Staff Profile: Brenda Shelton
"It's like the Lord has been with me and has guided me all the way," she says. Thirty-five years ago, she lost her right hand after an artery was damaged while she was in surgery delivering her daughter. She recalls the days of having to tie her children's shoes with her teeth. "My son tells people that I single-handedly raised them," says Ms. Shelton with a smile. Her determination has not allowed her to stop doing what she enjoys most. She says that her only frustration is that she hasn't been able to play the piano, but she still tinkers with it. She enjoys yoga, Pilates, and antiquing. Ms. Shelton's hobby of antiquing has given her a collectable that she plans to keep forever, her husband. She met her husband, Glenn at an antique shop. The two carried their conversation from the shop to a local eatery. "We had a connection. We talked for an hour and a half," she says. The newlyweds were married in May at Burns Memorial United Methodist Church where they are members of the choir. She and Glenn share five children and seven grandchildren, with two more on the way. Besides children, they also share their love of singing and participating in the Optimist Club. The Optimist Club's mission is to bring out the best in kids. Ms. Shelton participates in the organization's fundraising campaigns. She and some high school friends have developed a support group called the Yo-Yo Sister Club. She says they got the idea after watching the movie Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. "We're called the Yo-Yo Sisters because when one's down, we pull each other up," she says. Serving her family, friends, and the community is what she enjoys most. Their 104-year-old home and other homes near the university are a part of the Summerville Tour of Homes. Ms. Shelton has been employed at Augusta State in the admissions office for 18 years. "I believe the admissions office is the window to the university. I feel that it's important that we portray the university in a positive way." Her daily responsibilities as an administrative specialist include assisting freshmen and non-traditional, transient, and transfer students with information about the admissions process at ASU, managing the front office, and ensuring that students receive the correct documents and special testing information. Ms. Shelton also assisted in hosting the national conference for the Association of Non-Traditional Students in Higher Education that was held at Augusta State last year. "It's been an honor to work for the university and serve the community," she says. Name: Brenda Position: Administrative Specialist II Time at ASU: 18 years Family: Husband, Glenn; 5 children and 7 grandchildren (2 on the way) Fun Fact: In the past, she has worked on several political campaigns, from presidential to district. Other News Stories: Fall Convocation | Week of Welcome | A Day | New Faculty | JSAC | Customer Service Initiative | Vanover Retirement | Art Exhibition | Hacking Seminar | ITS | Calendar | Faculty Profile | Staff Profile | Campus Notables | Photo 1 | Photo 2 | Photo 3 | Photo 4 | Birthdays
August 2006 |
Brenda Shelton's sweet personality shines through her friendly voice when she answers the phone in the admissions office. Although she has had to overcome some obstacles in her life, the tough times she's had to face hasn't put a damper on her spirit. 
