Play to be followed by playwright’s comments

Fri Oct 30 2009

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel will speak at Lenoir-Rhyne University on Nov. 12 following the Lenoir-Rhyne Playmakers’ production of her play “How I Learned to Drive.” Her appearance is part of the university’s Visiting Writers Series.

The play will begin at 6 p.m. in the Belk Centrum on campus. It features adult content and strong language. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and non-L-R students. Faculty, staff and Senior Bears may buy one ticket and receive a second ticket free. L-R students are admitted free with a student ID.

Tickets may be purchased at the door or reserved online at www.theatre.lr.edu or by calling 828-328-PLAY. “How I Learned to Drive” will also be presented at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11, 13 and 14; and 2:30 p.m. Nov. 15 in the Belk Centrum.

Members of the Playmakers cast are as follows: L’il Bit, Nichole Godsey of Hickory; Uncle Peck, Brendan Chaney of Southern Pines; Female Greek Chorus, Riza Sapanaro of Mooresville; Male Greek Chorus, Robert Ferguson of Salem, Va.; Teenage Greek Chorus, Katelyn Crawford of Cherryville.

The play is directed by Mia Self, assistant professor of theatre. Crew members are follows: Katelyn Crawford of Cherryville, set design; Dustin Wellman of Statesville, costume design; Rose Goodrich of Hickory, light design; Clay James of Hickory, technical director; Liz Lord of Statesville, stage manager; and Rachel Welty or Arden, assistant stage manager.

Vogel is the Eugene O’Neill Professor and chair of the Department of Playwriting at the Yale School of Drama. She previously served as director of the M.F.A. and Undergraduate Playwriting programs at Brown University, where she was the Adele Kellenberg Seaver Professor in Creative Writing. She also previously taught courses in the Theatre Arts and Women’s Studies program at Cornell University. (more…)

Aspects of Leadership seminar postponed

Fri Oct 30 2009

The Lenoir-Rhyne University Aspects of Leadership seminar featuring Professor Michael Dugan that was originally scheduled for Nov. 4 has been postponed until Dec. 9.

Those who were planning to attend this seminar are encouraged to attend the UNC-TV town hall meeting on Nov. 4 at the Arts and Science Center Auditorium in Hickory. At this televised event, Dugan and other area leaders will discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the Hickory Metro.

Dugan is chair of the LRU Charles M. Snipes School of Business and author of the book “The Furniture Wars: How America Lost a $50 Billion Industry.” The town hall program, called North Carolina Rising, will be broadcast live at 8-9 p.m. over the UNC-TV network. Admission to the town hall meeting is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. To register for this event, or to submit a question, go to www.unctv.org/ncrising/townhalls.html.

The Aspects of Leadership series at LRU will resume on Dec. 2 with a presentation by Richard A. Hibey, a partner in Miller & Chevalier, a legal firm in Washington, D.C. He will discuss “Leadership Responsibility.”

All of the Aspects of Leadership seminars will take place at 6-7 p.m. in the Snipes Lecture Hall, Room 115 Mauney Hall. There is no admission charge, but seating is limited. To reserve your place, contact Leeanne Kale at 828-328-7321.

Mom returns to school after raising her children

Fri Oct 30 2009

“I always knew I was going back to school,” said Barbara Fensterer of Nebo.

But for Fensterer, 50, that dream took a long time to fulfill. She felt her family came first, and so she delayed her education while raising her two daughters and son. They are now 24, 22 and 12 years old.

She first attended Western Piedmont Community College, where she earned an associate’s degree in early childhood education. She is now working part-time as a preschool teacher at First Baptist Church in Morganton.

Fensterer is also completing her education at Lenoir-Rhyne University. She hopes to earn a bachelor’s degree in birth to kindergarten education. After graduation, she may continue as a preschool teacher, or work in the field of early childhood intervention.

She began her coursework at L-R last summer by enrolling in an online religion course, The Christian Perspective, taught by Dr. David Ratke. She was an experienced online learner, having taken several such courses at the community college.

She said she really enjoyed the religion class at L-R, even though it wasn’t what she expected. “The professor was very open-minded. I thought he would be very opinionated,” she said. Instead of trying to influence her opinion, the professor assigned readings on current topics and then led discussions about how Christianity related to them.

