Newspapers / North Carolina Wesleyan University … / Dec. 19, 2008, edition 1 / Page 3
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December 19, 2008 North Carolina Wesleyan College, Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27804 PROFILES 3 New Counselor Finds Rewards in ‘Helping Students Be Successful’ e By Joyce Collins Decree News Editor She sits in her office going over appointments, checking emails and returning phone messages. Tick, tick, tick, is the monotonous sound of the clock that is adjacent to her office door. If you look around, you will notice that there are no windows in the room that’s located inside of the Student Success Center On the walls are a certificate for being a charter member of North Carolina Associa tion for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Issues in Counseling, a certificate from the honor society Chi Sigma Iota at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro graduate school, and an award for being a distinguished practitioner from UNCG’s depart ment of counseling and educational development. In the office there is an abundance of light from the three lamps and four ceiling lights. One of her book shelves contains psychology books and a bowl of stress balls. Leslie Veach, director of Counsel ing and Disability Services, is a new hire at Wesleyan, and is eager to work with the students. “I want to help students reach their goals,” Veach said. Her duties include spending time in sessions with students for counsel ing or providing support to students with disabilities. On average, Veach sees about five students per day. Some of the services offered by Veach for qualifying individuals include: advising students, counseling in groups or one-on-one sessions. “Students can come in for a range of is sues, whether it’s ‘I want to take a look at my goals and see if I’m achieving them’ to ‘I’m depressed or I am having trouble with my relationships,”’ Veach said. The common issues Veach sees students for are relationship conflict, mood disturbances, traumatic events (grief), and significant behavioral changes. “There could be other things that prompt someone to come in,” said Veach. “They may not be doing well academically or someone may have t w told them that they think coming here would benefit them.” Veach touched on the topic of why some people are reluctant to see a psychologist. She attributed success or failure with counseling to the “readiness factor;” “The results are typically not that great if you’re not ready,” said Veach. “Seeing a counselor can be a one-time thing or ongoing. Confidentiality is in place and learning Five New Faculty Join Wesleyan for 2008-09 By Decree Staff NC Wesleyan has welcomed five new full-time faculty members for the 2008-09 academic year. New faculty members include Gail Marsal in justice studies, Julia Moore in education, Jeff Perry and Lee Templeton in English, and Jesse Shearin in religious studies. Dr Marsal is an assistant professor who came to Wesleyan after a 14-year career at East Carolina University. A native of Sanford, she was raised in Bunnlevel and now lives in Greenville with her husband, Jim, and 1-year-old son, Vann. Dr Marsal earned both a BA (from Meredith College) and MSW (ECU) in social work, and a Ph.D. in human services/criminology from Walden University. Her specialty areas include corrections, crisis intervention, interviewing, substance abuse, juvenile delinquency and gangs. “Wesleyan reminds me of my under graduate institution, Meredith, with the fountain at the entrance and lots of green grass,” she said. “Everyone here has been very friendly and made me feel welcome.” A country music fan. Dr Marsal enjoys reading and walking in her free time. A native of Kirtland, New Mexico, Dr Moore holds a bachelors in composite science from Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas, and two MAs from New Mexico State. Her PhD is in curriculum and instruction technology education from Virginia Tech. At Wesleyan, Dr Moore coordinates the secondary education program and her specialties are science education and technology in education. “I was attracted to Wesleyan because of its size and educational fociis,” she said. “I’m excited about making a difference in students’ lives.” . When she’s not teaching. Dr Moore enjoys working with wood and stained glass and she has collected 30 pairs of Converse high-top tennis shoes (Chuck Taylors). She and her partner, Terri Vartado, have three children: Colby, 12, Aubrey, 12, arid Bradley, 6. The family has three pet cats and seven chickens. Dr Perry holds a dual appoint ment as director of the college’s writing center and an assistant professor in English who specializes in composi tion. Bom in New Orleans and raised in Louisville, Dr. Perry holds a BA and MA from the University of Louisville and a PhD in composition from Kent State University in Ohio. He noted that his dissertation focused on writing assessment as “an instrument of social reproduction—i.e. the exploitation of writing assessment practices to maintain social conditions.” The first and only one in his extended family to attend college. Dr Perry related that his new tenure-track position is “point of pride. I think it’s important for students to know that they can break cycles that appear unbreakable if they keep up the good fight. I accrued a lot of debt and had to take off many years in between my MA and PhD to get through it all. But I made it!” Dr Perry enjoys tennis and basketball, classic rock-n-roll, and film noir He and his wife, Erin, have two sons. Satchel, 3, and Cassius, 1. Dr. Templeton came to Wesleyan from The University