Charlie Pitts, Jr., a senior management information systems major, participated this summer in the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The program, housed at 156 universities across the U.S., is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and named after Challenger astronaut-physicist Ronald E. McNair. The summer research experience prepares undergraduates, who come from underrepresented populations and have strong academic potential, for doctoral studies. Charlie took classes on research methods, information systems and technical writing in the mornings and worked on his research project in the afternoons.
Hometown:
Columbus, Georgia
High School:
Carver High School
Degree objective:
B.B.A., Management Information Systems
Expected graduation:
May 2005
University highlights, achievements, awards and scholarships:
In addition to the McNair Program fellowship, I also have received the Advisory Board Scholarship from the Center for Information Systems Leadership in the Terry College of Business. I was a CURO apprentice, working with faculty mentors and presenting my research at the spring symposium. My 2002 project involved using data from the annual Georgia Poll conducted by UGA’s Survey Research Center to determine how technologically savvy Georgians are. In 2003, I examined the role of African-American leaders in Civil War Athens, Ga. which became part of the Multicultural Archive of Georgia, an effort to give historical, social, and educational context to the primary documents found in the Digital Library of Georgia.
I am also vice president for special events for the Society of Management Information Systems, a student-run organization that connects MIS students and faculty with the industry. I was chosen as outstanding member of the year in 2003.
Current Employment:
I provide IT support in UGA’s Office of Student Activities.
I chose to attend UGA because…
…I was invited to the university during my senior year in high school and I fell in love with the campus.
The craziest thing I’ve done is…
I didn’t get my hair cut for almost the first 2½ years of college. At first my family did not like it, but later they got used to it. When I finally cut it off, my friends at college who never knew or remembered me with short hair said I looked “better.” For my family, I think there was more of a shock when I came home with short hair than when I came home years earlier with longer hair.
My favorite professor is…
…Dr. Mark Huber and Dr. Craig Piercy in the MIS department. They were there for me before I was accepted into the Terry College of Business. They both go above and beyond the call of duty as professors. They have given me straightforward advice that has developed me into a better, more professional student and leader.
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…
…my family. During the school year, I really miss just hanging out and talking with my family.
After graduation, I plan to…
…start working and getting some experience. After that, I want to return to graduate school to obtain my Ph.D. and teach on the college level.
