www.thedavidsonian.com DAVI D SON COLLEGE WE D NES D AY , FEBRUARY 2, 2011 VOLUME 102, NUMBER 14 President Obama Personally Congratulates Davidson Neuroscience Professor photo by Bill Giduz Professor Ramirez received a Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring. He is pictured here with some of the students he has mentored. ERI C SA W YER received their awards in the Eisenhower how mentors transformed their lives and Staff Writer Executive Office Building. During the cer- helped them to fulfill their potential. emony the awardees gave speeches and also “I certainly couldn’t have gotten to this Dr. Julio Ramirez, Professor of Psychol- heard from the Director and Acting Deputy point in my career without the support and ogy, received a Presidential Award for Ex- Director of the National Science Foundation investment of my mentors over the years,” cellence in Science, Mathematics and Engi- and from Dr. John Holdren, Director of the he continued. neering Mentoring Thursday in Washington, White House Office of Science and Technol- Ramirez’s award recognizes his key role D.C. Ramirez was among only 11 faculty ogy Policy. in Davidson’s neuroscience program. Matt members and four organizations nationwide “The speeches by all three speakers were De Niear ’11, who researches in Dr. Ramir- to receive this year’s award. inspiring and brought many in the audience ez’s lab, remarked that “once you start work- While in Washington, Ramirez and the to tears,” Ramirez said. “They made it clear ing on a project—getting your hands dirty in other awardees spoke with President Obama that mentoring and the education of our stu- the research work—that’s really where the in the Oval Office for 15 minutes about dents in the sciences are central to the future mentoring starts. And then from there on he mentoring and science education. They then success of our country. Each had a story of See Ramirez, page 4 Davidson Takes Part in Nation-Wide Leadership Survey KELLY WILSON It is a really exciting survey and should yield ing humane instincts and disciplined and News Editor a lot of really great information.” creative minds for lives of leadership and photos by Bill Giduz service,” the survey is consistent with the This semester, Davidson is participating “The primary purpose of college’s mission. Above, Davidson students in the Multi-Institutional Study of Leader- Davidson College is to assist The MSL is broken up into six sections: ship (MSL), an in-depth survey about leader- perceptions before enrolling in college, expe- serve the community. ship and extracurriculars. The College hopes students in developing humane riences in college, assessing growth, thinking Recently, the Community that all students will participate. instincts and disciplined and about your yourself, the college climate, and Service Office has changed “The survey will help Davidson assess creative minds for lives of background information. Topics covered in- our leadership culture and refine and enhance clude campus and community involvement, its name to The Center for leadership development offerings going for- leadership and service.” mentors, and one’s experiences working with Civic Engagement ward,” said Chidsey Fellow for Leadership other students. There is also an emphasis on Development Alex MacArthur. “The results Given that Davidson’s Statement of Pur- diversity and inclusion from the perspective Story on page 3 will also allow us to compare ourselves and pose states, “The primary purpose of David- of the broader campus, as well as of the in- our leadership offerings to peer institutions. son College is to assist students in develop- See Leadership, page 4 This year’s Staley Davidson’s Commu- Davidson welcomes Lecture was delivered nity Service Office its newest members by Reverend Sam has now become the to the Hall of Fame. Wells. Wells is Dean Center for Civic En- This year’s inductees of the Chapel at Duke gagement. The change include John Falconi University. Prior to brings about not only ’74, Kerry Keith ’69, becoming Dean, Wells a new name, but also Allison Noznesky was a priest in the a new, more central- Clark ’98, and Jen Church of England. ized model. O’Brien ’00. see NEWS, page 2 see NEWS, page 3 see SPORTS, page 12 2 THE DAVI D SONIAN WE D NES D AY , FEBRUARY 2, 2011 NEWS Wells Delivers Annual Staley Lecture The SGA Scoop FRE D IRVING Staff Writer Local food, student busing, and the up- coming Dinner at Davidson fundraiser were discussed and debated at the Jan. 27th Student Government Association meeting. Dinner at Davidson will benefit The Davidson Trust, which allows students to graduate Davidson debt free. The dinner is the climax of the Da- vidson Trust Awareness Month, a month long celebration of the Trust and its numerous benefits. The budget for Dinner at Davidson received approval, enabling