GARDNER-WEBB COLLEGE
Thursday, September 27,1990 No. 2
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BOILING SPRINGS, NORTH CAROLINA
Observatory Dedication October 13
By Dawn E. Camp
Managing Editor
For centuries, man has stared at the stars
searching for answers. Now, answers may
become a little easier for Gardner-Webb
with the opening of the Craven E. Williams
Observatory. The official opening and
dedication of the building will take place on
Parents’ Day, October 13, following the
home football game.
According to Tom English, GWC
Astronomy professor, both President Chris
White and former President Williams will
be speaking at the ceremony. English
added, "We will try to show off the sun after
the festivities, but we can’t guarantee any
observing."
Another short program will be held on
November 10 when the observatory is ex
pected to be completed and the telescope
working. This ceremony will include an ob
serving session and at least one speaker.
The opening, originally scheduled for
April 28, had to be postponed due to
weather and construction problems.
Progress was slow over the summer since
many of the volunteer workers were out of
town. English said, "People are welcome to
help. We work on Saturdays, weather per
mitting, from 8:30 [a.m.] until lunch. T^en
we may work in the afternoons."
Although the observatory is not yet com
pleted, the monthly public vievnng nights
are being held as scheduled. Members of
the Cleveland County Astronomical
Society often come on these nights bringing
some of their free-standing telescopes. Ap
proximately 30 people attended the August
session.
Another astronomy-related thing to
watch for here at GWC is the painting of a
scale-model solar system on the sidewalk in
front of the school. The model’s sun will be
located near the intersection at the traffic
light. Pluto, the outermost planet in our
solar system, will be painted some 1500 feet
away--where the sidewalk ends at Hardee’s.
Earth, 36.8 feet from the intersection, will
be a mere dot. According to English, "If you
followed the same line [due south], the
nearest star would be somewhere off the
coast of South America."
IN THIS ISSUE...
CAMPUS NEWS, page 1
FROM YOUR EDITOR, page 2
CARTOON, page 2
SECOND FRONT, page 3
ENTERTAINMENT, page 4
SPORTS, page 5
ODDS AND ENDS, page 6
Kuwait Problem Affects Many at GWC
By Jane Richards Staff Writer
A huge sigh of relief was heard all over GWC last week as America’s
reserves were taken off alert. Before this announcement, many stu
dents and faculty members felt sure that they were soon headed for the
vast Saudi Arabian deserts. Although the alert may be reinstated at any
moment, reservists and their family members can rest a little easier.
Athletic director Woody Fish, who is in the Army Reserves, feels that
he probably will not be sent to the Middle East. "[My infantry unit] is
like basic training. If the instructors at boot camp were called to go, we
would be called to take their place. Right now the government is main
ly calling those involved with chemical or medical training."
One such person is Dr. Frank Bonner, whose knowledge of chemical
warfare almost guarantees that he would be called should things esca
late. Until last week. Dr. Bonner had assumed that he would be sent to
Saudi Arabia, with some official military information to back that as
sumption. Now, he continues his leadership as newly-appointed Vice
President for both academics and student affairs, temporarily relieved
of at least the external pressure.
Having just joined the Naval Reserves in April, sophomore Marty
White has been watching the situation in Iraq very carefully. "As long
as we don’t start fighting," he said, "I won’t go anywhere. If we do, you
never know what might happen."
Many students are concerned about relatives as well. Veronica
Anders, at one point, feared that her father would be sent, and the
Pritchard sisters’ uncle was sent abroad to help with medical services.
Although many students seem most affected by rising gasoline prices,
some have shown their support for the U.S. troops who are already in
Saudi Arabia by tying yellow ribbons on their cars. Still others here at
Gardner-Webb are anxiously awaiting the return of family members
and friends.
Russia
I.' i' ^
SAUDI
--Tropic of Cancer-
ARABIA
KUWAIT
/ (Enlarged)
Kuwait Bay
to Saudi
Arabia
Kuwait 1 Persiaa
(the city) ^ \ Gulf