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29 OcTobER 2004
NUMbER 2|
inside
this
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Page 2
idlTOR'S CORWR
Page 3
Picture PoH
Page 4
Mathematician In the
Making
Page 5
The Poetry of
Kimla Brandt
Kenneth Burgess
Page 6
SPORTS
TWO OUT OF THREE AINT BAD
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i^rountl the ▼▼ »rlcl with
iHttlissa Stillih
Dear Annie Oakley
At tlii* >!•»> >> ith
Anna Sii(>»k
Your Decree Staff
Editor-in-Chief
-Ron Fitzwater-
Contributtng Writers
“Hamam Ismail-
-Kierra Jones-
-Ken Kornegay-
-Annie Oakley-
-Trevor Seibert-
“Anna Shook-
-Melissa Smith-
-Modestlne Welch-
Staff Photographers
“Evelyn Hunter-
-Melissa Smith-
Facu/ty Adviser
-D( Bill Gratlan-
Special Contributors
-Dr. D.K. Cani[)bofi-
-Gary Hodges-
NC Wesleyan Theater Department
Hits Snag, but Keeps Aiming iligii
By
Ron Fitzwater
For fans and supporters of the NC
Wesleyan theater program, the
beginning of this year’s season
took an unusual turn when the
announced puppet show and
workshop were abruptly canceled.
The cancellation resulted in
several calls to the Decree office
and prompted a conversation with
Professor David Blakely, director of
the NCWC theater program.
Sitting in his office in the Dunn
Center, Blakely spoke on the state
of the theater program, specifically
budgeting issues, and the events
surrounding the cancellation of the
program’s first offering. “There was
a unique situation concerning the
cancellation,” Blakely stated. “For
one thing, the puppeteer did not
send the contract until late; however,
he was under the impression that
there was no problem with the
scheduling.” The contract, which
the puppeteer sent to the school,
did not go through the system
until the Tuesday before the show
was scheduled. Blakely stated he
attempted to move the paperwork
along, but was unsuccessful. “On
Thursday,” said Blakely, “I wound
up having to call the puppeteer
and say we had to cancel.” This
was a situation the puppeteer
did not understand, as the show
had been in the works for over a
month, with only the final date to
be determined. The problem was,
Blakely emphasized, “unique” for
the program.
When asked if the cancellation was
an indication of future problems
expected for the theater program
Blakely said, “One of the things
that this caused was a discovery
that there is no sort of policy that
governs what the monies in our
production budget are to be spent
for. No guidelines at all, so, as the
head of the theater program 1 try to
use the budget in creative ways.”
Blakely further explained that
the there are certain things that
must be done with the theater
funds such as buying lumber,
costumes, and specialty make-up,
as well as updating the lighting and
sound systems to keep abreast
of technological advances that
become “state of the theater” so
that students will know how to
operate them.
Seeing all the productions at the
theater as being somehow related
to the educational and cultural
mission of the college, Blakely
stated that the program tries to offer
See Theater pg. 8
'i OK Campbe^
The Dunn Center for the Performing Arts
Student leaders Partner with Community leaders.
Make Day for Wesleyan a Success
By
Modestine Welch
On September 14, the 23'''^ Annual
Day for Wesleyan campaign, one of
North parolina Wesleyan College’s
major projects that is executed every
year as a means to raise money for
the future of Wesleyan College and
its students, began a new tradition
with the addition of student leaders
serving as volunteers. This addition
undoubtedly made the day a
success. Students and community
leaders collected $463,759, up from
last year’s total of $449,684.
The day began with breakfast in
the Dunn Center for the Performing
Arts. During breakfast the audience
listened to speeches from Mayor
FredTurnage; President Newbould;
the co-chairs fora DayforWesleyan,
staff chairperson Martha Proctor
and faculty chairperson Dr. Rodney
Austin, Student Government
President John Tejeda and the
Director of Alumni Support Tom
Maze. Each speech was given
with the intention of sparking each
person’s excitement and love for
Wesleyan.
Students were assigned to
community leaders and plans were
given to successfully complete the
goals for the day. Every community
leader was given a folder that
included what businesses they
were responsible for talking to that
day. The goal was to either receive
a monetary donation or a financial
pledge to the college. Next, each
group left the Dunn Center with the
anticipation of showing previous
and new Wesleyan supporters in
the Rocky Mount community how
their financial support makes a
difference.
Atasha Jackson, who currently
serves as the 2004-2005 Student
Government Association secretary,
participated as a student leader
for A Day for Wesleyan and had
this to say,“Working as a student
volunteer gave me the opportunity
to meet people and find out about
companies that 1 did not know
existed in Rocky Mount, North
NoRTh CaroUna WesIeyan CollEqE Rocky Mount, NortIh CaroIIna 27804
See Day pg. 8