March 25, 1997

Summer reading program instituted
Beth Bliss
Staff Writer

Incoming freshmen will have more to do this summer than prepare for college.

Through the new Summer Readings Program that will be instated during Phase I Orientation, freshmen will have the opportunity to read a book and discuss it with faculty members upon arriving in August for Phase II Orientation.

The Summer Readings Program will not only add something academic to Phase II Orientation, but it will also introduce students to college-level discussions, said Jimmy Smith, Mathematical Sciences Department chairperson and supporter of the program.

"We (want) to provide some sort of common intellectual experience for students as they come into the university," Smith said. "(Appalachian) needs to be an academic community, not just a community of football-goers."

Smith collaborated on the Summer Readings Program with Nancy Spann, director of General Studies.

Smith and Spann presented their plan to several people and organizations on campus to receive feedback and seek support. Once this support was found, a 20-member committee was appointed to work on the program, Smith said.

Students will be given a book at Phase I Orientation and will be asked to participate in the program by reading the book before they return in August. The books will be paid for through Orientation fees that are assessed to every incoming freshman, Spann said.

The book chosen for the inaugural Summer Readings Program is "In The Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez. Published in 1994, the book revolves around "themes of power and oppression, and standing up for one's beliefs no matter the sacrifice," Spann said.

This work will hopefully stretch the intellectual abilities of incoming freshmen and offer them a global perspective, Spann said.

The book was chosen by the Summer Readings Committee which is also in the process of recruiting faculty members to serve as discussion facilitators at Phase II Orientation. Spann said approximately 110 faculty members will be needed.

In addition to discussions facilitated at Phase II Orientation, freshman-level English classes and Freshman Seminar classes could integrate the themes discussed in the book, Spann said.

In addition, both Smith and Spann hope the Summer Readings Program will impact Convocation in the Fall. There is a possibility that Julia Alvarez, author of the book, may serve as Convocation speaker, Spann said.

However, there are some negative opinions about the Summer Readings Program. Jon Winek, Human Development and Psychological Counseling Program coordinator and Faculty Senate member, expressed concern over the loss of leisure time.

As a mental health professional, Winek said the program could be compared to asking a mental health client to "start improving before coming to therapy."

Winek is in favor of students reading. However, he does not support the fact that freshmen will not get credit for doing work over the summer.

"Efforts would be better spent improving the quality of (freshman) education on campus, not prior to (their) arrival," Winek said.

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Thomas Hall named Friday
Darin Glass
Staff Writer

The new academic support building, John E. Thomas Hall, was formally dedicated in a formal ceremony Friday.

Friends, family, faculty and students were on hand to pay tribute to the man who served as Appalachian's fourth chancellor. Thomas was named chancellor in 1979 and retired in 1993.

Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Harvey Durham said, "One of his main interests was his divine and genuine interest in the welfare of Appalachian students."

Thomas paved the way for telecommunications on campus by providing the students with campus-wide cable television and a satellite uplink, which joined the campus with the western North Carolina region and the world.

"Students will come to Thomas Hall not only for instructional purposes, but to be counseled by our admissions and financial aid officers, register for classes, manage their student accounts and secure housing," said Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services Joe Watts about the function of Thomas Hall.

Construction started on the $9 million facility in April, 1995 and opened last fall.

The building stands where faculty houses once stood and where the Thomas family once lived.

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Little and Hagerty tickets win run-off
Chris Kinner
News Editor

SGA Cliff Fitte and running mate Michelle Lawrence were eliminated from contention in election run-offs held last week by only 30 votes.

Winning candidates Fernando Little and Michael Hagerty took part in a final debate last night.

Final elections are today and tomorrow.

Mountaineer Apartments had the least voters participating, with four. Doughton led residence halls with 156 voters participating, while off-campus students accounted for 334 votes. A total of 2,077 votes were cast. Almost 12,000 students are enrolled at Appalachian State University.

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Thomas: an ASU pioneer
Darin Glass
Staff Writer

Does the name John E. Thomas ring a bell to any of you? I am not just talking about the building on Rivers Street either. I am talking about the former chancellor of ASU, who paved the way for what we have now.

Born in Texas, Thomas holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Kansas, a Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri at Kansas City, a Master's in research and development management from Florida State University and a Doctorate in business administration from FSU.

Thomas also worked at NASA for seven years. He was able to work on the Apollo and Gemini programs.

Thomas brought his talents with him to ASU in 1974 as vice chancellor for academic affairs. He became chancellor in 1979 and started to make a major impact on campus.

