Mercer News

ATLANTA - As part of its annual alumni day, the Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University will specially honor its alumnae who were members of the Cadet Nurse Corps - a federal education program that graduated more than 124,000 nurses across the nation during World War II. Expect approximately 10 cadet nurses to be present during the ceremony on Oct. 8.   "This year, Americans have marked the 60th anniversary of D-Day and the dedication of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.," notes Susan Gunby, dean of the Georgia Baptist College of Nursing. "We felt that this was an appropriate time to honor our alumnae who were members of the Cadet Nurse Corps and aided in the war effort."   Between 1943 and 1948, Georgia Baptist School of Nursing graduated 270 young women into the Cadet Nurse Corps. The program was created by the U.S. Public Health Service and was touted as one of the most successful wartime recruiting programs. As a scholarship program meant...

        This October, The Grand Opera House is presenting Porgy and Bess on Oct. 2-3 at 7:30 p.m. The show is a part of The Grand's annual six-part series of nationally touring Broadway musicals. Tickets are $35 and $40. Gershwin's musical drama Porgy and Bess tells the moving story of the cripple Porgy and the residents of Charleston's famed Catfish Row. Originally billed as a "folk opera," Porgy and Bess introduces classic Gershwin songs like "Summertime," "I Got Plenty O' Nuttin" and "It Ain't Neccesarily So." Recognized as an American masterpiece, the story entwines pride, prejudice, pathos and passion through its jazz and blues-influenced score.   On Thursday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m., The Grand will present The Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats, a spectacular show for all ages. It consists of sensational Chinese acrobatics, balancing feats, martial arts displays and much more. The performers' grace and precision is the triumph of years of dedicated...

WHAT:           Mercer University Press will hold its 15th annual Authors Luncheon, with 13 authors signing books - five of whom will talk about their latest books.

Atlanta - Mercer University joined an elite group of east coast universities last summer when it hosted the 24th Annual Meeting of the Graduate Research Association of Students in Pharmacy (GRASP). The meeting, which typically serves as an opportunity to share scientific knowledge and establish industrial contacts, was sponsored by the recently-formed American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Student Chapter at Mercer's Southern School of Pharmacy.

An Anglo-American team of archaeologists reports the discovery of the remains of Jamestown, an early colonial settlement on the Caribbean island of Nevis. Newly unearthed evidence may confirm the legend that Jamestown was destroyed when an earthquake and tidal wave struck the island in 1690.    As part of a larger Nevis Heritage Project recording its historical and archaeological resources British professor Roger Leech of the University of Southampton collaborated with American professors Eric Klingelhofer of Mercer and Carter Hudgins of Mary Washington universities to lead the excavation. Funding for the fieldwork came from the three institutions. From July 15 to August 1 the seven-person team explored a coconut grove and riding stable for the site of the settlement, estimated at 200 yards (meters) wide and 400 yards (meters) along the former shoreline. The relative lack of artifacts from the 1700s confirms previous observations made by the BBC TV's archaeological "Time...

On Thursday, Sept. 9, the Georgia Professional Standards Commission voted to approve a Master of Education in Educational Leadership program at Mercer University with all standards being met. Created in response to the growing need for principals in Georgia, this new program will allow in-service teachers to earn a master's degree in administration close to home. School officials predict that there will be a significant shortage of school administrators in the state in the near future. Classes begin in January at Mercer's Macon and Atlanta Campuses and at Mercer University's Regional Academic Center in McDonough. Mercer will host three information sessions on the new Educational Leadership Program. They will be held in McDonough on Sept. 29, Atlanta on Sept. 30 and Macon on Oct. 7. All sessions begin at 4:30 p.m. To register or for more information, call (678) 547-6100 (Atlanta area) or (478) 301-5400 (Macon area). "This program is an attempt to be responsive to the needs of the...

New Orleans rock trio Better Than Ezra will perform at The Grand Opera House on Sept. 30 at 8 p.m. Will Hoge will open the show. Tickets are $15 to the general public, $5 to Mercer students, and available through Mercer Ticket Sales by phone-478-301-5470-or online at thegrand.mercer.edu.   The concert is presented by QuadWorks, Mercer University's student programming board.   Better than Ezra consists of Kevin Griffin (vocals, guitar), Tom Drummond (bass) and Travis McNabb (drums).   The band's album Deluxe, fueled by the success of the hit single "Good," went platinum after being re-released on Elektra Records in 1995.   Better Than Ezra issued their second major-label release, Friction, Baby, in 1996. They followed with 1998's How Does Your Garden Grow? and 2001's Closer.   For more information, contact Kim Steele at 478-301-2692.

Macon-- Dr. Clayton R. Paul, Sam Nunn Eminent Professor of Aerospace Engineering and Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Mercer University, was recently named the recipient of the 2005 Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Electromagnetics Award.   The largest technical society in the world, IEEE gives only one such award worldwide each year. The award consists of a bronze medal, certificate and $10,000. Paul was nominated for this honor by his colleagues in the Electromagnetic Compatibility Society, a division of the IEEE. He will be formally recognized for this honor during the 2005 IEEE International Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility at the Navy Pier in Chicago, Ill., in August of 2005.   The IEEE Board of Directors cited Paul "for excellence in the advancement of electromagnetic theory towards solving crosstalk problems in transmission lines and cable assemblies."   Paul has dedicated 35 years of research to modeling...

MACON, GA - Two popular national college guides have again named Mercer University one of the finest educational institutions in the nation.

WHO:  Mercer University's new undergraduate students.   WHAT:  725 new freshmen and transfer students will go "into the streets" to serve the Macon community as part of their orientation to college life at the University. Students will give an afternoon of service to a number of non-profit and community organizations.   WHEN:  From 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 16   WHERE: In partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Mercer students will perform innovative literacy projects with third graders at King Elementary School, 1307 Shurling Dr. in Macon.    Mercer students will assist with the senior Olympics at Carlyle Place, 5300 Zebulon Rd. in Macon.    Mercer students will sort books, clothing and computers at Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia, 2171 Eisenhower Parkway in Macon.   Other sites where students will be serving include: BeaconPointe, Bolingreen Nursing Center, Boys and Girls Club (at Burghard...