On the Inside

The Newsletter for the Students, Alumni,

Faculty, Staff & Friends of Shorter College.

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The

March 2018 Edition

Page 2- Keeping Up On Campus- Honors Convocation

Page 3- Faculty Profile: Shayla Williams- Assessment Week- Save the Date: Job & Resource Fair

Page 4- Alumni Corner: Earl Tolbert

White begins, ends goal at Shorter CollegeShorter College was the origin of Shirley White’s journey to get a college degree. And although it has taken her 50 years to get back to Shorter, she will graduate with an associate degree at the age of 70 in May.“I am proud that I never gave up,” White said. “You are never too old to learn. I am an example to the younger generation to never give up no matter what obstacles come your way. You have to keep moving forward to reach your goal.”Born and raised outside of McGehee, Arkansas, White graduated from the Wolf Project High School. A few years later she enrolled in Shorter College and met her future husband. Once married they moved to Florida where she attended Daytona Beach Community College. After 12 years she moved back to Arkansas. She attended Pulaski Technical College, but several deaths in her family derailed her education again.She enrolled in Shorter College last fall and has been studying early child development. It is a family affair this time around. One of her daughters works in the office of recruitment, and one of her granddaughters is also a current student. Additionally, one of her sons attended Shorter in the past. White is the oldest of eight children, and she will be the first of her siblings to get a degree. She has six children, 17 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.“My ultimate mission is to get a bachelor’s degree in child development,” White said. “I plan to enroll at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to continue my education while I’m in the workforce working with children. I feel very blessed that my Heavenly Father has allowed me to do this.”White said she loves Shorter College because “it is a down-to-earth” college.“The teachers are concerned about all students no matter their age. They go to the extreme to help students get the knowledge to get ahead and survive in the world,” she said. “I began my education at Shorter College, and I will complete my first degree there. I’m very proud to be graduating at age 70,” she said.

Shorter College Student Spotlight

The annual Honor Convocation will be held on Wednesday, April 4, at 11am in the auditorium. Awards will be presented to students for their academic achievements during the Spring and Fall semesters of 2017. The categories are as follows: President’s List, recognizing full-time students who earned a grade point average of 3.75 to 4.0 with no grade lover than a C, and Dean’s List, recognizing full-time students who earned a grade point average of 3.0 to 3.74, with no grade lower than a C. These students attend Shorter College on the main campus as well as at respective teaching sites.

The Shorter Reporter | March 2018 | 2

Visit us on our social media sites to see the latest updates and information.

AprilApril 2 - 5Mid-term Examination week for Spring 2018 Mini-MesterTuesday, April 3Last Day to Drop a Class(s)/Grade of “W” AwardedWednesday, April 4Honor’s ConvocationApril 5 - 6Testing for Prospective GraduatesThursday, April 5Default Management TaskforceFriday, April 6SGA Movie DayApril 9 - 13Summer & Fall 2018 Pre-Registration/Academic Advisement WeekMonday, April 9Mid-term Grades due in Registrar’s Office for Spring 2018 Mini-MesterMonday, April 16∙ Student Assessment Day∙ Last Day to Drop a Class(s)/ Grade of “W” Awarded for Spring 2018 Mini-Mester

April 18 - 20Recruitment Week

April 16 - 20Assessment Week

Wednesday, April 18Community LuncheonApr 19 - 24Final Examinations for May 2018 GraduatesThursday, April 19Faculty Senate MeetingFriday, April 20Faculty Assessment DaySaturday, April 21Bulldog FestMonday, April 23Last Day to Withdraw From the College (All Courses)/ Grade of “W” Awarded for Spring 2018 Mini-MesterTuesday April 24Last Day to Withdraw From the College (All Courses)/Grade of “W” Awarded (Spr. 18 Term)Wednesday, April 25Career FairThursday, April 26Grades Due for May 2018 Graduates in Registrar’s OfficeThursday, April 26∙ Grades Due for May 2018 Graduates in Registrar’s Office∙ Retention Committee MeetingFriday, April 27∙ Last Day of Instruction (Spring ’18 Term)∙ Mr. & Mrs. Shorter College Scholarship PageantMonday, April 30∙ Day of Study (Spring ’18 Term)∙ Last Day of Instruction for Mini-Mester

Keeping UpOn Campus

Stay Connected

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2018 Honors Convocation to Recognize Top Students

SGA Mental Mondays held every Monday.Zumba held every Monday & Thursday.

