The Reporter, November 2002

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.' Reporter -ML a November 11, 2002 News for the Faculty and Staff of Western Carolina University Summit Addresses Issues Of Safety,Violence in Schools The recent shooting deaths of three University of Arizona professors by a failing nursing student who then turned the gun on himself are yet another chilling reminder that school violence can strike anywhere and at any time, said one of the scheduled speakers for an upcoming school safety summit at Western . uThe tragic shootings in Arizona underscore the importance of school safety concerns across the entire United States educational system, from the elementary school level all the way up to colleges and universities," said Melissa DeRosier, president of the 3-C Institute for Social Development, a Cary organization that assists with prevention and intervention services for children's social relationships. Pulitzer Prize-Winning Saga Comes to Life DeRosier, who will discuss the phenomenon of bullying, is one of several experts lined up to participate in the Safe School Summit on Thursday, November 14, in the Ramsey Regional Activity Center. Also scheduled to speak is an official from Jefferson County Schools in Colorado, home of Columbine High School and site of t he deadliest school shooting in United States history, and representatives from the Secret Service and Department of Justice. Funded by a grant from the North Carolina Governor's Crime Commission and organized by Western Carolina's Public Policy Institute, the summit will examine ways to prevent school violence. "We are bringing together state and national experts to share their Continued on page 2 Family Entrenched in Greed, Deceit It's all about the land and the people who are obsessed with owning it and who will do anything to gain possession of it. Beginning in the 1700s and spanning 200 years, The Kentucky Cycle follows three families intricately bound by blood, deceit, and ownership of the land. This unique theatrical offering of Western Carolina University and the University Players is told in a series of nine one-act plays presented in two parts, beginning November 16, in Hoey Audito­rium. Robert Schenkkan wrote the 1992 Pulitzer Prize-winning play. "This is an ensemble piece with a lot of symbolism. Schenkkan has a sense of ritual that is carried throughout the play," said Steve Ayers, associate professor of communica­tion and theatre arts and director of the play. The Play In Part 1 we meet the first pivotal character, Michael Rowan, who uses blankets tainted with smallpox to buy the land from the Cherokee. He marries the lone survivor, Morning Star. With blood spilled for the sake of the land, the saga continues when a neighbor slyly buys the land. The Civil War divides the family, but through deceit and manipulation, the land comes back to the Rowan clan. Greed intensifies with the opening of Part 2. Outsiders find their way to that part of Kentucky, looking for the black gold hidden in the hills—coal. With coal come miners, unsafe working conditions, and the rise of unions with ensuing labor disputes. The fighting and Gazing at property that holds a family's destiny are, left to right, Sabrina Franz as RebeccaTalbert, Dusty Smith as Patrick Rowan, and CheriesVass as Sallie Biggs. Continued on page 2 Family Entrenched... continued from page I blood continue to flow for the sake of the land. The Production Telling this saga requires twenty-five actors portraying ninety-five characters. Except for two small but critical roles, students become the fathers and sons, girlfriends and wives, and neighbors and friends. Steve Carlisle and Claire Eye, visiting lecturers in communication and theatre arts, lend their professional experience to enhance the students' performances, according to Ayers. Some actors appear in several roles throughout the two nights of t he play. In addition to the story line, this production features several unique elements. The setting is very minimal, but versatile. A giant, ancient oak tree provides the backdrop. The tree is the stage and does not completely fill the Special Ticket Information For individuals interested in seeing both parts, there is special ticket pricing. Tickets for whatever dates the patron chooses must be purchased in advance at the same time at the box office in 123 Stillwell. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 forWCU faculty, staff, and senior adults, and $10 for students. Single performance ticket prices also are available. For additional informa­tion, call the box office at 227-7491. permanent stage. The audience will see silhouettes of actors as they prepare for entrance to the oak tree stage. This enables the audience to see a transfor­mation from a person, to a person as an actor, to the character on stage. Prior to coming onto the stage, the actor will make some psychological gesture to get into the character—for example, a certain stance or movement. "In most plays the audience is drawn completely into the play. However, in this piece, with the darkened areas around the stage, the audience keeps a distance and is asked to think about what is going on and to make a judg­ment regarding the characters and their behavior," said Ayers. The logistics of providing costumes for so many characters is a challenge. Actors will be dressed in a basic costume and will change hats, coats, and accessories to depict