The Reporter, July 1987

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.I Reporter A Weekly Newsletter for the Faculty and Staff of Western Carolina University / Cullowhee, North Carolina PRESENTING THE LIFE OF THE EXCEPTIONAL ADULT Jane Schulz and Billy Schulz tion, and poor work and living situations for our children. Yet we find that our children have grown—in part because of our own struggles and, as far as Billy is con­cerned, in part because of his own charac­teristics." After her formal remarks, Billy shows slides and describes his family, where he works, and where he lives. Among the slides are pictures from a birthday party he was given at the library. He lives independently—"Just me," he says—in a trailer near his parents' home. (He formerly lived in a trailer park, but when his brother built a house nearby, he decided he too would like a new place to live.) He does his own cooking, takes care of his household, and enjoys watching movies on videotape. Jane Fonda is his favorite actress. These joint presentations started when Jane did a workshop with a former student who now works in another part of the state. "I When Jane Schulz goes to talk about bringing exceptional children into the mainstream or facilitating independence for exceptional adults, she's got credibility. She goes not only as a professional whose field is special education, but also as the parent of a son with Down Syndrome, a genetic anomaly associated with mental retard­ation and certain physical characteristics. In the past year or two, Dr. Schulz and her son, Billy, a book handler at Hunter Library, have been giving joint presentations on "Grow­ing Together" at conferences all over the country. Their next appearance will be at a national inter­disciplinary seminar on Down Syndrome Oct. 9-10 in Akron, Ohio. There they will pro­vide the closing program, following "Inter­ventions for Families Having a Child with Down Syndrome" by a psychologist and a social worker in the field. That seminar is being jointly sponsored by Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Summit-Portage Area Health Education Network, and the Northeast Regional Training Consortium. The other presentations are by researchers, scientists, and helping professionals with expertise in medical and biological aspects of Down Syndrome. In their own presentation, which is usually for parents of children with Down Syndrome, Jane addresses the theme of growing toge­ther as families in a positive way. She says, "In the past we have been afraid of the future. We have been unprepared due to late diagnoses, a lack of early interven­want you to talk to my parents," the student said. "They need to turn loose of their kids." Jane responded, "Then you need Billy." The visual cues of the slides make it easier for Billy to present his side of things. He also fields questions at the end. They have given their presentations for parent groups, classes, and for the southeastern conference of the American Association on Mental Deficiency held in Atlanta. Later, they gave one for the national meeting of that group in Denver. Last fall they were keynote speakers at the National Association for Down Syndrome in Chicago. Talking to groups, especially parents, with a special interest in Down Syndrome is the most exciting part of what they do, Jane feels. One father wrote to Billy after one of these meetings. In the voice of his young daughter, he said, "My parents aren't afraid since they met you." Fear of the future is the big hurdle for most parents of handicapped children, she says. "The scariest time is after high school," she says. "Those of us with handicapped children have worked so hard for school programs, and all of a sudden that's over and we haven't planned for the rest of it." When Billy graduated, he worked for a lumber yard until it became clear he needed more training. He then lived in Haywood County for some two years, living in a group home (later a supervised independent setting) and working in the sheltered workshop there. Then,* when Hunter Library developed a position that a handicapped person could fill and Billy got the job, he moved back to Jackson County. "There's not one solution for every person—the same as for normal children," Jane says. "Families need more help than they get in looking into alternatives for their children who are grown. You can't really generalize about Down Syndrome. There's as much variability there as in any segment of the population." Their joint presentations have been an exciting professional experience for her and an important growth experience for him. The traveling itself has been good for him, Jane says. In Denver, he enjoyed being shown around by a family friend and feeding deer in the park. "I'm afraid of the sky," he says, "but my mother closed the curtain" so he couldn't see out. He has just about overcome his fear of flying, Jane says, and he has matured a lot. He enjoys going to restaurants and ordering new dishes. The presentations are stressful, but he has learned to pull himself together and carry through. "He meets strangers beautifully," she says. "One of the exciting things that's happened as far as Billy is concerned," she says, "is that he has changed from a responsibili­ty to a resource. He helps the family in various ways, and what we're doing profes­sionally is a real plus in my career. So there are some nice surprises along the way in addition to the