Category: Arts & Sciences

Reading While Working: English Professor Stephen Whited Loves His Job

This series spotlights the people who educate Piedmont University students. We ask them about their childhood, their first jobs, and why they love what they do. Piedmont University English Professor Dr. Stephen Whited grew up enjoying the typical suburban experience: “school, church, and neighborhood kids playing all the seasonal sports in somebody’s backyard.” In high school,…

Piedmont University Professor Publishes Eighth Chapbook of Poetry

Piedmont University Assistant Professor of English and Director of Creative Writing Jaydn DeWald has published his eighth chapbook, common tones in haunted time. (chapbook — a small paperback booklet, typically containing poems or fiction.) Published last month by Salò Press, the chapbook explores frequently used — but infrequently considered — words, such as “what,” “these,”…

Piedmont University Recruiting Students, Community Members for First-Ever Startup Competition

Piedmont University will host its inaugural Student Startup Competition March 17-20 at the Demorest campus. “Think ‘Shark Tank,’” said Art Department Chair Santanu Majumdar, who is organizing the competition, along with representatives from the Walker College of Business, College of Arts and Sciences, and University Advancement, referring to the popular reality TV show in which…

Piedmont Alumnus Dakota Stockton Passing Love of Theatre on to Next Generation

Dakota Stockton always loved theatre but never really considered it a career option. Today, he is the director of theatre for Johnson High School in Gainesville, Georgia.  Piedmont University helped him get from the dream he had early on to where he is today. He graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Drama…

Schmitz Celebrates Learning Beyond the Classroom

Dr. Julia Schmitz with Leo the Lion

Note: This series spotlights the people who educate Piedmont University students. We ask them about their childhood, their first jobs, and why they love what they do. Before she was Dr. Julia Schmitz, the Piedmont University associate biology professor took ballet lessons, played basketball, and was a cheerleader.  Schmitz was a Girl Scout, too, and…

Piedmont University’s Lillian E. Smith Center Hosting Free Lecture on Connections Between Jim Crow and the Holocaust

Piedmont University’s Lillian E. Smith Lecture Series continues with “Jim Crow, The Holocaust, & Today,” at 1 p.m. on Jan. 26 at the Student Commons on the Demorest campus. The discussion will feature Dr. Thomas Aiello, professor of history and Africana studies at Valdosta State University, Dr. Chad Gibbs, director of the Zucker/Goldberg Center for…

Piedmont University to Celebrate Fall Commencement on Dec. 9

More than 200 students will graduate from Piedmont University on Dec. 9. “Congratulations to all of our graduates and their families, friends, and supporters. Graduation is a life-changing milestone. We are proud to welcome you to the Piedmont alumni family,” said President James F. Mellichamp. Here is a closer look at the fall 2022 graduating…

Piedmont University Student Has Two Films Accepted to England-Based Festival

Piedmont University’s first film production major has had two films accepted to an England-based film festival. “It’s exciting, and it means a lot to me,” said Megan Schaefer, who lives in Flowery Branch. “I came to Piedmont never having picked up a camera for film, and now my films are being selected for a film…

Piedmont University Names Former Florida University System Chancellor Marshall Criser as Next President

Piedmont University has named Marshall Criser, former chancellor of Florida’s university system, as its next president. The announcement comes after a broad-based search that began after Dr. James F. Mellichamp, who has served as president for the last 10 years, announced his retirement in June. “We are really excited about Marshall Criser as our new…