Basic HTML Version
Campus Review
December 12, 2013
Page 18
Rafter, another MAT Mathematics gradu-
ate, teaches five math courses this semes-
ter. He agrees that the location was impor-
tant in his decision since he has a family,
but, he also was drawn to the small class
sizes.
“I liked that the program was small and
very individualized, and that the profes-
sors know me. I actually walked out of the
program with a few friends instead of
people I’ll never see again,” he says.
Strader, who teaches freshman English
composition classes, says in reference to
her attraction to Clayton’s MAT English
program, “I was attracted to the MAT pro-
gram because it is a flexible program that
allowed me to acquire teaching creden-
tials while also pursuing the study of liter-
ature at the graduate level. The MAT pro-
gram at Clayton looked like a program
that would be more balanced for someone
like me, someone who wanted to study
both education and literature.”
The MAT graduate programs have provid-
ed these faculty members with positive
experiences at Clayton State and they did-
n’t hesitate at the opportunity to return to
the college to teach.
Harris, who previously taught public
school mathematics, now teaches several
math courses within the Mathematics
Department at Clayton State. She express-
es that she enjoys teaching college math
because she is fond of the flexibility in the
curriculum.
“I like the freedom you have to teach col-
lege students. There is more flexibility in
the college realm, where I can teach the
method that is best for my students and
me,” she says.
In some cases, a graduate student doesn’t
want to leave Clayton State. Gladden, a
MAT English graduate, teaches three
freshmen English composition courses
with the English department. When asked
why she wanted to return to Clayton State
to teach she replied, “I love this school so
much that I didn’t want to leave it. I am
so committed to Clayton State University
because I owe this school for the amazing
education I received here, and I wanted to
give back through my teaching. It was my
dream to work here, and as promised by
the Clayton State motto, my dreams were
made real.”
Smoak, a MAT English graduate who
teaches two freshmen English composi-
tion classes, agrees that the atmosphere is
contagious.
“I returned to Clayton State because I love
the atmosphere, the campus, the people --
both the students and professors,” he says.
“The diversity of the faculty and students
here assures that I am learning all sorts of
new things. I'm addicted to learning and
diversity, and those with an open mind,
creates a learning-rich atmosphere.”
Dr. Barbara Goodman, chair of the
English Department, is thrilled that sever-
al graduates from Clayton State’s School
of Graduate Studies are now faculty mem-
bers and teach within her department.
“I think it’s wonderful, we are very excit-
ed when we have some of our students
who have received their master’s degree
here at Clayton State,” she says. “They are
all doing an excellent job teaching this
semester.”
The newest members of Clayton State’s
faculty hope to impart knowledge and life
skills into their students.
“As a faculty member, I hope to do a great
job preparing my freshman to write...for
the rest of their lives! Freshman composi-
tion represents the last time that many of
them will be formally instructed in writ-
ing. Writing is a life skill, and it enriches
one's career and interpersonal life,” points
out Strader.
Clayton State’s School of Graduate
Studies includes nine graduate programs.
The School of Graduate Studies is in its
eighth year of providing graduate pro-
grams to students and this is the fourth
year for the Master of Arts in Teaching
(MAT) English and Mathematics pro-
grams at Clayton State. Currently, there
are 366 graduate students enrolled in
Clayton State’s School of Graduate
Studies.
“In 1969, when Clayton State welcomed its
first students to study at our campus, there
was great excitement in our community,” she
says. “That same sense of pride and respect
continues today because Clayton State con-
tinues to distinguish itself as a premiere insti-
tution for higher learning.
“As a graduate of the College of Arts and
Sciences, I am honored to chair the
Dean’s Advisory Board, and I look for-
ward to sharing Clayton State’s journey of
excellence with not only our community,
but also the world.”
Serving as vice chair of the Dean’s
Advisory Board is Dr. Eugene Hatfield,
professor emeritus of History, and one of
the seminal faculty members in Clayton
State’s progression from a junior college
to a University, and the first director of the
University’s Honors Program. Continuing
to take an active role in the University he
served for more than 30 years, Hatfield is
also president of the Clayton State
Retirees Association.
“I had the privilege of teaching some
excellent students while I was at Clayton
State,” he says. “I know that like my stu-
dents then, many of our current students
have challenges to overcome in gaining a
college education. I think this organiza-
tion will help encourage them in their
efforts and recognize their achievements.
I look forward to being a part of it.
“I have known most of the members of
the Dean's group for many years. I look
forward to working with them and Dean
Momayezi in our efforts to assist students
in the College of Arts & Sciences.”
State Representative Valencia Stovall (D-
74th) of Ellenwood serves as the treasurer
of the Dean’s Advisory Board, and Henry
County State Court Judge Jason T. Harper
serves as secretary.
Other Dean’s Advisory Board members
include retired Clayton State faculty
members Dr. Elliott McElroy, Dr. Brad
Rice, Dr. Joseph Trachtenberg and Dr.
John Kohler.
Faculty Grads, cont’d. from p. 17
Advisory Board, cont’d. from p. 6
Advisory Board, cont’d., p. 20