the next character and time period. Authentic Look The first scene has Michael Rowan, the main character, dealing with the Cherokee Indians in the 1700s. The script calls for actors to speak Cherokee. To get the pronunciation correct, the three actors playing the Cherokee requested help from students at Chero­kee High School. Laura Pinnix, instructor at Cherokee High, and several students worked five hours teaching the actors the proper pronunciation. Realism also is incorporated into the Civil War scene at the end of Part 1. Ayers received special permission from Gene McAbee, director of University Police, to use real period weapons that are named in the play, such as the 1775 Brown Bess musket. Carol Insley, a Civil War re-enactor, served as consultant for this portion of the production. Susan Brown-Strauss, associate professor of theatre, designed the costumes. Richard Beam, professor of theatre arts, is in charge of lighting, and Luther Jones, visiting assistant professor of theatre, designed the set. Schedule of Performances All pe rformances are in H oey Auditorium. Saturday, November 16 Part 1, 2 p.m. Part 2, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, November I 7 Part I, 2 p.m. Part 2, 7:30 p.m Wednesday, November 20 Part 1, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, November 21 Part 2, 7:30 p.m. Friday, November 22 Part I, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 23 Part 2, 2 p.m. Part 1, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, November 24 Part 2, 2 p.m. Summit Addresses • Continued from page I first-hand knowledge of school safety issues and their insights into what happens when violent acts do occur on school ground," said Gordon Mercer, director of the Public Policy Institute. Leaders from government, education and law enforcement sectors are expected to take part in discussions on topics such as the expanding roles of school resource officers, safe school planning, bullying and threat assessment. George Sweat, secretary of t he North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, will deliver the keynote address. Marilyn Saltzman, director of communication for Jefferson County Schools in Colorado, will speak on "Lessons from the Columbine Tragedy." Also on the program are Mark Alexander and Brandi Justice, agents from the United States Secret Service's National Threat Assessment Center. Calvin Hodnett, policy analyst with the United States Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, will talk about safe school funding opportunities. Joanne McDaniel, director of the Center for Prevention of School Violence of the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, will address "Safe School Planning." Other presenters will include Bob Gabordi, executive editor of the Asheville Citizen-Times; Will Annarino, chief of the Asheville Police Department; and faculty members from Western's departments of political science and public affairs, criminal justice, and educational leadership and foundations. In addition to the North Carolina Governor's Crime Commission, major conference supporters are the Horowitz Foundation and the Carolina Institute for Community Policing. Conference sponsors include the Asheville Citizen-Times, 3-C Institute for Social Development, Asheville Police Department and Western Carolina University's College of Education and Allied Professions, Public Policy Institute and Pi Gamma Mu Honor Society. The registration fee of $11 includes lunch, refreshments and materials. For more information or to register, contact Gordon Mercer at 227-2249. N o v e m b e r I I , 2 0 0 2 • T h e R e p o r t e r tJJ) falenwl November 11-24, 2002 Look for regular updates on the university's Web site at www.wcu.edu/cal.html Tuesday, November 12 Training Tuesday—"Diversity for Managers." Professional Development Track, 3 credits. All interested persons welcome. Registration required. 2-4 p.m., Room 404, BB. (227-2388 or www.wcu.edu/hr/training) Seminar/Dimensions and Directions of Health series— "The Environmental Dimen­sions of Health," satellite seminar with Kenneth Olden, former director of the Na­tional Institute of Environ­mental Health Sciences and director of the National Toxicology Program, 7:30 p.m., NSA. (227-7383) Wednesday, November 13 Recital—Flute studio, 8 p.m., RH. (227-7242) Thursday, November 14 Safe School Summit— Participants include represen­tatives from government, education, and law enforce­ment, daylong, RRAC. $ (227-2249) Discussion—Leslea Newman discusses her book "Heather Has Two Mommies," 7:30 p.m., Grand room, UC. (227-7206) Concert—Gamelan Ensemble, 8 p.m., RH. (227-7242) Friday, November 15- Saturday, November 16 Reunion—first alumni band reunion, includes half-time performance at WCU vs. Appalachian football game by combined alumni band and Pride of the Mountains Marching Band. (227-7335) Saturday, November 16 Catamount football—vs. Appalachian State, Southern Conference game, 3:30 p.m., WS/BW. (227-7338) Volleyball—Lady Catamounts vs. The Citadel, Southern Conference game, 6 p.m., Charleston. (227-7338) Theatre—The University Players present The Kentucky Cycle, see Page 2 for dates and times. $(227-7491) Sunday, November 17 Volleyball—Lady Catamounts vs. College of Charleston, Southern Conference game, 2 p.m., Charleston. (227-7338) Monday, November 18 Recital—Mary Kay Bauer vocal studio,8 p.m., RH. (227-7242) Tuesday, November 19 Training Tuesday—"Personal Financial Management" will discuss the basics of money management, credit, and financial management for the holidays. All welcome. Registration required. 