The Chanticleer - October 2010

The

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hanticleer

October 2010

THE Student Publication of Averett University

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF David Pone

Four new professors join Averett faculty

by Sierra Young & Morris Rivera, Staff Writers

MANAGING EDITOR Ashley Jackson ADVISOR Dr. Susan Huckstep

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CHANTICLEER NEWS MAGAZINE

AVERETT UNIVERSITY

Staff Writers Morris Rivera Anita Weyer Bobby Allen Roach Tyler Williams Sierra Young

Every fall we bring in new students and often times new faculty. This year had been no different. With the largest freshman class this year, we also welcome four new faculty members.

These new professors come from all over the United States, bringing something new and exciting to Averett.

Dr. Gretchen Cohenour, the new assistant professor of English, received her bachelor of arts degree in English literature from St. Edward’s University, a master of arts degree in English and a master of arts certificate from Texas Tech University, and her doctor of philosophy degree in English from the University of Rhode Island.

She taught at numerous colleges before joining Averett.

“We allowed Dr. Cohenour to teach a class here at Averett before we even hired her,” said Dr. Steven Ausband, vice president for academic affairs. “She did very well showing all the characteristics we were looking for.”

Dr. Patricia Horne joined Averett this year as the new assistant professor for education.

She received her bachelor of science degree in biology from the College of William and Mary, a master of science degree in education from Old Dominion University, and a doctor of philosophy degree in curriculum and instruction from Old Dominion University.

“Horne was picked among many in her field

because of her rooted dynamic as a teacher along with her forward looking abilities,” Ausband said.

Dr. Kati Clark is the new assistant professor of English and French. She received her bachelor of arts degree in English and French from Salem College and her master of arts and doctor of philosophy degrees in comparative literature from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Clark is a very widely educated professor and her abilities show directly through her work.

“Clark has the capacity to intertwine both of her degrees in efforts to challenge the students in the classroom,” said Ausband.

“She also enjoys the kind of small classroom atmosphere that Averett provides”.

Dr. Susan Huckstep joined the Averett faculty this year as assistant professor of communication studies and journalism.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in English/ journalism/communication from Averett, a master’s degree in communication studies from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, and a Ph.D. from Regent University.

She joins longtime English and journalism professor Dr. David Hoffman in revamping Averett’s journalism program to include an emphasis on communication studies.

The Chanticleer News Magazine is an official publication of Averett University.

CNM logos are by Brad Smith and are trademark copyrights of The Chanticleer 199899. Cover design is by Tom Milstead. Page headers are by Leslie Shaip. Graphic layout design by Natalie Preston. All rights reserved.

Duplication without written permission is prohibited. It is published to provide news and information to the students, faculty & staff of Averett University as well to the members of the Danville community. Letters to the editor are encouraged but are subject to editing for taste and grammar. Letters and submitted editorials are the opinion of the individual.

You can submit letters to a staff member, Dr. Huckstep, advisor, in 419 Frith Hall, or e-mail us at cnm@averett.edu. All letters become property of CNM and must be submitted at least one week prior to publication.

The Chanticleer News Magazine is printed by

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Please remember to recycle your copy of The Chanticleer.

On the cover: SGA Officers Emily Crabb, Chris West and Christina Sinnott look forward to serving the Averett community this year.

Photo by Bobby A. Roach

Averettby welcomes record class David Pone, Editor-in-chief worked hard to increase the number of students who chose to attend Averett this year,” Jones said.

“By recruiting with a one-by-one philosophy, we were able to use an interpersonal, high-touch approach to win students, which is something smaller schools like Averett can do well.”

The addition of first-year Campus Guest Coordinator James Thurnes and campus improvements, such as the new community bookstore, Student Success Center and enhancements in residence halls played major roles in winning students and their parents because they look for the campus amenities.

“Often parents will ask how the University will support their children and help them succeed once they are here, and the opening of the new Student Success Center in the near future will demonstrate our commitment to doing that,” Jones said.

Not only are there more students enrolled this year, but they are also better academically prepared students, with the average GPA of those admitted being a 3.06, compared to a 3.01 last year.

