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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.
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