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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Packed house turns out for Diversity in Science panel discussion
A capacity crowd filled Stubbs 142 on Monday, Nov. 8 for SGC’s first-ever
Diversity in Science panel discussion. Audience members heard from five
distinguished professionals who are employed in a math or science-related
field. The panel members were Dr. Laura Chaney, a large animal veterinarian;
Mr. Charles Ward, mathematics instructor at the SGC entry program at
Valdosta State University; Dr. Subhash Goel, a chemist at nearby Optima
Chemical; Dr. Penny Jackson, a local chiropractor; and Dr. Andrew Jackson,
DMD. The panelists will discussed how they chose their professions and any
roadblocks they might have had to overcome to achieve their goals. # # # # About South Georgia College South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu) was founded in 1906 and is an accredited two-year institution in the University System of Georgia. Located in Douglas, Ga., the college's environment gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty. With over 20 majors and transfer opportunities, South Georgia College provides the finest education possible to the citizens of its service area.
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While
all five of the panelists stated that they worked very hard and jump a
number of hurdles to get through school, Mr. Ward may have had the most
compelling story. He told of how he came from Broxton, where he graduated as
valedictorian of his class. When he arrived at SGC, a professor in the first
classroom he entered uttered a racial slur in front of the other 34
students. “I was the only black person in the class,” he said. “And later, I
became the first black professor at South Georgia College.” Ward worked from
4 p.m. until 2 a.m. each day at Douglas Egg Plant. He managed to find his
way to class at 8 a.m. “If I can overcome all of that, you can overcome your
obstacles,” he said. Dr. Penny Jackson had a unique story of her own. She
graduated from high school with a two-month old son. She then went attended
college and eventually became a chiropractor. “My child was my motivating
factor. I wanted to help people and be in the medical field. I also wanted
to be able to provide for my child,” she said. Dr. Goel went through a
different set of challenges as he attended school in India. Once he
finished, he moved to the U.S. while most of his family stayed back in
India. “That was my biggest sacrifice, moving away from my family,” he said.
Dr. Chaney’s career path also resulted in a great deal of time away from her
family. “I spent a lot of time away from my family. And we are very
closely-knit. I couldn’t go home much when I was in vet school,” she said.