The Penduhan
Volume XVn, Number 8 Serving the Hon CoUege Community November 1,1990
[—thar Whhahou»«/rhe Ponduhim
Brumbaugh's stained glass alterpiece is on display in Whitley Auditorium
Brumbaugh inspired by fire
Alterpiece provides focal center
Homecoming '90,
reaily "groovy"
Deborah Durkee
The Pendulum
In July 1989, Pam
Brumbaugh experienced a fire.
She and her husband, Chalmers,
were clearing away some bushes
in the yard.
They doused a bush with
gasoline and set it on fire. "The
thing exploded and fire came all
the way up and burned my
eyebrows, got in my hair,"
Brumbaugh said.
She had second degree bums
from about four inches above her
ankle down to her toes. "But what
I remember from that moment of
the explosion and the fire, is the
color," Brumbaugh said.
That frightening experience
culminated in the brilliant, multi
colored burning bush stained glass
on display every Tuesday at 9:30
a.m. at the college chapel in
Whitley Auditorium.
Brumbaugh, who is director
of Experiential Education at Elon,
is a stained glass artist. Her
untitled piece is a triptych, a free
standing, portable altarpiece
commissioned by Elon Chaplain
Richard McBride.
Brumbaugh describes the
piece. "A fiery bush and a
descending dove with tear-drop
jewels and a red eye and iridescent
feathers, ribbons of flame, a
subliminal world behind that
unites the whole piece."
McBride, who is in his
seventh year at the college, had
wanted an altarpiece for some
time. "Whitley has a history as a
place of worship," McBride said.
"The church which is located
across the campus started in
Whitley. So Whitley looked a lot
more like a place of worship for
much of its history."
The old Whitley had an
auditorium feel, but it also had a
focal center, McBride said. "And I
think that's what the altarpiece
provides, a focal center."
Brumbaugh and McBride
teamed up in the conception of the
piece. "The burning bush emerged
early because it's an example of
what theologians call a theophany
- the presence of God revealed,"
McBride said.
McBride uses banners in his
chapel service. One refers to
God's words emanating from the
burning bush, "I am who I am."
This is an Old Testament
reference. The other banner is a
New Testament reference, "God is
Love."
"So we felt like we were
balancing out both halves of the
Judeo-Christian story with those
two banners," McBride said. "And
See Window, Page 8
Dana Manley
The Pendulum
Homecoming 1990 should be
"groovy" after a week full of
events that center around the
theme, "Return to the 60s,"
commemorating the class of 1965.
"I think there are probably
more things planned for this
homecoming than any other year."
said Ray Covington, a member of
the developmental office staff. "It
shows that we're expanding and
offering more to the alumni."
Alumni of all ages who come
"home" to Elon this weekend will
have more than the game to look
Broadway
heads for
Kelly Potter
The Pendulum
"Broadway Bound," a new
winter term travel course, will
offer students the chance to
explore and experience New York
City, Jan. 14-21.
It isn't a typical trip to the
big city. "It's kind of like being
on the inside,” said Catherine
McNcela, a new Assistant
Professor of Music and one of two
faculty members who will be on
the Dip.
Activities include tickets to
three Broadway and two Off-
Broadway shows, backstage tours,
informal meetings with actors and
other theatre professionals and free
time for personal exploration,
museums, shopping and
sightseeing.
Students will study and
familiarize themselves with New
York City and the plays they will
be going to see beforehand.
McNeela plans on taking a day for
learning how to be safe and get
around New York.
"It's important to not be down
forward to. Reunions, receptions,
and the aruiual golf tournament are
among the many planned events.
Along with honoring
returning alumni, homecoming is
full of activity for Elon's students
and organizations. Many of the
week's events including the fk>ats,
skits, and Banner Day will be used
to help determine which
organization's candidate will
become queen Saturday. All
students can participate in
choosing the queen through voting
and donating money,to the penny
drive.
Proceeds from the penny drive
Sec Homecoming, Page 6
Bound
the big city
in the subway with your head in a
map," McNeela said,
McNeela has spent the past
three years in New York as a
professional actress in New York
City theatre, film and television.
She is currently working to
develop a Music Theatre program
at Elon and is also teaching voice.
"It seems so natural for me to
go. I can't wait to show everyone
the town!" McNecIa said.
"I'm really looking forward to
it I hope we get the erut)llment so
we can go."
Also on faculty for the course
is Fred Rubeck, Assistant
Professor of Fine Arts. He has
also worked professionally as an
actor, director, manager and
playwright. Lxx:ally. he is credited
for The Dining Room, South
Pac 'fic, and Man of LaMmcha.
"We haven’t selected the
specific plays yet," Rubeck said
"We want to select from the
most current offerings next
McNeela would like to see the
group get to sec. City of Angels,
See Broadway, Page 8