The Reporter, May 2014

The Reporter is a publication produced by Western Carolina University featuring news, events, and campus community updates for faculty and staff. The publication began in August of 1970 and continues digitally today. Click on the link in the “Related Materials” field to access recent issues.SEARCH Search Home About Archives Subscribe Contact WCU Home May 28, 2014 Email This Post Print This Post Share | ACHIEVEMENTS Belt presents at National Museum of the American Indian Tom Belt, coordinator of Western Carolina University’s Cherokee Language Program, was a presenter at “Patterns of Native Health and Wellbeing: An Intercultural Symposium” held on April 11 at the National Museum of the American Indian. The museum is part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Belt spoke on the topic “Prayer and the Spiritual in Health Ways.” Symposium presentations were streamed live on the web. The symposium addressed active collaborations involving Native community members and researchers that focus on the distinct cultural values about wellbeing held by Native communities in solving serious health issues. Belt’s address can be seen on the museum’s YouTube channel. CATEGORIES | THE REPORTER TOP STORIES NOTEWORTHY NEWS ACHIEVEMENTS EVENTS PHOTOS | WCU NEWS SERVICES CALENDAR 5/29/2017 Ancient Forms, Modern Minds 5/29/2017 Print Plus One: LINKS Calendar Higher Education NewsWatch WCU Hub AFRICA! MORE THAN A CONTINENT © 2014 Western Carolina University. SEARCH Search Home About Archives Subscribe Contact WCU Home May 28, 2014 Email This Post Print This Post Share | NOTEWORTHY NEWS Campus dining announces summer hours, ‘$5 Fridays’ Western Carolina University Campus Dining Services will open several venues this summer and will oer “$5 Fridays” meals upstairs in Courtyard Dining Hall starting in June. Burger Studio Monday-Friday: 2 to 8 p.m. (June 2-July 2; July 7-Aug. 4) Courtyard C-Store Monday-Friday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (June 2-July 2; July 7-Aug. 4) Courtyard Dining Hall Daily: 7 to 9 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. (June 2-July 2; July 7-Aug. 4) Einstein’s Bros. Bagels Monday-Friday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (June 16-Aug. 4) Starbucks Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (June 2-July 2; July 7-Aug. 4) For more information, visit the WCU Campus Dining Services website. CATEGORIES | THE REPORTER TOP STORIES NOTEWORTHY NEWS ACHIEVEMENTS EVENTS PHOTOS | WCU NEWS SERVICES CALENDAR 5/29/2017 Ancient Forms, Modern Minds 5/29/2017 Print Plus One: Beyond the Glass Matrix 5/29/2017 Water Portraits: Barbara Tyroler 6/9/2017 Musical Variety Show 'Livin' the Dream' 6/10/2017 Musical Variety Show 'Livin' the Dream' LINKS Calendar Higher Education NewsWatch WCU Hub AFRICA! MORE THAN A CONTINENT © 2014 Western Carolina University. SEARCH Search Home About Archives Subscribe Contact WCU Home May 28, 2014 Email This Post Print This Post Share | From left, Lowell Davis, assistant vice chancellor for student success; Provost Alison Morrison-Shetlar; and Tony Johnson, executive director of Millennial Initiatives, visit Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory in Otto. Frank Vickery, ceramics program coordinator at the Bascom, hosts a demonstration. TOP STORIES Campus leaders explore WNC from Murphy to Asheville in weeklong tour Thirty campus leaders from Western Carolina University crisscrossed the mountains of Western North Carolina for a weeklong tour Monday, May 12, through Friday, May 16, to learn more about the region that the university serves and to help strengthen relationships between WCU and its surrounding communities. The group, which consisted of 11 members of the inaugural class of the WCU Leadership Academy and other campus leaders who are either new to the university or in new positions at WCU, boarded a Cherokee Boys Club motor coach and braved narrow and twisting mountain highways to reach stops ranging from Murphy to Asheville. During the week, the leaders learned about everything from IPA (as in integrated power assemblies, during a tour of the Eaton Corp., an electrical components manufacturer in Arden with connections to WCU’s engineering program) to IPA (as in India pale ale, at a stop at Highland Brewing Co. in Asheville, part of an emerging brewing industry becoming an important economic driver). The trip even took the participants beyond the boundaries of WNC and deep into space, as they peered through telescopes at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute in Rosman for an up-close look at Saturn and its rings, Jupiter and its moons, the planets Mars and Mercury, a far-away galaxy and other celestial objects. The tour also included stops at Clay County Schools in Hayesville; the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown; Tri-County Community College in Murphy; Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s Oconaluftee Visitor Center/Mountain Farm Museum; Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort; Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory in Otto; Little Tennessee River Greenway in Franklin; Highlands Biological Station, Old Edwards Inn and Bascom art center in Highlands; and Biltmore Park. Stops on the tour were centered on the themes of education, tourism and heritage, recreation and the environment, creative arts, and technology and innovation. The WCU Leadership Academy Regional Tour was the concluding activity for the members of the