My Best Week at Piedmont was Magical — and a Little Silly

by Terrie Ellerbee

It started with sirens.

That Wednesday, Piedmont University’s Demorest campus was swarming with law enforcement and emergency medical personnel—including an AirFlight helicopter. But this wasn’t a real emergency. It was our annual Disaster Drill, organized by Assistant Nursing Professor Taryn Ogle.

Each year, the simulation gives future nursing and communications professionals a chance to test their skills in a high-pressure environment. The 2025 scenario? An active shooter.

I didn’t know I’d be part of it until the last minute. But the role was perfect: media wrangler.

Before I had the best job ever at Piedmont, I was a newspaper reporter, editor, then publisher. I’d even edited a couple of trade magazines. Managing the media? I could do that with my eyes closed. Or so I thought.

The communications director for local law enforcement—a former newspaper colleague of mine—was on site. Now Habersham, a local media company, was among those covering the drill, and my main responsibility was keeping the reporter, Brian, “safe.” I made sure we were standing exactly where we were supposed to be.

Or so I thought.

The “shooter”—a student in a hoodie with a fake handgun—ran right between Brian and me. There’s a video. So much for keeping him safe. Brian was a good sport and laughed it off. Honestly? One of my favorite moments ever.

Watching our students in action—fully committed, fully engaged—was pure joy.

Then came Thursday.

Once again, I got pulled into something not on my calendar: the PAL Games. It’s a special day of competition and camaraderie partnering Piedmont students with local elementary students with special needs. You have to see it to believe it.

Five minutes in, my heart grew a couple of sizes.

Our students stay with their little PALs all day, cheering them on, goofing around, and offering nonstop encouragement. Ann Sutton in Advancement runs the event, and my best work buddy (and Ann’s right hand), Bri, was glowing. It was beautiful to witness.

Somehow, those two magical events landed in the same week—and I got to be at both.

Later that week, Bri and I were hanging up flyers all around campus. It’s a slow process on foot, but two friendly Facilities folks in a pickup truck offered us a ride. We hopped in the back. I slid off the wheel well straight into the bed of the truck—right next to the tools they use to unclog toilets. Of course.

Bri’s response? Laughter. And photos. No helping hand, just an impromptu photo shoot.

Also that week: the sweetest strawberries I’ve ever tasted and a surprise hug from a new work friend. And on Saturday? Piedmont hosted a Bigfoot conference in the Commons. I went for fun.

But here’s the real point:

I work here. No one planned those experiences for me the way we plan things for our students. No one was making sure I was learning, growing, or even having a good time.

And yet—that’s exactly what happened.

It was one of the best weeks of my life. The happy accidents that placed me in those moments were gifts. The strawberries, the hug, Bigfoot merch, even the slide into the truck bed—bonuses.

Other than maybe walking the president’s dogs, I have the best job on campus — and this campus is a remarkable, beautiful place.

It’s home.

It is Piedmont.

Terrie Ellerbee is Piedmont’s Strategic Communications and Family Relations Manager. Reach her at 706-778-8500, ext. 2859, or tellerbee@piedmont.edu.