EDITORIAL OPINION
Current Issues
Thank You, Chowan
By HARRY PICKETT
1979-80 SMOKE SIGNALS Editor
This, the last edition of the 1979-80 Sm^e Signals has finally
rolled off the presses. And for me, the editor, in many regards it’s
a relief. However, it is also very saddening.
Yes, this is the last Chowan College Smoke Signals that Harry
Pickett will ever edit. The constant running and nosing around for
news, and the demanding pressures of deadlines are finally over -
but definitely not forgotten.
I will always treasure my two years of school here at Chowan.
Without much doubt in my mind, the years have strengthened and
matured me not only mentally, but spiritually as well. Chowan
College has taught me to become self-reliant and has been a
spring board in my becoming aware of life’s successes and ad
versities.
As editor, and being a disseminator of news for the campus
community. I’ve inevitably grown closer to what the college
stands for. I realized an obligation and a responsibility to inform
members of the college of events which would significantly affect
each and every one.
I’m aware that Harry Pickett would not win any popularity
contest for his stand on certain issues during the past year; but
they were issues he thought were newsworthy and dserved to be
printed and disseminated. The job of an editor is not an easy one,
and it shouldn’t be. One has to be “thick-skinned” and not suc
cumb to heartless attacks which he may encounter. He has to
standtall and fearless, holding his head high and being certain
that the decidions he has made are not questionable in his mind,
but are definitely the right ones.
I owe Chowan for the opportunity of being one of the editors in a
long line to edit the student newspaper. For me, I look at this
selection as a distinction, and I thank everyone on the
Publications and Scholarship Committees for the chance to do
what I consider a service to my college.
This opportunity is a “steeping stone” in my future career in
joumalism-communications. When I applied for the job there was
never a doubt in my mind that I could create an interest in the
student paper. After four years of journalism, where I have been
an associate editor on my high school newspaper, a sports
stringer for a daily, a sports writer for a weekly and a full-time
reporter last summer for a weekly paper, I feel I have created
that interest.
During my tenure there were many supportive individuals
whom I shall never forget. Their help has proven invaluable as I
evaluate my years as associate editor and editor. They were there
when I needed them, and were never reluctant to go out of their
way to aid me in my times of desperation.
Dean R. Clayton Lewis has been a big advocate of Smoke
Signals and has been an inspiration when I needed it most. When
the paper was “hard up” for news. Dean Lewis always had a
scoop of of some kind to pull us out of the “fire”.
And I can’t say enough for Phil Royce, director of college
relations. Mr. Royce, from the first day we met, has been one of
my best friends. His encouragements have meant more than he
will ever know. Mr. Royce went out of his way to help me get a
$1,000 grant as a writer in the office of Sports Information at
Appalachian State University, and a job on the student
newspaper, The Appalachian, this fall.
Others I would like to pay gratitude include Mr. Herman
Gatewood, chairman of the Department of Graphic Com
munications; Mrs. Marianne Jackson, Smoke Signals co-advisor;
Edited, printed and published
by students at Chowan College
tor students, faculty and staff of
CHOWAN COLLEGE.
Harry Pickett — Editor
Belinda Elmore — Associate Editor
Dean Lowman — News Editor
Greg Bassett
Jane Bridgeforth
Kathy Fisher
Janet Herzing
J. P. Leong
NEWS STAFF
Menford Grisewould Penelope Jones
Nancy Keen Barbara Parker
'helly Jankosky
PHOTO STAFF
Randy Murphy
Nancy Thierry
Bill Williamson
Coach James Garrison, director of athletics; Mr. Roy Winslow,
associate dean of students; Mr. Jerry Smith, head basketball
coach; Mrs. Elizabeth Parker, public relations secretary; and Dr.
R. Hargus Taylor, chaplain to the college.
Most of all, I would like to express special gratitude to one Mr.
James Burnside Graham, professor of newswriting, and my
advisor. I don’t think any one person has inspired or influenced
me more than Mr. Graham has in two years. I have learned so
much from this veteran newsman that words could not fully
describe. Without a doubt, I will miss this man dearly next year,
but the memories shall always linger as good ones.
Thanks, Mr. Graham.
This writing is one of the 100 items I have written since
becoming a ^owanian in 1978. Some have said verbally that
Harry Pickett does not deserve the $600 scholarship grant he has
for being editor or the $400 he received as a freshman associate
editor. Now, that smarts. After the completion of two years, no
other associate editor- turned-editor of Smoke Signals ever wrote
as many as 30 news items. How much did they deserve?
