Wednesday, December 1, 2010
{The Blue Banner}
Page 5
Literature students
showcase work at reading
Chris Kane
Kate samos/sian photographer
Zach Samuels reads a selection of his work to family members, fac
ulty and his peers at the literature department’s final presentation.
CMKANE@UNCA.EDU
STAFF WRITER
Imgaine writing a prequel to one of
the classic works of Western literature.
Then imagine doing it in one semes
ter.
Eight graduating seniors read selec
tions from their work to an audience
of family members, faculty and UNC
Asheville students on Nov. 21. For
some writers, such as Christina Ayers,
a 31-year-old literature student with
a concentration in creative writing,
using personal topics in their work is
therapeutic.
“Although I sometimes feel vulner
able about exposing my emotions,
that’s how I function as a poet,” she
said. “I have always been a bit of an
exhibitionist with my emotions.”
This is not to say the readings were
not without moments of levity or
works that were less personal, such
as Zach Samuels’ drama about the in
terrelationships between three room
mates. Three UNCA students, John
Coggin, Sydney Hubbard and Thor
Thobaissen staged and acted out the
piece. The state’s poet laureate, Cathy
Smith Bowers, inspired Sally Parish’s
piece, and her work was grounded in
a nature-centric setting and accompa
nied by music.
McCarter is a Miami native and
literature student with a concentra
tion in creative writing. Her prequel-
to Milton’s epic poem was based on
a thematic element in Paradise Lost,
encapsulated by the angel Raphael’s
assertion that Adam be “lowly wise”
and stop asking questions.
Curiosity and Eve’s disobedience
were the starting point for McCarter,
who said her work was “an attempt to
satiate that curiosity.”
Her use of free form poetry, as op
posed to the metered verse style Mil-
ton used, was based on the fact that her
work was a prequel to Paradise Lost.
“Milton and his contemporaries be
lieved that metered verse reflected the
order and harmony of God’s universe.
Because a number of my poems take
place before God and his little universe
had been created, as well as outside
of the literary Christian paradigm of
God’s character, an organic free form
makes more sense to my narrative,”
she said.
McCarter argued the gender inequal
ity and the archaic views of women
represented in literature originating
around the time of Paradise Lost are
issues with which Milton struggled.
She chose, in her work, to portray Eve
in a positive light, dismissing the an-
see readings Page 7
Faculty members donate paychecks to charities
Jeremiah Reeed
jjreed@unca.edu •
staff writer
Despite a tough economy and state
wide budget cuts, Chris Miller said
he hopes UNC Asheville employees
continue to participate in the State Em
ployees Combined Campaign, which
gives employees the opportunity to
donate to charities straight out of their
paychecks.
“Last year’s goal was based on a
monetary amount,” said Miller, chair
of the SECC. “With the economy the
way it is, we decided this year to focus
less on monetary donations and em
phasize general participation more.”
The SECC started in 1986, and since
Chris Miller
that time, North Car
olina state employ
ees have raised.more
than $70 million in
donations. Last year,
UNCA raised almost
$40,000 in the cam
paign.
This number was
4 percent lower than
the amount donated
in 2008 and represents a larger trend
across the state university system, ac
cording to the SECC.
UNCA was one of 12 state institu
tions that saw a drop in donations from
2008 to 2009. Of the remaining five
state schools, only two saw increases
in donations of more than 6 percent.
Brenda McKin
ney, director of
business services,
finance and opera
tions, said although
the program focused
on full-time employ
ees, any donation is
welcome.
“Since the program
involves monthly
payroll deduction as the means of do
nating, it’s primarily aimed at full-time
faculty and staff, but if a temporary
employee wanted to come in and write
a check, we certainly wouldn’t refuse
it,” she said.
The SECC gives employees the op
tion to allot a set amount to be taken
Chrissy Wise
out of their paycheck every month.
The campaign requires a minimum
paycheck deduction of $5 per month,
and all donations are tax-deductible.
Chrissy Wise, office assistant for
the education department, said there
are also several other ways to contrib
ute to the program.
“If you can’t do the monthly payroll
deductions, there are other options,”
she said. “You can do either a cash do
nation or check. We also except credit
card payments, so there are plenty of
ways people can get involved,” Wise
said.
Apart from donation options. Miller
said with more than 1,000 charities to
choose from, employees were sure to
See charity Page 7