Most people have never heard of Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit Predestinarian Baptists, but History Professor John Crowley has dedicated the past 33-years of his career to the study of the sect’s doctrine, practiced mostly in Northern Alabama and Texas.

The Hahira native, who has “spent his entire life down South and has no intentions of leaving,” is working on a book about the scarce Baptist sub-group as a follow-up to his work, “Primitive Baptists of the Wiregrass South 1850 to present,” which was published in 1988. Crowley explains the lull between books on the tight-lipped community and his inherent drive to leave no reference unturned. It took years, Crowley said, to gain the trust and travel to meet with various church members and leaders in Indiana, Texas and Tennessee.

“My mother, when she was living, always told me, ‘The trouble with you is that you enjoy researching, so you research forever and never reach the point where you think you’ve had enough,’ and she is quite correct,” said Crowley, who classifies his main audience as scholars of early American and frontier religion. “I am always thinking of some source I overlooked that I can check out.” Read more >

Valdosta State University’s Small Business Development Center Program Coordinator Monica Page recently received an award for Best Continuing Education Program of the Year in 2010.

Page was recognized during an April award ceremony at the SBDC Business Consultant Training Program at the University of Georgia’s Gwinnett campus.

She was recognized for a live interactive webcast, Salesmanship 101, which broadcast in November. After the program’s initial hosting at VSU, the University of Georgia’s Albany and Macon offices and Columbus State University’s SBDC hosted the program. Salesmanship 101 is available online at U.S. Education TV.

The University System of Georgia Office of Faculty Development launched the updated Teaching and Learning Resources website. The site is a centralized location with information to enhance teaching and learning.

The updates include links to online and face-to-face faculty development sessions, iTunesU archives as well as links to journals and scholarly articles.

Suggestions for content or additional resources are welcome and may be submitted on the Contact Us page. Check out the Office of Faculty Development on Facebook!

Sue Bailey with the Wimba Owl mascot during the Online Lifeline Conference, an event to encourage educators to explore the benefits of online teaching and learning.

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.

Sue Bailey : COSA Secretary

The program coordinator for Continuing Education's personal enrichment and professional development courses has served the council for the past three years as a memeber of the following committees: Blazer Books, COSA on the Move, Elections and as the Benevolence Officer.

Bailey said she loves her role in serving as a bridge between VSU and the community. COSA enables the mother of three to contribute within the university as well.

"I am proud to serve as a COSA representative, especially during this time of positive change and new opportunities to serve the staff of VSU," said Bailey, who has worked at VSU for the past four years. "I would like to see COSA continue to increase its effectiveness and accessibility to the staff and to see staff confidence grow in COSA’s efforts to advocate for their welfare. We have a great team of representatives who are committed to making that happen."

Read more about COSA's mission and activities ONLINE.

MONDAY, AUGUST 8

10-11 a.m. Opening Convocation Whitehead Auditorium

11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Faculty and Staff Luncheon Palms Dining Center

1:30-3 p.m. Deans, directors, and department heads meeting in Powell Hall auditorium

5:00-7:00 Orientation for new part-time faculty in Odum Library, Room 2634

TUESDAY, AUGUST 9

8 a.m.-noon College, division, and department activities

1:30-3 p.m. Core curriculum meeting in the University Center Magnolia Room 2

3:15-5 p.m. New faculty orientation opportunities Fair and reception in the University Center Magnolia Room 1 & UC Lobby. Official VSU photographs in the UC Dogwood Room.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10

Department and division meetings and activities

Students move into residence halls

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11

Department and division meetings and activities

Students move into residence halls

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12

Department and division meetings and activities

MONDAY, AUGUST 15

First class day of fall semester

Check out the updated Faculty/Staff Page, which lists the latest employee news and provides links to a variety of employee resources. Go >