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University Advisory Council 2017 President’s Scholar

As Middle Georgia State continues to grow into its role as a public Chosen annually, the President’s Scholar must have an outstanding
university, we want to remain engaged in economic development and academic record, been involved in campus and community service
grounded in the reality of the communities we serve. To that end, in activities, and demonstrate characteristics indicating the promise
2017, we launched a University Advisory Council comprised of local, of a successful future.
regional and statewide leaders from the public, private and non-profit
sectors. This year’s President’s Scholar is Rachel Hastings. Originally from South
The role of the Council, which meets twice per year, is to o er advice to Africa, Ms. Hastings is an exceptionally accomplished student who has a
the President on the strategic direction of the University. Specifically, strong sense of her interests, both in terms of academic scholarship as
members serve as sounding boards for the President and provide advice well as the application of that scholarship.
to ensure that the University is meeting the educational and economic
needs of the region and state. She describes herself as someone who
In carrying out their duties, members promote the mission of the wants to be an educator. Passionate
University to the broader regional and statewide community. We are about film, she believes it’s a universal
excited to work with some of the state’s leading visionaries to better language that can be used as a
meet the needs of our students and the people of Georgia. platform for discussions about
deeper social issues.
2017 Council: Alrene Barr, Phil Best, Jason Cobb, Britt Covington,
John Cushnie, Steve Daugherty, Sue Dryden; Hank Huckaby, Curtis Jones, In addition to her accomplishments
John Kennedy, Bob McMahon, Chrissy Miner, Keith Mo ett, Karen Paty; Randy Pizzi, as an Honors Program graduate, she
Jimmy Pruett, Rhett Rayburn, Robert Reichert, Mike Roby, Teya Ryan, Mark Scott; served as president and vice president
Ron Shipman, Dan Slagle, Steven J. Smith, Bill Underwood, Jimmy Walker of the Honors Student Association,
student administrative assistant to the
English Department, work study intern
for NewTown Macon and assistant in
the Media, Culture and the Arts
Department’s Mac Lab.

She was a stand out among others in Ms. Rachel Hastings at the Spring
her program of study, New Media and 2017 Commencement Ceremony
Communications. Today, she aspires to
earn a graduate degree in Film Studies.

At MGA, our motto is Find Your Greatness. To Ms. Hastings, greatness is
"having the courage to try. I believe that every individual has di erent
strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes fear will get in the way of
someone discovering a strength. Nelson Mandela said, 'Courage is
not the absence of fear but the triumph over it.' Without the courage
to try, someone could miss out on the discovery of a new strength.
Trying does not mean the fear goes away, but it builds courage and
increases a person’s unique greatness."