From left: Author K. Heidi Fishman and Alexandra MacMurdo Reiter, assistant professor of communication, worked together on their April 4 presentation. Photo by Kayley Agan

On April 4, Alexandra MacMurdo Reiter, an assistant professor of communicationand author K. Heidi Fishman gave a speech called “Passports for Life: Holocaust Rescuer & Survival.” The speech took place at GHC’s Cartersville campus.

MacMurdo Reiter and Fishman shared their findings about their grandfathers who lived during the Holocaust. MacMurdo Reiter’s grandfather, Stefan Ryniewicz, saved the life of Fishman’s grandfather, Heinz Lichtenstern.

MacMurdo Reiter had recently found out that her grandfather, a Polish diplomat, was part of a group of men who acquired blank passports from Paraguay and other countries and forged them to help Jewish families escape from death during World War II.

GHC published a story about this in The Highlander. GHC’s public relations department pitched this story to local newspaper outlets. The Cartersville Daily Tribune picked it up as a front page story. Shortly after this article was published, Fishman contacted MacMurdo Reiter from Vermont and told her that her grandfather (and family) were saved by one of her grandfather’s passports. Shocked, MacMurdo Reiter couldn’t believe that: “She is here and alive because of these passports,” she said.

In the presentation, MacMurdo Reiter thanked their ancestors, “They have allowed some special women to become historians.” Fishman and MacMurdo Reiter then delved into the research and background behind these passports.

Fishman’s mother, Ruth, was born two months after the Nuremberg Race Laws came out. To get away, her grandfather, Lichtenstern, moved their family to Amsterdam. Unfortunately, the Nazi’s invaded Amsterdam in 1940.

Once the Nazi’s invaded, Fishman’s family was sent to Westerbork, a concentration camp and stayed there for nine months. Fishman’s family was fortunate enough to stay alive at this camp. Therefore when Fishman’s grandfather received news that he was going to be transferred to Auschwitz, an extermination camp, they were devastated.

When her grandfather was lining up to be transported to Auschwitz, someone reminded him about the fake passport he had.

Not really believing it would work, he decided to try using it anyway.

Years later, his granddaughter is now able to share this story thanks to his forged passport. When he showed this passport, instead of being sent to Auschwitz, he and his family were transferred to Theresienstadt. This camp was considered in this time period a “privileged camp,” according to Fishman.

Although this camp might have been considered “privileged” compared to the extermination camps, 33,000 people died from malnutrition and disease at this camp.

This passport was created by a Bernese group known as the Latos group.

MacMurdo’s Reiter grandfather just so happened to be one of the three Polish diplomats who helped make these passports happen.

Taking the speech to a conclusion, Fishman shared that around 8,300-8,700 people got a hold of these foreign passports, and 3,000-4,000 of these people survived

Although the Holocaust and these events are from the past, Fishman reminded everyone, “There are still things being done in the world to target certain groups of people.”

She explained that the Holocaust did not start with gas chambers.

It started with words and people treating each other differently just because of appearance or different beliefs. “As humans, we have to stop doing that,” she said.

Before ending their speech to move on to the reception and Fishman’s book signing, MacMurdo Reiter requested that the audience “Please, carry the message of peace on forward and be a blessing, just like the Latos group.” She added, “You too, can be a hero, by simply being kind.”

Students who want to read more into this history, can purchase Fishman’s novel, “Tutti’s Promise,” based on her family’s experience, especially her mother, Tutti’s, time during the Holocaust.

Students who attended the annual ski/snowboard trip received course credit for PHED 1420, which is a two credit hour elective physical education class. Contributed Photo

Over winter break students and professors from GHC went on the 40th annual ski/snowboard trip.

The trip ran from Dec. 31 to Jan. 4. Everyone who went on the trip received ski or snowboard instruction from the acclaimed French Swiss Ski College in Appalachian Ski Mountain in Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

Students stayed at the Super 8 Motel in Boone, North C arolina and received full day sessions of skiing or snowboarding, lessons, lift tickets, equipment rental, motel charges and even their course textbook all in their trip fee.

Being able to have gone on a trip while earning credit for school, these students received course credit for PHED 1420, Beginning Snow Skiing and Snowboarding, a 2-hour elective physical education class. Not only will this class help students complete their pathway at GHC, but this course is transferable as a physical education elective to other colleges.

One of the 18 students in particular who attended the trip, Trevor Jenkins, had never been skiing or snowboarding before. He quickly found that it is one of his new favorite things to do.

Jenkins said, “It was hard to learn at first, because it is something new your body and mind are not used to.” But on the second day, he began to pick up on the skill easier as he got more practice. Jenkins also said that he started off the New Year with not only a new skill but also new friends.

Bailey Stilwell, another GHC student, went on the trip already knowing how to snowboard and considering himself an “intermediate/advanced rider.” Even though he went into the trip already knowing a lot about it, Stilwell said, “The lessons were very helpful in teaching me things I had never known or tried before.”

For students considering going on the trip, Professor Reiter “highly recommends students to consider this trip for next year, especially if they need a physical education elective.”

