| Summary: | The Reporter is a publication produced by Western Carolina University featuring news, events, and campus community updates for faculty and staff. The publication began in August of 1970 and continues digitally today. Click on the link in the “Related Materials” field to access recent issues. The Reporter News from the Faculty and Staff of Western Carolina University Not just another Jurassic classic October 8,1893 In quotes this week "The [strategic] planning process itself entails imagining that we can actually predict what's going to happen in the coming year; : logically dividing this fantasy into monthly and weekly programs, and then setting a course of action that assumes students, faculty, donors, alumni, and even administrators are always going to behave rationally. Although strategic planning is hot, we should handle it with care." - Linda Holt, Director, Communications and College Relations, Thomas Edison State College, in Currents magazine Time capsule Western monument: It was ten years ago on October 22 that university officials dedicated Joyner Plaza during ceremonies on Homecoming weekend. On the same site, fire had destroyed Joyner Building, then-oldest structure on campus, in January 1981. A National Historic Place, the building had stood since 1913. A lively new course at WCU challenges old notions on dinosaurs James H. Reynolds, I assistant professor of geology, intends to bring dinosaurs to life in a new science course he's teaching this fall. They won't be as lively (we hope) as the monsters in the recent book and movie, Jurassic Park, but as alive as dynamic teaching can make any subject. The "Dinosaur Course," as students call it, is not for the fainthearted: it embraces a hefty array of sciences, like paleontology, geology, botany, chemistry, astronomy, and math. "The vocabulary, coupled with a time frame measured in eons, can leave students feeling overwhelmed," says Reynolds. But not to worry: he has a bag of tricks that even a kid could love. First, the textbook — a reader-friendly, softbound edition — is copyrighted 1994, On the cover is the fierce DeinotiycHuSy a relative of Vetdciraptor, title Jurassic Park villain, whose cleverness helped to dispel the myth that all dinosaurs were stupid. But some like Siegosaurus were not so smart, explains Reynolds, holding a small skull that once housed about a three-ounce brain. This skull and two others, along with an assortment of bones, claws, footprints, and teeth, some thirty made-to- scale dino models, and a graphic-based computer program that Reynolds wrote himself, make up a formidable arsenal of visual cues, springboards to lively discussions. Talking about evolution, Reynolds shows various fossilized teeth, but the show-stopper is a six-inch cont'd inside Cullowhee, North Carolina Educational office personnel will meet at WCU Office workers from several Western North Carolina counties will be on campus Tuesday, October 19, for the annual fall meeting of District I of the North Carolina Association of Educational Office Personnel. Following a morning business session, meeting participants will hear a talk by Dr. Gurney Chambers, dean of education and psychology, at a luncheon in Brown Cafeteria. In addition, Rebecca Olson, director of nursing and health sciences continuing education in the School of Applied Sciences, will present a workshop titled "Women's Health Issues: Not Just for Women Only." Mylie Ramsey, secretary in the Career and Academic Planning (CAP) Center is president of NCAEOFs District I. For more information, call Beverly Lane, local chapter president, at 227-7151. Jurassic cont'd incisor from the redoutable Tyrannosaurus rex. "Think of all the things that you could consider lunch meat with teeth like that," he jokes. Dinosaurs are as much a hobby as a career for Reynolds, whose interest was sparked at age four when he rescued from a box of Trix cereal a toy version of the mammallike reptile Dimetrodon, a toy that's still a cherished member of his collection. Later while doing geological mapping in the American West and while studying as a Fulbright Scholar in Argentina, Reynolds had his dino enthusiasm rekindled. He began teaching a dinosaur course at Vermont's Norwich University, where he spent five years before joining WClTs faculty last winter. "A dinosaur course is a^ great way to attract students to the sciences," he explains. He hopes to return to Argentina, combing its rocks for dinosaurs. "Those rocks are bound to yield some exciting finds," he says, brimming with Indiana Jones-style eagerness. It's the same manner — and hint of adventure, however vicarious — that's packing the seats in the Dinosaur Course. - Jeannie Saunders Contra dance your heart out Internationally known dance caller Fred Park will be on hand