I
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER
OF CHOWAN COLLEGE
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NOVEMBER 1990 VOLUME 19, NUMBER 1
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Homecoming Queen crowned
Gwtn Baldwin is congratulated by President Jackson at Homecoming
as her escort and other contenders observe.
Why suicide ’
to become a four-year college
Student Government Associationpresident, Joel McMahon (center),discusses the return to four-year college
with Dr. Jackson, president of the college (right) and another student on campus.
By Dr. John W. Gosnell
According to Emile Durkheim
there are three possible reasons
why someone may choose sui
cide; Altruism, Egotism, and
Anomie.
The Altruistic suicide is caused
by love of somebody or some
thing, such as love of family or
love of country. During World
War II, Japanese pilots, we are
told, willingly flew suicide mis
sions, knowing full well that they
would die. The government of
this country gives the Congres
sional Medal of Honor to soldiers
who voluntarily give theirlives to
save another. Some people may
choose to take their lives in their
own hands and end it rather than
fail those they love or disappoint
those who love them.
Egotistic suicide is caused by
personal problems too big to
handle or feeling inadequate to
solve the ills of society. It may be
failure in personal relations, dis-
iqjpointment in love, business
failure or family problems. It
could be caused by worry over
poverty, war, crime, disease or
discrimination. People who take
life seriously sometimes take it
too seriously.
Anomic suicide is caused by
confusion about the norms of
society. Our culture has many
different and competing norms.
Some people have difficulty de
ciding which norm to follow, or
in living up to the one they choose.
The frustration may be too pain
ful to live with. The guilt for fail
ure may be unbearable. The only
solution may seem to be to end it.
We cannot judge the merits of
an act until we know the circum
stances and the reasons for it. In
the case of suicide that is difficult.
The person who cares enough
about what his loved ones expect
would rather give up living than
disappoint them; is he worse or
better than the one who cares less
about what they expect?
What about the person who
takes life too seriously? Is that
worse than not taking life seri
ously enough? How does worry
ing too much about the right norm
or failure to live up to the ideal
compare with not worrying at all
about norms?
Some people may resent sui
cide because of the discomfort it
causes the survivors, more than
because it was the wrong thing
for the person who made the
choice. TTie victim is more to be
pitied than censored
What is your opinion?
Chowan
By Karen Uberti
The Board of Trustees have
decided to return Chowan Col
lege to a four-year school. The
decision was made after months
of weighing tthe pros and cons.
The two-year institution will re
turn to a four-year college in the
fall of 1992. The wide majority of
faculty and staff seem positive
and enthusiastic aboutthis change.
Seven students interviewed-
four fem ale and three m ale-shared
their views with the editor of
Smoke Signals.
Sandra Pe, a sophomore, feels
that Chowan should stay a two-
year institution because, “There
are not many choices of classes
for each individuals particular
major.”
Alison Crouch, also a sopho
more, feels that Chowan should
stay two year because, “Those
kids who haven’t done well in
high school and aren’t ready to go
to a big university have a chance
to have an education and a small
campus life and get ready for a
major university.”
Chris Bowen, a freshman, says,
“ It’s a great idea. It will make ie
town more well-known. In later
years, Chowan will definitely
benefit from this decision.”
Greg Watt, in his fourth se
mester, reveals his thoughts.
“Chowan should be kept a small
college so students can recieve
Exam
Schedule
INSIDE
Greetings from
Student
Development
I am grateful to the newspaper
staff for allowing me the space to
brag on our student body and to
convey some important informa
tion to you. First, I am tremen
dously proud of our student body
for the marmer in which you have
adjusted to the beginning of a
new semester; adjusted to the lack
of air conditioning in Belk Hall;
adjusted to the new phone sys
tem; and adjusted to each other!
As a group, you are to be com
mended for the flexibility, under
standing, and cooperation which
you have demonstrated. We have
a terrific student body!
Second, I wanted to assure each
student that the Student Develop
ment Staff stands ready to assist
you in any way we can. As you
have concerns, problems, ques
tions and/or suggestions, please
express them through the proper
channels. Your voice is impor
tant, and we do want to hear from
you! I remind you of the follow
ing resource persons:
Dean Dilday,
Dean of Student Development
(For Men's Services)
Dean Byrd,
Associate Dean of Student
Development (For Women’s
Services)
Kelly Brame
Director ofCarr^yus Ministries:
• religious clubs;
• personalandspiritual growth
• international student advisor
• intramural coordinator.
Thank you for all your efforts
to make Chowan the absolute best
it can be! Have a great semester!
Bruce Moore
Vice president for
Student Development
individual attention.”
Mason Morton, sophomore,
states, “Many people come to
Chowan to get a new start on their
education, especially athletes.
Chowan should stay a junior col
lege or “prep school.”
Mark Miller, Faith Amore, and
The dribbling of basketballs
on the Helms Center court can
now be heard as the Chowan
Braves prepare to open their 1990-
91 season. Veteran Head Coach
Bob Butke, begirming his elev
enth season, finds himself faced
with his youngest team ever with
thirteen freshmen dotting his
lineup. When asked about his
mental and physical impressions
of his team after the first three
Victor Balmeceda were all inde
cisive in the poll of students.
Karen Uberti, sophomore, feels
that “Chowan has beni filed me in
many ways. It has taught me to
respect others’ opinions. I have
grown intellectually and been
more active in the area of sports
weeks of practice, Burke com
mented, “mentally, this team has
an outstanding attitude, one of the
better attitudes in my 11 years
here. The players genuinely seem
to like each other and are pulling
foreach other. FliysicaUy, we have
outstanding quickness, one of the
quickest defensive teams we have
ever had and a team which will
have a lot of versatility itself This
team handles the ball better as
and recreation. But, most of all I
have been made to see people for
what they really are. This is where
true friendships are formed. I am
glad for the students who can
spend two extra years at Chowan.
Congratulations on the four-year
plan, Chowanians!”
well as passing it better than last
year’s 23-10 squad.” The big
question mark is the lack of expe
rience up front while the biggest
strength could be the perimeter
game. Burke solved his point
guard position, where last year he
had no true point, however the
Braves, under Coach Burke have
averaged 25 wins a year as he
enters his eleventh season at the
helm.
Kompkoff-Purvis presents accounting
program to Phi Beta Lambda, students
Sylvia Kompkoff-Purvis, an accountant with Haney, Vann, Bruton,
Moody, and Brown CPA’s in Roanoke-Rapids, presented a program on
"What It’s Like to be an Accountant” to members of the Phi Beta
Lambda organization, and accounting students at Chowan College re
cently. Freshman accounting major, Mary Catherine Piland, from
Ccfield(left), listened as Ms. Kompkoff-Purvis (secondfran left) talked
about accountingwith Jill Overton,from Ahoskie,past president of Phi
Beta Lambda, and James Elton Hattison.from Windsor, a sophomore
accounting major (right). Phi Beta Lambda is a national organization
for college business students. Chowan College sponsors the Mu Zeta
Chapter of the organization.
1990 Lady Braves volleyball team
CarolinaJunior College Conference Champion,2ndplace Region X Tournament, 33-12, No. 18 in the nation
Men's Basketball Team
Men’s Basketball prepares for new season