She was also very pleased with the technical support she received. “The help line is wonderful,” she said about the 24/7 telephone support service. She called the help line twice during the course, and her problems were resolved within minutes.

This fall, Fensterer is taking classes on Monday nights. She drives to the Hickory campus after she gets off work in Morganton. She was pleased that Lenoir-Rhyne was willing to work with her and accepted quite a few of her community college credits.

She expects to complete 10 Lenoir-Rhyne classes plus student teaching before earning her education degree. She said she plans to take her time and enjoy each class.

Does she regret taking so long to earn her degree? Not a bit, she said proudly. She and her husband decided long ago that their children were a priority. “We didn’t take a lot of vacations while the children were young. But that’s OK. We turned out three good children.”

Deaf student conducts art therapy with deaf clients

Wed Oct 28 2009

Bethany Hickman, a junior at Lenoir-Rhyne University, is participating in an art therapy internship this semester at Broughton Hospital, a state psychiatric hospital in Morganton, N.C.

That isn’t unusual. What is out of the ordinary is that Hickman and the clients she works with are deaf. Hickman, from Marysville, Tenn., uses a sign language interpreter to communicate with most people. At Broughton, she communicates directly with her clients using American Sign Language. Robert Winter, professor of art at Lenoir-Rhyne, is supervising her internship. He said that having a deaf student participate in an internship with deaf clients is a first in his 28 years at Lenoir-Rhyne.

Hickman is majoring in human and community service and minoring in art therapy. After graduation, she plans to earn a master’s degree in counseling with the goal of becoming a school counselor.

She travels to the state hospital twice a week and works with two clients for approximately an hour each time. After each session, she analyzes the clients’ work and meets with her professor. Both of her clients are over the age of 30.

“When I come in, I give them a paper and pencil and a prompt (about what to draw). Then we talk about it,” she said through an interpreter. “Basically, it’s a way they express themselves through drawing. Sometimes art can help a person heal or understand a circumstance or situation.”

Connie King, program director for deaf services at Broughton Hospital, has been supervising Hickman’s work at the hospital. King reports that the patients are very pleased to be working with Hickman. “They love that they can directly communicate and don’t have to use an interpreter,” she said. Broughton has creative arts and recreation therapy but not art therapy.

“It is exciting to watch Bethany work with our patients with this new and creative approach,” King said. (more…)

Agriburbia seminar planned

Wed Oct 28 2009

Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Reese Institute for Conservation of Natural Resources, with the Upper Catawba Valley Conservation Forum, will present a seminar on “Agriburbia and Green Building: Infrastructure for Future Sustainability and Farming” on Nov. 16.

The seminar will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Rhyne Building’s Belk Centrum, located at 628 Seventh Avenue Place, NE. It is free and open to the public. Advance registration is not required.
“Agriburbia” refers to suburban communities where land is set aside for food production. Guest speakers will be Matthew C. “Quint” Redmond and Rob Howard. Redmond’s topic will be “Agriburbia: Building the Infrastructure for the Next Generation of Farming.” Howard will speak on “Green Building and Remodeling.”

Redmond, of Golden, Colo., helped pioneer the concept of Agriburbia through his company, The TSR Group. The firm specializes in digital design and sustainable development management. It is currently working on and managing approximately 10,000 acres of sustainable mixed use development projects, both locally and around the globe. Redmond has a bachelor’s degree in geology from Tulane University. He has also earned master’s degrees in both urban and regional planning and landscape architecture from the University of Colorado.

Howard is a graduate of N.C. State University and the president of Home Energy Solutions Inc. in Hickory, N.C. He served as the construction project manager for Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley from 2001-2008. During that time, he built more than 50 ENERGY STAR certified homes through Advanced Energy’s System Vision program.

He was the general contractor for the first Zero Energy Home in North Carolina, which received gold certification from the N.C. Healthy Built Homes Program. He also built the winning design from the 2006 North Carolina Sustainable Building Design Competition.

He became a Home Energy Rater (or HERS Rater) in 2006 and started Home Energy Solutions to provide energy efficiency and green building consulting for new construction. In 2008 he co-founded the Catawba Valley Green Building Council. He currently serves as president of the Home Builders Association of Hickory-Catawba Valley.

