Newspapers / The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.) / Sept. 26, 1997, edition 1 / Page 3
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The Guilfordian September 26,1997 Alumnus honored in Hege exhibit ♦T. Gilbert Pearson was internationally known naturalist BY ELLEN YUTZY Staff Writer T. Gilbert Pearson, a Guilford graduate, rose to the top of his field. A new exhibit in Hege Library honors the naturalist who was a member of the Guilford College Class of 1897. A poster above the numerous stuffed birds reads, "Or nithologist, Conservationist, Edu cator, Protector of Birds." Pearson was an internationally known sci entist and president of the National Audubon Society. "In many ways he represents many of the ideals Guilford wants to instill in students," said Carole Treadway of the Friends Historical Collection. "We want to honor him because he was a pioneer." The display of stuffed birds and eggs from Pearson's collection is made possible through a joint venture of the Guilford College Friends Historical Collection, Friends of the Guilford College Li brary, Natural Science Museum, and the Greensboro Historical Mu seum. Leslie Carter, an organizer of the event, says, "We are celebrat ing the 100 th anniversary of his graduation." The exhibit was put up this fall and will remain on display for about a year. The birds, although they belong to Guilford, have been on display at the Natural Science Center for the past several years. Some of the birds were actually col lected on the Guilford campus. The ones on display in the library are a small selection from Pearson's rather extensive collection. The biology department still uses some of Pearson's eggs and study skins. Pearson devoted his entire life to the preservation and study of birds. "For a generation in the mind of the American public the Audubon Association meant Pearson," said M. Albert Linton in the 14th Ward Lecture delivered at Guilford in 1964. "In all that he did, every energy, every ability, was focused on the protection of wild creatures and ... an associa tion of like-minded protectors of the world of nature from the ruth lessness or thoughtlessness of man." A Quaker farm boy from Florida, the future ornithologist be came interested in bird and egg collecting at an early age. He taught himself taxidermy and de veloped an impressive collection of stuffed birds. He offered to lend some specimens to Guilford, and in addition, Pearson would be re sponsible for the collection and mounting of specimens for the Col lege Cabinet. Thus began perhaps one of Guilford's more unique work-study programs. After completing two years of preparatory work, Pearson was ready to enter the college. His original deal with President Hobbs had been for only two years. A Guilford College Bulletin dated less than a year after his death says, "He invited a trustee into the mu seum, explained its great publicity value,... what he had done with it in two years' time, . . . and what might be done if he were left in charge longer." The trustee was impressed, and the college awarded Pearson tuition, room, board, and SSO a year to continue the work. He con tinued his studies and traveled to expand his collection. After graduating from Guil ford, Pearson studied at UNC, re turning to Guilford as a biology professor in 1899. Between 1902 and 1904, he organized Audubon societies throughout the state. He also was instrumental in the pas sage of laws for game protection in North Carolina. In 1904, he became the secre tary of the newly organized Na tional Audubon Society and moved to New York. He was the executive officer of the society for ten years after the president suffered a stroke. He later served as chair man of an international commit tee concerned with protecting birds. The board of directors of the Audubon Society said after Pearson's death, "As long as the National Audubon Society lives and serves, it will owe a debt of gratitude to this farseeing and cou rageous leader." And Guilford can claim him as our own. News The President's Corner I have never seen anything quite like it: thirty-some adults huddled around a wooden man nequin, giggling like crazy. But, strange things happen at every retreat and I guess this year's Sen ate retreat was no exception. Don't lose too much faith in your reps (while they fawn over wooden statues), though, because this weekend was also a chance for Senate to gain its most impor tant tools: each person's interac tive styles and a greater under standing of what it means to work for and within a community. We ran around like kids, hiked to see the sunset, and brain-stormed for everything under the sun, but, most of all, we put our heads to gether to make this year an ef fective one. Special thanks to Brad McNeely and Ryan Bek for "cheffing" at the Raven Knob event...ask anybody, the food made the weekend. Now that the fun has started, so has the business. This week Senate examined more club constitutions and budgets, as well as the last of the nominees to fill the Senate roster. Please contact Steve Karakasidis and Colin McFadden-Roan if your club has We Want Writers! The Guilfordian is open to anyone that is interested. Whether your preference is writing, taking pictures, helping with layout, or anything else related to a newspaper, we've got a position for you. For more information, come to the weekly staff meetings every Monday at 7:30 in the Passion Pit. Or, if you'd rather not have to actually meet with people, call Adam Lucas at 286-1214. The Guilfordian "Since 1914, but never quite like this." BY MOLLY MARTIN Senate President not yet "registered" with Senate. Clubs aren't the only ones in the spotlight. The restructur ing of the school will be the topic of the Student Services Committee's first forum of the year on September 30 th at 7:3opm in the Cafe. Also on tap for Senate is a policy designating when the new keycard doors will be locked and unlocked daily. Please contact your senators to learn how to make your opin ion on these issues heard in Sen ate! Read the Senate minutes they post in your dorm. Unsure as to whom your senator is? Call the Senate office at x 2310 and we'll set you up with the right stu dents! Also, be sure and check out the pictures in the Senate glass case and learn some Senate faces. Despite everything going so beautifully, we still need helping hands. More than ever, we need your input! Got an idea for a campus-wide change? A policy for your dorm? Your club? Come on in to Senate at 3:35 in Boren Lounge every Wednesday and speak up, especially during the special non-senator Talk Tank (around 4:50, near the close of the meeting). Join your hall council (contact your Hall Direc tor for details) or a Senate com mittee. You'd be surprised what one voice can do...why not let that voice be yours? 3
The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.)
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Sept. 26, 1997, edition 1
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