inaugural class of the academy, which was created to cultivate faculty and sta leaders as part of WCU’s eort to achieve the goals identied in the “2020 Vision: Focusing Our Future” strategic plan. WCU Chancellor David O. Belcher, who participated in the tour, announced the implementation of a leadership program for faculty and sta during his installation address in March 2012. The strategic plan, approved last August by the WCU Board of Trustees, also calls for the establishment of such a program, which was developed under the leadership of the late Provost Angi Brenton and Laura Cruz, director of Coulter Faculty Commons. Leading with a regional vision is a fundamental aspect of the structure of the academy, said Cruz. “We carefully and intentionally selected the itinerary to highlight the region, WCU’s role in the region, and WCU’s strategic plan in a manner that (we hoped) was engaging and pedagogically eective – in other words, it was a learning-centered design,” she said. “It also was designed to be developmental, so that we could each develop leadership skills and vision that extends through the community. Finally, it was designed to be reciprocal – as we were CATEGORIES | THE REPORTER TOP STORIES NOTEWORTHY NEWS ACHIEVEMENTS EVENTS PHOTOS | WCU NEWS SERVICES CALENDAR 5/29/2017 Ancient Forms, Modern Minds 5/29/2017 Print Plus One: Beyond LINKS Calendar Higher Education NewsWatch WCU Hub AFRICA! MORE THAN A CONTINENT Western Carolina University Leadership Academy members and campus leaders visited the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute in Rosman as part of a regional tour. From left, Laura DeWald and Brett Woods enjoy a tour of the factory floor at Eaton Corp. learning about leadership and the region, our community partners could interact with WCU leaders and tell their stories.” Participants said they found the tour to be a very valuable activity. “The tour gave me more insight into the region’s needs and how WCU can fit into that puzzle,” said Andy Voelker, manager of student computing. “WCU has to continue to be creative and proactive in working with our community to establish strategic partnerships. I was surprised at how little we knew about each other and how obvious some of these partnerships are. There are a lot of opportunities out there, but it will take a little work to get them going.” For some participants, the tour provided an opportunity to explore aspects of the WNC region of which they were previously unaware. “As a native of WNC who had never been to Highlands Biological Station or PARI, it was a great experience. Sometimes you don’t realize what is just at your back door, so this was a great opportunity to discover some new things and rediscover others about our region,” said John Whitmire, head of the Department of Philosophy and Religion. “The time together with other campus leaders on the bus also was a really valuable opportunity because it gave us the time to observe some of our campus senior leadership in action, and practice shifting into the dierent mindsets and frames that they use in dealing with important issues,” Whitmire said. Renee Corbin, director of assessment for the College of Education and Allied Professions, agreed. “The tour was instrumental in understanding the diversity of the region such as socio-economic and cultural dierences as well as varied industry, including education, tourism, recreation, science and research, and business,” Corbin said. “I was surprised by the Coweeta facility and the important role it plays in scientic research. I have passed the sign many times traveling to Atlanta and never knew anything about it.” Brett Woods, director of development, said he was pleased at how genuinely appreciative community leaders were of the group’s eorts to visit with them and learn more. “There was a keen sense of desire to collaborate and work together to strengthen the WNC region and to create win-wins for all,” Woods said. Sue Grider, learning management system manager in Coulter Faculty Commons and a resident of WNC for 18 years, said the tour illustrated the way various organizations across the region are working together to help solve problems. Grider cited the example of Tri-County Community College teaming with Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort to try to help employees of a Graham County furniture manufacturing plant who will be unemployed when the facility closes later this year. “This was a great example of how these groups are working together to help maintain the regional structure,” she said. “Another aspect of how companies are working to make our region better is Eaton and how the company encourages its sta to obtain their degrees, either two-year or four-year, to help provide opportunities for the employees but also to strengthen the economic base of our region. The ripple eect of their program is huge.” Patrick Frazier, senior assistant director of admissions, said he will be using some of what he learned on the tour in doing his job recruiting students. “The interesting part in terms of the region is how many connections the university already has within the region that are not publicly known to a lot of people,” Frazier said. “From a recruitment standpoint, there were aspects that will be really benecial when talking to future students that I would never have known about beforehand – for instance, the opportunities that are in place and being utilized by students within the environmental sciences field.” The participants