• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1997-04-17_Vol62_No24_02

« Thursday, April 17, 1997 Hews iiSTawraaRsssif»iMiiiiiian Pittman Recognized for Excellence Bobert Pittman, Winner of Award for Excellence in Teaching Robert B. Pittman, professor of administration, curriculum and instruction at Western Carolina University, was recognized Friday, April 11, as one of the best teachers in the University of North Carolina system. Pittman was among 16 recipients of the third annual Awards for Excellence in Teaching, presented by the UNC Board of Governors during a luncheon at the George Watts Hill Alumni Center in Chapel Hill. Winners from each campus received a bronze medallion and a $7,500 cash prize. Recipients were nominated by special committees on their home campuses and selected by the Board of Gov- - ernors Committee on Teaching Awards. Awards were presented by C. Clifford Cameron Jr., chairman of the UNC Board of Governors, and CD. Spangler Jr., UNC president. Established by the Board of Governors in 1994 to underscore the importance of teaching and to reward good teaching across the university system, the awards are given annually to a te~nured faculty member from each UNC campus. Winners must have taught at their present institutions at least seven years, and no one may receive the award more than once. Pittman, a member of the WCU faculty since 1975, received the Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award at Western for 1980-81, and he has been nominated several times to receive the award again. He consistently receives high marks in his faculty evaluations, completed anonymously by students in his classes at the end of each semester. "Dr. Pittman is definitely one of the finest teachers I've ever had the pleasure to learn from," one student wrote. "He takes subject matter that the general population is afraid of, and somehow makes you realize you can do it — and even enjoy it." Another student wrote: "I am a shy person when it comes to class, and Dr. Pittman has changed that in me. I will talk in class and not feel self-conscious about anything I say. I think he could teach the dullest subject in the world and people would enjoy his energy, and I think he could teach the most difficult subject in the world, and people would enjoy it and learn from it because he makes learning easy and fun." Pittman says that a vital step in the teaching-learning process is for a professor to create a personal relationship with a student. "I must be seen as a friend, supporter or coach rather than as an educational overseer or disinterested party," he writes in his teaching statement. "As I get to know them, they are more self-confident in raising questions in class; they are more likely to approach me outside class regarding course material; and they seem to see me as a person who is concerned about what they learn rather than as the person who assigns the grades." Pittman holds doctoral, master's and bachelor's degrees from the Un*ersity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a graduate of Saratoga Central High School, where he also taught for a year. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Pittman of 7200 Bartee Bridge Road, Stantonsburg. Pittman and his wife, Pamela, live at Route 3, Sylva, and have two sons, Dan and Michael. INFORMATION CONTRIBUTED BY OPI ^ EXCLUSIVELY for FACULTY ant) STA F F PAINKILLER. c&&*hCm F' or fast relief from the nagging ache of taxes, we recommend TIAA-CREF SRAs. SRAs are tax-deferred annuities designed to help build additional assets —money that can help make the difference between living and living well after your working years are over. Contributions to your SRAs are deducted from your salary on a pretax basis, so you pay less in taxes now. And since earnings on your SRAs are also tax deferred until you receive them as retirement income, the money you don't send to Washington can work even harder for you. What else do SRAs offer? A full range of investment choices and the financial expertise of TIAA-CREF —America's largest retirement organization? To find out more, stop by your benefits office or give us a call at 1 800 842-2888. We'll show you how SRAs can lower your taxes. Do it today —it couldn't hurt. Visit us on the Internet at www.tiaa-cref.org Ensuring the future for those who shape it." tv •Based on assets under management. CRKF certificates are distributed by TIAA-CRKF Individual and Institutional Services, Inc. For more complete information, including charges and expenses, call 1 800 842-2/33. ext. 5509, for a current CRKF prospectus. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. Date of first use: 2/97. Public Safety Highlights April 9,1997 A student pled guilty to DWI in District Court in Sylva and was fined $100 and court costs and must perform 24 hours of community service work. A student pled guilty to a stop light violation in District court and prayer for Judgement was continued. Charges of DWI were dismissed because of a low Intoxilyzer reading. A student who pled not guilty to DWI and a proviaional licensee violation was tried and found guilty on both charges. The student was fined $100 and court costs, 24 hours of community service work and one year probation. Officers aasiated a concerned parent in locating her daughter who is a student from Buchanan at 7:30 AM. Officers investigated a traffic accident in front of the Mountain Heritage Center at 1:50 PM. Officers assisted Jackson County deputies in serving an order for arrest on a female student for failing to appear in court at 2:05 PM. Officers responded to a report of discharging fireworks behind Harrill at 6:18 PM and warned two male students about the Univeraity's policy on fireworks. A local resident turned in a bicycle which she'believes may be stolen at 6:18 PM. Officers assisted a visiting artiat whose car broke down at 8:55 PM. The sculpture he was towing is stored in the impound lot. Officers reaponded to the firat floor of Albright where a report of the odor of marijuana had been received. Officers detected an odor of incense and found no one in the room. .A student reported that she was receiving harsasing phone calls at 2:10 AM. Officers responded to an activated call box in the Walker A lot at 1:58 AM. No one was in the area. April 10,1997 A member of the faculty reported reported approximately 180 color slides atolen from a room in Belk between 6:30 PM on 4/ 7 and 8:00 AM on 4/8. Officers investigated a fight which occurred at the Belk Building on 4/9 at 9:00 AM. The incident was related to an incident which occurred at Bailey' a the night before. Both male students, involved have been referred to Student Development for disciplinary action. As a result of a continuing investigation utilizing telephone