Forty-five percent of the new students are in the top Photo by Lesley Villarose

Averett University welcomed its largest class on record this fall 2010 semester, with 331 new students taking courses on the Danville Campus. The number exceeded the University’s goal to bring in 325 new students this year and the previous record of 330.

A new incoming first-time students record was set with 264 and 67 transfers, nine percent of which were international students. Those numbers make the total of full-time and parttime undergraduate students at the Main Campus approximately 840, which is the most in a long time and includes an increase of six percent in retention of last year’s freshman class.

Eight academic majors showed an increase in new students including Aviation, Biological and Physical Science, Computer Science, Education, Physical Education and Sociology/Criminal Justice. Approximately 55 percent of new students indicated interest in participating in athletics compared to the estimated 40 percent of current students who are NCAA athletes.

In order to focus on increasing and managing recruitment and retention efforts, Averett leadership hired Dr. Stuart D. Jones as the new vice president for enrollment management, a position which had been vacant for a number of years. Jones brings an impressive record of success in these two areas at previous colleges. The admissions team immediately initiated new recruitment strategies involving close collaborations with Financial Aid, coaches, faculty and current students in order to individually connect with the most-likely student prospects to enroll.

“Admissions, coaches and Financial Aid

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two academic ability bands compared to 40 percent last year.

The positive trend in enrollment shows signs of continuing. “We held an Averett Scholarship Day for the first time this year where some 60 students were evaluated by faculty, wrote essays and had to meet certain criteria to try to earn more money for college,” said Director of Admissions Joel Nester. “Merit Scholarship money is a big help to students, and we will continue the Averett Scholarship Day in the future.”

Early applications for fall 2011 have already surpassed last year’s at this time by 91 percent.

“We will be contacting approximately 90,000 high school seniors this year in various ways in hopes of receiving about 3,000 applications,” Jones said. “The recruiting process is like a funnel.”

With the goal of getting 1,000 students at the Main Campus by 2014, Jones will be forming a task force this year to make sure all accommodations necessary to hold more students next year are in place.

“We are optimistic about the coming year and have set a goal for 340 new students for the fall 2011 semester,” Jones said. “We want current students to be a part of Averett’s growth by asking them to recruit at least one friend from high school or another college and asking that friend to contact the Admissions office.”

To help Averett’s recruitment efforts, students can have their friends contact the Admissions Office by e-mail at admit@averett.edu or calling (434) 791-6880 for a campus tour.

Big plans and bold vision

by Bobby Allen Roach, Staff Writer

The Student Government Association (SGA) started the school year in a big way with the annual Club Fair in Jordan Commons and Fall Elections.

The Club Fair on August 27 featured organizations such as Pi Kappa Phi, Freedom Alliance, and the Averett Players.

Fall Elections were held in order to increase student representation in the Senate based on the record-breaking jump in enrollment this year and to fill the empty secretary position on the Executive Board.

This year, the newly re-formed SGA plans to bring some exciting changes to the AU campus through open forums and other opportunities where students can voice their vision for what they would like to see Averett University become.

The SGA Formal Committee will be

planning the Spring Dance which has been a great opportunity for students to network and let off steam before exams.

Last year’s Masquerade Ball attracted 200-300 students and was held at the Institute

for Advanced Learning and Research. Christina Sinnott, current Vice President of the SGA, observed “The formal was a feat of mere genius.”

Sinnott said that the SGA received very positive feedback from students after the dance. Also planned is the launching of the new SGA Website.

Emily Crabb, a sophomore, has served as a senator for one year and continues her experience in the SGA as Senior Senator this year. When asked about her feelings toward the SGA, Crabb said “[The] SGA has become a large part of my life.

Because of the SGA, I have found that I love doing administrative work. I have made wonderful friends in the SGA. The SGA has led me to many clubs and positions that I am proud of and that I love being a part of. If not for SGA, I would not love AU as much as I do.”

The past year has been one of revival for the Student Government Association. Having been re-formed from scratch, the current leadership promises to continue to pioneer a stronger sense of community at Averett.

