Students build pathway to success

Students, teachers and businesses alike are jumping at the chance to “leave their mark” on the Georgia College & State University campus.
A school-wide campaign is giving everyone the opportunity to influence their alma mater in a permanent way, by having their name engraved on a brick and placed in “The Pathway to Success,” in front of the new bookstore to be located on front campus.
Nine GC&SU public relations students designed the campaign.
Account Executive Katie McKellar, from Snellville, Ga., is very excited about this project.
“It is a visual road map of how far and wide and even how close the GC&SU community is,” said McKellar.
The responses to the campaign have been quite entertaining. Alumni from all over the U.S. have responded to the campaign with interest. Businesses in Milledgeville are also very excited to contribute to the cause and be a part of this historic opportunity. The bricks that are laid will be preserved for some time.
Businesses as diverse as Old Capitol Towing and Pair O’ Dice Tattoos see this as an excellent opportunity to purchase permanent advertising. Others, such as the Phi Kappa Phi fraternity see this fundraiser as a chance to show their campus and community involvement.
One patron, a resident of Decatur, Ga., is Mrs. Louette G. Hardegee, from the class of ’45. Hardegee remembers the war years in Milledgeville, a time when the WAVES (Women Accepted in Volunteer Emergency Service) invaded Milledgeville, and with them came wonders like Bob Hope.
She remembers talking about Flannery O’Connor in Dr. Bosen’s English class. “He always said Flannery would be heard of,” Hardegee said. Though she was not a close friend with Flannery O’Connor, Hardegee said everyone still knew who she was. As the cartoonist for The Colonnade, O’Connor left her mark on the GC&SU campus.
Hardegee bought her brick in honor of her mother Mrs. Daisy Williams, class of 1912.
“The time that my mother spent in Milledgeville was very dear to her,” said Hardegee. Her favorite teacher was Dr. Parks, for whom Parks Hall is named. “She always raved about her time there. She was a very active supporter of the college in her lifetime, and I knew she would want her name left behind on that campus.”
Helen Cook Boruff, a resident of Venice, Fla., bought a brick in memory of her mother, Helen Ennis Cook, and her aunt, Marjorie Ennis. Boruff is the granddaughter of James Howard Ennis, for whom Ennis Hall is named. He served on the Georgia Legislature and was the mayor of Milledgeville. His daughters Cook and Ennis attended GC&SU when it was Georgia State College for Women in 1912 and 1913. They continued to live in Milledgeville through the Depression. Cook remains one of the most loyal alumni to hail from Milledgeville. She was awarded the Golden Key Award and the Heritage Award. Boruff recalls that at her mothers’ funeral two generations of friends were in attendance to show their respects.
“I had a group of friends that I graduated with that called ourselves the ‘Big 8 of 58.’ All eight showed up for my mother’s funeral,” said Boruff.
Current students are also excited about the campaign.
“Because I have been so involved with the school and it’s given me so much to take with me, I guess I feel compelled to leave a little of myself behind. I also think it would be cool to bring my kid here in the future and say this is mommy’s brick.” said Natalie Khoury a graduating English major from Fort Valley, Ga. Khoury is one of the recipients of the Outstanding English Department Major Award.
Dr. David Evans, chair of the Department of English, Speech and Journalism said he’s glad GC&SU is starting a new tradition.
“One of the things that the community has talked about in the last few years has been establishing traditions and stressing the history and future of the university and the community. These bricks commemorate and serve as concrete reminders and provide a sense of continuity,” said Evans. “We need to cultivate more reminders of the history of the institution.”
To find out how you can “Leave Your Mark” on the GC&SU campus go to http://info.gcsu.edu/intranet/esj/index.htm.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Apr 16 2004. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry