The Reporter, October 1997

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.The Reporters News from the Faculty and Staff of Western Carolina University ** October 6,1997 Broadway-Play, Paul Winter Consort H• •i: ghlii: ghuti JH"7 j9o8o Cu.1l4t.u. re Series : ATony-winning musical, the renowned Count Basie Band, and the New Age sound of the Paul Winter Consort highlight WCU's 1997-98 Lectures Concerts, and Exhibition Series. Other events include a reading by Yusef Komunyakaa, a Pulitizer Prize-winning poet; the talented and spirited dancers of the African American Dance Ensemble; and a showing of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Kicking off the LCE series on October 10 will be Me and My Girl, the story of a poor, unsophisticated young man who suddenly is thrust into high society. Originally staged in Lon­don during the dark, war-torn days of 1937, the musical was revived in London in 1985 and began an award-winning Broad­way run in 1986. The production will be staged by Gateway Theatri­cal Inc., a critically ac­claimed troupe based in Long Island, New York. Show time is 7:30 p.m. in the Ramsey Center. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and WCU employees, $5 for children and non-WCU students. The music of the legendary Count Basie lives on through the 19-member Count Basie Orchestra, which plays under the direction of trombonist Grover Mitchell. The Basie Orchestra will perform at 7:30 p.m. October 28 in the Ramsey Center. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and WCU employ­ees, $3 for children and non-WCU students. Yusef Komunyakaa's poetry reading will be at 3 p.m. November 9 in the Cherokee Room of Hinds University Center. Komunyakaa's poetry draws upon personal memory, national history, and a love of jazz to create an impressive range of characters and places. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for children and non-WCU students. A reception and signing will follow the reading. Steve Hickman, one of the world's top dance fiddlers, brings his unique blend of humor and music to WCU on November 19. Hickman's musical styles range from Appalachian to Zydeco. Hickman will be continued on page 2 Cullowhee, North Carolina Partners in Giving Western Carolina University faculty and staff soon will be asked to become "Partners in Giving," as volunteers gear up for the North Carolina State Employees Combined Cam­paign, the only official fund drive conducted on campus. The combined fund-drive gives university employees an opportunity to contribute to charitable organizations in an orderly process through a single campaign that helps provide funding to more than 1,000 agencies across the region, the state, the nation and the world. The 1997-98 campaign is headed by Carla Cosio, wellness coordinator, assisted by Bill Studenc, assistant director of public information. Two kick-off events are scheduled for the university's campaign solicitors: 8 a.m. Tuesday, October 21, and 3 p.m. Wednesday, October 22. Both events will be in the Cherokee Room of A.K Hinds University Center. Solicitors are required to attend only one of the sessions. Completion date for the campaign is November 14. The university community contributed more than $29,000 to the campaign in 1996-97, and local organizers hope to surpass last year's amount. For more information about the State Employees Com­bined Campaign, call Carla Cosio at 227-7018 or Bill Studenc at 227-7327. Culture Series, cont'd. joined by guitarist-singer-comedian John Devine and the Freight Hoppers from Bryson City. Hickman and Friends will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the recital hall of the Coulter Building. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for children and non-WCU students. Long a vital medium for expression, tiles have re-emerged as a popular canvas for ceramic artists. Beginning January 14 and running through February 18, Artist Tiles in Western North Carolina will feature some of the best ceramic artists in WNC. The exhibit will be in the Belk Building Gallery. The Saint Louis Brass Quintet, one of the top brass ensembles in the nation, will perform at WCU on March 2. The ensemble has an encyclo­pedic repertoire of some of the world's greatest brass music, including Baroque classics, the popular fare of Gershwin and Porter, and works of some of today's top composers. The performance will be at 7:30 p.m. in the recital hall of the Coulter Building. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and WCU employees, $3 for children and non-WCU students. During March, at dates yet to be determined, the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display in the Grandroom of Hinds University Center. The quilt commemorates more than 41,000 people who have died of AIDS. The showing is free. Rosellen Brown, poet, novelist, short-story writer and teacher, will give a reading in the recital hall of the Coulter Building at 7:30 p.m. on March 30. Brown's first novel, The Autobiography of My Mother, explored the relationship between an estranged daugh­ter and mother. It continues to interest feminist scholars 20 years after it was published. Tickets for the reading are $5 adults, $3 for children and non-WCU students. A recep­tion and book-signing will follow the reading. Peace, love and respect is the message that the African American Dance Ensemble takes to audiences around the world. The talented dancers and musicians bridge the gap between performer and audience, drawing spectators into an experience of complex rhythms, innovative movement and spirited singing. The group will perform at 7:30 p.m. April 3 in Hoey Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and WCU employees, $3 for children and non-WCU students. The final event of the LCE season will be a performance by the Grammy Award-win­ning Paul Winter Consort on April 17. Drawing from "the greater symphony of nature," Paul Winter has been making music that transcends catego­ries for three decades, inter­twining diverse instruments and elements from all over the world. He often incorporates the sounds of wolves, whales, eagles and other "wilderness musicians" into his works. Winter's group will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the Ramsey Center. