Featured Post from Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern program to improve soldiers’ physical and combat readiness to expand nationwide with $5.7 million federal funding boost

Jan 31, 2023

4 min

What began in 2016 as a partnership between Georgia Southern University and the Third Infantry Division at Fort Stewart has become a nationally recognized educational and research program with $5.68 million in federal funding to improve soldier health and performance to ensure force readiness.

Now called the Soldier Performance and Readiness (SPAR) program, this Georgia Southern project aligns with the U.S. Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) initiative and represents a multifaceted partnership with the Army to provide onsite training that decreases musculoskeletal injuries; deliver an online certificate program in tactical fitness for college credit; collaborate with the Army’s Research Institute for Environmental Medicine (USARIEM); and develop programs to enhance and assess cognitive performance in tactical situations.

The initial partnership program to prevent musculoskeletal injuries was delivered at first to small cohorts to implement new practices in the physical training of their squads and platoons in a train-the-trainer model. Results were so encouraging, the program expanded at Fort Stewart and to training brigades at Fort Benning last year with the assistance of $1.5 million in Department of Defense funding.

Studies show significant preparedness and financial benefits from reducing musculoskeletal injuries to soldiers during drilling and training exercises. In April 2020, officials determined that 58,000 soldiers (the equivalent of 13 Brigade Combat Teams) had injuries that classified them as non-deployable. In 2019, more than half of soldiers experienced a new injury, resulting in 10 million limited-duty days. Musculoskeletal injuries account for nearly 25% of all military injuries and approximately $557 million in acute patient care. Most of these injuries were associated with fitness training-related activities

Georgia Southern’s online Tactical Athlete Certificate program was first offered in 2020 and is available exclusively to soldiers on active duty, in the National Guard or reserve. Through a series of three courses, the program teaches foundational exercise and biomechanical concepts, strength and conditioning principles, and rehabilitation. The coursework parallels the Army’s Master Fitness Trainer curriculum, with additional rehabilitation principles, and teaches soldiers how to develop evidence-based and well-rounded physical training programs while minimizing risk of musculoskeletal injury. Certificate completion provides soldiers with nine college credits with Georgia Southern, potential promotion opportunities in the Army, and preparation for the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s TSAC-F exam.

“By sharing knowledge, expertise and experience between our faculty and doctoral students with soldiers, drill instructors, and brigade combat fitness teams to create aligned programs that improve tactical performance and force readiness, the SPAR program has become a national model of public-impact research,” said Christopher Curtis, Ph.D., Georgia Southern’s vice provost for research. “We are excited about the future of this partnership. We relish the significant support and encouragement we receive from the Army commands at Fort Stewart, Fort Benning, USARIEM, and the Training and Doctrine command (TRADOC), and we are grateful to Congressman Carter and his fellow members of the Georgia Congressional delegation who have advocated for the value of the partnership on our behalf.”

The progress and continued success of this program would not have been possible without several years of support from the Georgia Congressional Delegation and especially the leadership and support of Congressman Buddy Carter, who represents Fort Stewart and the Armstrong Campus of Georgia Southern in Savannah.

“Providing for our nation’s defense is the number one responsibility of the federal government. Innovation and research, which is what these dollars will fund at Georgia Southern, will improve working conditions for our brave servicemen and women by providing them with top-of-the-line training and resources,” said Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA). “I am a proud supporter of Georgia’s military community and am happy that the federal government is investing in these necessary programs.”

SPAR programming allocated in the FY23 federal budget will enable Georgia Southern to:

Develop protocols and expand delivery of the onsite musculoskeletal injury prevention training and the Tactical Athlete Certificate to commands at Fort Gordon in Augusta and to the Georgia National Guard.

Develop and deploy similar online certificate programs for soldiers in Cognitive Performance and Nutrition to further support the Army’s H2F program.

Host a national conference on “Charting Future Readiness Needs” in partnership with the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command and U.S. Army Forces Command that will bring together other research universities who also work in partnership with the Army.

Work with the Army commands to develop specific academic degree programs to meet the specific H2F professional workforce needs at the brigade level. Army officials estimate approximately 3,000 personnel will need graduate degrees or advanced certifications in the next six years.

Develop a Tactical Performance Research Lab in Savannah to support the fundamental research and innovation activities of Georgia Southern’s Tactical Performance Group that supports the Army’s H2F program as well as translational research to apply the knowledge and practices broadly to law enforcement and other first responders.

Looking to know more - then let us help.

Christopher Curtis is available to speak to media - for more information simply click on his icon here or reach out to Georgia Southern Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.

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Christopher M. Curtis

Professor of History

Dr. Curtis's research focuses on 19th-century law and property rights. He is currently studying the history of church property rights.