2-4 p.m., Room 404, BB. (227-2388 or www.wcu.edu/ hr/training) Last Minute Productions— Ahmad Daniels speaking on "Race Relations at the South African Summit," 7 p.m., Grandroom, UC. (227-7206) Seminar/Dimensions and Directions of Health series— "The Mind/Body Connec­tion," satellite seminar featuring Lori Arviso Alvord, associate dean for student and multicultural affairs and assistant professor of surgery at Dartmouth Medical School, 7:30 p.m., NSA. (227-7383) Concert—Wind Ensemble, 8 p.m., RH. (227-7242) Wednesday, November 20 Training program—van safety course, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Hospitality Room, RRAC. (227-7443 or flury@wcu.edu) Recital—Percussion studio, 8 p.m., RH. (227-7242) Thursday, November 21 LCE Series—violinist Charles Rex and cellist Christopher Rex with pianist Lillian Pearson, 7:30 p.m., RH. $ (227-7206) Thursday, November 21- Sunday, November 24 Volleyball—Lady Catamounts in Southern Conference Tournament, Davidson. (227-7338 ) Sunday, November 24 Faculty recital—Russian chamber music for piano and winds, 8 p.m., RH. (227-7242) Submissions: Send news items and calendar notices to WCU Calendar, 1601 Ramsey Center, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, North Carolina 28723 or e-mail to Reporter@email. wcu. edu. Submit items for the university 's calendar online at least one week prior to the event. +** Now Showing*** Exhibitions: Art Students League Exhibit. Through November 21. Chelsea Gallery, UC. (227-7206) Deliberate Wait: The Photographs of Herman Qoustin. Through December 6. BB. (227-3591) North Carolina Women Making History. The trials, triumphs, and changing roles of women during the past 400 years. Through December 2003. MHC. (227-7129) African-American Builders and Architects in North Carolina explores the extraordinary buildings constructed by enslaved and free black artisans and builders during the pre-Civil War era. Through November 22. MHC. (227-7129) Migration of the Scotch-Irish People. (Permanent exhibition). Information, illustrations, artifacts, and murals. MHC. (227-7129) Key: $ - Admission fee; HA - Hoey Auditorium; HFR - H.F. Robinson Administration Building; HS/CF - Hennon Stadium/Childress Field; MHC - Mountain Heritage Center; NSA - Natural Sciences Auditorium; RRAC - Ramsey Regional Activity Center; RH - Recital Hall, Coulter Building; BB - Belk Building. U C - AX. Hinds University Center; UOC - University Outreach Center; WS/BW - Whitmire Stadium/Bob Waters Field; SSF - Shrader Soccer Field. N o v e m b e r I I , 2 0 0 2 • T h e R e p o r t e r Visiting Scholar To Speak On Southern Politics One of the nation's most authoritative voices on political issues of t he South will visit Western Carolina Thursday, November 21, to share his thoughts on the winner and losers in the November 5 election, and the implications for Southern politics. Merle Black, who holds the Asa G. Candler Professorship of Politics and Government at Emory University in Atlanta, will speak on "The 2002 Election and the Future of Southern Politics" in a program beginning at 6 p.m. in the auditorium of the Mountain Heritage Center. Black is one-half of the dynamic duo known as "The Poli Sci Twins." His identical twin brother, Earl Black, holds a similar endowed chair of political science at Rice University. Together, they have written the recently published "The Rise of Southern Republicans," which traces the transformation of the South's political landscape from a bastion of "yellow-dog Democrats" to a region of i ntensely competitive two-party races. "The Black brothers have become the most important scholars in the field of Southern politics," said Gibbs Knotts, a Western Carolina University assistant professor of political science and public affairs who worked as a research assistant for Merle Black at Emory. Black will be at Western as part of the Visiting Scholars Program. For more information, call the department of Political Science and Public Affairs at 227-7475. LCE Series Continues Brothers Charles and Christopher Rex, along with Western's own Lillian Buss Pearson, will give a performance of classical music on the violin, cello, and piano at Western on Thursday, November 21, at 7:30 p.m. The concert in the Coulter Building recital hall is part of Western's Lectures, Concerts, and Exhibitions Series for 2002-2003. Charles Rex began studying the violin at age four. He debuted with the Florida Symphony Orchestra at age thirteen and toured as a soloist with the Brevard Music Center Orchestra shortly afterwards. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees in music from Florida State University. Christopher Rex joined the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as principal cello in 1979 and has made numerous national appearances as recitalist and chamber musician. He was a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra for seven seasons and is a founding member of the Georgian Chamber Players. Pianist Lillian Pearson, associate professor of music at WCU, has performed across the United States and Europe. She has appeared as a soloist with the Asheville and Jacksonville, Florida, Symphony Orchestras; and others. Tickets for the concert are $2 for WCU students, $10 for the general public, and $8 for senior citizens, WCU faculty and staff, and non-WCU students. For more information, call 227-7206. The Reporter is published by the Office of Public Information. Debie Connelly, editor. Mail faculty/staff notes, events, notices, and changes of address to The Reporter, 1601 Ramsey Center, or send them via e-mail to Reporter@email.wcu.edu. 1.800 copies of th is public document were printed at a cost of $329.15, or $0.18 per copy. Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Institution. t\ A NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID CULLOWHEE, N.C. PERMIT NO. 1 Reporter 1 Office of Public Information Publications Unit 1601 Ramsey C enter Cullowhee, North Carolina 28723 N o v e m b e r I I , 2 0 0 2 • T h e Re p o r t e r • Reporter JB- Netus for the Faculty L November 25, 2002 News and Staff of Western Carolina University a The Met" Comes to the Mountains The wait may not yet be quite over for Western North Carolina opera-lovers singing the blues since the loss of the Metropolitan Opera from the local airwaves several years ago, but the fat lady is warming up her vocal chords. That's because Western's FM radio station, WWCU-FM (Power 90.5), has joined the prestigious ChevronTexaco Metropolitan Opera International Network for the 2002-03 season. The radio station will carry the entire upcoming twenty-production season, beginning December 7 with Beethoven's Fidelio and continuing on successive Saturday afternoons until the season-ending The Rakes Progress by Stravinsky on April 19. A season preview will be broadcast November 30. Other shows on the schedule for 2002-03 include Carmeny Elektra} Die FledermauSy Don Giovanni} La Boheme, La Traviata} and Faust. "We had several people ask why the Met wasn't available anywhere in this area, the MET Dole Visits Campus North Carolina's United States Senator-elect Elizabeth Dole and Aaron Ball, associate professor of engineering technology, discuss some of the university's high-tech initiatives during Dole's tour of the campus November 16. Dole visited the Belk Building to see the university's Center for Rapid Prototyping and other facilities and checked out work at the new Workforce Leadership Devel­opment Center, a federally funded building now under construc­tion. Dole visited Western North Carolina as part of a two-day "thank you" tour around the state. in the MOUNTAINS including people who moved here from other places and who are used to being able to hear the Met wherever they are," said Don Connelly, assistant professor of communication at Western and faculty adviser to WWCU-FM. The ChevronTexaco Metropolitan Opera broadcast, the longest-running sponsored radio show, has been on the air for sixty-three consecutive years, Connelly said. "We began looking into it, and we were surprised to find that no one else in the region was carrying this prestigious broadcast," he said. "It was our station manager and program director—both are students—who said, 'We have to get that here.' It was our student managers who realized that, by broadcasting the Met, we would be reaching a completely different audience." The addition of the Metropolitan Opera season is only the latest example of major Continued on page 2 4 4 The Met # # # Continued from page 2 changes in programming at WWCU-FM. In late 2001, the station became an affiliate of the ABC Direction network, carrying live news at the top of the hour, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The national network also features Paul Harvey news and commentary. "It's kind of unusual for a non­commercial station to be granted the privilege of joining the ABC radio network," Connelly said. "Because we are a non-commercial station, we do not air the advertisements that come with the newscasts; we simply air the news. ABC is allowing us to do this as a professional learning experience for our students and as a service to the community." By adding such high-profile programming as the Met and ABC news to what has long been referred to as "the campus station," Western is extending the radio station's community service and helping open future doors for students who get their early broadcast training at WWCU-FM, he said. WWCU-FM is a broadcast service of Western Carolina University. For more information, call 227-7454 or 227-3851. Concert To Be Rebroadcast As a holiday treat, UNC-TV will rebroadcast "The Manhattan Transfer: Live From Cullowhee" at 9 p.m. Monday, December 2 and at 10 p.m. Saturday, December 14- This is the concert enjoyed by attendees of the inaugural CulloWHEE! ArtsFest last June. Engineers recently installed a special satellite dish, which is needed to receive the weekly opera for broadcast over WWCU-FM, outside the new student media center (Old Student Union building). Opera sponsor ChevronTexaco provided the dish. Time to Get Moving Western to Participate In Physical Activity Event Western faculty, staff, and students have been invited to join other North Carolinians participating in some type of physical activity for at least a few minutes on Friday, December 6, between 10 and 11 a.m. Everyone is invited to join in the one-hour scheduled activities—tai'chi, Breese Gym (upstairs); aquarobics, Breese and Reid pools; polarity yoga, Scott blue lobby; kickboxing, aerobics area of Reid Gym; weightless workout, Catamount Room, University Center; walking and jogging, starting at clock tower; and fitness assessments, including flexibility, body composition, blood pressure, muscular end