Look out for exciting things to come from the SGA!

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What is there to do in Danville? by Ashley Jackson golf courses, an over eight mile paved walking trail along the Dan River, and several fishing locations along the river. People can also rent kayaks and canoes to travel down the Dan River.

Many students every year like to take day trips to Hyco Lake in Roxboro, NC, just across the line. Averett took a group of students there on Labor Day. The lake has 120 miles of shoreline and covers 3,750 acres.

Martinsville Speedway is home to two NASCAR races a year and VIR holds races throughout the year that feature international drivers as well as Grey’s Anatomy star, Patrick Dempsey, who races in his free time.

VIR has a lot to offer. Drivers race pro and club cars and motorcycles. Racing enthusiasts can even rent a go-kart there and ride around the track themselves. VIR also offers a skeet-shooting range.

Maxwell also mentioned that there are several volunteer opportunities available in Danville. “It looks great on your resume to volunteer,” Maxwell said. Students can volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Club, the Welcome Center, Parks and Recreation, the YMCA, the Running and Fitness Club, or even join the Danville Symphony Orchestra. Also, students can help coach a team or referee games.

For history buffs, the American Armoured Foundation Tank Museum is a popular attraction. It is the most extensive international collection of tank and cavalry artifacts in the world; artifacts that date back to 1509.

During the spring and summer Danville offers a lot of opportunities to months, the Danville Braves are the main stay active. “We have 2,000 recreation programs attraction for baseball lovers. For concert lovers, a year geared toward being active,” Sgrinia said. the Carrington Pavilion in Downtown Danville is One such event is the Danville Half-Marathon, a great place to be entertained by great music from which will be held on November 13. well-known artists.

The fun does not stop there, “We’re right Danville has a plethora of different in the heart of the racing region,” said Rosalee activities and interests. It may be a city with a Maxwell, Danville’s director of tourism. Danville small-town atmosphere, but it is a great place to is surrounded by several local racetracks that hold come to hang out with friends, meet new people, races every week such as South Boston Speedway, and interact with the local community.

ACE Speedway, and Orange County Speedway.

Photo Contributed

Every Averett student has probably said before, “There is nothing to do in Danville.”

Well, that is not necessarily true because there is a reason that Danville is called “The Heart of Southern Virginia.”

Danville is home to several nice restaurants and coffee shops, including two Starbucks locations. There is Buffalo Wild Wings, Ham’s, San Marcos, and the new Kick Back Jack’s which has different events during the week such as karaoke, a hula hoop contest, Live Texas Hold’Em, corn hole tournaments, and pool tables as well.

Danville has more to offer than restaurants, however.

One can go to the mall where there are great shops such as Aeropostale, Pacific Sun Wear, Spencer’s, and the new indoor putt-putt course under black lights. Many students also like to go to the movie theater, the bowling alley, and also the new indoor go-kart track.

“There’s a lot for students to do that’s very inexpensive and close to campus,” said Bill Sgrinia, director of parks, recreation, and tourism for Danville. “Danville has several things of interest to college students.”

Sgrinia mentioned that there are several things to do for the outdoor enthusiast. People can rent a bike downtown and ride on the over 18 mile mountain bike trail at Angler’s Park. Also, there is a skateboard park at Dan Daniel Park, two disc golf courses at Ballou Park, several tennis courts,

Photo Contributed

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Equestrian teams prepare for fall competition

What some of the IDA team members are saying:

Laura Borges: “I think we’re going to do really well this year, we have a strong team with good riders at all levels.”

“Our team stands out because we’re definitely the friendliest with the other teams. We’re competitive but still supportive.”

“I remember my first two dressage shows at Fenridge, I placed first in both shows and that’s when I realized how much I love dressage and that I’m really good at it!”

“Being on the team really helped me realize why I came here, I came to ride and get better at it, and I have been.”

Intercollegiate Dressage Association

The Intercollegiate Dressage Association show on November 13 at the Averett Equestrian Center is an intense dressage competition, designed to give the equine students an

Christina Fiebeck: “I think within our department we are really good at supporting ourselves, but it definitely boosts spirits when other students come out!”

