THE TALON
A grip on news in the Huntingdon College family
September 18, 2017
Send us your news at news@hawks.huntingdon.edu
What’s New?
Huntingdon again named a “Best Value”
Huntingdon ranks in the number eight spot among “Best Values” in southern regional colleges, according to U.S. News and World Report’s 2018 edition, released September 12. This is a climb from the number 10 spot in last year’s edition. The College also ranks among the top tier of regional colleges in the South. Huntingdon was recognized in recent weeks among colleges providing the best opportunities for travel/study and among colleges most likely to place students in graduate programs after graduation.
Join us for Homecoming/Family Weekend
“The Tie that Binds” is the theme of this year’s Homecoming/Family Weekend celebration, October 6–7. Alumni can find more information on the Homecoming page, while parents and families should check the Family Weekend page. Sign up now!
Majestic Organ
Dr. James Conely, adjunct instructor of piano and organ, will present a concert of organ music on the College’s Bellingrath Memorial Organ in Ligon Chapel, Flowers Hall, Tuesday, September 19, at 7:00 p.m. Music by Claude Murphree, Felix Mendelssohn, Albert Alain, Camille Saint-Saens, and Noel Goemanne will be included. The concert is free and open to the public.
Resources for your success
Students, if you’re feeling the pressure of first tests, first grades, being away from home, relationship problems, storms … let’s talk. At Huntingdon, your success is the focus of everything we do. Here are some resources you may not have thought about, as well as people who are eager to be listening ears and encouragers. Just tell us what you need!
- The Staton Center for Learning Enrichment, in Miriam Jackson Home, provides free tutoring in a variety of subjects, as well as writing assistance and advice for addressing other learning challenges. Stop in anytime during weekdays. Evening tutoring sessions are also available. See Maryann Beck or Vaughan Dickson.
- The Office of Counseling Services, also in Jackson Home, welcomes appointments. See Kelley Rehm to request an appointment.
- Campus Ministries, in Jackson basement, has places for you to unwind, comforting ears for listening, and lots of ways to worship and explore the Word. Tuesday Night Worship is offered weekly in Drum Theater at 8:00 p.m.; Chapel Services weekly on Wednesdays at 11:45 in Rodgers Chapel; and at least five study/discussion groups. See Chaplain Rhett Butler ’13.
- Feeling a little left outside the circle? Not knowing how to get involved? The Office of Student Affairs, in the Hut, will plug you right in! See Kathleen Penney or Ansley Markwell to learn about clubs and organizations that might interest you; Staci-Jo Palek to learn about campus recreation and intramurals; Da’Monta Wiggins to get involved in community service. The absolute worst thing you can do if you’re feeling lonely or homesick is to sit in your room and brood about it. Get out, get involved, stretch yourself, and meet some new friends!
- Roommate problems? Start by discussing the problem with your roommate. If that doesn’t work, talk with your Resident Assistant or your Resident Director. If none of those discussions resolve the issue, talk with Craig Shore, assistant dean of students. Nothing is hopeless. Sometimes moving is the only solution, and Res Life is there to help you.
- Feeling left behind in a class? Start by talking with your teacher. Huntingdon faculty love to help students toward success! S/he may refer you to the Staton Center or other resources. Faculty love to know you’re interested in succeeding, welcome your feedback in class, and often go out of their way to help in every way they can. Don’t let the problem snowball until mid-term. Get help now.
- Wondering about getting a part-time job? Planning for a future internship or externship? See Sherry Leigh Lacey in the Center for Career and Vocation, inside the Office of College and Alumni Relations, 2nd floor Flowers.
- If you need to request ability assistance for learning, mobility, or other issues, see the Ability First Resource Center: Dr. Lisa Dorman or Mark White ’17 are your resources for success. They’re located in the Weil Center, Cloverdale Campus.
- If you have an issue and aren’t sure where to turn or whom to approach, there are countless people at Huntingdon who are eager to help. Stop by my office in Flowers 103 and I’ll point you in a direction, as will Dean of Students Fran Taylor in the Hut, or Anthony Leigh in the Alumni Office, or Sandy Kelser in the President’s Office, or Kim Kirkland in the Provost’s Office … and any number of other friendly faces. We all love our Hawks!