for a "contra dance" Friday, October 22, in the Grandroom of the University Center. All members of the university community are invited. Contra dancing is a simple, energetic New England version of American folk dance. The caller teaches each dance before the music starts, and even beginners can participate. The dance, which will begin at 8 p.m., will feature music by the musical group Flatiron. Contra dances traditionally start with the easiest dances, so come early. Admission is free to WCU students and $2 for others. For more information, call Beth Johnson at 227-7206. That was then, this is now Much of what we learned as children about dinosaurs is no longer in vogue in scientific circles, according to Dr. James Reynolds. Here are a few theories changed by fossils unearthed in the last decade. Old theory: Dinosaurs dragged their tails as they walked. New idea: Probably not. There are hundreds of footprints in the fossil record, but few tailprints. Old theory: Cold-blooded reptiles, some dinosaurs lounged for hours in lagoons to support their massive structures. New idea: Sorry, lizard fans. We now think that most dinosaurs were hot-blooded land-lovers. Old theory: Dinosaurs were homebodies, holding mainly to a particular geographic area. New idea: Wrong. Some dinosaurs may have migrated like birds. Duckbills traveled hundreds of miles from Montana to the Arctic Ocean every year in groups of thousands. Old theory: Dinos cared for their young with a "lay-'em and leave^em" attitude. New idea: Maybe not. Now we think some foraged for food while others tended the dino daycare. Old theory: Dinos were slow-moving, slow-thinking Godzilla types. New idea: Wrong picture show. The 90s version shows an agile, intelligent, swift, bird-like creature. "When I see an ostrich, I see a dinosaur," Reynolds says. For dinosaur fans, Dr. Reynolds recommends: The Dinosaur Heresies by Robert Bakker, easy and fascinating. Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs by David Norman. Dinosaurs: A Global View by Stephen A and Sylvia J. Czerkas. Walk to wellness with a new campus club All alone and lonely in your fitness regime? Good news: the WCU wellness program is seeking members of the faculty and staff to join a new "Walking Club." You're eligible to join if you're in a walking program already — or just if you'd like to be. It's a great opportunity to meet other walkers on campus and to stay motivated. The club will offer incentives, alternative walking courses, and informational presentations. For more information, call Yvonne Smith or Chris Trefethen at 227-7108. October 8,1993 • T he Reporter alendar October 10-23, 1993 Sunday, October 10 Men's golf, CATS at Stetson University Intercollegiate tournament. DeBary Golf and Country Club, DeBary, FL. (Began October 9, runs through October 12) Blue Ridge Parkway Mountain Bike Descent $4 WCU students, $8 others. (227-7206) Monday, October 11 Video, The First Power. Second floor lounge, UC. Free. Concert, Mozart Orchestra of Hamburg with David Hickman on trumpet. MRH, 8 p.m. $10 adults, $8 WCU employees and senior citizens, $3 youth and WCU students (LCE). Tuesday, October 12 Video, The First Power. Second floor lounge, UC. Free. Women's tennis, CATS vs. UNCA. Asheville. Wednesday, October 13 Video, The First Power. Second floor lounge, UC. Free. Continental breakfast Faculty lounge, UC, 7:30- 11 a.m. Free. Foreign Film Series, Sophie's Choice (American film selection). NSA, 7 p.m. Thursday, October 14 Video, The First Power. Second floor lounge, UC. Free. Women's tennis, CATS vs. Mars Hill College. Mars Hill. Friday, October 15 Video, The First Power. Second floor lounge, UC. Free. Fall break trip, sea kayaking. Runs through October 19. (227-7206) Fall break trip to Washington, D.C. Runs through October 19. (227-7206) Volleyball, CATS vs. Furman. Greenville, SC, 6:30 p.m. University Club. Riverhouse Restaurant, Cullowhee, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Saturday, October 16 Fall break begins. Runs through October 19. Graduate Management Admission Test NSA, 8 a.m. Men's and women's cross country, CATS at North Carolina Intercollegiate Championship. Cullowhee. Football, CATS vs. East Tennessee State. Johnson City, TN, 1 p.m. Hunter Library hours Fall break Friday, October 15 Saturday-Sunday, October 16-17 Monday, October 18 Tuesday, October 19 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Resume regular hours Exhibits "The 70s" by WCU Alumni. Chelsea Gallery, 8 a.m.-ll p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-ll p.m. Sunday, through October 28. "The 80s* by WCU Alumni. Belk Gallery, 9 a.m.