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 Mate

• Creator
  • Western Carolina University
• Format
  • Newsletters
• Type
  • Text
• Date
  • Date original: 2007-09
  • Date digitized: 2018-10-03
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  • Dimension: 11" x 8.5"
  • Pages: 12 pages
• Subject - Topic
  • Western Carolina University -- Periodicals
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  • Jackson County (N.C.)
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  • Western Carolina University
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  • The Reporter, Western Carolina University
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  • HL_Reporter_2007_09
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  • Https://news-prod.wcu.edu/the-reporter/
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  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library

Phillip West, a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, helps new students move into residence halls. Student Enrollment Tops 9,000 to Set New Record The 2007 fall semester registration rolls are closed and the numbers are in — overall student enrollment at Western has topped 9,000 for the first t ime in the institutions history, with significant growth in the number of community college transfers and graduate students. The Office of Institutional Research and Planning reported Tuesday, Sept. 4, that WCU s total student headcount is 9,055 this fall. "We are seeing significant trends that tell us a lot about the direction of the university," Chancellor John W. Bardo said. "We have experienced an increase of about 27 percent in the number of community college transfers this fall, and the number of students taking courses through distance education programs is up about 20 percent." Overall graduate school enrollment, which includes both traditional and distance education classes, has i ncreased to 1,945 students this fall, up 230 from last years enrollment. Bardo attributed much of the increase in community college transfer enrollment to the Western 2-Step program, a cooperative agreement launched in May that aligns course requirements at WCU and all 58 community colleges across North Carolina so that students will know exactly what to expect when they transfer to Western. Enrollment for first-time freshmen is down slightly, but the overall grade-point average for entering freshmen is 3.35, up from last years GPA of 3.26. "We are making a decided effort to bring our admission standards up," Bardo said. "When we enroll the right type of students - those who are better prepared academically and who are a better 'fit' with the university — they will be more likely to stay in school and remain on track to graduate." -By BILL STUDENC Two Online Programs Earn National Ranking Two of WCU's online programs recently appeared in national rankings. The September issue of Fortune Small Business magazine listed Westerns online masters degree program in entrepre-neurship as one of the five best online entrepreneurship programs in the nation, while distance education information clearinghouse GetEducated.com gave WCUs online bachelor s degree program in criminal justice a No. 1 national ranking in affordability. "Distance education is all about making education more accessible, especially for working adults in need of career-specific higher education," said Vicky Phillips, the founder of GetEducated.com. "The cost of college is a huge inhibiting factor for most Americans. Western Carolina University is to be lauded for taking the initiative in making higher education more affordable, and therefore more accessible, for learners in North Carolina." continued on page 2 Welcome to WCU A special online edition of The Reporter introduces the newest members of the Western community. Check out www.wcu.edu/436.asp to see names, photographs and brief biographies of the newcomers within the last year. Michelle Hargis CREATING extraordinary OPPORTUNITIES THE CAMPA I G N F O R WESTER N 'Soft Spot'for Nursing Leads to Scholarship Gift When Michelle Hargis and her husband, Jake, heard about The Campaign for Western, they knew they wanted to donate to a special area in both of their lives—nursing. Although Hargis, associate dean of grants and research holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Argosy University in Florida, she once was pursuing a nursing degree. "Nursing was one of my goals when I was young," Hargis said. "But I went down another path and never got back into it." That other path was traveling the world and falling in love. Hargis planned to take a semester off during nursing school to travel throughout Europe, but after she met the man who would become her husband in Berlin, Germany, she ended up staying for eight years. Hargis also said that she and her husband both have a "soft spot" for helping people in need. Jake Hargis worked for 25 years as a director, regional trainer and reviewer of federal grants for Head Start, a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services program designed to provide child develop­ment services to economically disadvantaged children. He also is reti red from the Institute of Child and Family Studies at Texas Tech University. Supporting nursing education was a natural fit because of his career background and family. "Two of Jake's daughters and a niece are in the nursing field, and since it was once my goal to become a nurse, we felt that making a donation for a nursing scholarship was something we could get on board with," Hargis said. Through The Campaign for Western, the Hargis family created the Jake and Michelle Hargis Nursing Scholarship Fund for nursing students enrolled in either an undergraduate or graduate degree program. "Jake and I wanted to help students that need the financial assistance, as well as those who want to get into a field th at is so important," Hargis said. "Nursing is a very critical area, and there are always employment opportunities. If there is a student who would love to pursue a nursing career, but cannot financially af ford it, that's who we would like to help." -By JESSICA CREGGER Nursing student Whitney Sprinkle (front) and classmates practice skills. Brandy Robbs takes an online class. National Recognition continued from page 1 The listing ofWCU's online Master of Entrepreneurship Program among the "56 top schools for would-be tycoons" was included in Fortune Small Business and online at CNNMoney.com, the Internet home of Fortune Small Business and three other business magazines. Fortune Small Business compiled its lists of top schools for entrepreneurship after seven months of interviews with entrepreneurs, professors, students, alumni, university admin­istrators and venture capitalists. WCU was the only university in North Carolina recognized for its online program. The magazine notes that WCU's entrepreneurship faculty members address topics ranging from small-business finance to how best to protect a company from fraud, and that students