“Our team has a definite advantage because other schools only have equine teams, we have an academic program and our team is riding every day, forcing us to get better, and build our skills and ability”

“I remember my first IDA show, it was at the Averett barn, and I thought I maybe placed in sixth instead I placed first. It was so unexpected, I was already helping clean up the barn!”

“Being on the team gives me something to look forward to, not just going to class and Photo by Anita Weyer

What some of the CT team members are saying:

Alicia Gentile: “I’m really excited about the team this year and hoping for cool shows!”

“My most memorable moment was at my first Horse Trial at Fenridge, I was riding Wilbur in the cross country trail and I just realized how much fun I was having and how lucky I was to be there.”

“The team has given me something to do to keep active, and opened me up to things I wouldn’t have done otherwise.”

Bethany Bradshaw: “Intercollegiate showing/sports has definitely made my experience at Averett a lot more enjoyable because I like being involved and being a part of something. It’s a lot of fun.”

“I wish more students would come out to support the team on show day.”

“My most memorable moment was riding in class and another student fell off her horse four times in one class, it was funny!”

riding at the barn. I really want to go to nationals, and I have a goal. It really puts things into perspective for me.”

Intercollegiate Horse Show Association

Although the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association team does not have any shows scheduled at Averett. This semester they will be showing in the CT show and other shows in the area.

Photo by Anita Weyer

opportunity to gain experience while in college.

This show is only for dressage association members, therefore, the Averett IDA team will be competing against other schools in the region.

Photo by Anita Weyer

Combined Training

The combined training show on October 30 at the Averett Equestrian Center is an exciting competition that combines dressage and show jumping. This competition is designed to prepare students for three-day eventing. Anyone and everyone can ride in this show. The Averett Combined Training (CT) team will also be competing individually for regional qualifications.

Photo by Anita Weyer

by Anita Weyer, Staff Writer

What the IHSA team has to say:

Leslie Lowmaster: “I’m excited for this year, there’s more members, and the team gets to participate in more shows and new locations!”

“The Averett team is definitely the underdog team in our region because this is our first full year competing.”

“My favorite memory is when Stephanie got second place, it was the first time anyone on the team had made a high placement.”

“IHSA has made me aware of the amount and level of competition in this industry. As a transfer and a commuter student being on the team has allowed me to be closer with my fellow students and be a part of a team.”

Kristie Pullen: “We improved so much throughout last year’s season, it will be exciting to see how we excel this year too.”

“I remember my first show on the team the most, because it was my first time participating in an intercollegiate horse show.”

“I like being on the team because it gives me something to strive for other than academics.”

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Intramurals: Something for everyone

by Ashley Jackson, Managing Editor

election to select the officers for the council.

“We want to put activities in the students’ hands,” Tolliver said. “Students can leave a footprint at Averett and build a tradition.”

Other possible future plans are to get the games streamed on YouTube, partner with other universities, and stretching out into the community. “We want to get on a broader scene to get people seeing what positive things we are doing here at Averett,” Tolliver said.

Tolliver believes that Averett intramurals are more than just for entertainment purposes. “We want to achieve having students come together for fellowship,” Tolliver said.

“It is for social development, health education, character development, and entertainment.”

“We try to give students an opportunity to play that do not have experience playing sports. We want people to go outside their comfort zones,” Tolliver said. “It is a chance to show people what kind of person you are.”

Photo by Ashley Jackson

Intramural sports have been around a frisbee, floor hockey, tennis, Texas Hold’Em, and long time at Averett, but “this year is a special bowling. year,” said Rowland Tolliver, director of

Another new aspect to intramurals is the intramurals. “This is the first time we are having fall intramurals, and we are offering more sports this year.”

The intramurals being offered this fall are volleyball, powderpuff football, a quarterback challenge, and 3-on-3 basketball.

The quarterback challenge is a one-day event on October 10 with six rounds and the winner receives a trophy. Volleyball is organized as an eight-week league with the last week being a tournament. The powderpuff football game was also just a one-day event, which was held on October 1.