Because we CARE
Huntingdon Student Affairs has introduced a team-approach to identifying and addressing at-risk behaviors among students. If you know of students who are exhibiting behaviors that concern you, faculty and staff may complete this form and students may complete this form to inform members of the College CARE Team confidentially. Behaviors that are of concern can include: anxiety; depression; self-harm; frequent class absence; not turning in assignments; drinking or other substance abuse; anger issues; depression; social isolationism; hopelessness; teasing or bullying; impulsive or rash behaviors; excited or irrational speech; delusional or paranoid speech; suicidal ideation; eating disorders; grief/serious loss; odd or strange behavior; constant frustration; direct or vague threats to harm others; yelling or disrespectful actions; sexual aggression or harassment; stalking; and other concerns. CARE Team members are Dean of Students Fran Taylor, Assistant Dean of Students Craig Shore, Staton Center director Maryann Beck, Counseling Services director Kelley Rehm, and other staff and faculty resources as necessary.
Time to prepare for Mid-Terms!
The end of the Mid-Term Grading Period is Friday, October 6, just under three weeks away. Now is the time to prepare! The Staton Center for Learning Enrichment offers free evening tutoring sessions, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., as follows:
- Mondays: BADM311 in CL118; CHEM105 in CL121; ECON201 in CL120; REL105 in CL119; writing and general help in CL116
- Tuesdays: MATH155 in CL116; MATH171 in CL119; MATH175 in CL120; MATH176 in CL121; general help in CL118
- Wednesdays: Biology or Chemistry (any class) in CL118; CHEM105 in CL121; MATH255 in CL120; REL105 in CL119; general help in CL116
Community and Cultural Events
There’s always something going on at Huntingdon—whether in athletics, student life, academics or the arts. We’ve gathered some of the events of interest to the public and published them on a Community and Cultural Events page on the website. Check this page often as new events are added frequently. All events are free and open to the public.
A new app will keep you in touch
And speaking of events, the Office of Student Affairs has launched an app to keep you in touch with events and opportunities in student life and around campus. If you downloaded this app as part of summer orientation, you don’t need to download it again—you’ll just find more information on it now. If you’re a returning student, go to your App Store or Google Play Store. Search for “Huntingdon Connect.” Download the app. Sign up and register using your Hawk email address. You’ll receive an email from Involvio to verify your email address. Verify, and then begin to use the app. (It’s called HawkWings once you download it.) The app will provide you with information about events as well as a connection to Self Service and other features.
Celebrate Constitution Day
To celebrate U.S. Constitution Day, Houghton Library will hand out pocket Constitutions and will post on its social media accounts some interesting connections between Harry Potter and the Constitution. The library will also post a daily question on one of their white boards and encourage folks to take a moment while in the Library to respond with their thoughts. A Constitution LibGuide will be published on the Library’s web site, including a wide range of resources on the Constitution as well as resources related to September 11.
Faith and Fine Arts
The Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church Tourism Ministry will host “Faith and Fine Arts,” a mural-painting discussion featuring the church mural’s principal artist, John W. Feagin, Monday, September 18, at 6:00 p.m. at the church, 454 Dexter Avenue. The civil rights mural is an important highlight for worldwide visitors who tour the church as part of a tour of historic locations related to the civil rights movement. There is no cost to attend.
Call for papers—Social Justice Mini-Conference
Houghton Library will host an academic mini-conference on the topic of Social Justice, October 30 and November 1 and 3, 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in Stallworth Dining Room. The library welcomes proposals for paper, poster, and panel presentations, as well as creative advertisements for the mini-conference. See Paige Crumbley for more details or go to libguides.huntingdon.edu/SPEW. The deadline for submission is September 25.
NetVUE Grant supports PACT lecture
The College will welcome Dr. William Cavanaugh, a professor of political theology, economic ethics, and ecclesiology at Duke University, as a guest lecturer for PACT (Practicing the Art of Critical Thinking) and other College audiences, Thursday, October 5, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. in Smith Recital Hall. He will speak on the topic: “You Can’t Be Anything You Want (And It’s a Good Thing, Too). He will also serve as the featured speaker for a breakfast roundtable discussion the following morning. Cavanaugh’s appearance is funded by a grant from NetVUE, the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education, an arm of the Council on Independent Colleges funded by the Lilly Foundation.
Upcoming CCV (Center for Career and Vocation) Events:
- In-Service Friday 9/29, 7:45-8:45 a.m., Stallworth Dining Room; HC Central Perk: a coffee (and scones) networking event for students to learn how to network and to practice networking with alumni and friends of the College! (Students: you must RSVP to attend.)
