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Campus Review
June 3, 2013
Debbie-Ann Lawrence Publishes First Book
by Samantha Watson, University Relations
Shannon Polson’s Dream Made Real
Debbie-Ann Lawrence, Atlanta resident
and recent Clayton State University grad-
uate, released her first book in January
2013, entitled “Your Year of Turn Around:
40 Days of Encouragement.” It is avail-
able at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and
Xlibris Publisher’s bookstore/website.
In December 2012 Lawrence graduated
from Clayton State with a paralegal certi-
fication after earning her B.A. in
Sociology from Purchase College at
SUNY and her Masters in Business
Administration from Long Island
University.
Lawrence’s book aims to inspire and sup-
port greatness within individuals, busi-
nesses, and ministries. The 40-day
encouragement plan consists of reflection
journal entries, daily prayers, as well as
decrees and business/sports strategies.
The book’s goal is to facilitate the detailed
planning of every day for 40 days. The
book also offers a personal inventory and
self-improvement chart to help control and
modify stress within different areas of life.
“I was inspired to write the book while
taking a course taught by Professor Mara
Mooney. I started the book during the lat-
ter part of the course and I completed it by
the end,” comments Lawrence.
She emphasizes, “Professor Mara
Mooney’s inspiration, leadership, and
great level of excellence greatly impacted
me. I graduated more equipped and
empowered for life.”
Lawrence hopes that her readers develop
a workable plan for multiple successes,
and that they are inspired to do what they
have always wanted to do. Several
schools, businesses, churches, and indi-
viduals have contracted Lawrence to be a
ghostwriter, book coach, and writing con-
sultant following the release of her book.
She is due to release her second book in
the late summer of 2013.
In addition to the writing projects, she has
also received many opportunities for pub-
lic speaking, workshops, conferences, and
several teaching outlets. She has also
recently been accepted to a doctoral pro-
gram in Leadership and Education.
Lawrence thrives on variety and loves
movies, music, shopping, and water
sports. She believes in being well round-
ed.
“I go above and beyond the call of my
prescribed paralegal duties and that has
lead me into the avenue of motivational
speaking. I have a genuine concern for
people and their success,” comments
Lawrence.
“It has always been my dream to become
a high school English teacher. As humor-
ous as it may be, I even remember insist-
ing to be the teacher whenever I ‘played
school’ with my friends as a child,” con-
fesses Shannon Polson, Clayton State
University alumnus.
Around the time Polson graduated from
Stockbridge High School, her mother was
diagnosed with a crippling disease. She
states that Clayton State’s local location
made it possible for her to care for her
mother while attending school. Clayton
State’s beautiful campus, remarkable
English department, and reasonable price
are the other factors that led her to be a
part of Laker Nation.
Polson graduated magna cum laude with a
3.89 GPA from Clayton State in the spring
of 2012 with a B.A. in English and a cer-
tification to teach English at the second-
ary level. She professes that she, “would
not be where I am today without the sup-
port system I had through my professors
— especially Dr. McNamara and Dr.
Smith, who encouraged me through the
toughest times.”
She also expresses that the English and
Education departments are “phenome-
nal.” She is grateful to the supportive fac-
ulty for going the extra mile to help stu-
dents’ dreams be made real.
The outstanding experience that solidified
Polson’s decision to become an English
teacher was her Literary London study
abroad trip. She explains that the most
memorable day of the trip involved a visit
to the Globe Theater to watch
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. During
the trip she remembered a lecture on the
Globe Theater given by her ninth grade
literature teacher.
“I remember asking my teacher why we
had to learn about the theater and she said,
‘because I’m willing to bet some of you
guys will either have an opportunity to
watch a play at the Globe one day, or have
an opportunity to teach this information to
your own ninth grade class,’” recalls
Polson.
Polson’s story was featured on the Clayton
State University facebook page! Follow our
social media at news.clayton.edu.
Alumni
Polson, cont’d, p. 12