In Their Shoes

“In Their Shoes” was created by our APSU Future Alumni Members as a way for our alumni to re-visit their Austin Peay campus! With President Tim  Hall paving the way, many things are happening on campus today! There have been facility renovations, new additions, even tear downs. With so many things happening at APSU, we want YOU to stay connected and get a first-hand view of all that is taking place!

We now currently enroll close to 11,000 students! We are the fastest growing university in the state of Tennessee and our alumni and current students are very proud of this! Future Alumni Members have put together this blog to keep you well informed and up-to-date! For some of you alumni, it may have been just last week that you were on campus, but for others, it may have been years….by visiting the “In Their Shoes” link, you will get an up close and personal view into today’s campus. The best part… this information will come from the students themselves!

Meet some of our Future Alumni Members and travel with them to APSU concerts, classes, athletic events, campus activities and much more!

Austin Peay has one of the most beautiful campuses in the state and we are proud to call it our Alma Mater!

We hope you enjoy and we hope that you will be able to visit campus soon to witness the many updates.

Let’s Go Peay!

October 3, 2011

Blog by Future Alumni Member & Officer: Cassie Laberee

APSU Welcome a 9/11 Hero!

On September 12^th, as APSU was remembering 10 years since the terror attacks, it was caped off by Captain Richard Piccotto. Piccotto was the highest ranking officer in the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) who survived. You could hear in his voice how it felt to be in New York hours, days, weeks and months after the attack. Everyone that was in the room was silent, felt their own hearts break as they listened to him tell how it felt to lose his brothers. Men that he had worked so long with and now he was never going to see again. Everyone was trying to hold back their own tears, but if they looked really hard, they would have noticed that Captain Piccotto, was also trying to hold back tears as well.

For more information on this event please visit: http://www.apsu.edu/student-affairs/remembering-911-fdny-chief-richard-picciotto-speak-september-12

October 10, 2011

Blog by Future Alumni Member & Officer: Elle Smith

Fall at APSU

Well, ladies and gentlemen, Autumn is definitely in the air at good ole Austin Peay State University. The leaves are falling all around as I head to class, and slowly but surely, the trees are changing colors. October is an extremely busy and exciting month at APSU. There is literally ALWAYS something fun to do! Just last week, we held the first First Friday event for all the student organizations on campus! It was a great success: each organization set up their table with a different, unique theme and showcased themselves for the university. Future Alumni Members (FAM) had a great time playing a game of guess the alumni, in which we let students try to match the names of multiple Austin Peay alumni to their pictures! Fall Break will begin this weekend and last until next Tuesday, and many students who are experiencing the stress that is Midterms this week are looking forward to a nice little break. The week after Fall Break begins our Jurassic Peay Homecoming Week! The entire campus is looking forward to participating in the step show, the banner contest, the pep rally, the parade, and of course... the game on Saturday, October 29th! Austin Peay will finish out this fun-filled month with our annual G.H.O.S.T. event. Greater Halloween Opportunities for Safe Trick-or-treating is a beloved event the campus organizations come together and set up spooky tables and have their members donate candy so that the Clarksville community can bring its youth to trick-or-treat in a safe environment on our beautiful orange, gold, and red October campus. Don't let October pass us by... seize the Peay!

October 19, 2011

Blog by Future Alumni Member & Officer: Kelvin Rutledge

Campus Life

As the season is changing and students are preparing for upcoming midterms and fall break, this past week proves that campus life is still going at an enormously fast pace. It is crazy to think that we are about to hit the halfway mark in the semester when it feels as if it just started. Although classes are starting to pick up in coursework, campus life is still very active and organizations are flourishing and showcasing what they have to offer to the campus community.

This past week, there was a little bit of everything to appease the mind: historical, social, and just plain fun. First and foremost, the Future Alumni Members held its first meeting this semester and the members are excited to be a part of what is coming up. We are actively participating in various homecoming events, members will be participating in a corn hole tournament at the last home game, and our signature semester event “Dinners with 10 strangers” has completely filled up. I see more active participation which is awesome because the organization is growing with people who generally want to make connections in the community. I’m truly excited!

Not only did this meeting happen, but other fun and significant events happened that truly made an impact on the students. The African American Cultural Center held one of it “Hot Topics” sessions focusing on collegiate relationships and how students feel they are progressive in our current time; the Office of Student Life and Leadership held its annual John S. Ziegler Leadership conference in which students received leadership education and training in smaller, individualized groups; The Women’s and Gender Studies Department brought the Clothesline Project to campus that exposed the real life facts of abuse in regards to women; and the Athletics department hosted another fun time at tailgate alley before our home football game! All in all, there were so many things going on in this past week, it would probably make your head spin.

