November 21, 2005

SACS Liaison: Western is English Professor’s Passion for Animals Making Good Progress Recognized by State Volunteer Award Westernʼs reaccreditation The discovery of five puppies in a trash But the volunteer work takes up most efforts are on target and bin eight years ago sparked the passion for of Adamsʼ free time and can be draining. the university is making animal rescue that grips Mary Adams. “Thereʼs such a need,” she said. “Some good progress toward The young boxers abandoned on a tall placements fall through, and you have to reaffirmation in 2007. pile of debris went home with the associate take them back. Thatʼs always hard.” Thatʼs the word from professor of English and stayed until Whatʼs fulfilling, though, is seeing an Ann Chard, a vice permanent homes could be found. animal go to a good home. president of the Commission “They went very quick,” said Adams. Adams watched a dog make fast friends on Colleges for the Southern Association The puppies with a visiting of Colleges and Schools, after her Monday, were the first of Airedale and Nov. 14, visit to Cullowhee. about 500 cats and convinced the On campus to review the status of dogs that Adams has visitorʼs owner that Westernʼs reaccreditation efforts, Chard fostered and placed the pair should not met with Chancellor John W. Bardo, through the Humane be parted. Provost Kyle R. Carter, the universityʼs Society of Jackson “They just fell in executive council and the combined SACS County, or ARF. love,” said Adams of committees. She also heard from members For her service, the two dogs. “The of the university community at a general she will be one of man went away meeting and reception. five Jackson County without the dog. His The meetings gave Chard, who is volunteers presented wife sent him back.” Westernʼs official SACS liaison, the with the North On part of ARFʼs opportunity to provide feedback on Carolina Award for Web site where Westernʼs review materials and to answer Outstanding families who adopt questions on the review process. Volunteer Service for pets can send With the institutional review on target, 2005 at an upcoming updates, a picture next steps in the review process are in luncheon, said Mary Adams shares a warm and fuzzy moment shows a cat curled place, said Carol Burton, the universityʼs Veronica Nicholas, with Reuben, one of the hundreds of animals up with a stuffed SACS review director. volunteer coordinator she has rescued over the years. bunny. Several “Western is sending 12 institutional for Jackson County. entries below, a representatives to an upcoming SACS The award not only honors her foster Georgia woman wrote about her happiness conference in Atlanta,” Burton said. care of numerous animals but also her adopting a puppy formerly called “The conference will help us refine development of documents from adoption Brunnhilde now nicknamed Bella. strategies for completing our compliance forms to business cards and maintaining Adams often selects names for animals certification, which is due in September ARFʼs Web site. in litters from themes, such as Welsh 2006, and provide guidance for developing The site goes beyond providing basic witches or North Carolina counties. our Quality Enhancement Plan, a key information about ARF, a donor-supported “Otherwise, I usually name them people component of the new review process.” nonprofit organization that rescues cats and names,” Adams said. “I find thatʼs luckier.” Westernʼs SACS review process is a dogs from shelters or abandonment. The ARF volunteer Jean Lewis, who truly united effort, said Burton. “Iʼd like to site greets visitors with photographs and nominated Adams for the award, said in express my appreciation to all involved for quotes from people such as Gandhi, who other types of volunteer work people go their dedication and tremendous support said, “The greatness of a nation and its home after giving some of their time. in this process,” she said. “At the end of moral progress can be judged by the way Adams, though, goes home to her volunteer the day, the review is about improving our its animals are treated.” work. “She has a compassion for animals institution and serving our students.” Adams and her two 16-year-old dogs, that is just phenomenal,” Lewis said. More than 150 members of the a spaniel mix named George and a fluffy ARF sponsors a weekly adoption university community have collectively mystery-mix named Walter, share their show from 1-3 p.m. on Saturdays in the served on committees, drafted standards and home with the steady flow of puppies, Sylva Ingles parking lot. The Web site continued on page 2 kittens and orphaned animals. is www.a-r-f.org. SACS Update continued from page 1 provided information for the review. SACS is the major accrediting body for more than 780 public and private institutions of higher education in the South. Western has been accredited by SACS since 1946; the last accreditation review took place in 1996. The next review will occur in the spring of 2007 when the review team will visit Western upon completion of the self-study process currently under way. For more information, visit the SACS review Web site at www.wcu.edu/SACS .