Again, I enjoyed the times I had to share with you, and I hope
you enjoyed Smoke Signals as much as we enjoyed the work it
took to produce it. Next year there will be a new editor, and I hope
he or she will enjoy serving you to the best of his or her ability.
You deserve it.
Chowan College...thank you.
The Year in Retrospect
This being the last issue of Smoke Signals for the 1979-80 school
year, it is time to reflect on the accomplishments of the
newspaper and its staff. This has been an unusually active and
controversial year and Smoke Signals has been right on top of the
stories that Chowan students want to know about. Smoke Signals
has acted as a vehicle for student expression through the pro
vocative student forum and various campus question columns.
Chowan’s newspaper has not only done its job of informing the
student body, it has also well served its purpose as a place where
future journalists can learn the foundations of good newspaper
reporting.
Smoke Signals owes much of its success to editor Harry Pickett.
In his two years at Chowan, Pickett has written over 100 stories
ranging from thorough sports coverage to sensitive SGA repor
ting. Even the most controversial issues have been reported by
Harry in an effort to let the students know accurately what was
going on and then allow them to decide how they felt about the
things happening.
No one has been as dedicated to the Smoke Signals as Harry
Pickett and few have spent as many hours seeing to its prepara
tion. He is a good reporter and writer who will no doubt go on to a
successful career in journalism. His presence, knowledge and
leadership will be greatly missed.
The 1980-81 staff will also miss the other sophomores who have
contributed much to Smoke Signals. This year’s staff was
unusually able and talented and hours of hard work will be miss
ed.
Kathy Fisher has written many interesting stories for the paper
this year and her column “Bite the Bullet” has entertained and in
formed many. Kathy has also done much of the behind-the-scene
work in preparing each issue.
Dean Lowman has covered several stories this year ranging
from men’s basketball to the panty raid. A Pre-journalism major,
Dean has freely worked for Smoke Signals despite his many other
campus obligations.
Barbara Parker, a true inspiration to the newspaper staff, will
not only be missed for the fine stories she contributed, but for her
warm personality and fine sense of humor.
Jane Bridgforth and Shelly Jankosky, two fine contributors will
also be missed by next year’s staff.
These six sophomores, along with the Smoke Signals’ advisors,
James B. Graham and Marianne Jackson, deserve a salute from
the student body for their excellent work over the past school
year. Each issue of Smoke Signals is a result of their unselfish
dedication and hard work. Good luck to all of them.
-GREG BASSETT
Students Reminded They Need ID
To Get Chowanoka
By BELINDA ELMORE
Students must present an ID card to
receive their copies of the
CHOWANOKA, the college yearbook.
Almost every year, a large number of
students do not have ID cards and are
required to go to the Business Office
and pay $3 for a duplicate. To avoid
this, the college urges each student to
“HOLD ON TO HIS ID card!”, and
avoid the delay and expense of another
card.
According to Mr. Sutton, business
manager, there are over 40 students
now on campus who do not have an ID
card. These students are requested by
him to obtain a duplicate as soon as
possible.
As Bad As It Seems,
It Could Be Worse!
By DEAN LOWMAN
The political primaries are now half
complete and early projections indicate
projections indicate landslide victoriesl
for Ronald Reagan and President
Jimmy Carter as they seek their
respective party’s nominations.
Hopefuls such as Dole, Connally, and
Crane found out that you can’t make
someone like you. John Anderson is
talking about possibly seeking an In
dependent nomination while Jerry
Brown is seeking something on a higher
plane of consciousness (or maybe a
couple of Linda Ronstadt concert
tickets).
George Bush is the stereotypical
politician as he goes from town to town
befuddling many with b.s. while ap
parently baffling the rich kids with a
small amount of brilliance.
Regan (the old folks remember this
weinkled skin when he was a famous
actor) is obviously the only choice left
for Republican voters. Maybe they feel
that if he is elected, quality westerns
will reappear on the silver screen. Or is
it that they love their grandfather.
til lafaou Ife^iututico to iia K>
Edward Kennedy remains in the race
for the Democratic nomination by
virtue of name alone. It is a shame
however that honorable Americans like
Bobby and John are brought to mind
with the mention of Chappaquiddick
and ego-trip.
