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People

Henderson Goes to Atlanta

Erin Henderson is the new Director of Governmental Relations and Special Projects. The Division of University Advancement welcomed Erin Henderson to the position of Director of Governmental Relations and Special Projects. Henderson accepted the position as interim director in January after serving two years as director of UWG Corporate and Foundation Relations. Henderson, a Carrollton resident, has a degree in chemical engineering from Auburn University. The director coordinates UWG government relations activities and serves as a major fundraiser in addition to assisting with a variety of University of West Georgia Foundation, Inc., UWG alumni and campus events. Since being appointed as interim director, Henderson successfully coordinated efforts to secure $9.9 million in state funds to finance two capital projects at UWG. During the last session, state legislators gave the nod of approval to a $1.9 million road and bridge project and an $8 million renovation of the Ingram Library and the installation of the Speaker Thomas B. Murphy Capitol Office exhibit. Henderson is also credited with helping to create the wildly successful Live Art at the Townsend Center. Live Art presented the Memphis Ballet last year and has booked The John Faddis Chicago Jazz Ensemble for January 2.

Kudos

The Center for African-American Male Research, Success and Leadership conducted a three-week Project Grad program in Atlanta. The program served rising high school juniors from several Atlanta Public Schools with a rigorous academic schedule and provided an opportunity to attend a play at the Cultural Arts Center in Carrollton.

History Professor Jonathan Goldstein's chapter "Comparative Zionisms: Singapore and Manila" has been published in "The Jews in Asia: Comparative Perspectives," Shanghai: Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, 2007, pages 68 to 83.

Kudos features UWG faculty and staff articles and book publications, conference attendance and presentations, grants, organizational leadership and awards. E-mail your news to the Campus Chronicle editor.

In Memoriam

“Every Man Dies, Few Really Live”

On Tuesday August 12, West Georgia lost a faithful servant, his loving wife and three children lost a great dad, and great husband, and I lost my best friend. Gerald Kielborn, better known as “Bear,” fought the good fight for as long as his body, mind and spirit could. But cancer was too determined an opponent and it cut a man down in the prime of his life.

Bear ironically would have turned 54 on the day of his memorial service. I began working at West Georgia on the same day as a hulking man with a crazy goatee and tattoos on both arms and I asked myself, “what am I getting myself in to?”

Little did I know at the time that this imposing figure would become my only true friend in Carrollton. We both were not from here, didn’t grow up here, and that common bond brought two unlikely guys together.

I can honestly say that Bear had one of the biggest hearts of any person I have ever known. He always talked about his family and how proud he was of each and every one of them, and always with a gleam in his eyes.

There are not many employees here that cared more about UWG and its students than he did, and for that we should all feel the loss.

Bear was the kind of friend I could have called anytime, day or night, with a problem and he would always take the time to impart his wisdom onto me. Many people did not know how truly intelligent Bear was, but I did. In his time here at UWG he gave his all for the betterment of this school and its students and even though some here tried to make his road a difficult one, he never wavered from his kindness and willingness to help.

If you didn’t get to know Bear as a friend, I truly feel sorry for you. As for me, I am just proud to say that he was my friend.

Matt Wilson, Facilities and Grounds

the Bear

Campus Talk

Donna Haley, formerly the Senior Associate Registrar and Registrar of the Divinity School at Wake Forrest University, has been hired as the new registrar. She will be starting in mid-September. She has a background in several areas of Enrollment Management and, in a past military career, was an Air Traffic Controller. Her West Georgia email address is dhaley@westga.edu and her office number will be 9-5090.

Campus Talk features UWG faculty and staff announcements of marriages, births, new hires, promotions, transfers, retirements, trips and volunteer work. E-mail your news for publication consideration to the Campus Chronicle special sections editor.