are required to take part in an online business discus­sion with a professor and classmates at least twice a week. "The objective of our program is to help our students take an idea for starting a business and be able to create a sustainable venture by the time they graduate," said Frank Lockwood, director of the master's program. "A big majority of our graduates either expand their existing companies or start a new company." GetEducated.com listed Western's online bachelor's degree program in criminal justice first among a group of 10 "best buys" based on a survey of 35 regionally accredited universi­ties that offer bachelor's degrees in criminal justice, law, legal studies and homeland security through distance education. North Carolina students who enroll in WCU's program pay about $9,000 for the program, while the average cost for a bachelor's degree in t he justice area is above $38,000, according to the GetEducated.com survey. WCU Professor Ron Hunter, who until recently served as head of the Western's department of applied criminology, said the ranking is a tribute to the leadership of William D. Hyatt, a criminal justice professor who oversaw the program's inception, Carlie Merritt, assistant professor and the program's current director, and Pat Brown, dean of distance and continuing education. -By RANDALL HOLCOMBE Reporter - September 10, 2007 SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN FOR WESTERN campaign.wcu.edu Contact Brett Woods, campus campaign director, 227-7124 or bwoods@wcu.edu Mac Minaudo, a partner in Blue Ridge Biofuels, delivers biodiesel to WCU. 'Wall of Oppression' Kicks Off Diversity Week A physical wall representing the "wall of oppression" built by discrimination, racism, sexism and other "isms" will stand on the A.K. Hinds University Center lawn for one week and then be torn down in minutes on Friday, Sept. 14. "We will be acknowledging the oppression that exists and then, through tearing down the wall, symbolically breaking down the barriers and oppression that holds us back as a society," said Tanisha Jenkins, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Multicultural Center. WCU's eighth annual Diversity Week begins with an introduction to the first "Wall of Oppression" event at 2 p.m. Mon­day, Sept. 10, on the University Center lawn at a plywood wall Facilities Management staff members helped prepare. Students, faculty and staff will be invited to paint words or images that reflect what they have seen and heard that are examples of oppression. Volunteers will staff the site from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day until the closing ceremony at 2 p.m. Sept. 14. The event spun off from the "Tunnel of Oppression" initiative developed in conjunc­tion with the One World Project in the spring of 2006. About 100 people entered a "tunnel" set up on the third floor of the University Center, where movie scenes, skits and visual images exposed them to how oppression is present today. "We had voice recordings of derogatory words being yelled, and, at the end, coun­selors from the Counseling Center talked with participants and debriefed them," said Jenkins. "People said the experience was powerful and made them think." The plans for the "Wall of Oppression" event were developed with the Resident Student Association and an information exchange with East Carolina University, which sponsored a similar event last year. Other events being planned for WCU's Diversity Week include a brown bag discus­sion, an evening of dance, trivia activities and the opening event for Hispanic Heritage Month. Call the Office of Multicultural Affairs at 227-2276 for more information. WHEE SAVE Western Fills Tanks With Biodiesel, E10 Western recently received the university's first delivery of biodiesel -1,480 gallons for a tank that fuels some Cat Tran shuttle vehicles, electric utility trucks, dump trucks, trash trucks and heavy equipment. Increasing the use of biodiesel and E10, a blend of ethanol and unleaded gas, is p art of the university's plan to comply with a state-required 20 percent reduction of petroleum usage by 2010, said Lauren Bishop, energy manager in Facilities Management. The university received a delivery of E10 in July. "One of the easiest ways to meet this petroleum reduction usage goal is to implement these fuels," said Bishop. "These are important steps we are taking to reduce our carbon footprint and be a smart consumer of energy." The biodiesel recently delivered was a B20 blend, 20 percent vegetable oil and 80 percent diesel, which required no switchover costs for vehicles to use the fuel. Using it not only reduces emissions, but also could lengthen a vehicle's engine life and, according to recent studies, improve gas mileage, said Bishop. In addition, the purchase from Blue Ridge Biofuels enabled the university to support a small business in the region, she said. Grant-Writing Workshop Opens Registration A grant-writing workshop, titled "Let's Get a Grant," will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, in Room 143 of the Cordelia Camp Building. The workshop will be led by nationally recognized grant writer Jack Smith and will cover personality styles of successful grant writers, grant-writing terms, key components of a proposal, differences between government and foundation grants, writing goals and objectives, developing a system to analyze grant activities, and completing online applications. Smith will show participants the best ways to gain government and foundation funding for programs and projects. Participants also will receive boilerplate grant materials and will learn about accessing Internet resources. Registration is $69 before Friday, Sept. 14, and $89 from then until the Friday, Sept. 21, deadline. For more information or to register, contact Susan Fouts, director of continuing education, at 227-3688 or visit www.wcu.edu/2872.asp. "Another aspect of the petroleum displacement plan is to promote good driving practices, such as avoiding unnecessary idling, and walking, biking and carpooling," said Bishop. "Other strategies include purchasing more electric vehicles for campus operations. Facilities Management already purchased three electric vehicles this year, and we hope to acquire more in the coming year. It is important for Western and the faculty and staff to lead by example for our students and our local community." -By TERESA KILLIAN Reporter - September 10, 2007 Reporter 'September 10-23' Monday, Sept. 10 Civil War Round Table—6:30 p.m. Room 101, MHC. (227-7129) Monday, Sept. 10-Saturday, Sept. 15 8th Annual Diversity Week—Wall of Oppression. Faculty, staff and students will have the opportunity to help construct a wall and paint symbols and words that depict discrimination, injustice and oppression. At the end of the event, the wall will be torn down. Lawn, UC. (227-2276) Monday, Sept. 10-Thursday, Dec. 6 Water Aerobics—Mondays through Thursdays. 5:30-6:15 p.m.