GAINESVILLE - Barbara A. Schell of Athens, the associate dean of the College of Health & Science and director of School of Occupational Therapy at Brenau University, opened the 2012-13 academic year at the school by challenging students to invest themselves fully in college lives by, among other things, taking risks.
With that, Schell took a risk of her own. In full academic regalia at the formal honor convocation in historic Pearce Auditorium on the Gainesville campus, she waded into the audience and led students in an impromptu performance of "The Hokey Pokey."
It is a tradition at the 134-year-old Women's College, which is part of the 2,800-student university, for first-year students at Brenau to walk before their peers and sign the Brenau Honor Pledge. It is also a tradition for the faculty member who received the Ann Austin Johnston Outstanding Teaching Award at the previous spring's graduation ceremony, to address students in the first convocation of the following fall term. The award is made possible by Donald C. Johnston of Dublin, Ga., in honor of his wife, Ann Austin Johnston, a Brenau graduate.
Schell, who won the Ann Austin Johnston award at last May's commencement, received a standing ovation from students at both events.
With the "Hokey Pokey" routine, she was making a point: to be successful in college and life one must fully invest themselves. In other words, "Put your whole self in...."
"We all understand that learning involves risk, and that you are not perfect," Schell said. "We want to support your becoming you best self, but that means you have to do things and do them in a way that involves being honest with yourself and with others."
"Figuring out of who you are often occurs in part by what you do
Wednesday
July 16th, 2025
8:24AM