Friends Take to the Road The Friends of Hunter Library are sponsor- ing a Feb. 4-5, 2006, trip to Atlanta that includes admission to an Andrew Wyeth exhibition at the A NEW DEFINITION FOR HANDS-ON LEARNING – Professional stunt coordinator and High Museum, a concert by the Atlanta Symphony performer Nonalee Davis (left) gets ready to throw a theatrical punch at Claire Eye, assistant Orchestra and hotel accommodations. professor of communication, theatre and dance, during a recent master class on stage combat. The cost of $111.50 per person, based on dou- Davis, who graduated from Western in 1995 with a degree in radio and television, is a stunt coordinator/performer for Universal Studios in Florida, and has worked as stunt coordinator ble occupancy, includes tickets, accommodations and performer in film and television. While at Western through the Visiting Scholars Program, for one night, a full breakfast, all taxes and a $25 she gave a series of workshops for theatre arts students and members of Western’s University tax deductible contribution to the Friends group. Players and Black Theatre Ensemble on basic stage combat, hand-to-hand combat, fight Costs are $109.50 per person for participants choreography and weapons choreography. ages 65 and older, $85 for full-time students, and $99.50 for members of the High Museum. Partici- pants will provide their own transportation to and Mountain Heritage Center Receives Smithsonian Grant from Atlanta. The Mountain Heritage Center has received a grant of $4,565 through the Smithsonian The High Museum ticket in the package is for Community Grant Program to aid in the development of “The Appalachian Garden,” a admission at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, to “Andrew “traveling trunk” that soon will be available to third-grade classes in the region. Wyeth: Meaning and Magic,” the first exhibit to The traveling trunk will tie the history of regional gardens, both Cherokee and be held in the newly expanded High Museum. The exhibit includes 100 rarely seen tempora paintings, European-influenced, with regional biodiversity and emphasize the link between garden- watercolors and drawings. The package also pro- ing and the natural world, said Suzanne McDowell, Mountain Heritage Center curator. vides a ticket to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra The trunk is being developed this fall, and will be available to schools for one-month performance that begins at 8 p.m. on Feb. 4. periods beginning in January 2006. It will contain books, puzzles and other hands-on Participants will stay that Saturday night at the activities for children, McDowell said. Sheraton Colony Square, located in midtown Atlanta The Smithsonian Community Grant Program, funded by the MetLife Founda-tion across the street from Woodruff Arts Center, home of and administered by the Smithsonian Institutionʼs Traveling Exhibition Service, is used the Atlanta Symphony and the High Museum. to strengthen the connections between museums and their communities. The grants allow The deadline to register is Tuesday, Nov. 29. exhibitors to enhance program offerings or to create new programs suited to the topic of For more information, call the library at (828) 227- the SITES exhibition they are hosting. The Mountain Heritage Centerʼs traveling trunk 7307 or click on the Web at www.wcu.edu/library. project supplements “Vanishing Pollinators,” a SITES exhibit that is on display at the museum through Friday, Nov. 4. For more information or to reserve “The Appalachian Garden” traveling trunk, contact McDowell at the Mountain Heritage Center at (828) 227-7129. Gordon E. Mercer, professor of political science Annual Holiday Concert Moves to FAPAC Dec. 4 and public affairs and director of Westernʼs Public Policy Institute, has been elected president of Pi Westernʼs department of music will a succession of performances by varied Gamma Mu international honor society. present its annual Prism Concert at 3 p.m. ensembles staged in different locations Founded in 1924, Pi Gamma Mu provides social Sunday, Dec. 4, in the performance hall of the throughout the hall,” said Shannon Thompson, sciences students of high academic standing with a Fine and Performing Arts Center. assistant professor of music. setting in which to engage in intellectually stimulating This yearʼs concert will feature Christmas “This yearʼs concert, which is staged for activities. The society works to nurture top studentsʼ and holiday music with a variety of musical the first time in the performance hall of commitment to excellence, strengthen their efforts arrangements, from traditional to modern. Westernʼs new Fine and Performing Arts to resist conformity, teach them to assume the Performances will be presented by many Center, promises to be an especially exciting responsibilities of leadership, and help them develop university music ensembles, including the event since the new venue greatly expands the wisdom necessary for sound judgment. WCU Concert Choir, Wind Ensemble, Jazz the possibilities for staging the ensembles,” A paper by F. Brad Wardlaw, former assistant Band, Faculty Woodwind Quintet, Smoky said Thompson. professor of health and human performance, and Rey Mountain Brass Quintet, and other university Admission for the Dec. 4 concert is $10 Treviño, assistant professor of health and human musicians and ensembles. for adults and $5 for senior citizens and performance, titled “Service Learning in Therapeutic The “prism” style performance, which has students. Children 4 and under are admitted Recreation” will be published in Expanding Horizons become a yuletide favorite at Western, goes free. Proceeds from the event go to the music in Therapeutic Recreation (Vol. XXII) in March far beyond the traditional concert format. departmentʼs scholarship fund. 2006. Wardlaw and Treviño presented the paper at the “Westernʼs department of music presents For more information or to reserve tickets, 34th Midwest Symposium on Therapeutic Recreation its holiday concert every year as a prism call (828) 227-7242. and Adapted Physical Activity in Springfield, Ill., concert, a continuous program that features earlier this year.