Consolodations and MergersThe American South/British ColonialismAge of RevolutionHistory of Common Law/Property RightsAcademic Affairs

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Sep 4, 2026

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The psychology behind our connections to celebrities we’ve never met

Fans do more than follow celebrities. They defend them, imitate them, buy what they promote and sometimes feel personally betrayed by people they have never met or interacted with directly. Joshua L. Williams, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of the Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology at Georgia Southern University, studies what drives these one-sided connections—and why celebrity admiration becomes much more intense, personal and emotionally consuming for some people than for others. His research examines parasocial relationships, narcissism, emotional regulation, conspiratorial thinking, materialism and the sense of similarity fans may feel with a favourite celebrity. It offers a more informed way to understand modern “stan” culture without simply dismissing it as irrational, obsessive or harmless entertainment. View and Connect with Dr. Williams Why Fans Feel They Know a Celebrity Social media gives fans an almost constant view into the lives of actors, musicians, athletes and influencers. That access can create the feeling of a personal relationship, even though the celebrity may not know the fan exists. Williams studies the line between ordinary admiration and attachment that becomes more emotionally consuming. His work can help explain why fans become invested in celebrity relationships, why criticism of a favourite public figure can feel personal and why setting boundaries sometimes turns an audience against its idol. In a recent study, Williams and his colleagues found associations among celebrity worship, vulnerable narcissism and commitment to parasocial relationships. The findings suggest that, for some people, the feeling of having a relationship with a celebrity may help make the attachment more powerful. Featured Research Vulnerable Narcissism and Celebrity Worship: The Mediating and Moderating Role of Commitment to Parasocial Relationships Stories to Explore Why celebrity breakups feel personal to millions of strangers When setting boundaries turns fans against their idol Are parasocial relationships replacing real-world connections? When Fame Becomes a Source of Truth Celebrities now speak directly to enormous audiences about politics, health, science and social issues. Fans may already see them as authentic or trustworthy, making it harder to separate the message from the person delivering it. Williams’ research examines celebrity worship alongside conspiratorial thinking, pseudoscientific beliefs and perceptions of authenticity. He can provide context on why fans sometimes defend unsupported claims, overlook contradictions or treat criticism of a celebrity as an attack on themselves. One of his studies explored celebrity worship alongside authenticity, perceived “realness,” narcissism and conspiratorial ideation. The findings point to a complicated mix of personality, identity and belief rather than one simple explanation for celebrity attachment. Featured Research Complex Correlates of Celebrity Worship: Authenticity, Conspiratorial Ideation, Narcissism and Realness Stories to Explore Why celebrity health claims can be so persuasive What happens when fact-checking collides with fandom? Can celebrity loyalty influence political beliefs? Why We Buy, Dress and Act Like the Famous Celebrity influence extends beyond opinions. Fans wear the clothes, buy the products and adopt the language, routines and appearance of the people they admire. Williams has studied how celebrity worship relates to materialism, narcissism and perceived similarity with a favourite celebrity. His research found that feeling similar to a celebrity was associated with stronger celebrity worship, while certain forms of narcissism were associated with materialism. The findings help explain why endorsements, merchandise and celebrity-inspired trends can feel personal rather than purely commercial. Featured Research Celebrity Worship and Materialism: A Focus on Narcissism and Perceived Similarity With a Celebrity His collaborative research has also examined Dark Triad personality traits, emotional regulation and problematic celebrity attachment. Stories to Explore Why fans want to look like their favourite celebrities Does feeling similar to a celebrity make us more loyal? Why celebrity merchandise feels like more than a purchase Looking Beyond “Obsessed Fans” Celebrity worship is often treated as either harmless entertainment or evidence that a fan has gone too far. Williams’ research shows there is a much wider and more interesting space between those extremes. His work can help reporters examine why people become attached to public figures and how those connections can shape identity, beliefs, spending and decision-making. For interviews about celebrity worship, one-sided relationships, fan behaviour or the psychology of celebrity influence, connect with Joshua L. Williams through his expert profile. All connections are monitored to ensure a timely response to your requests

Jul 21, 2026

4 min

Georgia Southern collection curator works with Yale University on uncovering the rich story behind a rare American artifact