$. (227-3688) Tuesday, Sept. 11 Lady Catamount volleyball—vs. Gardner-Webb. 7 p.m. RRAC. (227-7338) Catamount Concert Series— faculty showcase concert, including saxophonist Ian Jeffress' performance of a piece by new faculty composer Timothy Rolls. 8 p.m. RH. (227-7242) Wednesday, Sept. 12 Evening of Spoken Word—CP Maze, 8 p.m.; Queen Sheeba, 9 p.m. Illusions, UC. (227-7206) Retirement Conference—for members of the Teachers'and State Employees'Retirement System, provides pre-retirement planning information for those within 2-3 years of retirement. 9:30 a.m. Room 148 B, Myers Auditorium, Southwestern Community College. (227-7218) Friday, Sept. 14 Lady Catamount volleyball—Catamount Clash VI tournament: vs. UNC-Wilmington, 2:30 p.m.; vs. The Citadel, 7 p.m. RRAC. (227-7338) Chili Cook-off—UClub members and their guests enjoy food, drink and camaraderie. 5:30 p.m. University Club. (227-3861) One Night Stand (comedy)—Jeff Capri. 8 p.m. Illusions, UC. (227-7206) Saturday, Sept. 15 Open House—for prospective students and their families. (227-7317) Hispanic Heritage Month Opening Celebration—7 p.m. Grandroom, UC. (227-7206) Lady Catamount volleyball—Catamount Clash VI tournament: vs. Presbyterian, 12:30 p.m.; vs. North Carolina A&T, 7 p.m. RRAC. (227-7338) Catamount cross country—Catamount Classic. All day. CAC. (227-7338) Tuesday, Sept. 18 Catamount Concert Series—jazz trio featuring guitarist Stephen Wohlrab, pianist Pavel Wlosok and bassist Eliot Wadopian. 8 p.m. RH. (227-7242) Lectures, Concerts and Exhibitions Series— Shenandoah Shakespeare Company,"The Merchant ofVenice."7:30 p.m. FAPAC. $. (227-2479) Wednesday, Sept. 19 Catamount Concert Series—music faculty showcase. 8 p.m.RH. (227-7242) Friday, Sept. 21 Lady Catamount volleyball—vs. Appalachian State. Southern Conference match. 7 p.m. RRAC. (227-7338) One Night Stand (comedy)—Edwin San Juan. 8 p.m. Illusions, UC. (227-7206) Saturday, Sept. 22 Catamount football—vs. Presbyterian. 6 p.m. EJ.WS/BW. (227-7338) Lady Catamount volleyball—vs. Davidson. Southern Conference match. 7 p.m. RRAC. (227-7338) Exhibits Fine Art Museum, Fine and Performing Arts Center "Norm Schulman: A Life in Clay"and selections from Schulman's personal collection of ceramics. Through Oct. 6. "Tri-State Sculptors: MicroMonumentals."Through Oct. 6. "WORLDVIEWS." Selections from Western Carolina University's Permanent Collection in all media by local, regional, national and international artists. Fine Art Museum hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m -6 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; first Saturday each month, 1-4 p.m. Donations appreciated. (227-3591 or http://fapac.wcu.edu) Mountain Heritage Center SLIDESHOW SPOTLIGHT FOR SEPTEMBER: "Coverlets: New Threads in Old Patterns," the story of the handcraft revival in Southern Appalachia. OPENING SEPT. 10: "Let the Thunder Roar: A Pictorial History of African Americans in Jackson County." Through Oct. 10. OPENING OCT. 4: "Southern Stews: Traditions of One-Pot Cooking,"a national, traveling exhibition organized by the McKis-sick Museum at the Uni­versity of South Carolina. Through March. Paul Reisman as the Prince of Arragon in the touring production of The Merchant of Venice. (Photo by Mike Bailey) Gallery A: "Migration of the Scotch-Irish People." Includes text panels, illustrations, artifacts and vibrant murals that trace the Scotch-Irish Appalachian settlers from Ulster to Pennsylvania, through the Shenandoah Valley, and into Western North Carolina. P ermanent exhibit. Gallery B: "Bartram's Journey: The 1775 Journey of William Bartram to Western North Carolina."Celebrates the 18th century botanist William Bartram and his exploration in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Through Sept. 30. Gallery C: "After the War: Conflict and Domestic Change in the North Carolina Mountains." Portrays how wars and their aftermath have shaped the lives of people and communities in Western North Carolina. Through December. Mountain Heritage Center hours: 8 a.m -5 p.m. Monday-Friday; and 2-5 p.m. Sunday. (227-7129 or http://www.wcu.edu/2389.asp) KEY: $— Admission fee; BB- Belk Building; CAC-Catamount Athletic Center; CA T-Center for Applied Technology; CC B-Cordelia Camp Building; CSC-Catamount Softball Complex; FAPAC—Fineand Performing Arts Center; H A-Hoey Auditorium; H FR-H.F. Robinson Administration Building; HS/CF-Hennon Stadium/Childress Field; MHC-Mountain Her itage C enter; NSA—Natural Sc iences Auditorium; RH—Recital H all, C oulter Bu ilding; RRAC-Ramsey Regional A ctivity Center; UC-A.K. Hi nds University Center; WS/ BW-Whitmire Stadium/Bob Waters Field. Submissions: Send news items and calendar notices to WCU Calendar. 420 H.F. Robinson Bldg, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC 28723 or e-mail to: Reporter@email.wcu.edu. Submit items for the university's online calendar at least one week prior to the event. George Edward Frizzell Hunter Library Hunter Library ^Reporter - September 10,2007 Jer-Mayne White with her mother, Angela Smith. Staff Forum Awards First Scholarship Four years after WCU Staff Forum members set out to create an annual scholarship for the children of staff mem­bers, the $10,000 fundraising goal has been reached and the first $500 scholarship awarded to Jer-Mayne White. White is a sophomore forensic anthropology major from Asheville and the daughter of Angela Smith, technology support analyst. "Cullowhee has always been my home away from home," said White, who remembers visiting campus as a child with extended family who worked at WCU long before her mother joined the staff. After graduating from Asheville High School in 2005, White attended Brenau University in Gainesville, Ga., and began studying biology and psychology. Her goal was—and continues to be—to work in the field of forensic anthropol­ogy, a goal she set in seventh grade after seeing a National Geographic special about the body farm in Tennessee. When her mother told her about Westerns plans to open a similar outdoor forensic anthropology research station, White began to research WCU s program. "I became intrigued with the forensic anthropology program the more I read about it, and I applied for admission to Western," said White. "The whole idea of a small personal school offering such edu­cational amenities at an affordable price was amazing." Smith said she is proud and ex­cited that her daughter is a student at Western. "I think our program here really directly offers what she needs to pursue the career she has been interested in for years, and I'm excited that she's chosen to further her education at the university where I work," said Smith. "We're thankful to the many people at Western who helped make this scholarship possible. It means a lot to both of us, and we know it will mean a lot to future recipients, too." Inside this Edition Campus Campaign Begins to Help Charities The Staff Forum scholarship committee selected White after reviewing applicants' involvement in activities, scho­lastic performance, financial need and personal essays about educational and career goals. The decision was difficult, said