Spring 2017 President’s ListGeary Allmon, Reginald Baker, Heather Barnett, Kiesha Childress, Kesha Cobb, Ronnie Jamerson, Mecca Lee, Freda McFadden, Alexus Norris, Rafael Parham, Previn Profit, Joachin Ukadike, Kelvin J. Collier-Clay, Stephen Alonzo Garrett, Chad Stewart Gondolfi, Jeremy Shawn Kennedy, Jason Scott Klein, LaShaun Chidester, Anthony Fitzgerald Farley, Harold Randell Hartness, Omar Loylett Henry, Mettro T. Johnson, Stephanie Gayle Monroe, Mitch Lee Oxford, Amanda Marie Thomas, Brittany Hill, Charles A. Biggers

Spring 2017 Dean’s ListBrianna Alexander, Dominique Beasley, Shavonne Beasley, Tamara Booth, Antonio Campbell, Carlotta Conway, Shantessa Conway, Bonita Couch, Ashley Courtney, Lethecia Edwards, Conrad Green, DeCarlos Harper, Darius Hill, Sharon Howard, Braylon Johnson, Britney Johnson, Inkera Kelley, Stephanie Lowe, Anthony Mckinney, Dwight Swanigan, Kimberly Terry, Dolores Thigpen, Alexandria Tillman, Pamela Turner, Lonnika Walker, Sunzray Watson, Gabrielle Woffard, Mishon Wright, Terence C. Cox, Jarred Jerome Andrews, David Paul Avington, David Shane Hollowell, Wilson J. McCrackin, Williams Earl Robinson, Roberto Alexander Romero, Daniel David Douthitt, Angela Leigh Nicole DuBois, Deaquaneil Ray’Nesha Jamison, Charles Edward Reeves Jr., Gregory Dean Conrad, Robert Michaelyn Williams, Lestine Robinson, Maris S. Vasquez, Joshua Adams Williams, Cesar Perez Martinz, Chance Michael Wilks, Todd Douglas Bucher, Whitney Ryan Curtsinger, Michael Anne Eason Ngo

Fall 2017 President’s ListGeary Allmon, Reginald Baker, Heather Barnett, Eugene Brannon, Antonio Campbell, Tamara Hope, Sandra Lewis, Odessa Long, Briana Toler, Lonnika Walker, Terance Terrell Bannister, Khalin Demarse Collins, Terrence C. Cox, Stephen Alonzo Garrett, Steven Mark Glover, David Shane Hollowell, Jarrett Michael Johnson, Robert Ray Johnson, Savion Marquis Malone, John Phillip Posey, Williams Earl Robinson, Roberto Alexander Romero, Richard William Thomasson, Robert Earl Blue, Jr., Jarred Jerome Andrews, Harold Randell Hartness, Bryan Russell Norwood, Mitch Lee Oxford

Fall 2017 Dean’s ListBrianna Alexander, William Boyd, Kamilah Carter, Kesha Cobb, Carlotta Conway, Bonita Couch, Conrad Green, Debra Griffin, Diana Guevara, Klyrisa Hardwell, Muriel Hackett, DeCarlos Harper, Tyrees Hollister, Crystal Jackson, Jermesha Jackson, Leah Jackson, Travis Johnson, Thomas Jones, Takiyah Kemp, Denece Lee, Bryant Lewis, Freda McFadden, Dennis Mitchell, Stephanie Monroe, Jasmine Neal, Previn Profit, Tameeka Randle, Candice Rice, Dushun Scarbrough, Roderick Shutes, Latreece Smith, Kimber Southall, Chakita Stovall, Dwight Swanigan, Alexandria Tillman, Jessica Thompson, Tatreuna Thornton, Shirley White, Fateema Wright, Samella Wright, Christopher B. Archer, Brandy Ann Copeland, Travis Mitchell, Thomas Jason Pipes, Ashley Elizabeth Jo Williams, Gregory Joe Starks, Onia Joyce Cope, Christina Lynn Hammond, Tyler Austin Harris, Nathaniel Hunter, Quinton Andrew Sykes, Holy Ann Ashmore, tracy Trinette Calloway, Mitchell Lee Gossett, Brandi Jo Jackson, Micah Keveon Hamon

Congratulations to These Honorees

The Shorter Reporter | March 2018 | 3

Shorter College Assessment WeekAssessment Week is planned for the

week of April 16-20, 2018.April 16: Student Assessment Day - This year’s theme is “The Bulldog Lifetime Achievement Awards.” Students, faculty and staff will recognized for their achievements at 10:30 am in the FC James Auditorium.

