Category: Faculty Stories

Dr. Michael Friedline: Brain Science, Trail Runs, and Teaching from the Heart

Ask any Piedmont student who’s taken a class with Dr. Michael Friedline, and they’ll likely mention two things: how animated he gets when teaching—and how much he genuinely cares about their success. “I get very animated teaching challenging material,” said Dr. Friedline, associate professor of Neuroscience and Psychology. “I’m not sure anyone learns anything, but…

Dr. Mark Merges Shares An Experience That Exemplifies Piedmont’s Care for Students

This summer, we’ve asked some of our Piedmont faculty to answer a simple prompt: tell a story that matters to you. Today’s highlight, Dr. Mark Merges, serves as the Off-Campus Coordinator for our College of Education. Read on for an anecdote from his time at Piedmont! One of the things I value most about Piedmont…

Professor Landis Hicks Remembers a Transformational Moment for a Student

This summer, we’ve asked some of our Piedmont faculty to answer a simple prompt: tell a story that matters to you. Our fourth highlight, Professor Landis Hicks, guides students every day to guide their own students in turn. Her passion for education and her students’ futures shines through her writing. Read on for her thoughts…

Dr. Carlos Camp Shares Stories of Salamanders, Scares, and Late-Night Rescues

This summer, we’ve asked some of our Piedmont faculty to answer a simple prompt: tell a story that matters to you. The first of these, biology professor and salamander expert Dr. Carlos Camp, shared several tales from his time at Piedmont. Read on to enjoy some of his favorite memories. Inspiring a Student Cooper Kework…

Piedmont’s Longest-Serving Professor Teaches About Hidden Histories and Reveals His Own

There is no denying when Dr. Albert Pleysier is teaching. His voice echoes out of the classroom and through the halls as he educates his students in a variety of history courses ranging from ancient to the modern day, rapping the whiteboard for emphasis. His passion is undeniable as he weaves the stories of our…

John Spiegel Answers to Professor, President/CEO, and Commanding Officer 

John Spiegel photo

John Spiegel has some impressive titles — Piedmont University Associate Theatre Professor and President/CEO of Spiegel Films — but perhaps none more impressive than Commanding Officer in the Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF). Spiegel joined the GSDF, similar to the National Guard and referred to as the Georgia State Guard, 15 years ago. Service is…

Radio Station Named for Beloved ‘Semi-Retired’ Professor Known as ‘DVC’

On May 1, Piedmont University’s Mass Communications Department held its annual MCOM Awards. These awards include fun superlatives for students and faculty, the James M. Cox Jr. Alumni Award, and faculty-selected awards. This year, the alumni award was given to Cale Padgett, class of 2009.   This year was special for the Mass Communications department as…

Piedmont Hosts Northeast Georgia Regional Science Fair This Saturday

Piedmont University will welcome more than 70 middle and high school students to its Demorest campus on Saturday, Feb. 3, as it hosts the Northeast Georgia Regional Science & Engineering Fair.  Students will set up in the Commons to present original research on questions from “What Keeps Apples from Turning Brown?” to “Is Artificial Intelligence…

Ford Brings FBI Background to Piedmont’s Criminal Justice Offerings

Dr. Kristin Ford

Dr. Kristin Ford’s reputation preceded her at Piedmont University. It was a badly kept and slightly incorrect secret that a former Federal Bureau of Investigation profiler was teaching classes at Piedmont this fall. Ford is hesitant to talk much about her background except to explain that she was a crime analyst who supported profilers, not…