Lisa Frady, academic ad­viser and chair of the Staff Forum Scholarship Committee. "We had eight fabulous applicants, and we look forward to building the scholarship fund so we can award more than one scholarship a year and increase the amount," said Frady. "We encourage anyone to contribute who can." The fund began in 2003 with a $ 100 contribution from an anonymous Sylva resident. From there, Staff Forum members and volunteers invested many hours in fundraisers at events including Mountain Heritage Day and the Ramsey Center Indoor Yard Sale. In addition, Western employees have helped the fund grow through contributions of all sizes directed to the Staff Forum Scholarship Fund via payroll deduction and one-time gifts. "The Staff Forum worked hard to make this a reality and I am honored to have been a small part in it," said Terry Riouff, preventive maintenance coordinator and past chair of Staff Forum. Members raised $10,000 to endow the scholarship - an amount that generates $500 annually for the scholarship. The next goal is to reach the $20,000 mark, which will generate an additional $500 annually. "I'm excited about the scholarship because it's helpful to staff members who are helping their kids afford to go to college, and also because it supports local students who want to get a great education near home," said Jed Tate, web developer and chair of Staff Forum. "That means that contributions to the scholarship are really contributions to the WCU community and economy." For more information about Staff Forum, check out www.wcu.edu/stforum. To support the Staff Forum Scholar­ship Fund or other area through The Campaign for Western, check out campaign.wcu.edu or contact Brett Woods at 227-7124 or bwoods@wcu.edu. —By TERESA KILLIAN Online Scholarly Archive Edited By English Professor Goes Live Brent Kinser Brent Kinser, assistant professor of English, is the coordinating editor of the recendy launched electronic, online version of one of the most comprehensive literary archives of the 19th century—"The Carlyle Letters Online: A Victorian Cultural Reference." The online collection at carlyleletters.org is a searchable, digitized version of the print volumes of "The Collected Letters of Thomas and Jane Welsh Carlyle," which Kinser also edits through his work with Duke University Press, publisher of both the print and online editions. "I've been working on this for six years, and to see the online version reach the launch phase is exciting," said Kinser. The collection features thousands of let­ters written by Scottish author and historian Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881) and his wife, Jane Welsh Carlyle (1801-1866), to more than 600 recipients throughout the world. "In the Carlyles you have two people who were at the very center of literary London," said Kinser. "The people they wrote to, in combination with the people and the events they wrote about, create a magnificent window into the 19th century. They gave their own views on what was happening in the world, such as the Crimean War and the latest novel by Dickens. They also wrote about the challenges of everyday life, from their clothing to their beloved dog, Nero. Their letters show us something other than the myth of the dour, Victorian person. It is the human qualities in their letters make this a very interesting resource." Kinser helped guide the online project from early discussions of how to "tag" and "link" related letters within the historic collection for ease of searching and research, to the hiring of HighWire Press, a division of Stanford University Libraries, to build the digital home for "The Carlyle Letters Online." "One of my early jobs was to make sure that every reference in the collection to another letter in the collection functioned as a hyperlink to connect the user to that letter," said Kinser. "There was an immense quagmire of editorial problems that had to be solved, and the technology to support the kind of online database we wanted to create was not available when we first started." New letters continue to be recovered, and letters are still being prepared for publication in the print volumes and online, said Kinser. "We have a good bit to go," he said. "We have encoded and tagged about 6,500 letters, and the whole collection is about 10,000 letters." —By TERESA KILLIAN National Search Begins for Education Dean A national search will begin this fall for a dean of the College of Education and Allied Professions, said Provost Kyle Carter following Michael Dougherty's announce­ment that he plans to step down at the end of the 2007-08 academic year and enter phased retirement. "Between Michael Dougherty and his predecessor Gurney Chambers, who served as dean for 17 years, the next dean of the Col­lege of Education and Allied Professions will be assuming leadership of an academic unit that is on extremely solid ground," Carter said. "We will be searching for someone who can build upon the colleges existing strengths and help us work to solve a critical shortage of teachers and other education-related profes­sionals. On a personal note, I want to thank Michael for being a great colleague during my tenure here. I will miss his leadership, insight and camaraderie." Dougherty is the senior dean at Western. He joined the WCU faculty in 1976 and served as associate dean of the college from 1996 until 1998, when he became dean. "1 have been wrestling with this decision about retirement for the past couple of years," said Dougherty. "To be truthful, I really don't have a good reason to retire. I have a great job and great colleagues. I love what I do and still feel vital. At the same time, I feel like Forrest Gump when he stopped running. When asked why he stopped running, he replied, 'I just stopped.'" Under Dougherty's leadership, the college has built upon a national reputation for its high-quality teacher education program that traces its roots back to the university's founding as a teacher's college, said Chancellor John W. Bardo. "With Michael at the helm, the college has garnered an impressive collection of accolades, including the Association of Teacher Educators' 2006 Distinguished Program in Teacher Education Award," Bardo said. "This fall, for the third consecutive year, our School-University Teacher Education Partnership program is a national finalist for the Christa McAuliffe Award, presented by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. These recognitions provide significant validation that the college is on the right track." W Michael Dougherty Reporter- September 24, 2007 A professor in the department of human services and former head of the department, Dougherty received the Paul A. Reid Distinguished Service Award for Faculty in 1988, and is a past nominee for the Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award and the Taft Botner Award for Superior Teaching. Prior to coming to Western, he was a teacher and counselor in public schools in Detroit; Mattoon, 111.; and Taylor County, Fla. —By BILL STUDENC