Volume 114, October 20, 2023 | |
Alumna Helps Exonerate the Innocent | |
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Photo courtesy of Georgia Innocence Project.
Meagan Hurley is on the lower right, along with Joey Watkins and her legal team.
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A Reinhardt alumna and former Reinhardt professor recently made national headlines for her involvement in freeing a man who spent 22 years in prison for a murder he didn’t commit. Meagan Hurley (’14) has now helped three wrongfully convicted men walk free.
Hurley, who grew up in the small northwest Georgia community of Lyerly, graduated from Reinhardt with a degree in Communication Arts, and a minor and global communication. She entered the workforce as a newspaper reporter, with a keen interest in crime, courts, and politics. After covering numerous cases and the national felony ethics trial of a former Alabama House Speaker, she decided to enroll at Mercer Law School and pursue public service law. In 2019, she got her Juris Doctor degree and began working for the Georgia Innocence Project (GIP). She simultaneously returned to Reinhardt to teach media law and ethics as an adjunct for three years, as well as the first-year seminar and a multimedia journalism workshop.
In 2020, Hurley was a member of the GIP legal team that used DNA evidence to free Johnny Gates after he’d served 43 years in prison from a conviction originating in Columbus, Georgia. In 2022, her GIP team and an investigative podcast turned up newly discovered evidence that led to the successful overturning of Lee Clark’s murder conviction in Rome, Georgia, after 25 years. This September, also in Rome, Joey Watkins was exonerated after 22 years for a murder he didn’t commit, thanks to Hurley and the rest of Watkins’ legal team, and their years of work.
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The Reinhardt University maintenance team is diligent about keeping up with repairs and upgrades to campus buildings. The Hagan Chapel is no exception.
In recent years, significant landscaping has been done, water drainage was improved, and new concrete was poured. New wood stairs were built, and a ramp was constructed to benefit the preschool’s outdoor access.
This past summer, a facelift was given to the exterior and steeple. The chapel’s roof and gutters were replaced, the facia was repaired, and the entryway and steeple were repainted.
The Waleska United Methodist Church has cared for and renewed the interior of Hagan Chapel. Over the past three years, the sanctuary was renovated with new carpeting and paint, and the bride’s room, meeting room, and narthex areas were also updated. New flooring is being installed throughout the chapel, including in the Fellowship Hall.
The result of this extensive work is a picturesque place of worship inside and out.
“The congregation of Waleska United Methodist Church cherishes the partnership that exists between the church and the University. Through the sacred space that we call Hagan Chapel, both students and the community have come to know of the grace and love of God,” expressed Waleska UMC church pastor Brian Smith.
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Esports Launches, Gaming to Benefit Others | |
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Reinhardt Esports now competes with the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC). In its first official year on campus, the club brings together students with a passion for gaming or online competition in a positive environment. The competitors also want to help others and have planned an event to raise funds and awareness for children’s hospitals.
One esports team is currently competing in the game Rocket League, and the club plans to expand to more teams and more games in the spring, such as League of Legends and Call of Duty. All matches are live-streamed. Esports teaches the same skills as a normal sport, such as hand-eye coordination, problem-solving, and critical thinking. It can also be beneficial for students who are looking to go into any kind of STEM degree and helps students gain a better understanding of teamwork and friendship through their games.
On November 4, the players will help raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network’s annual Extra Life program. For 24-hours straight, the team will host a streaming event. Members can sign up and join the Reinhardt Extra Life Team and play a two-hour time slot while collecting donations for incentives. All money raised from midnight to midnight will go to the Children’s Miracle Hospital in Atlanta. Since 2008, Extra Life Game Day has raised over 130 million dollars for member hospitals. To donate, click HERE.
Rebecca Worsham, Assistant Director of Campus Engagement and Recreation said, “I am excited and proud to see what our club is doing as we continue to grow and support Extra Life and Reinhardt. Game On Eagles!”
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Reinhardt Values Exemplified | |
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Student Jillian Martinet is synonymous with the university's values of learning, serving, and leading. The senior is president of the Student Government Association, does a work-study with Campus Ministries, plays first base on the women’s softball team, and is involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Martinet is an education major and hopes to teach middle school math and science at a public school and eventually become a principal or superintendent.
This past summer, Martinet and two other Reinhardt students went to Africa with the organization The Living Water Ministries. For twenty days in Tanzania, Martinet, Macy Schrepel, and Jacob Sollars spent time with the Maasai people and visited schools and a church that trains pastors. Martinet says the Massai were welcoming and protecting, and she was able to teach their children, evangelize, eat with them, and learn about their culture.
There was no running water, no electricity, no technology, and wild animals everywhere. Two pastors served as translators. Utilizing her diverse talents, interests, and spirit, Martinet enjoyed every minute.
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Reinhardt Outdoors Goes Ziplining | |
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A group of adventurous students soared up to 100 feet in the air this past weekend. Dean of Students, Dr. Walter May, led the group’s trip to Amicalola State Park as part of the Reinhardt Outdoors program.
Ziplining through the trees accompanied a steep hike to the top of thundering Amicalola Falls, the tallest waterfall in Georgia. Students enjoyed the view and a memorable experience.
