Dr. Nesbitt has been a great advocate for the Oconee campus ever since the first day it opened 10 years ago, helping us to move toward full staffing and services as quickly as possible.  We are all thankful for her leadership and support.  She will be greatly missed.
Bob Croft, professor of English

It has been a privilege for me to be a faculty member under the stewardship of Dr. Nesbitt. She has been our ‘Iron Lady’. She has steered our college through times of change while retaining a distinct and strong student focus that has been the hallmark of Gainesville State College. Her greatest legacy is a vast ocean of student success that will resonate in the lives of those for whom Gainesville State provided a formative experience. Gainesville State College matured into the premier teaching institution in the University System with her at the helm. These traditions will now become a part of a larger incipient regional University. Her efforts to lay a sound foundation for higher education in Northeast Georgia will always be remembered.
JB Sharma, professor and eminent scholar

One on the fondest memories I have of Dr. Nesbitt is actually a set of events. Back in July of 2010, I took over as the GSC Staff Council Chairman. As anyone following in the footsteps of a wonderful leader like Betsy Cantrell, I was nervous and a little intimidated. However, Dr. Nesbitt took me under her wing and had several meetings that acclimated me to the job. Her kind words and understanding sprit were a blessing in those early days. Dr. Nesbitt and I have enjoyed a great relationship throughout my tenure as Chairman. I wish her and Pete nothing but the best!
Charles Bell, academic advisor

I remember how determined Dr. Nesbitt was to make Gainesville College (as we then were) a nonsmoking campus! It took about two years of reminding everyone that people could no longer stand around the entrances to the buildings and smoke, or congregate on the benches in the quadrangle and smoke, or even walk on the nature trail and smoke, but the message finally sank in. We have a healthier and cleaner campus for it, and Dr. Nesbitt led the effort.
Brad Strickland, professor of English

Dr. Nesbitt asked that I coordinate the first Annual Part-time Faculty Appreciation Dinner in 2001.  Each year at this event I noticed her unique ability to make everyone feel special as she remembered the names, interests, and achievements of everyone.  I was privileged to see her genuine dedication and gratitude to the faculty, staff, and most especially our students.  She clearly considered her role as GSC’s president a calling.

On a personal note, when I experienced the loss of my daughter only nine months after I came to work here, Dr. Nesbitt’s genuine sympathy touched me more than she could have known.  Even some years later during another sad occasion she thoughtfully offered just the right words of comfort.  Experiencing this heartfelt concern is something that a person never forgets and it speaks volumes about the kind of person Dr. Nesbitt is:  a distinguished public leader, who has earned many professional awards for her commitment, dedication, and successes, and also that tender-hearted person who cares enough to touch our hearts.

Your GSC family will miss you, Dr. Nesbitt, and please know that we will think of you in years to come as we enjoy Academic IV and all the fruits of your legacy.
Sheree Gravenhorst, administrative assistant, Education, Health and Wellness

Within 5 minutes of meeting Dr. Martha Nesbitt, you know she is the President of Gainesville State College and that she loves her job, the students, and the faculty and staff of GSC.
Katie Simmons, associate professor of business administration and chair

Like Jackie Robinson, Dr. Nesbitt spent a good part of her youth in Cairo, Georgia. Like the Hall of Famer, her impact has been transformational and enduring. Through good times and bad her focus has remained on GSC’s students, and how to best equip faculty and staff to serve them.
Eric Skipper, dean, Humanities and Fine Arts

Dr. Nesbitt gave all her Executive Leadership Team a laminated statement from the book “Leading Change” by James O’Toole.  We got these prior to the consolidation concept.  However since I tend to keep things I really like, I was able to put my hands on the card… it embodies many truths, and could be used to sum up Dr. Nesbitt’s views and leadership as well:

“The leadership of change does not depend on circumstances:  it depends on the attitudes, vales, and actions of leaders.  In complex, democratic settings, effective leadership will entail the factors and dimensions of vision, trust, listening, authenticity, integrity, hope, and especially addressing the true needs of followers.  What is needed is a philosophy of leadership that is always and at all times focused on enlisting the hearts and minds of followers through inclusion and participation.  Such a philosophy must be rooted in the most fundamental of moral principles: respect for people.”