For questions and information on future ski/snowboarding trips, students can email Professor Ken Weatherman. Although he is now retired, he has run the trip from the first year and will continue. His email is kweather@highlands.edu.

Thomas Boylan, a GHC graduate, is looking to work on his bachelor in criminal justice through the new Criminal Justice bachelor’s program next year. Photo by Catie Sullivan

Students will now have the opportunity to graduate from Georgia Highlands with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

At this time the program is pending and waiting the approval of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Alan Nichols, dean of division of social sciences business and education said, “Our goal is for these new classes to begin in the upcoming spring semester.”

Since GHC is partnering up with eMajor for this unique addition, the program will be held completely online.

Although there will be no in person classes for this bachelor’s program, students still have the option of online or physical classes for their associate’s degree in criminal justice.

Coming together with Dalton State College and Georgia Southwestern State University, professors from all of these schools get together to teach the criminal justice classes. Therefore, a Georgia Highland’s student might be taught by a professor from one of the other two schools.

One professor in particular, Greg Sumner, is the program coordinator for this new addition. Sumner has been teaching for 18 years, and he said, “It’s nice after all of these years to finally get to a point where we too are now offering a bachelor’s degree.”

Perfect for an individual who is either finishing their associates or who is transferring from another school, this is a great opportunity for students to receive their bachelor’s degree with tremendous flexibility but also the level of expertise they would have at a bigger university.

Thomas Boylan received his associates in criminal justice from GHC in the spring of 2018 and is looking to receive his bachelor in criminal justice through the new program next year.

Boylan said, “I am looking forward to the more advanced classes offered in the bachelor program and I’m interested in learning about criminal investigation.”

Seeing how rare this truly is, Sumner said, “I wish I had this opportunity years ago when I completed my undergraduate.”

In addition to the classes required for the bachelor’s degree, students will also have to complete an internship in their junior or senior year.

Allowing students to get their foot into the door to wherever they would like to go in the future, this internship can be in anywhere relevant to the criminal justice field.

Just like with any other classes, Financial Aid is an option with these eMajor classes.

To learn more about eMajor, visit https://emajor.usg.edu.

Dana Nichols is GHC’s new vice president of academic affairs. Photo by Isaac Johnson.

Dana Nichols is GHC’s new vice president for academic affairs. Bearing a huge responsibility to the students and faculty of GHC, Nichols said, “At the end of the day, it is my job to ensure that GHC is delivering quality education to its students.”

Nichols’ goal is to develop programs that are relevant to today’s workforce needs, maintain appropriate levels of academic rigor in all programs and provide professional development opportunities to faculty so they “stay at the forefront of best practices in teaching and learning,” she said.

Fortunately, she believes she has an “amazing team of deans, directors and faculty to help me do this.”

Donald Green, the president of Georgia Highlands, took part in the hiring process of Nichols. Green saw that “Dr. Nichols’ first priority was students.” He values that Nichols embraces innovation and change.

Nichols was born and raised in Georgia. She received her associate degree from Gainesville College, her bachelor’s degree from Mercer University and her graduate degree from Georgia State University.

She began her career in education at Gainesville College. Nichols worked in writing and foreign language labs, tutoring in all levels of Spanish, linguistics and English. She also taught English as a second language.

She eventually became assistant vice president of academic affairs at Lanier Tech in 2014 and in 2016 at Chattanooga State College.

Regardless of how she made it to this point, Nichols is thankful for the opportunity to help people change their lives for the better. “My favorite part of this job is seeing students succeed in attaining their goals,” she said.

New science labs are featured in the new STEAM building. These labs will make more class space available on the Cartersville campus. Photo by Sarah Belcher.

The grand opening for the new academic building at the Cartersville campus will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 16, from 4-6 p.m.

Anyone who would like to attend can RSVP by visiting ribboncutting.highlands.edu. This opening will include a brief ceremony on the lawn and an official ribbon-cutting.

After the ribbon-cutting, the building will be open for tours.

Nicknamed the “STEAM building,” this 52,000-square foot, 22.5-million dollar building will include the following: science, technology, engineering, art and math classes.

The building contains new science labs, an art studio, computer labs and lecture rooms. Some GHC employees will be moving offices into the new building.

The president of Georgia Highlands, Donald Green, said, “The new building is incredible.” Decorated with GHC’s colors, orange and blue, this new building has modern design elements such as floor to ceiling windows and glass walls. It will even include “two murals dedicated to science, math and technology,” Green said.

Before the new building, science students have had a hard time completing their pathway due to lack of science labs (including fume hoods and safety features).

Excited about the enhancements for the science department, Sarah Tesar, the interim dean of natural science and physical education, said, “With the five new labs and new science equipment, we will now be able to expand biology and chemistry course offerings.”

Just as with science, the art department will be improving as well.

Russell Cook, assistant professor of art, said he is looking forward to teaching in the “double-sized art lab with a big empty space and nice lighting.”

Only some classes will be moved over this semester, but a full slate of classes is planned for spring 2019.

