Gadsden State Community College Margin of Excellence Winners Recognized

Margin of Excellence Winners Recognized

The Margin of Excellence Award winners are, from left, Angie Waits, Billa Burger, Cathy Hicks, Melissa Davis, Farrah Hayes, Jennifer Williams, Susan Williams Brown and Sara Wheeler.

Six Margin of Excellence grants were awarded to members of Gadsden State Community College’s faculty and staff at a recent reception at the One Stop Center on the East Broad Campus.

A committee led by Marsue Lancaster, president of Dean’s Sausage Co., provided guidance in the selection of projects that were awarded grants totaling $25,000 for the 2018-19 academic year.

In 1989, the U.S. Department of Education awarded Gadsden State an endowment challenge grant. The following academic year, Gadsden State raised $370,500 from faculty, staff and community supporters. With the federal match, Gadsden State had an endowment fund of $741,000, which was to be held in an interest-bearing account for 20 years. This money is used to fund scholarships and special projects for students through the Margin of Excellence Grant.

“Funding is awarded for equipment for instructional or operational use, special events or projects, student scholarships, professional development, special cultural and educational programs, speakers, publications or other areas that benefit and assist our students, faculty or staff,” said Dr. Martha Lavender, president. “We hope that the projects can be self-sustaining after grant funds are expended.”

The project managers, grants and funding amounts are:

  • Cathy Hicks – Scholarships for Students — $7,200
  • Susan Williams Brown and Sara Wheeler – Division of Mathematics and Engineering Tablet Technology Initiative — $4,382.94
  • Melissa Davis – TRiO Scholar Project — $2,033.35
  • Angie Waits and Billa Burger – Drone Course to Promote STEM Education — $4,058
  • Jennifer Williams – Graduation Cap and Gown Loan Program — $361.18
  • Farrah Hayes – Cardinal Tutoring Center Connects — $6,890.42

 

Joining Lancaster on the selection committee members are Dr. Charles Hill, former associate instructional dean for Language and Fine Arts at Gadsden State; Tony Reddick, superintendent of the Gadsden City Schools; Dr. Roberta Watts, chief operational officer of Enrestoration; Carolyn Parker, local businesswoman; Derrick Griffey, director of Distance Education, Faculty Development and Learning Resources; Johna Lindsey, community education specialist at Gadsden State Cherokee; Eric Stringer, community education liaison at Gadsden State; Dr. Cynthia Toles, District 1 Gadsden councilwoman; and Dr. Karen Blythe-Smith, associate dean of Instructional Services at Gadsden State.

 

 

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on email
Email
Share on print
Print