CoffeeBreak is an e-newsletter distributed to Averett faculty and staff to keep them up-to-date on campus activities and information. Please send information you would like included in CoffeeBreak via this form. For the next CoffeeBreak, please submit by Friday, Aug. 16, for a Wednesday, Aug. 21, publication.

August Opening of the Year Session Today

Today’s the day! Join your fellow faculty and staff as we celebrate the opening of new school year! The afternoon begins at 2 p.m. with refreshments and fellowship in the lobby of the Violet T. Frith Fine Arts Center, followed by our program in Pritchett Auditorium at 2:30 p.m. featuring new faculty and staff pinning, a live interview discussion with Dr. Franks, and a fun and informative game of Averett Family Feud!

Following our Opening of the Year Session, President Tiffany Franks and Joe Franks will host you and your loved ones at 4 p.m. for a family social at their home, 500 Hawthorne Dr. Please note, families are invited to join at 4 p.m. at the President’s House, but the program in Pritchett is for faculty and staff.

Submit to Cougar Connection TODAY

The first Cougar Connection of the 2019-20 academic year will go out to students on Monday, Aug. 19. Please submit to Cougar Connection through this form. Submissions are due on the Wednesday prior. For example: please submit by Wednesday, Aug. 14, for a Monday, Aug. 19 publication. Cougar Connection is a weekly newsletter for students, informing them of weekly and upcoming events.

Cougar Business Festival

This Friday, Aug. 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Main Campus, the CCECC is hosting the first “Cougar Business Festival,” intentionally coinciding with first-year check-in. We have 65 businesses from Danville coming to market their goods and services to our new students and their families. We see this as a great opportunity to bridge the University and the community and give our local businesses a chance to welcome our new Cougars to Danville. Every business will have giveaways, including food samples, gift cards, coupons, dental products, free haircuts, auto care products, etc.

There will be a DJ, food, decorations and a really good time to be had by all. Drop by the Student Center patio and lawn area to grab some goodies as we all work hard to move in our new students.

Sam’s Club Registration and Wellness at Cougar Business Fest

Our Sam’s Club representative will be in attendance at the Cougar Business Fest, Friday, Aug. 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Woodland Drive for an opportunity to register for a membership. Sam’s Club offers a variety of plans for discounts on gas, car washes and exclusive shopping opportunities. If you’d like to sign-up for a membership or renew a current membership (even a few months in advance), please visit the Sam’s Club table.

The employee wellness team will also be holding a table at the inaugural Cougar Business Fest. This event is the perfect time to ask questions regarding registering in the wellness portal, upcoming events, the wellness incentive, etc. We encourage all faculty and staff to come out as many vendors from the community that promote wellness will be in attendance!

Opening Convocation

Opening Convocation will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 11:15 a.m. in Pritchett Auditorium.
Adjunct faculty and staff are invited to participate in the academic procession. In order to participate you must have received at least a graduate degree and have the proper regalia. If you would like to participate, please email Mary Sullivan at [email protected] by Friday, Aug. 16.

2019-20 Middle Border Forward Fellowship

The Middle Border Forward (MBF) Fellowship Program is accepting applications for its next round of fellows. The MBF Fellowship is a year-long, leadership development program designed to introduce emerging leaders to the opportunities and challenges within the Middle Border region, encourage civic engagement and create a network of grassroots leaders poised to make a change where they live and work.

Fellows meet monthly for day-long sessions on a variety of topics and work collaboratively to complete a community impact project prior to graduation. Interested applicants can apply here through Monday, Aug. 19.

August Birthday Celebration

Wishing you the nicest things that life can bring your way, And this is not just a birthday wish…it’s meant for every day!

Host: President Franks and Joe Franks
For: Celebration for faculty and staff with August birthdays
When: Wednesday, Aug. 28
Where: Main Hall Penthouse
Time: 3:30-4:30 p.m.
RSVP to [email protected]

Middle Border Explorer!

Are you ready to discover all that the Middle Border region has to offer? Take part in an exciting scavenger hunt via Smartphone app hosted by the Middle Border Forward Fellowship. Use the app to visit at least 10 free and unique scavenger hunt locations for a chance to win up to $600! The competition began Thursday, Aug. 1, and ends Thursday, Sept. 12!

Instructions:
-Download the ‘Actionbound’ app from the App Store.
-Head to Middle Border Forward’s office in Downtown Danville or to the Registrar’s Office!
-Open the App, click ‘Scan Code’ and scan the QR code on the poster.
-Begin Exploring!

AU People Directory

As we welcome all of our new employees to the campus, please make sure their contact information for AU People is up-to-date. Send those updates to Kathie Tune or Travis Dix as soon as possible. Make sure the contact information is complete for Travis to place on the AU People web page.

Questions? Contact Kathie Tune at [email protected] or by calling (434) 791-7106, or Travis Dix at [email protected] or by calling (434) 791-4878.

Mt. Cross Road Improvements

The Mount Cross Road improvement project near North Campus continues, with the first phase of paving beginning next week on Monday, Aug. 19, weather permitting. Expect traffic delays and allow extra time to enter and exit North Campus. Your continued patience is appreciated.

Branding on Main Campus

As part of an ongoing campaign, you will notice some new areas of branding on Main Campus. As a reminder, all branding should run through the Office of Marketing and Communications, and the University’s brand standards guide can be found here. For questions, contact Cassie Williams Jones at (434) 791-5684 or [email protected].

Litter Cleanup on Goodyear Blvd.

Three Averett University Criminal Justice Club members spruced up Goodyear Boulevard on Friday, Aug. 9. They successfully gathered 13 bags of trash for disposal by the Danville Public Works Department.