• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1984-07-12_Vol49_No03_07

WESTERN CAROLINIAN July 12, 1984 Ambassadors are an Inspiration i»r •mm\ Joe Fournier Staff Reporter Western is a school that's filled with talented people, and quite often several of them will get together to form musical groups that play a few concerts and then fizzle out for various reasons. But occasionally one of these groups will find its music very much in demand and continue to play and gain popularity. Such is the case of the Ambassadors, a group which started last fall and because of strong local support has continued through the summer with remarkable success. The Ambassadors concentrate on old-time gospel music and inspirational hymns and to date have played at 20 or more local churches, often being asked to extend their performances and repeat Acne Medicine Causes Birth Defects There is now enough evidence to say that a new prescription drug for acne can kill or malform the human embryo, according to the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. "Any sexually afctive woman should have a pregnancy test before treatment with Accutane," says Arthur J. Salisbury. iM.D., March of Dimes vice president for medical services. "She should avoid becoming pregnant during treatment, and for one month afterward," he warns. The drug was licensed for sale in 1982 with knowledge that it caused birth defects in test animals, and with a warning against its use during pregnancy. Since then, the manufacturer has twice sent letters to doctors and pharmacists nationwide to stress the risk of damage to unborn babies. The drug's packaging includes a red sticker. warning of the this risk. However, to date the manufacturer and the Food and Drug Administration have received at least 29 reports of miscarriages and birth defects after use of the drug during pregnancy. The most recent report of birth defects associated with the drug appeared in the June 22 issue of Journal of the American Medical Association. Two cases were described by Dr. Paul J . B e n k e, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Miami and director of a March of Dimes-supported genetics clinic serving Florida's Palm Beach County. • Malformations in the two babies included hydrocephaly (enlargement of the fluid-tilled spaces in the brain), abnormal ears, small mouth and cleft palate. Both babies died. These malformations are consistent with earlier reports of hydrocephaly, microcephaly (very small head), small and malformed ears and eyes, very severe congenital heart defects and cleft palate in offspring of women taking Accutane early in pregnancy. They also resemble the malformations that have been produced in test animals 'This consistency," Dr. Salisbury says, "is the single most convincing piece of evidence that the drug has really caused the reported birth defects. Coincidence is not a plausible explanation. "Accutane has F.D.A. approval only for very severe acne that does not res-pond well to other treatments." he adds. "Restricting its use to appropriate cases is one way to reduce the risk to women Of childbearing age. "A problem with any drug that causes major malformations is that it docs its damage in the early weeks after conception, often before a woman knows that she is pregnant. This is why it is necessary to have a pregnancy test before starting treatment with Accutane, and to have a reliable way to avoid enception during treatment. "Fortunately," he says, "Accutane is not meant to be taken for more than a few months. When it works for acne, its remission effect seems to last for a year or more. Responsible adult women should be able to avoid conception during the relatively short period of treatment and for a month afterward. Teen-age girls, as a group, are more worrisome, and the choice to treat them with Accutane must be made very carefully on an individual basis." Women who become pregnant while taking I Accutane are urged to have their personal physicians contact the drug's manufacturer, Roche Laboratories inNutley, N.J., at (201) 235- 3021. Gifted and Talented: What is it All About? by Billy Graham Staff Reporter This year's program for Gifted and Talented students is winding down, and, judging by their letters, these students feel they are due some favorable attention. What follows is a basic outline of an excellent program, a program which has become an institution at this university. The outline is an attempt to fill our readers in on what happens between the moonings and light-bulb thefts. Clip and save, this may not happen again. I spoke with Dr. Tom Dowell, Guidance counselor at Tuscola High School and eleventh-grade instructor with the gifted program. He informed me that the program is essentially an attempt to provide a growth experience for certain exceptional students in grades five through eleven. Upon arrival, each grade level is assigned an academic theme, ecology for example, or science, which they develop throughout their four-week stay. In addition, they attend other classes, and are required to take one class in