LRU announces plans for new Science Complex

Mon Oct 26 2009

Lenoir-Rhyne University has announced plans for a $25 million Science Complex, which is expected to boost the economy of the Catawba Valley region of North Carolina.

The first phase of the project will be a 35,000 square foot addition to the existing Minges Science Building. The second phase will be a complete renovation of Minges. When completed, the Science Complex will more than double the space devoted to science education, from 33,000 square feet to 68,000 square feet. Construction will begin when Lenoir-Rhyne has completed raising the needed funds.

The Lenoir-Rhyne Board of Trustees has designated the Science Complex as its first construction priority as the university continues to enhance programming that will promote the economic development of the region.

The new facility will enhance the education of L-R students, preparing them for science and health-care careers of the future. It is anticipated that it will bring as many as 100 additional students to campus to pursue these degrees. The construction phase will also provide a much-needed economic stimulus to the region.

“This project is a response to the crucial need for science education in Western North Carolina,” said Dr. Wayne Powell, LRU president. “We see the new science complex as having a significant economic impact on the region, both through its construction and through its ability to prepare more young people in the area for the jobs of the future.”

J. Anthony Rose, Catawba Valley Medical Center president and CEO, said: “We are pleased that Lenoir-Rhyne University is preparing to launch the construction and renovation of its Science Complex. LRU’s healthcare graduates are and will continue to be a benefit to our facility and the patients we serve. We also value the educational opportunities LRU affords our nurses who choose to advance their degrees. Quality higher education graduates are an advantage for CVMC as well as for all area employers.”

Michael R. Blackburn, CEO of Frye Regional Medical Center, said: “Frye Regional Medical Center has a longstanding relationship with Lenoir Rhyne University. Frye serves as a clinical site for more than 150 LRU nursing students every year. These students rotate through each of our major service lines, gaining knowledge and experience in cardiology, oncology, surgical and women’s services.

“LRU is the only BSN program in Hickory. With the expectation of continued growth of nursing jobs in the healthcare sector, Frye values the professional well-rounded BSN graduates that LRU brings into our community. We are excited about LRU’s plans for renovation and expansion of the Minges Science Building. It’s a win-win proposition for Frye and the Hickory metropolitan area.”

The Science Complex will also allow Lenoir-Rhyne to educate more Science Education majors to help meet the growing need for these professionals. There is a shortage of science and math teachers in North Carolina and throughout the country. The Science Complex is designed to promote the latest techniques in science education, including team teaching and learning, and will encourage a growth in undergraduate research. (more…)

Visiting Writer Jeannette Walls to be interviewed by Mike Collins

Mon Oct 26 2009

Visiting Writer Jeannette Walls will be interviewed before a live audience by Mike Collins at 7 p.m. Nov. 5 in the Lenoir-Rhyne University Belk Centrum, located at 628 Seventh Avenue Place NE. This event will be taped for later broadcast on the WFAE radio program “Charlotte Talks.”

Walls’ appearance is co-sponsored by the Lenoir-Rhyne University Visiting Writers Series and the Hickory Public Library. Walls will participate in a book signing from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at Patrick Beaver Memorial Library. Both events are free and open to the public; tickets are not required.

There will be reserved seating for Visiting Writers Series patrons at the interview. All other seating is first-come, first-served. There is limited seating in the Belk Centrum, so those wishing to attend are encouraged to come early.

Members of the public are also invited to hear Walls speak and answer questions at 9:20 a.m. on Nov. 6 in the Belk Centrum.

Walls’ 2005 memoir “A Glass Castle” tells the story of her childhood, which included frequent moves and periods of homelessness. In 1984, she graduated with honors from Barnard College. The book is this year’s Freshmen Read at LRU.

“A Glass Castle” was a bestseller and is now being developed as a film by Paramount. The book sold more than 1.5 million copies and has been translated into 16 languages. It received the Christopher Award, the American Library Association’s Alex Award and the Books for Better Living Award.

