Newsletter - Winter 2018
Getting to Know Our Volunteers
Introducing Sandra Thornton, a member of the SUGA Board and the Legal Committee, interviewed by Margaret Pudvin at the Northlake Thai restaurant over a glass of wine.
I asked my friend, Sandra, why did you choose to teach? She said that while she was in graduate school at Georgetown in Washington, D.C. she received a National Defense Education Act fellowship for a PhD in Soviet and East European studies. The NDEA was a result of the Sputnik launch that prompted a greater concern and interest in that area. The fellowship carried the expectation that recipients would teach at the college level. When she went on the job market, Georgia Tech was looking for someone in that field because of a recently enacted Georgia law requiring the teaching of communism in public schools. After taking the job, she found that Georgia also required teachers to take a loyalty oath swearing not to teach communism or any other un-American ideas. Needing a job, she “rose above principle” and declared she would not teach what she was hired to teach. Years later she was part of a suit to abolish the loyalty oath. The suit did not succeed, but it did limit the oath’s application. In addition to being one of only a few women faculty members, she was also younger than some of her students. The first class she ever taught was Elementary Russian, with thirty-five undergraduates and eight faculty members. She remained at Georgia Tech for thirty-five years teaching a variety of political science courses to budding engineers and scientists. And on that note, we had another glass of wine. By Margaret Pudvin Travel Opportunities
SUGA member and the retired president of the Friendship Force International has organized an American Heritage trip through GTB Travel for members of Senior University of Atlanta. Visit the Black Hills of South Dakota to see many cultural sites and enjoy unique natural wonders.
2/22/18 George Brown reports that there are 6 or 7 spaces remaining on the Black Hills trip to South Dakota in October. He also has information on a trip to Santa Fe in June that he is leading for another group that has 5 or 6 vacancies. The Santa Fe trip is similar to the SUGA trip in October 2016 for anyone who may have missed that one. Finally, looking ahead, George has information on a Feb. 2019 trip "down under" featuring a cruise in Australia and New Zealand. He will have information on all three during the break on Friday this week and next week as well. See attachments for further information on the trips On the Go With SUGA
More than forty people, mostly SUGA members, flew to Halifax, Nova Scotia September 5, 2017 for an adventure arranged by George and Jill Brown through GBT Travel. The trip was designed to introduce the group to the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, rich in history and natural beauty and unique in its geography and culture. During the first two days, the group visited the Titanic exhibit at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in central Halifax, and they also ventured out to the historic seaport Lunenburg, picturesque Mahone Bay, and the iconic lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove. On Thursday, September 7, the group transferred by private motor coach to Cape Breton Island, stopping to visit the historic town of Pictou, the arrival point of Scottish immigrants to “New Scotland” in 1773 aboard the small ship Hector.
Once arrived at Cape Breton, the group checked in to a hotel in Baddeck, a beautiful town on the shore of Bras D’Or Lake, and the site of the Alexander Graham Bell Museum. Over the next two days, they explored the historic fortress of Louisbourg, a careful restoration of an early French settlement, and the French Acadian town of Cheticamp. The next day was spent motoring the entire circumference of the Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia’s most breathtaking scenic road. Returning to Halifax on Sunday, their adventures were expanded because Air Canada had curtailed all flights to Atlanta due to Hurricane Irma. One of the two extra days was spent in further explorations of Halifax, and the second allowed the group to travel to the southern part of the province and visit the Bay of Fundy and the Annapolis Valley. |
Message from our President
Welcome Everyone!
SEPTEMBER, 2017 After a successful first year for Senior University of Greater Atlanta, Inc., we are excited to begin the new school year. With our excellent staff, established committees and a wonderful relationship with Rehoboth, we are looking forward to the future. I invite everyone to consider volunteering for one of the many opportunities to be involved in the activities that make SUGA so attractive. After all, we are not just the students. We are the planners, the teachers, the workers and the soul of our organization. Beth O'Neill SUGA President 2017/2018 Art's Corner:
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