April 18: Community Luncheon at 11:30 am in SS Morris Building Banquet Hall

April 20: Faculty & Staff Assessment Day at 11 am in SS Morris Building Banquet Hall

Shayla Williams joined the staff at Shorter College on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2015, which is a happy coincidence since she loves her job. “I’ve been teaching Oral Communications and English Composition I for three years and one month,” Williams said. “The best part of the job is the students…empowering them, and motivating them, and inspiring them to fulfill their dreams. I advise the students on future classes, and assist them with locating internships in communications and public relations.” When asked to name a challenge she’d faced while at Shorter College, Williams considered the question for a moment. “Really, there haven’t been any. I’d say the biggest challenge was when I first took the position, just adjusting to the demands of the job.” Williams strives to cultivate a relationship with every student in her classes. “I make sure I reach every student. Especially the students who are going to school and working at the same time, or raising a family…I make a point to stay in touch with them, either by phone or by email.” Further work in higher education is in the future for Williams. While she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Communications from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and a Masters Degree in Mass Communication & Media Studies from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, she plans to continue her education within the next couple of years by enrolling in a program at Fielding Graduate University to pursue a Doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration, then to work in college administration and curriculum.

Valentine’s Day Hire Turns Into Sweet JobFaculty Profile

Shayla Williams

Shorter College

F o u n d e d 1 8 8 6 Job & Resource FairPrepare your resume and come dressed to impress! Meet up to

60 potential employers.

When: Tues., April 24 | 10 am - 2 pm

Where: Shorter College Gymnasium

(604 Locust Street, North Little Rock, AR)

For more information, contact Kristi Pack at 501.376.4119

Save the Date!

The Shorter Reporter | March 2018 | 4

1967 Pulaski Oak Grove High School graduate Earl Tolbert was looking to make the best use of his time when he first considered attending Shorter College. “I’m one of 10 kids, so after high school I got a job in order to help my father, so my mother wouldn’t have to go to work and could stay home with the kids. My dad didn’t want me to work and go to school at the same time, but I told him I could handle it.” Originally Tolbert was considering Arkansas State Teachers College, now the University of Central Arkansas, in Conway, but he didn’t like the idea of commuting so far after having worked all day. “A co-worker of mine said why don’t you try Shorter College? So I did, and enrolled. I took night classes at Shorter, and worked for the VA Hospital during the day.”Tolbert studied History, and cites his favorite Shorter College teachers. “Mrs. Young and William Davis taught me History, and Ollie Griffin taught French. J. Roy MacBeth was my Science instructor. They all made it interesting for me.”After graduating with an Associate’s Degree from Shorter College in 1969, Tolbert attended Arkansas Baptist College

and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1972. With the plan of becoming a teacher, he then went on and obtained a Master of Science in Education from Ouachita Baptist University. But, the whole time he had kept his job at the VA. “I’d been working all the while. At the time, teachers were getting laid off, and I had a good job with good pay and benefits. I figured I would keep it.”Tolbert retired from the VA after 40 years as the Food Service Cook Supervisor. He credits his time at Shorter as getting him off to a good start. “I worked hard all day, and studied hard all night. It all worked out just fine.”

Hard Work and Shorter College Made All the Difference

Shorter College Alumni Corner

Did You Know?George Mackey,

the CFO of Shorter College, is a member of his church choir & often leads songs.

Be on the look out for more fun facts about the Shorter College leadership team!

Earl Tolbert

“Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion:

The potential for greatness lives within each of us.” – Wilma Rudolph

Quote of the Month

Inspirational

Are You Ready?Registration for

Shorter College’s Summer I, II, and

Fall semester begins April 9th, 2018.