Andrew College News

CUTHBERT, GA (January 9, 2023) — Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) and Andrew College recently signed a Pathway Memorandum of Understanding that is designed to ensure a smooth transition from associate degree programs at Andrew to GSW’s Bachelor’s degree program in Long-Term Care Management (LTCM) program.

Through the Pathway Program agreement, all students interested in a career in Long-Term Care Management can continue online and/or in classroom settings. Andrew graduates who have completed the appropriate degree (Associate of Science in Nursing or Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy) that is required in the LTCM curriculum can take advantage of this opportunity.

“According to the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid there are currently 14 million people receiving some form of long-term care and that number is expected to double by 2050.  Our partnership with Georgia Southwestern will help contribute to the workforce needs for Southwest Georgia and beyond,” stated Andrew College President Linda R. Buchanan, Ph.D.

“We are excited to partner with Andrew College in educating the caregivers our aging and disabled communities desperately need,” said GSW President Neal Weaver, Ph.D. “We hope that in simplifying the transition from institution to institution, more students are encouraged to pursue long-term care as a career.”

“Our nation has a growing number of older adults and individuals with disabilities,” said GSW Associate Dean and Professor Leisa Easom, Ph.D. “The LTCM degree addresses the multi-disciplinary elements in education and training required in the preparation of our healthcare workforce today to meet the needs of these populations.”

Unique to the GSW campus is the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI) where the creation of this degree began. In prior years, Easom served as the RCI executive director and experienced firsthand how families across the nation are struggling to connect with community resources that would enable the disabled family member to remain in their home, navigate the health care system, and/or transition from hospital to home as well as residential settings.

Graduates with the LTCM degree will have the managerial, budgetary and communication skills critical to the health management field. The degree prepares graduates to assist patients and families to connect with community resources, transition from hospital to home, and manage the care of residents in an institutional setting.

Photo detail: seated L to R: Dr. Karan Pittman, Andrew College Academic Dean;  Dr. Linda R. Buchanan, Andrew College President; Dr. Neal Weaver, GSW President; Dr. Suzanne R. Smith, GSW Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs; standing L to R:  Kathryn Brown, Director of Respiratory Therapy, Assistant Professor of Respiratory Therapy; Amanda Knight, Coordinator of Program Development & Accreditation, Professor of English; Dr. Leisa Easom, GSW Associate Dean of College of Nursing and Health Sciences; Dr. Sandra Daniel, GSW Dean and Professor of College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

About Andrew College

Established in 1854, Andrew College is related to The United Methodist Church and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Situated in the rural southwest Georgia community of Cuthbert, Andrew College offers the Associate of Art, Associate of Science, Associate Degree in Nursing, Bachelor of Science and Certificates.

For more information about Andrew College, visit www.andrewcollege.edu.

About Georgia Southwestern State University

Georgia Southwestern State University, located in Americus, Ga., is a public, four-year unit of the University System of Georgia with more than 3,000 students. Georgia Southwestern offers outstanding professional programs of study as well as degrees in the arts, humanities, sciences and graduate programs in business, computer science, education, English, and nursing. Founded in 1906, Georgia Southwestern is recognized as one of the best value colleges in the South.

For more information about Georgia Southwestern State University, visit www.gsw.edu.

Photo by Heather Bradley, permission is granted to print.

Cuthbert, GA (November 3, 2022) – Andrew College Theatre is excited to announce the development of a new work for youth called Trickster Tales. This 40-minute show is appropriate for youth ranging in age from kindergarten through high school seniors but is primarily geared for Grades 2-6. In the performance, seven actors use improvisation, comedy, audience participation, and story theatre to explore the mythical “trickster” characters of the Maori, Native American mythology, West African tales, and Shakespeare.

Public performances will be in the Liddie Murphy Theatre in the Old Main Building at Andrew College on Thursday, November 17, Saturday, November 18, at 7:30 pm,  and Sunday, November 20, at 2:30 pm. Admission is free and open to the public. Professor Deborah Liss-Green plans to pursue grant funding to begin touring Tiger Troupe, with a focus on exploring world literature and bringing theatre to local schools.

A school matinee performance of Trickster Tales is planned for Friday, November 17, tentatively scheduled for 1:00 pm.   Interested schools and home school groups should contact the theatre program to reserve seats. Email: deborahlissgreen@andrewcollege.edu or call (229) 732-5968.

Photos detail: Cast members rehearse a scene from the upcoming production of Trickster Tales at Andrew College.

