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Volume XXI, Number 8 North Carolina Wesleyan College Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27804 NEWS Professor Chosen Jefferson-Pilot Award Winner By Evelyn Hunter Decree Staff Writer Dr. Jay Stubblefield, associate professor of English and associate dean, has been named recipient of the prestigious Jefferson- Pilot award in recognition of his teaching, academic research and service to NC Wesleyan College. He was selected by President Ian New- bould based on the nomination of a commit tee comprised of three former award winners and two untenured faculty. So, how did it I feel to be chosen for the Jefferson-Pilot? “I s was shocked and humbled,” Dr. Stubblefield .said. ‘"This aw'ard means a great deal to me because the nomination committee is made has its own duties and responsibilities, why choose to add more duties to an academic' schedule? “I applied for the Associate Dean position because I believe I can help make a diflerence at Wesleyan,” Stubblefield said, "To me, the most important aspect of the job is hstening carefully to students and faculty. This is the only way to find out what we need to do more effectively, and then work tow'ard meeting those needs.” This semester Dr. Stubblefield is teaching three courses, while directing the college's on-line education program. In the fall, he w'ill cut back his teaching to one course per semester, while he handles his expanded administrative duties. Over the years, Stubblefield has taught Dr. Jay Stubblefield Decree St«ff Photo up of my colleagues, and to be selected among so many eligible and well-qualified faculty members is an honor.” The announcement came weeks after Dr. Stubblefield accepted the position of Associate Dean. As Associate Dean, Dr. Stubblefield’s main responsibility is to assist Dr. James Traer, the Dean of the college. In particular, he helps with NCWC’s first-year orientation program. Adult Degree program, and online courses. Future faculty members have not been left out; “I’m working on preparing an orientation plan for new faculty members,” Dr. Stubblefield said. Considering the fact that Dr. Stubblefield is an associate English professor, a job that a number of courses. One innovative course w>as taught during January Term that used to be part of the NC Wesleyan schedule. It was a course called “Stock Car Racing and Southern Cuhure.” “I taught it because I’m veiy interested in how much NASCAR has changed over the years,” Stubblefield explained, “and in how the history and culture of the sport have diverged from those of the South.” With several years of teaching under his belt, it is hard for Dr. Stubblefield to pin down a favorite course. “I enjoy different aspects of every- course, and I don’t think I can narrow it down to one,” he said. “Busi ness communication is fun because there Students Work with Kenyans By Amanda Landi Decree Staff Writer This past semester, NCWC offered a unique class. The course was Biology 495: HIV/AIDS. Within the course, students participated for one hour a week in making contact with students from Kenya. Dr Erica Kosal, an Associate Professor of Biology at NCWC, set up the course with three other professors: John Mecham and Bob Reid of Meredith College and Pearl Fernandez of the University of South Carolina at Sumter. The professors received a National Science Foundation grant which could be spent in part toward research and travel associated with issues related to Sub-Saharan Africa. During the semester, NCWC and Meredith students have kept in contact with students at Kenyatta University through the website www.meredith.edu/kenya/. There, a student from NCWC or Meredith would post a questioii, and then a student from Kenya w'ould post a reply, or vice versa. Students gave presentations on line and Dr. Mecham maintained a daily blog while he Was stationed in Kenya. ‘The students get a sense of African We, ’ said Dr. Kosal, who has been impressed by the interaction between the American and Kenyan students. “Our students appreciate the lives of the Kenyans more.” NCWC students found the experi- ence valuable, very educational. Alisha i^elson said: “if a similar class was offered at Wesleyan, 1 think that I would take it.” Ashley Harris agreed and added that she will try to keep in touch with her peers in Kenya. When asked if she would do the course again. Dr. Kosal said that she would defi nitely do the class again. She hopes that the next time she would like to expand the class from one to three hour per week course. are so many real-life examples of abysmal business communication. The literature courses are enjoyable because they give me a chance to bring together materials from literary studies, histoiy, theology, and other disciplines.” Besides being an Associate Dean, an English professor, and a Jefferson-Pilot winner. Dr. Stubblefield has added author and editor to the list of titles. A Critical Companion to Jonathan Swift, co-authored with Dr. Paul DeGategno, a former NC Wesleyan English professor, is a reference work that provides information and com mentary on Swift’s writings and biography and on individuals w'ho were important in Swift’s lile. “We’ve worked on it for several years.” This work will be released in July by Facts on File, a publisher of reference products for the school and library market. Stubblefield said that he balances family life and his academic job w'ith help from his wife, Teresa. “My wife is very sup portive and understanding,” he said. “She encouraged me to apply for the Associate Dean position, and her time management skills have helped me adjust to the new job while still spending time with her and our children.” Stubblefield and his wife have a son, 8, and a daughter, 20 months. Well, what does a Jefferson-Pilot award w'inner and Associate Dean do during his “downtime”? Stubblefield states: “Down time for me usually means doing something different than what I do at work: I enjoy going places with my family, working around the house, and doing other things that