News for the Faculty and Staff of Western Carolina University Carolina Western and Staff of the Faculty for News July 7, 2008

At left, WCU elementary education major Jennifer Wolfe works with Eastern Band of Indian immersion preschoolers. At right, a children’s book about a race between a turtle and a hare, written in Cherokee by WCU language the instructor Tom Belt and illustrated by Eastern Band member Luke Swimmer, is part of a growing body of literature. New Agreement Strengthens Efforts to Revitalize The nine 3- and 4-year-olds in Sharyn Panther’s in multiple projects aimed at language revitalization, preschool class understand how to hold hands, have snacks, including offering Cherokee language classes, developing take naps, go swimming and cross the street all in the curriculum and learning materials for use in the EBCI’s Cherokee language. The youngsters are among the dozens immersion preschool, and training education majors in who participate in the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ the Cherokee language who want to teach immersion language immersion classes. The immersion program, now classes. in its fourth year and run through the tribe’s Kituwah The Cherokee Preservation Foundation has been Preservation and Education Program, includes preschool a primary supporter of Western’s efforts, putting classes for infants through 5-year-olds, and plans are under approximately $640,000 toward its language program. way to establish a kindergarten class. The push to ingrain the Cherokee language in the Continued on Page 7 youngest generation of Eastern Band members reflects a worldwide effort among indigenous groups to revitalize their native tongues, part of a response to growing aware- Cherokee Author Robert Conley Named ness of the thousands of languages at Next Sequoyah Professor at WCU risk of disappearing. Western Caro- lina University recently increased Cherokee scholar Robert its role in this effort by joining a J. Conley, an author with 80 partnership with the EBCI, the books to his credit during a New Scholarship Benefits Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and career spanning 40 years, is the Employees and Their Families Northeastern (Okla.) State Univer- new Sequoyah Distinguished sity. The memorandum of agree- Professor in Cherokee Studies. ment, which Chancellor John Bardo Conley’s appointment to the signed in June, acknowledges the endowed professorship took Cherokee language as “a living, viable language” deserving effect July 1. He will move into of academic attention, and supports seeking “opportunities a multiyear, fixed-term faculty for faculty, staff, students and communities to advance the position held previously by study of the Cherokee language, history and culture.” Thomas Hatley, a scholar of WCU and the Eastern Band have enjoyed a relation- Colonial-era ship for decades, and in 2005 formalized an agreement to appointed to the professorship Robert J. Conley improve educational and economic opportunities. This in 2002. latest agreement will benefit WCU’s Cherokee language “Tom Hatley has served both program, part of the university’s Cherokee studies program. the university and the Cherokee community well, playing a Established two years ago, the language program is involved vital role in developing important partnerships between Continued on Page 7 WCU Group Visits China to Explore Exchange Opportunities A delegation from WCU traveled to for the Economy and the Future, explored “The perception I had of a very closed society China this summer to lay groundwork for opportunities for collaborative student and in communist China, which was colored by an array of new exchange and collaborative faculty research. Petrovich-Mwaniki encour- news reports, was just absolutely shattered,” programs with seven Chinese universities. aged faculty to consider leading three-week said Carter. “Our world is truly interde- “We and our students need to understand summer courses in China, too. pendent, and our students are going to be China and its thriving economy in order to Just one week traveling with the del- cheated if they don’t get a better perspective prepare them to succeed in this increasingly egation in China proved to be a powerful of where Cullowhee, and the global marketplace,” said Lois Petrovich- educational experience for Provost Kyle fit within the global perspec- Mwaniki, director of international programs Carter, who was surprised at the level of tive. The only way to do that is to travel, to and services. “Our delegation’s visit coincided infrastructure, such as the high-speed train in interact and to study different cultures.” with the beginning of a potential boom Shanghai, and the welcoming, proud and –By TERESA KILLIAN in exchange opportunities to China. The entrepreneurial atmosphere in the country. universities we visited were proud of the many relationships they had with overseas universities and wanted to develop more relationships with U.S. institutions.” With Chinese language courses being offered at WCU and a growing number of courses suitable for English-speaking students at Chinese universities, the time is right to expand partnerships, exchange programs