also agreed that the weeklong tour was an appropriate closure for the academy, underling many of the lessons learned during the year. “Without a doubt, the Leadership Academy reinforces our vision and the role that Western Carolina University plays in our region,” said Corbin. “For me, building relationships across the campus was very important, and I will utilize those relationships going forward in my current position. I also understand better the roles of others in divisions other than my own. The academy has made me more aware of the importance of being a cheerleader out in the community for WCU.” For Grider, the Leadership Academy provided greater understanding of what is happening in Washington, D.C., and Raleigh and how that aects decisions made by the university’s administration – and how those decisions aect the community and the region. “Also, it is important for each of us who work at Western Carolina University to remember that what we do will aect many people and that when we choose to work for any organization, our responsibility to that organization does not end at 5 p.m. when the whistle blows,” she said. Voelker said his participation in the academy gave him insight into the many leadership styles that exist and how to incorporate those into his own leadership style. “It also taught me a lot about our campus and higher education, and introduced me to many new colleagues and mentors. They say that business is all about connections; I now have a lot of them,” he said. Woods agreed. “The academy, for me, showcased the need for my own dedication to honing my leadership skills through careful cultivation. In all that I do, I will look for the leadership elements and ask what is my take-away – how can I apply the best practices in leadership to my own situation,” he said. Whitmire echoed the comments of many when he said that he would be promoting enrollment in next year’s Leadership Academy to campus colleagues. “I would denitely encourage other colleagues – particularly other faculty, since we only had two faculty members in the academy this year – to participate, as it also gave me the chance to look at the university from a number of dierent perspectives than those that most faculty work with on most days,” he said. “So, I think I have both a broader view of the university and of the region than I did before this year – and, indeed, before last week!” Applications are being accepted for the 2014-15 WCU Leadership Academy class through Friday, May 30. Application materials may be found at the academy’s website: wculeadershipacademy.wcu.edu. By Bill Studenc © 2014 Western Carolina University. SEARCH Search Home About Archives Subscribe Contact WCU Home May 28, 2014 Email This Post Print This Post Share | Jim Costa ACHIEVEMENTS Costa’s latest book focuses on English naturalist Wallace A book by Western Carolina University biology professor and Highlands Biological Station director James Costa titled “Wallace, Darwin and the Origin of Species” has been published by Harvard University Press. The book provides an in-depth look at the work of 19th-century English naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, who co-discovered the principle of natural selection in 1858. Costa analyzes the development of Wallace’s thinking as seen through the lens of the naturalist’s “Species Notebook,” which is the eld notebook and journal in which Wallace recorded his evolutionary ideas during his eight years of exploration in southest Asia in the 1850s. Costa also compares Wallace’s work to Darwin’s work, taking a closer look at the relationship between the two naturalists. Costa said he hopes the book inspires a new level of appreciation for Wallace’s accomplishments, which have been largely overshadowed by Darwin’s, and corrects the view of Wallace as a secondary gure. The book portrays the two naturalists “as true equals in advancing one of the greatest scientific discoveries of all time,” he said. For the full story, visit the WCU news site. CATEGORIES | THE REPORTER TOP STORIES NOTEWORTHY NEWS ACHIEVEMENTS EVENTS PHOTOS | WCU NEWS SERVICES CALENDAR 5/29/2017 Ancient Forms, Modern Minds 5/29/2017 Print Plus One: Beyond the Glass Matrix 5/29/2017 Water Portraits: Barbara Tyroler 6/9/2017 Musical Variety Show 'Livin' the Dream' 6/10/2017 Musical Variety Show 'Livin' the Dream' LINKS Calendar Higher Education NewsWatch WCU Hub AFRICA! MORE THAN A CONTINENT © 2014 Western Carolina University. SEARCH Search Home About Archives Subscribe Contact WCU Home May 28, 2014 Email This Post Print This Post Share | ACHIEVEMENTS Creasy presents at international conference about hospital efficiency strategy Todd Creasy, associate professor in the Department of Global Management and Strategy, recently presented “Don’t Lose Patients – How a Hybrid Strategy Improved Patient Experience” at the International Conference on Quality Improvement, which was sponsored by the American Society of Quality. Creasy discussed a project in which he studied the pre-admission testing process for surgical procedures at a rural hospital in Virginia. He subsequently identied ways to reduce patient wait time and then statistically veried that the average wait time had been reduced by 70 percent after the changes were introduced. The changes included combining a three-page form into one page, utilizing a delivery service to collect and deliver patient charts, implementing a patient tracking system that alerted sta of patient wait issues and hosting information