tracing, officers identified a suspect in a harasaing phone calls incident and referred the male student suspect to Student Development for mediation with the victim and/ or disciplinary action. A male atudent reported that his car was damaged while it was parked at Reid Gym between 11:45 and 12:30 PM. Officers summoned a wrecker to tow a car which wee blocking the trash room at Scott at 12:42 PM. A friend of the owner arrived before the tow, paid the wrecker driver, and the car was released. Officers impounded a vehicle for parking on campus after privileges were revoked at 5:09 PM. An employee reported that a fire hydrant wrench was stolen from a work crew near Harrill between 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM. Officers investigated an assault at Reynolds where a male student was attacked by three un - known males between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Housekeepers at Coulter and Forsyth reported that several intoxicated students were entering the buildings to use restrooms and also were urinating outside the buildings. This incident was connected with the Greek Week variety show at the Alumni Tower. Officers checked the area and found a number of students who had been drinking. Officers cited one student for driving while consuming beer and stayed \p monitor the large crowd which had formed. Officers reaponded to a fire alarm in Albright at 11:49 PM caused by cigar smoke. Officers responded to a fire alarm in Albright caused by an activated pull station on the first floor. Officers confiscated a sheath knife from a student whose vehicle was searched aa a part of a traffic stop at 2:25 AM. The student was warned about state laws about weapons on campus and the knife will be returned when he leaves campus. Officers assisted a female student who had threatened suicide in Walker at 4:17 AM. April 11-13,1997 Officers delivered an emergency mesaege to a student in Dodson at 5:00 PM on 4/10. A student reported that someone had stolen her back pack while she was at tine Greek Week Variety Show on the UC lawn. In addition, .someone attempted to access her ATM account after the theft. A student reported that his car had been damaged and he was being threatened by a male student in Albright on 4/11. A grounds aupervisor reported that several thefts of bulbs and plants had occurred over the last few weeks from the Adrniniatration Building, the Ramsey Center, and Walker Hall. Officers arrested a student for reckless driving and resisting arrest on Friday after the student ran from police officers on Thursday afternoon. Physical Plant employees reported chalk graffiti on the Alumni Tower at 4: 10 PM on 4/ 11. Officers responded to a report that the elevator was stuck in Madison and found it working properly at 4:35 PM on 4/11. Residents of Albright reported that three males had damaged an emergency light fixture in the residence hall and then uprooted a newly planted tree at the Methodist Church at midnight on 4/11. Officers apprehended the three students and charges are pending. As a result of a traffic check conducted in conjunction with the Sheriff's Department and the Highway Patrol, officers two male students for underage possession of alcohol on 4/11. Officers responded to a report of loud music in Albright at 2:48 AM on 4/12 and found several female students in a room there. The females were escorted from the building. The music was turned down and the incident was referred to Housing for disciplin ary action. Officers cited a female student for underage possession of .ilcohol at 12:16 PM on 4/12. Officers cited a female student for driving in violation of restrictions in front of Walker at 12:56 AM on 4/13. Officers warned an intoxicated student about an alcohol violation on Centennial Drive at 1:45 AM on 4/13. A faculty member called and reported that a hot plate had been left on a room in Belk. Officers disconnected the hot plate at 12:27 AM on 4/13. In connection with a fight which occurred at Belk on 4/9, officers secured and served criminal summonses on two male students charging them with engaging in an affray.; Court date ia. May 6. Officers impounded a vehicle for blocking a trash area behind Dodson at 8:11 AM on 4/13. A student reported that someone had been attempting to access her computer account since January. A atudent reported that her boyfriend had taken her car from the back of Scott at 9:45 PM on 4/13. Officers found three students in the Coulter Building at 12:25 AM on 4/14 and escorted them out. April 14,1997 A male non-student pled guilty to involuntary man-: slaughter in Superior Court in Sylva. The plea was entered in connection with an incident which occurred after the subject fled from University officers on September 21, 1997, and wrecked his vehicle in Webster while being pursued by Jackson County deputies. The passenger in the vehicle was killed. Sentencing was continued to June 30,1997. A student charged with several counts of theft and credit card fraud on August 31, 1996 pled guilty in Superior Court. The male atudent was placed on probation for 3 years and must pay court costs, attor-; ney fees of $420, restitution of. $230 to the victims, and perform 180 hours of community service work and pay the fee for that program. A student reported that her car was damaged while it was parked on Young Drive at 8:10 AM. A student reported that she was receiving harssing phone calls at 9:30 AM on 4/14, An employee reported that a .25 caliber bullet was found in the fitness center at 9:00 PM. Officers assiated a student who was penny-locked into his room in Albright at 9:08 PM. Officers were asked to watch for an overdue high school student who had been attending a function on campus at 10:55 PM. The student arrived home safely. Officers summoned the WCU EMS team to assist with a student who had fallen down the steps in the Field House at 11:00 PM. The student was transported to the hospital for treats ment. Officers cited a student for improper equipment and expired inspection after observing the student's vehicle speeding on Central Drive at 1:18 AM.

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: 1997-04-17
  • Date digitized: 2020-01-13
• Extent
  • Dimension: 14" x 11.25"
  • Pages: 14 pages
• Subject - Topic
  • College student newspapers and periodicals
  • Cullowhee (N.C.) -- Newspapers
  • Universities and colleges -- North Carolina -- Cullowhee -- Newspapers
  • Western Carolina University -- Periodicals
• Location
  • Jackson County (N.C.)
  • Cullowhee (N.C.)
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Source Collection
  • WCU Students Newspapers Collection
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1997-04-17_Vol62_No24
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library