Technology students learn from “real-world” projects
Students
develop a
“real-world
database
system
analysis and
design
project”
“Proud” isn’t the word. It isn’t strong enough.
When Mike Tam began to describe the accomphsh-
ments of the students in his IS 482 class, he was
definitely glowing.
Tam’s course catalog description defines the
course as: Design and Implementation with DBMS
Programming: A course addressing the latter part of
the life cycle of analysis and logical design con
cerned with physical design, programming, testing
and implementation of the system.
His class members had been divided into five
information engineering groups each assigned with
the development of a “real-world database system
analysis and design project.” Three groups were
assigned in-house projects needed by various
Chowan departments; one tackled a medical
organization prototype and the other developed a
tracking system for a Winton, N.C. business.
Working on an Academic Advising System,
Project Manager Ricardo Arias ‘97, IE Specialist
Renee Felts ‘97 and IE Specialist Mike Blake ‘98
first studied the problem by consulting with faculty
members. The group found that the current
advising process included paper mountains of
printed information with no means of instantaneous
reporting. It was time consuming, costly and
inefficient.
Proposing an automated process, designed to
provide faculty and staff members with network
access to student records trom individual offices,
the group utilized the IE (Information Engineering)
Advantage CASE (Computer Assisted Software
Engineering) Tool, which was downloaded from the
Intemet at no cost, to design a system that allows
queries, provides instant report writing and
produces mailing labels.
Tam likes to allow students the opportunity to
investigate problems and leam through experience.
“Our area here is very, very competitive today. If
you only leam the methodology, you really cannot
do too much because most companies do not want
to spend money in training. They expect to see
applicants fully trained.” He gestured across the
Ricardo Arias ‘97 demonstrates the Academic Advising system deveioped for use by
Ctiowan facuity to fellow system engineers Renee Felts '97 and Mike Blake '98. Profes
sor Mike Tam (left) looks on.
table at the project engineers, smiled and said, “like
them.”
Prepared for a position as system analyst or
programmer, Ricardo Arias ‘97, of Costa Rica, feels
ready for the job market. “Since we started [the
project] I’ve been working on my own. I know
the process and I know the drills you have to go
through . . interviews, current report studies and
modifications to the system, etc. I think I’m
qualified now to take on a job that will require me
to create databases because I’ll feel comfortable
with what I know right now,” he explained.
Other class projects included a housing
database system developed by Laurel Campbell
‘98 and Amy Rawls ‘98, a motor vehicle database
system by Steve Greenberg ‘98 and Quentin
La Ware ‘98, a computer equipment tracking
system by Kay Vinson ‘98 and Erica Cherry ‘97
and a patient tracking system by Michelle
Copeland ‘97.
High
achievement
in English
literature and
language
recognized
Sigma Tau Delta chapter installed at Chowan
It was like stepping back in time for John
Davis, professor of English, as he signed the
charter of Sigma Tau Delta as sponsor He recalled
signing another original charter installing the
English honorary society at Alabama’s University
of Montavello as a student.
The special ceremony took place April 3 in
Marks Hall Auditorium. Elaine Hughes, national
president of Sigma Tau Delta and a former
classmate of Davis’ at Montavello, was on hand to
install the new Alpha Zeta Rho chapter. Hughes
carried the original charter from Montavello to the
event, listing both her name and Davis’ as charter
members thirty years ago.
The society recognizes high achievement in
English Uterature and language in undergraduate,
graduate and professional studies, promotes inter
est in the subject and fosters all aspects of English
study, including creative and critical writing.
Sigma Tau Delta publishes The Rectangle, a
literary magazine. The National Newsletter and
Scholars’Essay Series. It awards a $1,000
fellowship in creative writing, presents cash
awards in poetry, critical writing and short story,
conducts international and regional conventions,
and awards annual $1,000 scholarships and several
“Outstanding Chapter” awards of $100 each.
With more than 400 chapters in Canada, Europe
and the U. S., Sigma Tau Delta offers opportuni
ties to join others interested in English language
and literature on the local, regional and interna
tional levels.
Installed during the ceremony were students
Robin E. Adair ‘97, Christy Harrell ‘97,
Kristopher R. Howell ‘98 (elected secretary),
Mark E. Long ‘97, Angela Lowery ‘97, Lewis
Smith ‘98, Barbara Jo Story ‘99 (elected president)
and Alecia Danielle Vesey '99. New faculty
initiates included Richard Gay, associate professor
of English, and Kenneth Wolfskill, professor of
English.
Elaine Hughes (left), national president of Sigma Tau Delta, and John Davis (right),
professor of English, install Chowan's Alpha Zeta Rho chapter during ceremonies in
Marks Hall Auditorium.
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Page 6 — CHOWAN TODAY, June J997