and international research collaborations, said Petrovich-Mwaniki. WCU encountered strong interest in exchange programs in which Chinese stu- dents would study at their home institution for two years and at WCU for two years, she said. A number of universities showed interest in having faculty and interns from WCU’s English language education programs teach in China, said Wendy Ford, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Bob McMahan, dean of the Kimmel School of Construction Management and Technology, and Dan Ostergaard, director of the Institute Above: Officials from East China University of Science and Technology in Shanghai greet delegates from WCU. New Scholarship Benefits Employees and Their Families University employees and their spouses scholarships for employees and their families were used at WCU each semester in 2007-08. and children have a new financial incentive with proceeds from the sale of Prudential Life For more information about the scholar- to earn degrees from WCU under a recently Insurance stock. As a Prudential customer, ship, contact Mike Stewart, assistant to approved scholarship program. More than the university received stock when Prudential the chief financial officer, at 227-7321 or $42,000 is available in scholarships this fall reorganized in 2001 from a mutual insurance [email protected]. from the recently endowed Family Scholar- company to a stock company. –By TERESA KILLIAN ship Fund. “The new WCU Family Scholarship Fund Applications for scholarships of up to will make the high-quality education offered $1,000 a semester – $2,000 a year – will at Western more accessible to the staff and be available under the “Forms” section of faculty members who give their time and Applications Due July 14 the faculty and staff Web site located at talents every day to make this university great, for Bardo Scholarship www.wcu.edu/258.asp and will be accepted and more accessible to their families, who through Friday, July 18, in the human re- are also a very important part of the WCU Students entering their first year at West- sources office at 220 H.F. Robinson Building. family,” said Chuck Wooten, vice chancellor ern Carolina University who are children The WCU Family Scholarship Fund was for administration and finance. or grandchildren of WCU employees are designed to generate annual scholarships that For university employees who are seeking eligible for the Deborah J. Bardo Employee will help degree-seeking WCU students who a degree from Western, the scholarships will Scholarship, a renewable $700 merit-based also are university employees or their spouses cover the balance of tuition and fees remain- scholarship. or children. Financial need is not a scholar- ing after the University of North Carolina Applications should be submitted by ship requirement but may be considered system’s employee tuition waiver is applied. Monday, July 14, to Chris Parrish, scholar- by the selection committee in awarding the For the 2008-09 academic year, the employee ship coordinator and senior assistant direc- funds. Recipients will be announced tuition waiver covers $539 for an undergradu- tor of admission, in 102 Camp Building. in August. ate course and $818 for a graduate course. Contact Parrish for applications or more The WCU board of trustees established The waiver does not cover debt service pay- information by phone at 227-7317 or by what would become the Family Scholarship ments and student fees totaling $122 for an e-mail at [email protected]. Fund in 2006 when it voted to create a undergraduate course and $98 for a graduate fund that would generate money for annual course. About 75 employee tuition waivers the 2 Reporter – July 7, 2008 WCU Installs New Siren System

WCU recently installed and tested a combination siren and public address sys- tem, controlled by campus police. Signals from the tower-mounted system will reach across campus and into neighborhoods nearby, said Police Chief Tom Johnson. The system, which cost about $100,000, includes a variety of alert tones, a library of prerecorded messages that can be used to re- spond to natural or manmade emergencies, and a manual override to enable spoken messages from campus police. From left, Jeff Hughes, director of A.K. Hinds University Center, and Keith Corzine, director of residential Once the system is fully in place, the living, welcome Pam Buchanan as the new director of health services. university will provide guidelines for the proper response when the sirens sound, including when to leave an area or when to shelter in place, where to find additional Alumna Pamela Buchanan details on the Web, and other necessary precautions. “This new alarm system is part is New Health Services Director of the university’s commitment to the safety of the campus community. It is the latest WCU’s new director of health services is alumna Pamela M. Buchanan, former director of step in the process of making sure we have planning and operations at WestCare Health System. Sam Miller, vice chancellor for student the safest campus possible,” Johnson said. affairs, said Buchanan has nearly two decades of experience in health care, including serving Three towers