unpleasant ones—like the new discovery that Down Syndrome is related to Alzheimer's disease." Jane's new book, Parents and Professionals in Special Education, is just out from Allyn and Bacon. It's the textbook for a course she teaches that emphasizes the importance of the home-school relationship. "Parents are the kids' first teachers and they know a lot about their children that could help school personnel in dealing with these children," she says. Mutual respect is important as parents and professionals work together to contribute to the child's welfare, she says. Simple strategies like making time in the evening to confer with parents can get across a message, she says: "We do respect you and what you have to offer, and we understand your situation." —Elizabeth Addison PEOPLE AND PLACES LAURA MANN (Music) was selected as the "Artist of the Year" at Principia College in Elsah/St. Louis, Mo., and was invited to present a recital on the college campus on May 1. This recital was a gift to the community by the college and the highlight of a weekend celebration of musical activi­ties. On May 2 she also taught a master class for advanced vocal students at Principia, specifically addressing the dynamics of onstage performance and audi­ence communication. MUFFIE TATUM, ROSEANNA SNEED, and TODD MURDOCK (Educational Talent Search) and SARAH WILLIAMS (Upward Bound) attended the 16th Annual Spring Conference of the N.C. Council of Educa­tional Opportunity Programs, held in Charlotte April 29-May 1. The theme was "Toward Equality and Excellence: Commit­ment, Leadership, Strategies." MARIO GAETANO (Music) was recently a guest artist at the Head Music Studios of Memphis, Tenn., where he presented a marimba clinic and performed in concert with the studio percussion ensemble at Linden wood Christian Church. His appearance was sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation, which Dr. Gaetano recently joined as a marimba clinician, general product endorser, and consultant for product development. DAVID BREWIN (Mountain Heritage Center) was recently awarded first prize in a juried blacksmithing show at the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center in Madison, Ga. Blacksmiths from all over the Southeast were represented in this exhibit. Brewin's award-winning entry was a pair of 18th-century pipe tongs. The three-month show concluded May 19. JOHN McCREARY (dean, School of Business) is one of five members elected to a three-year term on the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business Con­tinuing Accreditation Committee. The AACSB is the only business school ac­crediting association recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation. HEYDAR POURIAN (Finance) was invited to speak and conduct workshops for the State of North Carolina Social Services Association during its annual meeting, held in Raleigh April 30. His subject was personal financial planning and management. ELLERD HULBERT (director, International Instructional Programs) was elected a member of the board of directors of the N.C. World Trade Association at its annual meeting April 29. This will be Dr. Hulbert's third term on the state board. FACULTY PUBLICATIONS Natalie Haberland. "Voluntary Death," a translation of Karin Struck's "Freitod," in Dimension, 16, 1 (1987), 118-123. Jo Ann S. Hickey and Anthony Andrew Hickey. "Black Farmers in Virginia, 1930-1978: An Analysis of the Social Organization of Agriculture," in Rural Sociology, 52, 1 (Spring 1987), 75-88. Jane B. Schulz. Parents and Professionals in Special Education. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1987. T.S. Warren and C.T. Pickering. Reading Ability Inventory. Saratoga, Calif.: R&E Publishers, 1987. POSITIONS AVAILABLE Hunter Library, part-time Library Skills Assistant. Fixed-term contract, requires B.S. degree, prefer previous library experience, 20-30 hours per week. No fringe benefits. Works closely with and is trained by professional librarian. Apply by July 15 to Brenda Oliver. The following positions are opening in Public Information. Salary commensurate with education and experience. Accepting applications until filled. For more information, write Doug Reed, 420 Robinson Building. Send resume and three references to Personnel Office, Robinson Building. Photographer II. College graduate or equivalent and four years experience in photographic work with publishing firm, advertising agency, or commercial studio. Must have sophisticated knowledge of photo­graphic techniques, materials, and process­es. Must be highly skilled in darkroom pro­cessing and printing pictures and operating complex cameras and equipment. Publications Writer (Information and Communications Specialist I). Duties include writing, editing, proofreading. Four-year degree in English, journalism, or related field required. Two or more years professional experience in writing or newspaper reporting preferred. Working knowledge of TRS-80 word processing or Apple Macintosh desktop publishing desired. ANNOUNCEMENTS Film - A free showing of Ingmar Bergman's film of The Magic Flute by Mozart is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Friday, July 17, in Classroom A of Hunter Library. The screening is sponsored by the N.C. Center for the Advance­ment of Teaching and is open to WCU students, faculty, and staff. The rental agreement precludes admission to the general public. WCU Featured - The July issue of