of North Carolina- Greensboro, where he had taught composition and medieval British literature. The Lakeland, Florida native earned his BA from Florida Southern College and his masters and doctorate from UNCG. “I like the small size of the school, the strong sense of community and interaction between students and faculty and staff,” he said. “Florida Southern is similar to Wesleyan, in size and mission, and I was attracted by the opportunity to impact students' lives the way mine was at FSC.” Dr Templeton likes to hike, play tennis and spend time with friends. He’s also a music enthusiast whose favorite artists, include Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, The Clash, The Hold Steady, See FACULTY on pg 8 how to utilize resources is a skill.” Helping people with their problems can be emotionally draining. When asked about how she separates her job from her personal life, Veach said, “It’s hard. You’re not successful every day. It is very important to take care of yourself and your family,” she said. “I’m fortunate to have a supportive spouse, because we can lean on each other” The new counselor has worked with the C.H.O.I.C.E.S. student group. She helped with the “T-Shirt Program,” where students designed and decorated shirts that were hung on a clothes line in front of the Hardees Building. The project was designed to raise awareness for domestic abuse and violence. Senior Alecia Butler, a Peer Choice leader, has enjoyed working with Veach. “She is really nice,” said Butler “She is fun but she’s also professional.” Erma Hedgepeth, student support center administrative assistant, has recognized the wonderful job Veach has done. “She is very personal and approachable. I’ve only heard positive things about her She has been a great asset for the center and students,” she said. Scott Marsigli, a pre-major advisor and Freshmen Advantage coordinator, has noted Veach’s effectiveness in her new job. “It’s been great having her,” said Marsigli. “This position has been in an upheaval and it’s good to have someone with stability.” When asked about her favorite pastimes, Veach said, “Recently, it’s been unpacking.” But her top hobby is spending time with friends. She also likes to play the flute, listen to music and attend concerts, participate in church activities, and watch college football and other sports. The Greensboro native is not in Rocky Mount alone. Veach moved to Rocky Mount and found a job at Wesleyan after her husband. Dr Lee Templeton, had landed an assistant professor position in the English Department. Veach applied for the counselor position here when she learned that the former counselor, Carolyn Rea, would not be returning over the summer “This was an ideal position for me, because I was looking to get back into personal counseling,” said Veach. She said that she first became interested in pursuing a career in psychology and counseling in part through a personal experience during her undergraduate days. “A good friend was sexually assaulted,” she said. “She put everything into her studies and cut off her social life.” Veach attended Appalachian State University in Boone, where she earned a degree in psychology, and then went on to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro to get her masters in coun seling and educational development. In recent positions, Veach has worked with college students in service-learning, leadership develop ment, and residence life, as well as counseling. Earlier in her career she served as a resident director and a youth coordinator A nationally certified counselor for the past 10 years, Veach came to Wesleyan with considerable experience in providing both individual and group counseling. She is now pursuing a license to be a professional counselor “Schools and colleges are considered exempt and one is not required to hold a license to practice counseling in these settings,” she explained. “I’m applying for licensure in North Carolina. I see this as important for my professional development.” Veach now finds that the most beneficial aspect of her job is seeing the progression in a student’s life. “Knowing that I can be a part of helping students be successful is rewarding,” she said. $ President Caine lunches with students during the recent Mix-lt-Up dsy event in the cafeteria. Photos by c. Thomas Interim President Enjoys Return to Campus Life By James Randolph Decree News Editor Appointed in early May of 2008 as the college’s interim president, Dr Stanley P. Caine came to Wesleyan with an extensive resume. “I’m the kid who never left college,” said Dr Caine noting that his father was an administrator at Illinois College located in Dr Caine’s hometown of Jacksonville, Illinois. After earning his bachelors degree from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota (majoring in history with a minor in political science) and later his doctorate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dr Caine worked as a professor for some time before he fell into administrative work. He took time off from teaching to serve as academic dean at Hanover College in Indiana. Among his many accomplishments, Dr Caine wrote and co-wrote a number of publications, including “The Myth of Progressive Reform” for which he earned the D.C. Everest Prize in Wisconsin economic history. In 1987, Dr Caine took the job of president at Adrian University in Adrian, Michigan. Much like Wesleyan, Adrian is a small liberal arts school of about 1500 students. “My experience [at Adrian] was priceless,” said Dr. Caine. “It taught me a lot and the intimacy of a small campus is fulfilling in many ways.” Dr Caine stressed