The Reporter, December 2016

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 December 7, 2016 Email This Post Print This Post Share | Jan O’Brien was a smiling and welcoming presence for students and others at the WCU dining hall. NOTEWORTHY NEWS Beloved campus fixture, perpetual smiling face, Jan O’Brien passes away The Western Carolina University community is remembering and mourning Jan O’Brien, a longtime dining services employee who passed away Monday, Dec. 5, at the age of 84. Remembrances are scheduled for Friday, Dec. 9, at Cullowhee United Methodist Church with visitation in the downstairs fellowship hall from 9 to 10:30 a.m., followed by a memorial service in the sanctuary beginning at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Suitland, Maryland. Known for her smile for everyone coming through the cafeteria and her motto, “sharing is caring,” O’Brien was a positive xture and inuence for countless students, faculty, sta and visitors for more than 25 years. She was known for remembering students’ names and had a bulletin board of their photos near her register. She retired as a WCU employee in 1997 but continued to work with Aramark-WCU campus food services until May 2015. News of her passing went viral on WCU (and other) social media platforms late in the day on Dec. 5 and has continued, with condolences and fond memories being shared. A native of Washington, D.C., O’Brien made Miami Beach her home for 35 years before coming to Western North Carolina and becoming a resident of Sylva in 1989. She loved to travel, visiting 49 states and more than 20 countries. In lieu of owers, donations may be made to the Jan O’Brien Sharing is Caring Scholarship Fund, payable to the WCU Foundation. Checks should be sent to the WCU Development Oce, 1 University Drive, Cullowhee, N.C. 28723, while online donations may be made at makeagift.wcu.edu by writing “In memory of Jan O’Brien” in the comments section. Tags: Jan O'Brien 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 © 2016 Western Carolina University. SEARCH Search Home About Archives Subscribe Contact WCU Home December 14, 2016 Email This Post Print This Post Share | ACHIEVEMENTS Claxton recognized for career contributions at state convention David Claxton, WCU professor of health and physical education, received the Honor Award at the annual state convention of the North Carolina Alliance for Athletics, Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Dance and Sport Management, held recently in Winston-Salem. Claxton was recognized for signicant contributions at the state and national levels and his work with more than 1,000 health and physical education majors in his classes over the years. Tags: David Claxton 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 © 2016 Western Carolina University. SEARCH Search Home About Archives Subscribe Contact WCU Home December 14, 2016 Email This Post Print This Post Share | David Dorondo assisted an American Legion post in Cherokee with preparatory work for a museum that will commemorate the military service of members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. TOP STORIES Faculty member receives Distinguished Service Award from local American Legion David Dorondo, associate professor in Western Carolina University’s Department of History, has been honored with an American Legion Distinguished Service Award, presented recently by the Steve Youngdeer Post 143 of Cherokee. The American Legion is a wartime veterans’ organization formed after World War I, with a mission of service to members and advocating patriotism across the U.S. Dorondo was recognized for research vital to the planned creation of a military history museum at Post 143 headquarters that would commemorate the service and sacrifice of the Eastern Band of Cherokee from World War I to the Persian Gulf War. He received the award during Veterans Day ceremonies in Cherokee on Friday, Nov. 11. “It was a genuine pleasure for me to assist the post with this project,” said Dorondo. “When I was asked to do so by a long-time friend and one of the post’s most active members, retired Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Clyde Harrison, I immediately agreed. I wanted to do whatever I could to help recognize the sacrifices which Cherokee veterans have made – and continue to make – in service to our country. Along the way, I said several times that I was only doing my job as a military historian, so I was both surprised and honored to receive the award.” Dorondo directed the preparation of text panels for displays. He also verified the authenticity of certain military artifacts and assisted Harrison and post Commander Lewis H. Harding, retired U.S. Navy, in the displays’ arrangements. “As the son of a retired Air Force officer and as a trained military historian, Dr. Dorondo understands the important place of veterans in American society,” said Richard Starnes, dean of WCU’s College of Arts and Sciences. “His work to help tell the stories of Cherokee veterans is a testament to his dedication to those who have served our nation in uniform.” Dorondo, a 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 is the author of “Riders of the Apocalypse: German Cavalry and Modern Warfare, 1870-1945.” By Geoff Cantrell Tags: David Dorondo 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 © 2016 Western Carolina University. SEARCH Search Home About Archives Subscribe Contact WCU Home December 7, 2016 Email This Post Print This Post Share | Brandon Truitt NOTEWORTHY NEWS Fall commencement set for Dec. 17 at Ramsey Center Western Carolina University will hold commencement exercises Saturday, Dec. 17, to honor its fall graduating class and a group of newly minted WCU alumni who were awarded degrees after this year’s summer school sessions. The 1 p.m. ceremony at the Ramsey Regional Activity Center is open to everyone and no tickets are required for admission. Chancellor David O. Belcher will preside over commencement and deliver his charge to the fall semester degree candidates and summer graduates. Graduating student Brandon Todd Truitt will deliver the primary commencement address. Truitt is a native of Waynesville who is majoring in communication and political science. WCU’s fall