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Spring 2004

Charlotte Wiley, President of the Adult Learner Student Organization

Charlotte became a student of Kennesaw College in 1983 as a traditional student.. According to her she came because her mother told her to. She was not into her college classes at the time and literally made bad grades and flunked out. Nearly two decades later in Summer Term 2000, Charlotte steps back on the campus, now Kennesaw State University, as a wife, mother of three (Brian, Erica and Calib) and owner of Miss Charlotte’s Day Care.

At this point, Charlotte expresses her appreciation for the fresh start policy that allows adult learners to come back with a clean slate academically. Their past failed grades are omitted keeping only passing course credits. This is a great opportunity for adult learners. I am now a focused student with a grade point average of 3.0. I wanted to do my best to show that the fresh start was not given to me in vain. I look at where I have been and where I have come to and I can see so much growth in myself which I see as important.

Little did Charlotte know when she picked up the flier for the Adult Learner Forum scheduled for Fall semester 2002 that she would be involved in creating a student organization for adult learners and eventually leading it as President. In one of several conversations with Charlotte this past year, she expressed an interest in running for mayor of Smyrna. If anyone could whip a community in shape, it would be Charlotte. Her approachable leadership style is combined with strong organizational skills and a passion for serving others.

I started out a student wanting to be served and thought everything revolved around me. Now I can see the benefit of serving others. Charlotte has served in an exemplary manner in the first semester of ALSO, the Adult Learner Student Organization. It is partly due to her leadership that the group has started out running. Whether it be building a float, running a booth for Homecoming or eloquently representing the organization in discussions with Dr. Betty Siegel , President of KSU or Cobb County Representative Alisha Thomas, you can rest assured that the adult learner population is being represented well through Ms. Wiley.

For ALSO, I would like to see this organization grow to a point where its members truly reap the benefits of having their voice heard. . .not only here at KSU but as a model for other colleges and universities serving adult learners. Everyone needs support and needs to know that they are not the only one struggling.

Brantley Hasting, Math Tutor

Brantley Hastings is an extraordinary gift to the Lifelong Learning Center and adult learners. He started his college career in 1981 at the College Of Charleston with a Pre-Med major thinking he wanted to be a doctor. He decided instead to go into Respiratory Therapy and has worked at the Texas Medical Center, Kennestone Hospital and for the last ten years at Northside Hospital.

I am humbled when I talk with Brantley, not because he is arrogant quite the contrary, but because he is truly a servant to others. In asking him why he tutors students in Math when he is so busy and he answered without a pause. I like to help people, no other reason. It gives me self satisfaction and self worth when one of my students comes beaming in after making an A. I was up last night until 1:00am helping a nurses son with math; faxing solutions. We are truly blessed to have Brantley in our center for the adult learners. They love him and I watch his patience with them as I see their faces light up when they get it.

Brantley’s wife, Hilda is also a respiratory therapist. His oldest daughter, Valarie is a junior at Boston University with a management major and his youngest daughter, Xavi is a Senior at McEachern High School.

Brantley decided to leave the medical field and change his major to Math and Computer Science. It interests me and I love problem solving. Brantley explains for the career change. I was going to transfer to Georgia Tech but I couldn’t leave this place (KSU). I love it! It blows me away to have a conversation with the college president, Dr. Betty Siegel and she talks to you like you are one of her grandkids. You better have time because she takes the time to talk with you.

I have never had a bad professor at KSU. They have all been thorough, fair and accessible. My two favorites have been Dr. Yow in English and Dr. Du in Mathematics. Brantley thinks KSU is a gift and we think he is a gift . So it is a definite mutual admiration Society here in the LLC!