that currently hold the as WestCare Health System’s director of planning and operations, chief financial officer and siren/PA loudspeakers are located at the controller. “Her background and her expertise will help us further our mission of providing intersection of Centennial and Central uncomplicated and affordable access to quality health care for all students,” Miller said. drives behind the Graham Building, on In Buchanan’s roles at WestCare, she worked with the emergency department in an effort the edge of the intramural field near the to improve patient wait times and redesign the flow of patient traffic through the clinic area. Ramsey Regional Activity Center, and on She recently also worked on a project to redesign pharmacy processes between the hospital the west side of campus near the entrance to and long-term care center to ensure patient safety and compliance with the standards set by the track/soccer complex. Additional towers regulatory agencies. In addition to managing fiscal accounting functions and patient care areas may be located on the Millennial Initiative including radiation oncology centers, the sports medicine clinic and rehabilitation services, she property as that area is developed, Johnson oversaw implementation of a multimillion dollar hospital information system. said. A series of regularly scheduled siren “I am excited to become a part of the university system and the mission of preparing young tests to be announced will keep the system people to meet the future, as I was prepared in my days here as a student,” said Buchanan. in good working order and get people used “The chance to combine my knowledge gained at WestCare with my enthusiasm for WCU is to responding. a wonderful opportunity.” Buchanan earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration –By LEILA TVEDT in 1991 and her master’s degree in business administration in 1999, both from Western. She currently is a member of the WCU Alumni Association’s board of directors. –By TERESA KILLIAN New Smoking Policy Takes Effect

Carnegie Designation Would Sharpen Smoking is prohibited within 50 feet of buildings on campus under a policy University’s Focus on Engagement implemented July 1. The policy is an effort by the university to accommodate the WCU is seeking official recognition of its national and global) for the mutually benefi- concerns of smokers and nonsmokers alike emphasis on community engagement and cial exchange of knowledge and resources in a while protecting university facilities and its link to engaged teaching, research and context of partnership and reciprocity.” furnishings. The Legislature passed laws in service. Under the leadership of Carol Burton, “The rigorous application process for this 2007 recognizing the health risks of second- assistant vice chancellor for undergraduate designation offers a way for us to conduct an hand smoke and enabling universities to studies, and Gary Jones, associate professor of extensive review of our current efforts, estab- establish smoke-free zones around buildings computer information systems and econom- lish some benchmarks for future goals and on campus. ics in the College of Business, WCU is gain external recognition for our actions in WCU’s executive council approved applying to the Carnegie Foundation for the this area,” said Burton. It also dovetails nicely the new policy Monday, June 30, after a Advancement of Teaching for designation as a with the university’s SACS-approved quality series of campuswide forums and comment Community-Engaged university. enhancement plan and initiatives flagged periods for students, faculty and staff. The Carnegie Foundation defines com- as critical to WCU in the UNC Tomorrow Smoking receptacles will be removed from munity engagement as “the collaboration study, she said. Updates will be available at building entrances and placed beyond the between higher education institutions and www.wcu.edu/engagement. perimeters, and building coordinators will their larger communities (local, regional/state, –By LEILA TVEDT be responsible for signage about smoking policies. the Reporter – July 7, 2008 3 Staff Recognized for Years of Service

Western honored 84 employees at the 35th annual SPA service awards luncheon in June for their combined 1,030 years of service. The banquet honored employees with five, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service and 13 retirees. Chancellor John W. Bardo thanked the honorees for the difference they make every day helping the university operate, from making sure students are safe to distributing mail. “All that you have done and continue to do for Western means a lot to our students and to all of us at the institution,” said Bardo. Since their inception, the annual celebrations have honored a total of 3,101 people for giving 27,448 years of service to WCU.

20 years of service Employees with 20 years of service are, from left, Mark Haskett (Public Relations), Anita Samuel (Registrar’s Office), Alicia Estes (Human Resources), Sandra G. Oldham (Mathematics and Computer Science), Irene Welch (Provost’s Office), Kay Moore (International Programs and Services) and Donna Carpenter (Registrar’s Office).