I think of Dr. Nesbitt every time I read it.
Mary Transue, vice president of Institutional Advancement

Dr. Nesbitt has consistently been a supporter of GSC’s student journalists and their right to print whatever they deem important. Even when the Compass infamously ran nude photos of several female staff members on the front page of the paper in celebration of Women’s History Month, she expressed her dismay but never threatened to censor the paper. Under Dr. Nesbitt’s leadership GSC has always been known as a place where students’ opinions are respected and encouraged. Let’s hope that doesn’t change with the coming consolidation.
Dan Cabaniss, associate professor of journalism and English

• This is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
• 84 percent of women are raped by someone they know
• The vast majority of victims do not press charges because it is a common myth that they are lying. The FBI indicates that only 4 percent of reported rapes are false reports, less than false reports for most other crimes.
• Rape happens to people you know by people you know.
• Rape is about power and even occurs between spouses and couples.
• 10 percent of rape cases involve men as victims.
• 35 out of every 1,000 females in college are raped annually.
• 57 percent of rapes occur on dates
• 1 in 6 men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime.
• Over 50 percent of all rapes occur in the victim’s home. Half of those involved forced entry. Rape occurs at all times of the day and night.
• People do not deserve to be raped. Studies show that rape is a planned act of violence.

PREVENTION

• Sexual intercourse must be consensual, the word “yes” must be heard, and both parties must be sober.
• If something looks strange or you have a bad feeling, say something or call the cops.
• Several things you can say to prevent date rape:
• I don’t like what you’re doing.
• I’m saying something because I care about you.
• Hey, do you need any help?
• Should I call the police?
• Is everything okay?
• Can I walk you home?
• It is usually hard to tell when people are intending to cross the boundaries because people will test them first and then make a move after, so pay attention to what someone may be trying to do.
• If a person has been raped, she should immediately head to the hospital for a rape kit. She should not wash or take a shower first, as any evidence that is on the body may be washed away.
• Urination should be prevented after rape until the person gets to the hospital, as any date rape drug will show in the urine.
• After rape has occurred, be supportive of the person and offer her help. Any trauma that occurs is what a person keeps inside and does not discuss or acknowledge has happened.
• Rape survivors need to be assured that it is not their fault and there are counselors who can be talked to in the Counseling and Career Center during office hours and at Rape Response’s free crisis line 770–503-7273 twenty-four hours a day.

Harry Chapman is an instructor of Physical Education at GSC for the Self-Defense course.

Chapman added that one of the best ways to avoid becoming a victim of a crime is to simply be aware of what’s going on around you. Watch your surroundings and keep an eye out for any suspicious activity, whether it be a car tailing someone on a sidewalk or a person acting in a suspicious manner on campus.

“Eye and body language says it all,” Chapman said.

A student’s attitude regarding their own safety, as well as taking measures to avoid potential conflict, is another way to avoid becoming a victim. Chapman recommends students do all they can to prevent a situation they cannot escape from, such as not wearing or carrying high-value items that will draw attention.

“If someone looks like an easy target, they are more likely to be a victim,” Chapman continued.

If the anything happens in spite of the steps taken, simply contact local law enforcement by dialing 911 or the GSC Police Department emergency line at 678–717-1777. There are also blue phone boxes strategically placed in most parking lots on campus with a direct line to the Police Department.

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) is a United States bill introduced by U.S. Representative Lamar S. Smith to expand the ability of U.S. law enforcement to fight online trafficking in copyrighted intellectual property and counterfeit goods. (americancensorship.org)

“On Wednesday Jan. 18 thousands of sites went dark to protest SOPA and PIPA, two US bills racing through Congress that threaten prosperity, online security, and freedom of expression,” said the editors of americancensorship.org.

When I heard of the bill, I was flabbergasted and pissed. The government is attempting Communism again.