class includes about 750 students who currently are working on nal academic requirements to receive their degrees and who qualify to participate in the ceremony. A group of approximately 170 WCU graduates who completed degree requirements during summer school and who already have been conferred degrees also will be eligible to don caps and gowns for the event. The purple side of WCU’s traditional purple and gold colors will be much more in prominence at the upcoming commencement as students participating in the undergraduate portion of the ceremonies will be switching from wearing mostly black to predominately purple academic regalia. Individuals attending the event should enter the Ramsey Center through one of four upper concourse doors. Those with physical disabilities should use the northeastern upper entrance, adjacent to the stands of E.J. Whitmire Stadium. WCU ocials advise that attendees driving in on Interstate 40 and U.S. 23-74 from points east should allocate enough time for possible trac delays in Sylva and at a bridge construction site on U.S. 23-74 between Sylva and Balsam. For those who cannot attend, the ceremony will be streamed live at http://www.wcu.edu/commencement-stream.aspx. For more information about commencement, contact the WCU Registrar’s Office at 828-227-7216 or e-mail registrarsoffice@wcu.edu. Tags: Commencement 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 © 2016 Western Carolina University. SEARCH Search Home About Archives Subscribe Contact WCU Home December 14, 2016 Email This Post Print This Post Share | ACHIEVEMENTS Grube shares presentation at state convention Dan Grube, director of WCU’s School of Teaching and Learning, gave a presentation titled “Moving and Learning: Experiential Education and Study Abroad” for members of the North Carolina Alliance for Athletics, Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Dance and Sport Management. Grube’s presentation occurred at the organization’s annual convention in Winston-Salem in November. Tags: Dan Grube 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 © 2016 Western Carolina University. SEARCH Search Home About Archives Subscribe Contact WCU Home December 7, 2016 Email This Post Print This Post Share | Mark Haskett’s prize-winning photo captured Balsam and Blue Ridge residence halls under a blanket of snow. ACHIEVEMENTS Haskett photo wins Inside Higher Ed contest Mark Haskett, director of photography and videography services in WCU’s Office of Communications and Public Relations, entered an image he had taken of a snowy campus scene in a winter-theme photo contest sponsored by the magazine Inside Higher Ed, and won. As a result, the photo – identifying WCU as the location where it was taken – is currently featured on the magazine’s Twitter page and Facebook page and will be the main photograph in the publication’s holiday greeting card, where Haskett also will be credited. “I am happy that the university will get the benefit from having our photo selected for the card,” he said. He expects to receive some samples of the card from the magazine. Haskett said he was encouraged to enter the contest by Carol Burton, WCU’s associate provost for undergraduate studies. Tags: Carol Burton, Mark Haskett 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 © 2016 Western Carolina University. SEARCH Search Home About Archives Subscribe Contact WCU Home December 7, 2016 Email This Post Print This Post Share | HOMEBASE College Ministry is located in the former Baptist Student Union building. Lowell Davis TOP STORIES HOMEBASE College Ministry makes its way to campus Lowell Davis, Western Carolina University’s assistant vice chancellor for student success, always has had a passion for helping former foster youth, former orphans, emancipated youth and other non-traditional college students. After helping start the Resilient Independent Student Association, a group aimed at serving and supporting that population of WCU students, Davis realized his schedule didn’t allow him to fully devote himself to the cause. But after meeting with Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina chief operating officer Keith Henry, a WCU alumnus, a solution was resolved. Baptist Children’s Homes has entered into a partnership with WCU to form HOMEBASE College Ministry, which is operating on campus in the former Baptist Student Union building. HOMEBASE specically focuses on aiding students who have aged out of the foster care system or are former orphans or emancipated. “I shared with (Henry) stories of students,” Davis said. “He basically said, ‘Give me some time and let’s see what we can do.’ He’s always wanted to give back to his alma mater and always wanted to support this population.” Henry targeted Jim Dean, founder and former pastor of Cullowhee’s Summit Church, to oversee HOMEBASE. As a licensed therapeutic foster parent, Dean welcomed the challenge. “I found out they were starting this program, and I contacted Keith at the Children’s Home and said, `How can we help?’ The conversation turned to, `Why don’t you be the director?’ ” Dean said. “I just have a passion for that population and trying to help them succeed. I was a rst-generation student myself without any real family support. I kind of get where they’re coming from. I can’t relate to all their stories, but I can sympathize and empathize with them and want to see them succeed. I see my role as trying to change the trajectory of their lives.” HOMEBASE had a soft opening at the beginning of fall semester. Since then, Dean, his three student workers and a host of volunteers have been busy transforming the building. The space will be used as a place for the students to hang out with others who have experienced similar things and who come from similar backgrounds, Davis said. The building consists of two living room areas with big-screen televisions, Netix and cable for the students to relax. It was recently equipped with Wi-Fi. There is a small computer lab with a couple of computers and a printer. And there is a food pantry for students who might need food for the weekend or during a break, and a stackable washer and dryer unit. The downstairs features a small apartment with a bedroom and a bathroom that can be used for an