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and WCU employees, $5 for children and non-WCU students. For reservations and ticket information about Ramsey Center events, call 227-7722; for all other events, call 227-7206. CATCARD Accounts WClTs One-Card Office is issuing new and replacement CatCards for faculty and staff from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in Room 311 of the Robinson Administration Building. The CatCards function much like bank check cards. An initial deposit (minimum of $25) is made to a CatCard account, and a positive balance is electronically established in the customer's name. The card may be used on vending machines, the WCU bookstore, some public copiers and microfilm readers and printers, and at all food service locations on campus. The University Center accepts CatCards to pay for rental of outdoor equipment, outdoor/ leisure trips, tickets to Last Minute Production events, and for personal faxes. After the initial deposit, additional funds ($5 minimum) can be deposited during normal business hours at the Cashier's Office on the third floor of the Robinson Building. Unused funds in a CatCard account at the end of the year will be carried forward to the next fiscal year unless a refund is requested. A $5 processing fee will be charged for refunds. Faculty Project Teams Named At the annual "Faculty Project Teams" brainstorming luncheon, Western Carolina University faculty identified eleven campus issues and programs that will receive special attention this year. The annual luncheon was sponsored by the Coulter Faculty Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. Purpose of the sessions is to solicit suggestions on ways to sustain an active climate for teaching, and to provide an opportunity for returning faculty members to renew contacts with colleagues and for new faculty to meet fellow professors. Following are project teams and contact people named for 1997-98: Classroom Observation/Peer Consultation, Cultivating an Intellectual Campus Climate, Teaching for Retention, and Western After Hours — Ben Ward (Faculty Center). Faculty Mentoring Program — Dr. Mary Jean Herzog (Admin­istration, Curriculum and Instruction). Faculty Sandbox Advisory Group and Outreach Institutional Computing — Laura Chapman (Faculty Center). Cooperative Learning Project — Dr. Maurice Phipps (Health and Human Performance). Information Literacy Program — Pat Wilson (Hunter Library). Tech Talk Brown Bags — Bob Orr (Faculty Center). Wildacres Retreat Planning Team — Dr. Beth Bowser (Institute for College and University Teaching). For additional information, contact Ben Ward, Faculty Center director, at 227-7196. October 6,1997 • T he Reporter ; 5 WCT Calendar J October 6-19, 1997 Library Hours Hunter Library operating on extended hours schedule. Through Monday, November 24. (227-7306) Tuesday, October 7 Self-defense Workshop for Women. Four-session work­shop to teach effective physical and mental strategies against sexual harassment/assault. $15 for faculty/ staff, $10 students. Reserve space. Other sessions are Oct. 14,21, and 27. 6-9 p.m., Reid Auxiliary Gym. (Wellness Program, 227-7018) Write Your Life Story with Nina Anderson, freelance writer. Organization, language proofreading, editing and possible publication opportuni­ties are covered. $35. Tuesdays, through November 4.7-9 p.m., 118 Forsyth. (227-7397) Wednesday, October 8 Art exhibit opening reception, Alumni Exhibition (see Now Showing box). 5-7 p.m., Belk Gallery. (227-7210) Friday, October 10 Volleyball, women's. WCU vs. Appalachian State. 7 p.m., Reid Gym. (227-7338) Theatre, "Me and My Girl," a musical. $15 adults, $10 senior citizens/WCU employees; $5 children/non-WCU students; free to WCU students. 7:30 p.m., RAC. ( 2 27-7234) Concerts, Tuba, Euphonium Ensembles. Through Wednes­day, October 15.8 p.m., RH (227-7242) Saturday, October 11 Rafting, Nantahala River. 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. WCU students $10, non-students $20. Sign-up at UC. (227-7206) Climbing Weekend, Table Rock. A little climbing experience preferred. Camp overnight. WCU students $30, non-students $50. Sign-up at UC. (227-7206) Sunday, October 12 Leaf Looker, Panthertown Hike. Waterfalls, streams and beautiful views. Moderately strenuous. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. WCU students $2, non-students $5. Sign-up at UC. (227-7206) Monday, October 13 Understand the Culture of Native Appalachia Today, Clyde Ray. A look at the his­tory and society of the region to under-stand your own roots, or a people and culture new to you. $49.6-9 p.m., 127 Forsyth. Through Thursday, October 16. (227-7397) Volleyball, women's. WCU vs. East Tennessee State. 