Gretsch Collection Curator Matthew Hill, Ph.D., is accustomed to handling, researching and presenting iconic guitars and drums from the Fred and Dinah Gretsch Collection of Musical Instruments, offering insight into musical artifacts that have shaped contemporary culture. However, discovering a lost story of American Revolutionary history is a new development in his career at Georgia Southern University. Hill had taken on a complex project, collecting and presenting information on the history of the American drumset through the analysis of French and American drums, when his friend and fellow curator, Christina Linsenmeyer, Ph.D., at Yale University’s Morris Steinert Collection of Musical Instruments brought to his attention an American Revolutionary War drum in Yale’s collection. Together, they discussed what might be learned through closer study of the instrument to better understand its place in American history. “I removed the tensioning ropes and we saw that the inscription read ‘Benjamin Clark. Royalton, Mass. 1781’ and that immediately started ringing bells with me,” Hill said. “1781 was a super important year in the American Revolution as it was essentially the time the hostilities began to wind down before it officially ended in 1783.” The drum originally came from the Belle Skinner collection of musical instruments in Massachusetts. Skinner, a wealthy heiress and philanthropist, acquired her extensive collection of instruments in the 1920s and 1930s and displayed them in a specially constructed arcaded gallery at her mansion, Wistariahurst. Yale would later obtain her collection in 1960, more than two decades after her death. Until now, the true rarity and unusual nature of the drum had not yet been fully realized. “There are very few authenticated American Revolutionary War drums,” Hill said. “Aaron Philips, our special collections curator, photographed the instrument, and Dr. Brent Tharp aided in the historical research of Benjamin Clark. And we found evidence of the person behind the name inscribed on the drum.” Hill says Clark is the most noteworthy musician of the American Revolution. He can be placed at the major battles of Trenton and Saratoga and also likely participated in the Battle of Bunker Hill. However, Clark’s involvement in historic American combat isn’t the only fascinating aspect of the man’s life. He’s also important because he was one of two musicians who wrote down what the drumbeat cadences of the Revolutionary War sounded like. “Clark’s drum book of 1797 is probably the most important,” Hill explained. “By way of writing his manuscript, Clark is one of the main sources for our understanding of Revolutionary War drumming. He is a significant figure, just on his own.” American drum sets during this period focused heavily on practicality, according to Hill. However, Clark’s drum was highly decorated, which was very unusual and included a notable, highly recognizable American adage. “‘E Pluribus Unum’ is written on the drum. It was an official American motto very early on,” Hill said. “But in 1781, it wasn’t that common and would not become more common until later. So this is a noteworthy prominent early use of ‘E Pluribus Unum.’” Hill, alongside other curators at higher education institutions, is working to share this unique discovery with public audiences. In order to best preserve and honor the legacy of the instrument and the drummer who carried it throughout America’s battle for independence, Hill reached out to the Massachusetts Historical Society so that Georgia Southern and Yale Universities can collaborate on a joint publication reproducing Clark’s manuscript, the drum itself and the music that would have carried soldiers across the battlefield. The first and only edition of Clark’s manuscript was privately produced in the 1970s. More recently, Hill and Tharp also presented an essay on this drum at the American Musical Instrument Society’s conference in Vermillion, South Dakota, “A Different Drummer (and His Drum): Benjamin Clark’s Revolutionary War Drum of 1781 and His Drum Book of 1797.” For Hill and fellow historians, this new discovery is not only interesting but also remarkable. “It was like Howard Carter finding the tomb of King Tut, for me. I understood his excitement when I realized what an incredible artifact I had come across that had been so well-preserved from the American Revolution,” Hill said. “But what’s most exciting to me is what will come from all of this work and what we will contribute to the greater body of knowledge surrounding the development, implementation and history of the American drum.” As the United States of America celebrates its 250th anniversary, scholars like Hill continue to unearth hidden artifacts that illuminate the origins of an enduring nation. Want to talk to Dr. Hill about this discovery? Contact Georgia Southern's Chief Communications Officer Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview.

Jun 22, 2026

2 min

World Cup 2026: Georgia Southern University Experts on the Game Behind the Game

Atlanta is one of the World Cup's biggest host cities. Georgia Southern faculty across economics, health sciences and international studies are ready to speak to the stories behind the tournament. Featured Topic The Atlanta Advantage: Regional Economics of Hosting the World Cup What it means for local businesses, tourism, and the long-term economic legacy of a host city Atlanta's World Cup moment is as much an economic story as a sporting one. Georgia Southern University economics professors Michael Toma, Ph.D., and Anthony Barilla, Ph.D., can speak to tourism revenue, infrastructure investment and what host cities actually gain — and manage —- when the world comes to town. Experts Michael Toma, Ph.D. - Regional Economics and Development Anthony Barilla, Ph.D. - Economics and Public Policy Featured Topic Playing Across a Continent: The Physical Demands of a 48-Team Tournament What elite athletes face competing across climates, time zones and a month-long schedule 48 teams. Multiple cities. Almost no recovery time. Georgia Southern health sciences and kinesiology professor Samuel Wilson, Ph.D., and sports psychologist Brandonn Harris, Ph.D., can explain how a World Cup schedule affects the human body and how elite teams prepare for it. Experts Samuel Wilson, Ph.D. - Health Sciences and Athletic Performance Brandonn Harris, Ph.D. - Kinesiology and Exercise Science Featured Topic More Than a Match: The World Cup as Cultural and Political Exchange How the world's biggest sporting event becomes a stage for diplomacy, identity, and soft power When 48 nations converge on American soil, the game is only part of the story. Political science and international studies expert Christopher M. Brown, Ph.D., can speak to the geopolitical dimensions — national identity, soft power and what it means for the U.S. to host global soccer for the first time in a generation. Experts Christopher M. Brown, Ph.D. - Political Science and International Studies