25 years of service From left, Rebecca Lindsay (Student Support Services), Milton Harris (Facilities Management) and Pam DeGraffenreid (University Book Store) mark 25 years of service. 30 years of service Honorees for 30 years of service are, from left, Carolyn Wiggins (Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office), Lila Buchanan (Advancement and External Affairs Vice Chancellor’s Office), Sharon P. Painter (Registrar’s Office), Lynda G. McNeely (Advising and Student Success) and Bethel McCarter (Residential Living). the 4 Reporter – July 7, 2008 Retirees honored were Patricia Wilson (Facilities Management) and Ellen Gates (Facilities Management) …

University Photographer Wins Support Staff Award Chancellor John W. Bardo presented the 2008 Judy H. Dowell Outstanding Support Staff Award to university photographer Mark Haskett at the SPA service awards luncheon in June. Haskett, who also was honored at the banquet for completing 20 years of service, was selected from a pool of 23 candidates who were nominated by their co-workers. Bardo said Haskett’s co-workers described him as someone who was incredibly dependable and outstandingly loyal to the university, as evidenced by the way he adjusts his schedule to work evenings, weekends or whatever it takes to photograph university events. “He is creating a tremendous photographic history of Western that will last for many years to come,” said Bardo. Haskett joins Bill Studenc, senior director of news services, and Mickey Randolph, professor of psychology, as Western’s nominees for the Governor’s … and Cynthia Noren (Financial Aid) Award for Excellence. and Edna Waldrop (IT Services).

Retirees Not Pictured: Katie Brooks (IT Services), Brenda Buchanan (Facilities Management), Joyce Davis (University Center), Paul Dyer (IT Services), Les Farmer (Facilities Management), Belva Ham (Health and Human Sciences Dean’s Office), Claire Carolyn Marsh (Cooperative Education and Career Services), Brenda Moore (Hunter Library) and Robbie Watson (Facilities Management).

Faculty, Staff Win $450,000 in Grants WCU’s grants office recently announced • University of North Carolina General features of the online WestHealth virtual more than $450,000 in new funding for Administration awarded $134,000 to the health care system used as an educational faculty and staff initiatives. Funded projects emergency medical care program to en- tool by students in the online RN-to-BSN include: hance its online bachelor of science degree program. Barbara St. John, assistant profes- • The Cherokee Preservation Foundation program. sor of nursing, will develop a virtual public awarded $45,747 to Anna Fariello, associ- • University of North Carolina General health department, and Julia Wetmore, ate professor of Hunter Library, to research Administration awarded $7,573 to Carlie assistant professor of nursing, will initiate and document Cherokee baskets and bas- Merritt and Cindy Brown, both assistant and refine a virtual Institute for Evidence- ketmakers during the first part of the 20th professors of applied criminology, for Based Practice. century. The project includes developing a development of a virtual courtroom in • University of North Carolina General printed guidebook. an online world. Students in the criminal Administration awarded $72,008 to Jim • The N.C. Department of Environment and justice program will be able to represent Costa, executive director of Highlands Natural Resources awarded $9,704 to Lau- judges, attorneys, defendants and victims Biological Station, to develop “molecular- ren Bishop, energy manager in the facilities in real-time, virtual courtroom educational ready” capability at the research station. management department, to help purchase experiences created by WCU faculty. • The Santa Aguila Charitable Trust awarded two electric vehicles to be used by staff and • University of North Carolina General Ad- $112,765 to Robert Young, director of as an educational tool about alternative fuel ministration awarded $31,000 to Jonathan the Program for the Study of Developed vehicles. Snover, director of the master’s degree Shorelines, to hire a full-time employee to • The Balsam Mountain Trust awarded program in science and entrepreneurship, serve as the primary point of contact be- $4,540 to Ron Davis, assistant professor of to develop a graduate certificate in science tween the program and the trust, which is 30 years of service natural resources conservation and manage- and technology entrepreneurship that will relocating from Switzerland to Cullowhee, ment, to begin baseline data collection be available online and help students with and to plan and organize all scientific and on wildlife species in Balsam Mountain technical ideas develop and practice the education-related activities for the trust. Preserve. Davis will monitor animal skills necessary to advance or commercial- movement, habitat use and demograph- ize a new product. For more information, contact ics in response to development and land • University of North Carolina General Ad- Wanda G. Ashe, grants manager, at conservation efforts. ministration awarded $38,782 to expand 227-7212 or [email protected]. the Reporter – July 7, 2008 5 Newsfile

