By Tekeya Lashay

September 24, 2021

PCNAA (BUSINESS-WIRE) The Paine College National Alumni Association is proud to announce its partnership with inteletravel. You can now organize your next trip with PCNAA, as the association has now become your travel partner. PCNAA President, Derrick Gross launched the business initiative on August 15, 2021. The mission is to provide additional financial resources for the alumni association scholarship fund. “We are delighted to have this opportunity to partner with inteletravel”, said Derrick Gross, President of Paine College National Alumni Association. “This initiative will allow PCNAA to engage our alumni, and friends at an unprecedented level”.

InteleTravel is the host agency that serves as the advisor for the Paine College National Alumni Association Travel Agency. Founded by Joseph R. Traina, InteleTravel aims to create a new model of selling. For over 30 years, InteleTravel has served as the oldest and largest host agency in the world with over 1 billion travel dollars sold each year. InteleTravel Advisors are recognized by every major travel supplier including resorts, hotels, tour providers, cruise lines, vacation companies, and car rental brands in every destination in the world.

 Two Ways to Generate Revenue:

 ● Paine College National Alumni Association will receive 70-80% of the Commission for each vacation that is booked through  https://pcnaalions.inteletravel.com/booktravel.cfm

 ● Charity Matches

The Paine College National Alumni Association is proud to provide a top-tier, luxury travel experience through our state-of-the-Art Website Engine. Our featured company partners include Sheraton, Marriott & Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Globus, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, JetBlue, AirFrance, Carnival Cruise, Royal Caribbean, Budget & Avis Car Rentals, Disney, FunJet Vacations & more.

Your dream vacation is just a few clicks away, so book today!!! For more information about the PC Meets Travel business initiative, please contact the National Alumni Association at lions@pcnaa.org

Join us in supporting Paine College by supporting the "PCPROUD" Campaign.  You can give in one of several ways:  

Click to make your pledge NOW: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/paine-college-national-alumni-association-inc/i-am-pc-proud

1. You can use the secured PayPal link on the PCNAA Website. Click the DONATE  NOW button in the upper right portion of this page.  You can set up a recurring payment using PayPal.

2. Use Give Lively by texting "PC Proud" to 44321 or click the link below.  You will receive a link to our secured giving landing page.  This is a great way to set up a recurring monthly gift.  The fees are 30% less than PayPal.

Click Here to Access Give Lively

3.  Use Cash App.  Our cash tag is "$PCNAA."  There are no fees for using Cash App. 

4.  If you don't like using electronic methods, you can always mail your check or money order to us at: PCNAA, P.O. Box 399, Augusta, Georgia 30903.  

PCNAA and Amazonsmile are now business partners 

AUGUSTA, GA, - October 19, 2019 - Paine College Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Cheryl Evans Jones, has been named permanent President of Paine College effective October 19, 2019. Dr. Cheryl Evans Jones  The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to appoint Dr. Jones to succeed Dr. Jerry L. Hardee who retired citing recent bouts with health issues.  Dr. Hardee will remain available to render support throughout the transition.    "We are confident that Dr. Jones will provide strong and effective leadership for Paine College, said Trustee Chair Barbara E. Bouknight. "Dr. Jones' ties to Paine faculty and to the community, coupled with her academic experience and ability to connect with students make her the ideal person to lead the College at this time.  She has been an integral part of the campus family for 26 years and during that time her peers, students and faculty recognized her for dedication and educational talent and leadership. We look forward to working with Dr. Jones who will further the College's mission, growth and progress."   Having recently celebrated his 80th birthday, Dr. Hardee said he could not be more pleased with the Board's decision in selecting Dr. Jones as his successor. "Dr. Jones' personal commitment, contributions and devotion to Paine College makes her the right fit to lead the Institution that Wyonnie and I have grown to love."   Dr. Jones joined the faculty in 1993 and quickly advanced from Assistant Professor of Psychology to Associate Professor and later earned tenure. For more than two decades, Dr. Jones has played a vital role in the College's accreditation efforts. She has served as the Accreditation Liaison to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), as well as Director of the Institutional Self-Study for Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS).   She was appointed Paine College Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs more than four years ago, in March 2015 after filling that role in an acting capacity since September of the previous year.   Dr. Jones has spent her career shaping students' minds and preparing them for success in the marketplace and in life. At the same time, she has been a vital part of the Paine College faculty and family, helping to shape and prepare Paine to continue its mission of educating tomorrow's leaders.   For more information about Paine College, visit www.paine.edu or contact Helene T. Carter, Vice President of Institutional Advancement at 706.821.8323 and via email: Hcarter@paine.edu.

📷14-year-old Augusta girl set to attend Paine College

June 12, 2019

At the age many students are finishing their first year of high school, 14-year-old Charleston Lee will begin her first full year of college. 

The C.H. Terrell Academy senior will graduate as valedictorian Friday, and begin studying full time at Paine College in the fall. She has been dual-enrolled at the college for the past two years.

