The Lauren Kennedy Barton College and Alan Campbell Theatre Murphy to Manteo ScopeA Magazine for Alumni and Friends of Barton College Issue 250 A Walk on the Wild Side Barton College ScopeA Magazine for Alumni and Friends of Barton College Academic Year 2009/2010 No. 250 Contents 1. A Message from the President 2. Opening Night 5. Murphy to Manteo 7. A Walk on the Wild Side 2 • Opening Night 10. Handle with CARE The new Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre 12. Notes from the Dog House • Barton Announces Addition of Men’s and Women’s Track and Field • Conference Coaches of the Year • Back to Back Regular Season Championships • NCAA DII Men’s Golf National Championships 16. Patrons of the Arts 5 • Murphy to Manteo 18. Barton College Sets The Bar For “Campus Compassion” An Artist’s Scenic Journey 20. Barton News • Barton Students Lead Effort to Help Stop Hunger Now • Service Learning At Barton • Kellie Lewis Receives Statewide Community Impact Student Award • New Trustees On Board At Barton 24. Becoming Masters of Education 26. External Relations 7 • A Walk on the Wild Side 28. Alumni Update An inside look at the Virginia Zoo with alumnus • Alumni Awards • Reflections on My Presidency Lee Strickland 30. Printing “Green” .................................... 31. Alumni Class Notes • Inspiring Futures: Tiffany Tyson • In Rememberance 36. In Service to Barton College Front Cover: The new Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre Back Cover: Homecoming 2010 Scholastic Art Awards Showcase Barton College Award Publisher: Barton College Dr. Norval C. Kneten, president Layden Gellatly, Grade 11, Gold Key Editor: Kathy Daughety, director of public relations North Lenoir High School Production Editor: J. Keith Tew, director of publications Teacher: Paul Rigsby Production Assistant: Harriet Barnes Contributing Writers: Summer Brock, Kathy Daughety, Susan Fecho, Chuck Finklea, John Hackney, Gary Hall, Caroline Hart, Dr. Jane Kolunie, Dr. Norval Kneten, Gerard Lange, and Dr. Phillip Warren Photographer: J. Keith Tew Contributed Photographs: Dr. Jane Kolunie, Zeb Whitehurst, Tiffany Tyson. BARTON SCOPE is published two times a year and distributed free by Barton College located at P.O. Barton College • Box 5000 • Wilson NC 27893-7000 • (252) 399-6300 Box 5000, Wilson, NC 27893. It is designed to provide alumni, parents of students, and other friends with information concerning activities and programs at the College as well as news of alumni. Third-class World Wide Web address - http://www.barton.edu postage paid at Wilson, NC 27893. Pa messageresident from the The year began with fears generated by global economic concerns, concerns that directly affect the families of our students. Despite these concerns, Barton College has done well. No positions or programs were cut, spring enrollment was well above projections, contributions are up, and new student projections look very good. The new Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre opened with the fi rst of two world premieres featured this year in that superb new facility. Even the Bridgestone Americas Atrium of the Theatre has proven to be a major positive addition to the campus. After an initial reception/dinner held in that space, we found it to be so successful as an event venue that we have community organizations vying to use it for their events. This edition of the “Barton Scope” will bring you up to date on what we are doing here at the College. It includes everything from our new master’s program in elementary education to our reestablishing the track and fi eld program. Alumni are featured, as they should be, and we celebrate a record-breaking Homecoming while encouraging you to attend the one that is coming up. We are proud of our faculty, and we are grateful for our trustees and supporters. You will see exactly why when you read this issue. Meanwhile, in the background, the trustees and I are working hard on the newly completed comprehensive campus master plan. We are setting priorities, sharpening details, and establishing strategies for implementation. Stay tuned. New and, yes, exciting announcements are coming from Barton College. Norval Kneten President Barton Scope | 1 Opening Night by Kathy Daughety The campus was abuzz with excitement this past fall as worked faithfully and diligently to prepare the ground and to preparations were fi nalized for the Black Tie Gala held on initiate this project: Jim Hemby, who was president; Chuck Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009. The event celebrated the grand Finklea, who chaired the Centennial Campaign; and K.D. opening of the new Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Kennedy, who chaired the Board of Trustees. Theatre and honored donors who gave $2,500+ toward the “We all know that it was the vision of one man, which has construction of the new teaching and performance facility. culminated