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FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1978
BENNETT COLLEGE, GREENSBORO, N. C.
VoL XXXIX, No. 6
Bennett Belle Becomes Opera Star
by Sabrina D. Sturgis
Faye Lee Robinson, profes
sional soprano opera singer, a
native of Houston, Texas, is
a 1964 graduate of Bennett
College. Miss Robinson has
been selected the most out
standing and successful grad
uate of the Music Depart
ment. She triumphs every
where she goes.
Miss Robinson has had the
opportunity to sing with the
New York City Opera, Hous
ton Opera, and Washington,
D. C. Opera. She also made a
debut at France’s renowned
Aix-en-Provence Festival in
the summer of 1974 and a
debut in Barcelona.
Miss Robinson received
numerous awards including
the first prize in the San
Francisco Opera auditions and
has appeared with six leading
orchestras. She has also ap
peared in three music festi
vals. In 1975 she returned for
another triumphant season at
Aix-en-Provence. During the
summer of 1976 the artist ap
peared at the Aspen Festival
with such success she was im
mediately re-invited.
It is more than obvious that
she has had a most exciting
and adventurous life.
The career that Miss Robin
son has now is not the one
she had in mind while a stu
dent here at Bennett. Her in
tentions were to teach music
education later in life on the
college level. However, she
went on to a professional
school after her graduation
from Bennett.
For the Bennett Belles now
the advice that Miss Robinson
gives for their choice of ca
reers is, “Prepare well for the
future; do advanced study.
Strategically plan what you
(Continued on Page 5)
ACES Requirement Back
Faye Robinson, opera star.
Photo by Christian Steiner
by Joyce A. Bass
It was addressed to the students
and they took it really hard. The
subject was one that left a bad
taste in everyone’s mouth—ACES.
Yes, the Academic Cultural En
richment Series is returning once
again.
“Students are expected to attend
at least 75% of the designated ac
tivities during the second semester
in order to be in good standing.
Attendance cards wiU be issued
at the door for each designated ac
tivity . . and so the memo
randum read.
According to> one member of the
Lyceum Planning Committee,
“The reason behind the re-instate
ment of the ACES procedure was
the feeling that students should
know and be exposed to certain
cultural events. It was also felt
that students should know in ad
vance which programs wiU be
ACES programs.”
According to the committee
spokesman, the series of programs
were suspended first semester be
cause the organization was not
very smooth and students were
“just handing in a slip of paper.”
“Now, computer cards will be
handed out at the beginning of
each ACES program. Students will
place their names on the cards
and then turn them in at the end
of the program. The computer
center can compute enough cards
for all of our students in about
20 mintues, so we forsee no prob
lem there.”
A^ere the statement reads all
students, it means just that. Every
student, regardless of her classifi
cation is expected to attend at
least two-thirds of the programs
offered unless there are class con
flicts.
“There will be those students
who wiU have classes at another
school during that 10 to 11 a.m.
hour. We can understand that.”
If a reason other than a class
conflict prevents a student from
attending the programs, she must
see the dean of Student Affairs.
Once students were given letter
grades for attending ACES pro
grams. “That policy had to be
eliminated because we found that
students would come to the chapel
to sleep or read and receive a
grade of A for being there, while
students who came to only a few
of the programs gave their undi
vided attention Eind received
grades of C. “It just wasn’t fair,”
said the spokesman.
A full listing of the programs
will be posted on or before the
next ACES event and made avail
able to each student.
Payton Chooses Fulfilling Career
Home Ec Major Heads Peace Corps
by S. Marie Brown
“Choose a career which will give you personal
satisfaction; then strive to be among the best in
your field,” is some advice given by Dr. Carolyn
R. Payton ’45, director of the United States Peace
Corps, to Bennett Belles on choosing a career.
“Opportunities for women in previously closed
fields and areas of concentration are expanding.
The opportunities will open up if you prepare
yourself well,” said Dr. Payton.
Dr. Payton, who was a home economics major
from Norfolk, Va., says that her present career is
not the one that she had in mind while she was a
student. “I initially anticipated a career in college
teaching,” said Dr. Payton.
Nevertheless, Dr. Payton feels that Bennett
helped prepare her for her present career. Dr. Pay
ton said the Bennett provided the unique oppor
tunity for her to have leadership experience not
normally available to women attending co-ed
schools.
In preparing for a career, Dr. Payton advises
a student to find out what the requirements are for
qualifying in the career that she has chosen, to
explore how and where to get the preparation and
to strive to excel.
In order to prepare for a career such as hers.
Dr. Payton said that in addition to strong academic
preparation, a great deal of caring for and under
standing of other human beings is necessary. Ac
cording to Dr. Payton, a commitment to improve
the quality of life for one’s fellow man is also a
must.
“The love, sacrifice, and encouragement from
my family, especially mother and father, were
strong motivating factors,” said Dr. Payton about
what gave her the motivation to succeed.
Dr. Payton said that her race and her sex have
been an advantage in her career. “I say an advan
tage because the realities of racial and sexual dis
crimination always motivated me to persist in the
face of obstacles. I have always had to be better
than the best to get appointments and promotions,”
Dr. Payton explained.
The philosophy of life that has guided her is
that every human being is “inherently worthy.”
Dr. Payton also has fond memories of her years
at Bennett. Her most vivid memories include her
initial trauma of being away from home for the
first time and then discovering the full implication
of being a member of the Bennett family, the quiet
ness and peacefulness of vespers, and commence
ment time.
Several teachers and courses were valuable to
Dr. Payton in helping to prepare her for a career
and life. “Dean Banner, whose philosophy courses
were most demanding. Miss Johnstone, who was
equally demanding in English, Barbara Ware, a
very warm, human teacher in home economics,
and Mrs. Streat, another very supportive teacher
in home economics,” said Dr. Payton.
“All things being equal,” Dr. Payton would do
it all again at Bennett.
However, Dr. Payton had a few negative com
ments on the behavior of today’s Bennett women.
“I see a dimunition of pride at being a Bennett
woman. This is reflected in the general demeanor
and lack of concern for physical facilities. I have
been at times embarrassed by the conduct of the
Bennett student,” said Dr. Payton.
Last but not least. Dr. Payton thinks that it is
possible to reconcile marriage with a career. A
childless divorcee, Dr. Pas^ton, said, “Many have
done so. A great deal of mutual respect, exchange,
sharing, caring and acceptance of individual dif
ferences and aspirations are the ingredients.”
i
Photo Courtesy of Myra Davis
Peace Corps Director Carolyn R. Payton.