He was able to bring campus-wide cable, a satellite uplink and a partnership with Southern Bell and AT&T to use the public telephone network to deliver instruction through interactive video.

Isn't that enough?

Thomas was not only interested in developing new technologies for the students, but he was interested in the students.

He wanted to create programs to enhance the students' learning.

Thomas also stretched overseas with exchange programs in China, which were some of the first in the United States. China and many other overseas exchange programs are still ongoing and continuing to grow.

The people of Boone were also very important to Thomas. An Appalachian Summer, the university's cultural festival, was created to bring world-renowned music, theater, sculpture and art to the people of the area.

"I see my job as being the guy who does the downfield blocking for people who want to do things—finding the resources and support. It's fulfilling to be able to see faculty members' dreams come true and know I had a part in making that happen," said Thomas of his involvement at ASU.

Retired as chancellor in 1993, Thomas is still involved with ASU as a part time professor in Walker College of Business.

Despite his many personal accomplishments, Thomas has always wanted the students to excel. His commitment to making ASU better and setting the tone for what is to come is seen every day through the students.

His influence will now stay with us through the John E. Thomas Hall. It is a fitting reminder of how someone can leave a lasting mark.

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Grant provides for early intervention
Amy Foster
Staf Writer

A $17,000 grant from the North Carolina Department of Human Resources was received by Dr. Jane Lieberman and Dr. Angela Losardo, two Appalachian State University professors.

As part of the grant, five communication disorder graduate students were chosen to administer assistance to children and their families for speech, language and communication problems.

Each student will be working with five or six children. They will be working with infants, toddlers and their families to enhance their communication skills to better enjoy everyday activities.

"This grant is very important to assist individuals to communicate together," said Lieberman.

Through early intervention, families can become involved in their children's ability to communicate effectively. Without such intervention, most of the children will continue to have problems communicating.

"The grant pays for the students' tuition for two semesters, a book allowance and part of a critical supervisor's salary," said Lieberman. "We are one of seven programs across the state who were accepted for a grant and hopefully we will be invited to reapply."

This activity is devised by the university's birth to kindergarten program and communication disorders program. The collaborated departments of the birth to kindergarten program are family and consumer science; language, reading and exceptionalities; and curriculum and instruction.

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In the News...

Task force seeks student input

The Task Force on Student Life wants your input.

The task force will hold a forum today at 8 p.m. in the Linville Falls Room of Plemmons Student Union where students can offer input on orientation and ongoing education, campus environment issues, policies and procedures and housing issues.

Students will have two minutes to address the group. Topics must be written down and well thought out. If the topic is a problem, a possible solution must be offered.

Feedback forms are available in the Office of Housing Operations in the John Thomas Student Support Building or at the reception desk of each residence hall. Forms must be complete prior to the meeting.

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"Young Goodman Brown"

The Appalachian State University chapter of Playcrafters, the student theater organization, will present a puppet adaptation of Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown" tonight and Wednesday at 8 p.m. in Valborg Theater.

Described as a puppet show for mature audiences, "Young Goodman Brown" tells the tale of a Puritan who is confronted with the devil and is forced to second-guess all that he once held as true. Puppets for the show were designed and constructed by freshman Lee Randall, who also directs.

Tickets are $2 and can be purchased at the door. For more information, contact the Valborg Theater box office at 262-3063.

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Bluff Mountain Photo Contest

Camera buffs are invited to take part in the Bluff Mountain Defense Coalition's "Bluff Mountain Photo Contest."

Amateur and professional photographers are encouraged to submit photos of Bluff Mountain, the scenic peak along the Appalachian Trail near Hot Springs, for the contest. Photos will be judged in four categories: snapshots, fine art prints (5 inches by 7 inches and larger, preferably mounted), slides and historical photos.

Deadline for submissions is May 20. Winners in each category will receive $50 and have their work displayed at the Bluff Mountain Music Festival on May 31.

Send your entry, along with your name, address, phone number, date and subject of photo and a description of the location to Photo Contest, Bluff Mountain Defense Coalition, P.O. Box 401, Hot Springs, N.C., 28743. For more information, call (704) 656-2517.

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Kernodle named to USTA

Dr. Michael Kernodle, assistant professor of Health, Leisure and Exercise Sciences and former tennis coach at Appalachian State University has been appointed to a two-year term on the United States Tennis Association's sports science committee.

The USTA is the nation's largest tennis organization. It operates the U.S. Open Championship, along with junior and adult tournaments across the country. The sports science committee conducts research on topics such as biomechanics and exercise physiology and established tennis training procedures and policies. Kernodle will serve as the committee's motor learning specialist.

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