President’s Report 2016

President’s Report 2016

Letter from the President

“Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak.” (St. Anthony of Padua) As one of the most dynamic comprehensive colleges in the Southeast, Piedmont College believes that the actions of our students speak volumes about our institutional mission. Student interactions with our talented professors enrich and transform the lives of both teachers and students. We are proud of our 119-year history of providing educational opportunities in the traditional liberal arts, in professional programs, and in new cutting-edge majors – all with 21st century relevance. We are also proud of the successes our students achieve upon leaving us with high levels of career placements for our graduates. Another key component of the Piedmont experience is helping our students examine and understand the importance of leadership. Our Congregational heritage, with particular emphasis on service and social justice, informs every aspect of our lives together and helps teach all of us to embrace our diverse society. Citizens of this exciting time, our students are acutely aware of the roles they will play in the communities they join after leaving us. They also realize that the rich encounters that define our living and learning community shape them for the important responsibilities they will assume. As you review the following snapshot of our most recent months, keep in mind the mission which guides every venture and adventure along our shared journey: Piedmont College dedicates itself to the transformative power of education through reciprocal learning, the development of compassionate leaders, and the stewardship of our local and global communities.

James F. MellichampPresident

Letter from the President

“Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak.” (St. Anthony of Padua) As one of the most dynamic comprehensive colleges in the Southeast, Piedmont College believes that the actions of our students speak volumes about our institutional mission. Student interactions with our talented professors enrich and transform the lives of both teachers and students. We are proud of our 119-year history of providing educational opportunities in the traditional liberal arts, in professional programs, and in new cutting-edge majors – all with 21st century relevance. We are also proud of the successes our students achieve upon leaving us with high levels of career placements for our graduates. Another key component of the Piedmont experience is helping our students examine and understand the importance of leadership. Our Congregational heritage, with particular emphasis on service and social justice, informs every aspect of our lives together and helps teach all of us to embrace our diverse society. Citizens of this exciting time, our students are acutely aware of the roles they will play in the communities they join after leaving us. They also realize that the rich encounters that define our living and learning community shape them for the important responsibilities they will assume. As you review the following snapshot of our most recent months, keep in mind the mission which guides every venture and adventure along our shared journey: Piedmont College dedicates itself to the transformative power of education through reciprocal learning, the development of compassionate leaders, and the stewardship of our local and global communities.

James F. MellichampPresident

Letter from the President

“Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak.” (St. Anthony of Padua) As one of the most dynamic comprehensive colleges in the Southeast, Piedmont College believes that the actions of our students speak volumes about our institutional mission. Student interactions with our talented professors enrich and transform the lives of both teachers and students. We are proud of our 119-year history of providing educational opportunities in the traditional liberal arts, in professional programs, and in new cutting-edge majors – all with 21st century relevance. We are also proud of the successes our students achieve upon leaving us with high levels of career placements for our graduates. Another key component of the Piedmont experience is helping our students examine and understand the importance of leadership. Our Congregational heritage, with particular emphasis on service and social justice, informs every aspect of our lives together and helps teach all of us to embrace our diverse society. Citizens of this exciting time, our students are acutely aware of the roles they will play in the communities they join after leaving us. They also realize that the rich encounters that define our living and learning community shape them for the important responsibilities they will assume. As you review the following snapshot of our most recent months, keep in mind the mission which guides every venture and adventure along our shared journey: Piedmont College dedicates itself to the transformative power of education through reciprocal learning, the development of compassionate leaders, and the stewardship of our local and global communities.

James F. MellichampPresident

Here is a performance that earns a standing ovation. Recent Piedmont students in fine arts education programs have reported a 100-percent job placement record following graduation. Bravo! Clearly, their natural talents, combined with the advantages of top-notch faculty and first-class venues, make these young professionals in demand and fully prepared to shine as they begin the next stage of their careers.

“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” – Aristotle

Here is a performance that earns a standing ovation. Recent Piedmont students in fine arts education programs have reported a 100-percent job placement record following graduation. Bravo! Clearly, their natural talents, combined with the advantages of top-notch faculty and first-class venues, make these young professionals in demand and fully prepared to shine as they begin the next stage of their careers.

“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” – Aristotle

There are many paths to a fulfilling future. Some follow classic routes. Others take off in new – and ever-changing – directions. Piedmont prides itself on not being a one-dream-fits-all college. Look at our list of programs and you will find traditional liberal arts degrees. You will also find innovative, 21st century majors. 2015 saw the addition of a major in Cardiovascular Technology – the first four-year program of its kind in Georgia.

“To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” – Winston Churchill

There are many paths to a fulfilling future. Some follow classic routes. Others take off in new – and ever-changing – directions. Piedmont prides itself on not being a one-dream-fits-all college. Look at our list of programs and you will find traditional liberal arts degrees. You will also find innovative, 21st century majors. 2015 saw the addition of a major in Cardiovascular Technology – the first four-year program of its kind in Georgia.

