ASU celebrates Homecoming
Reuter,
Covington named King and Queen
Jennifer Sharpe
Staff Writer
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Melanie Covington and Mason Reuter smile for the cameras at Kidd Brewer Stadium Saturday after being crowned Homecoming King and Queen. (Photo by Dana Gardner) |
Melanie Dee Covington and Mason Lucas Reuter were named Appalachian State University's 1996 Homecoming King and Queen at Saturday's football game against Marshall.
A convenient lull in the rain allowed the ceremonies to go off without a hitch during half time. Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski and Vice Chancellor Gregory S. Blimling were on the field along with Student Government Association President Kaye Cranford and Vice President Todd Poole to bestow the honors upon the new king and queen.
Covington was crowned Queen and presented with a charm pin and a coupon for 50 percent off the purchase of her college ring. Reuter also received a coupon for his class ring, along with an official scepter.
Covington is a senior and is studying hospitality management. She spent the rest of Saturday afternoon with her parents who were visiting from Atlanta. "I'm just very honored that my friends and the students voted for me," Covington said.
This was Melanie's first time running for Homecoming Queen. She was nominated by her sorority Delta Zeta.
Reuter is also a senior and is studying history education. He was escorted during the ceremony by his mother who had driven up from Charlotte along with his sister. Mason is a member of the fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon, but was nominated by the sorority Phi Mu. "Thanks to Phi Mu and to all those who voted for me," Reuter said. "I knew I had a lot of friends, I just didn't know I had this many."
Mason said he made it a point to remind all of his fraternity brothers to vote for him. His campaign strategy was successful. Christy Barrick, SGA public affairs chairperson said almost twice as many people voted this year than last. Poole said that everyone at SGA was impressed with the turn out to vote this year.
The new king and queen spent Saturday evening at an Alumni celebration at the Broyhill Inn. This event was the only requirement for the new king and queen. Barrick said that although the king and queen have no official duties, they will be given the opportunity to participate in next year's ceremonies and in the Boone Christmas parade.
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Left: Three pumpkin-headed students cheer for the Mountaineers at hte Homecoming Game. (Photo by Dana Gardner) |  |
Right: A Boone Police Officer arrests a Homecoming Parade spectator who threw eggs at parade floats. The arrest was made at Plymouth Trace Apartments Friday afternoon. (Photo by Dana Gardner |
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Natural
Law Party at ASU
Pardo to
speak at forum
Chris Kinner
Staff Writer
You might be under the impression that there are only two candidates for North Carolina's United States Senate seat. You might want to take a second look at the ballot.
Wednesday, Oct. 30, Natural Law Party candidate Victor Pardo will answer questions from voters at 2:00 p.m. in the Roan Mountain Room of the Student Union.
"The most basic tenet (of our party) is that government can function with the same perfection as natural law," said Pardo.
Pardo also said that his party is comprised of a spectrum of conservatives and liberals who bring with them a wide range of innovative political ideas. He said these ideas are essential for the public to hear.
The party, which now has 400 candidates on ballots in 45 states, believes in attaining a higher level of human consciousness through a technique called yogic flying. Pardo himself will demonstrate this technique Wednesday.
Yogic flying occurs in deep states of meditation and the body may "hop," levitate or actually fly through the air. The Natural Law Party calls for the establishment of a group of 7000 yogic flyers to establish social harmony.
Pardo said, "This is a fundamental way to stimulate natural law for the individual and for society. There is a universal field that connects us all, and through this group, we can access it and stimulate positivity for all."
The party believes that the positivity and harmony that is created will produce a healthier, less violent society.
Natural Law candidates seek to solve the problems of America with preventive-oriented measures, such as installing a comprehensive health education in the curriculum of schools.
The party would also like to add the teaching of Transcendental Meditation in schools and in prisons nationwide.
To those who might find this eccentric Pardo says, "This is not eccentric, it's just common sense. The way we run government now, when we rehash old programs, spend more money, and the programs still don't work--that's eccentric."
Pardo also urged the public to vote their conscience even though third parties generally have little chance of winning in elections for high offices.