emergency shelter. Dean also has assisted students with getting medication, transportation to the hospital and getting a meal. In the future, he plans to oer independent living skills such as teaching them how to make meals. “If you’re a former foster student or orphan, who do you call to help you?” Dean said. “What we’re trying to do is help students succeed. We’re really just a resource for the university for students that might need help, support, encouragement, a trip to go get groceries, a trip to go get toiletries, whatever it is.” HOMEBASE is planning an ocial ribbon-cutting opening in January. The building is being leased by the Baptist Children’s Home from the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. Davis said WCU contributes funds to the program. Donors also have made contributions to help with students needing supplies for class, food and other necessities. There are approximately 100 students that WCU has identied as tting the criteria for HOMEBASE. Out of that group, about 10-15 have utilized the service so far, Dean said. “It’s very hard because some of the students from this population want to be identied and supported and some of them don’t,” Davis said. “Coming to Western is a fresh start for them. We want to support them, but we also want them to feel comfortable in sharing their stories and knowing they are around other students who have had similar experiences as them.” 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 HOMEBASE is still in need of volunteers who would like to help with general handy work, painting, light construction or donating items such as toiletries or food, Dean said. For more information, contact Dean at 828-508-0035. By Marlon Morgan Tags: HOMEBASE © 2016 Western Carolina University. SEARCH Search Home About Archives Subscribe Contact WCU Home December 14, 2016 Email This Post Print This Post Share | NOTEWORTHY NEWS Hunter Library offers ‘fake news’ guide The issue of “fake news” has been in the real news a lot recently, and WCU’s Hunter Library has an online research guide to help members of the university community distinguish between the two. The guide can be found at http://researchguides.wcu.edu/fakenews. Tags: Hunter Library 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 © 2016 Western Carolina University. SEARCH Search Home About Archives Subscribe Contact WCU Home December 14, 2016 Email This Post Print This Post Share | NOTEWORTHY NEWS Nursing students make donation to Asheville nonprofit With this being the season of giving, students from Western Carolina University’s Accelerated Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing Program at the Biltmore Park instructional site in Asheville did their part recently. Members of the Association of Nursing Students used funds they raised through T-shirt and bake sales, combined with the contribution of an anonymous donor, to purchase a commercial dryer for the Haywood Street Respite, a nonprofit organization that provides a safe place for up to eight homeless people to get back on their feet after being discharged from the hospital. Each year, ANS organizes a community investment opportunity. This year, the group wanted to purchase something that would help improve the health of their community. After reaching out to Haywood Street Respite, ANS secretary Lindsay Prestemon learned that their dryer had recently broken. “We felt it was a good opportunity, as supporting a safe and healthy recovery upon discharge from the hospital decreases hospital re-admission rates, as well as improves the health of our city,” ANS president Kathryn Kreyling said. Haywood Street Respite has served about 150 people this year, with 56 percent experiencing a reduction in hospital utilization in the three months following their stay at the respite, compared to the same time period before their stay. “We work together to make these projects happen and couldn’t have done it without cooperation from the students and faculty at WCU,” Kreyling said. “It’s challenging but rewarding and we are grateful to have this opportunity.” Tags: Biltmore Park, nursing 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 © 2016 Western Carolina University. SEARCH Search Home About Archives Subscribe Contact WCU Home December 14, 2016 Email This Post Print This Post Share | TOP STORIES Paws dances, prances, then decorates, delivers holiday spirit to campus Paws, the ocial mascot for Western Carolina University’s Catamounts, makes the holiday spirit contagious in WCU’s traditional season’s greetings video to campus, and the community, alumni and friends. The video can be viewed at http://news-prod.wcu.edu/2016/12/let-us-paws-celebration/. Samuel Wallace, a 2016 WCU graduate who joined the university’s Oce of Communications and Public Relations in August as sta videographer, developed the concept of Paws hurriedly decorating the Chancellor’s Residence, then bringing students together for a party with Chancellor David O. Belcher and wife Susan. The 2-minute, 30-second video titled “Let Us Paws in Celebration” features a rollicking version of the contemporary song “It Oughta Be Christmas Every Day” by Henrik Wikstrom and Steve Martin. “The idea behind the video reects what happens for so many of us this time of year,” Wallace said. “In the video, Paws looks at the calendar and realizes it’s time to fast-track holiday cheer. And, with the help of some friends, he does just that and puts things in motion for a festive evening. The story is told through action and music, with the only dialogue spoken at the closing by the chancellor, saying ‘from our family to yours, happy holidays’.” Assisting Wallace in the project were Eric Smith, IT video services sta member and lm student Keith Kunstmann, who served as production crew. In addition to Paws, the holiday video features students Brandon Truitt, Jacob French, Keira Isom, William Leopard, Monte Jones, Eliza Hurst, Brittney Ballentine, Madeline Smith, Matt Furlough, Devyn Smith and Davis Wilson. Assisting with video coordination and logistics were WCU sta members Tammy Haskett, Mark Haskett, Stacy MacGregor, Amber McKendrick, Patrick Frazier, Jeannie Ball, Arledge Armenaki and Zach Philips, and students Nicole Hayton, Taylor Ganey and L