It was along the banks of the mighty Volga River—a waterway that flows through much of Russia to the Caspian Sea—where Dr. Andrei Barkovskii learned to swim as a toddler. His father, “with an attentive eye,” simply dropped his son off the boat to see if he would tread water. Since then, Barkovskii and water have been in a love affair that has followed him from his childhood, growing up in the southwestern city of Saratov, Russia, to the red-clay shores of Lake Sinclair and science...
The old adage, bigger is always better, isn't true for incoming first-year student Erin Hilburn. The self-published author knew what she was looking for when she applied for colleges. "Georgia College won my heart with its endearing personality and intimate setting. I was excited to live and learn in a tightly-knit community with small, intellectual classes instead of cavernous lecture halls and a sweet, compact campus instead of a sprawling mass of impassive buildings." Georgia College's...
Dr. Stephanie Opperman is working on a cookbook that envelops her love of history and its connection with food—while easing the pangs of isolation during COVID-19. Called “Comfort Food,” the book is filled with 140 foods and beverages from Opperman’s family and friends. Recipes come from the halls of campus and streets of Milledgeville, as well as multiple states and one international site. The only criteria given was submitters had to have cooked the food before and liked it. “I...
As students were staying home and juggling last-minute coursework online last spring, senior music education major William Refuss of Fayetteville, Georgia, went a little further. He signed up to help test others for COVID-19. Refuss joined Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE), a nonprofit providing free coronavirus testing in the greater Atlanta area. Donned in full PPE—personal protection equipment—he helped test thousands of people in Alpharetta—which has the highest volume...
To see her now leading campus tours and serving as a leadership facilitator, you’d never guess rising junior Maya Whipple had a shy bone in her body. With her bubbly personality and creative nature, she thrives working with others. “Coming to college, I really wanted to explore a different side of myself. I wanted to become more outgoing, adventurous and open to trying new things,” said Whipple. “So I just decided to get involved with a lot of things that could help me grow.” She...
In May—with the coronavirus still raging throughout the world and people confined to home—one Georgia College class found a temporary reprieve through writing. Unable to physically travel to Ireland, Dr. Kerry Neville’s creative writing class learned they could explore in unexpected ways—traveling from memory or imagination, viewing their surroundings through fresh lenses. Students revisited past trips, created fantasy worlds and turned ordinary sites, like backyards and kitchens,...
Nicole Snyder has two passions—dance and chemistry. The Marietta-based incoming freshman started dancing at age four, and, through the years, she perfected her talent, performing as the Sugarplum Fairy in the Nutcracker and in competitive dance throughout Georgia. Snyder plans to major in chemistry and minor in dance at Georgia College. “From my very first dance class, I knew I was right where I belonged,” she said. “When I’m on stage, it’s as if the world completely melts away, and...
At the age of five, Zachary Wolff, ’20, developed a passion for automobiles. He recalls sitting in the backseat of his mother’s car, where he would peer out the window and name the makes and models of the cars driving by. As he grew older, he perused automotive manufacturers’ websites to read about specific models and what made them special. Now, he will use that knowledge and what he gained at Georgia College in a prestigious Fellowship at Clemson University. At Georgia College, Wolff...
Kayla Ashton Pritchett From: Grovetown, Georgia Why Georgia College? I chose Georgia College, because I loved the campus and city! Major: I am currently undecided in my major, but I'm contemplating Library Media. High school activities: I was involved in Varsity Volleyball, Beta Club and the National Honors Society. My biggest achievements were Girl Scouts, obtaining the Most Valuable Player award for three years in volleyball and being captain for two years. Girl Scouts award: My...
Georgia College Physics Professor Dr. Hasitha Mahabaduge has been named a 2020 Fellow of the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSoTL). He was one of nine educators—and the only U.S. applicant—to receive the prestigious lifetime award. “This is a very competitive international fellowship and a great honor. I think it speaks highly of both Dr. Mahabaduge’s hard work and Georgia College’s commitment to excellence in teaching and learning,” said Dr. Jordan...