golf carts to be put in service for the event. Tickets ($15 for one or $25 for two) are selling quickly. Five dollar donations will go towards the David- son Trust and a free “Davidson Trusted Me” bracelet, but any amount is acceptable. Tick- et sales and proceeds from the silent auction will also benefit the Trust. A potential letter to Dining Services was presented regarding sustainable food. The letter called for exciting changes including more sustainably produced menu options, as well as seasonal foods like soups produced with local ingredients in the winters. “Sus- tainability is a big part of the college green movement and there is still a lot of room for improvement in that respect,” said Scott Matthews ’13. “ Sustainability is supported photo by Bill Giduz by the student population, and the SGA, representating the student body, acts as their voice.” RAY FRAN C IS with an anecdote from his childhood that of his role as spiritual shepherd. Also discussed at the meeting was the News Editor helped him understand the role of a priest His program came to rely heavily on continuance of student busing to Charlotte in the Church of England. Because his fa- student ministry at Duke, eventually mak- with a renewed focus on special events. The Reverend Sam Wells delivered the an- ther was a priest in the Church of England ing “keeping the heart of the university lis- buses will provide free transport to and from nual Staley Lecture last Monday before an (a road that Wells would eventually follow) tening to the heart of God” his motto. three Charlotte Bobcats games, including a eager crowd assembled in the 900 Room. and because English priests have their of- In addition to student ministry, Wells game versus the Miami Heat, as well as a po- After a brief introductory speech by fices in their homes, Wells was often able wanted to make sure that he was taking an etry slam event. Actual tickets will have to Jonathan Koch `11, Wells began his lecture to observe his father counseling parishio- active role among the student body itself. In be purchased separately. Sign-up sheets are entitled “Places of Encounter: Hanging Out ners. On one occasion, Wells and his sister pursuit of this goal, he has spent the past located beside the PawPrinter on the second Where God Shows Up.” dressed up as Bangladeshi refugees and three years teaching “Ethics in an Unjust floor of the Union. An Englishman, Wells began his lecture entered their father’s office. Wells’ father World” to undergraduate students. The debate over the SGA restructuring dutifully helped them in their “plight,” and In summary of the goal of his ministry at raged on, ending with an almost universal Wells realized later that his father had taken Duke, Wells said that he wanted to submit an agreement that the number of Patterson Court Board of Trustees them “more seriously and more playfully” “ever new appeal to teachers and students to Senators should be reduced and the Diversity Discusses Build- than they had taken themselves. make sure what we think is never just words Coordinating Board numbers should be in- This attitude came to be the goal that and ideas, but that it becomes actions and creased. It was also suggested that represen- ing Plans, Tuition Wells sought to achieve in his own minis- relationships.” tation should solely be based on class year try. He described a conventional pastoral Wells earned a Bachelor’s Degree in and not on organizational affiliation because Increases and Pro- conversation as helping a parishioner un- Divinity from Edinburgh University, a Mas- of potential overlap. The SGA restructuring motes 7 Professors derstand “where God was in their story and ter’s Degree in Modern History from Mer- will profoundly affect how the student body where their story was in God.” ton College, Oxford and a Ph.D. in Chris- is represented. The restructuring will even- When Wells received his appointment tian Ethics from Durham University. Prior tually have to be accepted by the students. BRIAN PAR K as Dean of the Chapel at Duke in 2005, he to his service as Dean of the Chapel, Wells Submit your thoughts to The Davidsonian on Editor-in-Chief ruminated on his role before concluding that was a priest in the Church of England and this critically important issue. he should assist the undergraduate popula- served four parishes. On Monday and Tuesday, the Board of tion (“the heart of the university”) as a part Trustees of Davidson College convened to discuss future plans for the college. One matter of business the Trustees 2010 Honor Council Hearings & Sanctions Summaries discussed was the new resident hall. Plans Receive an F/0% on the assignment Hearing 1 Plea: Not Guilty, both charges for creating at least one new dormitory Recommend consultations regarding proper Charges: Verdict: have been in the works for over a year.