"A vote for a third-party candidate is not a wasted vote. It is worse to vote for the same Republicans and Democrats whose programs continue to fail," said Pardo.
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Panel addresses diversity
Students
share experiences
Laurie Lyda
Panel Calls for more Diversity
The Multicultural Center presented a student diversity panel Oct. 23 in the Plemmons Student Union Multicultural Center.
The panel was composed of minority students and representatives from organizations such as B-GLAD, Appalachian Heritage Council, and the Native American Council.
Myra Garnes, assistant director of African American Student Development, presented the panel with prepared questions. A question and answer session was held for the audience after each topic's presentation.
Topics brought up encompassed a broad range, including Appalachian State University's acceptance level of diversity. Erika Heath, a representative for B-GLAD, said she felt the Appalachian/Boone community is more accepting [than most locales].
One of the main topics of the panel resulted from the question, "How can Appalachian recruit African American students and increase the retention rate of those students?" Suggestions included Appalachian students going into the schools and promoting the university, and creating more financial aid opportunities for minorities.
According to panel member Crystal Alford, somehow things have taken a turn [African American enrollment and retention], many [African American students] have said once they graduate they'll tell African American students not to come here."
This attitude is attributed to many factors, especially Appalachian's lack of an African American Studies program. This lack of a program was also cited as a discouragement for potential African American students.
My feeling is that there isn't an effort on the university's behalf to encourage African American recruitment, said graduate student Lasharion Henderson.
During a different event, Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski stated Appalachian is successfully working to diversify its environment. Borkowski said Appalachian now has students from 37 nations. He added, "Our African American enrollment has dropped, but there is tremendous competition."
This point was also made at the panel discussion by Barbara Stewart, director of African American Student Development. All schools in N.C. are struggling to recruit qualified African American Students, said Stewart.
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Russian program seeks to expand
membership
Beth Bliss
Staff Writer
Students interested in learning a "different" foreign language should consider adding an introductory Russian course to their spring semester schedule.
According to Dr. Grigory Roytman, professor of Russian, Appalachian State University has a student body of approximately 12,000, but he has only 30 to 40 students in his classes each term. He said that this number is simply not enough.
"The root of the Russian word for teacher is Ôto give," Roytman said. "The idea is that I am giving, and I need people who will take [what I give]."
According to Roytman, Russian is not an easy language for Americans to learn because it differs greatly from English. However, he feels that is a student takes one hour each day to "internalize" the language, he or she will have few problems learning Russian.
"There is this fear of Russia [among students] which comes from the era of the Cold War," Roytman said. "This fear is unjustifiable. Students will fall in love with Russian and with Russian culture if they try it."
Roytman said that many career opportunities may stem from a knowledge of the Russian language. This includes opportunities within Russia itself.
"Young people, especially Americans, can easily make a living [in Russia," Roytman said. "There are opportunities in economics and business."
Roytman also said that there is a great demand for English teachers. "Some people will pay a great deal of money to learn English," he said. "Everyone looks up to Americans and wants to speak their language. They need you."
Currently there is no Russian major at Appalachian State; only a minor is available to students. But Roytman said that if more students show an interest in taking Russian courses, a major could be offered in the future.
Roytman has planned a summer trip to Russia, during which students will study at the Pushkin Institute of Russian Language. Students will study Russian four to six times a day, five days a week, and will receive 6 semester hours of credit.
The cost of the trip is $3000, but this fee includes airfare, food and lodging, Roytman said. Currently Roytman anticipates 12-14 students participating in the trip, but welcomes more. "If more students go, [the trip] will be cheaper," he said.
Roytman said that a student should have at least two semesters of instruction in Russian if he or she wants to go on the trip. "However, if a student is good, he or she may still be able to go after only one semester," Roytman said.
Roytman said that he believes college students will feel comfortable and welcome in Russia. "Young people of Russia are completely different than my own generation," he said. "[Students] will find friends and feel comfortable in Russia if they give it a chance."
