News at Mercer
Extraordinary Mercerian Profile
Payne to Provide Insight to End-of-Life Care for African Americans
Dr. Richard Payne, director of Duke Institute on Care at the End of Life, Duke Divinity School, will give a free breakfast presentation entitled "Faith, Hope & Hospice." The program will be at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 19, in the Trustees Dining Room on the Mercer University Atlanta campus, 3001 Mercer University Drive, just off I-85 inside the northeast perimeter. A lunch presentation will be held at noon at Cascade United Methodist Church, 3144 Cascade Road. Dr. Payne, a renowned neuro-oncologist and pain management specialist, pioneered research in the delivery of palliative care to the medically under served populations. He will discuss the "under use" of palliative and hospice care among African Americans, and he will talk on the potential role of clergy and lay leaders in helping to establish effective partnerships with physicians and other members of the medical team to improve end-of-life care in minority communities.
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Community Counseling Program to Hold Information Session
Mercer University's College of Continuing and Professional Studies will hold a free information session for individuals interested in entering the career field of counseling with a master of science in community counseling degree. The session will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 21, in rooms 123 and 125 of the McAfee School of Theology building on Mercer's Cecil B. Day Campus. Designed for working adults, the graduate program offers an evening and weekend course schedule that prepares graduates to become licensed professional counselors. The program prepares candidates to work as counselors in a variety of community settings, including mental health centers, community agencies, hospitals, residential treatment centers, corrections, or human service oriented program, as well as private practice.
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Art Faculty Holding Exhibition on Macon Campus
The faculty of Mercer's Department of Art will be displaying selected works in the Hardman Art Gallery through Sept. 29 on Mercer's Macon campus. The Art Faculty Exhibition is annual event and this year features works in ceramics by Roger A. Jamison, chair and professor of art; paintings by Samuel L. Hutto, associate professor of art; photography by Gary L. Blackburn, professor of art; an encaustic painting on poplar panels by Beth E. Stewart, professor of art; and a digital image by Craig Coleman, assistant professor.
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Mercer Junior Taking Aim at Olympics
Mercer junior Patrick T. Cannon is shooting to be a member of the 2008 Olympic team, literally.
A member of the United States Junior National Shooting team, Cannon competes in 50-meter free pistol for the team and spent part of his summer in Croatia representing the United States at the World Shooting Championships. Cannon's results weren't what he'd hoped for, but he still has the Olympics on his radar.
"I learned a lot," Cannon said. "I'm still very committed to getting to Beijing, and if not Beijing, then London in 2012." |
Patrick Cannon, a junior, takes
aim with his competition pistol.
He wears ear protectors,
as well as a cover over his eye
to help focus on the sight.
|
The Ty Ty resident made major improvements over the past year, earning him a place on the American team for the World Championships, which are held once every four years. His scores have steadily improved. He will soon have to compete in the open division, and he's gearing up for that.
"Next year's big event is the Pan American games in Brazil, and I'm getting ready for those selection matches," Cannon said on Friday. "Next year will be a good determining factor in whether it's Beijing or London. I've only got 694 more days to go until Beijing."
Cannon has been hooked on competition shooting since the eighth grade, when he joined the local 4-H BB Gun Team. He moved on to air pistols in ninth grade, and the next year, he won high individual in the state air pistol competition. He moved into 50-meter free pistol as an 11th-grader.
In 2002, Cannon earned a slot onto the National Development Team, which acts as a feeder system for the U.S. National Team. The Development Team is a part of USA Shooting, the governing body of Olympic shooting sports. As a part of the Development Team, Cannon is able to train with some of the best coaches and the team provides him with ammunition and uniforms, as well as partially covering expenses.
Cannon's specialty is the 50-meter free pistol, an outdoor event in which competitors have two hours to make 60 shots at a target that is 50 meters away. The target's bull-eye is the size of a quarter. Competitors are not allowed to rest their arms on anything, and use highly specialized and customized single shot .22 caliber pistols. Maintaining a steady hand and eye over the course of two hours is a test of concentration, endurance and mental toughness.
"You build a solid physical base, then a solid technical base and then build a great mental base," Cannon said.
To maintain his form, Cannon does martial arts as a member of Mercer's Karate Club, and does Yoga and strength training. He spends time each day dry-firing his weapon, building the feel for gun and for maintaining form. He shoots his air pistol at Mercer's air rifle range, located in the University Center, and he also shoots the .22 at Eagle Gun Range in Macon at least once a week. On weekends, he travels home to Ty Ty, where he practices at a range on his family's farm.
"I love it here at Mercer," Cannon said. "I wish I could spend more time on campus, but I'm committed to seeing my dream through of earning an Olympic medal."
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