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Western Carolinian Volume 68 Number 05

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  • STUDENT LIFE n, ii HINDS UNIVERSITY CENTER Julie Walters-Steele? by todd jambon I WCnewsmagazine 2.0 Amidst the confusion of the electrical wiring and the bangs and booms of the construction in the extension to Western Carolina University's University Center, it is clear that the promised improvements to the facility are finally close to being finished. After all the delays the project has undergone, many wondered if it would be completed before their graduation. When Tim Jacobs, former director of the U.C., retired, it seemed as though the expansion project might get delayed even further. But as Julie Walters-Steele, the center's new director, walked through the near-completed buildings .she seemed to have the situation under control. A search committee chose Walters-Steele as the new director of the University Center this past June. That was after a day and a half of interviews back in April, when she was introduced to the staff of the U.C, for the first time. The committee was impressed with her experience as director of union programs at Clemson University for 14 years. "Each University is different," says Walters-Steele of the transition from Clemson to Western Carolina University. Her job at Clemson was very similar to her directing job at WCÜ, At Clemson, she was on the programming board, very similar to WCU's Last Minute Productions. She also supervised indoor recreation, which consisted of a bowling alley, billiard room; video arcade, and an on-campus pub. Walters-Steele was born in Columbia, S.C., but was raised in Lancaster, S.C., where she attended Buford High School. In Lancaster, she lived on a rural farm with cows, chickens, and other animals, Growing up around these animals, she had always intended to be a veterinarian. However, in her freshman year at Clemson she quickly realized that all the chemistry involved in the veterinarian major was not for her. She then decided to major in English. The first job she had out of college was that of a news reporter. After several years as a reporter, her husband, 'Tom Steele, was offered a graduate assistant position at Clemson. The couple moved and Walters-Steele finished the master's program she had begun at Winthrop at Clemson in order to be closer to her husband. After graduating with a Master's Degree, she took a job helping landowners and forestry companies get information out on how people could salvage and store the timber from their damaged property as a result of 1989's Hurricane Hugo, During that year, she interviewed for the Student Media Advisor position at Clemson. "1 thought, that sounds like fun," says Walters-Steele. "1 was an editor of the student newspaper during my undergraduate program at Clemson and had practical experience as a journalist." Over the next 12 years, she was given different opportunities and responsibilities, eventually leading her to work in the Student Union. Walters-Steele's vision for WCU's University Center is simple: "'I want to make sure the University Center truly is a university center." Walters-Steele wants WCU departments and student organizations alike to feel welcome and to feel some ownership of the facility. She also hopes that these departments and organizations will be able to hold all their meetings and programs in the U,C. "My goal," she says, "is to see all these rooms full all the time." Since her job at WCU started on August 4, the staff working around her at the USC. hasenjoyed her personality, her work ethic, and her willingness to keep with the goals the tJ.C- has always had. Right now, Walters-Steele is working with former U.C, Director Tim Jacobs a couple Of days a week on the finalization of the U.Ce's expansion, '*The staff that is here?' says Walters-Steele, "and Tim Jacobs; the previous director, have done a great job," She says Jacobs left the U.CJ in good shape, and has provided a good foundation to build on. WCU's Fifth Annual Majors Fair Tuesday, October 21, 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. University Center Grand Room 2003 Students are encouraged to attend and meet with faculty from each department to explore the variety of majors offered at WCU. Students must bring their CatCard to the Majors Fair. The Majors Fair is an event you do not want to miss. YßEEJ C CLEARCUANNÆV WANT TO HELP PROMOTE UPCOMING CONCERTS? Seeking enthusiastic & responsible, volunteer street teatn members! Great resume builder and FREE stuff! Emaii StreetTeam1@clearchannel.com for more information! AMPHITHEATRE charlotte
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Object’s are ‘parent’ level descriptions to ‘children’ items, (e.g. a book with pages).