Controlling our freedom of speech, our freedom of press online. It is wrong for the government to take that away from us, it is unconstitutional.

The government is making a mockery out of our own Constitution.

I have my own blog; a website where I discuss things going on in the world and how it affects the life of Americans. I also discuss my personal experiences, on my blog, for others to hear.

Now the government is trying to stop that.

However, my question to all of you is, “Is America really free?” With the talk of censorship, ObamaCare, and many other proposals that seem communistic, are we really able to do what we want anymore?

How far is this all going to go? The answer is simple.

It will go as far as we let it.

“What is the point of furthering technology if we cannot even use it as it was intended,” said Sierra Hanken, professional musician and artist.

Jonathan Hartley and Hanken play in a band known as Joy and Revolution and because of the bill their whole career may be in distress.

They upload their new music on Blogspot and Bandcamp. If the bill is passed their music will be harder to sell and get around to the public.

Another part of the bill is attempting to stop communication with the rest of the earth.

They want to terminate communication through the Internet with places such as China, France, and Germany.

Many of the hits on a blogger, tumblr, facebook come from other countries. How will we change the world, if we cannot get in touch with them?

To get more information about the bill visit, http://fightforthefuture.org/pipa

We as Americans need to step up and fight for whatever we believe in no matter the circumstances because our voice together can make a difference. It starts with one, it could be you.

Randy Pierce

Randy Pierce, former president of Georgia Highlands College in Rome, will be the interim president of Gainesville State, after current President Martha Nesbitt retires in July and before GSC is consolidated with North Georgia College and State University.

University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby announced the appointment Wednesday.

The Highlander, Georgia Highlands College’s e-zine, had this story on Pierce in December before his retirement:

https://www.highlands.edu/highlander/?p=1021

Pierce served as president of Georgia Highlands College for 10 and a half years before his retirement on December 31, 2011.

According to the USG press release, prior to his appointment as the president of Georgia Highlands College, Pierce served as provost of the Lawrenceville campus of Georgia Perimeter College from 1996 — 2001. From 1994 through 1999, he served as the director of the Gwinnett University Center. Pierce has held several positions at Georgia Perimeter College and Georgia State University.

Pierce earned his doctorate in educational leadership, masters in education and bachelors of business administration degrees from Georgia State University.

He has served on a number of boards and committees, including as a member of the Rome/Floyd County Chamber of Commerce board of directors, chair of the Georgia Public Broadcasting – Northwest Georgia Advisory Board and as a member of the Board of Directors, Southern Association of Community, Junior and Technical Colleges.

The Atlanta Falcons hope Clemson TE Dwayne Allen is still around at pick no. 55

It’s late April. Temperatures are starting to warm up, flowers and trees are in full bloom and there are only a few days left before the semester is over and most students are off for summer vacation.

But more importantly, late April means that the NFL Draft is right around the corner. Yes fellow NFL fans, the event that gives us a brief, yet so satisfying glimpse of football between the Super Bowl and the start of the season, is upon us.

Now first things first. Who goes in the top 5 picks?

The draft order goes:

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck. QB, Stanford. This is about as big of a no brainer as it gets. Luck would have been the no. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft had he not decided to return his senior year.

2. Washington Redskins(From St. Louis Rams): Robert Griffin III. QB, Baylor. The Redskins made their “all-in” move on March 12 when they completed the blockbuster trade with the St. Louis Rams to move up just four spots to presumably draft Griffin. The Redskins traded away two future first-round draft picks and a second-round pick in exchange for the no. 2 selection.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Mat Khalil. OT, USC. Last year the Vikings drafted their franchise Quarterback in Christian Ponder. This year, they provide the insurance.

4. Cleveland Browns: Morris Claiborne. CB, LSU. The former LSU cornerback scored a record low 4 out of 50 on the Wonderlic exam which tests players basic knowledge skills. What Claiborne lacks in brains, he makes up for in skill. Look for the Browns to have a lockdown secondary for years to come with Claiborne and former Browns 1st-round pick Joe Haden.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Justin Blackmon. WR, Oklahoma St. The two-time Biletnikoff  Award(College football’s best WR) winner should give Tampa Bay QB Josh Freeman a new toy to play with and give NFC defenses nightmares

Now to the hometown team, the Atlanta Falcons.