Faculty Join Global Team to Address Water Pollution Issues in South Africa Above, a reservoir in South Africa is affected by non-point source pollution. At left, a global research team gathered to research water quality concerns includes, left to right, Simon Lorentz, University ofKwa- Zulu Natal in South Africa; Paul Lechler, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology; Michael van der Laan, University of Pretoria in South Africa; Keith Bristow, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation in Australia; Talita Germishuyse, In­stitute for Soil, Climate, and Water in South Africa; and David Kinner, Mark Lord and Jerry Miller, all of Western Carolina University. WCU faculty members are part of a multi-institutional research team that has been organized to address water pollution concerns in South Africa. The group includes David Kinner, assistant professor of geology; Mark Lord, head of the geosciences and natural resources department; and Jerry Miller, Whitmire Distinguished Professor of Environmental Science. The National Science Foundation funded the team s recent trip to South Africa, which was aimed at developing a coordinated research program to assess non-point sources of pollution in the Berg and Mkabela river basins. The area hosts a variety of agricultural lands with crops including sugarcane, vegetables, and timber, and runoff from those lands could be affecting water quality in local streams and reservoirs. "Our field work would be centered on trying to assess where the pollution is coming from and developing management tools to reduce the amount of pollution that can enter the water bodies," said Miller. Other project team members are from the University of KwaZulu- Nata; the University of Pretoria; the Institute for Soil, Climate, and Water in Nevada; the Desert Research Institute in Nevada; the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology; and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation in Australia. The South African program is currently funded by the Water Research Commission. New Institute Launched to Study Watershed Issues WCU is home to a new institute that will bring together scientists, policymak­ers, economic development experts, natural resource managers and others in an effort to preserve regional water resources while trying to ensure economic prosperity. Approval of the creation of the Institute for Watershed Research and Management came Aug. 31 as part of the quarterly meeting of the WCU board of trustees. "This institute has arisen out of the need for better understanding of watershed issues, the importance of having a full range of expertise to deal with those issues, the realization that we have many of those experts already on our campus, and the desire to bring those experts together in a cooperative spirit," said Charles Worley, secretary of the WCU board. The IWRM will examine the management of water resources on an overall watershed basis, rather than on political boundaries that are set without regard to geology, climate or plant and animal life, said Worley. The institute is designed to encourage integrated scientific research from a variety of disci­plines, and to help elected officials and the public use that scientific information to make wise decisions regarding watershed manage­ment, he said. Formation of the institution is especially timely in the face of the skyrocketing pace of development in Western North Carolina and beyond, said Jerry Miller, the Whitmire Distinguished Professor of Environmental Science, who will oversee the institute. "Many parts of the nation, and particu­larly the mountain region of North Carolina, are experiencing unprecedented growth. As development continues, there clearly is a need to manage our aquatic and terrestrial ecosys­tems in such a way as to balance economic prosperity with environmental quality," said Miller. "The new Institute for Watershed Research and Management was created to promote the development of sustainable watershed management practices in Western North Carolina, the state and the nation." The institute will encourage collaborative research by faculty, students and staff from a variety of programs, including geosci­ences and natural resources management, environmental health, biology, chemistry and physics, anthropology and sociology, construction management, Cherokee studies, computer sciences, and political science and public affairs. The institute s activities also will be aligned closely with Western's Quality Enhance­ment Plan, which is designed to help students connect their educational experiences to the region through service learning projects and intern­ships that help solve regional problems. "We expect to establish many avenues for students to obtain hands-on, real-life experiences related to watershed science; to help identify funding for research related to watershed rehabilitation, management and policy; and to work with local, state and federal agencies to promote the rapid transfer of sound management solutions and policies into everyday practice," Miller said. —By BILL STUDENC Reporter - September 24, 2007 Jerry Miller, the Whitmire Distinguished Professor of Environmental Sciences, helps student Jessica Jaynes take measurements at the Tuckaseigee River a few miles from campus. 3 CREATING extraordinary OPPORTUNITIES T H E C AM P A I G N F O R W E S T E R N No Song and Dance Story Behind Gift for Musical Theatre More information is available online at campaign.wcu.edu Campaign Update Employees and retirees have committed more than $423,000 to 66 programs, scholarships or other needs through The Campaign for Western. Nearly 200 faculty, staff and retirees have given or pledged nearly $181,000. Contributions from continued payroll deduction during the campaign period have accounted for $16,000. The Senior Advisory Council has committed $225,000. To support The Campaign for Western, check out campaign.wcu.edu or contact Brett Woods, campus campaign director, at 227-7124 or bwoods@wcu.edu. campaign.wcu.edu WCU students performed "The Music Man" in front ofsold-out audiences. Festival in Japan to the Bolshoi Theater in Russia and the Kosciuszko Foundation in New York. He holds a bachelor of music degree in piano performance from the Univer­sity of Western Australia and a master of music degree in accompanying and chamber music from the University of Michigan. He spent four years conducting post-graduate work at the Moscow Conservatory of Music and is complet­ing his doctorate in piano performance at the University of Colorado in Boulder. "I have a personal interest in the genre of musical theatre and its development," said Martin. "Its incredibly interest­ing to see the variety of musical theatre productions that are performed and the audiences - people of all ages and entire families - who enjoy them. Musical theatre is literally an art form." —By TERESA KILLIAN Westerns musical theatre program has grown tremendously in the last five years, and Bradley Martin, director of the musical