April 4, 2003
Page 3
More War on Iraq
Continued from Page 1
implication that my voice not have a
place at the table and that it shouldn't be
listened to with some deference based on
my experience."
Rumsfeld and Myers, however, denounce
the views of many such critics as "snap
shots through a soda straw.."
Regret Over
Civilian Deaths
American military chiefs expressed re
gret for this week's killing of seven Iraqi
women and children at a checkpoint near
Najaf. The civilians were killed when their
van failed to stop after orders and warning
shots by American guards. Two other pas
sengers were wounded and four were un
harmed.
General Myers, chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff, was among those who ex
tended his sympathies. "Loss of any inno
cent life is truly tragic," he said. "Our policy
of doing all we can to spare civilian lives
stands in sharp contract to the Iraqi
regime's. ... The climate established by the
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Iraqi regime contributed to this incident."
General Vince Brooks, deputy director
of operations at U.S. Central Command,
promised a thorough investigation but nev
ertheless defended the soldiers' "inherent
right of self-defense."
Najaf Captured;
Troops Welcomed
Hundreds of American troops marched
into the southern city of Najaf Wed. and were
greeted by cheering residents. The infantry,
backed by attack helicopters and bombers,
have destroyed several arms caches and
occupied a military training facility to serve
as their headquarters.
The perimeter of Najaf, near the
Euphrates River, was seized Tuesday. Ameri
cans do not yet have control over the whole
city, and paramilitary forces have allegedly
taken 20 civilian hostages in another area
of the town. The occupation of this city is
strategically important as U.S. forces sur
round Karbala and march on Baghdad.
JVcuuA.
Jonathan Varnell Temporarily
Assumes Facilities Director Post
Feky Eugene
Staff Writer
For those who thought that life would end
after John Jenkins, meet Jonathan Varnell - a
hard working family man.
In late February Guilford appointed Varnell
interim director of facilities and operation.
Though Varnell is only here temporarily,
he hopes to make his presence known. "I want
to improve all areas of Guilford College facili
ties," he said.
As director of facilities and operations,
Varnell pretty much watches over the whole
campus, anything from changing a light bulb to
remodeling a building.
Varnell has to deal with every department
on campus in some shape or form.
Overseeing maintenance, building ser
vices, grounds and landscaping, the physical
education center, and public safety are some
of the main responsibilities of the position.
Before coming to Guilford College, Varnell
was director of facilities, event management,
and catering at Grace College, located in Winona
Lakes, Indiana. At Grace he instituted a number
of changes to the school's facilities and cater
ing service. One such achievement was reduc
ing the number of student employees, which
made room for full-time staff.
Varnell, as a member of the Sodexho
Marriott Corporation, also set up a catering ser
vice for Grace College. Sodexho also provides
the food in our cafeteria. This is one of the rea
sons Varnell is restricted from applying as a
full-time director.
Varnell says he wants to have his staff stay
focused and cultivate good attitudes.
Some of the major projects for the com
ing years are renovating Duke's exterior, re
modeling Founder's hall, and putting new win
dows in Milner hall.
The plan to remodel the exterior of the
Duke building is estimated to be a $2 million
dollar project.
Varnell feels he is coming in at the right
time; there is a new president and the school is
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Sodexho employee Vamell can't
apply for the permanent position.
Courtesy of College Relations
in the process of renewal. "Mostly every one
here is new. People like Reginald Hayes, di
rector of public safety, Brian Wenger, direc
tor of the physical education center, and
Anne Lundquist, dean on campus life, are
all relatively new faces to Guilford College,"
Varnell said.
Varnell is said to be an engaging per
son who gets along well with everyone. "I
really think Varnell is a good guy.. He has a
fresh, professional approach to all ideas,"
said Dave Petree, director of physical plant.
"I like him," said Karl Gibbons, one of
three full-time grounds crew members.
Varnell is also a sports fan. "Being a
former baseball player, I enjoy athletics. At
Grace there really weren't much sports."
Varnell enjoys Greensboro and the commu
nity environment. He is married and has two
children: a two-year-old and a four-year-old,
both boys.
Varnell feels he can blend into his new en
vironment. Despite the fact that he is only here
temporarily, he looks to fit right in into the Quaker
community while improving the facilities depart
ment and the campus at large.