Overall, it is great to see the campus community so vibrant and growing. When I arrived to Austin Peay in the fall of 2008, I remember the campus being semi-active: the Greek community had their activities, homecoming was a blast, and the year flew by quickly. Now that I’m a senior, however, it seems that there is so much more to do and things are never ending—which I do love. Here’s to a great half of the semester and even better second half! Cheers! 

October 24, 2011

Blog by Future Alumni Member & Officer: Danielle Polier

A week at APSU

We starting last week with a much welcomed two day fall break. Which is hardly enough of a break for most students but it was still welcomed. Despite the three day week the organizations still managed to have plenty for the students to do this week.

On Wednesday Phi Alpha Theta hosted Dr. Rick Gregory who explored some of the Bell Witch stories that have been told in the past 200 years. On Thursday the African American Cultural Center held a game night exclusively for APSU students. Students were invited to come play some board games and enjoy some free food. Finally on Friday the Student Veterans Organization will sponsor Edgar Harrell, a guest speaker that will be telling his story of how he survived the sinking of the USS Indianapolis in 1945. This seems to be the most anticipated event of the week.  For more information on this event please see this link, http://www.apsu.edu/news/survivor-uss-indianapolis-speak-apsu.

This week is going to be the week most people, students, faculty and alumni alike, look forward to all year....HOMECOMING! There are tons of events planned for the community to participate in, so look for the next blog entry because it is promised to be a great one.

October 31, 2011

Blog by Future Alumni Member & Officer: Kara Black

Homecoming at the Peay! 

 Homecoming is a fun and eventful week that gets students involved on the campus and in the Clarksville community! This annual event not only allows students to share their Peay Pride, but the alumni as well.  

The weekend before homecoming began, organizations on campus had the opportunity to choose a business downtown Clarksville and decorate their windows. The alumni department sponsored this first time event where alumni of Austin Peay judged the window contest.  On Monday, October 24 we kicked off the week with our annual homecoming concert. This year the Governor's Programming Council (GPC) got Big Sean, a rap artisit, to perform here at Austin Peay! There were over 1,200 people in attendance for the show. The Tuesday of homecoming the 'Fight Song' competition took place. This is where any organization on campus can perform their version of the fight song by changing and altering words to reflect their organization. AP Apollo is an annual event that GPC also hosts during homecoming week that allows students to showcase their talents. This event was held at the Red Barn on Wednesday, October 26th. With 35 contestants this year it was a great show, a little lengthier than usual. The Greek step off is a pretty big deal here at the Peay. This year it was held in the Red Barn on the stage, which is usually taken place outside in the UC plaza. With a tie for the winner both a sorority and fraternity took home first place. Even though the weekdays and nights are filled with several events, we can't forget why we celebrate homecoming, our Governor's football team! A pep rally always takes place on the Friday before homecoming. It involves, spirit competitions between organizations on campus, free food for all students and free homecoming shirts while AP pom squad, AP cheerleaders and our Governor's own marching band get the crowd pumped for football.  

Homecoming day, Saturday, October 29, 2011, began with a 5K run sponsored by the Alumni Department. This run is organized every year to help raise money for APSU's athletic scholarships. Following the run, tailgating festivities began, along with the parade. Last but not least, the football game is played and the Austin Peay homecoming king and queen are announced at half-time.

November 21, 2011

Blog by Future Alumni Member & Officer: Kara Black

Traditions Die Hard! 

There is nothing like the holidays; gathering with your family over an enormous feast, while catching up on life and thinking about the new year soon to come. I know that is why I enjoy the holidays so much, family time! As college students we are all so busy with classes, homework and trying to maintain a social life, that we rarely get to spend time with the family. Although, being away from the family can be hard at times, it can also be a good thing. We not only learn to become independent, but to appreciate the ones that have always been our support system as we push our way through school.  

Speaking of tradition, I probably have the typical Thanksgiving tradition. My family and I go to visit with my mother's family in Waverly, TN on Thanksgiving morning. In case you have no idea where that is, it is a small little town about an hour outside of Clarksville. My grandmother's home is normally decorated as if Martha Stewart designed it and smells like pumpkin pie! We all eat a ridiculous amount of food and normally watch a movie together afterwards; if everyone doesn't fall asleep first! My family and I usually head home at a decent time to get some sleep for Black Friday shopping of course. On Black Friday we travel to Nashville to line up at the department stores early. This year we will be heading to Green Hills Mall then, Cool Springs Galleria.  

I cannot wait to see what the rest of the holiday season might bring. I am sure even more feasting and time with the family is in the near future, as Christmas is just around the corner!

December 12, 2011

Blog by Future Alumni Member: Ashley White

A couple more stops, Then Home for the Holidays!