theatre program, says it is just the beginning. "We have the potential to do so much with this program at Western," said Martin, who, to aid the development of musical theatre, directed a personal contribution to the program through The Campaign for Western. "We have a record number of freshmen who auditioned and were accepted into the program this year." Martin said he particularly is excited about developments including the formation of the College of Fine and Performing Arts and the addition of Broadway star Terrence Mann to the faculty. "Terrence Mann is a great connection for our students with Broadway," said Martin. "He's able to share a lot of knowledge from his experience." Mann originated the role of the Beast in the Broadway production of "Beauty and the Beast" and earned Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nomina­tions for best actor for his performance of the Beast. He is the Carolyn Plemmons Phillips and Ben R. Phillips Distinguished Professor in Musical Theatre. Martin also pointed to the Fine and Performing Arts Center as a state-of-the-art facility as a benefit to the musical theatre program. "Its a wonderful facility to be able to prepare musicians in," said Martin. "We've done two major musicals in the Fine and Performing Arts Center, and both essentially sold out. About 4,000 people in Western North Carolina were able to see first-class musical theatre presented by our stu­dents right here on our campus. Its good for our students, and good for our community." Martin brought to Western experiences he gained performing around the world, from the Pacific Music September 24, 2007 mpaign State Employees Combined Campaign Under Way at Western Members of the campus community are invited to support their favorite charities through the North Carolina State Employees Combined Campaign, a fund drive that has generated more than $63 million for charitable organizations during the past 22 years. The combined campaigns annual fundraising effort at WCU, which is under way and continues through Wednesday, Oct. 31, provides an opportunity for all employees to assist nearly 1,000 charitable organizations that provide valuable community services. This campaign is the only officially sanctioned fund drive conducted on the WCU campus. "We all have different ideas about charity and we all donate our time and money in many different ways to many different causes," said Mike Stewart, assistant to the vice chancellor for administration and finance, and WCU s 2007-08 SECC chair. "As long as I have participated in the campaign at WCU, I continue to be amazed by t he outpouring of charitable generosity and compassion from our employees." Last year, WCU faculty, staff and retirees exceeded a goal of raising $38,000. This years goal for the WCU campus is $39,000. Stewart said he personally has enjoyed supporting charitable organizations focused on health needs or disease research. "With my donation, I can request the charity send friends and family notification of donations in their honor to let them know that I support them with more than words," said Stewart. All gifts matter, even those that seem small. State campaign leaders say for the price of a morning cup of coffee and a bagel, a box of nails could be bought to build an affordable home for a family in need; a dog or cat could be spayed or neutered for a low-income family; or two weeks worth of meals could be provided for a homebound elderly person. "We all do what we can," said Stewart. "I know there is a sincere desire within our employees to make a difference in the lives of others, both locally and statewide. Such great people are what make WCU such a great community to be part of. The State Employees Combined Campaign is just another opportunity for us to be a positive force in someone else's life." Campaign solicitors are working with every department on campus to answer questions, distribute donor forms and share comprehensive campaign information, including descriptions of participating charities. WCU employees and retirees can contribute through check, cash or credit card, and permanent employees can give through monthly payroll deduction in amounts of $5 or more. Ail contributions are tax deductible. For more information, check out www.ncsecc.org, talk to campaign solicitors, or contact Mike Stewart by phone at 227-7321 or by e-mail at stewart@email.wcu.edu. North Carolina State Employees Combined Campaign ncsecc.org Western Carolina Women's Coalition Honors WCU's Sara Stoltenburg The Western Carolina Women's Coalition honored Sara Stoltenburg, director of Women's Programs and the Women's Center at WCU, as one of four "Women to Match Our Mountains" honorees for 2007. Stoltenburg was presented with the award at the coalition's recent Women's Equality Day Celebration, which commemorates the 19th Constitutional Amendment that gave women the vote. The award recognized Stoltenburg's achievements, including implementing and coordinating programs for students at Western such as women's leadership programs that have empowered students to fight for social justice and anti-violence. "Many capable women in the coalition have kept the fires burning through nearly three decades of political, social, economic and cultural change," said Betty Budd, chair of the coalition's awards nominating committee. "It is a great privilege to remember these women and to honor new ones who will join them." Sara Stoltenburg Nominate a Faculty Member For Top UNC Teaching Awards A campus committee that will select WCU s next Board of Gover­nors' Excellence in Teaching Award recipient is accepting nominations through 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10. The annual award was created in 1994 to encourage, identify, rec­ognize, reward and support excellence in teaching within the university system. Winners from each UNC campus receive a $7,300 cash prize and a bronze medallion, which are awarded at an annual recognition luncheon hosted by the Board of Governors in April. Tenured faculty members who have been employed at WCU for at least seven years, who have demonstrated excellence in teaching for a sustained period, and who have not received the award before are eligible for nomination. Any dean, faculty member or alumnus may nominate someone for the award by submitting a written statement to the committee sup­porting the nominee's qualifications. A faculty member must receive at least two formal nominations to be considered by the committee. Written, formal nominations may be mailed to Anna McFadden, Hunter 182, Cullowhee, N.C., 28723; through campus mail to BGA Committee c/o Coulter Faculty Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Hunter 182; e-mail to amcfadden@email.wcu.edu; or fax 227-7340. For more information and nomination forms, check out the link to "Other Faculty Services" and then "Grants and Awards" from the Coulter Faculty Center's Web site facctr.wcu.edu or contact the Coulter Faculty Center at 227-2093. Reporter - September 24, 2007 Mountain Heritage Weekend