Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

The 乐播传媒 has presented two long-term faculty members emeritus honors upon their retirement. Dr. Tina N. Jones has been named Vice President Emerita, and Dr. Alan Brown has been named Professor Emeritus. The two were recognized at the University鈥檚 Employee Recognition Ceremony at the end of the spring semester.

Dr. Alan Brown
After 40 years of service to students, colleagues, and the discipline, Dr. Alan Brown retired from 乐播传媒 in May 2026, earning the status of Professor of Emeritus of English and Folklore.

In his nomination letter, Dr. Kendrick Prewitt, Chair of the Department of English & History, noted that over Brown鈥檚 40 years at 乐播传媒, he made his mark through his passion for teaching American literature and composition to generations of students, his 34-year stewardship of the 乐播传媒 Writing Center, and his extensive research into ghost lore and regional folklore.

Prewitt also noted that Brown is a rare example of a scholar who has successfully translated academic scholarship for broader public audiences through book clubs, public libraries, senior centers, radio broadcasts, podcasts, and cemetery history reenactments.

Known for meeting deadlines, efficiently handling administrative responsibilities, and traveling frugally on departmental funds, Brown has received the McIlwain Bell Trustees Faculty Award twice and the Nellie McCrory Faculty Service Award. Prewitt described him as setting a consistent standard for the College of Liberal Arts.

Brown has published more than 20 books and numerous articles on ghost lore and folklore, his primary area of interest. His scholarly work also spans the history of Sumter County, composition pedagogy, gothic literature, and studies of authors including Poe, Hemingway, Faulkner, and Twain.

He is well known on campus and beyond for his ghost tours, distinctive mustache, homemade brownies, daily peanut butter and jelly lunches, and his large looping lecture notes handwriting.

Dr. Tina Naremore Jones
Dr. Tina Naremore Jones, a longtime professor of English, retired from 乐播传媒 as Provost on September 30 after 38 years at the institution, earning the status of Vice President Emerita of Academic Affairs.

In her nomination letter, Jones was recognized for decades of leadership and service to the university, first as a student, then faculty member, and later in multiple leadership roles, including Vice President of Economic Workforce Development and then as Provost, becoming the first woman at 乐播传媒 to be named vice president and first to serve as provost. Over the years, she played an integral role in shaping the University鈥檚 academic programs, strengthened its outreach, and helped define what it means for the institution to serve not only its students, but the entire region.

It was also noted that Jones consistently “led with intention, listening carefully and leading thoughtfully.” Her nomination letter described her conduct as “marked by a level of grace and integrity that is rare, setting a standard not only for leadership, but for how people are treated.”

鈥淭ina believed in this place, and it鈥檚 people,鈥� said Provost, Dr. Amy Jones during the recognition ceremony. 鈥淧eople often assumed we were related鈥攁nd in many ways that never felt entirely wrong, because she had that kind of lasting, personal impact on so many of us at 乐播传媒. That impact will be felt for generations鈥攊n our programs, across this campus, and in the lives of the students and communities we serve.鈥�

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厂迟辞谤测:听Lisa Sollie听| Photo: Cody Ingram

As part of the 乐播传媒鈥檚 continued emphasis on strengthening institutional communications, marketing, and brand advancement, 乐播传媒 President Dr. Todd G. Fritch has announced the appointment of Betsy Compton as Executive Director of Communications & Marketing.

Established in 2025 as a centralized division reporting directly to the President, the Office of Communications & Marketing was elevated early in Fritch’s administration to support the University鈥檚 strategic priorities through coordinated messaging, executive communications, marketing strategy, brand management, and integrated communications efforts across the institution.

Compton will continue serving as a member of the President鈥檚 Cabinet and leading the expansion of the University鈥檚 comprehensive communications and marketing initiatives in support of academic affairs, enrollment management, athletics, advancement, student affairs, and administrative operations.

鈥淐ommunications and marketing play an increasingly important role in advancing the University鈥檚 strategic priorities and institutional visibility,鈥� Fritch said. 鈥淏etsy has provided leadership throughout the establishment and transition of the division, and her experience and institutional knowledge have helped position the Office of Communications & Marketing for continued growth and success.鈥�

Compton has served the University in communications and marketing roles for nearly two decades, having served as Interim Executive Director of Communications & Marketing since the division’s transition from Institutional Advancement last year.

A two-time graduate of the 乐播传媒, Compton joined the University staff in 2007 as a graphic designer in 乐播传媒 Printing Services, before serving Institutional Advancement in roles supporting public relations, brand management, executive communications, and strategic messaging initiatives.

鈥淚 am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the University in this role,鈥� Compton said. 鈥溊植ゴ� has been an important part of my life both personally and professionally, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside colleagues across campus to support the mission and future of the University.鈥�

The Office of Communications & Marketing serves as the University鈥檚 central communications resource and collaborates with units across campus to support communications, marketing, branding, media relations, and engagement to advance the University’s mission.听

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Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

After nearly 25 years of teaching mathematics at the 乐播传媒, Kim Giles has earned one of the institution鈥檚 highest honors for classroom instruction.

During 乐播传媒鈥檚 spring commencement exercises held May 7-8, Giles received the 2026 William E. Gilbert Award for Outstanding Teaching, the honor awarded annually by the student body in recognition of excellence in undergraduate classroom instruction.

After graduating from the University of Alabama with a degree in industrial engineering, Giles eventually returned to her hometown of Livingston, where she found her calling in the classroom.

鈥淚t鈥檚 such a huge honor to have been nominated and recognized this way,鈥� Giles said. 鈥淚鈥檓 very thankful and grateful that I get to go to work every day, and not feel like it鈥檚 a job, but something I was meant to do.鈥�

Beyond her classroom responsibilities, Giles also serves as the College of Natural Science and Mathematics coordinator and liaison for the 乐播传媒 Teach program, the STEM education initiative launched by the University in 2023. This program gives STEM majors an opportunity to explore teaching as a career path to see if it鈥檚 right for them.

鈥淚鈥檓 the connection between NSM and the College of Education,鈥� Giles explained. 鈥淚 not only look out for NSM students who are in 乐播传媒 Teach, but if I have a math or science student who I think would be a good fit for the program, I encourage them to pursue it. I鈥檇 rather students find out early if teaching isn鈥檛 for them rather than when they鈥檙e finishing up their degree.鈥�

Outside the classroom, Giles volunteers with the Wesley Foundation alongside director Elizabeth Stone.

鈥淚鈥檓 there every Monday and Thursday evenings when they have Bible studies, helping feed the students and fellowship with them,鈥� she said.  鈥淚t鈥檚 one of my greatest joys each week.鈥�

Though Giles once considered retiring after reaching the 25-year milestone, she now says she has no plans to step away from the work she loves.

鈥淕od put me here for a reason鈥攖o teach and encourage my students every day,鈥� Giles said. 鈥淚 always tell them, 鈥榊ou got this, and you got to believe.鈥� I鈥檓 happy, and I enjoy my work, so until the day comes that I don鈥檛 enjoy it anymore, I鈥檓 going to keep showing up and doing what He called me to do.鈥�

As the recipient of the Gilbert Award, Giles will serve as macebearer and lead the faculty processional at the University鈥檚 commencement exercises in August, December, and again next May.

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