The Reporter, April 2005

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.April 11, 2005 News for the Faculty and Staff of Western Carolina University Five Facultv Members Vving tor Chancellor's Teaching Award Five Western faculty members are in the running for the university 's top teaching honor, the Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award, which will be presented during the spring General Faculty Meeting and Awards Convocation on Friday, April22. Established in 1976, the award is the highest honor given by Western in recognition of superior teaching. Winners are chosen through a two-stage process that includes nominations by students and faculty members, and a review of portfolios and classroom teaching videos by an awards committee composed of students and facnlty. The recipient will receive a $1,000 honorarium and engraved plaque. Nominees are listed, along with educational background and an excerpt from their teaching philosophies: "My primary teaching goal is to instill a love of learning for its own sake," Abel wrote. "If I can effectively impart the intrinsic motivation and excitement for learning, all else will follow. "Therefore, two of my major responsibilities as a teacher are motivating students in the learning process and modeling the learning process as a lifelong commitment. In addition, a primary objective of instruction is not only to teach issues and concepts, but also critical thinking by encouraging students to analyze and process the issues and concepts." Millicent Abel Laura Cruz Don Livingston • Millicent Abel, professor of psychology, who began teaching at Western in 1992. Abel, a Sylva resident, earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and mathematics at Indiana University Southeast in 1979, and master's and doctoral degrees in experimental psychology at the University of Louisville in 1982 and 1988, respectively. • Laura Cruz, assistant professor of history, who joined Western's faculty in 2002. A resident of Canton, Cruz eamed a bachelor's degree in history and political science at Virginia Commonwealth University in 1990, a master's degree in history at Purdue University in 1994, and a doctoral degree in history at the University of California at Berkeley in 200 l. "Perhaps the most fundamental belief of my teaching philosophy is that every student has something to offer and every student is, in his or her own way, interesting and worth getting to know," Cruz wrote. James Murphy continued on page 2 WILL Peebles western to Celebrate 10 Years ot John Bardo as Chancellor It was 10 years ago that the University of North Carolina Board of Governors confirmed John W. Bardo, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts, as Western Carolina University's lOth chancellor. The announcement set off of a yearlong series of activities called "Celebrating Western." a salute to the wide variety of scholarly, creative and athletic pursuits that make up the life of a university, culminating in the April 26, 1996, investiture ceremony at which Dr. Bardo took the oath of office. The university community will pause on the afternoon of Monday, April 25, for another campus celebration- this one honoring Dr. Bardo for a decade of service as Western's chancellor. The event, scheduled for 3 until 5 p.m. on the lawn of A.K. Hinds University Center, is open to all students, faculty and staff, and to residents of the surrounding communities served by the university. The event will include free refreshments, and entertainment provided by several student and faculty performers. For more infonnation about the event, contact Western's Office of Special Events at 227-3039, or e-mail to zsmith@wcu.edu. Gordon Mercer Wins State Public Service Award Gordon Mercer, director of Western's Public Policy Institute and associate dean of research and graduate studies, is the recipient of the North Carolina Political Science Association's Distinguished Public Service Award for 2005. development. The institute also sponsors an annual youth assembly at which about 200 high school students from across the region gather to propose legislation on matters of interest to young people. Mercer is the author of numerous policy reports and refereed journal articles in the field of public policy, and has held positions in the area of public policy analysis at the U. S. Department of Education and National Institute of Education in Washington. A resident of Franklin, Mercer He served as head of the political science department at Western from 1980 until 