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Travel
Clinic opens
Students
welcome
Ric Beard
Staff Writer
Health Services at Appalachian State University is now offering a travel clinic for students who plan to study abroad.
Members of the clinic will meet with faculty advisors, classes and individual students (by appointment) to discuss health issues in reference to the "do's and don'ts" of maintaining good health overseas.
The clinic will also provide information about immunizations needed for travel abroad. Clinic employees will administer many of these immunizations. If the clinic does not offer a specific vaccination, it will provide information as to where the traveling student may acquire it.
Clinic employee Laquita Norrington is excited about the program. "We are really looking forward to seeing this [clinic] grow," she said. "It's going to be a vital service to the students."
Students planing to travel abroad are encouraged to find out which immunizations they will need for their trip. Some immunizations which are not required may be strongly recommended for their benefit.
For more information visit the Travel Clinic or call Health Services at 262-3100.
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Fliers popped up all over Boone toward the end of last week prompting some students to wonder who was responsible. Two versions of the fliers were distributed all over campus and along King St. One version, shown to the left was posted in addition to another which reads, "MEN CAN STOP RAPE."
Students can now stop wondering who posted the signs. On Monday, the President of the Campus Chapter of The National Organization for Women, Clancy Nolan, told The Appalachian that the chapter had posted the fliers.
According to Nolan, the Chapter posted fliers to promote the upcoming March and Speak Out Against Rape.
The March will begin at 7 p.m. outside of Cascades Cafe and will end at Whitener Hall where a Speak out will begin at 8 p.m. in room 106. The entire Boone community is invited to both events, said Nolan.
For more information call Dawn Lususky at 262Ð5609.
-Vanessa Urruela, Editor-in-Chief
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The Friends of the Library will hold its annual Halloween Book Sale Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in room 119 of Belk Library. Book prices start at 25 cents.
Friends of the Library members may shop beginning Wednesday at 1 p.m. Memberships will be available at the sale.
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The Appalachian State University Chamber Singers and University Singers conducted by Steve Hopkins will present "An All-American Concert" Friday at 8 p.m. in Broyhill Music Center's Rosen Concert Hall.
The program will include some American choral standards as well as more recent compositions. Some of these selections include "America, The beautiful," Randall Thompson's "Alleluia" and Stephen Foster's "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair."
The concert will also feature three selections by Aaron Copeland -- his arrangement of the hymn tune "Zion's Walls," "Stomp Your Foot," and "The Promise of Living" from his opera "The Tender Land."
The American brand of spirituals will be represented with "Let Me Fly" by Robert De Cormier, "Saints Bound for Heaven," by Alice Parker and Robert Shaw, and "I'm Gonna Sing 'til The Spirit Moves in My Heart" by Moses Hogan.
The concert will begin at 8 p.m. and is open to the public. Admission is free. Call the school of Music at 262-3020 for more information.
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Business and community leaders, professionals, educators and all others interested in issues related to an aging society are invited to attend Appalachian State University's Annual Institute in Applied Gerontology Nov. 7-8 at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center.
This year's institute will offer a non-partisan look at the likely outcomes of the current debate concerning the preservation of Social Security and Medicare. Appalachian's event begins with a reception Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. Registration begins Nov. 8 at 8 a.m. with the first session scheduled for 9 a.m. registration is $80, plus an additional $10 for those requiring education credit.
For more information call Dr. Joyce Lawrence, dean of Graduate Studies and Research at 262-2130 or Dr. ken Peacock, dean of the College of Business at 262-2058.
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Appalachian State university's fall 1996 Visiting Writers series will present novelist Batya Gur Nov. 14 in the Roan Mountain Room of Plemmons Student Union at 7 p.m.
Gur, born in Tel Aviv, Israel in 1947, has captivated readers with her unique writing style. Gur has written both fiction and non-fiction but has received great literary acclaim for her detective novels such as "The Saturday Morning Murder" and "Murder on a Kibbutz."
For more information, call Susan Weinberg weekdays from noon to 5 p.m. at 265-0393 or evenings at 265-0393. Admission is free to the public.
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