don’t involve sitting around.” International Student Profile: Mathias Haut of Germany By Shannon Williams Decree Editor Imagine having the chance of a lifetime: being able to travel to anolher coLmtry to piay your favorite sport, make dozens of interesting friends and have untorgettable experiences. For one Wesleyan student, this dream became a reality. Born and raised in Jena, a German city two hours east of capital city Berlin, Mathias Haut has been playing basketball for ihe past seven years. Me began playing bail at the age of 14, and by the time he was 18, he was playing what is known in Germany as professional basketball. Since Germany doesn’t have college basketball, those who wish to pursue basketball after high school join teams similar to those in the American semi-prolessional leagues. “It’s not popular like the NBA, but it’s similar,” he said. After playing pro ball with a team called Erdgas Baskets Yena for three years, one of his teammates, who was from Burlington, referred him to a personal friend, who happened to be Wesleyan’s men’s basketball coach John Tlionipson, and the rest is history. Even though the game of basketball is pretty universal anywhere you go, the 6'0 guard admitted that it took him a while to adjust to playing ball with the Wesleyan crew. “It’s hard to understand my teammates sometimes,” he said. They often use .slang he never heard in Germany, such as “drop ping buckets” and “hooping,” he explained. One teammate, Micheal Morgan, whom Haut referred to as “Red” because of his brightly colored hair, took Haut immediately under his wings upon his arrival at NCWC, and was responsible for teaching Haut most of the basketball slang, along with the other unfamiliar terms he heard. Although Haut took English in high school, he still has to adjust to the many slang terms Americans use. He also commented on the style of ball played in America, saying that American basketball is more one-on- one. and in Europe it’s more of a team effort. Along with adjusting to the team and their slang, Haut also had to adjust to living in America in general. ‘The way of life here is different,” he said. “People are friendlier and more physical here,” meaning people are more likely to speak to, shake hands with or even hug a stranger, which is uncom mon in Germany. Also, “German girls are pretty shy. American giris are not so shy,” he said with a grin. During April's spring fling event, Mathias Haut (center) poses with other IMC Wesleyan students who took time out to play paintball. “I like [it] because it's a different culture.” said Haut about America. He likes the fact that people are more open minded in America. At home, he said, “Everybody wants to go to America just to see the country and the different lifesiyle.” Haut had the opportunity to go duck hunting W'ith one of his teammates in Cape Hatteras, w'hich is something he said he probably never would have done in Germany. “At first, I was a little scared because the gun was loud." He also mentioned the excessive amount of fast food restaurants in America. “At home, we have McDonald’s and Burger King, but that’s it,” he said. “Honestly, I hate fast food.” However, Haut really likes the doughnuts that he’s eaten here. Haut also noted several other differences between America and Germany. For example, the weather is different. ‘The climate is much colder at home,” he said. Another interesting fact he gave was that in Germany, it’s legal to buy beer at the age of 16. At 18, it’s legal to buy all other alcoholic beverages. He also stated that Germany has a larger variety of beers. ‘There’s about 60 different [beers]”, he stated. “In my opinion, and this is only my opinion,” he further commented, “American beer tastes more like water.” He also said that in his country', all males are required once they reach the age of 19 to do one year of national service, either in the form of .social work or serving in the army. Haut chose to do social work. “I w'orked in an office and it was boring as hell,” he said. He chose to do social w'ork instead of joining the army because he’s not an advocate of war, and it allowed him to continue pursuing basketball. “I only had to work four hours out of the day, and the rest of the time I could practice,” he said. “If I was in the army, I couldn’t practice.” Haut vaguely remembers when Germany was a divided countiy. “I was about six around that time,” he said. Eastern Germany, w'here Haut lived, belonged to Russia, and conununism was practiced on that side. Western Germany belonged to other Western countries, and democracy was practiced. The country was so divided that each section of Germany had its own different culture. Although he didn’t talk about the changes much, he recalled the culture shock he received shortly after reunification. “I ate my first banana after that,” he said. Although he thinks it’s small, Haut generally likes NCWC, but he thinks Rocky Mount is bor ing, A freshman, Haut has not declared major, but he has taken a lot of business courses, so he thinks he may pursue a degree in business. However, he added, his business courses were hard because he had to learn many words he had never even heard before, along with their definitions, Haut plans to finish earning his degree at a school in Germany, This is his last semester at NCWC, “It’s too expensive,” he said about Wesleyan, “You don't have to pay for school in Germany," Haut is excited about returning home to see everyone he left behind, especially his family, “I give them a call everyday,” he said. His family at home consists of his mom, a biology teacher, his father, an activity director, and his 23 year old brother, who is currently a student at Jena University in Germany, Although he’s excited about retuniing home, Haut has no regrets about coming to America, He enjoyed the fact that he was able to see new things and meet new people. He even said given the opportunity, he would come back to .America to live, “It w’as a wonderful experience,” he said.
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