1992, and later directed the Master of Public Affairs Program before becoming director of the Public Policy Institute in the spring of 1999. Gordon Mercer received the award as part of the association's aruma! conference, held at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Past recipients of the award include Merle Black, professor of political science at Emory University and noted expert on Southern politics; Elaine Marshall, N.C. secretary of state; and the late Liston B. Ramsey, former speaker of the N.C. House of Representatives. The association presented the award to Mercer in recognition of his leadership role in founding Western's Public Policy Institute in 1998. The Public Policy Institute studies issues of importance to Western North Carolina and beyond and develops policy options to address those issues. Mercer previously served as president of the North Carolina Political Science Association and currently serves as first vice president of Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society. He was awarded the Western Carolina University Paul A Reid Distinguished Service Award in 1998 for his work in the public service area. He also has been elected and served four terms in the Westem Faculty Senate and two terms in the University of North Carolina System Faculty Assembly. Since its founding, the PPI has held annual summits on topics such as domestic terrorism, school violence, citizenship, cultural and heritage tourism, entrepreneurship and economic Established in 1971, the North Carolina Political Science Association is made up of political scientists from more than SO colleges and universities in North Carolina, along with legislators and govemmental officials. Ch•callors Teaching Award continued from page 1 "Through exercises such as role­playing, I try to accommodate and show appreciation for different talents and personalities in the classroom. The open environment provides students opportunities to make contributions tailored to their interests and abilities." • Don Livingston, professor of political science and public affairs, who began teaching at Western in 1984. A Dillsboro resident, Livingston earned a bachelor's degree in govemment and international studies at the University of South Carolina in 1972, a master's degree in international relations and comparative politics at the University of South Carolina in 1974, and a doctoral degree in American govemment, public administration, public law and international relations at the University of Mississippi in 1984. "Effective teaching, in my opinion, requires an earnest effort on the part of the instructor to establish and nurture a personal mentoring relationship with students," Livingston wrote. "This is why I think that it is so important that an instructor take the time to learn all the names of his students and new advisees at the beginning of each semester. "I cannot honestly tell you that I have a teaching philosophy. I can only tell you that I tmly believe that I have a gift, and that nothing gives me more pleasure and satisfaction that sharing that gift with those who enroll in my classes." • James Murphy, assistant professor of economics, who previously taught at Western from 1998 to 2000, .and rejoined the faculty in 2001. Murphy, a resident of Cullowhee, earned a bachelor's degree in history at Emory University in 1986, a master's degree in business administration, business economics and international management at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in 1988, a master's degree in finance at Cornell University in 1989, a master's degree in economics at Georgia State University in 1996, and a doctoral degree in economics at Georgia State University in 2000. "Providing students with a useful toolkit to interpret their economic surroundings is my primary goal," Murphy wrote. "To achieve this objective, students often must creatively apply fundamental principles or relationships to new questions. To equip them to meet this challenge, my teaching methods emphasize active learning, April 11, 2 0 0 5 • The Reporter • page 2 collaboration, conceptual rigor and developing a rapport with students. "I try to bring a sense of curiosity and enthusiasm to the classroom. Students are encouraged to ask questions and interact, both with me and their peers, to develop an understanding of their economic surroundings." • Will Peebles, professor of music, who joined Western's faculty in 1992. A Cullowhee resident, Peebles earned a bachelor's degree in social work in 1979, a master's degree in