November 21, 2005 • The Reporter • page 2 Nov. 21– Dec. 4, 2005

Sunday, Dec. 4 MondayNovember, Nov. 21 – December Thursday, Dec. 1 Arti-Facts—No admission charge, but Native American History Month—“Healing Learning for Fun—“Internet Tips and Tricks.” reservations required. 2:30 p.m. MHC. the Soul Wounds,” Patty Grant Long, clinical $. 9 a.m. UOC. (227-7397 or 800-928-4968) (227-7129) social worker, Cherokee mental health and Free art classes—for young children, substance abuse program. 6 p.m. 104 Killian. PRISM concert—holiday show featuring taught by elementary art methods students. (227-2276) student ensembles and music faculty members. 9:15 a.m., painting; 9:45 a.m., drawing. $. 3 p.m. Performance Hall, FAPAC. Concert—Woodwind Ensembles. 8 p.m. RH. Parents/caregivers must accompany children. (227-7242) (227-7242) Reservations required. 150 FAPAC. (227-3598 or [email protected]) Concert—Inspirational Choir. 6 p.m. RH. Tuesday, Nov. 22 (227-7242) Catamount basketball—vs. Atlanta Christian. Meeting—Faculty Senate planning team. $. 7 p.m. RRAC. (227-7338) Noon. Mary Will Mitchell Room, Brown Cafeteria. (227-3966) Fine Art Museum, FAPAC Wednesday, Nov. 23–Sunday, Nov. 27 Thanksgiving holiday. No classes. World War II Roundtable—“Downfall” Through December 9: (“Der Untergang”), film in German with Fall 2005 Student Art Exhibition Monday, Nov. 28 English subtitles about Hitlerʼs final days. featuring artwork in all mediums. Brown Bag Lunch—“Regional and National Seating limited to 30. 5 p.m. 201 McKee. Atrium Gallery, FAPAC. (227-3591) River Restoration and Enhancement,” (227-3908) Through December 16: American Whitewater presentation. Noon. Films That Matter—“Day for Night” • Worldviews. Selections from Western Multipurpose Room B, UC. (227-3462) (Francois Truffaut, 1973). 6 p.m. 130 FAPAC. Carolina Universityʼs art collection Artist-in-Residence—Dike Blair, Rhode (227-2324) • Contemporary Native American Art • Joel Philip Myers: Studio Glass Island School of Design / Painting Program. Old-time Music and Bluegrass Jam—local 4 p.m. 223 FAPAC. (227-3597) • Strange Beauty. Showcasing art musicians share tunes and techniques. 7 p.m. alumni works. Catamount basketball—vs. Toccoa Falls. MHC. (227-7129) • Emma Johnson Allison Art Awards $. 7 p.m. RRAC. (227-7338) Holiday Spectacular—“Riders in the Sky.” 1978–2005 Grammy Award–winning music of the Tuesday, Nov. 29 Fine Art Museum hours: Closed on American West. $. 7:30 p.m. Performance Hall, Mondays and university holidays. Free art classes—for young children, taught FAPAC. (227-2479) by elementary art methods students. 9:15 a.m., (227-3591 or http://fapac.wcu.edu) clay shaping; 9:45 a.m., reductive sculpture. Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3 Mountain Heritage Center Parents/caregivers must accompany children. Holiday Gallery A: “Migration of the Scotch-Irish Reservations required. 150 FAPAC. (227-3598 celebration— People” (permanent exhibition). Includes or [email protected]) Madrigal text panels, illustrations, artifacts and Open meeting—Microgrant Committee. Dinner. $. vibrant murals that trace the Scotch- 2–3:30 p.m. 240 Hunter. (227-7196) 6:30 p.m. Irish Appalachian settlers from Ulster to Workshop—“Make a Basket,” offered by Art Grandroom, Pennsylvania, the Shenandoah Valley, and Educators Club. Reservations required. $. UC. (227-7206 into Western North Carolina. 8 p.m. 150 FAPAC. (227-3598 or or 227-7242) Gallery C: “After the War: Conflict and [email protected]) Domestic Change in the North Carolina Mountains.” Portrays how wars and Catamount Concert Series—Faculty Friday, Dec. 2 their aftermath have shaped the lives of Woodwind Quintet. 8 p.m. RH. (227-7242) Meeting—Board of Trustees quarterly meeting. people and communities in Western North Carolina. Through May 2007. Wednesday, Nov. 30 9:30 a.m. 510 HFR. (227-7100) Mountain Heritage Center hours: Recital—music students. 4 p.m. RH. Concert—Western Carolina Civic Orchestra. 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Friday. (227-7129 (227-7242) 8 p.m. RH. (227-7242) or www.wcu.edu/mhc) Catamount basketball—vs. Montreat. $. Saturday, Dec. 3 ______7 p.m. RRAC. (227-7338) Lady Catamount basketball—vs. UNC Slideshow Spotlight. MHC Asheville. $. 4:30 p.m. RRAC. (227-7338) For November and December: Catamount basketball—vs. UNC Asheville. $. “Mountain Trout” tells the 10,000-year-old 7 p.m. RRAC. (227-7338) story of people, trout and flowing water in the Southern Appalachians.