• Roseanna Belt, director of the WCU Cherokee Center; Brian Railsback, dean of the Honors College, and two members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Lynne Harlan and Ashleigh Brown, recently presented a workshop at the 21st annual National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education. The session was titled “Before and After the Memorandum of Understanding: A Case Study of Tribal/University Relations,” and centered on the signed agreement, development of a distinguished professorship in Cherokee studies and implementation of a task force dedicated to making the memorandum work. Rebekah Lovedahl, 10, of the Fairview Bluegrass Club, is one of the many young musicians from the • Pat Brown, dean of educational outreach and state’s far western counties who will perform at the Summer Arts Festival on Sunday, July 13. president of Alpha Sigma Lambda, the national honor society for nontraditional adult students, delivered the keynote address at the 50th Summer Arts Festival to Highlight anniversary celebration for Villanova University’s chapter. Talent of State’s Far Western Counties

• David Dorondo, associate professor of history, Western will showcase talented artists and young musicians of the state’s westernmost coun- has been elected as an at-large member to ties at the inaugural Summer Arts Festival, a free event beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 13, the board of the North Carolina Association of at the Fine and Performing Arts Center. “The Summer Arts Festival is an opportunity for us Historians. to fulfill our mission of outreach and cultural enrichment,” said Robert Kehrberg, dean of the College of Fine and Performing Arts, the festival’s sponsor. • Ronald D. Hunter, professor of applied crimi- A reception for an art exhibition titled “Fragile Earth: Reflections on the Environment” nology, was recently honored by the Academy will be from 2-4 p.m. at the Fine Art Museum, with an award ceremony at 3 p.m. The exhibi- of Criminal Justice Sciences after completing a tion is a response by more than 40 artists to the beauty and vulnerability of the environment, one-year term as president of the international said Martin DeWitt, museum director. Working with the Jackson County Arts Council and organization. other area arts organizations, DeWitt solicited entries from artists on the and in Clay, Cherokee, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain and Transylvania counties. • Cheryl Johnston, assistant professor of forensic “The Fragile Earth exhibit features some of the most innovative and creative expression by anthropology, recently led a workshop for artists from throughout our mountain communities,” DeWitt said. The exhibit will be on professional archaeologists at Marshall University display at the museum through Saturday, Aug. 16. Graduate College at the invitation of the Council A concert featuring 10 acts of musicians, all ages 16 or for West Virginia Archaeology. Participants younger and primarily representing the region’s bluegrass and practiced locating, investigating and recovering gospel traditions, will begin at 4 p.m. July 13 in the perfor- remains of deer bones buried in mock grave sites. mance hall. Amanda Dills Stewart of the Fiddling Dills Sisters will emcee the concert, which is general admission seating. • The Journal of Interactive Learning Environments The Jackson County nonprofit organization Catch the Spirit recently published an article by John LeBaron, of Appalachia, which works with youth to sustain the region’s the Jay M. Robinson Distinguished Professor of creative heritage, was instrumental in recruiting musicians, Educational Technologies, and Anna McFadden, said Paul Lormand, the center’s director of performing arts. director of the Coulter Faculty Center, titled “The “The idea of the concert was to provide all the wonderful Brave New World of eLearning: A Department’s young musicians in the area a professional venue to show- Response to Mandated Change.” case their talent,” Lormand said. –By JILL INGRAM • Elizabeth Gillespie McRae, associate professor “Bubble People,” a monoprint of history, has been elected to membership screen