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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2007
UWG's own Sharon Kraemer proves why mom is the boss
By Kandace Greenway
Guest Writer
Kgreenw2@my.westga.eilu
In only four years my
boss has become the mother
to over 20 children.
If helping students with
projects,cooking meals,and
giving heartfelt advice along
with verbal spankings isn’t
on Mrs. Sharon Kraemer’s
job description as Assistant
Director of Annual Giving
at UWG, then maybe she
needs a vacation.
Most of her children
consist of graduates,
students, and colleagues
who come in and out of
her life every semester. Her
three biological children
however, smile at her
through picture frames as
she works in a light orange
sundress, her eyes glued to
the computer and her lingers
typing faster than her brain
can think.
“Well hello Ms.
Kandace,” she said. “I
almost forgot you were
coming!”
Forgetfulness becomes
habit for Mrs. Sharon,
who reviews almost S(X)
alumni records a day, while
organizing Phonathon
functions or handling
donations and mailings.
The two-part wooden desk
seems almost UK) big for the
5-foot-3 supervisor. After
making Carrollton her 13th
home since her 34-year
marriage to a businessman.
Mrs. Sharon never expected
to be working at the
I
New semester, new beginnings for SGA
By Jerry Houston
Staff Writer
aaliyahandjerry@yahoo.com
The Student
Government Association
is an organization led by
students who advocate
for the student body.
This organization is the
voice of the students with
direct access to academic
officials.
SGA is welcoming
Robert H. Kelly as their
new president for the
2007- 2008 school year.
Kelly, a junior psychology
major, is full of ideas and
is eager to work with the
organization this year.
Kelly brings plenty
of experience to his new
position. He has been a
member of Phi Sigma Pi,
Black Men with Initiative,
Learning Community
CUTE 2 BR 1.5 Bth Hz. 4 Rent
Close to downtown C’ton and UWG
Wood floors, tile in kitchen and baths
Gas heat & cooking/CH&
$650m0. $650 dept. $25 credit ck.
Call: 770-616-5203
ollje West (Georgian
The University of West Georgia
University Community Center, Room 111
Carrollton, GA, 30118-0070
Editorial Line: (678) 839-6527
Advertising Manager: (678) 839-4783
Editorial E-mail: uwgpaper@westga.edu
Advertising E-mail: paperads@westga.edu
On the web at http://www.thewestgeorgian.com
University five years ago.
Her facial expressions
and bright blue eyes could
say everything she was
thinking. Her voice is
expressive, her northern
accent is thick but, her tears
reflect the sincerity in her
words.
“I wanted to be around
kids, I love them,” she
said. “My children were
fortunate enough to always
have someone be there for
them and help them out,
and I am honored to be able
to do that for students.”
When she isn’t pacing
back and forth from her
computer to the printer
or jabbing away at the
keyboard, Mrs. Sharon is
all ears when it comes to
student needs. The phone
rings and after a quick
conversation and apology
she immediately starts
where she left off. It was
a student caller, letting
her know she won’t be in
tonight because she has a
project due tomorrow.
“Okay,” she said,
“Thanks for letting me
know.”
Her "no lie" policy is
one thing she stands firmly
behind. It is a rule she tells
students the minute they are
hired. If you can’t work, tell
her why and be honest.
Her fist hit the desk
however, when she declares
she is no pushover. Being
flexible and understanding
holds mutual respect
between Sharon and her
students.
for the African American
Male Initiative program,
and former vice- president
of the NAACP. His
leadership experience
and positive attitude,
along with his drive to
make a difference, are all
exceptional qualifications
for a SGA president.
Kelly and his staff are
actively preparing to come
up with ways to unify the
campus.
Also, the staff is try ing
to improve academic
policies and student
faculty relations.
The ultimate goal
for SGA is to make sure
students have the best
possible experience here
at West Georgia. Some
events students can look
forward to include a pep
rally during homecoming
and the Dormitory Tours,
“With the no lie policy,
students know education
comes first,” she says.
Sharon does not believe
in asking anyone to do
something she would not
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Photo courtesy of westna.edu
do herself
“Students work harder
knowing that." she said.
As an unbiased and
open minded person.
Sharon believes everyone
should “stretch outside their
comfort zone” and embrace
their education.
The only one out of
nine brothers and sisters
who did not attend college,
Sharon has no regrets. Her
voice strengthens as she
where SGA goes to the
dorms and introduces
themselves to students
living on campus.
There will be a
house of representatives,
where leaders of other
organizations will have a
voice on campus issues.
Kelly stated that he
would like to see more
students involved in
campus activities. With
new plans in the making
and a well prepared
president, the university
can expect to see West
Georgia make positive
things happen on campus
this year.
Students who are
interested in joining SGA
can pick up applications in
room 321 of the campus
center. Meetings are held
every Thursday at 3:30 pm
in the ballroom.
