DR. HENDERSON
MODERN LANGUAGES
by Lee Bowser
There are many depart
ments that make up a
university. Each department
is important, each is unique,
because each deals with a
specialty.
Elizabeth City State
University has many
departments which function
as the base of a student’s
major. In singling out one
department, there is a chance
to see the inner workings, the
many facets, the total pic
ture. The Modern Languages
department is headed by Dr.
Anne Henderson, chairman.
There is no better angle of
perspective than from her
view.
In relating information
about the department. Dr.
Henderson could not disguise
the pride she has. Indeed, her
pride is well deserved. “We
have people who have
training that goes far beyond
the training that you get from
a university or college. We
have faculty members who
generally have expertise in at
least two areas, very fine
expertise.”
I
The department she is
chairman of is a
conglomeration, an amassing
of different disciplines. It
doesn’t just cover English
gramEft^r. composition, and
literature, but speech
pathology and audiology as
well.
It also services majors of
other departments, such as
education and business .
Even Geoscience majors fall
into the wide range of courses
the Modern Language
department offers.
Modern Languages is the
biggest service department in
terms of the number of
courses offered.
Modem
Language
Department
The majority of students
are a part of the department
for two, sometimes three
years, in Basic Com
munications, English
Composition, and World
Literature. Dr. Henderson
says, “For years it was the
only department with an
honors program, and it now
has the most extensive honors
program.”
Media and Drama also fall
into the wide domain of
Modern Languages. Each
discipline is provided with
specialists in its fields. The
department has three persons
with expertise in drama, and
is serviced with outside help
from others who deal first
hand in all diferent forms of
media.
An unusual aspect of the
department is the rapport it
has with its majors. “There is
a type of family relationship
without the loss of academic
integrity. The faculty and
majors know each others
wants and needs.”
According to Dr. Hen
derson, students have often
used the English degree as a
stepping stone to other fields
or professions. Many medical
schools and law schools as
well are urging students to
major in EngliiSh.
Dr. Henderson believes
that the department has
much more to do in order to
be constantly improving. In
this department, as is in all
things, there is room for
improvement. However, all
of those connected with
Modern Languages have
reason to be proud. It’s more
than just an academic
department, and maybe
that’s the way it should be. ^
Welcome
Shawn Smith
cj
New Drama Director
by Lee Bowser
coming to TV on ABC In early December
watch for It!
Page 4
The Modern Language
Department furnishes en
tertainment to the campus
through the drama program.
This year the program is
headed by its new director,
Shawn Smith.
As with anything new, the
program has to prove itself
and put away any doubtful
critics. This is Shawn Smith’s
objective.
“I know a reputation must
be built. I hope it will be built
on quality and talent.”
Everyone, at the beginning,
has hope. How does he plan to
build this reputation he
believes to be so attainable?
“I believe plays of merit,
done well, will build a
reputation.”
It is not as if the new
director of the University
Players is not ready for the
job he now holds. His am
bitions are high. “I want the
players to have a reputation
for doing good work, letting
people show their own
talent.”
He feels that this is his
main drive. He like other
explorers, seeks new lands.
He hopes to help build a
program that offers more
courses, plays and
workshops. Not only at this
school, but at other schools as
well
Smith feels that this would
not only show what the
University Players can do,
but will be good for recruit
ment. He admits that many of
his ideas are further “down
the road.”
Though there is not a very
solid scenery department,
and the budget is tight, he
maintains that he will not let
this interfere with the quality
of the plays.
He believes that talent
equals good plays, and that
they have good talent.
“I want everybody to come
to the first production, ‘ Hot 1
Baltimore,’ on November 11,
12, and 14, in The Little
Theatre, 'and see for yourself
if there is talent, if there is
quality.”
Seeing is believing, and if
his players are as good as he
boasts, then there is no need
for any critics. “I believe
everyone will be pleasantly
surprised and entertained.”
His smile is wide, that of a
man of confidence.