includes House Beautiful a story and photo about woven coverlets and other mountain handicrafts and particularly features the coverlets exhibit in the Mountain Heritage Center. The magazine's travel section outlines a three-day vacation using Asheville as base and traveling the moun­tains in search of coverlets. House Beautiful circulates 850,000 monthly. Theatre - The Man with the Plastic Sandwich by Roger Karshner will be pre­sented in Niggli Theatre Monday through Wednesday, July 13-15. Directed by Richard Beam, this comedy is about a middle-aged man who has lost his job and gains new insights into life through the eccentrics he meets in the park. Steve Eller plays Walter Price, the man with the plastic sandwich, and Heather Pittillo, Britton Corry, and Charlene Homolka act the eccentric roles. Call ext. 7491 for reservations. Biology Preserve - Western's Wolf Creek Biology Preserve on Cullowhee Mountain became part of the the state Natural Heritage Program during a dedication cere­mony Tuesday, June 23, on the property. Western has owned the approximately 300-acre property for more than 20 years. It was purchased as a watershed and has been used for teaching and research projects. Dick Bruce, one of the biology professors who spoke at the ceremony, said that Western will continue to use the area for teaching and research while leaving it a In a scene from Arthur Kopit's "End of the World," the millionaire industrialist Philip Stone (Roger Bright) threatens playwright Michael Trent (Dean Biasucci) when Trent refuses to write the play Stone has commissioned. This darkly comic treatment of the nuclear arms race will be presented in Niggli Theatre Monday through Wednesday, July 6-8. Curtain at 8 p.m. natural ecosystem. Chancellor Myron Coulter and biology professor Dan Pittillo also made remarks. The certificate of registration was presented by Charles E. Roe of the N.C. Natural Heritage Program. Walter P. Oldendorf has been named interim asso­ciate director of the N.C. Center for the Advance­ment of Teaching according to an announcement by the center's director, Bruce McPherson. He has been a Center Fellow for the past year, helping plan and coordinate seminars. In his new position, he primarily will be involved with seminar pro­gramming, evaluation, research, institution­al development, and alumni affairs. South Africans Visit - Ten young South African community leaders visited WCU and the region June 24-28 as part of a five-week- nationwide tour of community and volun­teer programs. Their WNC itinerary was coordinated by the Joint PVO/University Rural Development Center at CIML. The black, Asian, and mixed race visitors were particularly looking at volunteerism, fund raising, and cooperative programs. m Reporter July 17, 1987 A Weekly Newsletter for the Faculty and Staff of Western Carolina University / Cullowhee, North Carolina PSYCHOMETRIST IS OUTSTANDING SUPPORT STAFF PERSON A "support staff person" in a special sense was honored along with 78 persons having more than 840 collective years of service to WCU and the State of North Carolina at the June 24 service awards luncheon. Nina Crawford, psychometrist and secretary in the WCU Counseling, Advisement, and Placement Center, was presented a $500 check and plaque honoring her as the university's 1987 Outstanding Support Staff Person by Chancellor Myron L. Coulter. Her supportive attitude as the center's first contact for students who need help was a strong factor in her nomination. "Nina has distinguished herself as one of our most valued employees by daily exhibit­ing so many outstanding qualities," Dr. Coulter said. "Her position demands a special sensitivity to the needs of our students. Nina is frequently the first person they come in contact with when seeking help. Her respectful and approachable demeanor allows troubled students to feel more comfortable about coming to the Counseling Center." Dr. Coulter said Crawford's co-workers and supervisors described her as "hardworking, cooperative, competent, approachable, calm, dedicated, caring, patient, and positive" in nominating her for the Recognition Award for Outstanding Support Personnel. Twenty-three others also were honored as nominees for the recognition awafd: Sheila Anders, David Bennett, Darrell Bryant, Juanita Burrell, Audrey Clayton, Benjamin Dillard, Bill Dillard, Sylvia DuPree, Peggy Eidson, Sheila Frizzell, Janice Harris, Kathleen Owen, Barbara Parris, Debby Sims, Susan Smith, Judy Smoker, Genoa Stephens, Linda R. Sutton, George Watson, Mildred Wilson, Terry Wood, Helen Woodard, and Joneita Yantes. Nina Crawford The 1987 nominees from WCU for the Governor's Award for Excellence also were announced. They are Dr. James Wallace, professor of biology; Susie Ray, director of cooperative education; and Crawford. Dr. Coulter said that eligibility for the Governor's Award has been broadened and henceforth Western's nominees would be the recipients of the Paul A. Reid Distin­guished Service Awards and the Recognition Award for Outstanding Support Personnel. Wallace and Ray were the 1987 Paul A. Reid winners. Eight retiring staff members also were honored at the luncheon. They were Beulah B. Lindsey, Eddie O. Aldridge, William R. Crawford, Carl K. Frizzell, Joyce K. Robertson, Kathy Evitt, Carrie S. Smith, OUR SUMMER COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER will be Betty Ray McCain (Mrs. John Lewis McCain), a member of the UNC Board of