Page 4. March 1985
The Salemite
Gossett to Walk Roads Not Taken
By; Barbara Teates
Dr. Louise Gossett is retiring
from the faculty of Salem College
after this semester, but she has
enough activities planned for the
future to keep her busy for quite a
long time. Dr. Gossett would like
to become involved in community
social service organizations, and
she is interested in outdoor
activities; hiking, birdwatching,
gardening, and the upkeep of a
farm in West Virginia are some of
the activities she has planned. She
would also like to study South
American literature, art-literature
relationships, Mozart, and land
scape painting.
Dr. Gossett wants to live in
England "for at least six months,"
cross Russia on the Trans-Siberian
Railway, visit Greece and Scan
dinavia, and see the ruins of
Machu Picchu in the Peruvian
Alps. Her energy and vitality are
amazing few people would be
able to do as much as she has
planned after her retirement.
Dr. Gossett came to Salem in
1966 after teaching in a variety of
southeastern schools. Through her
work she has met many noted
writers, and has befriended both
Flannery O'Connor and North
Carolina poet A. R. Ammons, She
has taught courses in Victorian
and Romantic literature, Ameri
can poetry and prose, and
Southern literature, and she has
served as an advisor for both Arete
and the Salem Honor Society.
The biggest change Dr. Gossett
has noticed since her arrival at
Salem is in students' attitudes
toward education. Students "did
n't necessarily see themselves in
professions (in the past)," she said.
"(Today's students) are people who
will choose the contributions they
will make to society."
Another change she has seen is
the recent inclusion of non-
traditional disciplines in the Salem
curriculum.
"But it is a sad assumption that
traditional liberal arts disciplines
will not meet the same economic
need that the non-traditional
(courses and majors) will," Dr.
Gossett added.
What are the most gratifying
experiences Dr. Gossett has had as
an educator?
"Every time a student discovers
her mind. . . discovers the power
and pleasure of language and her
ability to think and respond."
Her students' willingness to stay
in touch with her after they
graduate is also very rewarding —
she loves to hear about their
personal and career development.
Of course, this willingness
probably occurs quite naturally
because Louise Gossett is a
dedicated, caring educator whose
quick smile and energy have
touched many of the people who
have come into contact with her at
Salem.
New President's Council Needs Input
By: Leigh Rippin
SGA President
On November 19, 1984, 1
received a letter from the Office of
the President. As the President of
SGA, I did not find this rare;
however, 1 was indeed surprised at
its content. In the letter. Dr.
Litzenburg addressed his decision
to appoint a "President's Council"
whose primary objective would be
a free and candid exchange of
views. The Council was to be
composed of the members of
Executive Board, the Class
Presidents, the officers of the Day
Students, several women represen
ting the students in the Adult
Degree Program, and the co
editors of the student newspaper.
When asked why he felt the need
for such a congregation. Dr.
Litzenburg replied, "As president
of a women's college, I have both a
genuine interest as well as an
obligation to understand what the
women of Salem care and think
about. After two years it became
clear to me that in order to be
confident that 1 was hearing
concerns of Salem students 1 was
going to have to create a
mechanism of this sort. For no
existing mechanism allowed me to
hear the views of the Residence,
Day, Continuing Education, and
Adult Degree students. To put it
another way and make yet another
point, there was no existing
committee or organization that
A Special Thank You
From Julia Vargas
My father taught me that life was hard and that 1 had to be
strong and ready to face it in any occasion. I always looked
to him for his advice and found his ideas wise and helpful.
After I grew up, my father became a friend and 1 learned to
admire him more as 1 found out more about his life. He was
not my hero anymore, but a human being that has a lot to
teach and very little time to do it. I woke up one morning
realizing that my father was getting old and that he wanted
to teach people what life had taught him. One day he arrived
home and told my mother to buy a ticket for me to go home
for Christmas. He said: "It would be the last time I will see
her." 1 went home and spent most of my time with him. He
told me about his childhood and life. We spent days
discussing the meaning of life. During this short time my
father and 1 became best friends. There was always
something telling me this was the last chance. Soon after 1
came back I lost my friend.
1 had the need to go home and say good-bye to my life
time friend. Fellow Salem students, your generosity made
this trip possible. There are no words or actions that can
express my gratefulness. I would like to give a special thank
you to my friends: Jeanne, Sarbari, Izumi, Heidi, Emily
Johnson and Lenita, also to Mrs. Budd and Dean Johnson
for your efforts to make it possible and for being there when
I needed a shoulder to cry on. Thank you Salem, I will never
forget it.
afforded me access to elected or
appointed student leaders that cut
across all these groups of
students."
So, on a Wednesday rhorning,
December 5, 1984, around 7:30
a.m., off I went to my first meeting
of the President's Council.
