Georgia Southern University

A group of incoming Georgia Southern University freshman begin college before classes start, by gaining leadership experience giving back to the Statesboro community. The two-week volunteer project is designed to help them learn about their new college and their new home. During BUILD (Building Undergraduate Involvement and Leadership Development), the 80 students selected took part in constructing a Habitat for Humanity house, repair work at the Kiwanis fairgrounds in Bulloch County, as well as a number of home repairs through the Kingdom Builders Organization. "At Georgia Southern University, we have a culture of service to others," said University Assistant Director of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement Jodi Middleton. "We teach our students that an important part of leadership is taking the time to help those who need it. By giving this group of students the opportunity to serve the community before they even begin classes, we are instilling in them what we hope will be a lifelong love of volunteerism." Freshman chosen to participate were selected for their leadership potential. Georgia Southern University students logged a total of 26,000 service hours during the 2010-2011 academic year. The Office of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement offers opportunities to serve throughout the academic year, everything from working at nursing homes in Statesboro, to building trails in the Great Smokey Mountains, and helping orphanages in Honduras. While service to others in Statesboro is the focus of BUILD, the two-week event also helps ease freshman into the college experience. "The transition to college can be a challenge for anyone. Students who participate in BUILD have the advantage of living on the campus and making a new set of friends before school starts. They interact with professors and administrators. So, by the time class starts they truly feel like a part of the University and the Statesboro community," explained Middleton, "We've found that students who participate in BUILD have a much easier time with the first months of college and they are more likely to do well in their classes as a result." The following students from your area participated in BUILD:

A group of incoming Georgia Southern University freshman begin college before classes start, by gaining leadership experience giving back to the Statesboro community. The two-week volunteer project is designed to help them learn about their new college and their new home. During BUILD (Building Undergraduate Involvement and Leadership Development), the 80 students selected took part in constructing a Habitat for Humanity house, repair work at the Kiwanis fairgrounds in Bulloch County, as well as a number of home repairs through the Kingdom Builders Organization. "At Georgia Southern University, we have a culture of service to others," said University Assistant Director of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement Jodi Middleton. "We teach our students that an important part of leadership is taking the time to help those who need it. By giving this group of students the opportunity to serve the community before they even begin classes, we are instilling in them what we hope will be a lifelong love of volunteerism." Freshman chosen to participate were selected for their leadership potential. Georgia Southern University students logged a total of 26,000 service hours during the 2010-2011 academic year. The Office of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement offers opportunities to serve throughout the academic year, everything from working at nursing homes in Statesboro, to building trails in the Great Smokey Mountains, and helping orphanages in Honduras. While service to others in Statesboro is the focus of BUILD, the two-week event also helps ease freshman into the college experience. "The transition to college can be a challenge for anyone. Students who participate in BUILD have the advantage of living on the campus and making a new set of friends before school starts. They interact with professors and administrators. So, by the time class starts they truly feel like a part of the University and the Statesboro community," explained Middleton, "We've found that students who participate in BUILD have a much easier time with the first months of college and they are more likely to do well in their classes as a result." The following students from your area participated in BUILD:

Fifty-three outstanding high school seniors recently attended Georgia Southern University's second annual Southern Leadership Excellence Academics and Dedication (LEAD) Conference at its main campus in Statesboro, Ga. To be invited to the Southern LEAD Conference, students must score a minimum of 1100 on the SAT, earn a 3.0 grade point average in high school and have experience in leadership and involvement through extracurricular and volunteer experience. The participants examined student organizations, academic and student services offerings and interviewed for the Southern LEAD Scholarship. Throughout the day they attended leadership workshops, as well as toured the campus, residence halls and the Recreation Activity Center. The Southern LEAD Scholarship was established in 1999 and awards a $1,000 one-time award to 40 incoming students. LEAD scholarships are awarded to 40 students who meet the listed criteria, have experience in leadership and volunteerism, and have enthusiasm to become University leaders. The following students from your area attended the conference:

