Newspapers / Gardner-Webb University Student Newspaper / March 3, 2006, edition 1 / Page 5
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WiePlT&t'. Friday, March 3, 2006 Page 5 News ‘Biology nerd,’ has the answer: ‘I love to teach’ Ronda Carpenw lives in science which ■ . ~i Besides teaching, Geographic and the History Chan- i Carpem Pilot Staff Writer Many men throughout his tory seem to have the answers to everything—Aristotle, Socrates, Einstein and Gardner-Webb Uni versity’s Prof. Tom Jones. If Jones doesn’t already know the answer to any question you ask him, he makes it a priority to find out. “I had Dr. Jones for environ mental biology, and he is one of those teachers that knew every thing about everything,” said John Harris, senior religious studies major from Marion. Alumni Stacie Reichert agrees. “Dr. Jones is a pretty smart guy,” said Reichert. “He has a unique intelligence. You can ask him a question on almost any subject, and he knows something about it or will find it out.” Since Jones has a near genius IQ, why didn’t he decide to be a rocket scientist or brain surgeon? “I love to teach,” said Jones. Jones received his bachelor’s degree in biology at the Method ist College in Fayetteville, While attending Methodist, he organized the first Earth Day activities for the college. He later went to N.C. State where he received his mas ter’s in botany and doctorate in plant taxonomy with concentra tions in ecology and genetics. “I was a biology nerd,” said Jones. “I even took all my elec- was not a good thing to do. When I went to college, I knew I wanted to be a science nerd but I also knew what I didn’t want to do, teach.” However, with the help of fate and two influential teach ers Jones changed his mind and developed a passion for teaching. “I had Pauline Longest for botany, and half way through the course I knew I wanted to teach,” said Jones. “Pauline and James W. Hardin from N.C. State were two of the best teachers I have ever had, and they made me want to teach.” “I started teach ing at St. Andrews college, and my wife couldn’t find a job there so I found an add for a librarian job at GWU, and she came here to work while I still taught at St. An drews,” said Jones. After being away from his wife for some time, he was finally able to join her in Boiling Springs. “In 1980 I came up here and took a part-time job teaching,” said Jones. “My wife and I agreed Photo by Joseph Fluty Tom Jones looks through the microscope Feb. 23. Jones was asked to identify what is causing the algae at the spring. that we would stay here for two years but have ended up staying a lot longer than that. I’ll prob ably stay here till they drag me out kicking and screaming because I love what I do.” Jones oversees the Honors program and has been working with honors students since 1996. “University Hon ors is a big portion of my time,” said Jones. “Honors is all about providing opportuni ties in and out of the classroom and it’s up to the student as to how much they want to take advantage of it.” Jones tries to in corporate his love for knowledge and travel into the Honors pro gram and often takes his students on several trips. “I love to travel,” said Jones. “Pretty rou tinely we take students to Quebec, Canada to ski, the Florida Key’s to dive and snorkel, and to the North Caro lina coast to play in the mud. Last year, I even took a group of students to Paris.” Most people’s idea of free time probably does not in volve education, but Jones loves to incorporate it into his. “I am an avid reader,” said Jones. “I love to watch good qual ity television such as National nel. Jones’ interests are fueled by his life experiences. “In junior high school I bagged groceries and worked as a stock clerk and then became assistant manager,” said Jones. “I also sold encyclopedias door to door and made good money. “While I was doing my gradu ate work I worked in a peanut research lab using radioactive carbon dioxide to trace the devel opment of lipids in peanuts. I also worked as a teacher’s assistant in botany and plant diversity.” Jones became interested in the environment at an early age. “I was an Eagle Scout,” said Jones. “That is where I first took interest in environmental aware ness.” He later discovered he had a passion for science and ecology. “I worked on a team doing environmental impact statements for the Brunswick Steam Electric Plant,” said Jones. “That’s where I fell in love with ecology.” During this time period, Jones also worked as a ranger in a state park. Jones tries to relay his passion for learning to his students. “My favorite part of my job is watching the little light bulb go on when a student understands some thing,” said Jones. “You can see it in people’s eyes when it goes ‘click.’ That’s cool.” Student sets an example through volunteer work Ronda Carpenter Pilot staff writer Brian Lewis has an understanding of what it’s like to be homeless—not because he has ever been in the situation, but because he works with people who are homeless on a weekly basis. The senior psychology major from Ra leigh and has been working in The Beacon homeless shelter in Shelby since mid-No vember and spends at least two nights a week working there. “I work Sunday and Monday nights from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. and every third Thursday,” said Lewis. “I sleep and eat at the homeless shelter.” Lewis found out about the job through his major, which required an internship. “I started off working here as a psychol ogy internship for Gardner-Webb,” said Lewis. “After my internship, the Abuse Pre vention Counsel offered me an actual job working.” “Right now we have 18 men in the shel ter,” said Lewis. “We have everything from 18 to 60 year olds staying here. There are many different walks of life that come into the shelter including