Newspapers / UNCW Today (University of … / Dec. 1, 1985, edition 1 / Page 3
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Alumni Spotlight She’s the head of her class UNCW has new queen (L-R) Melissa Davis of Raieigli, Miss UNCW, and Paul Bell, student government president, discuss their roles as campus representatives. UNCW alumna Valvria Bland- ing has always loved school. An outstanding graduate of both Hog- gard High School and The Univer sity of North Carolina at Wilming ton, Val has turned her dedication as a student into dedicated service to the teaching profession. She has taught fifth grade at E. A. Alder man School in Wilmington for two years. "I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. You have to love to teach and enjoy working with kids and people to be a good teacher,” Val explained. UNCW professors author book about mammals For the nature-lover on your Christmas list, a new book by three UNCW professors will be a perfect choice. Mammals of the Carolines, Virginia, and Maryland, just re leased by the University of North Carolina Press, will be a welcome addition to any backpack or book- bag for those who are thrilled to catch a glimpse of the animals which live around us. The authors are Dr. Walter C. Biggs, Jr., professor of biology; Dr. James F. Parnell, professor of biol ogy and co-author of Birds of the Carolinas; and Dr. William David Webster, assistant professor of biology and curator of mammals. Webster received the,bachelor of scicnce degree in biolog>' from UNCW in :C7C. The bcck is a nat ural follow-up to Birds of the Carolinas and Amphibians and Reptiles of the Carolinas and Vir ginia, published earlier by the UNC Press for general interest audiences. This beautiful book, with 117 col or photographs mostly by Parnell, also features range maps of the mammals’ distributions. Written as a popular guide, the book will acquaint readers of all ages with the great variety and abundance of mammals in the four-state area. Three years in the writing, Mam mals of the Carolinas, Virginia, and Maryland describes in detail the 88 terrestrial mammals as well ■ Mf- The Southern Flying Squirrel is common in the Carolinas, Maryland and Virginia. (L-R) Walter C. Biggs, Jr., W. David Web ster and James Parnell. as 33 marine species that inhabit the area’s offshore waters. With mountains, piedmont, and coastal plain present in all four states, the region is rich in fauna. In a brief overview, the book de scribes each of the three regions, gives a description of characteris tics and adaptations of mammals, offers hints for observation and study, and discusses conservation efforts. The bulk of the book is devoted to accounts of all species of wild mammals known to occur in the region and in the Atlantic Ocean adjacent to the four states. The mammals are grouped into these categories: pouched mammals; shrews and moles; bats; armadillos; rabbits and hares; gnawing mam mals (rodents); meat-eating mam mals; cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises); manatees; and hoofed mammals (even-toed, non domesticated). In each species account, there is a description of the mammal, in cluding size, physical characteris tics and coloring; distribution and abundance; particular habitat con siderations; and natural history of the animal, giving what it feeds upon, its activity cycle, how it relates to other animals, and re productive biology. Among the tidbits one learns from reading the book is that 17 species of bats occur in the Caro linas, Virginia and Maryland, in cluding Townsend’s Bigeared Bat, an endangered species. While not seen very often this far north, the nine-banded armadillo is expand ing its range northward and east ward and has been reported in South Carolina; (other reports of the armadillo from the Piedmont of the Carolinas and Washington, D.C. probably represent animals that have escaped or been released from captivity). And, did you know that armadillos are susceptible to leprosy, making them valuable in medical research? The photos themselves make the book worthwhile. Photos of the star-nosed mole, a fang-baring big brown bat, the adult eastern cot tontail and four juvenile eastern cottontail rabbits iu a nest arc ex cellent. Getting the photographs required a number of field trips to capture animals for the photos. Other pictures were taken in zoos such as at Brookgreen Gardens and Charles Town Landing where the animals are kept in more or less natural surroundings. The bear was photographed at Grand father Mountain. A lot of small animals were caught in live traps and placed in a terrarium set up to resemble the natural habitat. While the book was purposely designed for the general audience and is not written as a scholarly work of scientific research, the book is accurate and contains new information on several species not previously published. The book is also unusual in that it is one of the few books on mammals that covers marine mammals as well as ter restrial mammals. Mammals, which sells for $16.95, is available in area bookstores now. The Least Weasel is the smallest carnivore in North America. UNCW alumna Val Bianding with her fifth grade class. Val’s love for working with the public is equally important in her second job. For five years, she has worked one night per week as the receptionist at the information desk at New Hanover Memorial Hospital. The public relations ex perience has helped in her career. "UNCW prepared me for the real world of teaching; the hospital pro vided the experience of working with the public,” Val said. "As a teaciier, you’re faced with all sorts of situations. You have to learn to deal with the many social situa tions, such as divorce and child abuse, and how those situations affect your student(s).” While at UNCW, Val was vice- president of the Student North Carolina Association of Educators and a UNCW Student Ambassador. She was selected for inclusion in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She graduated magna cum laude with the bach elor of arts degree in elementary education in 1984. That same year she was selected as an Outstand ing Young Woman in America. Her commitment to UNCW con tinues after graduation. In 1985 Val was elected to the Alumni Association Board of Directors. "I enjoyed the Ambassador pro gram and gained so much from it that I wanted to continue being involved with the Alumni Asso ciation and the campus,” Val explained. She is also enrolled in the grad uate program for the master of arts degree in reading education. Upon completion of her master’s degree, she plans to continue teaching elementary or junior high grades, or serve as an instructor at the college level. Val’s enthusiasm for her profes sion and her dedication to the im portance of quality education is being passed on to others. She shared her experiences as a mi nority student with others during Minority Visitation Day held at UNCW in November. "I told students that you must have confidence in yourself and be dedicated in everything that you do,” Val said.
UNCW Today (University of North Carolina Wilmington Alumni Newsletter)
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Dec. 1, 1985, edition 1
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