print by Charlene Collins in the Historical Society of North Carolina. Haug of Haywood County The society is limited to 75 members, who are elected based on publications, professional reputation and contributions to the state and the historical profession. WCU Earns High Marks for Drinking Water Quality • Brill publishing house recently released the book “Monstrous Fishes and the Mead-Dark Drinking water supplied by WCU’s water plant to the university community met all federal Sea: Whaling in the Medieval North Atlantic” by and state standards and requirements for quality, according to the annual drinking water qual- Vicki Szabo, associate professor of history. ity report for 2008. In addition, the wastewater collection system performed satisfactorily, with no wastewater reaching surface water such as Cullowhee Creek or the Tuckaseigee River. Copies of the reports are available at the Facilities Management office and posted on the Web under “Water Reports” at http://admfin.wcu.edu/plant. For more information, contact Bill Manware, assistant director of facilities operation and maintenance, at 227-7224 or [email protected]. the 6 Reporter – July 7, 2008 Sequoyah Professor Continued from cover Awards for his writing include the Wordcraft Circle “Wordcrafter Western Carolina and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians,” said of the Year” in 1997, and “Writer of the Year” in 1999 for fiction Wendy Ford, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Hatley was for his “War Women.” His “The Cherokee Nation: A History” was instrumental in creating a memorandum of understanding between selected by the American Library Association as an “outstanding tribal and university leaders, an agreement that has led to projects to academic title” for 2005, and his “Cherokee Medicine Man” was a restore once plentiful rivercane (a staple of Cherokee basketmakers) 2007 nominee for the Oklahoma Reads Oklahoma competition. and to expand efforts to develop programs to prevent the loss of the He was inducted into the Oklahoma Professional Writers Hall of Fame Cherokee language, Ford said. in 1996. “We look to Robert Conley to build upon those existing “Making the move to North Carolina is like going home, even partnerships and provide leadership for the continued development of though I was born in Oklahoma, because North Carolina is home education programs, cultural enrichment and research for the benefit to all ,” Conley said. “The first time my wife and I visited of all who are interested in the preservation of Cherokee heritage and North Carolina some years ago, a Cherokee lady said to us, ‘Welcome the future of the people of the Qualla Boundary,” she said. home.’ When it came time for us to leave, neither of us wanted to go.” In addition to Conley’s responsibilities as a teacher and scholar –By BILL STUDENC of Cherokee and Native American studies, he will be instrumental in the development of the new Tsalagi Institute, and will serve as its Grants-In-Action founding director. The institute will focus on the coordination and With funding from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation, WCU’s implementation of future projects involving the university, the Eastern Cherokee language program supports language revitalization by: Band of Cherokee Indians and other Native American constituents. • Offering a first-year Cherokee language online course, beginning An enrolled member of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee this fall, and a Cherokee literature course for spring 2009. • Offering training and other support to students majoring in elementary Indians, Conley has held teaching and administrative positions education who want to teach in immersion classrooms. at numerous institutions, including Northern Illinois University, • Producing Cherokee language books, by Cherokee artists and storytellers Southwest Missouri State University, Eastern Montana College, including Luzene Hill, Kathi and Leroy Littlejohn, Tom Belt, Freeman Bacone College, Morningside College, University of New Mexico Owle and Nannie Taylor, to use in immersion classrooms. and Lenoir-Rhyne College. He was an adjunct faculty member • Providing curriculum content for Cherokee language classrooms with projects in WCU’s Cherokee studies program in 2005. such as the video-recording of Cherokee speakers as they talk about traditional activities, including pottery or basket-making, while engaged in those activities. Cherokee Language Continued from cover

