October 27,1993
Campus News
New faculty representative dedicated to Meredith and family
by Christina Peoples
The Acuity, adminis^tion,^$t-
ees, and students of Meredith need to
look ahead and see what kind of
institution we need to be in the year
2000, said Dr. Brent Pitts, flie new
faculty representative who also
teaches in the French department.
“I believe the faculty would like
to see a college where they can put
more of their energies into being
better teachers, advisors, and re
searchers rather than always think
ing about rules,” said Pitts as he casu
ally leans back in hi» chair.
In an interview Friday, Pitts said
that as facul^ representative, he finds
out faculty concerns and then takes
action to see that these concerns are
addressed. Pitts enjoys his position
because he sees and talks to more
Acuity, administration, and students.
Pitts also said, “It’s agreat honor
to be faculty representative,' but I
don’t feel that I speak for the faculty.
I want to be in communication with
the Acuity so that a consensus be
reached and given a voice.”
When asked how education has
changed since he began teaching,
Pitts said that the methods of teach
ing have shifted to build critical blink
ing skills in smdents. They are being
called onto actively participate more.
Pitts explained, “There has been
a de-emphasis of Oie teacher as mas
ter of the classroom, delivering in
formation
for students
to regurgi
tate later.”
P e r r i
Sutton, one
of Pitts’
French stu
dents, be
lieves that
Pitts is a
good ex
ample of this
new method
of teaching.
She
said, “I think he’s an awesome
teacher. He’s great at making class
exciting, especially when we act out
Frendi plays. He gets so tickled and
it makes it really fun for us.”
Pitts said he has always been
'7 believe the faculty would like
to see a college where they can
put more of their energies into
being better teachers, advisors
and researchers rather than
always thinking about rules."
Dr. Brent Pitts
Meredith College Facul^
Representative
Security
Notes
bv Chit'f Dan Shattuck
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io Mercditi students Sus year.
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change an the {tone munbecs of
studeois experieodE^ these calls,
the best vny bEUtdte ai) obscene
caller Is tt) hang «p iotmedi^y
and DO NOT TALK to the calter.
if (be pe^n persists in ca&ing
back, do nol answer liKidiOQe and
0f one Ls availatde) Jet ihe
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vnicrgency Miu&Uuns. It the mu-
(Jem knows ihc ctl1or. oiitify se-
If $|l& i$ to pRSS
contact the outer.
• Cte Monday, October IS, an
ambulance was catted io as^t»
who had collapsed to, her
room due to a previous injury.
The {DOQu^ the tescoe
for help flnftas tix
* T^KSday O^ob^ 19,
a fire (niclc» widch tnany ^utjems
saw cottK Oo campos, ^ re-
spoiKtog to afire al«^ acQlden
tally set off at thtf
houde.
* Students ;^u1d be aware
that with Halloween comes a va>
fiety of They should uae
good judgdneoi aad be paf^icu>
lorly cMitious it whatever at^vi-
UiM choose to partalae m.3n
Halloween ntglK.
interested in education because as a
youngster he enjoyed school, grew
up in a house full of books, and both
of his parents were in the field of
education.
Pitts’ father was a high school
principal. Pitts lool^dthoughthil and
said, “It was kind of like being a
minister’skid
in that you
move quite a
bitandevery-
one knows
you at school.
It helped me
to make
friends more
easily.”
It is easy
to see Pitts’
love for learn
ing. Hisoffice
walls are cov
ered with
shelves full of books and beside his
desk there is an open dictionary.
Pitts’ office also shows his love
and appreciation of family. The wall
next to his office door is decorated
with pictures of his wife, daughters,
and granddaughter.
Pitts crosses his legs and removes
his glasses before talking about his
family, seeming to put himself on a
more personal level.
Pitts met his wife at Indiana State
University where he received his
Ri.D. in French.
"We were in a history class to
gether and we disagreedin class about
the Reformation Period. After class
we met to talk,” said Pitts.
Jokingly he commented, “But
we don’t discuss the reformation any
more.”
Pitts has two daughters: Fran,
22, and Anna, 20. His older daughter
recently had a baby and Pitts “enjoys
being a grandpa.”
According to Pitts, “Having a
family is important We try to stay
together without getting in each
other’s way.”
After Pitts earned his docKirate,
he was looking for a job, and his wife
was looking for a Ph.D. program.
Both of these materialized in the tri
angle area, said Pitts.
“I came to Meredith in 1981 be
cause I got a real sense of the cama
raderie of the faculty to pull together
and move the school forward,” Pitts
said.
His wife teaches political sci
ence part-time at ECU. She is also
the coordinator for the Center of
European Studies at UNC-CH.
When asked about his career
choice Pitts said he became inter
ested in French because his parents
also studied the language.
“On rainy Saturday afternoons I
would drag down an old French book
to look at,” said Pitts.
He took French in high school
and had an excellent teacher. She
inured him to find oppormnities for
further study. She had a real enthusi
asm for her craft and was a role
model for him, said Pitts.
Pitts' parents were also great in
fluences onhis life. Pitts said, “They
taught nie to have love in a family, an
ethic that values work and study, and
the importance of reading and mu
sic.”
The classical music playing on a
small radio in his office shows his
appreciation for music. His other in
terests include travel, medieval stud
ies, and working on projects for his
fit^t house that he and his wife pur
chased last year.
Pitts appearance suggests that he
is a down to eanh fellow. He looks
relaxed in a psur of khakis and a
striped cotton shirt with the top but
ton left undone.
Sutton agreed with that informal
image and said that Pitts really tries
to get to know his students. She said,
“He makes himself always available
to students and he really likes to be
involved.”
Big Sis/Lil Sis Bonfire
Wednesday, Nov. 3
10 p.m.>12
softball fleld
Featuring David Miles
Bring your sis, $.50 and a hanger!