the Magazine, Volume 2 Issue 2 - The College of Coastal Georgia

Just a Normal College StudentMaggie Bee tackles academics, student government, and varsity athleticsWhat is normal to MaggieBee ‘14?Her hometown, literally.The junior is from Normal inthe central farmlands of Illinois.The main campus of the state’soldest public university, IllinoisState, is in Normal. In fact, that’swhat gave the town its namein 1865 – Illinois State NormalUniversity – when a “normal”school was a teacher-traininginstitute.A hectic schedule is also normalfor Bee, who is a businessmajor, president of the StudentGovernment Association, andthe setter and one of the teamcaptains of the Mariners volleyballteam.“Keeping the proper balancebetween academics, sportsand student governmentis a challenge,” she admits,“especially at the start of fall term, which is volleyballseason.”Her BBA, with a concentration in communications, fitsher long-term plan to open and operate a pre-school. “Iconsidered an education major as well as psychology,but I finally decided knowing how to operate my ownbusiness should be my first priority. Once I have the BBA,I can go back to school for certification in early childhoodeducation,” she explains.“My dad is glad I finally made up my mind,” she laughs.“He said, ‘Whatever, Maggie, just pick something andgraduate!’”Her goals for the student government association hingeon one key word: involvement.“We want to have a full and committed studentgovernment team with a secretary – no one ran forthe office. We want students involved on campus andparticipating in programs over the weekends as well ascoming to SGA meetings to get their information firsthand,not through the grapevine,” she says.To facilitate student participation, the SGA plans tooverhaul their meetingstructure. “We’re going to bemore professional and moreaction-oriented,” she adds.“Our goal is to be a betterforum for new ideas.”The goal for volleyball?“We’re working for nationals!We are so psyched!”This marks the second yearfor the volleyball programat Coastal Georgia and thefirst year the team will beeligible for tournament play.They finished their inauguralseason with a 15-17 record –quite an accomplishment fora new team.Maggie’s court position issetter. Sometimes comparedto a football quarterback,the setter in volleyball callsand sets up the play whenthe opposition serves – butwithout danger of being sacked.Volleyball is what brought Maggie to Coastal Georgia.Coach Jeff Huebner recruited her – or rather his wife, Erin,did.“I played volleyball for three years in high school. Erinwas my coach senior year. In club volleyball, I was in the16-year olds and we regularly scrimmaged against histeam of 18-year olds. I participated in drills he ran, so I wasfamiliar with his style,” Maggie recounts.“My freshman year I attended the University of Illinois inSpringfield, but shoulder surgery resulted in transferringhome. I ran into Erin and she told me Coach Huebner wasinterviewing for a position at a college on the coast ofGeorgia. I was excited to find out he was here.”Maggie says making the move to Coastal Georgia wasone of the best decisions of her life. “It’s the people – thecommunity, the faculty and staff. They genuinely care aboutyou. I’ve not found that anywhere else.”“And it’s not hard to be away from home during thewinter in Illinois,” she smiles. “My dad and mom say they’dlike to move here, too.” u4 College of Coastal Georgia – the Magazine