The Parent and Family Council at Georgia Southern felt that a blog would be an excellent source of communication and a fun way for some of our parents to share their personal experiences, observations, and suggestions with the larger University Family. It is our hope that this will be an insightful and meaningful exchange of information from a more personal perspective written by parents and volunteers rather than university staff.
First let me introduce myself, my name is Gregory Francisco (I) and I live in Evans, GA (Columbia County) just outside of Augusta. I am married to Lauren and we have two wonderful sons. Currently I have the distinct privilege of serving as the President of the Parent and Family Association of Georgia Southern University and its respective Council. I have been involved with Georgia Southern since my oldest son Gregory (II) entered as an Engineering Major in the fall of 2010. It was at a Fall Family Weekend where I was asked to consider being on the Council. This was not planned as I just wanted to be a good parent and I thought by joining the Association as a member, I was doing just that. Nonetheless, I agreed to put my name in the hat for election thinking that if I did get elected to one of the seats, I could hang out in the “back” so to speak, volunteer from time to time, and simply be a supportive parent for my son. At the time I really did not recognize or fathom the importance the Association or the Council. However, I soon came to realize the unique and integral role that Association and Council Members have in regards to each other, parents and family members of other students, the student’s themselves, and the university as a whole.
From my own personal experience, I believe first and foremost that the primary responsibility of the Association is to be a viable resource of personal, experiential, and factual information to family members. There are countless activities and opportunities that may directly or indirectly have an impact on a student while at Georgia Southern. As such, and I speak as a parent, it is comforting to know that firsthand and accurate information is always readily available. We all want to know what is going on when our child is away, especially during those times when the communication with their parents is not their primary concern! The Association strives to serve as a conduit of sorts in order to facilitate open and honest communication between family members and the University. Whether it is by e-mail, letter, monthly newsletter, the Parent Eagle Nation web page, Facebook, annual calendar, or face-to-face opportunities, the Association works diligently to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information available. Additionally, the Association takes great pride in serving as advocates for and on behalf of families, students, and the University.
I would be remiss if I did not tout the numerous scholarships that the Association has assisted with over the last 10 or so years. Over $186,000 in direct funds have been expended to worthy students for their academic and leadership accomplishments. In addition, we have contributed to several University programs such as Dining for Success, FYE Speaker Series, Operation Move-In, SOAR, area Send Offs, Fall Family Weekend, the Eagle for Eagles Program, and numerous other worthy programs. All of this is a result of annual membership fees and the generosity of our donors and benefactors.
There are so many contributions that the Association and its members have made and continue to make through time, talent, and treasures. For me, it has been an exhilarating experience and I have truly been blessed to have worked with so many great individuals in support of such a fantastic educational institution. My oldest son Gregory graduated as a Mechanical Engineer this past December and my future daughter-in-law Ruth graduated last May. I am forever grateful for the excellent foundation and preparation that they both received from Georgia Southern (where they fell in love) and I know that as a result there will be nothing but success in their future. Now they pass the torch to my youngest son Jonathan who enters as a freshman this fall. I know it will be an exciting beginning and adventure for him, but it will also allow me to continue on this great course of hard work, dedication, and advocacy for our entire Georgia Southern Family.
Look for our continuing blog where our parents will share experiences and advice on a variety of topics such as graduation, orientation, preparing for “the move”, first day of college, homesickness, and many others. Enjoy the perspectives and feel free to share with us and each other. Take advantage of everything offered and just remember, your present situation is not your final destination, the best is yet to come!
Gregory A. Francisco, I, Ph.D., D.D., PA
President – Parent and Family Association
Georgia Southern University
First let me introduce myself, my name is Gregory Francisco (I) and I live in Evans, GA (Columbia County) just outside of Augusta. I am married to Lauren and we have two wonderful sons. Currently I have the distinct privilege of serving as the President of the Parent and Family Association of Georgia Southern University and its respective Council. I have been involved with Georgia Southern since my oldest son Gregory (II) entered as an Engineering Major in the fall of 2010. It was at a Fall Family Weekend where I was asked to consider being on the Council. This was not planned as I just wanted to be a good parent and I thought by joining the Association as a member, I was doing just that. Nonetheless, I agreed to put my name in the hat for election thinking that if I did get elected to one of the seats, I could hang out in the “back” so to speak, volunteer from time to time, and simply be a supportive parent for my son. At the time I really did not recognize or fathom the importance the Association or the Council. However, I soon came to realize the unique and integral role that Association and Council Members have in regards to each other, parents and family members of other students, the student’s themselves, and the university as a whole.
From my own personal experience, I believe first and foremost that the primary responsibility of the Association is to be a viable resource of personal, experiential, and factual information to family members. There are countless activities and opportunities that may directly or indirectly have an impact on a student while at Georgia Southern. As such, and I speak as a parent, it is comforting to know that firsthand and accurate information is always readily available. We all want to know what is going on when our child is away, especially during those times when the communication with their parents is not their primary concern! The Association strives to serve as a conduit of sorts in order to facilitate open and honest communication between family members and the University. Whether it is by e-mail, letter, monthly newsletter, the Parent Eagle Nation web page, Facebook, annual calendar, or face-to-face opportunities, the Association works diligently to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information available. Additionally, the Association takes great pride in serving as advocates for and on behalf of families, students, and the University.
I would be remiss if I did not tout the numerous scholarships that the Association has assisted with over the last 10 or so years. Over $186,000 in direct funds have been expended to worthy students for their academic and leadership accomplishments. In addition, we have contributed to several University programs such as Dining for Success, FYE Speaker Series, Operation Move-In, SOAR, area Send Offs, Fall Family Weekend, the Eagle for Eagles Program, and numerous other worthy programs. All of this is a result of annual membership fees and the generosity of our donors and benefactors.
There are so many contributions that the Association and its members have made and continue to make through time, talent, and treasures. For me, it has been an exhilarating experience and I have truly been blessed to have worked with so many great individuals in support of such a fantastic educational institution. My oldest son Gregory graduated as a Mechanical Engineer this past December and my future daughter-in-law Ruth graduated last May. I am forever grateful for the excellent foundation and preparation that they both received from Georgia Southern (where they fell in love) and I know that as a result there will be nothing but success in their future. Now they pass the torch to my youngest son Jonathan who enters as a freshman this fall. I know it will be an exciting beginning and adventure for him, but it will also allow me to continue on this great course of hard work, dedication, and advocacy for our entire Georgia Southern Family.
Look for our continuing blog where our parents will share experiences and advice on a variety of topics such as graduation, orientation, preparing for “the move”, first day of college, homesickness, and many others. Enjoy the perspectives and feel free to share with us and each other. Take advantage of everything offered and just remember, your present situation is not your final destination, the best is yet to come!
Gregory A. Francisco, I, Ph.D., D.D., PA
President – Parent and Family Association
Georgia Southern University