- Wednesday, 10/4, 3:00-5:00 p.m., Faulkner University Multiplex (not a Faulkner event); Alabama Connection Graduate School Expo: graduate school fair with up to 60 graduate and professional schools from all over the US in one location.
- Friday, 10/13, all day; Field Trip to Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Forum: opportunity for pre-law students to travel to Atlanta, attend information sessions, and meet with representatives from law schools from all over the nation. Only 10 spots available—first come, first serve.
Announcements
- The Montgomery Education Foundation invites the Huntingdon College family to join them at the next WE C.A.N. Network Night. Network Night brings together educators, principals, business owners, service providers and the community to work together for Montgomery’s kids. This volunteer opportunity connects you with local schools and churches and provides opportunities to mentor kids. Community Congregational Church Network Night is Tuesday, September 19, from 5:15 to 8:00 pm at Community Congregational Church. If you’re interested, contact Da’Monta Wiggins in The Hut.
- Students: TODAY is the last day to sign up for the free workshop, “Coping with Stress and Anxiety,” to be held Thursday, September 21, 12:20 to 1:50 p.m., in Jackson Home 112. Lunch will be provided. The workshop is limited to ten students. Note that this is not group counseling—any student can benefit from learning these strategies.
- Although only those who have lived through homelessness can fully grasp the desperateness of that existence, the Office of Campus Ministries and the Office of Community Service are teaming to give students a glimpse of the homeless plight with Sleep-Out for the Homeless, Thursday, September 21, 9:00 p.m. to midnight, on the Green. See Da’Monta Wiggins or Chaplain Rhett Butler to learn more.
- DEADLINE: the last day to withdraw from a course without grade penalty and receive a “W” on your transcript is Friday, September 22.
- In-Service Days are coming up September 22 and 29; October 20 and 27; and November 10. No classes; offices open.
- The Department of Biology is taking students to the beach! But first, you have to sift through some fish and other critters at Dauphin Island Sea Lab. The trip is September 30–October 1. The deadline for sign-up has passed, but see Dr. Paul Gier to find out if there’s any wiggle room in the numbers.
- The chance to get a closer look at graduate schools is coming soon with the Alabama Connection Graduate and Professional School Expo, Wednesday, October 4, 2:00–5:00 p.m. This year’s fair, held annually by a consortium of Alabama colleges of which Huntingdon is a member, will take place at the Faulkner University Multiplex. It’s free.
- Phi Mu, Theta Kappa chapter, will host their third annual Golf Tournament, Sunday, October 15, at Montgomery Country Club. Money raised goes to their philanthropy, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. To sign up or sponsor the tournament, contact Kirstin Wood at kirstin.wood@hawks.huntingdon.edu.
- What value is a liberal arts education? Frankly, it’s invaluable. Here’s an article from the Harvard Business Review citing three new books that point to the need for broad-based education even (or maybe especially) in our technological world.
Fall Sport Athletic Schedules
Huntingdon Headliners
- Lady Hawks Soccer got off to a red-hot start this season—the first time in the NCAA era the team has started 3-0. Congratulations, Lady Hawks (who are now 6-1)!
- Huntingdon’s Ability Sport Network offered Adapted Sports Training earlier this month, providing CEUs for educators, who learned from the hands-on experience with specialized equipment, skills, and teaching/coaching techniques presented.
- Vinson Bradley ’10, director of the Evening Bachelor’s Degree program, is serving on the board of directors for the United Way Campaign in Baldwin County, Alabama. He also served on a roundtable discussion of “Creating a Seamless Transition from Two-Year to Four-Year Institutions,” part of Lawson State Community College’s third annual economics seminar, “Forging Partnerships for Developing World Class Business, Economics Professionals, and Entrepreneurs.”
- Clarke Berry ’17 was recognized for his exceptional service as an intern with the Alabama Wildlife Federation last spring, where he researched aquatic life and worked with day camps that visited AWF. Subsequently, he was honored as the Alabama Association of Colleges and Employers Intern of the Year, which carried a cash award. His internship also led to full-time employment at AWF’s Alabama Nature Center, where he continues his research, provides animal care, and serves as a camp counselor.
- Trevor Berry ’20 just returned from Basic and AIT for the Alabama National Guard after classes began for the fall semester. Great to have you back, Trevor!
- Jenny Burnash ’13 sends greetings from Loganville, Georgia, where she is stationed in the military.
- Paige Crumbley ’14, fearless champion of access services and all things Hogwarts for the library, was instrumental in coordinating and providing for last month’s viewing of the solar eclipse. We inadvertently left her off the thank-you list.