Charleston has been attending the independent private school her grandmother founded since she was 3 years old.

She isn't old enough for a driver's license, but between her classes she tutors other college students on math. Charleston's plan is to graduate from Paine with a degree in mathematics by the time she is 16, then pursue her masters at Augusta University. She hopes to work with Google when she finishes her education.

Her mother, Kimberly, said she's proud of her daughter's success. "I never know what Charleston is going to come up with," she said. "Words just can't describe how proud I am of her because she's a good kid and she's sweet."

After reading a book on Martin Luther King Jr. in fourth grade and learning that he graduated high school at 15, Charleston decided she wanted to graduate early. She skipped grades seven, eight, and 11 thanks to her natural aptitude for academics.

She is also a gifted musician, and played trumpet with J.A.M.P., the James Brown Academy of Musik Pupils when she was younger. During her time with the group, she performed with artists such as Prince, Sharon Jones and Bootsy Collins.

With her mother as principal, and her grandmother as the founder and a teacher, Charleston said some students might think she gets special treatment. But her grandmother Rebecca Terrell-Dent said she pushes her granddaughter harder than others.

"Charleston has been the type of student who always liked school, always liked to read," Terrell-Dent said. "Even at three years of age you could see that she was thinking differently than the other kids."

But Charleston said she doesn't feel special. She enjoys being around the college students and said she looks forward to pursuing her goals after high school, no matter her age. "I just think of myself as a regular kid, just in college with different people," she said.

Story By Sarah LeBlanc of The Augusta Chronicle Posted Jun 10, 2019 at 5:02 PM Updated Jun 10, 2019 at 5:02 PM

Welcome to our new PCNAA online community.  This is one of the first infrastructure improvements in which we have undertaken.  Membership is FREE and available exclusively to Paine College alumni and friends!

This is PCNAA's private, online community created exclusively for Paine alumni.   It is a secure, password-protected environment established by Paine College National Alumni Association.

Once you register, an email will be sent to confirm your membership and validate your email address.  Be sure to click on the link in this email so your account can be activated.

or

After registering the site administrator will review your profile, and after his/her approval, you will receive an email with your login details.

Please be patient with the site as it's being developed and content is being added.  *Most of the information on the site is for testing and development purposes and will be replaced with better content as soon as possible.

Become a member of the Alumni Community to:

	Update information in your profile
	Subscribe to and read Alumni eNews
	Submit a class note
	Find classmates through the Alumni Directory
	Register for events and reunions
	Discover ways to support your school
	Reconnect with faculty and former classmates

Search for friends and make new connections with the online community!  All you need to do to take advantage of all the community has to offer is to proceed through the registration process to establish an account.

Be sure to check out the list of reunions and events posted to the left in "Upcoming Events".  If you are a planner of a future event, be sure to read "Event planning information / add an event" for tips and information to make your event a success.

Derrick Gross 

Keep your e-mail and mailing addresses current and you'll receive the details for all alumni information, activities, events, and reunions.

This area highlights alumni who have made an extraordinary contribution to the PCNAA and/or to Paine College.  If you know of an alumnus who is exemplifying the Paine College spirit, let us know.  

Over Coming Obstacles with Faith and Family: Meet the Spains' 

Kelly and Cedric Spain have been married for 18 years. Kelly says that she was just completing her last year, as Cedric was a new freshman on the campus when they met.  Kelly who graduated from Paine in 1998, went on to complete her graduate degree at Clark Atlanta University in 2000. In 2001 the Spain’s married and to their union were born the ABC’s as she affectionally refers to here Aaliyah (7), Bryce (13) and Cedric Jr (16).

After marrying the couple settled in Gainesville GA where Cedric worked for over 15 year as an Assistant Store Manager for Circuit City. Being downsized due to a bad economy and the closure of Circuit City Cedric joined the Best Buy company where he became Store Manager for Best Buy Mobile.  In 2011 after the birth of the couple’s youngest child retail life according to Kelly was causing her husband to miss out on significant milestones with his children. She tells us that it was then that Cedric began working in IT in the Georgia school system. 

With a graduate degree in hand Kelly began a career working with at the YMCA as an Executive Branch Director over Afterschool Programs. In 2012, she began working for Brenau University at their main campus in Gainesville, GA as an Academic Advisor Coordinator. In 2016, the position for Regional Campus Director became available for the Augusta campus, and she applied and was selected to lead the Augusta Campus. This meant that the family would be relocate to the Augusta GA area.

Kelly said “this position allowed me to work with the non-traditional students and the adult learners. Working with adult learners who has decided to come back to school, changed careers, or just need to take some extra classes for their current job has been a privilege in helping them reach their desired goals. Being an integral part in our student's academic goals, especially later in their lives, has been great to be able to oversee on a daily basis.” 