CUTHBERT, GA (OCTOBER 3, 2022)-Dr. Linda Buchanan, President of Andrew College, has announced her intent to retire at the end of this academic year, June 2023. Board Chair, George Flowers, on behalf of the board of Trustees of Andrew College, said, “We are grateful for Dr. Buchanan’s eight years of dedicated service to the College, the Community, and the Region. Under her leadership, Andrew has made great strides in both programs and facilities laying the groundwork for a bright future. In addition to her great efforts at the College, she has helped rejuvenate downtown Cuthbert through building refurbishment and renovation that have come back to life with college and community programs.”

Andrew College’s Board of Trustees has begun the search for its 30^th president and has selected the following to serve on the Presidential Search Committee:

Lois Murphy, Cuthbert Community Representative

Patricia Goodman, Cuthbert Community Representative; Incoming Board Member

Taliah Wesley, Student Body Representative

Jennifer Mitchell, Staff Member

Aaron Feyes, Staff Member

Amanda Knight, Faculty Member

Michelle Collins, Faculty Member

Kay Aderhold, Board Member and Vice Chair of the Presidential Search Committee

Bert Gregory, Board Member

Stuart Gulley, Board Member

Michelle Lee, Board Member

Gilbert Miller, Board Member

Maceo Rogers, Board Member

George Flowers, Board Member and Chair of the Presidential Search Committee

“I appreciate each member of this committee who bring experience, wisdom, and most importantly, a love for Andrew College. We are optimistic about Andrew’s future and look forward to finding the right person to lead the College forward,” said Chairman Flowers.

The Executive Committee of the Board has hired Dr. Kina Mallard, president of Leading Higher Ed and retired president of Reinhardt University, to lead the search process. Conversations will be held Monday, October 3 with faculty, staff, and the Cuthbert community to discuss the qualities and qualifications desired in the next President. Members of the community are encouraged to participate from 5:00-6:00 at the Maloof Building downtown.

Candidate interviews will be held between December and March with the announcement of the new president scheduled for the first of April. If you would like to nominate someone for President of Andrew College, please send your nomination to Kina Mallard, Search Consultant, at mallard@leadinghighered.com.

Cuthbert, Ga. –The Andrew College Theatre program is excited to be returning to live on-stage performance with a comedy for the holiday season: Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol. By adhering to live performance safety protocols, followed by professional theatres across the country, A.C.T. feels confident welcoming back an audience to the beautiful Liddie Murphy Theatre in Old Main for the first time in two years.  Performances are December 9-11 at 7:30 pm, with a 2:00 pm performance on December 12.

In this six-actor version of Dickens’s Christmas classic, the play retells the story from the perspective of Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge’s former business partner.  Marley is dead, of course, condemned to a hellish eternity.  He even has his own private tormentor:  a malicious little hell-sprite who thoroughly enjoys his work.  Desperate, Marley accepts his one chance to free himself by redeeming Scrooge.  What follows is a journey of laughter and terror, redemption and renewal, during which Scrooge’s heart is opened, but not before Marley—in this funny and deeply moving story—discovers his own.

But wait!  We have an additional twist. Acting out Marley’s tale of redemption is a troupe of young actors gathering on a Caribbean beach to explore the classic story’s message of “One Love, One Heart” in a uniquely island way!

Proof of vaccination (photo will be accepted) or Tiger Pass is required for admission, which is free of charge. Masks are required on the Andrew College campus. Donations of canned food will be collected for the Andrew Serves Program.

For additional information, please contact A.C.T. director, Deborah Liss-Green at 229.732.5968.

Cuthbert Ga.  – Andrew College today announced it has been awarded a Vibrant Communities grant by the Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA), a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Fifty-seven entities in 43 counties statewide received grants through the 2022 program. The funding will be used for Arts ‘Round the Square.  “Arts events supported by Vibrant Communities grants will help jumpstart tourism and bring communities together in all parts of Georgia,” said Georgia Council for the Arts Executive Director Tina Lilly. “As the effects of a worldwide pandemic are still being felt, we are especially happy to announce this funding to help support the work of our grantees as they reconnect and engage with Georgians of all ages.”

Georgia Council for the Arts received Vibrant Communities grant applications from schools, libraries, cities, historical societies, community theatres, Boys & Girls Clubs, and arts and other related organizations from across the state.  Andrew College president, Dr. Linda R. Buchanan is excited for the college to receive the grant and continue the Arts ‘Round the Square festival in downtown Cuthbert.  She commented, “we have this amazing opportunity through this grant to share visual arts, music, and theatre and continue our efforts to revitalize our community.”  Funding for Vibrant Communities grants is provided through appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly. Grant applications were reviewed by Peer Review Panels, which included fellow professionals who are experienced in the arts discipline or type of grant being reviewed, or are Georgia citizens with a record of involvement in arts activities, experience, and knowledge.  Georgia’s creative industries have a reported $62.5 billion impact on the economy, generating roughly $37 billion in revenue and accounting for about 200,000 jobs in the state.