Publisher’s Weekly described the book this way: “Walls opens her memoir by describing looking out the window of her taxi, wondering if she’s overdressed for the evening and spotting her mother on the sidewalk, rooting through a Dumpster. (more…)

Freshmen donate school supplies to public school students

Mon Oct 26 2009

Lenoir-Rhyne University freshmen have donated a total of 783 school supply items to the Hickory Public Schools to help students in need.

The university’s 355 freshmen were asked to bring new school supplies with them when they attended Jumpstart, a program for incoming freshmen held during the summer. The donated items included notebooks, packs of construction paper, crayons, erasers, flashcards, folders, notebook paper, backpacks and other needed supplies.

This project was new this school year. It was intended to instill in new students the value of giving to others. The donated school supplies were taken to the Hickory Public Schools, where they will be distributed.

Theta Xi fraternity receives All True Men chapter recognition

Fri Oct 23 2009

The following press release was prepared by Theta Xi Fraternity

Theta Xi Fraternity has announced that its Lenoir-Rhyne University chapter (Kappa Omicron) has been recognized as an All True Men chapter.  The All True Men designation recognizes the demonstrated commitment of the members of a local chapter to live out the Fraternity’s core historic values of leadership, brotherhood, scholarship and service.

In addition, they have made a commitment to embrace a set of expectations that are beyond those of other chapters. In return, the chapter will receive a significantly higher level of support from the Fraternity headquarters that will help to promote the personal development of individual members while increasing the strength of the chapter and its recognition as a home for campus leaders. The Lenoir-Rhyne chapter is the 12th in Theta Xi to be granted this status, the cornerstone program of the Fraternity’s Leadership Initiative.

Started at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY in 1864, Theta Xi Fraternity is one of the nation’s leading leadership fraternities, whose purpose is “to provide a college home environment for its active members in which fellowship and alumni guidance lead to wholesome mental, moral, physical and spiritual growth.”  The Kappa Omicron Chapter at Lenoir-Rhyne was chartered in September of 1950 and has a fine tradition of excellence on campus.  The chapter was originally a part of Kappa Sigma Kappa Fraternity, prior to a merger of the two Fraternities in 1962.  Theta Xi currently has 54 chapters and colonies nationwide.

All True Men is a designation granted to chapters who “commit themselves to being Theta Xi men at a higher, deeper, broader, more effective level, and who are committed to living the core values we affirm in our Oath,” according to Dr. Phil Barrineau, Director of Leadership Development.  They commit themselves to a high level of personal and scholastic accountability, to significant campus and community leadership, and to philanthropic service.

Theta Xi Fraternity is pleased to support and recognize the men of Kappa Omicron Chapter as an All True Men Chapter.  More information about All True Men or about membership in Theta Xi Fraternity may be obtained by contacting Billy Pitman, Chapter President at pitmanw@my.lr.edu.

Solmaz Institute for Obesity established with $3 million gift

Thu Oct 22 2009

Lenoir-Rhyne University has announced the creation of the Solmaz Institute for Obesity, established with a gift of $3 million from Gungor and Diana Solmaz of Denver, N.C.

This donation equals the largest gift ever received by Lenoir-Rhyne in support of an academic program. Previously the university also received an endowment gift of $3 million from Thomas W. Reese to establish the Reese Institute for Conservation of Natural Resources.

The Solmaz Institute for Obesity will work to prevent and treat childhood obesity in the Catawba Valley region of North Carolina. It will also create an internship program for students seeking to become registered dieticians.

“This exciting gift from Gungor and Diana Solmaz allows Lenoir-Rhyne to provide a major wellness service to this community”, said Dr. Wayne Powell, President of Lenoir-Rhyne University.  “Through the postgraduate training in dietetics and the counseling services provided to our children the Solmaz Institute will impact the health and wellness of the next generation.

“When Lenoir-Rhyne moved to university status a little over a year ago, we made a commitment to this community to provide unparalleled services.  The partnership we have engaged with the Solmaz family is making it possible for us to fulfill this vision.”

Gungor Solmaz is a native of Turkey who immigrated to the United States many years ago and became a successful businessman in North Carolina. Now a naturalized U.S. citizen, Solmaz sought a way to contribute to the welfare of his adopted country. He recognized the health risks of childhood obesity and the importance of making expert care available to all families. (more…)