(L-R) Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) President Dr. Kendall Blanchard and Bainbridge College (BC) President Dr. Tom Wilkerson sign the Memorandum of Understanding, an agreement through which students can earn the bachelor of science degree in computer information systems. BAINBRIDGE, GA - Bainbridge College (BC) and Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) expanded their cooperative relationship May 22 on the BC campus. Beginning Fall 2008, GSW will offer the bachelor of science (BS) in computer information systems (CIS) at BC, which offers the two-year associate of applied science degree in CIS.

"This agreement is a great example of two University System institutions working together for the common good of the citizens of southwest Georgia," BC President Dr. Tom Wilkerson, said to the audience of press, BC and GSW personnel gathered in the Administration Building for the event. "It is a win-win situation for the students and will have a significant impact on the entire region."

"Bainbridge College is an excellent two-year institution that serves many talented students in southwest Georgia," said GSW President Dr. Kendall Blanchard. "Georgia Southwestern and Bainbridge have established a strong relationship, and we believe this new program will benefit those students who complete the associate degree in CIS and wish to move on to a fouryear program."

Called a 2 + 2 program, this agreement will allow BC students to earn junior and senior level credits toward a BS degree in computer information science without having to leave Bainbridge. Courses will be taught in Bainbridge by GSW professors.

The degree marks the second GSW baccalaureate program offered on the BC campus. Southwestern also offers junior and senior level classes at BC in its bachelor of business administration degree program in accounting or in management and marketing.

In addition to signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the CIS program, Drs. Blanchard and Wilkerson signed a Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) to simplify the transfer of credits for students transferring from BC to GSW. This is the seventh TAG agreement GSW has signed since August 2007.

A joint committee from BC and GSW will meet each year to consider curriculum, recruitment and admission requirements as well as student services, facilities, staffing, fees and transfer credits.

Before signing the agreements, Dr. Blanchard introduced colleagues who had traveled with him for the event: Dr. Boris Peltsverger, who is dean of the School of Computing and Mathematics and was instrumental in establishing the agreement; Lynda Lee Purvis, who is dean of Academic Services; Darcy Schraufnagel, who is coordinator of the effort and who has been to BC on numerous occasions working on details for the new program; and David Jenkins of the GSW Admissions Office.

Dr. Wilkerson introduced BC personnel, including Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Mariam Dittmann and Associate Professor of Computer Information Systems Ben White, who is Ms. Schraufnagel's counterpart at BC. White worked with her and others to design the program and serves as the liaison for BC to GSW.