Governors. The graduation exercises will be held in the Ramsey Center Friday, July 31, at 7 p.m., with a reception to follow in the Hospitality Room. and Ray T. W or ley. Receiving awards, by length of service: Thirty years — Cecil Ward. Twenty-five years — James W. Wal droop. Twenty years — Nina Crawford, Freddy Jones, Mary Fowler, Dale Nations, Mary Parris, Eva Webb, Ruth Shuler, Dorothy Love, Jane Wells. Cecil Ward Governor's Award for Excellence nominees: Crawford, Wallace, and Ray Fifteen years — Virgie Bishop, Deborah Blethen, Edith Cabe, Bengie Dean, Mary Haynes, Mary Holden, Elbert Mathis, Uyless Mathis, Freda McCall, William D. Monteith, Astor Plemmons, Barbara Rogers, Roy Shuler, Judy Smoker, Arthur Stiles, Alfred West, Jr., Edna Waldrop, and Lew Worsham. Ten years — Deborah Allison, John Brooks, Donna Cabe, Frances Conley, Ronald Deitz, Sylvia DuPree, Michael Farmer, Jean Kristosik, Donald Ledford, Doris Lillard, Richard Llewellyn, Marcella McDonald, Doris Phillips, Rita Phillips, Susan S. Smith, Violet Vassian, Ricky Watson, and Marvin Wilkes. Five years — Karen Anderson, William R. Bennett, Katie Brendle, Robert Dills, Doris Franks, Clifton Fisher, Alexander Gerdes, Barbara Golden, Johnny Hampton, Sarah Harris, William Harris, Janie Jones, Fleta Koch, Robert Lane, Catherine Lennox, Robert Lillard, Julia Luker, Arthur McAbee, Sandra Nottingham, Patricia Painter, Lloyd Phillips, Donald Rambler, Dennis Smith, George Smoker, Arthur Stamey, Mary Tatum, Herbert Vogel, Jerry Warren, Connie Watson, Sharon Watson, and Robert Wikle. Retirees Lindsey, Frizzell, and Smith Twenty-year honorees: Parris, Wells, Shuler, Webb, Crawford, and Love. Fifteen-year honorees: (seated) Rogers, Waldrop, McCall, Smoker, Cabe, Blethen, Bishop, Holden; (standing) Worsham, Mathis, Monteith, Plemmons, Shuler, Stiles, Dean. PEOPLE AND PLACES WILLIAM D. HYATT (Criminal Justice) is the new head of his department. He holds law degrees from Georgetown and Cincinnati and was formerly the attorney in charge of the Organized Crime Strike Force in the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington. Earlier, he held a similar position in Miami. ROSE HOOPER (WNCT/CIML) and DELORES NICHOLSON (Media Center) also attended the public radio conference. It was the first statewide conference bringing together radio station managers, state legislators, and officials and citizens interested in public radio development. Sponsored by the Agency for Public Telecommunications, the conference was videotaped and will be shown over the Open Public Events Network this fall. DAVID PETERS and JANE MINOR (Develop­mental Evaluation Center) presented a seminar on "Working with Low-Income and Culturally Distinctive Families in Their Homes" June 17-19 at the 7th Annual Sewanee Conference for Persons Serving Children with Developmental Delays. The conference, held at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn., was sponsored by Community Mental Retardation Agencies and the Tennessee Early Intervention Network for Children with Handicaps. N.C. Public Radio Advisory Committee, participated in a panel discussing "Assets and Liabilities of Statewide Interconnection" along with John Clark, manager of WDAV-Davidson, and Tim Warner, manager of WCQS-FM in Asheville. GURNEY CHAMBERS (dean, Education and Psychology) gave one high school commence­ment address in Virginia and two in North Carolina during the month of June. He also gave a keynote address at the Summer Leader­ship Conference of the Gwinnett County Public Schools in Georgia. JIM SMITH (Art) and NINA ANDERSON (CIML) had works in the recent Great Smokies Heritage Spring Art Show at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian in April. According to a Museum spokesperson, both received much favorable comment. WCU student William Eleazer of Sylva won first prize in the sculpture division for his archetypal bronze, "The Long Hunter." RICHARD GAINEY (Speech and Theatre Arts), who is general manager and adviser of WWCU-FM, recently participated in the 1987 N.C. Public Radio Conference held June 1 in Raleigh. Gainey, a member of the SCOTT E. HIGGINS (Health Services Manage­ment and Supervision) recently received the Professional Achievement Award from the University of Central Florida's College of Health. Dr. Higgins was recognized as one of five 1987 distin­guished alumni and re­ceived the award at the 11th annual meeting of the University of Central Florida Alumni Association in Orlando June 13. He has helped develop four undergraduate programs in respiratory therapy and health services management as well as national curriculum standards in the field. In 1978 he was named Outstand­ing Respiratory Therapist in South Carolina and he has twice been his school's nominee for the Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award. He also has conducted more than 65 workshops and seminars for health care professionals and served as consultant to hospitals, health agencies, and profession­al groups. DIANA HENSHAW (director, Continuing Education) has been appointed to the executive board of the N.C. Adult Educa­tion Association to fill an unexpired term. She will serve until Dec. 31, 1988. WILBURN HAYDEN, JR. (head, Social Work) has been elected treasurer of the National Association of Social Workers, a 107,000-member professional association based in Silver Spring, Md. A nominee of the group's leadership committee, he was elect­ed this