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VOLUME XIX, NUMBER 8
NORTH CAROLINA WESLEYAN CX)LLEGE, ROCKY MOUNT,, N.C.
FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1981
Data Processing Comes to N.C. Wesleyan
by Phil Prager
With increasing
frequency, it is recognized
that an understanding of the
computer, how it works, and
how it influences the daily
lives of every citizen, is a
necessary part of the general
education of all students.
Finally, N.C. Wesleyan has
moved into the computer era
with the installation of an IBM
System 34, Model 5340
computer, and the
establishment of a data
processing department.
During this spring
semester, the business
department group study
course, “Introduction to
Computers,” has attempted to
explain how computers
operate and are used in the
worlds of business and
science. Priority in taking the
course was given to seniors in
order to give them some
exposure to data processing
before they enter the job
market. Predictably, the class
is composed mainly of busines
smajors - but - it is important
for all majors to familiarize
themselves with computer
concepts.
Course coverage has
included the evolution of the
computer industry, computer
hardware (machines that
input data to or receive output
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
CAREER DAY
On April 3, 1981, the
Criminal Justice Department
held its third annual Criminal
Justice Career Day. Bob
DeCatsye, Director of the
program, felt that the day was
a success as it was attended
by approximately 350 students
from colleges in North
Carolina.
Thirty-two Criminal
Justice agencies participated
in the event by sending
recruiting representatives to
the campus to discuss career
opportunities with students.
Don Murray, Director of
North Carolina Alcohol and
Law Enforcement, was the
key speaker. He spoke of the'
need for qualified, dedicated
young people to enter the field
of Criminal Justice.
One of the highlights of
the day was a demonstration
on the use of patrol dogs in
Law Enforcement. This was
put on by Security Police from
Pope Air Force Base.
Mr. DeCatsye advised
that programs of this type
play an important role in
helping students find
employment in their chosen
field.
The Criminal Justice
Department also sponsored
another event in April. On
Monday, April 27, Mr. Thomas
G. P. Garner, Commissioner
of Prisons in Hong Kong,
presented a lecture on prison
life in that country.
Mr. Garner has a long and
varied career in Penology,
and has been commended by
the United Nations for his
work on drug rehabilitation.
He was personally decorated
by Queen Elizabeth in 1977 for
his outstanding contributions
to the field of corrections,
data from a computer), and
how computers are
programmed to process data
correctly. Main emphasis has
been placed on understanding
what a computer is, and is not
capable of. Even the most
sophisticated computer can
perform only a relatively few
number of operations.
Contrary to popular
belief, computers cannot think
for themselves. They must
first be “programmed” with
instructions to perform even
the simplest job. Much of the
class time has been devoted to
having the students prepare
llil
Monica Rest operates Wesleyan’s new computer.
logic program flowcharts
which illustrate how to
program a computer to
accomplish various jobs now
performed manually.
This course has been just
an introduction to the
computer world. No field as
complex and fast moving as
data processing can be
mastered in a single
semester. But hopefully, an
awareness of the importance
today and the promise of
tomorrow that* computers
offer society has been
sparked.
Just consider ... if every
computer in the world were
suddenly to go dead, planes
would not fly, trains would not
run, traffic lights would not
change, banks would have to
close, space projects would be
aborted, and department
stores would not be able to
sell. If computers were
suddenly silenced, the world
would be thrown into instant
chaos.
Postscript: I might mention
that career opportunities in
data processing are
numerous, growing, and
lucrative. In the fall,
Wesleyan will offer both
Introduction to Computers
and a course in Basic
computer programming
language.
CONGRATUIATIOHS
GRADS
Mills and Fulcher cut debut single
Class of 1981
by John Mills
On April 11 and 12, we
went to Granite City
Recording Studio in Mount
Airy, North Carolina, my
home town. We worked for
three hours laying down the
tracks for two songs-“Only
You” and “Mariners Chant.”
We wrote, arranged and
produced both songs. We
aren’t going to wait for the
market to find us, we’re
taking the first step ourselves.
We ordered 1,000 singles.
200 of those will be distribyted
to radio stations across the
country, and the rest we will
sell. I’m sure this won’t be our
last record. If we personally
have to produce every record
after this one, it will still be
worth it.
Our artistic ability has
grown threefold since we met
each other, and we owe it all to
Wesleyan. We have got the
perfect chemistry flowing
between us, and I am very
confident about our
songwriting future.
PRE-GRADUATION FESTIVITIES
Wednesday, May 6
Picnic on
the Patio
4:45 - 6:30 p.m.
Bring Your Frisbee
- and Have a
Good Time
Thursday, May 7
The Last Bash
To be Held at
Hardee’s Cabin
8:00 p.m. -
1:00 a.m.
Bring Your Own
Own Beverage
Everyone is Invited
To Attend
$.50 COVER CHARGE
SET UPS WILL BE PROVIDED
Friday, May 8
Reception at the
President’s House
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Buffet Dinner in
Cafeteria 6:30 p.m
Cocktail Party at
Ramada Inn
9:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
COCKTAILS AND HORS-D’OEUVRES
WILL BE SERVED
$5.00 COVER CHARGE PER PERSON
EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ATTEND