“Language revitalization is an incredible responsibility and the Cherokee Preservation Foundation has really stepped up,” said Hartwell Francis, director of the Cherokee language program. Susan Jenkins, executive director of the Cherokee Preservation Foundation, said the organization’s support is an opportunity for WCU and the Eastern Band to build their capacity for language revitalization. “Language is such a critical element in any Native American community,” said Jenkins, a member of the Choctaw Nation. “We saw that the Eastern Band couldn’t do it alone and Western couldn’t do it alone.” A primary objective of the funding is to Eastern Band member Emma Garrett constructs the bottom of a cane basket. produce certified Cherokee language teachers like Jennifer Wolfe, an EBCI member and each language represents a unique system efforts in another decade, when language WCU senior majoring in elementary educa- of thought. Language, many argue, is the students become parents and perhaps pass tion. Wolfe is an assistant in Panther’s pre- embodiment of culture. Language revitaliza- the language to their own children. In 2005, school class and wants someday to teach an tion is a massive effort requiring student the Cherokee Nation and Northeastern State EBCI immersion kindergarten class. Learning recruitment, teacher training and curriculum accomplished a major achievement with the Cherokee as a second language herself, Wolfe development. “People don’t really have an establishment of a bachelor’s degree in Chero- understands the challenges of teaching new idea of just how immense the undertaking kee education, the only four-year degree in language learners. “I think I’ve progressed is,” said Tom Belt, WCU’s Cherokee language a Native language offered by a public U.S. quite a bit,” said Wolfe, who participated in instructor and an Oklahoma Cherokee. university, Sly said. WCU’s Cherokee language classes and whose Another challenge is the amount of Sharing resources and expertise and grandfather is fluent. time that revitalization takes. Gloria Sly, a identifying new funding sources are primary The decline of Cherokee literacy member of the Cherokee Nation, is direc- goals of the agreement between the EBCI, beginning in the early 20th century is tied tor of that tribe’s Cultural Resource Center WCU, Cherokee Nation and Northeastern. A to – among other factors – federal boarding and helped establish the tribe’s relationship Cherokee dictionary, shared teacher training school education, which discouraged Native with Northeastern State. Sly recalls the day and a “study abroad” experience between the languages; increased mobility; intermarriage; in 2000 when the nation’s principal chief, EBCI and Cherokee Nation are among the and the rise of electronic communications. Chad Smith, invited her to become a part of first projects planned for the new partner- One estimate puts the number of the Eastern the tribe’s language revitalization effort. “He ship. The opportunity to soak up some of the Band’s fluent speakers at 309 of the tribe’s said, ‘Gloria, do you have 20 years to work on Cherokee language knowledge available in 13,400 total members. language initiatives?’” Sly said. The Cherokee Oklahoma excites Wolfe. “It would be to my Proponents say saving endangered lan- Nation will have a better understanding of advantage to go out there and see how they guages is critically important because the success of its language revitalization teach,” she said. –By Jill Ingram

the Reporter – July 7, 2008 7 the

July 7– August 11 Thursday, July 10 Summer Concert Series – Nick Edelstein, funky blues from Atlanta. 7 p.m. UC lawn. Rain location: Club Illusions, UC. (227-7206) Outdoor Summer Fun Series – Beginner-level whitewater rafting course on Nantahala River. Participants should be a minimum age of 8 or weigh 60 pounds. Registration required. $. (227-7397) Sunday, July 13 Summer Arts Festival – Showcase for artists and young musicians of the state’s westernmost counties. Thursday, July 31 Exhibits Reception for “Fragile Earth” art exhibit, 2- 4 p.m. Summer Concert Series – Farpoint, progressive (award ceremony at 3 p.m.) Concert featuring young rock from Sumter, S.C. 7 p.m. UC lawn. Rain location: Fine Art Museum bluegrass and gospel musicians at 4 p.m. FAPAC. Club Illusions, UC. (227-7206) “Fragile Earth: Reflections on the Environment” – (227-2479) Juried competition of new work in a variety of media Outdoor Summer Fun Series – Introduction to the by artists in WNC’s eight westernmost counties and the Sunday, July 13-Friday, July 18 unique challenges of outdoor photography, including Qualla Boundary. Sunday, July 13, through Saturday, Seventh Bienniel Personalist Seminar – natural light, composition, focus and camera modes. Aug. 16. Registration required. $. (227-7397) “Schelling & Emerson: Examining Personalist Options “Worldviews” – Selections from WCU’s permanent in Philosophy,” including exploration of metaphysics, collection. Ongoing. theory of knowledge, ethics and philosophy of religion. Wednesdays through summer WCU campus. $. (227-3940) Fine Art Museum summer hours: Ice Cream social – 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, excluding Thursday, July 17 Ice cream and a variety of school holidays. (http://fapac.wcu.edu or 227-3591) Summer Concert Series – Hope Massive, interna- toppings. $1 sundaes. 