7 p.m., Reid Gym. (227-7338) Tuesday, October 14 The Royal Hanneford Circus. Advance tickets: $10 adults; $5 children 14 and under, senior citizens and WCU students with valid identification. Day of the show, tickets are $12 adults, $7 children. Kids under 2 admitted free. 7 p.m., RAC. Advance tickets: Ramsey Center box office until 5 p.m., Monday, October 13. (227-7722) Wednesday, October 15 Massage Workshop. Learn to ease muscle tension in neck, shoulder and back area. $5 per participant. Space limited. 6- 8:30 p.m., Room 104 Killian. (Wellness Program, 227-7018) Thursday, October 16 Homecoming Weekend activity, "Spirit Night." Pep rally, bonfire, music, and food. Meet the 1997 Catamount football team and Homecoming Court. 3-11 p.m., intramural field next to Reid Gym. (227-7206) Concert, Western Carolina University Concert Choir. 8 p.m., RH. (227-7242) Indoor Climbing. Learn the basics of rock climbing. WCU students $8, non-students $10. Sign-up at UC. (227-7206) Friday, October 17 Homecoming. Parade in downtown Sylva, 6 p.m. Fireworks, 10:30 p.m. Mid­night Madness (Meet WCCs men and women basketball stars), 11 p.m. (227-7206) Graduate Council meeting, for faculty. 2 p.m., 510 HFR. (Kathleen Owen, 227-7398) Volleyball, women's. WCU vs. Charleston Southern. 7 p.m., Reid Gym. (227-7338) Saturday, October 18 Football, Homecoming game, WCU vs. Wofford. 2 p.m., Whitmire Stadium. (227-7338) Stomp Fest *97. Precision dance routines performed by North and South Carolina African-American Greek organizations members. Advance tickets $7, $10 at the door. 7:30 p.m., RAC arena. (227-7234) Sunday, October 19 Bear Lake Canoe and Tour Kayak day. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. WCU students $5, non-students $12. Sign-up at UC. (227-7206) Volleyball, women's. WCU vs. Georgia Southern. 2 p.m., Reid Gym. (227-7338) Submissions: Send news items and calendar notices to 1601 Ramsey Center. Items for the electronic bulletin board on campus (cable channel 39) and for the university's calendar on the World-Wide Web (http:/1 www.wcu.edu leal, html) should reach 1601 Ramsey Center at least a week before the event in question. Now showing Exhibitions: "In Prayse of Potts," an exhibition celebrating the long and continuing ceramics heritage of North Carolina, Chelsea Gallery, Hinds University Center, through October 30. (Beth Ward, 227-7196) "Migration of the Scotch-Irish People" and "Going Places" (a historical look at travel in Western North Carolina). MHC, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and 2-5 p.m. Sundays. Also, "Corridors of Change" (examines cultural changes arising from construction of Interstate 26 from Asheville to the Tennessee line). Through October 31. (227-7129) Alumni Exhibition, featuring a variety of media by 14 WCU graduates (1965-1996). Through October 31. Belk Building Gallery, 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. weekdays or by appointment. (227-7210) Key: HFR - H.F. Robinson Administration Building; HS/CF - Hennon Stadium/Childress Field; NSA - Natural Sciences Auditorium; RAC - Ramsey Regional Activity Center; RH - Recital hall, Coulter Building; UC - University Center. The Reporter ' October 6,1997 wcu EWSF1E • The Cradle of Forestry in America, a National Historic Site in the Pisgah National Forest in Transylvania County that commemorates the origin of forestry conservation in the United States, received the 1997 Mountain Heritage Award Saturday, Sept. 27, at the 23rd annual Mountain Heritage Day. The Cradle of Forestry in America was established by Congress as a National Historic Site in 1968. The cradle is on the site of the first forestry school in America, founded by Dr. Carl Shenck in 1898. • Friends and former members of the Western Carolina University Marching Band have contributed more than $20,000 toward an endowed scholarship fund. The fund will provide financial assistance to talented young musicians interested in studying music and participating in band programs at WCU. Initial awards are expected to be made for the 1998 fall semester. Students in any band program may apply for a scholarship. For additional infor­mation, contact the Office of Uni­versity Advancement at 227-7124, • WCU's Visiting Writers Series for 1997-98 has received a $2,000 grant from the North Carolina Arts Council. The annual series supplements WCU's writing program and strives to stimulate interest among students and members of the community in contemporary writers and poets. • The Office of International Programs and Services is launch­ing a new campus newsletter, International Links, that will focus on issues of interest to students and faculty with an international flavor, according to Robert Gurevich, director of International Programs and Services. Information about recent or forthcoming activities, research, conferences, programs, visitors, and students that have an international focus should be sent to Gurevich by e-mail or through campus mail. • A live satellite broadcast of "The Art of Investing—Tips from America's Experts" is sc heduled at 3 p.m., Tuesday, October 28, in Room 104 of the Killian Building. Sponsored by the Office of Human Resources, the program will focus on the issues and principles of making sound investment decisions. Topics include evaluating investments, building a long or short term investing strategy, and key steps in successful asset allocation. A team of prominent