The powderpuff football game was for women only and was geared to raise awareness for breast cancer. “It’s better to have a cause than toss around a football,” Tolliver Students take part in intramural volleyball in the Old Gym. said.

The list isn’t set in stone yet, but new Intramural Student Council, which students possible spring intramurals are 5-on-5 basketball, can sign-up to be a member of this semester in the indoor soccer, blue-gold softball, ultimate Residence Life office. In the spring, there will be an

Spain through the eyes of a Jamaican

by Tyler Williams, Staff Writer

CHANTICLEER (CNM): What sparked the idea in your mind to take part in study abroad?

JOEL SIMPSON (JS): Around last November is when I began to look into the program. My sister did a study abroad when she was in high school. She went to Belgium for a year and that’s how she learned French. I wanted to discover some different cultures because Jamaican and American culture is very similar so I was looking for something completely different and I wanted to learn Spanish.

CNM: Tell us a little about how you ended up in Salamanca, Spain.

JS: I wanted to go to Barcelona, but I went to Dr. Rebecca Clark and she recommended

Salamanca, Spain. Salamanca has a population of learned Spanish. It’s very important for people about 150,000 people or so, not big but not small. in my major (flight operations) to be bilingual.

I was a little bummed about not going to CNM: What about the food?

Barcelona, but I trusted Dr. Clark and it was JS: The food was really good. great. The majority They eat a lot over there. I put of people there were on like 15 lbs in six weeks. studying and the city They eat five times a day. Their was geared towards biggest meal of the day is lunch, students. It was a very and they eat dinner at 9pm at young city with the night. Breakfast, brunch, lunch majority of population at 1:30 (big meal-3 course), being 25 and under. before dinner you have a meal Simpson stands atop a building in Spain. and then dinner at nine.

CNM: How long did it take you to adjust to this new place?

CNM: Do you miss Spain?

Photo Contributed

Over the summer of 2010, Averett student Joel Simpson took part in the Study Abroad Program.

Simpson studied in Salamanca, Spain. We had a chance to sit down with Simpson and learn about his experience in Spain.

JS: It took me two weeks to adjust. The first week I wanted to go home because I didn’t know anyone. I was in class 8 am-1 pm just studying Spanish. The teacher’s don’t speak any English, just Spanish, so that was tough. It really worked though; if I hadn’t gone there I wouldn’t have

JS: I think about it every day. Even today I miss it. Looking back on pictures I have with friends I met, I have got to go back and want to go back and stay for at least 6 months. I want to go to take more classes but mostly just to be in that atmosphere again.

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New Student Success Center set to open

by Anita Weyer, Staff Writer and designing and implementing individual learning support systems.

The Writing Support Center, led by Alana Adkins, director of writing services, is a free service offered both in person and online. The office aids students, faculty, and staff in all stages of the writing process.

The Academic Support Center, led by Holly Kilby, director of academic support, is

Hours of operation: Mondays and Fridays 8:30 am-5 pm Tuesdays-Thursdays 8:30 am-9 pm Averett’s tutoring center, offering aid in any and all subjects. This office is also a resource used to make up tests, receive study aid and pass that difficult class your advisor made you take!

The Career Services office, headed by Petrina Carter, director of career services, offers aid in deciding career interests and goals, creating and maintaining resumes, portfolios, and cover letters, training in interviews and job etiquette, and finding your place in the world.

Photo by Anita Weyer

The Honors Program, headed up by Dr. William Trakas, professor of history, is a curriculum of advanced study for students wishing to go a little beyond the typical college requirements. For students in the honors program, 20 percent of all course work at Averett must be designated as honors credit.

Aside from the offices that will be coming together to make this place a great resource, there is also a 24-hour camera monitored computer lab, a math lab, a separate 24-hour study area, several individual study/ test taking rooms, and lots of space to work in groups. There is so much room to comfortably work and study, but don’t be mistaken, this isn’t a place to take a nap, even if the furniture is more comfortable than your bed.