- Alicia Gauker ’17 has taken a position as an admission counselor with Berry College in Rome, Georgia.
- Meredith Harrison ’19 was named USA South Women’s Soccer Player of the Week September 4 after scoring three goals in the team’s 6-0 win over Centenary and scoring the only goal in the team’s win over Millsaps.
- Kylie Kersch ’21 was named USA South Women’s Soccer Rookie of the Week September 4. She recorded two shut-outs in her first two collegiate starts at keeper, with two saves against Centenary and two saves against Millsaps.
- Congratulations to the Reverend Emily Dueitt Kincaid ’06 and her husband, Brian, on their birth of daughter Martha Madison, September 14. Martha has an older sibling, Ruth. Emily serves as executive minister at Orange Beach United Methodist Church.
- The Reverend Samantha Lewis ’07 has moved to Mountain View, California, where she serves as minister of young adults for Los Altos United Methodist Church.
- Congratulations to Erika Mebius ’14 and Tyler Campbell ’15, who were married August 26, 2017.
- Jessica Beebout Naccari ’08 and her family live in Birmingham, where she serves as the owner and as a life coach for The Mothering Tree, supporting mothers of young children with courses, coaching, and an online community. Jessica completed her Master of Liberal Arts degree at Auburn-Montgomery in 2016.
- Adjunct instructor of sport science Dr. Michele Scharff Olson ’86 is quoted in the article, “The Case for Calmer, Less Intense Workouts,” in Shape Magazine online, published September 14.
- Associate provost Dr. Tom Perrin, associate professor of English, is the author of “Edited for the Old Lady in Dubuque: The Middlebrow Literature of the Midwest,” in The Midwestern Moment: The Forgotten World of Early Twentieth-Century Midwestern Regionalism, vol. 1 of Rediscovering the American Midwest, 3 vols., ed. Jon Lauck (Hastings, NE: Hastings College Press, 2017).
- Otis Porter ’19 was named USA South Football Offensive Player of the Week September 4 for his performance in the Hawks’ contest with Guilford College. He led the Hawks with seven receptions for 153 yards and a touchdown. He also made key plays to assist in two other scores.
- The Montgomery Advertiser posted a video story and an online story about Anissa Ruiz ’21, whose family home in Houston was flooded during Hurricane Harvey. A member of the women’s soccer team, her teammates have surrounded her with love and care during the fragile first few weeks of classes.
- Dana (Rebekah) Redden Sewell ’11 completed her Master of International Affairs at Texas A&M University in 2014 and graduated from basic training for the US Border Patrol Academy in 2016.
- Dr. Joseph Sewell ’09 is an internal medicine physician for Druid City Hospital in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
- Kelly Dasinger Sitkin ’89 has been named chief advancement officer for the American Brain Tumor Association. She lives in Wisconsin, where she has served as the assistant director of the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, managing development and external relations. ABTA is located in Chicago.
- Huntingdon welcomes Ms. Anna Sizemore as site coordinator at the Evening Bachelor’s Degree site at Bevill State Community College. She takes over for Justin Evans, who is moving into an operational role with the program as assistant to the director of Evening Studies and assistant to the Academic Department Chair.
- Linell Tarver ’21 was named USA South Football Defensive Rookie of the Week September 4 for the impact he made in his first collegiate game as the Hawks fought hard to beat Guilford College. He was the Hawks’ second leading tackler, with nine stops.
- The Office of College and Alumni Relations sends love and hugs to Alice Thomason Walkup ’39 on the occasion of her 100th birthday! Friends and family gathered September 3 to celebrate this grand milestone.
- Shara Nicole White ’16 married Johnny Leon Burgans in September. She is a graduate student in early childhood education at AUM.
- Baylee Wood ’17 lives in Maryville, Tennessee, where she is interning with Eagle Rock Camp, a Christian non-profit. She says, “I love doing ministry here!”
- Thank you to the men’s and women’s basketball teams and members of the Student Affairs staff, who served for Breakfast for Babies, a March of Dimes fundraiser, September 15.
Sympathy and Prayers
- Our sympathies are extended to Dylan Powell on the death of his grandfather.
- Our thoughts and prayers are with Xavier Singleton ’14 and his fiance, Jessica Jackson. Jessica survived a terrible car accident near Letohatchee, Alabama, last month. Four others were killed in the three-vehicle crash. We pray for recovery and healing.
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