Reporter : the faculty-staff newsletter

              the
News for the Faculty and Staff of Western September 10, 2007 Carolina University
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.
continued on page 2
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 time in the institution’s 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 increased to
1,945 students this fall, up 230 from last year’s 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 year’s 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 Western’s online
master’s 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
WCU’s 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.”
The listing of WCU’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 admin-istrators
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 discus-sion
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 universi-ties
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 the 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
National Recognition
continued from page 1
‘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 develop-ment
services to economically disadvantaged children. He
also is retired 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 that 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 afford it, that’s
who we would like to help.”
–By JESSICA CREGGER
campaign.wcu.edu
Support The Campaign for Western
Contact Brett Woods, campus campaign director,
227-7124 or bwoods@wcu.edu
Michelle Hargis
Brandy Robbs takes an online class.
Nursing student Whitney Sprinkle
(front) and classmates practice skills.
– September 10, 2007
the
Reporter
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.
Grant-Writing Workshop Opens Registration
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 part 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.
“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
Mac Minaudo, a partner in Blue Ridge Biofuels, delivers biodiesel to WCU.
Western Fills Tanks
With Biodiesel, E10
WHEE SAVE
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. Mon-day,
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.
‘Wall of Oppression’ Kicks Off Diversity Week
The event spun off from the “Tunnel of
Oppression��� initiative developed in conjunc-tion
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, coun-selors
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 discus-sion,
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.
– September 10, 2007
the
Reporter
Monday, Sept. 10
Civil War Round Table—6:30 p.m. Room 101,
MHC. (27-7129)
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.
(27-276)
Monday, Sept. 10-Thursday, Dec. 6
Water Aerobics—Mondays through Thursdays.
5:30-6:15 p.m. $. (27-3688)
Tuesday, Sept. 11
Lady Catamount volleyball—vs. Gardner-Webb.
7 p.m. RRAC. (27-738)
Catamount Concert Series— faculty showcase
concert, including saxophonist Ian Jeffress’ performance
of a piece by new faculty composer Timothy Rolls.
8 p.m. RH. (27-7242)
Wednesday, Sept. 12
Evening of Spoken Word—CP Maze, 8 p.m.; Queen
Sheeba, 9 p.m. Illusions, UC. (27-7206)
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.
(27-7218)
Friday, Sept. 14
Lady Catamount volleyball—Catamount Clash VI
tournament: vs. UNC–Wilmington, 2:30 p.m.; vs. The
Citadel, 7 p.m. RRAC. (27-738)
Chili Cook-off—UClub members and their guests
enjoy food, drink and camaraderie. 5:30 p.m. University
Club. (27-3861)
One Night Stand (comedy)—Jeff Capri. 8 p.m.
Illusions, UC. (27-7206)
Saturday, Sept. 15
Open House—for prospective students and their
families. (27-7317)
Hispanic Heritage Month Opening
Celebration—7 p.m. Grandroom, UC. (27-7206)
Lady Catamount volleyball—Catamount Clash
VI tournament: vs. Presbyterian, 12:30 p.m.; vs. North
Carolina A&T, 7 p.m. RRAC. (27-738)
the
Calendar September 10–23
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.
(27-3591 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 Uni-versity
of South Carolina.
Through March.
	
Catamount cross country—Catamount Classic.
All day. CAC. (27-738)
Tuesday, Sept. 18
Catamount Concert Series—jazz trio featuring
guitarist Stephen Wohlrab, pianist Pavel Wlosok and
bassist Eliot Wadopian. 8 p.m. RH. (27-7242)
Lectures, Concerts and Exhibitions Series—
Shenandoah Shakespeare Company, “The Merchant
of Venice.” 7:30 p.m. FAPAC. $. (27-2479)
Wednesday, Sept. 19
Catamount Concert Series—music faculty
showcase. 8 p.m. RH. (27-7242)
Friday, Sept. 21
Lady Catamount volleyball—vs. Appalachian
State. Southern Conference match. 7 p.m. RRAC.
(27-738)
One Night Stand (comedy)—Edwin San Juan.
8 p.m. Illusions, UC. (27-7206)
Saturday, Sept. 22
Catamount football—vs. Presbyterian. 6 p.m.
E.J. WS/BW. (27-738)
Lady Catamount volleyball—vs. Davidson.
Southern Conference match. 7 p.m. RRAC. (27-738)
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. Permanent 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.
(27-7129 or http://www.wcu.edu/2389.asp)
Key: $–Admission fee; BB–Belk Building; CAC–Catamount
Athletic Center; CAT–Center for Applied Technology; CCB–Cordelia
Camp Building; CSC–Catamount Softball Complex; FAPAC–Fine and
Performing Arts Center; HA–Hoey Auditorium; HFR–H.F. Robinson
Administration Building; HS/CF–Hennon Stadium/Childress
Field; MHC–Mountain Heritage Center; NSA–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.
4 – September 10, 2007
the
Reporter
Paul Reisman as the
Prince of Arragon
in the touring
production of The
Merchant of Venice.
(Photo by
Mike Bailey)
Western Carolina University is a University of North Carolina campus and an Equal Opportunity Institution. 1,850 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $1,440.00, or $.80 each. Office of Public Relations/Publications. September 2007 07-450