In 2016, after the family relocated Cedric continued to work in IT having worked both in Richmond and Columbia Count until 2017, until he could no longer work in December 2017.

in July 2015, Kelly said that “Cedric was diagnosed with Early Onset Parkinson's Disease. No one in his family has this disease, never been a boxer, been around any chemical – he was just chosen. The road has not been easy for him. He lost his job due to his illness. He has tremors, he cannot control his movements, he has a lot of sleepless nights.  He takes 40 pills daily and sometimes cannot have the use of his hands and legs. He needs assistance to get around, to be fed, to lie down, to get around some days, but you will NEVER hear him complain. He has the best spirit EVER!” Kelly says that he is an amazing husband, father, son, and brother.  “He still makes me laugh and I love him more and more every day.”

Paine Alumnus Mason Rhodes continues to run down his dream of the Olympics in 2020

Alumnus Mason Rhodes has been burning up tracks internationally since leaving Paine College.  Rhodes was born and raised in Glennville, GA, where he played basketball, baseball and football. Rhodes said that “he enjoyed these sports in high school, but track stuck out and that’s where he found his passion.” In high school he was a stellar athlete setting records and gaining the attention of college recruiter.

After reviewing his options Rhodes decided to accept a track scholarship to Paine College. No stranger to hard work and competing at the highest levels of the Track and Field sport, Rhodes continued to go beyond expectation and set school records in the 400 Meter and 200 Meter dash. He also received a Silver medal in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) in the 400 Meter Dash. He was track team captain for four year and acquired his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 2012.

Upon Completing his undergraduate degree, Rhodes continued his education at Georgia Southern University pursuing a Masters in Higher Education Administration.  It was during this time that Rhodes also began his professional Track career competing in meets up and down the east coast. After completing his master’s degree, he assumed an assistant coaches’ position for the Georgia Southern's girls' track team.

 In 2015, Rhodes moved to the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA, where he began to compete internationally.  While competing at the elite level Rhodes also served as a guide runner volunteering to aid the visually impaired in running or jogging. Later that year Rhodes also completed in the World Competition in Doha, Qatar.  Rhodes has represented the United States in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. and in 2017 at the Worlds competition in London, United Kingdom.

In February 2019 Rhodes competed for USA’s indoor championship in Staten Island, New York. While victory was not the outcome it has served the best motivation, Rhodes said to make him work harder. As he continues to train and prepare for the upcoming outdoor track and field season he has also accepted a coaching position at Tusculum University, primarily working with the quarter milers.

Everyday Rhodes works hard on his journey towards his dreams. His ultimate goal is to continue to coach and to compete in the world championship in Doha 2019 and then Olympics in Tokyo 2020. We Salute Mason G Rhodes a Living Example of the Paine College Ideal. “To work well and play with Zest”.

Alumnus, Christopher Warren '07 named Partner at LeClairRyan Law

Biography

Christopher Warren is a partner on the environmental team. He focuses his practice on defending personal injury and property damage claims associated with toxic torts, including those related to asbestos, mold, chemical exposure, lead paint, and heavy metals. He also handles environmental matters for domestic and international businesses in the chemical, mining, pharmaceutical, automotive, and energy industries, and public and private utilities before federal and state administrative agencies and courts across the nation. 

Additionally, he has extensive experience with professional liability, commercial litigation, medical malpractice, general liability, nursing home and long term care, and condominium and town home association matters.
 

Legal Experience

• LeClairRyan, Newark, New Jersey, 2017 – Present
• Kaufman Borgeest & Ryan, Parsippany, New Jersey, 2011 – 2017
• Law Clerk, The Honorable Arthur Bergman, New Jersey Superior Court, 2010 – 2011

Memberships and Affiliations

• New Jersey State Bar Association
• New York State Bar Association

Education

• J.D., Florida Coastal School of Law, 2010, Student Commencement Speaker, Mock Trial Team 
• B.A., English, cum laude, Paine College, 2007

Bar Admissions

• New Jersey, 2010
• New York, 2011

Court Admissions

• U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

2016 Graduated named Auditor for KPMG

Please help me congratulate Doyelle Walker class of 2016.  Walker has completed two milestones this year, first she has received her Master of Accountancy from Kennesaw State University and has just accepted an offer as an Auditor for KPMG, one of the Big 4 Accounting firms. She says that she is very excited for the challenge and is proud of her Paine College education and will assume her position in January 2019 in the Atlanta office. #pcproud

Alum Curtis A. Briscoe, Jr. was named Tax Assessor of Rockdale County Government and Asst. Deputy Chief Director of the Board of Assessors

On October 10, 2018 Briscoe was sworn in to to serve asTax Assessor of Rockdale County Government and Asst. Deputy Chief Director of the Board of Assessors .

Mr. Briscoe is one of three Assessor’s responsible for the over-site management of staff personnel and real estate valuation for ad valorem tax purposes as required by 48-5 O.C.G.A.