Coming Up With Big Festival, Sam Bush Concert Music of a traditional tone will be echo­ing around WCU's campus on Mountain Heritage Weekend—Friday and Saturday, Sept. 28-29—as an acoustic music legend pays a visit for a concert at the Ramsey Center and the university holds its 33rd annual Mountain Heritage Day festival. Mandolin and fiddle virtuoso Sam Bush, leader of the now-defunct New Grass Revival, and his band will perform in a show beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, and Mountain Heritage Day, WCU's daylong festival of mountain culture, will present about 30 music and dance performances on Saturday. Bush's career has included stints as sideman for artists such as Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett, but he is best known as the leader of New Grass Revival, a ground­breaking group that used traditional bluegrass instruments to create an up-tempo blend of rock, jazz, reggae and a few other musical genres over a run of 18 years. Opening the show will be the Asheville-based bluegrass band Buncombe Turnpike and the Carolina Chocolate Drops, an African-American string band that is carrying on the tradition of Piedmont fiddle and banjo music. Tickets, at $18 (arena) and $23 (floor), may be purchased by calling the Ramsey Center box office at (828) 227-7722, toll-free (866) 928-3378, or by clicking on the Web at http://ramsey.wcu.edu. The following morning, Mountain Heritage Day kicks off on fields around the Cordelia Camp Building with continuous mountain music and dance, an arts and crafts midway with 130 booths, and traditional mountain food. The festival begins around 8 a.m., winds down around 3 p.m., and admission is free. Included on the festival agenda are performances by the Warriors of AniKituhwa, a dance group that is re­creating authentic Cherokee dances as described almost 250 years ago, and Balsam Range, a new bluegrass group that includes WCU alumnus and Grammy-winner Marc Pruett on banjo. The Mountain Heritage Center will present demonstrations of traditional folk arts such as blacksmithing, basket-making and wood-carving on the main festival grounds, and festival-goers will have a chance to experience a unique American musical tradition during two sessions of shape-note singing. Also on the agenda are exhibitions of Cherokee Indian ball (also known as "stickball"), a woodcutting contest, 5-K foot race, 1-mile fun run for children, antique auto show and a children's costume contest. Mountain Heritage Day is held outside, rain or shine. Shuttles operate throughout the day to transport visitors from outlying parking areas to the festival grounds. Pets are not allowed on Mountain Heritage Day grounds, but service animals are welcome. Sponsors for Mountain Heritage Weekend events are WestCare Health System and Harrah's Cherokee Casino and Hotel, an enterprise of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. For more information, including Mountain Heritage Day stage schedules, visit mountainheritageday.com. —By RANDALL HOLCOMBE Pictured top left, top right, the arts and crafts midway at Mountain Heritage Day. Above, Sam Bush, featured guest musician at the Friday night pre-festival concert. SATURDAY GENERAL EVENTS SCHEDULE 8 a.m. - Registration begins for Mountain Heritage 5K footrace and 1-mile Fun Run 8:30 a.m. - 1-mile Fun Run begins; registration begins for woodcutting contest 9a.m -5-Kfootrace begins 9:30 a.m. - Woodcutting competition and antique auto show begin 10 a.m. - Folk artists begin demonstrations; Mountain Heritage Center opens 10:30 a.m. - Exhibition of black powder shooting 11 a.m. - S"acred Harp"shape-note sing and exhibition of C herokee Indian ball begin 12:15 p.m. - Presentation of Mountain Heritage Award and Eva Adcock Award, Norton Music Stage 1 p.m. - Exhibition of Cherokee Indian ball 1:30 p.m. -"Christian Harmony"shape-note sing begins 2:30 p.m. - Exhibition of black powder shooting 5 p.m. - Music stages and midway close In addition, folk art demonstrations and music performances will take place throughout the day. See mountainheritageday.com for more information or call 227-3193. ! Reporter- September 24, 2007 UNC Tomorrow Commission Hosts Forums in Asheville and Sylva Oct.4 The University of North Carolina Tomorrow Commission will host community listening forums in Asheville and Sylva in October to discuss how the multi-campus university system can best meet the changing needs of the state and its people for the next 20 years. Community listening forums will be held Thursday, Oct. 4, in Highsmith Student Union Alumni Hall at the University of North Carolina at Asheville at 9 a.m. and in Myers Auditorium at Southwestern Community College in Sylva at 4 p.m. "We want to hear from the people in every part of North Carolina about the challenges and opportunities they face in their communities, work and lives, and how the university can help," said Jim Phillips, chairman of the UNC Board of Governors and the UNC Tomorrow Commission. "Our goal is t o be more responsive to the needs of this state, and to do that we need input and feedback from the citizens we are here to serve." Interested citizens are invited to attend a forum in or near their community to discuss the emerging challenges facing North Carolina as a state—and their region in particular. Members of the commission will be joined by UNC President Erskine Bowles and top university scholars from multiple UNC campuses. Each forum will last up to three hours and will include a public comment period. Written comments also will be collected through a survey available at each forum, as well as online. The online survey is already available at www.surveymonkey.com/nctomorrow. The commission, a blue-ribbon group of business, education, government and nonprofit leaders from across the state, also will meet with regional leaders in different sectors and industries to discuss evolving challenges facing North Carolina. The commission will then advise the UNC Board of Governors as it develops potential solutions that are consistent with the university's mission of teaching, research and public service. For more information, contact executive director Norma Mills at (919) 843-1903 or nmills@northcarolina.edu. University Players Stage 'The Nerd' The University Players are ready to raise the curtain on the 2007-08 theatre season with three full-length selections—"The Nerd," "Lucky Stiff' and "Guys and Dolls"—as well as a Festival of One Acts. Opening the season is Larry Shue's "The Nerd," a side-splitting comedy about a Vietnam veteran named Willum Cubbert who wants to repay Rick Steadman, the man who saved his life. When the fellow ex-GI-turned-nerd shows up on Cubbert's doorstep for an extended stay, Cubbert is taken on the ride of his life and is left to bring order to Steadman's disasters. Directed by Stephen Michael Ayers, associate professor of theatre arts, "The Nerd" will stage Wednesday, Sept. 26, through Sunday, Sept. 30. Prices for season tickets are $55 for adults, $40 for senior citizens and Western