By KEVIN PERLA
Staff Writer
An alumni grant awarded to the Thayer School of Education at Wingate University is funding new initiatives aimed at improving student engagement, strengthening faculty-student connections, deepening partnerships with Wingate Elementary for the program One Day, One Dog and creating a student lounge in Burris room 105.
Dr. Brie Johnson, an assistant professor in the Thayer School of Education, wrote the $5,000 alumni grant. The initiative to create a student lounge in Burris 105 came when Johnson came to Wingate University and noticed that few students attended office hours or visited the open space in 105 Burris, which connects the offices of four faculty members.
In the spirit of encouraging students to attend office hours, Johnson offered the existing fridge and microwave in Burris 105 for their use. She noticed that more students came to eat, which meant that more students dropped in during office hours.
“I wanted to develop my relationships with students and become part of their support system outside of classes,” Johnson said.
She mentioned that she felt that creating a space to hang out and relax and providing snacks would add to the culture at Wingate.
In addition, she believes that when prospective students take tours, they will be excited to see that they have their own space to relax in the building.
Johnson also helped coordinate a project with Wingate Elementary for One Day, One Dog. The university provided the manual labor but not the supplies for a campus beautification project.
“I decided that next year, I would try to find a way to provide both the manual labor and the supplies for One Day, One Dog,” she said. The grant will also provide support for the clinic she runs on campus, and they provide books to the young participants on the last day of the clinic.
“Giving out these books is a magical experience for the Wingate students and their young reading buddies,” she said. The grant will provide support on a larger scale for Wingate Elementary students by providing them with books.
She also hopes to create an ambassador program for current students to meet prospective students and share their experience at Wingate University with students who are interested in any education program at Wingate University.
“I feel prospective students will appreciate the advice and encouragement of someone closer to their own age and experience and feel welcomed on campus.”
Her vision is to have a pool of student ambassadors.
Johnson said she was thrilled to receive this grant because it showed alumni care about the education programs at the university. “They trust that we are doing good things in the community,” she said.
Wingate Triangle 