That’s what’s on my mind and every other student at the Peay right now. With finals under way and just a couple more days to go, the finish line is almost here. One thing to keep in mind is if you’re going to the library expecting to get a study table or even a computer and it’s after 8pm you might have to find an alternative study area, this is definitely cram time! One great thing to look forward to between hours of study sessions is study break treats happening all around campus. Govs Programming Council, African American Cultural Center, and Omicron Delta Kappa have put an effort forth to make sure that everyone gets a break and some awesome brain food during the week of finals. Food and a cup of coffee definitely keep me going!

One thing I’m looking forward to going home is just spending some quality time with the family and more food! I know that’s what Thanksgiving is all about, but at my house food is always a big event happening all the time! Unfortunately I have finals everyday so just a little longer and I’ll be able to experience some of that good cooking. My last stop before I can truly say I’m home for the holidays is Graduation! Seeing my friends walk across that stage is a great way to start my Christmas break.

So the library, finals, and graduation then Christmas Break officially starts!

January 23, 2012

Blog by Future Alumni Member & Officer: Cassie Laberee

Back to school 

As students return back to school, the hustle and bustle of school life again. Students return back to their dorms to start another semester of school. It's always nice for friends that you haven’t seen in a few weeks come and see how your break was.

A new semester is also time for students to get a new perspective on what they want to do with their lives. I know many students who have changed their major two maybe three times.

I am looking forward to this semester for many reasons. A few include making new friends and reconnecting with old ones.

February 13, 2012

Blog by Future Alumni Member: Dollaveese Wadley

Black History Month Celebrations

Wow!  It’s February already and it seems as though school just started back.  As many already know, February is nationally known as Black History Month, a time for celebration of goals and accomplishments that African Americans have pursued and conquered in the past and even today. 

As a student worker for the Wilbur N. Daniel African American Cultural Center, the center is hosting and sponsoring many events in honor of Black History Month.  The events include National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, keynote speaker Jeff Johnson, Hot Topic Hip Hop Forum, and many others.  For more information about events hosted by the Wilbur N. Daniel African American Cultural Center, please check out their website at www.apsu.edu/aacc.  Also, don’t forget to check your GovSays.

Overall, I am greatly appreciative of those who have helped pave the way for African Americans today.  We have a lot to celebrate and be thankful for.  My hope is that everyone will take the time to learn something new and spread the knowledge to others.

March 19, 2012

Blog by Future Alumni Member: Nicole Mulderink

Where has the time gone?

It seems like I was just stressing out about figuring out my schedule for this semester, but we are more than halfway through.  Spring break has come and gone and left us all wondering: where has the time gone??

I am sure that our May graduates are thinking: FINALLY!  Many I had the pleasure of meeting at the Grad Finale were excited and ready to move on to graduate school or transition into their career field.  There was a large turnout at the FAM table at the Grad Finale on February 27^th while I was there.  I spoke with many students about our organization and the need for their support of future students.

Congratulations to all of our 2012 graduates, and especially to our FAM members that are moving into the next stage of their lives!!  The way the time is flying by, I will be there before I know it.

April 23, 2012

Blog by Future Alumni Member & Officer: Kelvin Rutledge

Austin Peay Family

As time is winding down for the semester and weather is becoming a lot more enjoyable, it gives me time to reflect upon everything that has been going on this past year. As a graduating senior this May, it is crazy to me that I entered Austin Peay almost four years ago. As a freshman, I just thought I would figure it out along the way with no help because that’s just how I am. However, I can say that I have seen an increase of student life and activity, academic challenge, and commitment to the institution’s mission and vision. I am glad to see that more students are becoming involved in university, whether it may be through university-sponsored activities, such as Homecoming or the Annual Leadership Conference, or through the student organization sponsored activities, such as Mudbowl, G.H.O.S.T or the student organization fair. I am glad to see professors are pushing students to their academic limits, especially in terms of independent research experiences and professional experiences. And, I am glad to see university staff and administration working more collaboratively with students to make an impactful change on campus life as whole.

But most importantly, I am glad to see that the passion and dedication of Austin Peay’s alumni base to our students. Over this past year, I have really networked and connected with alumni—not only through the Future Alumni Members but across campus as well—and they constantly cite their Austin Peay experiences. They always offer so much support and outreach because they know what it means to truly be a part of the Austin Peay family—a quality that I absolutely love. So, as I look out to all of the graduating seniors on May 4^th, I know that this experience has not only been enjoyable but impactful. These experiences will help shape new leaders in our ever-changing society. Ultimately, these experiences will help always be grateful to Austin Peay and be glad we are graduating from an amazing institution.