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Spring at Georgia Southern University is more than a season—it’s a reflection of what we stand for. Growth. Momentum. Celebration. This month, we are seeing the fruits of our dedication in full bloom.
We’ve recently notified our Promotion, Tenure, and Successful Review awardees—remarkable faculty members whose excellence continues to shape the student experience and elevate our academic community. We’ll soon honor their achievements in ceremonies on both the Armstrong and Statesboro campuses. Please join us in applauding their commitment to research, instruction, and service. Their success is Georgia Southern’s success.
Speaking of celebration, I invite you to attend this year’s Georgia Southern Student Scholars Symposium (GS4), which will take place April 22 on the Armstrong Campus and April 24 on the Statesboro Campus. This is a chance to witness the incredible talent and scholarly contributions of our students—and I can’t think of a better way to show our support than to show up for them.
We’re also thrilled to welcome Paul Hunton as our GS4 keynote speaker. A four-time Emmy-winning documentary director and producer, Paul brings a powerful voice to the role media plays in understanding science, climate, and culture. His work—spanning film festivals, national broadcasts, and viral social platforms—has connected with audiences across the country. His YouTube series Global Weirding, co-created with renowned climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe, has educated and inspired millions. Paul’s presence on our campuses is a true honor.
Finally, I’m pleased to share that we’ve hired a program director to lead the launch of our new Physician Assistant program within the Waters College of Public Health. Byron Turkett, MPAS, PA-C, FCCM brings more than two decades of experience across clinical education, surgery, emergency medicine, and global health service. From his time as Founding Director at Carson-Newman to his work in Uganda building medical infrastructure for underserved communities, Byron embodies the mission of servant-leadership that defines Georgia Southern. His background also includes military service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, for which he was awarded the Bronze Star.
As we focus on supporting student success, I’m also happy to share an update from University Libraries. They’ve recently launched an updated library instruction form to better align with your course needs. Whether you’re requesting a tailored session or simply exploring what’s available, this form makes it easy to connect instructional goals with resources. For questions or support, please reach out to your liaison or contact Vivian Bynoe at vbynoe@georgiasouthern.edu. We appreciate the Libraries’ continued partnership in helping our university thrive.
Looking ahead, I want to remind you of an important update regarding our Learning Management System (LMS), Folio (D2L/Brightspace). As part of a system-wide initiative to improve performance and ensure a consistent, stable online learning environment, the University System of Georgia (USG) is implementing a new LMS Storage Policy. This update will limit stored course content to a five-year window, helping us align with best practices in digital resource management. Our colleagues in ITS have developed clear, user-friendly resources to help you preserve your course materials in line with USG’s Records Retention Policy. For more information, click here.
Finally, as we reflect on all that spring brings, we also pause to honor the life of Freedom, our cherished mascot, who recently passed away at age 20. Freedom’s presence at Georgia Southern was iconic—his soaring flights over Paulson Stadium and his role in so many University milestones reminded us of the strength and spirit we carry as Eagles. While he is no longer with us, his legacy lives on in the hearts of all of the Georgia Southern family.
As we look ahead to Commencement, GS4, and a new academic year on the horizon, I hope you’ll take a moment to reflect on the success we’ve already achieved—together. Whether in the classroom, the lab, the field, or the community, your work matters. It inspires. It uplifts. And it helps every Eagle soar beyond expectations.
As always, thank you for all you do.
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