experts will be moderated by Deborah Roberts, ABC News correspondent. For additional information, call 227-7218. • WCU students and alumni can now create and send resumes and search for employment possibilities on the World Wide Web using a new program offered by the Career Services Office. The web-based information system, called IstPlace, went on­line earlier this semester and already is attracting the attention of students, according to Larry Hammer, coordinator of the Career Services Office. The program enables users to create on-line resumes, manage and update their resumes, post resumes on the World Wide Web, match qualifications with available jobs, and schedule interviews with prospective employers. • WCU's Wellness Program is offering a new health and fitness program designed to fit the special needs and schedules of families. Called Family Health Matters, the program offers an innovative approach to team building, goal setting and health improvement, according to Carla Cosio, wellness coordinator. To enroll, fill out a registration form (available from the Wellness Program). The program runs October 6 through November 2. Feeling stressed out at the end of the day? Give your local massage therapist a call. Massages will be offered by the Wellness Program between 3 and 4:40 p.m. on Wednesdays, October 22 through December 17, in Reid Gymnasium, Room 131. Cost is $10 for a fifteen-minute session. For additional information about Wellness Program activities, call 227-7018. The Reporter is published by the Office of Public Information. Mail notices and changes of address to the Reporter, 1601 Ramsey Center, or send them via e-mail to REPORTER. 1,6 00 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $229.15, or $0.14 per copy. Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Institution. The Reporter Office of Public Information Publications Unit 1601 Ramsey Center Cullowhee, North Carolina 28723 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID CULLOWHEE, N.C. PERMIT NO. 1 October 6,1997 • The Reporter The Reporter News from the Faculty and Staff of Western Carolina University October 20, 1997 Cullowhee, North Carolina Whitmires' Gift Establishes Endowed Professorship in Environmental Sciences Chancellor John W. Bardo presents a plaque of recognition to Blanton J. Whitmire, who, with his wife Margaret, contributed $666,000 to fr, J XM the university to establish the base M J ^IV J" - J for a $1 million endowed professor-f continuing a long-standing family flBQM Ship in environmental sciences. \y practice of contributing to education, Blanton J and Margaret S. Whitmire SM have presented Western Carolina University with a gift of $666,000, establishing the base for a $1 million endowed professorship in environmental sciences. The donation will be matched by $334,000 from the state under a program initiated by the General Assembly to encourage private support of public institutions. The Blanton J. Whitmire Distin­guished Professorship in Environmental Sciences is the fourth endowed professorship created at WCU since January 1996, including two others at the $1 million level. The Whitmires, residents of St. Louis with family ties in Western North Carolina, presented the gift on Saturday, October 11, during ceremonies attended by more than 30 Whitmire family members. A lifelong dedication to environmental stewardship, especially water resources, and a desire to see the growth and development of the mountain region proceed without harmful impact on the region's environment prompted the Whitmires to establish the professorship. "The Whitmire family has planted a seed," said Blanton Whitmire in announcing the gift. "The success of that seed will now depend on Chancellor Bardo and his staff, who will produce the future results. It will be up to the university to help the people of Western North Carolina by doing its part to ensure a better environment, which is some­thing we all deserve, by educating our citizens about the benefits that the entire region can reap from cleaner water, cleaner air, and cleaner land." Chancellor Bardo said establishment of the distin­guished professorship in environmental sciences comes at a critical juncture in the history of WNC. Substantial residential and business development threatens water quality and availability, the region's air quality is threat­ened from within and outside the region, and land use and management issues are continued on page 2 Senate Endorses Computer Requirement The Faculty Senate voted 32 to 2 Wednesday, October 15, to endorse a proposal by Chancel­lor John W. Bardo that would require all entering under­graduate students to have their own personal computers beginning next fall. The proposal, endorsed on October 6 by the WCU Student Government Association is scheduled for consideration and possible action by the university's board of trustees on November 5. "This vote tells a great deal about the faculty at Western Carolina University and its continued on page 2 Whitmire Gift, cont'd. becoming controversial focal points. "To meet the rapidly approach­ing changes, Western Carolina University should take the lead in education in environmental sciences," Bardo said. "We must produce not only those students who will become professionals in environmental sciences but also a core of educated graduates. These alumni will remain as citizens of the region, and they will practice and advocate the principles of sound environmental s