The Student Success Center is tentatively scheduled to open in October, however, this is still up in the air as construction is not yet finished. When the center is open the hours of operation for all areas will be Monday 8:30 am-5 pm, Tuesday-Thursday 8:30 am-9 pm, Friday 8:30 am-5 pm, and closed on Saturday and Sunday.

The center should prove to be a great resource for students, and will definitely be a great showpiece for Averett University.

Photo by Anita Weyer

The new Student Success Center at Averett is an all new asset to both students and faculty alike. This location will quickly become one of the most popular places on campus, next to the cafeteria that is.

This place is completely designed with the student in mind. Over half of the center is student space! The center is intended to be an open and inviting place for students to come and work on projects--homework, study for a test, and all of the important work that goes into making the grade.

Not only is there space for students to get all of their school work completed, there is also every resource a student could need to succeed at Averett. The Success Center, located in Bishop Hall, will be the home of the Office of Student Success, the Writing Support Center, the Academic Support center (Tutoring Center), Career Services, and the Honors Office. This will be a great resource for the students to get the help they need while working and an amazing asset for the faculty, whose work is already intertwined.

The Office of Student Success, led by Mary Vanderlinden, assistant dean of student success, is all about supporting students with individual aid in essential learning strategies,

The Center will have a new look inside and out.

A painter puts a new coat onto the walls.

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by David Pone

Along with the new campus bookstore this school year came the option for Averett students to rent textbooks for their classes. These textbook rentals have become a popular choice for many other students around the country as well, since it provides the opportunity to save up to 75 percent compared to buying.

“The rental option here can save Averett students between 45 and 50 percent compared to buying the textbooks,” Bookstore Manager Cari McGregor said. “Renting is especially useful for the textbooks students need for their general education classes, since they are less likely to use them once the classes end.”

Throughout the United States, about 1,500 four-year college and university bookstores offer the ability to rent textbooks, which is 1,000 more than last year. Part of the jump could be attributed to the prices of college textbooks also being on the rise at about 14 percent higher than last year according to Follett Higher Education Group, which manages more than 850 bookstores including the one at Averett.

“I love the idea of being able to rent my textbooks from the bookstore this year rather than spending a bunch of money buying them all,” said Tyler Muench, a junior. “I do not need most of the textbooks I bought once classes are

Photo by Bobby Allen Roach

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Textbook rentals can save students cash over anyways, so renting helps save me a lot of money.”

Aside from an increase in the number of university bookstores supplying rentals increasing in popularity, numerous online book rental companies have shown growth, including Bookrenter.com. Bookrenter claims to have rented out more textbooks in August than during the previous two calendar years put together.

Another top online book rental company, Chegg.com, was created in 2007 and provides more than 4.2 million titles from its catalog to 6,400 college campuses nationally. Chegg also has affiliations with an assortment of publishers and offers books through third parties, dependent on inventory availability.

Each time a student rents from Chegg. com, the company plants a tree. In January 2009, Chegg planted its millionth tree and has planted more than 3 million to date.

For those looking to go green, there are ebooks, which have gained fame lately. Direct Textbook, a leading textbook price comparison site, announced a 50 percent increase in ebook sales over the past year. According to the company, many ebooks can be purchased for 30 percent less than new textbooks.

The newest generation of ebooks came

in 2007 when CaféScribe was launched. Follett Corporation took over the company a year later, which allows students with an account to search, highlight, take notes, cross-reference, sort text, and connect and share notes with others using the same eTextbook.

“CaféScribe is the best of all of the options,” McGregor said. “It is earth-friendly and less expensive for students.”

With the new bookstore answering those who struggle with elevating textbook prices by allowing students to now rent along with the additional alternatives available, it may just be the beginning of things to come. More of what customers want to see are now in the works.

“I was drawn to this job because it is different than most other bookstores, and I am really excited to get this first year under our belts with so many things being done differently,” McGregor said. “We are currently working on setting up some author events in October and maybe open mic times as well.”

More feedback about what students and the community would like to see in the new Averett bookstore are welcome by McGregor and can be provided during focus groups, which will be set up in the future.