social work in 1980, a master's degree in applied music in 1982, and a doctoral degree in applied music in 1994- all from Michigan State University. "My goal is to teach my students to teach themselves," Peebles wrote. "I do this by being honest about my own process of education, whether I am learning to perform a new piece of music or following up a lead on one of the many topics of which I am still ignorant. "I do this by encouraging students to consider their own process of education, which may be different from mine, but which must be brought to consciousness in order to be enhanced. I do this by using whatever level of technology may be appropriate to the task." April w u u Monday, April 11 Gathering- Take Back the Night: A Community United Against Sexual Violence, 7:30p.m. Lawn, A.K. Hinds University Center. (227-2627) Tuesday, April 12-Wednesday, April 13 Funding for Research seminar-Talking with the Experts: Graws Resource Center. Rooms 140A and 143, University Outreach Center. (227-2921) Tuesday, April 12 Conference-on women's leadership. Registration 8:30a.m.; sessions 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Registration required for keynote luncheon, $6. A.K. Hinds University Center. (227-3982 or 227-7206) Catamount baseball-vs. Clemson. 7 p.m. Childress Field/Hennon Stadium. (227-7338) Concert-Classical Meets Jazz, Pavel and Andrea Wlosok. 8 p.m. Recital Hall, Coulter Building. (227-7242) Wednesday, April13 Conference- The Millennia/ Initiative: i7 Futures Forum. Free. Agenda and registration instructions at http://www.wcu.edu/crd. International Festival-26th annual event providing international cuisine, music and dancing. 10 a.m.-3:30p.m. Lawn,A.K. Hinds University Center. (227-7234) Lady Catamount tennis-vs. UNC Greensboro. Southern Conference match. 2:30 p.m. Reid Gymnasium tennis courts. (227-7338) Thursday, April 14 Art opening-2005 Student Art Exhibition. Annual juried exhibition sponsored by the art department and Western's Art Student League, featuring student works in a wide range of media. Through May 3. Chelsea Gallery, A.K. Hinds University Center. (227-3591) Luncheon-honoring EPA retirees. Noon. Hospitality Room, Ramsey Regional Activity Center. (227-2455) Films That Matter- Breathless (Jean Luc Godard, 1959). 6 p.m. Room 130, Fine and Performing Arts Center. (227-2324) Old-time Music and Bluegrass Jam-7-9 p.m. Mountain Heritage Center. (227-7129) Friday, April 15-Saturday, April 16 Film-Oceans Twelve. Admission: $2 students with ID; $4 others. 9 p.m. Theater, A.K Hinds University Center. (227-7206) Friday, April 15 Seminar-inaugural Public Relations Crisis Communication Day. Registration, $25. A.K. Hinds University Center. (227-3637) Aprilll- 24 Saturday, April 16 Open House-for prospective students and their families. Registration 8:30a.m. Ramsey Regional Activity Center. (227-7317) River cleanup-21st annual Tuckaseigee River Cleanup. Transportation provided. Pre-registration encouraged. On-site registration, II a.m. Lawn, A.K. Hinds University Center. (227-3466) Concert-Carmina Burana, performed by Western Carolina Choral Ensembles and the Asheville Symphony Orchestra. Call for ticket information. 8 p.m. Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, Asheville Civic Center, Asheville. (227-7242) Sunday, April 17 Spring into Summer-Farm Visit. Free, reservations required. 2-3:30 p.m. Mountain Heritage Center. (227-7129) Monday, Apri118 Golf tournament- Sixth Annual College of Business Golf Classic and Social. Four-person captain's choice. Registration 10:30 a.m.; noon start. NorthStone Country Club, Huntersville. (www.wcu.edu/cob or 227-7402) Tuesday, April 19 Presentation-Risk Management in Sport: A Post 9-11 Responsibility, by Annie Clement, Barry University. 7 p.m. Room 132, Reid Gymnasium. (227-3550) Catamount Concert Series-Gamelan Ensemble. 8 p.m. Recital Hall, Coulter Building. (227-7242) Wednesday, April 20-Sunday, April 24 Theatre-The University Players present Proof by DavidAubum. Tickets: $12.50 adults; $10 seniors, Western faculty and staff; $6 students. Wednesday-Saturday 7:30p.m., Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Hoey Auditorium. (227-7491 or theatre.wcu.edu) Wednesday, April 20 Workshop-sexual harassment training. Registration required. 2-3 p.m. or 3:15-4:15 p.m. Room 332, Forsyth Building. (227-7116) Visiting Scholar-David Griffin, Claremont School of Theology, 9111 and American Empire: How Should Religious People Respond? 