in this jewel on the Barton College campus,” On the evening of the Gala, the new 11,000 square-foot continued Dr. Kneten. He [Dr. K.D. Kennedy, Jr.] has facility literally gleamed from the refl ection of a setting sun been the driving force behind it. His matching gifts have on its windowed façade as enthusiastic guests gathered under inspired us to greater efforts, and his attention to detail has blue and white striped cocktail tents along the arts plaza. guaranteed a quality result. These actions are of a pattern Meanwhile, last-minute preparations were completed for the that has long benefi ted the College, which in this evening theatre’s “curtain” to rise on a world premiere packed with expresses its gratitude for this long relationship with this Broadway and regional talent. generous philanthropist. And, in this particular project, his A large white tent extending across the theatre’s green family has joined him in this great philanthropy. We owe lawn was transformed into a formal outdoor dining area. them all a debt of gratitude.” Elegant tables were draped in black linen and sage silk, In an earlier interview, Dr. Kneten shared that the project’s and white lilies, hydrangeas, and roses were illuminated leading donor, Dr. K.D. Kennedy, Jr., a former member and by candlelight. A red-carpet entrance set the tone for the past chair of the Barton College Board of Trustees, created celebratory evening. Guests enjoyed a an incredible surge of support sumptuous dinner followed by a brief for the much needed theatre. program recognizing honored guests. The Kennedy family contributed “Tonight, we dedicate a home for in excess of $1 million, and it theatre here at Barton,” shared Dr. was announced at the Gala that Norval C. Kneten, in his opening total fundraising for the project remarks. “This event, this evening, has exceeded $3.1 million to date. been a fond and deliberate dream for In his introduction of Dr. many years. Conceived in the longing Kennedy, Eric Sellers, Barton for a place appropriate to teach and trustee and chair of the Black Box to perform, separate from a place to Theatre Committee, reminisced, worship and to convene for academic Alan Campbell and Lauren Kennedy “Two years ago in October 2007, convocation. That, we accomplished we kicked off the ‘Think Theatre! and, that, we celebrate tonight. And, let us not forget in our Think Barton!’ campaign. And, in April 2008, I saw a parking celebration the long hours, the long months, and the long lot, and I saw a tree. People like K.D. Kennedy saw a theatre. years that many have labored to bring us to this evening. He saw what it was going to be, not what it was. K.D. is a Long before Susan and I arrived on this campus, much had visionary. He sees what things can be, not what they are. He been done to make this building possible. I take particular does not see any obstacle that cannot be overcome to get pleasure in offering my personal thanks to three people who to where a goal is. If you don’t believe that, just look over 2 | Barton Scope over there and what you will see is a beautiful building. And, you will soon get to experience it with the world premiere this evening.” “We were so lucky that the stars were aligned right to make this come to pass,” remarked Dr. Kennedy. “Each of you has given a seat or more. I had no idea that we would have so many to give seats, and I hope we’ll have more. We have a great group here tonight who really care about this institution. Everything has come together.” “The need for a home for theatre at Barton has long been recognized,” Dr. Kneten said. “Fundraising for the new theatre began prior to 2003, and an extensive study confi rmed that a teaching theatre in the form of the classic ‘black box’ would best serve those needs. Now, through the hard work and dedication of many, we are preparing for our fi rst performance in the Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre. This new theatre will complement the performance assets of the region our theatre program and the students who comprise it,” and will provide new dimensions for the community to he continued. “I look forward to years of innovative, experience theatre and other performance art.” collaborative, and creative energy that will fl ow from the As a teaching facility, the versatility of the Lauren Kennedy new theatre and will be an identifi able element of our and Alan Campbell Theatre is a tremendous recruitment comprehensive Barton experience.” tool, attracting serious theatre students to pursue their “Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy,” headquartered educational goals at Barton College. Non-theatre majors at in Raleigh, also plans to bring their acclaimed summer Barton are also encouraged to experience the excitement of productions to the new Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell the stage and will benefi t from working in a fl exible, black Theatre.