physical and cultural activities. This program provides students the opportunity to work in an equal environment with peers of their own intellectual caliber. A new theme, which seems to be thought rather highly of, has been introduced to the eleventh graders this year. The idea, according to Dr.Dowell. revolves around college and career opportunities and awareness of how one's personal goals and plans synchronize. Interest inventories such as the Self Directed popular songs. The group got its start one evening at the Baptist Student Union after a fellowship meeting when its members got together and started singing for fun. I he harmony and great sound that resulted was soon noticed by others, and the fellows were asked to perform at an upcoming fellowship. From that time to this the group's efforts were all an uphill climb. As others heard them sing they were invited to pla\ at more and more engagements winch included church worship services, rest horn e gatherings, and even a family reunion. I he members of the Ambassadors (Keith Hem v. Mark Haskett, Phil league. and Kim "Paco" Green) see their music as a chance to minister tor God - a sort of home missions - and help improve the way local people view WCU. "Alot ot local people don't feel real good about Western." one ot the Ambassadors told me. "and when we sing in these local churches we help to build its image." Aside from singing in local churches, the Ambassadors have been invited to sing in Panama City, Florida on August 4 and 5, and may be going to Alabama right after that. They have been heard on WRGC radio, and have- recently been selected over groups from all over the country to compete in a new inspirational potion of "Star Search". All of the members are in agreement that the Star Search contest is more of an opportunity to expand their ministry and gain exposure than anything else, and although they'd like to win. they feel that the incentive it will give them to improve themselves will be more beneficial. Ihe incredible increase in the popularity of the group, according to it's members, is probably the result ot their unique approach to the performing of old hymns. With Keith playing the mandolin, Phil at the fiddle, and Paco playing the piano, they art- able to improve the sound of old tunes which people are used to hearing without music. Their superb four- part harmony doesn't hurt either. The members recieve no payment for their performances, but most places they've played at have given generous donations which they use tor traveling expenses, and if funds permit intend to bu\ a small PA system with. Upon dispersal, of the group they plan to do n ate t h e equipment and remaining funds to the Baptist Student Union on campus. I he next local appearance ot the group will be in Bryson City this Sunday, and bookings may be made through the BSl I guess Keith summed up the group's reason lor playing best when he told me "It's just alot of fun...It's good to know you can do something for the Lord and h a \ e I u n doing it. " 1) Roger Clark Awarded Eller Scholarship CULLOW HEE-Roger Clark Hunt of Route 1 Waynesville has been awarded the first J. Gerald Eller Scholarship to attend Western Carolina Universitv. Hunt is a 1984 graduate ot Pisgah High School and qualified for the Eller Scholarship bv posting the top score among students w h o c o m p e t e d in a comprehensive natural sciences test at the WCU Science Festival. Hunt also finished first among Algebra II competitors in the WCL High School Mathematics ('ontest. I he Ellei Scholarship is for $500 and was established in honoi ot Di I Gerald filer of Barkers (reek, who retired tor m W c s t e r n Carolina University in 1983. filer was a student at Western Carolina in 1939 and returned as a teacher in 1946. During his long years of service to WCU he held* posts as instructor, assistant professor, full professor! and as chairman of the department of biolog When Western became a' university in 1967 and created its School of Arts and Sciences, Eller was that school's first dean. He resigned the dean's post in 1973 to return to the classroom. A native of Robbins- v ille. Eller received the doctorate in /oology and botanv from the University ot North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he received the Colter Award from the I hsha Mitchell Scientific loi the best doctoral dissertation in the natural sciences. In 1963, Eller was presented the Distinguished Alumnus Award by the Western Carolina Alumni Association. GET CERTIFIED CULLOWHEE-West em Carolina University will offer instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) beginning July 17 through its Division of Continuing Education. Successful completion of the course, taught by Professor Otto Spilker, will result in CPR certification for one year. The course will meet from 6:30 until 9:30 p.m. on July 17, 31 and August 7 in Room R2I of Reid Gymnasium on the WCU campus. Cost, including the American Red Cross text. will be $15. Topics to be covered include CPR backround and principles, basic life support, infants and