sessions with physician oces to explain the new process. “People get so frustrated by periods of waiting in hospitals – waiting to be admitted to the emergency room, waiting to be seen by a nurse, waiting to be seen by the attending physician, waiting to be served a meal, and waiting to be discharged,” said Creasy. “Extended periods of waiting are detrimental to patient satisfaction that all hospitals take very seriously. This project helped take some of the dissatisfaction out of the hospital experience by dramatically reducing patient wait times during one part of the hospital experience.” For more information, contact Creasy at rtcreasy@wcu.edu. CATEGORIES | THE REPORTER TOP STORIES NOTEWORTHY NEWS ACHIEVEMENTS EVENTS PHOTOS | WCU NEWS SERVICES CALENDAR 5/29/2017 Ancient Forms, Modern Minds 5/29/2017 Print Plus One: Beyond LINKS Calendar Higher Education NewsWatch WCU Hub AFRICA! MORE THAN A CONTINENT © 2014 Western Carolina University. SEARCH Search Home About Archives Subscribe Contact WCU Home May 28, 2014 Email This Post Print This Post Share | ACHIEVEMENTS Division of Student Success presents faculty, staff awards The WCU Division of Student Success presented awards at a spring celebration held in May. Awards presented include the Commendable Catamount Award to Henson Sturgill from the Registrar’s Oce and Kristan Blanton from Advising; the Partnership Award to Orientation Programs; the Unsung Hero Award to Linda Woody from the Registrar’s Oce; the Sta Award for Excellence in Student Service to Lisa Frady from Advising and Janina DeHart from Undergraduate Studies; the Faculty Award for Excellence in Student Service to A.J. Grube from Business Administration and Law and Sport Management; and the Office of the Year to Writing and Learning Commons. CATEGORIES | THE REPORTER TOP STORIES NOTEWORTHY NEWS ACHIEVEMENTS EVENTS PHOTOS | WCU NEWS SERVICES CALENDAR 5/29/2017 Ancient Forms, Modern Minds 5/29/2017 Print Plus One: Beyond LINKS Calendar Higher Education NewsWatch WCU Hub AFRICA! MORE THAN A CONTINENT © 2014 Western Carolina University. SEARCH Search Home About Archives Subscribe Contact WCU Home May 28, 2014 Email This Post Print This Post Share | David Dorondo Jeremy Hyman TOP STORIES Dorondo, Hyman named to professorships David Dorondo, associate professor of history, has been awarded the Creighton Sossomon Professorship in History, and Jeremy Hyman, associate professor of biology, was named to the H.F. and Catherine P. Robinson Professorship. Both will hold the professorships for three-year terms. Dorondo, a WCU faculty member since 1987, earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Armstrong State College in 1980, master’s degree in modern German and European diplomatic history from the University of South Carolina in 1984, and doctorate in history from the University of Oxford in 1988. He also conducted research in the Federal Republic of Germany as a Fulbright Fellow. Dorondo’s publications include two books, “Riders of the Apocalypse: German Cavalry and Modern Warfare, 1870-1945” and “Bavaria and German Federalism: Reich to Republic, 1918-1933.” Students selected him to receive the 2012 Last Lecture Award, which recognizes professors who teach with passion and enthusiasm. The Sossomon professorship, established in honor of the late history professor emeritus D. Creighton Sossomon, is designed to strengthen the faculty in the history department by providing a salary supplement to retain outstanding teachers-scholars in American, English or European history. Hyman, a faculty member since 2006, earned his doctorate in biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2001 and his bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Chicago in 1993. His research has centered on behavior of urban and rural bird populations in Western North Carolina, and recent work carried out with undergraduate and graduate students has been published. Hyman also works with Joe Pechmann, associate professor of biology, on a long-term study monitoring salamander populations at sites in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Nantahala National Forest. The Robinson professorship, established in honor of H.F. “Cotton” and Katherine P. Robinson, recognizes and awards a biology faculty member for contributions in teaching, research and service to WNC. Honorees receive an annual salary supplement. CATEGORIES | THE REPORTER TOP STORIES NOTEWORTHY NEWS ACHIEVEMENTS EVENTS PHOTOS | WCU NEWS SERVICES CALENDAR LINKS Calendar Higher Education NewsWatch WCU Hub AFRICA! MORE THAN A CONTINENT © 2014 Western Carolina University. SEARCH Search Home About Archives Subscribe Contact WCU Home May 28, 2014 Email This Post Print This Post Share | NOTEWORTHY NEWS Employee Summer Challenge to begin June 4 WHEE for Life is encouraging faculty and staff to participate in various wellness activities this summer through the Employee Summer Challenge. The challenge runs from Wednesday, June 4, through Friday, July 25, and features a bingo-type card. As participants accomplish a wellness activity, they mark off a square. Participants who complete two “bingos” from the challenge card will win a prize. Additional information will be shared by email in June and at the ice cream social to be held on the lawn of A.K. Hinds University Center on June 4 from 12 to 2 p.m. CATEGORIES | THE REPORTER TOP STORIES NOTEWORTHY NEWS ACHIEVEMENTS EVENTS PHOTOS | WCU NEWS SERVICES CALENDAR LINKS Calendar Higher Education NewsWatch WCU Hub AFRICA! MORE THAN A CO