Judith G. Phoenix volunteers at The Listening Post, located in Plemmons Student Union, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday. Photo by Tommy Penick

by MARY ELIZABETH ROBERTSON
Lifestyles Reporter

In 1979, Mabel F. Barth, communication professor at Auraria Higher Education Center in Denver, Colo., decided to create The Listening Post after she found a need to establish a non-threatening place where conversation could occur without school record.

After the rise of high school student suicides in the 1980s, The Listening Post expanded to serve those in elementary, middle and high school, and is available to students, faculty and administration.

According to listeningpostinc.org, The Listening Post is now offered at colleges, universities, corporations, hospitals and several other public places.

M. “Jinx” Miller is a retired communication instructor from Caldwell Community College, where she taught public speaking and interpersonal communication.

She is now the volunteer coordinator for The Listening Post at Appalachian State University, marked by a small table in front of the Looking Glass Gallery in Plemmons Student Union and an apple-shaped sign that reads, “The Listening Post – a place to talk.”

Sponsored by six local churches and the Presbyterian and Episcopalian Campus Ministries, it is open for business every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

According to the Web site, two adults are trained to sit at the table and listen to anyone who stops by.

“We are adults from the community who really want to listen to our visitors in a non-judgmental and loving environment,” Miller said. “We want our visitors to feel comfortable enough to share [their thoughts and feelings] with no authority figure involved.”

Like Miller, each volunteer asks non-judgmental, clarifying questions but refrains from giving advice, and if a serious issue becomes a topic of discussion, they refer students to counselors and/or administrators.

“We’ve been told to expect to have students who have been troubled,” Miller said. “But so far, the types of conversations we have had [are] about students’ interests and plans for the future, what they are studying and learning.”

Reverend Tommy A. Brown, campus minister for Presbyterian and Episcopalian Campus Ministries, started The Listening Post at Appalachian.

Brown said many students drop by for a cookie and an apple and will sit down and chat.

Ray E. Richardson, a volunteer, said one person spoke of how he backpacked in Peru and got a new puppy as a replacement for his family.

Judith G. Phoenix, also a volunteer, has listened to many student concerns.

“One girl talked about her personal career and projects,” Phoenix said. “She talked about how she sees herself as a professional, what she is applying for and how what she learns in class is [integrated] into real life.”

Photo by Tommy Penick  |  The Appalachian

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Show/Hide comments