Category: Alumni News

Piedmont Grad Set to Start New Job in Actuarial Science, Wants to ‘Extend a Helping Hand’

geeth

Just weeks after graduating from Piedmont University, Geeth Mahagamage will start a new position in actuarial science that will allow him to be financially independent — a goal he set for himself years ago as a student in Sri Lanka. “I am really thankful to Piedmont for the opportunities it gave me,” he said. “Now…

Piedmont Grad Named Gwinnett County’s Middle School Teacher of the Year

Piedmont University alumna Taniesha Hines-Pooser is Gwinnett County Public Schools’ 2022 Middle School Teacher of the Year. “It feels amazing,” said Hines-Pooser. “It is extremely exciting to represent my fellow music educators in this way.” Hines-Pooser teaches orchestra at Berkmar Middle School in Lilburn. Gwinnett County Public Schools is the largest school system in Georgia,…

Seven of 10 Jackson County Teacher of the Year Semi-Finalists Have Piedmont Degrees

What do seven of the 10 semi-finalists for Jackson County Teacher of the Year have in common? They have degrees from Piedmont University. Jackson County announced their semi-finalists for Teacher of the Year in August. They include: Matthew Bolt, an English Teacher with Jackson County High Laura Diers, a teacher at West Jackson Middle Wendy…

Piedmont Honors Outstanding Alumni at Homecoming Ceremony

Piedmont University honored several outstanding alumni during its Homecoming festivities on Oct. 23. In addition to the presentation of Alumni Awards and inductions into the university’s Sports Hall of Fame, Homecoming included entertainment by Atlanta Rhythm Section and Ivan Duke Band, as well as an art exhibit honoring deceased professor Leroy Young. “It was an…

Piedmont Athletic Training Grad Trae Gaines: “I Get to Help People”

Trae Gaines

When he enrolled at Piedmont University in 2013, Trae Gaines was studying biology. His major — and the course of his entire life — changed with an ankle injury he suffered during a basketball practice early in his freshman year. “The athletic trainers helped me get back in the game so quickly. Watching them work…

Three-Time Piedmont Grad Nic Johnson Now a Successful Performer, Music Teacher

Nic Johnson

When he enrolled at Piedmont University, Nic Johnson knew only three things for sure: He wanted to take voice lessons, learn to play the piano, and start a gospel choir. What he would do next, he had no idea. Now, with three Piedmont degrees to his name, Johnson is proud to say he achieved everything…

Piedmont University to Host Exhibition Celebrating Life, Impact of Art Professor Leroy Young

Leroy-Young

Piedmont University will host an exhibition featuring the work of Leroy Young, an art professor who passed away in 2020, from Oct. 7 to Nov. 4 at the Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art, 567 Georgia St. in Demorest. Young taught at Piedmont from 2000 to 2008. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during the Vietnam…

With Two Piedmont Graduate Degrees, Teacher Sean McCann Eyes Future in School Administration

Sean McCann earned his Master of Arts in Middle Grades Education from Piedmont in 2020 and is now completing his Education Specialist degree.

Through his graduate studies at Piedmont University, Sean McCann has gained confidence in his teaching skills. Now, he goes to work every day, determined to help his own students grow more confident in themselves, too. “It’s a great feeling to be there for the moment when the lightbulb goes off, when a student solves the…

Barbecue Entrepreneur Returns to Piedmont University for Master of Business Administration

During his undergraduate studies at Piedmont University, John Cross wrote the business plan for his now-thriving venture, Brown Dog BBQ. Now, Cross is back in the classroom, earning his Master of Business Administration from Piedmont. “I had a great undergrad experience at Piedmont. I wanted to keep learning, and I wanted to keep learning from…