“To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” – Winston Churchill

We’re always asking, “What’s not to love about living on this campus?” More and more students are nodding “yes” in agreement. After three consecutive years of record freshman class enrollments, Piedmont’s on-campus population reached the never-before mark of 615 students. Maybe it really does take a village. In 2015, the Piedmont Village opened, adding 12 apartment-style buildings and space for 192 additional students. It also builds strong community connections with 10,000 square feet of retail space for small businesses.

“I live in a village where people still care about each other, largely”– Jan Karon

We’re always asking, “What’s not to love about living on this campus?” More and more students are nodding “yes” in agreement. After three consecutive years of record freshman class enrollments, Piedmont’s on-campus population reached the never-before mark of 615 students. Maybe it really does take a village. In 2015, the Piedmont Village opened, adding 12 apartment-style buildings and space for 192 additional students. It also builds strong community connections with 10,000 square feet of retail space for small businesses.

“I live in a village where people still care about each other, largely”– Jan Karon

A special sense of community – of belonging – is a big part of college. So is being a good neighbor. In Piedmont’s “Intro to College Life” course, freshmen see the impact of reaching out a helping hand. The latest class was the seventh in a row to organize an “Empty Bowls” fundraiser for a local soup kitchen – making and selling ceramic bowls for an annual dinner. To date, more than $10,000 has been raised. That’s what we call heartwarming.

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” – Oscar Wilde

A special sense of community – of belonging – is a big part of college. So is being a good neighbor. In Piedmont’s “Intro to College Life” course, freshmen see the impact of reaching out a helping hand. The latest class was the seventh in a row to organize an “Empty Bowls” fundraiser for a local soup kitchen – making and selling ceramic bowls for an annual dinner. To date, more than $10,000 has been raised. That’s what we call heartwarming.

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” – Oscar Wilde

“Conscience is a man’s compass” – Vincent Van Gogh

What happens in the classroom doesn’t stay in the classroom at Piedmont. It is knowledge that gets to be tried on for size. Piedmont’s Compass program, an undergraduate requirement since 2013, provides students with this-is-for-real opportunities. Students have completed more than 380 Compass projects, ranging from studying black bears with researchers at an Athens animal sanctuary to working with local school systems on farm-to-table initiatives. Eye-opening? Yes. Resumé enhancing? Yes, again.

“Conscience is a man’s compass” – Vincent Van Gogh

What happens in the classroom doesn’t stay in the classroom at Piedmont. It is knowledge that gets to be tried on for size. Piedmont’s Compass program, an undergraduate requirement since 2013, provides students with this-is-for-real opportunities. Students have completed more than 380 Compass projects, ranging from studying black bears with researchers at an Athens animal sanctuary to working with local school systems on farm-to-table initiatives. Eye-opening? Yes. Resumé enhancing? Yes, again.

Social justice and its study are woven into Piedmont’s fiber. It is a natural reflection of our affiliation with the United Church of Christ and the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches. It is also the driving force behind the recent creation of the Lillian E. Smith Center, named for the Georgia author and civil-rights pioneer. This summer the college presented an honorary degree to a contemporary and friend of Lillian Smith’s, Lonnie C. King Jr. of Atlanta, a founder of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee in the 1960s.

“To believe in something not yet proved and to underwrite it with our lives: it is the only way we can leave the future open.” – Lillian Smith

Social justice and its study are woven into Piedmont’s fiber. It is a natural reflection of our affiliation with the United Church of Christ and the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches. It is also the driving force behind the recent creation of the Lillian E. Smith Center, named for the Georgia author and civil-rights pioneer. This summer the college presented an honorary degree to a contemporary and friend of Lillian Smith’s, Lonnie C. King Jr. of Atlanta, a founder of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee in the 1960s.

“To believe in something not yet proved and to underwrite it with our lives: it is the only way we can leave the future open.” – Lillian Smith

Our Core ValuesInquiry

Piedmont College fosters an environment for learning by engaging in critical and creative dialogue. All members of the college community are challenged to immerse themselves in discovery, analysis, and communication.

ServicePiedmont College cultivates a sense of gratitude and duty to humanity by offering opportunities for civic engagement, personal growth, and ethical reasoning in action.

LegacyPiedmont College upholds the intellectual, social, and theological heritage of Congregationalism through excellence in teaching and scholarship and by embracing our diverse society. We further these principles by encouraging empathy, innovative thought, and responsibility towards ourselves and others.

NON-PROFITU. S. POSTAGE

PAIDGAINESVILLE, GA

PERMIT #47

PIEDMONT COLLEGE

PO Box 10Demorest, Georgia 30535

www.piedmont.edu