Erik Waters, Editor-in-Chief
Stephanie Smith, Advertising & Business Manager
Larry Peel, News Editor
Jesse Duke, A&E Editor
Stephen Gilley, Sports Editor
Terence Rushin, Photo Editor
Tracy Ammons, Copy Editor
Lauren Lovvom, Webmaster
Chris Graydon, Distribution Manager
Doug Vinson, Advisor
Masthead Art by Jesse Duke
vocalizes her opinion on
being positive and always
using what inspires you
to mb off on others. After
graduating high school,
Sharon continued educating
herself. Because she had
the freedom of not needing
to work, she was able to
ch(x>se jobs that interested
her.
With post secondary
education becoming
the nomi, Sharon wants
students to know learning
d(xrs not stop after a degree
is put in your hands.
Thinking about seniors,
her eyes close briefly and a
smile emerges.
Rush Week in full swing on campus
By Alix Carnes
Staff Writer
acarnes / <§ my. we stga.edu
The time of year
has once again come for
the University of West
Georgia —the time to
rush for the fraternities
and sororities.
The Greek Life
at UWG offers many
benefits to students,
including creating
lasting friendships,
contributing to
community service,
excelling academically,
and taking part in
social, cultural, and
athletic activities.
There are 20
Greek organizations on
campus, including
18 social Greek
groups and two
honorary Greek
groups.
The groups
are broken up into
three councils:
The National Pan-
Hellenic Council,
Interfraternity
Council, and
Panhellenic
Council, which
govern the
fraternities and
sororities. The
Saying gcxxlbye to
senior workers is the worst
part.
“I get the same feeling
I did when my children
went off to college,” she
said. “I get sad, but thrilled
that they are going to start
their adult lives.”
What Mrs. Sharon
d(x:sn’t realize is the impact
she truly has on the students
who leave her.
Recent UWG graduate
Erica Flynn, described
leaving as “the same feeling
I got when I left my mom to
come back to schtx>l every
time I visited home.”
“She always bent over
backwards to help out a
student,” Flynn said. “If
she was having the worst
day and her head was about
to explode, Mrs. S would
drop everything to help
someone. It’s sad knowing
I won’t be able to see her
everyday because she has
grown to be like a second
mom to me.”
Another student
referred to a time Sharon
called her at midnight to
see if she w as okay after her
father had undergone heart
surgery. Pushing tears back,
the student said,“l had been
up almost 24 hours straight
and I didn't expect her
call but it made me feel so
happy to know she was at
home thinking about me.”
On her desk to the right
of her computer, sits a three
by five picture frame of last
semester’s student callers,
each one smiling ear to
three councils also
coordinate membership
selection process
standards.
Formal recruitment,
known as “Rush.” takes
place early in the Fall
semester, and begins
next week.
There is a minimal
charge to cover the
cost for the week,
and during that week
potential Greeks will
participate in interview
processes, community
service, and other
activities organized by
the councils.
There are academic
requirements before a
student may participate
in Rush. In many cases,
'VV v 'is
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Photo by Kimberly Folkes
Copyright Notice
The West Georgian, copyright 2007, is an official publication of the
University of West Georgia. Opinions expressed herein are those of the
newspaper staff or individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the
views of university faculty or staff.
Letter Submission Policy
The West Georgian welcomes letters to the editor. Letters may
be mailed to: Editor. The West Georgian. University of West
Georgia, Carrollton, GA, 30118, or sent via electronic mail to:
uwgpaper(3>westga.edu.
All letters must be signed and include a phone number and mailing ad
dress for verification purposes Letters should not exceed 3SO words and
should be submitted by S p.m the Sunday prior to publication Editors
reserve the right to edit for style, content and length
III!: YYT.ST GEORGIAN
ear and standing outside
Mrs. Sharon’s house. The
picture was taken after
the Christmas party Mrs.
Sharon hosted, where
students come to swap
presents, eat a home cooked
meal, and enjoy each others'
company.
year, she wouldn’t
put a bite in her mouth until
she knew everyone had eaten
and received a gift. Just like
the time she wouldn’t leave
a restaurant until she knew
everyone was safely in their
cars headed home.
Rewarding her
students and making them
feel comfortable comes as
second nature. During their
break at work, she once t<x>k
her six student workers to a
complimentary dinner at a
Mexican restaurant that had
just opened. She also tells
every student to save her
cell number so that they can
call her anytime during the
night if they need anything,
even a ride home after a
night at the bar.
Leaning back in her
black leather office chair,
Mrs. Sharon seems right
at home, as if she were on
her couch telling one of her
grandkids a fairytale. As
she organizes papers on her
desk, I ask where she sees
herself in five years. After
a quick glimpse out the
window she replies with no
hesitation.
“On a boat with my
grandkids, reading a
newspaper with your
picture on the cover.”
the student must have a
2.0 GPA, though each
chapter has its own
requirements, and the
councils suggest at least
a 2.5 GPA.
Most groups
also have a one-time
membership fee, which
ranges anywhere from
$350 to $450, and
individual annual dues
of $75 to SIOO.
For more
information and to
contact a group of
interest, visit the
website at http://www\
westga.edu/~stuacts/
greeks, or call the
Department of Student
Activities at (678) 839-
6526.