for which she was initially turned down, she persisted enough and was given the job. On her first day, was literally rocking all over the counter and almost fell a couple of times. She has come a long way since then. MSC education major, Lauren Fox, said, These are amazing! regarding Amandas cupcakes. Though her newfound skills for baking have brought her a successful business, they were not without the help of her CIT degree. Photo courtesy of Lundizign Yes, the skills helped Amanda Meadows me a lot, especially with the logo creation however, it was clear she in Adobe Illustrator. And did not receive a degree I created and manage the in confections. Meadows website. It really helped recalls, The mixing bowl

thinking about usability and how to use your white space, those things you learn in CIT classes, Meadows said, explaining how she was grateful for the skills she had learned. Having a successful CIT graduate here in Macon can be an inspiration to all those in the field. Meadows had a few words for current students: There are a lot of people in the program and its broad enough that youre not limited to only a few careers. Its wide enough that you can make it your own. And her favorite part of the CIT program? My favorite part was definitely the humanities faculty and staff. They rock!

Photo courtesy of Amandas Cakery

Photo courtesy of Lundizign

Photo courtesy of Amandas Cakery

Photo courtesy of Amandas Cakery

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collection schedule. Normally we collect these samples every four weeks, Hardeman said. Well continue at the every-two-weeks frequency until were convinced we are seeing no more of this material. Hardeman said that iodine-131 travelled to Georgia through atmospheric transport (by wind currents), and it has been found in air and rain. Iodine-131 occurs in rain due to it being rained out: when radiation is in the air the rain absorbs it as it falls, just like rain pulls soot down out of the air when there is a fire, Hardeman said. I have heard the radiation was detected in the western side of the U.S, but I had not heard about it being detected in Georgia, Patrick Goodman, a freshman mathematics education major said. The news is talking a lot about how it is affecting Japan and some countries nearest Japan, which is very good. It would just be nice to know about radiation in Georgia. Radiation has been found in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Nevada, among other states, according to an article in the Citizen Times, an Asheville, N.C. newspaper. Absolutely nothing happens; you just eat it, Lee Cox, chief of the Radiation Protection Section of North Carolina said when asked what happens when people eat or drink radiation. In fact Im drinking water now and had milk this morning. Cox said North Carolina has seen iodine-131 in air, precipitation, milk and vegetation, but it occurs in such low levels that it will not cause any health concerns.

April 25, 2011

Radiation from the nuclear crisis in Japan resulting from the recent tsunami has been detected in Georgia at very low levels that will not affect Georgia residents. We have routine radiation monitoring networks, Environmental Radiation Program Manager for Georgia, Jim Hardeman, said. When we collected samples two weeks ago from around Plant Hatch and Plant Vogtle we saw [radiation] in very, very small quantities of iodine-131 in air and water. Hardeman also said that radiation was detected at Plant Farley in Ala., which lies about 100 yards from the Georgia state line. However, Hardeman also said that the radiation will have no impact. We accelerated our sample

By Allison L. Boutwell JOUR 3131

Radiation in Georgia: Should Georgians be concerned?

Photo courtesy of Metro Creative Connection

[We] would not be surprised to see other isotopes, such as cesium-137, -134, and other typical fission products from this type of nuclear incident, Cox said. According to USA.gov, the FDA deems that the U.S. food supply is not at risk as of April 7.

By Kaleb Clark Sports Editor

Students statements about The Macon Statement

and establish more steady columns with various topics. According to the surveys, students want to read more about: sports, upcoming events, campus activities, articles that address pop culture, critical situations and changes that directly affect students and articles about students and professors accomplishments. When asked whether students would rather read news articles online or printed, the results were that 60 percent of students preferred online because of easier access, while 40 percent preferred to read printed news, so that they could save articles to read later. A majority of students stated that they read The Macon Statement to find out what is going on at Macon State College. The purpose of the surveys was so that the staff of The Macon Statement can write articles that our readers want to read about, and to address the problems our readers currently had with the paper. In addition, the goal was to increase readership of the student funded paper. Students are always welcome to share their views and opinions about The Macon Statement. Feel free to email letters to editor@maconstatement. com.

The Macon Statement randomly distributed surveys to students on campus in order to gain more of an insight on its readers views and opinions. Critics of The Macon Statement said that the paper needed to: stop slanting articles and be more critical of the school and its policies, write more about upcoming events

Photo courtesy of Metro Creative Connection

Practical ways to save at the pump

By Shanna Dixon JOUR 3131 High High gas prices have arrived; averaging $3.79 a gallon nationally, but theres no need to let nailbiting prices keep you home. With the following practical tips you can increase fuel efficiency, manage your driving habits more effectively and save on fuel cost. According to Brian McCullough, an auto mechanic technician and co-owner of B&B Repair Center in Warner Robins, maintenance plays an important role in improving fuel efficiency. As far as vehicle maintenance goes, its important to change the oil filter every three months or 3,000 miles, set the tire pressure to vehicle specs and check it monthly, and to have air filters checked with every oil change. Getting tune-ups at manufacturers specified mileage helps conserve gas too, McCullough said. Improving gas mileage does not stop with vehicle maintenance. According to the Environmental Protection Agencies website, the way you drive significantly impacts gas mileage. Drivers can improve fuel efficiency up to 25 percent by driving within the speed limit. Also, using overdrive at cruising speeds reduces the load on the engine resulting in decreased fuel consumption. Finally, idling is wasteful. When you expect to idle for two minutes or more, turn off their gas mileage seriously. Felicia Hudson, a sophomore majoring in business and information technology, drives 45 miles to class each day. But she manages to spend an average of $50 per week on fuel. Hudson shared how managing and consolidating driving tasks helps save fuel costs. I try to do all my errands in one day, a day that I know Im going to be in Macon for a while, Hudson said. Also, I try to buy gas only in Macon because in my hometown gas is 10 to 15 cents more per gallon. There are several online resources geared to helping drivers make fuelconscious choices. Monitoring gas mileage allows drivers to spot discrepancies that may require automotive maintenance. The website, fuelly.com, provides users a social networking resource to track, share and compare gas mileage with other members. They also offer an application for smartphones so users can input data at the pump. To find the lowest gas prices locally, gasbuddy.com offers a database of current gas prices. Their free website relies on the input of users across the nation and the data is removed after 72 hours to ensure all input is recent.

Photo courtesy of Metro Creative Connection

the engine. Many students at Macon State that commute from surrounding counties take lowering