Th^ Clarion Wednesday. December 7. 1994 Page 3
Feature
Bob White emphasizes importance of education
by Tatyana Perry
Clarion Staff Writer
With Robert White’s credentials, it
is no surprise that he landed his job here
at Brevard College two years ago as an
instructor of theater arts. White has an
undergraduate degree in English and
theater from Wagner College, a master
of arts and humanities degree from
Dartmouth College, a master of arts in
playwriting and directing from Antioch
University and is a graduate of the
Paideia program hosted by UNC-Chapel
Hill. The Paideia program is a study of
the methods of socratic teaching.
He is still busy now, as a poet,
playwright, instructor, and owner of a
stained-glass studio and plans to get a
terminal degree, MFA or Ph.D in the
future. When asked when he wants to
retire, he replied with a grin, “I don’t
ever want to retire. I’d like to work until
1 can’t anymore and then go away.”
White says that he decided on his
current occupation because he, “wanted
to share with people who were
interested, perhaps, in theater as a
career” He says he enjoys teaching at
Brevard mainly because it is slow-paced,
the classes are small and he feels that he
has very talented students. The thing he
likes best, however, is the close
relationships between faculty and
students.
Robert White, or “Bob” as we
know him, is best known for his sense
of humor. Anyone who has ever had a
class with him, or even just known him
from around school, knows that Bob is
a great teacher. With his philosophy,
“Be yourself, because you’re the only
person who can,” he encourages students
to take pride in themselves and he
enjoys friendly relationships with most
of the students. After speaking to many
students, one comment epitomizes
everyone’s remarks. This student said,
“He makes me feel important, not like
some kid he has to teach.”
The reason “Bob” gets along so
well with students probably has
something to do with what he believes,
he says. “Of all the people in the world
that I can know, I prefer to know young
people. They are so open-minded in
many ways...and they have to run the
world I have to grow old in, so I might
as well understand them.”
Many experiences in White’s life
have helped to shape the man we know
today. One incident he recalls fondly as
the “singlemost important thing I’ve
ever done” is the serious camping trip
he took in 26 states and Northern
Mexico from July 1, 1980, to October
31, 1980. Of those nights, only ten
were actually spent in a building. He
was accompanied on this perilous
journey by his “adopted” son, and White
claims that he did things he never
thought ne could possibly do.
Some experiences, however, are not
so fondly remembered. When he was in
high school, he was involved in a
serious track accident that “totally
by John Roberts
Clarion Asst. Editor
Running a college is not cheap.
The costs of running and maintaining a
college, even a small one like Brevard
College, are incredible. For example,
the average heat and water bill for each
dorm is $30,000 per year. That’s just
heat and water for one building! That
does not include maintenance or any
additional expenses that occur during the
year.
To come to Brevard College
students pay $11,275 in tuition.
There’s 625 students here, so that comes
to over $7 million just from tuition
alone. Whatever is not covered by
tuition is covered through alumni and
through fundraising. But still, the
question is; where does our money go?
Our tuition is divided up many
ways. Our tuition pays for, or helps
pay for: the cafeteria staff, room
maintenance, housekeeping, yearbooks,
off campus activities (PIO trips), our
changed my outlook; every minute is
important because the next one might
not be.” White says that one major
development in his life that helped him
on-campus post office boxes, student
insurance, social activities (bands,
dances, etc.), graduation fees, building
upkeep, the newspaper, other tuitions,
campus security, sports, repairing
student vandalism, and faculty and staff
salaries. Every penny is spent.
Of all the things tuitions help pay
for the most expensive is the payroll.
Brevard College has 150 employees on
the payroll, but as Steve Martin,
Brevard College Vice-President and Dean
for Student Affairs explains, the faculty
is not here to get rich; “The faculty is
not here for the money, they’re here
because they love teaching,” said
Martin.
Of all the money coming in, 14%
is used for scholarships. So really,
students are helping pay for other
students to come to Brevard College.
The money the school gets is reinvested
in the students in one form or another,
so the administration has a problem. If
they raise the tuition more money will
be spent on the students, but fewer
students may come because of the the
price. On the other hand, if they lower
to become who he is now, was “my
realization that education and
intelligence are extremely important to
survival.”
the tuition more students may come but
there will be less money to spend on the
students.
Another part of our tuition goes to
pay for something the students are
responsible for: vandalism. The
College pays an average of $45,000 per
year repairing vandalism. This money
could be used to fix buildings, or start
new programs, but instead it is used to
replace water fountains, bathroom doors,
and furniture. If this destruction did not
take place, there would be a lot more
money to improve things on campus.
It may seem expensive to come to
Brevard College, but really BC is
average among other schools in North
Carolina. Brevard College is second
among two-year private schools m
tuition (there are only 5 two-year private
schools in North Carolina), average for
all private schools in N.C., and in the
middle for tuitions for all North
Carolina schools. Dean Martin explains,
“The tuition at a private school will be
higher because it offers students a better
chance to receive personal attention and
grow academically.”
Brevard College Is lucky to have Robert Allwynn White as an instructor in theater arts; his
talent, combined with his credentials and humanistic approach towards teaching have enriched
the drama program. (Clarion photo by Rahaum Skinner)
Brevard College tuition is average
compared to other N.C. colleges