children, and supplementary techniques for basic life support. For certification, CPR students must demonstrate mastery of CPR principles and techniques through written exams and simulations using mannequins. Additional information or pre-registration may be obtained bv calling 227- 7397. Take A Step Into The Past At t'L* Journalism Association at Western GENERAL STORE Photo By Danny Batten Search and the Kruder Search are utilized in completing a career selection process. Upon completion of this phase, with goals and best methods to attain them clearly in mind, the students leave for a tour of seven universities withing the state of North Carolina. Each university provides tours and lectures, describing how it might help each student achieve his or her career goal. Dr. Dowell noted that admissions offices consider first and foremost the students' high school record, grades, difficulty of courses etc., rather than SAT scores which are not deemed nearly is important. Upon return from the one-week tour of universities, the students begin intense studies of both their chosen careers and colleges they feel that they are most likely to attend. They are addressed by guest speakers from the ROTC program, the Cooperative Education Program, an^ admissions before session's end. When asked about the possible continuation of the Ilth grade program, Dr. Dowell allowed that the jury is still out. He feels that the process may need a few alterations, and fees may need to be raised in order to cover the excessive cost of the tour. He feels that the program is a "good opportunity" for eleventh graders, as they are given "excellent first-hand experience with colleges, in depth, that can seldom be provided by guidance counselors." This year's gifted -and talented program is the largest ever. Such a program is an obvious reputational and financial boon to the universtiy and the community. OPI-Ihe Western North Carolina High school Journalism Association will have a new home at Western Carolina University this fall. Western's English department will sponsor the association, formerly the Western North Carolina Scholastic Press Association. The association's major project will be a fall workshop, tentatively scheduled Sept. 20. Area reporters, editors, columnists and advertising executives will conduct sessions on such topics as feature, news and opinion writing; page layout and designing: editing; staff organization; advertising; and press law. Keynote speaker at a students to learn from each other as well as from professional journalists." Workshop attendance and membership in WNCSPA are open to all WNC students who work on high school newspapers, literary magazines and yearbooks. Information luncheon during the workshop will be a member of the editorial staff of a metropolitan daily newspaper in the Southeast. "This workshop will help encourage excellence in writing and journalism in high schools of the region," said James R. Nicholl, head of WCU's English department. "It will also be healthy for the journalism program at WCU because it will allow students to learn from each may be obtained from Brenda Gorsuch, English and journalism teacher at West Henderson High School and WNCSPA adviser. "We would like to get as many professional newspaper people from WNC involved as possible," said Ben Anderson, WCU instructor of journalism and coordinator of the workshop. "This would give'the students a chance to meet and learn from area newspaper people." In addition to conducting a fall workshop, the WNCSPA will hold a spring awards picnic to recognize excellence, Anderson said. Area reporters and editors will be involved in selecting award winners. Froqt Street, Dillsboro, ISC SapdwldfCR: New expanded menu Salad Bar: All fresh ingredients Antique Soda four/taln, Homemade Breads & Desserts £i?jo.v Our 1Scw Patio! 586-2165 ISow Opeij 'Til 8 p.nj. ftlopday-Saturday* Swjda.va, 12 ijooij 'til fl p.nj. James Beasley, Forrest Bryson & Johnny Money Quin Theatres, Inc. proudly announce the opening of their third theatre, Quin III, beside Quin I in the East Sylva Shopping Center. Many thanks to all our valued customers who have made our growth possible. 9:15

The Western Carolinian is Western Carolina University's student-run newspaper. The paper was published as the Cullowhee Yodel from 1924 to 1931 before changing its name to The Western Carolinian in 1933.

• Creator
  • Western Carolina University
• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Date
  • Date original: 1984-07-12
  • Date digitized: 2019-02-19
• Extent
  • Dimension: 22.75" x 15"
  • Pages: 8 pages
• Subject - Topic
  • College student newspapers and periodicals
  • Cullowhee (N.C.) -- Newspapers
  • Universities and colleges -- North Carolina -- Cullowhee -- Newspapers
• Location
  • Jackson County (N.C.)
  • Cullowhee (N.C.)
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Source Collection
  • WCU Students Newspapers Collection
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1984-07-12_Vol49_No03
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library