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Fall theatre schedule brings laughter and tears

by Morris Rivera, Staff Writer

communities and professional theatres. “Greater There are many opportunities to enjoy Tuna” is a fictional play about a Texas town the arts at Averett. The theatre program, for called Tuna. The play is a satire, full of laughs example, offers many opportunities to students and human vice. “Greater Tuna” portrays from different backgrounds and different cultures.

Jackie Finney heads Averett’s theatre program along with Richard Breen and Penny Sornberger. Every semester, the theatre department presents a handful of plays to its students and asks for their input on which plays to perform. The department selects the plays

based on student response. The fall theatre schedule includes two excellent plays, “Greater Tuna” and “The Shadow Box.”

Averett’s theatre program will present “Greater

November 18-20 Tuna” on October 7, 8 and 9 at 7:30 pm in the Pritchett auditorium. The play has been around for 20 years starting in Austin, Texas. The play was Southern life as being rowdy but also respectful written by three hilarious men by the name of at the same time.

Joe Sears, Jaston Williams and Ed Howard.

Following “Greater Tuna” is the play “Greater Tuna” was the most produced play “The Shadow Box.” “The Shadow Box” will in the United States with schools, colleges,

run November 18, 19 and the 20 and will also be held in Pritchett Auditorium. Written by actor Michael Cristofer, this play was produced in 1977 and it made a major impact on audiences by introducing feelings through performance in theatre. The play revolves around three terminally ill patients who know they are gong to die, but their family and loved ones refuse to believe that fate. Throughout the play each patient is being interviewed about the process of dying. This play is guaranteed to bring tears to the eyes of theatre goers.

Through the production of plays like those mentioned above, the theatre program creates many opportunities for Averett students.

“I get to be a part of a great experience on campus,” said theatre student Katie McDowell.

“I love being a part of that. It is an amazing experience.”

Averett theatre productions are free for students, faculty and staff. The cast and crew urge you to come out and support their fall schedule of plays.

Theatre schedule:

“Greater Tuna” October 7-9

“The Shadow Box”

New grant helps campus go green

by Sierra Young, Staff Writer

Green has become one of the most popular colors around the world. “Going green” is an epidemic. More and more colleges, including Averett, are beginning to attack the green effect by going to every measure possible to promote conservation.

Thanks to a grant from Energy Alliance, Averett is now one step closer to creating a more energy efficient campus. The Energy Alliance grant will provide energy efficient lighting for the Main Campus.

“Averett is on the cutting edge of environmental sustainability and recognizes the importance of preserving our natural resources for future generations,” said Debbie Flinn, Averett’s director of special projects.

“The grant has the capacity to replace every light bulb, fluorescent light fixture, and sodium parking lights with more efficient LED lights and could translate to savings of more than $70,000. Since

the new lighting is expected to last much longer, we shouldn’t need to replace them for the next five years.”

must first determine how much grant money is needed. This research is expected to be completed and the first new lights installed by December.

It should come as no surprise to look around Averett University and notice all the obvious plans in action to further “going green.” The campus has already equipped itself with recycling bins and the student center has motion sensitive lights.

“Becoming more energy conscience is something we have been gradually implementing,” said Emily Cropp, public relations assistant. “This grant will be just the help we need to move forward.”

Averett, along with the efforts of many other schools, is trying its best to keep the environment safe and become more energy efficient for its students, faculty, and staff.

“This grant will be just the help we need to move forward.”

-Emily Cropp

The plan for replacing the lighting will take some time to put into effect. The university

Photo by Kenneth Bond

What is your impression of the new bookstore?

“I feel that the new bookstore is very organized and wellconstructed.”

Angela Dawson Freshman “I like that it’s in its own building now. There are more people to help you find what you need and there are more items, besides books, to buy than last year.”

Kirsten Hudson Sophomore “It’s so much nicer than I thought it would be. It’s not just a room of books. It’s a house of Averett. Even the backyard is a relaxing little patio area that’s really nice. It was just a lot more than I expected--very, very nice.”

Hannah Wetherald Sophomore “The facility is fine, but I wish we would have had a little more customer service in finding particular books for classes.”

Ross Baxter Sophomore

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