The Clarion October 8, 1995 Page 5
BC Undergoes Changes As It Moves To Four Year
B.C. News Release
from B.C. News Bureau
As the 1995 academic year begins,
Brevard College is on the brink of one
of the most exciting academic changes
in its 140-year history: the addition of
four-year baccalaureate degree programs
to the well-established associate degrees
that have been its traditional offering for
generation of students. Along with this
change in academic direction comes a
changing of the guard at the top level of
Brevard College’s academic program, a
change that reflects both a commitment
to the future and a solid tradition of
teachers who have come to the fore and
helped lead the College to its stature as
one of the most highly-regarded two-
year colleges in the nation.
It is from the ranks of professors
that the College had drawn its leaders in
academic affairs, leaders who have
garnered the respect of their peers and
college administrators. Foremost
among these academic leaders at Bre
vard College are Dr. Charles Teague,
who left full-time teaching to take over
for Coleman-West as the college’s new
Vice-President for Academic Affairs
and Dean of the Faculty. Appointed by
Brevard College President J. Thomas
Bertrand as Deim of Academic Plarming
in January, Teague was fiirther promot
ed to the senior vice presidential post of
the College in April.
Coleman-West and Teague, who
have been colleagues at Brevard College
for almost 12 years, share deep commit
ment to the traditional Brevard College
academic philosophy which emphasizes
strong classroom teaching and a dedica
tion to the student as a whole person.
"I approach all students with the
intent of demanding the best I can possi-
t'ly get from them," says Coleman-
West. "I will provide a lot of help for
them if they don’t have the tools to
meet my standards, but I always de-
Twister Productions
Heidi Rodenbaugh
Campus Editor
Are you bored? Don’t know what
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•s Twister productions. Every Wednes-
% nights we meet in the bottom of
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'J'8 Weekend, Halloween masquerade
and Parents’ weekend. We could
mand their best effort. Brevard College
will always be a school for the students
who want to learn more than they have
in the past and for the students who
want to encounter new ways of learning
and being challenged."
Teague agrees. "I work to engen
der in the students a sense of enthusi
asm for education," he says, "and that
includes not only the content in a course
or within my discipline, but also how
to learn and new ways to think. I view
our students as customers; I am here to
serve them and instill in them the spirit
of education."
This shared mission, envisioned in
the Office of Academic Affairs and
implemented in the classrooms of Bre
vard College, had been the basis for a
smooth transition of responsibility in the
office of Academic Affairs. Teague
and Coleman-West worked together,
sharing ideas and responsibilities during
the spring 1995 semester until Coleman-
West left campus for a year- long sab
batical. She will return as Professor of
English in the fall of 1996.
"This past spring semester provided
a smooth transition for the College,
thanks in a large part to Clara’s guid
ance over the past few years," says
Teague. "The process of change can
always be unsettling, but 1 see my role
as continuing the stability that Clara has
established, as well as developing pride
and enthusiasm throughout the College
and the Faculty."
Of course, one of the greatest chal
lenges facing Teague is the academic
leadership of a college that is in the
midst of redefining its mission. The
College, currently in a candidacy period
for baccalaureate programs in music and
art, is continuing to revise and improve
its core curricula and associate s degree
programs while also developing new
programs in environmental studies and
outdoor education.
use any ideas that you might have, or jf
you would like to, just come and listen
to what is going on.
Pack Place
Jennifer Berry
Staff Writer
Want a great way to put on a
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cial risk and make some money for
"Building additional baccalaureate
programs and leading the College
through this period of growth is defi
nitely one of the greatest challenges,"
says Teague. "We invite students to
come and be a part of this growing and
dynamic institution, an institution that is
on the cutting edge of higher education.
We have always had a very strong
liberal arts tradition, and although we
are leading with the fine arts in bacca
laureate programs, we will always stress
the liberal arts.
"Change is very positive in this
respect," Teague continues. "We are a
very fine teaching institution, and we
will continue to be. We will not lose
sight of our associate’s degree progra
ms; in fact, the move to four-year
programs will force us to review our
associate’s degree programs, sharpen
our focus on what our niche is going to
be, and then concentrate on providing
the best education we possibly can.
There is always some risk involved
with change, but this is the best risk we
can take at this time for Brevard Col
lege."
Teague credits Coleman-West with
laying a solid foundation for this new
period of growth and development in
the curriculum at Brevard College.
"The growth of Brevard College into
baccalaureate programs would not be
possible without the groundwork laid by
Clara," he says. "She really did her
homework." He also credits her with
her tireless efforts to empower the
faculty at Brevard College. "Clara gave
flesh and direction to a faculty evalua
tion system that gives the faculty stabili
ty as well as a direct input into curricu
lum policies. In the process, she pro
vided an atmosphere where the faculty
feels free to evaluate the curriculum,
excise irrelevant courses and develop
iimovative courses, all within the con
text of transferability."
your organization at the same time?
Diana Wortham Theater at Pack Place
Education, Arts and Science Center in
downtown Asheville is hosting musical
groups who want to bring in the season
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provide the stage (available December
5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20), ticketing,
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What could be simpler? Interested? Call
Ginger West at Diana Wortham, (704)
257-4537.
With fully-accredited four-year
programs just around the bend, Teague
is excited about the further possibilities
for the Brevard College faculty. "As
our processors move into teaching at a
four-year level in their respective disci
plines, they will become innovators who
think creatively without the constraints
of transfer after two years. I also hope
to continue to develop and improve the
faculty evaluation system and continue
the momentum that had been established
in our academic community. The Col
lege is poised and ready for baccalaure
ate programs, and I am excited about
leading the faculty into this exciting
future."
Despite his enthusiasm for the
future as Vice President for Academic
Affairs, Teague has one regret: leaving
the classroom. "It is difficult to leave
the classroom because part of my fulfill
ment comes from interacting with the
students." Teague, who holds an associ
ate’s degree from Brevard College, a
bachelor’s degree from High Point
University, and a master’s and doctorate
degrees from Emory University, has
spent much of his professional career in
the classroom. Prior to teaching at
Brevard College, he spent 12 years at
High Point University as chaplain and
professor of religion and philosophy.
As for Coleman-West, she cannot
wait to get back into her true element:
in front of a classroom full of new
students. "1 won’t be dean, and I won’t
be vice-president, but by putting me
back into the classroom, the College has
truly given me the ultimate promotion."
The Clarion Staff
Editor
Jon Ostendorff
Asst. Editors
Erica Broadway
Shelby Hepier
Campus Editor
Heidi Rodenbaugh
Photography
Beth Miller
Sports Writers
Stacy Luckie
Taylor Essick
Staff Writers
Jennifer Berry
Ay mi Franklin
Advisor
Rhuemma C. Miller