Faculty spotlight: Dr. Frank Grubbs probes
the past
by Mary Umstead
“I have the kind of mind that wants to
know how things originated ... where
things came from... why life is the way it
is," said Dr. Frank Grubbs as he gazed out
his office window. Such a statement is not
surprising, considering it came from the
head of Meredith’s history and political
science department.
Originally an English major, Grubbs
received his B.A. from Lynchburg College.
He received his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees
frotn the University of Virginia, where he
also taught American history. Grubbs also
worked in quality control for Mead Paper
Products, and served in the army for two
years during the Korean War.
Grubbs has been head of the history and
political science department since 1976,
13 years after his arrival to Meredith in
1963.
When asked about duties involved in
this position, Grubbs stated that like any
other department head, his office could
best be related to that of departmental
administrator. His duties are to aid the
president and the academic dean through
work on the departmental level. A second
function Grubbs cited is to convince
Meredith students that history and political
science are disciplines worthy of study. “I
often tell my students that they can never
escape history and politics,” Grubbs said,
“They think Aey can, but Aey can’t”
This effort to recruit students is one
aspect of his job that is especially hard.
Grubbs relat^ that since 1974 figures
have shown that while students show a
marked lack of interest in liberal art areas,
they do show a rising interest in vocational
topics. Grubbs believes that “the deep
recession of that time has totally changed
American education; it has tum^ students
toward skilled occupations and immediate
rewards... getting a job and then getting a
paycheck."
“But,” Grubbs stated, “there is more to
life than an eight hour job.” This is an
opinion he fiilly endorses by his variety of
interests. One major endeavor is helping
the Episcopal Diocese-of North Carolina
set up an archival program. Along with
faculty emerita and preceding department
head, Dr. Sarah Lemmon, he is also writ
ing a book on the history of the Episcopal
ian Church. Grubbs also enjoys painting,
and has, in fact, taken twelve hours of art
classes at Meredith. “I also play the piano
by ear,” Grubbs said, and with a wry smile
added, “it is somewhat hard on my ears.”
In past years both he and his wife. Dr.
Carolyn Grubbs, have been further active
in the Boy Scouts, until their two sons
achieved Eagle Scout status.
When asked to discuss advantages and
disadvantages of being married to another
member of the Meredith faculty, smiling
Grubbs said, “I think it is an advantage in
any marriage that the husband and wife
have a common interest outside the
household. That we both share an interest
in history has allowed us to talk the same
language.” When asked about disadvan
tages, Grubbs, said that he believed that no
wife likes to have her husband as her boss.
Then, he smiled again and said, “But I
^nk it has work^ out rather well.”
Dr. Frank Grubbs coordinates the opera
tion of the history department, as its
chairperson, (f^to by Sharon Wells.)
Christmas ornaments to
be sold by Psi Chi
Have you thought of a Christmas gift
yet for your roommate, suitemate, little
Sister, big Sister, friend, favorite professor,
alumnae, the person whose shoulder you
cry on, or for that special someone? Well,
ponder no longer — the Meredith College
chapter of Psi Chi has tfie perfect gift — a
special Meredith Christmas angel
ornament!
The sale of these special ornaments by
the Meredith College chapter of Psi Chi,
the national honor society for Psychology
majors, has been a Mer^th traction for
years.
The idea for the angel ornament was
originated by Dr. Lynn Aubrecht, one of
Psi Chi’s advisers, and is not to be confused
with the college Mascot.
For years, Meredith College was known
in Raleigh as the Angel Farm and quite
ai!^)ropriately, Meredith students were (and
still are) known as Angels. Hius, in 1980, a
campaign was held to establish the Angel
as the official Meredith Mascot. However,
the Mascot design has not been used for
Psi Chi’s Christmas ornament; instead, a
different design is chosen each year so that
students may collect a special ornament to
represent each of their years at Meredith.
The Christmas angel omament desi^
selected is always about 4” high with
“Meredith” or “Meredith College" printed
on it. This year’s omament is especially
pretty because it includes Christmas colors
of red and white painted on shiny brass. At
only $3.50 each, you can get one for every
Angel on your Christmas list!
The ornaments will be on sale during
Parent’s Weekend (Nov. 7-9) and in Belk
Dining Hall during mealtimes Monday-
Thursday Nov. 10-13. They will also be
available in the Student Supply Store in
Cate Center. For more information, con
tact Saundra Long, 220 Barefoot,
829-7848.
INTIMATE SHOP
20% off with this ad
for all Meredith students
Lingerie — Robes — At-Home Wear
Foundations
417 Daniels St. — Cameron Village
Tel. 832-5356
ITALY’S BEST FASHIONS... ESPECIALLY FOR YOU!
CRABTREE VALLEY MALL - 782-8286
Monday - Saturday 10-9:30 Sunday 1-6
Hot ‘Lanta
Attention Ladies
Tuesday Night is Ladies night at Hot ‘Lanta
featuring our “all male body show" at 9:00
$ 1.00 cover for ladies. Great drink fNices
Wednesday Night
“No Cover”
Sit Back, relax and enjoy Raleigh’s Best Drink ^)ecials
Thursday Night
Certain Beverages are fi«e. Start your weekend Eariy — IT’S HOT!
Friday and Saturday — Rock til 2 o’clock
Hot *Ljmta is available for any private occassicm. All ABC permits.
Non-alcoholic drinks, T>stUits. Fcm* more info call 832-(&02.
Novemk^ 7,1986 Meredith Herald 3