The Office of Admissions hosted Scholars' Day on April 1st. This event brought to campus around 127 of the brightest high school seniors from within Georgia as well as across the nation. The purpose of this event was for the invited students to interview for many academic scholarships, leadership scholarships and an envied spot in the University Honors Program. To be invited to the event students must have earned at least a 1200 SAT score (Math + Critical Reading only) or a 27 ACT score, and have demonstrated academic ability in the classroom. In addition to interviewing for scholarships, the students and their parents had a chance to attend many informative sessions about Georgia Southern University ranging from engineering to study abroad. The students also had the opportunity to take a picture with the University President, Brooks Keel. The following students from your area attended Scholar's Day:

Georgia Southern University's SOAR (Orientation) Team recently traveled to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to attend the Southern Regional Orientation Workshop (SROW) where they won several awards. SROW is a regional conference through the National Orientation Directors Association (NODA) attended by undergraduate orientation leaders, graduate students, and orientation professionals. Over 1700 people from 82 institutions across the southeast gathered at Louisiana State University to learn about other orientation programs, student leadership, teamwork, diversity and acceptance, student and family transition, and showcase school pride. For the last few months, the SOAR Team has been preparing to represent Georgia Southern at SROW and their hard work paid off.

Georgia Southern University has announced its 2011 Southern's Orientation, Advisement, and Registration (SOAR) Team. SOAR Leaders help orient new students and their families to Georgia Southern during the summer SOAR sessions by serving as role models for new students, helping them register for classes, preparing them for college level academics, and informing parents about Georgia Southern services. One-hundred and eight students applied for the coveted SOAR Leader position and twenty-four were selected based on their leadership potential, work ethic, and ability to represent the university.

Georgia Southern University recently recognized 157 students for excellence in academics on the 2010 Summer Semester Dean’s List. To be eligible for the Dean’s List, a student must have at least a 3.50 grade point average and carry a minimum of 12 hours for the semester. The University is proud of these high-achieving students from your area.

Several Georgia Southern University students recently learned the secrets of thriving in corporate America from entrepreneur Bill Rancic, the first winner of Donald Trump's reality TV competition, "The Apprentice." The Office of Student Leadership & Civic Engagement sponsored an essay contest giving students the opportunity to attend a special dinner with Rancic prior to his lecture at the University. Eight winners were selected from more than 20 essays submitted, in which students described how their undergraduate experiences at Georgia Southern would prepare them for a future career. "I am thrilled that the Office of Career Services brought a level of speaker that is the same caliber as the dynamic students we have at Georgia Southern University," said Dr. Teresa Thompson, Vice President of the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. "The opportunity for students to have dinner with Bill Rancic exemplifies our commitment to providing students with unique experiences such as individual conversations with a nationally recognized speaker." During his visit, Rancic shared tips for securing a job, recognizing and seizing opportunities and balancing high expectations with personal shortcomings. He is the author of The New York Times best-selling book, You're Hired: How to Succeed in Business and Life, and stars in a new reality show on A&E TV, "We Mean Business." Rancic also funds philanthropic causes through proceeds from his second book, Beyond the Lemonade Stand, which challenges readers to learn the value of money and leverage skills, talents and abilities at a young age. The eight winners include:

Nine outstanding Georgia Southern University students have been selected to participate in the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair Program). These newly named McNair Scholars will participate in the Summer Research Institute beginning this May. "Georgia Southern University has a history of attracting the best and brightest students; these nine students whose major's range from physics to accounting are no exception," said Carolyn Boles, assistant director of the McNair Program. The Summer Research Institute operates from May to July. Selected students are involved in scholarly research under the supervision of a faculty member in their major. Students are chosen based on their academic performance and interest in pursuing graduate education. Incentives include a stipend, for students who elect to participate. "These students have the curiosity, passion and dedication required to become leading researchers, educators, and visionaries in their chosen disciplines. I am excited to see what the future holds," said Boles. The following students from your area have been named 2009-2010 McNair Scholars:

Southern Ambassadors are enthusiastic, responsible students who proudly represent Georgia Southern University to the public by giving campus tours for prospective students and guests, hosting special recruiting events like Open House and Scholarship Weekends, attending high school college day programs and receptions, as well as assisting with various Alumni programs. The new team is made up of 50 outstanding student leaders from across the Georgia Southern Campus.