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Friday, October 2, 1981
BENNETT COLLEGE, GREENSBORO, N. C.
Vol XLIII, No. 2
New dean emphasizes
Character development
Dr. Phyllis Jean Forte Ethridge has succeeded Harold E. Bragg as
dean of student affairs. She stresses comprehensive development of
a student’s capabilities.
by Shelly Coston
Dr. Phyllis Jean Forte Ethridge of Smithfield of
ficially began her new duties as dean of student affairs
earlier last month, replacing Harold E. Braggt
Her duties will include administrative responsibil
ities as well as involvement with non-academic mat
ters, Under her supervision are student discipline,
S.G.A. activities, career and placement services and
the office of admissions.
Dr. Ethridge has many plans for Bennett College.
“One goal of mine is to plan and implement a com
prehensive student development program for the
young ladies of Bennett, which will address their
mental, physical, social and emotional capabilities—
the development of the total student,” she stated.
“There’s a need for continual strong supervision and
motivation to enhance the young ladies to strive
towards the positive, productive forces they have the
potential of becoming,” she added.
The tradition surrounding Bennett is one quality
that attracted Dr. Ethridge. “I’ve always held Bennett
in high esteem, not only because of its reputation and
traditions but also because of Bennett’s role in per
forming the educational criterion of the Black wom
an,” she said. Another reason Dr. Ethridge is at Ben
nett is because she wanted to return to the higher
education setting and continue working in the student
personnel services area which is where her former
training is concentrated.
The friendly atmosphere and cooperation from the
faculty, staff and students have made the adjustment
period for the new dean pleasant. “The students are
very nice and most I’ve found carry themselves rather
well. As far as entering a new position, I received
the warmest, most helpful hospitality from the staff
here at Bennett that I have in the last fourteen to
fifteen years.”
Dr. Ethridge has received a B.S. degree in health
education and library science from N. C. Central
University in Durham, a M.S. degree in counselor
education from A&T State University, and a doctorate
in education from Duke University. She is also certi
fied as a principal and superintendent in North
Carolina.
Some of her previous experiences in education
include teaching graduate courses at A&T in counsel
ing and serving as junior high school assistant princi
pal for the Wayne County Schools and residential
recruiter at Fayetteville State.
Dr. Ethridge is looking forward to her years at
Bennett and hopes for cooperation from the Bennett
community. She also wants for Bennett to continue
to thrive as the outstanding college it is.
Pre-alumnae council “supports” college
(Andrea Burch, reporter)
Valerie Wills, president of the
Pre-Alumnae Council explains
the purpose of her organization in
this way: “The Pre-Alumnae
Council is one of the most worth
while organizations on campus be
cause our primary purpose is to
raise funds for the United Negro
College Fund, which assists in
keeping Bennett and other black
private colleges in existence. Wills
also says, “We allocate our money
to projects to improve Bennett
as well as send active members
to the National Pre-Alumnae
Conference.”
The council sponsors numerous
fund-raisers on and off campus.
Wills states, “Some of our tenta
tive fund raisers include a fashion
show, club night Las Vegas style
and a masquerade party.”
Each Belle belongs to the Pre-
Alumnae Council, but to become
an active member, a student must
pay the two dollar dues. “The dues
not only help the council out fi
nancially, but the dues assist in
separating those who are members
from those who are members by
talk and no action,” Wills claims.
Anita Coleman, Miss Pre-
Alumnae as well as secretary of
the National Pre-Alumnae Coun
cil, says: “1 sincerely hope more
Belles, especially the underclass
men, will become active mem
bers.” Coleman adds, “I am the
only elected female officer on the
national level. It would give me
great pleasure to see a B'ennett
sister step up and replace me.”
The other executive officers are
vice-president, Stephanie Durham;
recording secretary, Beverly Grif
fin; treasurer, Ursula Williams;
Parents’ slate starts
by Arlene McNeil
A variety of glittering events—including Faculty
Follies, the Founders’ Recognition Banquet and a con
cert by Frances Cole—highlights Parents’ Weekend,
which begins tonight.