Inevitable, we arrive at the current
leader — our very own peanut farmer
on the hill — Jimmy C. Here we have a
man toasted by Billy, roasted by
Carson, raised by Lillian, amazed by
Arabians, inflated by the economy and
created by the Lord. A man who
complains about a do-nothing Congress
while taking swift and direct action to
protect our fellow Americans in foreign
arenas.
This is the man we want to lead the
United States through its next
depression, a potential WWm, and the
first alternate Olympic games?
Although Jimmy makes as many boo-
boos as the Atlanta Braves while ad
ding points to the inflation rate like
Magic Johnson, I guess we could have it
worse.
We could have a lack of free en
terprise, an anti-draft registration
victory, or a K-Tel collection of pop
favorites as done by the B-52’s. Even
worse, the coming years could bring
such worrisome things as the
realization of George Orwell’s 1984, a
nuclear plant in Murfreesboro, or the
death penalty for traffic violations.
Or, at the very very worst, we could
have to put up with anotlier political
campaign with the quality of can
didates that is competing in the current
Presidential race when the time comes
again in 1984.
i a-..., ; 0 I
Student
Forum
Prevention
Increases
Life Span
By SARAH G. WRIGHT
Director of Health Services
Health Agencies are hoping to in
crease the life span by preventing
diseases rather than waiting to cure
them. There is the possivility that by
changing one’s life style one might
avoid the consequences of a tendency to
a disease.
Years have been added to the ex
pected life span of Americans.
Changes in lifestyle such as eliminating
smoking, getting more exercise, and
moderation in the use of alcohol has
decreased the numlier of deaths due to
heart disease.
The American needs to be aware
there is still wide use of cigarettes by
women and teen-agers. Smoking is a
major health problem contributing to
cancer as well as circulatory diseases.
Why not have one’s blood pressure
checlced periodically, so that the
p-essure can be kept under control?
This would be better than waiting until
one has a stroke.
As a result of immunization smallpox
is no longer a disease among us.
Childhood inoculations have also
reduced cases of polio, measles,
whooping cough, rubella, mumps,
tetanus and diptheria. Many children
were once lost to these diseases.
Teeth are being saved by water
flouridation. This eliminates many
large dental bills, plus much discomfrt.
There will be many health problems
caused by smoking of marijuana. The
smoke of marijuana is inhaled deeply
for the effect, and only time will tell
how much lung damage is being done.
Americans have a bad diet habit of
eating too much fat. There is a need to
increase the amount of fresh fruit and
vegetables in the diet. ,
Cutting View
On Cut Policy
To the Editor;
I am writing to voice my opinion on a
few policies at Chowan College. I have
attended Chowan for two semesters
and feel it is time that I speak up. I
came to Chowan with the un
derstanding that there were limited
cuts in classes, but did not get the policy
fully explained to me until we were in
classes and had overcut. I did not
overcut because I was too lazy to face a
dassroom. I have failed some classes
in which I had good grades because I
missed for acceptable reasons but
could not get them excused from the
“White House.”
I also think it’s ridiculous that the
teachers tell students not to bother to
come back to class after they overcut. I
get the impression that some teachers
are not concerned as to whether a
student passes or fails. I have worked
hard to get here and my parents pay a
good sum to get me an education. If I
make good grades, I should get them
instead of an “F”. That will ruin a tr
anscript for life. This is not 13th grade.
Wake up! We are living in the 80’s and I
feel that the absentee policy should
diange with the times.
I would also like to express my
opinion on attempting to get classes
excused. It seems that in the past I have
gotten litUe cooperation. We know that
a lot of stories are told and can imagine
that it gets tiring to listen to story after
story.
This brings us to the infirmary. What
is its function? I feel the school is
wasting my money on this facility. If
anything, I feel we should have a
doctor. The nurse sends me to town to
the doctor anyway, which costs an
unaffordable $20, plus medication and a
long wait. Furthermore, the nurses will
not excuse anyone from class unless
they have a fever or are near death. I
know that other students and myself
don’t necessarily need to have a fever
in order to be sick. A nurse should know
that.
I feel that in the future we will make
it to class, and if we need an excuse we
hope to obtain one. We would rather not
deal with the hassles of the infirmary.
It is my opinion that a big change
should be made on behalf of our rights
as students. If more students would
voice their opinions, a change may be
oi the way.
Deborah Chappal
A former student