Key: $–Admission fee; BB–Belk Building; CAC–Catamount Athletic Center; CAT–Center for Applied Submissions: Send news items and calendar notices to Technology; FAPAC–Find and Performing Arts Center; HA–Hoey Auditorium; HFR–H.F. Robinson WCU Calendar, 1601 Ramsey Center, Western Carolina Administration Building; HS/CF–Hennon Stadium/Childress Field; MHC–Mountain Heritage Center; NSA– University, Cullowhee, NC 28723 or e-mail to: Natural Sciences Auditorium; RH–Recital Hall, Coulter Building; RRAC–Ramsey Regional Activity Center; [email protected]. Submit items for the univer- UC–A.K. Hinds University Center; UOC–University Outreach Center; WS/BW–Whitmire Stadium/Bob sityʼs online calendar at least one week prior to the event.

November 21, 2005 • The Reporter • page 3 NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE t h e PAID CULLOWHEE NC PERMIT NO 1 Office of Public Relations Publications Department 1601 Ramsey Center Cullowhee NC 28723

Cowboy Singers Riding into Town for Dec. 1 Concert at Fine Arts Center

The inaugural season at the Fine and Performing Arts Center will In 1999, the group won its fi rst Grammy Award for “Woodyʼs Roundup continue Thursday, Dec. 1, with “Riders in the Sky: A Holiday Featuring Riders in the Sky,” a “companion album” for the Spectacular,” a concert of Grammy Award-winning music soundtrack to the movie “Toy Story 2.” Two years later, of the American West. the group won another Grammy Award for the album The concert, part of the centerʼs 2005-06 “Monsters Inc. – Scream Factory Favorites,” Subscription Series, will take place at 7:30 p.m. which was based on the movie “Monsters Inc.” Since 1977, Riders in the Sky have given more Both movies were computer-animated Disney/ than 5,000 performances, made 290 national Pixar productions. television appearances, appeared on more The group also composed the original score than 200 public radio shows, and performed for the Academy Award-winning computer- about 700 times at the Grand Oleʼ Opry. animated short “For the Birds,” starred in its The groupʼs music is grounded in the own Saturday morning childrenʼs television traditions of American cowboy singers, series for CBS and TNN, and appeared such as Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. regularly on the television program “Austin “The moment Americaʼs favorite cowboy City Limits.” singing group steps up to the microphone The performance is sponsored by the magic begins, allowing listeners to leave The Mountaineer Publishing Company. behind the frenzied pace of todayʼs living For information about performances, call the and lose themselves in the romantic, comical box offi ce at (828) 227-2479. For more information and whimsical world of the singing cowboy,” said about exhibits, call the gallery offi ce at (828) 227-3591. Paul Lormand, performance director for the Fine and For more information about the Fine and Performing Performing Arts Center. Arts Center,Center, visit the WebWeb site at http://fapac.wcu.edu/.

The Reporter is published by the Offi ce of Public Relations. Mail faculty/staff notes, events, notices, and changes of address to: The Reporter, 1601 Ramsey Center, or send them via e-mail to: [email protected]. Western Carolina University is a University of North Carolina campus and an Equal Opportunity Institution.

November 21, 2005 • The Reporter • page 4