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Page 11
Campus Review
July 3, 2013
times within the last two years, truly dedicat-
ing herself to the degree. The concentration
areas of her degree were science and lan-
guage arts.
Immediately following graduation, Rice had
an interview with Stockbridge Middle
School. During the interview the principal
expressed great interest in the fact that Rice
was a Clayton State graduate; it was even a
primary reason he pulled her application for
an interview. Rice explains that he went on
to say that Clayton State prepares future edu-
cators better than any other school around.
“He said that he has worked with many
Clayton State graduates and since we have
an awesome program he was sure that I
could handle the job,” says Rice.
Despite heavy interest in her from
Stockbridge Middle, Rice recently accepted
employment as a third grade teacher at
Walnut Creek Elementary in Henry County.
This is the same school where she complet-
ed her student teaching.
“I really wanted to teach middle school but,
thanks to Clayton State, I am certified to
teach early childhood as well. I got a job with
the school I did my student teaching in and
just couldn’t pass up the opportunity at such
a great school,” exclaims Rice.
Rice was very impressed with the
University’s education programs long-term
internship and placement assistance.
“Clayton State did an excellent job of setting
us up in a year long experience that greatly
impacted my success throughout my under-
grad,” says Rice.
Rice, who is currently engaged, explains,
“my fiancé and I were very excited to find
out that I had gotten a job so quickly out of
college!”
In accordance with her passion for teaching,
Rice works during the week as a horseback-
riding instructor.
“I have a horse of my own and love teaching
others about horses and horseback riding,”
Rice exclaims.
Alumnus Leslie Branson
Wins DAISY Award
For Extraordinary Nursing
Leslie Branson, a 2009 graduate of
Clayton State University and currently an
intensive care unit nurse at Piedmont
Fayette Hospital, has been named winner
of the DAISY (Diseases Attacking the
Immune System) Award for Extraordinary
Nurses. DAISY is part of a national pro-
gram honoring nurses for their clinical
skills and compassionate care for patients
and their families.
Branson was nominated for the award by
a patient’s family.
Before attending the Clayton State School
of Nursing, Branson started in nursing in
the U.S. Army, deciding to make nursing
her career in 1999. Branson began work-
ing in the Piedmont Fayette ICU after
graduating from Clayton State.
DAISY honorees are selected quarterly by
a selection committee and nursing admin-
istration team. The not-for-profit DAISY
Foundation was established by family
members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes,
who died at the age of 33 in 1999 from
complications
of
Idiopathic
Thrombocytopenic Purpura. The care
Barnes and his family received from nurs-
es inspired the creation of the Foundation
and its means of thanking nurses for mak-
ing a difference.
The Office of Development’s Happy Fiscal New Year event, held Monday, July 1, was sponsored
by Auxiliary Services and included lunch, ice cream, popcorn, candy and games as a thank you to
faculty and staff for their support in surpassing the University’s $600,000 fundraising goal.
Rice, cont’d.. from p. 7