MESSAGE FROM THE PROVOST

As we turn the page on another remarkable chapter in Georgia Southern University’s history, it’s bittersweet to reflect on the journey we’ve shared together. This is my final Message from the Provost, and I feel immense gratitude for the time spent with each of you—faculty, staff, and students—who embody the spirit of soaring beyond every single day.

The next chapter in Georgia Southern’s leadership story is an exciting one, as we welcome Dr. Avinandan “Avi” Mukherjee as our new Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs starting July 1. His arrival is a significant moment for the university, and I am confident that under his leadership, Georgia Southern will continue its upward trajectory as a place of learning, discovery, and community.

As I prepare to return to the faculty, I am proud to look back at the strides we’ve made together, particularly in supporting our students and advancing academic excellence. One of the brightest examples of this ongoing success is Dr. Britton McKay, who will be stepping into the role of Interim Dean for the Parker College of Business. Dr. McKay’s journey with Georgia Southern has been one of growth, service, and unwavering dedication. From her start as an assistant professor in 2007 to her recent role as Associate Dean, she has been a constant force in elevating the College and its community. Her leadership will ensure that Parker College continues to thrive and build upon its legacy of excellence. I would also like to again thank out-going Dean Allen Amason for his long standing commitment and dedication to Georgia Southern and building a college of the highest quality.

This spring, we gathered to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our faculty. The Celebrations of Faculty Success, held on both the Statesboro and Armstrong campuses, highlighted the incredible work being done by our colleagues who received promotions, tenure, and successful 5th-year reviews. It was an honor to recognize the tireless efforts and dedication that fuel our students’ success and drive the mission of Georgia Southern forward.

I am also pleased to highlight Dr. Chris Curtis, Professor of History, who recently delivered an enlightening talk in Ireland at South East Technological University (SETU). His lecture, "The End of History (again)?" sparked thought-provoking discussions about the practice and purpose of history in a post-liberal world. This is just one of the many ways in which Georgia Southern is expanding its global partnerships and sharing our expertise with the world. Our continued collaboration with SETU is a testament to the power of international connections in shaping a brighter, more connected future.

Finally, I want to extend my deepest thanks to each and every member of our Academic Affairs family. Your passion, your commitment, and your vision for the future of this institution are what make Georgia Southern a beacon of excellence in the region and the world. Together, we have built something vital—something that will continue to impact generations to come. As I move forward, I am filled with pride, knowing that the legacy of excellence we’ve fostered will carry on.

Thank you for your trust, your dedication, and your unwavering support. It has been an incredible honor to serve as your Provost, and I look forward to seeing the continued success of Georgia Southern in the years ahead.

BRILLIANCE IS CULTIVATED.

Georgia Southern’s Dr. Olivia Carr Edenfield Receives National Faculty Mentor Award

Olivia Carr Edenfield, Ph.D., a professor of English at Georgia Southern University, has been named the 2025 Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) Arts and Humanities Faculty Mentor Awardee, a national honor recognizing excellence in mentoring undergraduate researchers in the humanities.

With a career spanning nearly four decades at Georgia Southern, Edenfield has left an indelible mark on students through teaching, advising, and championing undergraduate research. She began mentoring students in her first year as a faculty member in 1986, and her mentorship has since helped dozens of students publish, present at national conferences, and pursue graduate studies.

“Receiving this award is deeply personal,” Edenfield said. “My greatest joy in teaching has come from my students’ successes.”

Help Us Support Graduating Students: Encourage First Destination Survey Completion

As the semester comes to a close, we’re proud to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating Eagles. We also need your help in encouraging them to complete the Georgia Southern University First Destination Survey.

This short survey asks students about their post-graduation plans—whether they’re headed to a job, graduate school, military service, or still exploring options. The data collected is vital: it helps us understand student outcomes, tailor career support services, and guide future Eagles on their paths.

Please consider sharing the survey link with your graduating students or mentioning it in your final class meetings, advising sessions, or communications. Students can complete the survey by entering their Eagle ID or Georgia Southern student email by clicking here.

For those still searching, completing the survey ensures that the Office of Career and Professional Development can follow up and offer tailored support.

Guiding Excellence with GS Libraries

Action Required by Faculty

On July 16, the University System of Georgia (USG) will migrate all USG libraries to a new Library Services Platform that will result in significant upgrades and changes to the University Libraries' GIL-Find Catalog and Course Reserves.

To ensure a seamless transition for you and your students, we are requesting your assistance in identifying and updating any existing GIL-Find links. These links could include “galileo” or “ebsco” in the URL. This includes links that faculty could have embedded in their:

Syllabi
Folio course pages
Online resource lists
Any other digital or printed materials

We ask that you create a list of all the links you are currently using and share them with your designated library liaison as soon as possible, and no later than May 30, 2025. We will then review the links you share with us and provide you with updated URLs as soon as they become available. We are doing this to minimize disruptions to your teaching and research activities.

There are other important deadlines during this transition that will affect your summer and fall classes:

As soon as possible, and no later than May 30, 2025, please send your Summer course reserves materials to the Libraries. If we do not receive your course materials for reserves by May 30, you and your students may experience delays in accessing these materials due to the System-wide migration.
Please expect a 2 week period of limited check-out of laptops and equipment during Summer 2025. Refer to this website for exact dates as they become available. The University Libraries will not have software to manage transactions during the data migration phase performed by USG. Book and DVD/video checkout will remain available during the entire summer and will be handled manually.
Effective mid-June (tentatively), borrowing materials from other USG campuses will be suspended. Please plan ahead and request in advance of this deadline any materials you will need during the summer semesters. These services are expected to resume towards the end of July 2025.

We appreciate your cooperation in this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact your library liaison if you have any questions or require further assistance. For more information about the system changes please visit this link.

Glow-up Continues at the Henderson Library

Georgia Southern Facilities will conduct a comprehensive lighting upgrade of the Henderson Library this summer replacing all fluorescent fixtures with energy-efficient LED lighting throughout the building, from May 12 to August 1. The new, modern lights should improve user experience.

Henderson Library will remain open as scheduled, but certain floors, or sections of floors, will not be accessible during this period. Since the safety of our university community is our chief concern, students, faculty, and staff will not be permitted to enter areas where contractors are replacing lights. Please watch for signage throughout the library about which sections will be open or closed at different times.

Please address your questions to Will Olmstadt, Associate Dean of Libraries for Administration & Operations, at wolmstadt@georgiasouthern.edu. Thank you for your understanding!

SUCCESS IS EARNED.

At Georgia Southern, we celebrate the achievements that inspire us to reach new heights. The Congratulations Corner is your space to spotlight the incredible work happening across our campuses—whether it’s earning accolades, publishing impactful research, or receiving noteworthy appointments.

Let’s continue to soar together! Share your success stories with Mary Kate Allen at mallen@georgiasouthern.edu to be featured in the next newsletter.

These are the successes highlighted in the latest edition of Excellence in Action. Click the photo for the full list.