 About Georgia Council of Arts
Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) is a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development whose mission is to cultivate the growth of vibrant, thriving Georgia communities through the arts. GCA provides grant funding, programs and services statewide that support the vital arts industry, preserve the state’s cultural heritage, increase tourism and nurture strong communities. Funding for Georgia Council for the Arts is provided by appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts. www.gaarts.org

 About GDEcD
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state’s sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, align workforce education and training with in-demand jobs, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a destination for arts and location for film, music and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development. www.georgia.org

Cuthbert, Ga.-In a continuing effort to bring families and children together to enjoy literacy activities, the Theatre and Elementary Education Programs at Andrew College will host a holiday-themed event during the annual Chamber of Commerce Sip N Shop on November 11.  The FAMiliar Faces Activity will take place at 5:00 PM on Thursday, Nov. 11 in the Square during the monthly Magnolia Alley Market coinciding with the Chamber’s event.  Families can shop downtown and gather with their elementary-aged children to enjoy costumed actors reading a Holiday story and helping children create an ornament.  FAMiliar Faces will bring new activities and performances to each Market.  For more information contact Deborah Liss-Green, Associate  Professor of Theatre by email at deborahlissgreen@andrewcollege.edu, or Dr. Lourdes H. Smith, Assistant Professor of Education at lourdessmith@andrewcollege.edu.

Cuthbert, Ga. – The 2021 Andrew College Homecoming celebration was held October 1-2. Friday night, the Andrew College Theatre department kicked off the festivities with a performance of “Cuthbert Speaks.” The play is based on the writings of Dr. Lela Phillips and Dr. Karan Pittman about historical figures from Cuthbert, Georgia. The outdoor performance was brought to life on the porch of the McDonald House with a reception following.
On Saturday, Andrew College hosted the annual Homecoming parade. Firetrucks, floats, area bands, vintage cars, and many organizations paraded from the college through the Cuthbert square. Serving as parade marshals were Andrew College alumni members Windy Blanks, ’71 and Renee Reid Carr, ’71. The classes of 1970 and 1971 were honored for their Golden Anniversaries. The class of 1971 gifted the College a framed short story written by Richard M. Whitney ’71 detailing the memories of their days together at Andrew. Mr. Whitney read the story aloud during the 50th & Golden Reunion luncheon on Saturday. There was also an alumni softball game held at Hord Field.
One of the weekend’s many highlights was honoring alumni, donors, and current/former faculty members and staff. Below is a list of the special recognitions.
o Staples Hall was named in memory of former faculty member Sarah Ann Staples by alumni and supporters.
o The Aderhold Division of Nursing signage was officially placed in honor of the generosity of Tom ’69 and Kay Musselwhite ’68 Aderhold.
o 80 Peachtree was named in memory of alumna and former staff member Mary Jane Langford Salter, ’68.
o The courtyard at 80 Peachtree was named in honor of Patricia Puckett Goodman, ’68.
o Classrooms were named for Amanda Knight, current faculty member; Julian and Annette Nichols, former faculty; Bobbie Liggett, former faculty; Jimmy and Crispin Gilbert, former faculty; Larry Brown, former administrator; in memory of Joy Hixon Taylor ’45; and honor of Ernie Wright ’77 and John Murphy ’77.
o The new green space on campus was named in memory of Mary Jane Langford Salter ’68, made possible by a gift from Ernie Wright ’77.
o Trees with granite markers were placed in honor of Eddie Davis, Vertis Rogers, and Wylene Tillman, and in memory of Buck Tillman and Mary Jane Langford Salter.
This year, alumni and friends receiving awards include Scott Curry ’98, of Shellman, Ga receiving the Alumni Achievement Award. The Young Alumni Awards went to Gabe Hillman ’02, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, and David Collings ’06, Carrollton, Ga. The Community Appreciation Award was presented to the Randolph County Health Department in honor of their continued dedication and service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CUTHBERT, GA. – In an effort to bring families and children together to enjoy literacy activities, the Theatre and Elementary Education Programs at Andrew College are excited to announce FAMiliar Faces as a new addition to the Magnolia Alley Market.  The first FAMiliar Faces Activity will take place at 11:30 am on Saturday, October 2nd in the Square during the monthly Magnolia Alley Market.  Families can shop at the Market and gather with their elementary-aged children to enjoy readings of the hilarious children’s poems of Shel Silverstein.  After the performance, families will be invited to join students of both programs in constructing a healthy and delicious snack.  If you would like more information about the program please contact Deborah Liss-Green, Associate  Professor of Theatre at deborahlissgreen@andrewcollege.edu, or Dr. Lourdes H. Smith, Assistant Professor of Education at lourdessmith@andrewcollege.edu.