drug addicts and sex of fenders. There are a lot of homeless people in this town for it to be such a small size and them finding a job is a big issue.” “You see everything from people who get back on there feet, to people who we have to photo by Joseph Fluty Brian Lewis hangs out at his apartment on Feb. 23, working on homework be fore going on with his normai day. turn back to the street because of addiction and mental health problems,” said Lewis. While spending his time in the shelter, Lewis’ job is to make sure the men are cared for. “I make sure that they get fed that they have a place to stay and to enforce the rules of the shelter,” said Lewis. “Sometimes it can be real stressful dealing with the popula tions that have a lot of problems.” One of the more difficult parts about his job is dealing with the relationships Lewis shares with the men at the shelter. “I am trained to not get attached to these people, but it’s hard,” said Lewis. “When you work with and see a real good guy do better for himself and get out of the shel ter it’s a great feeling but can be sad at the same time. It’s hard when someone you care about checks out and you don’t see him any more.” Even though his job can be challenging, Lewis feels that good comes from it. “It allows me to give back to the com munity and get to work with people from all different walks of life,” said Lewis. “My job makes me humble. I see people who struggle and the everyday things that we complain about is not even close to what these people to go through.” “I see hungry people have an opportunity to eat,” said Lewis. “What seems like big things to us as far as material things go, don’t matter to them. We complain about caf food. Picture not having anything to eat at all.” Because of his positive attitude about his work, several men look to Lewis for advice. “I’ve had guys come up to me and ask if I believe in God, and I tell them that yes, I am a believer,” said Lewis. “Some of them have said that they can tell by the way I carry myself and treat them that I am a Christian, and that makes me proud.” Scrapbook store open for business Rebecca Clark Pilot staff writer Sometimes a hobby can turn into something much more. For Mary Ruth Dixon, that is precisely what hap pened. Last October her passion for crafts became a busi ness. Dorothy’s Stamps-N- Scraps, located in a charm ing house on the comer of Fairview Street and East College Avenue, is a verita ble banquet for craft lovers. The five rooms contain everything from stickers and scrapbook paper to embel lishments and stamps. And if you aren’t an expert at cre ating crafty things, there is help. Classes are offered about once a month and teach you how to make such things as birthday or valentine cards. Dixon, who also works in the Noel Program as assistant director, said that one of her inspirations has been her mother, Dorothy Edwards Lanon, whom the store was named after. She said that her mother always wrote long cards out to people and fin- photo by Katie Bryant Dorothy’s Stamps-N-Scraps is the place to go for anyone who is interested in scrap booking. Ciasses on card making and scrap booking are aiso avaii- able. ished each one with a scripture verse. “That was her ministry,” said Dix on. “Even when I was attending school here at Gardner-Webb University 30 minutes from home, my mother would write to me.” Now Mary Ruth has her own min istry. Though her job with the Noel Program comes first, she said that for her, the store is more than just a busi ness. “It’s not a place to gossip or mn in and out of, but to feel a little of God’s love.” she said. The challenge to juggle both a job and a business has been anything but easy. The major challenges that Dixon has faced are handling two jobs, the start up expenses, and deciding what to stock. “It’s a challenge not to throw your hands up and say 1 can’t do this anymore,” she said. But there have been good returns. Business is picking up gradually, and one of the best parts is that Dixon gets to share what she loves to do with other people. While Dixon is working at GWU, Helen Kirby from Shelby runs the store. Technically, she is retired, but be sides filling in when Dixon isn’t there, she teaches the classes and keeps up with the latest items. “I love working here,” she said, “I’m in my element.” Dorothy’s Stamps-N-Scraps is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students speak up for SGA’s one-card system Sarajane Burroughs Pilot staff writer Most students are anx iously awaiting the results of the new “one card” sys tem that has been proposed. SGA is anxiously awaiting as well as intensely work ing, towards its goal of what it feels is a better card sys tem. SGA members finally were able to meet with uni versity senior staff Feb. 22. There has not yet been a decision made as to whether or not GWU will implement the one card system. “Now we must play the waiting game,” says Chris toph Brown, a junior social sciences major from Green ville, S.C. “No matter what senior staff tells us we are happy about the job that we have done and couldn’t thank the students enough for all of their support. We would have never made it to senior staff without the student’s backing.” SGA members went around to every dorm at least once, as well as to Chic-Fil-A and the caf, with a petition for students to sign. They received 753 sig nature, more than twice as many as they had hoped for. Things are apparently looking up. Chris Meekins, senior political science major, says that the presentation went very well and that senior staff was very im pressed. want you. Get your name in print. Buiid your portfoiio. Join the Pilot.
Gardner-Webb University Student Newspaper
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March 3, 2006, edition 1
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