- noon and 1-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and by appointment at 227-7210, through December 10. "Migration of the Scotch-Irish People,* exhibit; "Corn, Milling, Tilling, and Stilling," exhibit and slide show; and "Cornucopia," exhibit of crafts made from corn. Mountain Heritage Center, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. "Dinosaurs of the Late Jurassic," exhibit. Second- floor lobby, Stillwell Building, 6 a.m.-ll p.m., Monday-Friday. (227-7268) Volleyball, CATS vs. Southern Mississippi. Greenville, SC, 1 p.m. Wednesday, October 20 Continental breakfast. Faculty lounge, UC, 7:30- 11 a.m. Free. Classes resume. 8 a.m. Thursday, October 21 Student recitaL MRH, 2 p.m. Volleyball, CATS vs. UT-Chattanooga. Reid Gym. 7 p.m. Friday, October 22 University Club. Riverhouse Restaurant, Cullowhee, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Bullbash '93. RAC, 8 p.m. $8 youth and WCU students, $12 adults. Saturday, October 23 Trip to Underground Atlanta. 8 a.m. $8 students, $15 others. (227-7206) Annual Ironcat Biathlon. (227-7206) National Teachers Examination - Core Battery. NSA, 7:30 a.m. Football, CATS vs. UT-Chattanooga. Chattanooga, TN, 3:30 p.m. Saturday night dance. Cherokee Room, UC, 8 p.m. $1 WCU students, $3 others. Bullbash '93. RAC, 8 p.m. $8 youth and WCU students, $12 adults. Key: HFR - H.F. Robinson Administration Building, MRH - Music Recital Hall; NSA - Natural Sciences Auditorium; UC - University Center. The Reporter • O ctober 8,1993 A T U)CU JNOTES • Norma Cook (Health Sciences) received the "Sherwood Medical Professional Achievement Award for Microbiology" at the annual meeting of the American Society for Medical Technology in Washington, D.C. The award recognizes outstanding accomplishment in professional fields. • Dr. Ed Kesgen (Health, Physical Education, and Recreation) gave two keynote addresses: "Pride and Practice — On Being a Healer," at the annual Southeast Therapeutic Recreation Symposium, and "In Search of Balance," at the annual Activity Therapy Symposium of the Georgia Recreation and Parks Society. He gave other presentations at each symposium as well. Kesgen led outdoor-therapy seminars for hospitals in Asheville; Long Beach, California; Dayton, Ohio; and Richmond, Virginia. He was a member of the panel for a presentation titled "Present and Future Problems and Plans for the Chattooga River," sponsored in Highlands by the Chattooga River Watershed Coalition. • Dr. Sue McPherson, published an article titled "The Influence of Player Experience on Problem Solving During Batting Preparation in Baseball" in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. • Dr. Jim Nicholl (English) is the author of "The First Mexican American Fictional Hero," published as an Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) microfiche document. Locate it with number ED 348 187. • Dr. Otto Spilker (Health, Physical Education, and Recreation) gave presentations in Cary for the American Master Teacher Program, a national certification program for physical educators. Wohlman, Cabe earn yearly honor for disability services Two Western Carolina University employees were honored recently with awards for contributions to the accessibility of the university to students with disabilities. Richard A Wohlman, instructor in the Department of Math and Computer Science, was named "Professor of the Year for Disability Services." Carolyn Cabe, assistant registrar, was named "Employee of the Year for Disability Services." The awards are presented each year by the Office of Student Development to recognize members of the faculty and staff who have endeavored to make their disciplines and services available to all students, including those with physical or learning disabilities. Nominations for the awards were made by a committee of representatives from Student Support Services, the Career and Academic Planning (CAP) Center, Student Development, and the student body. The disability-services award for "Employee of the Year" was given this year for the first time. Previous recipients of the "Professor of the Year" award are Dr. Max Schreiber (Economics and Finance), Kay Turpin (Accounting and Information Systems), Dr. Sandra Oldendorf (Psychology), Dr. Eleanor Prochaska (Math and Computer Science), and Dr. Elizabeth Addison (English). The Reporter is published by the Office of Public Information. Mail notices and changes of a ddress to the Reporter; 1601 Ramsey Center. 1,450 copies of th is public document were printed at a cost of $ 208.15, or $0.14 per copy. Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Institution. The Reporter Office of Public Information Publications Unit 1601 Ramsey Center Cullowhee, North Carolina 28723 Hunter Library (45) NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID CULLOWHEE, N.C. PERMIT NO. 1 Address correction requested The Reporter • O ctober 8,1993
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