The Falcons as you might remember last year made their “all-in” move on Julio Jones from Alabama. Jones struggled early on but came on strong towards the end of last season which gives Falcons fans hope for years to come.

However, as a result the Falcons do not have a 1st or 4th round pick in this years draft.

In terms of needs the Falcons will need a new tight end as future Hall of Fame TE Tony Gonzalez has announced 2012 will be his last season.

Also the Falcons have depth issues on offensive line with the departure Pro-Bowl lineman Harvey Dahl in last year’s offseason

The Falcons pick at slot no. 55 in the second round and look for them to go after former Clemson tight end Dwayne Allen.

Allen, at 6’ 4” 255 pounds provides a big target as well as a solid run blocker for the Falcons. He might not be a Gonzalez, but he should do just fine

In the 3rd and following rounds look for the Falcons to build up the Offensive Line and Secondary depth.

Amini Silatolu, an offensive guard who originally signed with Nevada out of high school but did not qualify academically, went to Division II school, Midwestern State University located in Wichita Falls, Texas.

At 6’ 4”, 311 pounds, Silatolu is a powerful yet very nimble lineman who could fall to the Falcons in the third round. This would be a huge steal.

After their first two picks the Falcons have four more draft picks. One in the 5th and 6th rounds and two in the 7th rounds. Again, look for the Falcons to build secondary depth and pick up a sleeper skill position player or two.

I feel I have stirred up quite the commotion in Dahlonega regarding my recent opinion on the merger.

After all of the compliments, complaints, bashing and boasting–it is time to come out of what seemed like a war zone for a couple days on this very website.

Mainly, I want to plead my case and give you a better understanding of why I wrote that rude (amongst other words I have heard in the past couple days) and obscene opinion piece.

Let’s go back, when I first got the idea.…

In the beginning, when we heard about the consolidation, we had reporters go to North Georgia to find out information about what was going on and how the NGCSU students felt. To my surprise, the comments were not what I envisioned. It seemed to me that this was not going to be a happy and easy-going relationship.

Then one day, a friend and I had an extensive talk about what we thought of the merger and what they heard up there. Some of the comments I heard were daunting.  That was simply the tip of  the iceberg.

I wanted to find a way to write an article that would really mash the buttons of the students.

Then it hit me, I knew how I was going to do it. I was simply going to give an exaggerated version of what I felt North Georgia was doing to GSC.

I was going to be write it in an ignorant, uninformed manner or as one student student said on a comment, Youtube-like.

When I finished, I knew it was perfect. It was going to be everything I set it out to be, and possibly more. Little did I know, it was going to get a ton of publicity.

In saying that, I would like to touch base on a few recurring complaints.

1. Generalization

One student said I was misinformed and let a group of students speak for the whole campus. Then fired back (everyone had the right to) by cutting down GSC, in other words, simply doing the same thing. The same thing that was going on before the article was even published.

My reaction and purpose on writing so generally:

One student said, GSC is below North Georgia. The students at North Georgia simply worked harder in high school than students at GSC. We did not even require SAT scores. Another said, mommy made them go to GSC and it’s everybody’s last choice.

I would have to say, yes, in some cases that may be true. But in saying that, there is a rather LARGE group of students who are less fortunate. I was accepted into major universities but financially it would have been a wiser decision to go to a smaller school to get my first two years out of the way. I also know for a fact, there are many students who were in the top 25 of their class at their respective high schools that attend GSC. A lot of these students simply did not have the money and chose to go to GSC to save money and then transfer.

Many students are ecstatic that we are now merging. It cuts out the transfer hassle. My main concern was to give an idea on how we are being treated by SOME not all but some students at North Georgia. I feel that the comment on students simply working harder is a slap in the face to me and a lot of other students here. Some are less fortunate. We do have students here who do not work as hard, what many would call lazy. But that is true at every college. Those students do not in any way make up our school as a whole.