1-3 p.m. tional roots music. 7 p.m. UC lawn. Rain location: Club UC lawn. (227-7206) Illusions, UC. (227-7206) Mountain Heritage Center Outdoor Summer Fun Series – Hike with a WCU “Migration of the Scotch-Irish People” – Slideshow botany expert, learn about plant identification and spotlight. July. the Appalachian ecosystem. Registration required. $. AUGUST 2008 “Stream of Life” – Slideshow spotlight, August. (227-7397) Friday, August 1 “A Craftsman’s Legacy” – The furniture of Jesse Bryson Tuesday, July 22 Summer commencement – 7 p.m. RRAC. Stalcup. Gallery B. Through Friday, July 18. (227-7495) Folkmoot USA – A celebration of the world’s cultural “The Artistry of Plain-Style Furniture” – An exhibit of heritage through folk music and dance. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, August 3 furniture handmade in Western North Carolina during FAPAC. $. (452-2997) Broadway Triple Arts Series – Performance by the 1800s and early 1900s. Gallery C. Through Monday, Thursday, July 24 camp participants featuring acting, singing and danc- Dec. 15. Outdoor Summer Fun Series – Introductory canoe ing. 3 p.m., reception to follow. FAPAC. (227-3726) “People of One Fire” – Cherokee pottery. Gallery B. trip down a slow-moving river. Registration required. Monday, Aug. 4-Sunday, Nov. 16. $. (227-7397) Key: $–Admission fee; BB–Belk Building; CAC–Catamount Athletic Center; CAT–Center for Applied Technology; CCB–Cordelia “Migration of the Scotch-Irish People” – Text panels, Summer Concert Series – Catfish Whiskey, rock ’n’ Camp Building; CSC–Catamount Softball Complex; FAPAC–Fine and illustrations, artifacts and murals that trace the Scotch- roll, blues, country, folk. 7 p.m. UC lawn. Rain location: Performing Arts Center; HA–Hoey Auditorium; HFR–H.F. Robinson Irish Appalachian settlers from Ulster to Pennsylvania, Administration Building; HL­–Hunter Library; HS/CF–Hennon Club Illusions, UC. (227-7206) Stadium/Childress Field; MHC–Mountain Heritage Center; NSA– through the Shenandoah Valley, and into Western North Natural Sciences Auditorium; RH–Recital Hall, Coulter Building; Carolina. Gallery A. Permanent exhibit. Friday, July 25-Saturday, July 26 RRAC–Ramsey Regional Activity Center; UC–A.K. Hinds University Outdoor Summer Fun Series – Introduction to Center; WS/BW–Whitmire Stadium/Bob Waters Field. Mountain Heritage Center hours: rock climbing will cover the basics at an indoor wall 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. (227-7129 or and outdoor sites. No prior experience necessary. Submissions: http://www.wcu.edu/mhc) Send news items, calendar notices and address changes Participants must be at least 16 and in good physical to [email protected] or WCU Calendar, 420 condition. Registration required. $. (227-7397) H.F. Robinson Building, Western Carolina University, Hunter Library Cullowhee, NC 28723. Submit items for The Reporter Art education exhibit – Artwork by students in the art Saturday, July 26 calendar at least three weeks prior to the event. education program is on display through July on the Catamount Club Auction – 20th annual main floor. (227-7210) auction to raise money for athletic scholar- “Bartram’s Journey: The 1775 Journey of William ships. Featuring a coaches’ reception at 5:30 Bartram to Western North Carolina” – Exhibit on the p.m., silent auction at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7:30 life and observations of botanist William Bartram is on p.m. and a live auction after dinner. Hickory display through the end of August on the ground floor. Metro Convention Center. $. (227-3047) (227-3398) Tuesday, July 29 Summer Concert Series – Austin “Walkin’ Cane” Charanghat, blues from Cleveland. 7 p.m. UC lawn. Rain location: Club Illusions, UC. (227-7206) Western Carolina University is a University of North Carolina campus and an Equal Opportunity Institution. 1,435 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $602.70, or $.42 each. Office of Public Relations/Publications. July 2008 08-217 Public Relations/Publications. of North$602.70, or $.42 each. Office is a University University Opportunity a cost campus and an Equal at of printed Carolina Carolina Institution.were of this public document 1,435 copies Western