Smile and Say “GPC!”

by Rebecca Rakoczy

The morning air hung hot, heavy and humid, even for July in the South—and it wasn’t 9:30 a.m. yet. More than 100 faculty, staff, students, retirees and alumni of the college—dressed in colorful attire—made their way across the damp grass of the Clarkston Campus soccer field.

The mission was to create human letters spelling out “GPC” for a special feature in The Chronicle magazine, a vivid photo tribute celebrating the special qualities, history and memories of the college.

Creating the look of the photo required intense behind-the-scenes logistics. The Fine Arts technical crew, led by Jennifer Jenkins and Lizz Emerson-Dorsey, spearheaded the coordination between the Office of Marketing and Communications, photo participants, Plant Operations and others, adding their experienced hand in organizing the event. Jenkins and Emerson-Dorsey worked with photographer Bill Roa and art director Suzie Amsberry—visiting the site weeks before, taking scene-setting photos, plotting them on the computer and then pacing out and marking outlines of the letters on the ground the day before. Jenkins made sure there would be a bit of shade and plenty of water to keep the crowd hydrated. It was needed. The heat was sweltering.

Some participants arrived wearing outfits that signified their respective roles or academic disciplines at the college. Some wore hats, masks or Georgia Perimeter College spirit wear. Others carried props. All came to celebrate Georgia Perimeter.
The enthusiastic crowd sweated, smiled and looked up—and up—at the photographer, art director and videographer, who hung high above in a bucket crane. With a grand gesture toward the camera above, the group yelled “GPC.” And a moment was captured, in all its sweaty glory.

Thanks to all who participated. If you were there, see if you can find yourself in the Cover photo (and in the list below)!

Also, see the Chronicle feature article, “The Best of GPC.”

WERE YOU THERE?

Were you among the scores of GPC faculty, staff, students, alumni and retirees who took part in “The Best of GPC” photo shoot?

Thank you to all who came out:

Marian Adomakoh, Marc Aitcheson, Basem Alamoodi, Travis Allen, Ursula Allen, Suzie Amsberry, Sheree Andrews, Tonya Andrews, Veronique Barnes, Juanita Barr, Jessamy Bleth, Mario Bennekin, Tamara Boseman, Cynthia Box, Terry Bozeman, Andrease Brooms, Donna Brouillette, Brandon Brown, Mattie Brown, Sylvester Burton, Janice Byrd, Patricia Campbell, Vicki Carew, July Carrillo, Jeanna Chapman, Mario Chavarria, Amy Coleman, Robert Comegys, Debora Constable, Emily Cowdrick, Kysa Daniels, Ngoc Thuy Thi Dao, Wendy Davidson, Melody Dantzler, Anyetta Dennis, Michael Denniston, Priscilla Dodds, John Douglas, Deborah Dove, Bettina Durant, Mark Eister, Caroline Faucette, Sharriette Finley, Susan Fitzgerald, Stephan Fitzpatrick, O’Neilia Francis, Donna Frazier, Montrese Adger Fuller, Susan Gast, Queenie Gamble, Kara Gardner, Nora Geer, Mark Graves, Karen Greer, William (Ernie) Guyton, Carmen Hall, Michael Hall, Mary Hamilton, Betsy Hardy, Valerie Harper, Elizabeth Harris, Erica Hart, Coletta Hassell, Johnetta Hawkins, Jessie Hayden, Cheryl Hodges, Tammy Honore, Paul Hudson, Colleen Injuin, Lekeisha Jackson, Mari Jameison, Jennifer Jenkins, Theodora Young Johnson, Kathy Jordan, Vincent June, Bob King, Robert Knowles Jr., Hyun Seop Lee, Felicia Lewis, Donya Little, Craig Lipsey, Julie Locicero, Jeffrey Mahr, Nick Marinelli, Patrice Masterson, Mary Mattson, Carl McAllister, Nancy McDaniel, Melora Mirza, Eyvon Mitchell, Aleathia Mohammad, Alice Murray, India Myers, Barbara Obrentz, Hedaya Othman, Arne Paulsen, Lori Payne, Rodney Pegues, Jeri Peiffer, Tina Philpot, Alice Pierce, Barbara Surrey-Price, Cherie Rainwater, Rebecca Rakoczy, James Rasmus, John Redmond, Shavonka Redmond, Ilse Rickets, Sharon Riley, Denise Rixter, Sally J. Robertson, Nicole Scott, Hita Shah, Shamin Shah, Sheryl Shanholtzer, Irene (Lois) Shelton, Howard Silverstein, Arlena Stanley, Cynthia Stevens, Denise Stewart, Avinash Sukhu, Ronald Swofford, Vagillia Taylor, Chotika Thaweethamsewee, George Vargis, Susan Westfall , Aprille Williams, Janie (Beth)Williams, Mardina Woods, Tiffany Whidby, Stefanie Wright

Did we miss someone?