faculty and staff, and $20 for students. Individual tickets also are available from the Fine and Performing Arts Center box office at 227-2479 or on the Web at http://wcutheatre.ticketsxchange.com. wcutheatre.ticketsxchange.com Reporter - September 24, 2007 What are the most important challenges facing your community and how can the University campuses help? What knowledge and skills do our students need to be prepared for the jobs of tomorrow? How can the University help improve economic opportunities in the area? Tell Us What You Need. Your Universities Are Listening. Join your family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors at this community forum: 4-7 p.m. Thursday, October 4, 2007 Southwestern Community College Myers Auditorium Sylva, NC Rick Steadman, played by Anthony Giordano (left), gets over-excited when his host, Willum Cubbert, played by Nathan Mason (right), gets a cut on his hand in the upcoming production of "The Nerd." X Reporter 0&£&yvotcx/t< 1 September 24-0ctober 7 Mountain Heritage SATURDAY Day SEPT. 29 Tuesday, Sept. 25 Catamount Concert Series—classical chamber music for winds and brass performed byWCU music faculty and students. 8 p.m. RH. (227-7242) Wednesday, Sept. 26 Open Mic Night—9 p.m. Illusions, UC. (227-7206) Catamount volleyball—vs. East Tennessee. 7 p.m. RRAC. (227-7338) Wednesday, Sept. 26-Sunday, Sept. 30 Theatre—The University Players present"The Nerd" by Larry Shue. Wednesday-Saturday 7 :30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday. $. 3 p.m. HA. (227-2479) Thursday, Sept. 27 Grant-Writing Workshop—"Let's Get a Grant." Led by nationally recognized grant writer Jack Smith. $. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Room 143, CCB. (227-3688 or 1-800-928-4968) Friday, Sept. 28 Mountain Heritage Day Pre-Festival Concert— Sam Bush. Buncombe Turnpike as opener. $. 7:30 p.m. RRAC. (227-7722 or 1-866-928-3378) Saturday, Sept. 29 33rd Annual Mountain Heritage Day—Rated as one of the top 200 craft events in the U.S. 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Fields around the CCB. (227-3193) Mountain Heritage Day Race—5-kilometer, 9 a.m.; 1-mile "Fun Run"for children under age 12, 8:30 a.m.; registration, 8 a.m. $ to compete. Front of McKee Building. (227-3549) Sunday, Sept. 30 Lady Catamount soccer—vs. UNC-Greensboro. 2 p.m. CAC. (227-7338) OCTOBER 2007 Tuesday, Oct. 2 Catamount Concert Series—WCU Wind Ensemble. 8 pm.FAPAC. (227-7242) Fall Book Sale—Fiction and nonfiction; $1 for most hardbacks, 25 cents for paperbacks. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. HL. (227-7306) Wednesday, Oct. 3 Mountain Heritage Center Lunchtime Series— Tim Barnwell,"On Earth's Furrowed Brow: The Appalachian Farm in Photographs." 12:15 p.m. Auditorium, MHC. (227-7129) Speaker—Brett Sokolow. Alcohol Awareness Week. 8 p.m. Grandroom, UC. (227-3982) Evening of Spoken Word—Travis Watkins and Colin Gilbert. 9 p.m. Illusions, UC. (227-7206) Thursday, Oct. 4 Galaxy of Stars / Something for Everyone Series—Jeff Dunham, comic ventriloquist. $. 7:30 p.m. FAPAC. (227-2479) Regional Listening Tour—UNC General Administration President Erskine Bowles, Board of Governors Chairman Jim Phillips and UNC-Tomorrow commissioners will hear from the community how the 16 UNC campuses can best meet the needs of the state and its people during the next 20 years. 4-7 p.m. Myers Auditorium, Southwestern Community College. (227-7100) Friday, Oct. 5 Lady Catamount soccer—vs. Appalachian State. Southern Conference game. 6 p.m. CAC. (227-7338) Saturday, Oct. 6 Catamount football—vs. Elon. Southern Conference game. Family Weekend. 6 p.m. WS/BW. (227-7338) Sunday, Oct. 7 Lady Catamount soccer—vs. The Citadel. Southern Conference game. 2 p.m. CAC. (227-7338) Book Signing—Victoria A. Casey McDonald, author of'The African Americans of Jackson County." 3 p.m. Auditorium, MHC. (227-7129) KEY: $-Admission fee; BB-Belk Buil ding; CAC— Catamount Athletic Center; CAT—Center for Applied Technology; CCB-Cordelia Camp Building; CSC-Catamount Softball Complex; FAPAC-Fine and P erforming Arts Center; HA-Hoey Auditorium; HFR-H.F. Rob inson Adm inistration Build ing; HL-Hunter Library; HS/CF-Hennon Stadium/Childress Field; M HC-Mountain Heritage Center; NS A-Natural Sciences Auditorium; RH—Recital Hall, Coulter Building; RRAC-Ramsey Regional Activity Center; UC-A.K. Hinds University Center; WS/ BW-Whitmire Stadium/Bob Waters Field. Submissions: Send news items and calendar notices to WCU Calendar, 420 H.F. Robinson Bldg, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC 28723 or e-mail to: Reporter@email.wcu.edu. Submit items for the university's online calendar at least one week prior to the event. Hunter Library Hosts Fall Book Sale Hunter Library will hold a book sale on Tuesday, Oct. 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The sale will include a large variety of both fiction and nonfiction books, ranging across genres and subject areas. Most hardcover titles will be sold for $1, while paperbacks will be 25 cents. Visitors to the sale also will have the opportunity to enter a free drawing for WCU gifts. Proceeds from the sale benefit Hunter Librajry collections. Exhibits Mountain Heritage Center SLIDESHOW SPOTLIGHT FOR SEPTEMBER: "Coverlets: New Threads in Old Patterns," the story of the handcraft revival in Southern Appalachia. SLIDESHOW SPOTLIGHT FOR OCTOBER: "Corn: Milling, Tilling, and Stilling" OPENING OCT. 4: "Southern Stews: Traditions of One- Pot Cooking," a national, traveling exhibition organized by the McKissick Museum at the University of South Carolina. Through March. Gallery A: "Migration of the Scotch-Irish People." Permanent exhibit. Gallery B: "Southern Stews: Traditions of One-Pot Cooking." Through March. Gallery C: "Let the Thunder Roar: A Pictorial History of African Americans in Jackson County." Through Oct. 17. "After the War: Conflict and Domestic Change in the North Carolina Mountains." Through December. Online Exhibits (www.wcu.edu/2397asp): "After the War" "Horace Kephart: Revealing an Enigma" "Southern Appalachian Quilts" "Watts in the Mountains: Rural Electrification in Western North Carolina" "Craft Revival: Shaping Western North Carolina Past and Present" Mountain Heritage Center hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 2-5 p.m. Sunday. (227-7129 or www.wcu.edu/mhc) Fine Art Museum, Fine and Performing Arts Center "Norm Schulman: A Life in Clay" and selections from Schulman's personal collection of ceramics. Through Oct. 6. "Tri-State Sculptors: MicroMonumentals." Through Oct. 6. "WORLDVIEWS." Selections from Western Carolina University's Permanent Collection in all media by local, regional, national and international artists. Ongoing exhibit. Fine Art Museum hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m -6 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m -4 p.m.; first Saturday each month, 1-4 p.m. Donations appreciated. (227-3591 or http://fapac.wcu.edu) 8 George Edward Frizzell Hunter Library Hunter Library IReporter- September 24,2007