how important such intimacy was. “When I left my position as professor, the thing I worried most about was losing contact with the students,” he said. Dr Caine said that Wesleyan was much like Adrian in its small population, religious affiliation, and liberal arts background. As a testament to how strong the educa- fion gene is in the Caine family. Dr Caine has three children including two daughters, Rebecca and Katherine, and a son, David, all of whom are educators. Even his wife, Karen, has provided athletic instmction as a volunteer at Adrian. “Your educational experience is important in building character,” said Dr Caine. When asked about the importance of liberal arts institutions, Dr Caine remarked “I believe very much in liberal arts education. They (liberal arts institutions) help in the all-around development of character” Dr Caine noted that he believes church-affiliated schools like Wesleyan offer a more “well- rounded” college experience by teaching not only math and science but by stressing morals and building character Dr Caine also acknowledged that sports have had a major impact on his own life and education. As a high school athlete, Caine played football, basketball, and tennis among other sports and for a time served as the Nafional Collegiate Athletic Associa tion’s (NCAA) Division 111 President and board member After his career at Adrian, he served two years as interim president of Wilmington College in Wilmington, Ohio. An institution founded by the Quakers in the late 19th century, Wilmington also shares many similarities with Wesleyan, including a high student-athlete presence, according to Dr Caine, who stressed the importance of athletics as an extension to and “not an obstruction of’ a student’s education. During his experience at Wilmington, Dr Caine said he learned a great deal from the customs of the institution and Quaker principles. He cited the equality of the col lege faculty and students as well as a ritual of silence as two major differences from his other experiences. “The students and professors called each other by first name; it was different and a good experience,” said Dr Caine. At Wilmington, it was common practice to start every meeting with a few moments of silence to reflect on the moments passed and on the goals set for the future. Dr Caine said that such practices both broadened his outlook and humbled him as a person. Dn Caine’s experiences with the NCAA board and his jobs as a school professor and administrator provide a solid foundation for him in his position as interim president. He says that although he understands he is here for only a short time, he plans to make as much “positive change” as he can on the Wesleyan community. “I have been busy dealing with a variety of college-related issues and participating in a broad range of college activities,” he said. “I’m enjoying my time here very much.” During the first six months, Dr Caine said, he has focused considerable time on the following: • monitoring progress of the library addition project; • participating in (and hosting at his home) portions of special events like Founder’s Day and Homecoming; • attending student events in sports and fine arts; • preparing for and attending trustee meetings; • representing the College at local and state meetings; • enjoying contacts with many associated with Wesleyan, especially with students; • studying and discussing with senior staff and the college community the implica tions of the current financial crisis. When asked about the recent budget is sues that the college faced, Dr Caine praised Wesleyan saying “Wesleyan does quite well for an institution dependent predominantly on tuition.” Dr Caine pointed out that one of the president’s main duties is to raise funds, but that his interim status makes that challenging. “For obvious reasons, it limits the long range planning and fund raising functions of the office,” he said. “A new president will want to participate in setting the direction of the college. Many donors prefer to give to someone with whom they have developed a close relationship and can hold responsible for the utilization of the gift. An interim president is not at an institution long enough for this to occur” Dr Caine explained that Wesleyan’s endowment of about $8 million is quite small in comparison to a similar sized school like Adrian, where a strong alymni network and considerable donations had produced an endowment of $40 million at the time of his retirement. Dr Caine related one special occurrence in which a man who worked to develop the modem methods of rust-proofing steel gave Adrian $5 million as part of his formal will and testament. Despite the financial struggles, Dr Caine remains optimistic about Wesleyan’s future. He said “the people of Rocky Mount are very loyal and support the institution to an unusual degree.” Dr Caine added that offsetting the budget deficit is at the top of his priority list, along with increasing reten tion rates and improving campus facilities for students and faculty. Although his tasks are many and require much effort, Dr Caine said that he has had for a long time a great faith in Wesleyan. He was.acquainted with all three of Wesleyan’s previous presidents, including Dr New- bould. “The first time I visited Wesleyan was in 2005 for an accreditation inspection with the United Methodist Church,” said Dr Caine. “1 developed a profound respect fpr what I saw in that visit. I have been involved in higher education for more than 40 years, and I would just like to leave behind a legacy of pushing Wesleyan forward.”
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