Theatre and Dance Professor Jacque Wheeler does not only believe in her students, she makes them believe in themselves. At least that is the sentiment playwright Debra Fordham conveyed in a letter nominating Wheeler for the Kennedy Center/Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Award.

“It took years, but her belief eventually became my own. And two decades later, I am a three-time Emmy-nominated television writer, living a life I never dreamed possible,” said Fordham, a VSU graduate and writer-producer for Lifetime Television series “Army Wives.” “You see, what makes Jacque Wheeler special is that she doesn’t just teach for a semester or a year. And her lessons don’t end at graduation. No, Jacque Wheeler is your teacher for life. And 22 years after that first phone call, she is still changing mine.”

Wheeler and nine other inspirational educators were recognized on Sondheim’s birthday, March 22, for their extraordinary impact on the lives of students by expanding horizons, challenging deeper understanding, and encouraging achievement. Read more >

Faculty members are invited to discuss academic honesty during the semester's final faculty seminars at noon on Friday, April 1, at the Student Union Meeting Room 1A and B and then at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5 in the same rooms.

Each discussion will provide a forum for faculty members to share their strategies for encouraging academic honesty and preventing academic dishonesty. Richard Lee, assistant dean of students for Student Conduct, will delve into VSU’s policies and procedures for academic honesty. Vincent Spezzo from eLearning, will share information about SafeAssign, a plagiarism prevention tool available through BlazeVIEW.

Register online for either of these sessions or call Employee Development at 229-259-5105.

The VSU Connection will feature a series of briefs to introduce you to the leaders of VSU's Council on Staff Affairs — an organization dedicated to advancing the university mission and promoting the welfare of university staff.

Brian Haugabrook: President's Area Representative

Get ready for a mouth full. Brian Haugabrook is the programmer analyst coordinator for the Data Warehouse and Applications Team, and his impact on VSU is as important and complicated as his job title. Haugabrook, who has served COSA for the past year, provides departments with custom reporting and forms for data and statistical analysis. He creates automated solutions to streamline business functions and processes, and maintains more than 50 custom applications on campus. And this is the short, layman's version.

COSA has benefitted from his technical expertise and data-collection oversight. The native of Cordele, Ga., said he joined COSA to promote technology as a way to enhance participation among all groups on campus.

"Technology has erased borders and distance between people. The Internet allows us to communicate with people across campus and across the world in seconds," he said. "At VSU, information from the library (Galileo), course registration (Banner), course information (BlazeVIEW), banking (VECU), and many other services no longer require us to travel between offices and buildings. By writing applications locally, Information Technology provides a level of customization and integration with campus resources that can’t be bought commercially."

While Haughabrook is a proponent of technology, he is the first to admit the university cannot allow the convenience of technology to replace one-on-one interactions whenever possible. He has enjoyed worked side-by-side with fellow COSA members to advance the work of the following committees: Elections, Employee of the Semester, and Retirement Walkway.

Haughabrook lives in Valdosta with his wife, Ebony, and their 15-month-old son Brian Haugabrook II. The family, which includes Labrador Retrievers Lucky and Major, is expecting a second son in August.

Read more about COSA's mission and activities ONLINE.

In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, VSU will host a number of events in April to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate the campus about the fastest growing, yet most underreported, violent crime in the United States.

'The Vagina Monologues' at 7 p.m. March 31-April 2, in the VSU Student Union Theater. Call 229-249-4842 for details.

Justice in Motion 5K Run/Walk at 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, at McKey Park. Call 229-231-7047 or e-mail Tessa Carder for more information.

R.A.D. Classes at 6 p.m. on April 5, 7, 12 and 14 in the Student Union. Call 229-245-3896 for details. REGISTER

SAAM Day of Action: Informational Booths from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, in the Student Union.

College Panhellenic Council Greek Step Show at 7 p.m. on Tuesday April 12, in the P.E. Complex. For more information, call Greek Life at 229-333-5674.

Jeans 4 Justice: Decorate your jeans from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6, in the Student Union craft room or bring donated jeans to the Student Life Office by April 22. Jeans, decorated to bring awareness to sexual violence, will be displayed during Take Back the Night.

Take Back the Night Candlelight Vigil and March at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27, on the VSU front lawn. Call the VSU Counseling Center at (229) 333-5940 for details.

Read more about these upcoming SAAM events.