This is the second of three adventures planned this school year. The next event is a Spring Break trip to paddle with manatees along Florida’s Crystal River, hike undisturbed coastal areas, and camp under the stars.
To find out more about Reinhardt Outdoors, visit www.reinhardt.edu/outdoors.
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Eagles Light Up the Scoreboards | |
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It’s been another great week for the Eagles teams! Every one of them added to their wins with shutout games!
Current team sports records: (Win-Loss-Tie)
· Football: 4-2, conference 2-0
· Men’s Soccer: 8-2-4, conference 6-2-1
· Women’s Soccer: 10-4-1 conference 10-0-1
· Women’s Volleyball: 18-5, conference 11-4
Men’s and women’s Cross Country runners are competing today in the NAIA Appalachian Challenge in Knoxville, TN.
Men’s golf placed 5th out of 15 teams at the AAC Fall Preview. Chanc Wills led the way for the Eagles, placing 6th out of 86 golfers. The team is preparing for their Eagle’s Invitational Tournament November 6-7. The team is hosting the event at Barnsley Gardens in Adairsville, GA.
The women’s golf team will compete in their AAC Fall Preview Monday and Tuesday.
Next week is Homecoming week! Come support our teams at their home games:
· Women’s Volleyball: Tuesday, October 24, 6:30 p.m.
· Men’s Soccer: Wednesday, October 25, 5:00 p.m.
· Women’s Soccer: Wednesday, October 25, 7:30 p.m.
· Women’s Volleyball: Saturday, October 28, 11:00 a.m.
· Football: Saturday, October 28, 1:30 p.m.
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Southern Winds
Concert Band
Sunday, October 22 at 3:00 p.m.
Falany Performing Arts Center
A wait list is available at the box office.
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Homecoming 2023
October 23-28
Get ready for fun events every day, a variety of sports, concerts, and a Halloween theme!
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Portrait of Aretha
Tuesday, October 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Falany Performing Arts Center
Award-winning songstress CeCe Teneal honors the legacy of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul with interpretations of both popular and lesser-known songs from the 18 Grammy Award Winning icon's 50-year career.
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The University Choirs
Sunday, October 29 at 3:00 p.m.
Falany Performing Arts Center
Free admission!
A select ensemble under the direction of Dr. Martha Shaw. The group performs as part of the University performing arts series and in churches and schools throughout Georgia.
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Rocky Horror Picture Show
Tuesday, October 31 at 9 p.m.
University Theater
Free for all students and faculty!
On Halloween night, this cult classic movie will be shown! Costumes are encouraged.
It will be a spooky good time!
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Native American
Heritage Day
Saturday, November 4, 10a-4p
Funk Heritage Center
Free admission!
This annual event celebrates Native American Heritage Month. It's a great opportunity for people of all ages to visit the center and learn about Native American Culture. There will be demonstrations, displays, and talks inside and outside the center.
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The University
Wind Ensemble
Sunday, November 5 at 3:00 p.m.
Falany Performing Arts Center
Free admission!
Advanced and versatile student musicians who perform the finest large ensemble and chamber music literature. Collaborative programming showcases interaction with outstanding faculty and visiting guest artists from around the region.
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Performance by Hochwartner-Steiner Duo
Sunday, November 5 at 6:00 p.m.
Falany Performing Arts Center
Free admission and no tickets needed!
The two prominent visiting musicians are pianist/organist Constanze Hochwartner and trombonist Peter Steiner who have performed as a duo since 2017 and recorded several albums together. Their current world-class season features tours in Europe, Asia, and the U.S.
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Six One Five Collective
Thursday, November 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Falany Performing Arts Center
These nationally awarded and three-time Grammy-nominated artists are a musical mix of Country, Americana, Folk, and Pop with distinctive harmonies and vocal prowess. Enjoy an eclectic mix of original music, and hit songs they've written for artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Kesha, and George Strait. They've opened for artists including John Legend and John Hiatt.
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These Shining Lives
November 9-11, 16-18 at 7:30pm
University Theater
Presented by students in the Theatre Program, this play is based on a true story.
Set in the 1920s, four women who work for a watch company suffer the health effects of using paint containing toxic levels of radium to make the watch dials glow in the dark. They pursue the truth and justice.
A compelling story of resilience.
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Veteran's Day
Saturday, November 11 at 12 p.m.
Ken White Field
Reinhardt will honor veterans of the U.S. military, as well as active-duty service members with free admission to the home football game. Special recognition will occur during the game.
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The University Jazz and Percussion Ensemble
Tuesday, November 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Falany Performing Arts Center
Free admission!
An exciting evening of music.
The ensemble will amaze the audience with their complex rhythms, stamina, and focus.
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Have a story idea, people or an event you'd like to see in this newsletter?
We'd love to hear from you!
Email: Marketing@Reinhardt.edu
Missed a newsletter? Check out our website's news page HERE.
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The Reinhardt Eagle is a weekly e-newsletter to keep you informed about Reinhardt University.
7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska, GA 30183 | 770-720-5600 | www.Reinhardt.edu
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