The celebration coincides with Bennett’s observance
of its 108th anniversary.
At 8:00 this evening, come out and capture the
essence of the Harlem Jazz Era at the annual United
Negro College Fund Faculty-Staff Follies in Little
Theater. The program’s theme is “Rompin’, Stompin’
at the Savoy”—a re-creation of the popular Harlem
nightspot, “home of the happy feet.” Prior to the
performance, the film “I Remember Harlem” will
be shown. The movie recaptures Harlem during the
Depression and the early 1940’s. Tickets can be bought
at the door.
On Saturday morning, following the 8:30-9:30
Registration and Coffee Klatsche in Pfeiffer Science
Hall the Parent’s Association will conduct its annual
meeting. The agenda consists of a financial aid sem
inar, parents-faculty conferences and an institutional
briefing on college progirams and developments. At
noon, there will be a Parents-Daughter Lunch,
Entertainment possibilities for Saturday afternoon
include family reunions or an outing to A&T for the
football game against Johnson C. Smith University.
At 6:00 p.m., the Founders’ Recognition Banquet
will honor faculty and staff members who have served
for 20 and 35 years. Honorees include Mary Eady,
college registrar; James J, Scarlette, business manager;
and Earline Curry, library assistant. Tickets for the
banquet can be purchased in the Development Office.
In addition, under the auspices of the Mellon Grant,
internationally acclaimed harpsichordist Frances Cole
will perform at 8:00 p.m. in the campus chapel. Cole
has been praised in Germany, England, and through
out the United States. A native of Cleveland, she
began to study music at the age of three. Cole grad
uated cum laude at Miami University in Ohio with a
bachelor of music degree. She later earned two degrees
at Columbia University.
Cole performed here in 1977. Dr. Ruth Lucier,
chairperson of the Mellon Committee, stated that, “the
performance includes very ‘gentle music,’ not loud,
but soothing.”
While writing her doctoral dissertation on Bach’s
“Goldberg Variations,” Cole developed her love for
the Baroque era and began to study the harpsichord.
Lucier states that, “Cole performs music of upperclass
19th century Europe. She dresses in costume and
jewelry of the period.”
Cole has performed at such major recital halls as
Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. She is also featured
as a music critic on the CBS “Sunday Show.” She
plays a concert-size, double-keyboard harpsichord
built by Boston’s Eric Herz, After the Founders’
Weekend Banquet, Cole will discuss her music and
how it differs from other music. Appropriate dress
is expected for this occasion, Mrs. Mary Crawford,
associate professor of music, will be in charge of final
arrangements.
On Sunday, everyone is invited to attend the 11:00
a,m, services at St, Matthews United Methodist
Church,
Students will receive parents and friends in the
residence halls on Sunday, Special entertainment will
be featured to introduce parents to dorm life at
Bennett.
The weekend concludes with the Founders’ Day
Convocation and Reception. Retiring Greensboro
Mayor Jim Melvin will be the guest speaker. The
service will begin at 4:00 p,m, in Annie Merner
Pfeiffer Chapel. A reception, hosted by the Interna
tional Students Club, will be held immediately after
the convocation in the David D, Jones Student Union
Foyer,
parliamentarian, Nadine Bennis;
and chaplain, Kim Witherspoon,
There is also a representative from
each residence hall. The repre
sentative reports the business of
the council to the residence hall.
The meetings are held every
first and third Thursday of each
month in the Science library at
6:00 p.m.
INDEX
Names in the News - p. 3
Special Focus on Africa
Johannesburg Horrors - - - — P- 3
Chinua Achebe Assessed -- p. 5
Chuck Davis Concert Review p. 5
Chabaku’s Mission — P- 6
One of the numerous highlights of Parents’ Weekend v^ill be a
Saturday night concert by celebrated harpsichordist Frances Cole. Be sure to
wear your ‘Sunday best” to the performance.