Leslie Johnson, Cartersville campus dean, said, “By moving over a sample of classes this semester, it enables us to have a trial run in the new building in order to work out technology or other facility issues.”
Green and Johnson thank state legislators, members of the University System of Georgia, alumni, local community leaders and educators across the state for their assistance with the new building.

Registration for summer classes is now open. The different types of summer classes include Maymester, full summer and June and July sessions.

Although Maymester classes still have the same amount of material to cover, May session classes will begin May 14 and end with final exams on June 1.

June and July sessions have a bit more time but are still extremely condensed.

June session runs from June 4-28. July session runs from July 9-August 2.

Just like fall and spring semester classes, summer full-session classes are most similar to a normal semester.

Although there will still be less time to cover material, the full June/July session is the best for students who want something similar to what they have already taken.

The full June/July semester runs from June 4-August 2.

Summer classes are an opportunity to make a student’s life less stressful, catch up and maybe even get ahead.

Also, “registering for summer classes is a great way for students to get back on pace towards degree completion,” said Yoursheko Owens, Paulding’s academic adviser.

Eden Reynolds, a student from the Paulding campus, is using summer classes for her advantage.

Not only is she taking summer classes on campus but online as well.

Although Reynolds has always had a full time class schedule, she said, “I am taking online and on campus classes this summer to make sure I can graduate on time,” she said.

Although she took five classes her first semester and five currently, she is still not on track to graduate in two years.

Taking summer classes at Georgia Highlands will help guarantee Reynolds the ability to complete her associate’s degree in two years.

How to register

To sign up for summer classes, a student can talk with one of their campus advisers to receive assistance.   They can also log on to SCORE to complete registration themselves.

Sign-ups for GHC’s yearly trip to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival will begin in early February.

This trip will give students a chance to visit Montgomery, Alabama and watch performances of “The Miracle Worker” by William Gibson and “Twelfth Night” by William Shakespeare.

According to John Spranza, director of Student Life, “The Miracle Worker” is, “a contemporary play about the life of Helen Keller and her teacher Anne Sullivan,” and “Twelfth Night” is “somewhat like a Shakespeare romantic comedy.”

The Student Life office and the Humanities division are sponsoring this trip, and it will take place on April 28-29.

Students who would like to go on the trip must receive a registration packet from the Student Life Office or online. Payment for the trip will be done in the business office and the receipt and packet will then be brought to Student Life.

The trip fee will include admission into the two plays, hotel accommodations, charter bus transportation, an additional side excursion and some meals.

Pricing may vary depending on occupancy of hotel rooms. A hotel room with more than one person will be cheaper than the cost of staying in a room alone. Participants of the trip can request a roommate or be paired up randomly.

Side excursions will include a Montgomery Biscuits minor league baseball game, the park around the Alabama Shakespeare facility as well as the Shakespeare garden.

Sign-ups will begin February 5 and run through March 5. A $50 deposit is required at sign up and sign up will be handled by the Student Life Office.

The balance of the trip fee will be due March 20.

“English classes and many other classes as well offer extra credit to students who go on the trip,” said Kristie Kemper, English professor and one of the trip’s coordinators.

Photo by Kara Ledbetter
Members of Students Without Borders meet international students at Kennesaw State.

Students from Georgia Highlands’ Students Without Borders club recently went on a field trip to Kennesaw State University’s Global Village.

After visiting with the International Student Association, members of Students Without Borders were able to see exactly how many different nationalities of people call Kennesaw State University home.

Kennesaw State has students from more than 120 different countries. “When we first stepped into the room that houses the International Student Association, I was in awe,” said Diana Fain, a Georgia Highlands student. The room is decorated with the flags of all of the countries where students who are a part of the association are from.

Each member of the International Student Association spoke a bit about his or her country of origin. “I especially liked the guy from Jamaica,” Fain said. “He had such a unique accent and spoke about how different schools are in Jamaica.” “The best part of the trip was meeting the students,” said TeKirah Williams, another member of Students Without Borders.

The club members were able to ask the international students as many questions as they wanted. They were even able to compare and contrast each other’s lives. Ending the Oct. 13 trip, their last stop was at KSU’s dining hall, The Commons. Going along with the “international” theme, there was a variety of different foods to pick from. “I literally walked around the place twice trying to decide what I wanted to eat,” Williams said.

Faculty adviser for the Students Without Borders club and Assistant Professor of Communication Alexandra MacMurdo Reiter said about her visit to The Commons, “There are so many delicious food choices from designing your own stir-fry bowl to getting a custom pressed panini sandwich, having fresh alternatives such as the salad bar or delicious sushi or going to the good old stand-by choices of pizza, hot dogs or hamburgers, that it can be a bit overwhelming!”

Students Without Borders enjoyed being able to learn and experience different cultures visiting the Global Village. “In the future, I encourage anyone to visit,” said Williams. For anyone interested in stopping by and checking out Kennesaw State University’s campus, dining hall and The Commons, the areas are all open to the public.