GMC News

Georgia Military College Columbus is pleased to recognize outstanding faculty for the 2012 school year. Dr. Jerry Hicks is the Columbus campus Educator of the Year, and Dr. Stephen Barber is the Columbus campus Character Educator of the Year. Ms. Lillian Wooldridge has been named the Columbus Adjunct Faculty of the Year for 2012. Dr. Hicks and Dr. Barber serve as subject advisors in their disciplines, and their impact on the Columbus campus can be seen every day. Dr. Hicks led the development of the Columbus campus’ advising program, which helps students focus on how to pick the best classes for their personal education plan. Dr. Hicks also teaches biology and environmental studies classes and labs, where he is known to push students to apply classroom concepts in real-life scenarios. Dr. Jerry Hicks Georgia Military College Columbus Director and Assistant Dean Ronnie Hundley says of Dr. Hicks, “The bottom line is that Dr. Hicks does what is right and in the best interest of all of GMC, and what he does is always exceptional.” Students agree that Dr. Hicks challenges students to be their best. “He is very direct with you, and also able to guide and encourage you,” Evette Walker, a pre-nursing student from Columbus says. “He looks out for your best interests. He lets me know what GPA I will need for the best colleges and what classes will help most.” Also a student advisor, Dr. Barber emphasizes character as he teaches history classes and chairs the campus Ethics Committee. The Ethics Committee is comprised of faculty and staff who seek to bring attention to ethics in student life, the classroom, and the curriculum. Dr. Stephen Barber “Dr. Barber, through active learning techniques, frequently forces his history students to grapple with, and respond to, the moral dilemmas that history has produced,” Hundley says. Julius Johnson of Columbus, a psychology major, is one of Dr. Barber’s advisees. Johnson says, “Dr. Barber’s class is fun because it is a mix of slides, lecture, and discussion, and he keeps class lively. As an advisor, he is really good about showing you the right classes for where you want to go. I feel like he is cool, laid-back, and understanding.” The same can be said for Ms. Wooldridge. Ms. Lillian Wooldridge Wooldridge works in the math department and is known as a professor who is willing to do all that she can to help students understand even the most difficult mathematical concepts. She does one-on-one tutoring – even on the weekends – and lets students phone her for homework help. Wooldridge expects students to work hard and come to class every day, but in return for their hard work, they will finally really understand math. Hundley says of Wooldridge, “[Students] understand what a gift she has been to them.” These educators will be recognized during the Georgia Military College Columbus Honors Convocation on May 29. GMC Columbus is planning a ground breaking ceremony for their new campus, to hold its first classes in January 2013. Some of the majors GMC Columbus offers are business administration, criminal justice, education, homeland security, pre-nursing, and psychology. Enrollment for the Summer 2012 term is currently underway. Visit www.gmc411.com for more details. For further information regarding this announcement: Melissa Voynich, Public Relations: mvoynich@gmc.cc.ga.us Main Lobby: 706-478-2688