So I felt that if I was general and let the few students speak for North Georgia as a whole, that they would get the picture. By the results, I would say it worked.

2. Mountain Trolls

Yes, I did say mountain trolls. I agree completely, that it was clearly out of line. But I was also writing for a GSC audience. I know that a great deal of students here feel inferior and have negative feelings towards North Georgia. I was going to be that voice and say what they wanted to say at that particular time. I wanted them to stay interested in the story.

My belief: I truly do not believe North Georgia are mountain trolls. That came out of my frustration, and I wanted to give a clear depiction of the feelings of some GSC students.

3.ROTC and Athletics

Many were not too happy about this one. I knew going into it that it was a touchy subject. This is what makes the school for some students. Again, this goes back to the generalization. I knew a lot about both topics, but I knew that if I was general and ignorant, it would have more of a dramatic effect–the comments proved my assumption to be correct.

ROTC/ Armed Forces: As I said in the original article, I am so thankful for what you guys do. You put yourself on the line for me and the rest of the nation. You give me the right to do what I did. To you, I am sincerely apologizing. You guys are the most courageous individuals on this Earth. I thank you for what you have done for me. I also commend the students who are going through program to become part of the selective armed forces.

Thank you, and I regret saying you would not play a role in the merger. I was trying to prove a point and I may have taken it too far.

4. Cursing

It may have been a little much, but I think it was necessary because it showed emotion. It was ass, not F this and F that. There were no extreme curse words in the article. I believe things of that sort are uncalled for. But I believe the  word ass was not severe. It just added to the opinion.

Take a Step in Our Shoes

If this situation were reversed and North Georgia students were the little guys and being degraded and cut down, they would be more than upset. This article was suppose to do that. I felt North Georgia students were generalizing about us and letting some students speak for the whole institution–like the work ethic and academic issue. I thought I should take it upon myself to help them understand how we feel at GSC.

GSC may be easy to get into, but it is a great institution. It gives the opportunity to further  your education. For some it gives that second chance to redeem yourself and have a chance at making a living in an extremely competitive world. This school in just two years has come such a long way. Faculty and students are working hard to keep GSC improving, so to hear such harsh comments really put us in a agitated mood.

My Real Thoughts on NGCSU and Merger

I think it will be a great institution that presents a lot of opportunities. It was an option for me, but felt GSC would be a wiser decision because of the proximity to my home. But I fell in love with the school. I loved the campus, students and faculty when I went to Dahlonega. I guess that is why it was such a shock when I heard some of the comments. Again, as I said previously, I feel that both schools will benefit each other. My thought on the merger is still the same. I am still excited about being apart of what is going to become a university. Also, that I will have an opportunity to possibly play intercollegiate sports. I think that goes for the majority of the students here.

Moving Forward

I hope that both sides now see how each other feels on the subject. I hope that both institutions can learn and grow to become better. This merger is going to be difficult enough,but let’s try to make it easier on one another. I hope many do not judge me too negatively based on my previous opinion piece. GSC will accept everybody with open arms and will be willing to work with North Georgia. I personally believe this will be the start of great things to come.

Thank You

Whether you wrote a compliment or complaint, I want to thank you for taking the time to read the article and give us your thoughts. If anybody wants to contribute to The Compass or The Voice at Oconee, please do so. Even though some comments were harsh, I was still happy. I knew that it was getting out to others. Being a journalist, I know you have to accept the good and the bad. I want to thank the North Georgia student newspaper for writing that fantastic article on our journalism program. It was much appreciated, and I can’t wait to work with you.

One last apology to the individuals who were caught in the cross-fire of this argument. If I insulted anybody, I am terribly sorry. In saying that, for the ones who did say the degrading comments before the publishing of my previous opinion, I do not regret writing the story because I believe it gave insight on how we felt. The ones who commented on the website, you were simply backing up your school, I would have done the same thing. No hard feelings on my end.

I hope we can move forward.

Thank you and I hope you continue to read The Compass.