7 p.m. Auditorium, Mountain Heritage Center. (227-3940) Thursday, Apri121-Saturday, Apri123 Film-Lenwny Snickets A Series of Unfortww.te Evellts. Admission: $2 students with ID; $4 others. Thursday and Friday, 9 p.m., Saturday, 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Theater, A.K. Hinds University Center. (227-7206) April 11, 2 0 0 5 • The Reporter • page 3 Thursday, April 21 "Films That Matter -Badlands (Terrence Malick, 1973). 6 p.m. Room 130, Fine and Performing Arts Center. (227-2324) Old-Time Dance- informal traditional dance gathering. 7-9 p.m. Grandroom, A.K. Hinds University Center. (227-7129 or 227-7206) Seminar-about the NCAA recruiting process. Registration: $65 per student-athlete; parents of athletes free. (227 -7397 or 800-928-4968 Concert- Western Carolina University Choral Ensembles. 8 p.m. Recital Hall. Coulter Building. (227-7242) Friday, Aprii22-Saturday, Aprll23 Concert-Jazz Festival. Recital Hall, Coulter Building. (227-7242) Friday, Aprll22 Exhibition opening-Movers & Makers: Doris Ulmann's Portrait of the Craft Revival. Gallery B, Mountain Heritage Center. (227-7129) Faculty meeting-Spring General Faculty Meeting and Awards Convocation. Reception, 3 p.m., Illusions, A.K. Hinds University Center; Meeting and Awards Convocation, 3:30, Grandroom, University Center. (227-7100) Catamount baseball-vs. Georgia Southern. Southern Conference game. 7 p.m. Childress Field/Hennon Stadium. (227-7338) Concert-Nickel Creek, Grammy Award­winning trio. Advance tickets: Western students, $15; all others, $20. All tickets $20 at the door. Ramsey Regional Activity Center. (227-7677) Saturday, April 23 Golf tournament-ninth annual Josh Grooms Engineering Technology Alumni Golf Tournament. Registration fee, $55. Registration 9 a.m.; 10 a.m. start. Mill Creek Golf Course, Franklin. (704-953-0774 or 816-753-0638) Catamount baseball-vs. Georgia Southern. Southern Conference game. 4 p.m. Childress Field/Hermon Stadium. (227-7338) Sunday, April 24 Catamount baseball-vs. Georgia Southern. Southern Conference game. 1 p.m. Childress Field/Hennon Stadium. (227-7338) Submissions: E-mailnews items and calendar notices to: Reporter@email.wcu.edu. Submit items for the university's online calendar at least three weeks prior to the event. Committee Helps Develop Qualitv Enhancement Plan Quality will be at the heart of the process of institutional self-analysis as Western prepares for a major review by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 2007. "As we reshape and refine our mission as an institution, we must meet our own internal standards for quality as well as those defined by SACS," said Carol Burton, SACS review director. In addition to the Leadership Team that is guiding the overall effort, two campus committees are playing a role in the review process. The Quality Enhancement Plan Committee, co-chaired by Brian Railsback (Honors College) and Scott Philyaw (History), is charged with developing a carefully defined and focused course of action that addresses a weJI-delined topic or issue related to student learning. QEP Committee members soon will be meeting with as· many campus units as possible to continue discussions on the development of Western's plan, and to identify potential areas of focus. Members of the second committee, the Compliance Committee, will be listed in the next Reporter. Comminee members on addldon to Bunon. Phllvaw and RaiiSbackl Cindy Atterholt (Chemistry and Physics) Troy Barksdale (University Planning) Jennifer Brown (Academic Support Services) Heidi Buchanan (Library) Kyle Carter (Provost) Phil Cauley (Admissions) Dave Coffee (Accountancy) Elizabeth Frazier (Registrar's Office) A.J. Grube (Law, Equity and Auditing) Bill Haggard (Student Affairs) Tammy Haskett (Orientation) Bruce Henderson (Psychology) Nell Leatherwood (Center for Regional Development) Wade Livingston (graduate student) Gordon Mercer (Graduate Studies and Research) Patsy Miller (Asheville Programs) Irene Mueller (Health Sciences) Bob Orr (Information Technology Services) Nory Prochaska (Mathematics) Newton Smith (English) Mike Stewart (Facilities Management) Bill Studenc (News Services) Julie Walters-Steele (University Center) The Reporter is published by the Office of Public Relations. John Ashcraft, editor. Mail facuHy/staff notes, events, notices, and changes of address to: ~Ite2orter Office of Public Relations Publications De pa rtment 1601 Ramsey Center CulloiMlee, NC 28723 T/1e Reporter; 1601 Ramsey Center, or send them via e-mail to: Reporter@email.~u.edu. I ,800 cq>!es of lhis pubbc document -• pnnled al a cost of $329.15. or SO. 18 pa- C