Obviously, I didn't know what to
expect ... but who did? Most of
our eighteen members, some with
sheet-marks on their cheeks,
remained slightly conservative in
their comments that first morning.
However, once we realized our
purpose, our enthusiasm became
evident. We face the important
task of taking up issues that are not
I raised, addressed, or satisfactorily
resolved elsewhere in the College.
Obviously, the advantages from
the student's view are limitless. If
we do find a need to resolve an
issue, who could be better suited to
address it than students them
selves?
Angie Bostrom, who serves on
this council as Chairman of Honor
Council, points out that it is
comforting and encouraging to
know that the President of the
cpllege cares what the students
think. Dr. Litzenburg values our
input and opinions — enough so
that he has created this Council to
insure his awareness.
"1 firmly believe that colleges or
universities regardless of size, have
an obligation — that many are not
fulfilling — to be attentive to and
responsive to the needs and
concerns of their students. Some of
Alpha Lambda Delta Members Inducted
The Salem College Chapter of
Alpha Lambda Delta, National
Scholastic Honor Society for
Freshmen college and university
students, held their initiation in
February 1985. Students were
initiated into the Society which
recognizes superior academic per
formance by freshmen. Students
must have obtained a 3.5 or better
average to be named for member
ship.
There are 200 Alpha Lambda
Delta chapters throughout the
United States. The Society was
established in 1924 at the
University of Illinois and now has
a members of over 240,000.
In addition to providing nation
al leadership conferences for
chapter members and advisers, the
Society awards fourteen S3,000
Fellowships to members for
graduate or professional study.
Those students who were
initiated in February are: Laura
Arndt, Crystal Caudle, Elizabeth
Combs, Jennifer Foster, Jane
Huntley, Jane Moury, Sarbari
Sen, Elizabeth Spencer, Margaret
Stubbs, Linda Sun, Sarah Thorne,
Lisa Van Bergen, Susan Waters,
Ann Weaver, Mary Martha
Whitener, Stephanie Zoebelein
and Lenita Fredriksson.
Arete Continues Hard Work in Spring
By; Maty Lou Swann
The fall semester was a busy one working with the shelter children,
for the members of Arete, Salem's ' First semester, the shelter children
senior honor society. Arete is the
Salem College chapter of Mortar
Board, Inc. (a national college
senior honor society), and its
current members have been active
in a number of services projects
this year. Early this fall. Arete
members began work on two
projects involving the Battered
Women's Shelter of Winston-
Salem. One such project involved
collecting clothing, household
items, and toys for the house. With
the most generous help from
students, faculty, and staff, Salem
and Arete collected five-plus
station wagon loads full of needed
supplies for the shelter in the first
semester. Arete conveys its thanks
to the many who have helped with
this project! The second of the
shelter projects has involvedi
were invited to Salem for a hotdog
supper and Walt Disney movie.
February 22nd marked the day of
the second of these hotdog/movie
nights for these children.
Free lessons in Word Process
ing, another of Arete's year-long
projects, are available to interested
students, faculty, and staff. Last
semester, twenty five students took
advantage of this service. Interest
ed persons may sign up for lessons
by contacting Suzanne Edwards at
721-2802.
Also this year. Arete sponsored
the Red Cross Blood Drive in
which seventy-four pints of blood
were collected from the campus
community. Another campu?
blood drive is scheduled for the
spring. In addition, the group
sponsored a tutorial service for the-
Salvation Army Boy's Club as well
as the February 19th Career Night
featuring a dozen area profession
als. Christmas was a special time
for Arete in that the group
decorated the campus Christmas
tree for the Christmas tree lighting.
In addition to the service
projects. Arete members have
participated in a number of book
discussions. Carol Gilligan's In a
Different Voice has been the
group's most recent challenge. The
group anticipates another busy
semester with the continuation of
their year-long projects.
Current Arete members are:
Christel Adams, Angie Bostrom,
Ruth Ann Chambers, Suzanne
Edwards, Sandra Freuler, Giney
Haisten, Jane Perry, Anne Prath
er, and Mary Lou Swann. Arete
advisors are Dr. Jeffrey Ersoff,
Virginia Johnson, and Margaret
Sandresky.
them realize, as 1 think 1 have, that
you may well have to create a
structure to deal with this lack of
communication," Dr.Litzenburg
added.
The Council now meets the first
Thursday of every month at (the
more reasonable houro04:00 p.m.
Its members are expected to come
armed with opinions, comments,
criticisms, and suggestions for
the President. 1 remind you that all
of the above women are
representatives - elected represent
atives from all groups of students.
We need to hear any issues or
problems you may feel need to be
addressed by this Council. With
your input, the council of the
President will prove to be very
beneficial.