Meredith Herald Volume XI, Issue 13 November 30, 1994 Raleigh, North Carolina FBI investigates Meredith for new recruits by Addie Tschamler Special Agent Joan Flemming told Meredith students on Nov. 18 that now was the time to think about work with the FBI. We hire people in waves, she said. Presently the FBf has a group of em ployees preparing to retire in the next few years, so the FBI is currently recruitting about 640 new people to send to its academy in Washington, D.C. The FBI requires its applicants to be between the ages of 23 and 35, be a United States citizen, have good vi sion and hearing, possessavalid driver’s license, and be in excellent physical condition. “You also must have a four-year college degree and professional work experience,” said Flemming, who was once an elementary school teacher before finding a job with the FBI. Flemming said there is no specific major that can prepare a college stu dent for FBI work. “There are five en trance pro grams under which Spe cial Agents qualify: law, accounting, language, di- versified, and engi- neering/sci- e n c e , " Flemming said. Most special agents fall under the di versified cat egory, which requires any four-year col lege degree and three years’ full time work experience. “Any skills are helpful,” Flemming said. Flemming gave the example of photo by Jetson Our reporter Addie got into a “brawl" with Special Agent Joan Flemming duringthe FBI demonstration and lost. horse back riding skills as being helpful in the search for the two boys who were as- sumed missing from Union, S.C. For those who plan to enter the FBI A c a d - emy, a test is required in which a score of at least an 80 must be attained. “Forty-percent of applicants do not pass the test,” said Flemming. How ever, those applicants are allowed to retest within a year. If an applicant passes the test, the FBI does a background check to find out about the applicant’s character. “They will check everything about you, ” Flemming said, so it is best not to hide anything. Flemming said the FBI checks ev erything from speeding tickets to drug usage to previous arrests. “They also check with former room mates,” Flemming said, to make sure all of the information noted on the application is correct. After the background check, high- scoring applicants are scheduled for a class. Applicants are also interviewed by three FBI agents before being accepted, • according to Flemming. New agents’ physical fitness tests S€e FBI page seven Meredith juniors continue their golden tradition by Clarky Lucas Members of the junior class couldn’t help but grin after receiving their class rings at the Junior Class Ring Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 17. The candlelight celebration held in Belk Dining Hall gave the women a chance to gather with friends to reflect on their accomplishments and look to the future with an onyx symbol of hard work and unforgettable experi ences wrapped arotmd their fingers. Mindi Outlaw, junior class secre tary, kicked off the event with a warm welcome followed byJuniorClass Presi dent Shelly Barrick with a prayer be fore the meal. A slide presentation full of pictures of the class of '96 participating in Cornhuskin’, Stunt, ^nces and col lege life was shown by Catherine Walker, junior class historian, during the feast. Belk Dining Hall was decorated with black and gold balloons for the cer emony. The buffet style dinner that had mouths watering featured prime rib, chicken and artichokes in a mush room and wine sauce. Margaret Curtin, member of the class of 72, who has excelled in the fieldof law, spoke about how Meredith College helped to shape her life and contributed to her success. Three qualities she credits Meredith with teaching her are intelleaual discipline, leadership skills and the importance of serving others. ChristiMull, who graduated in ’94, also gave a presentation that brought a few tears to many eyes including her own as she spoke of the many ways attending Meredith touched her life. Mull expressed that Meredith gives its students a chance for their voices to be heard, along with a life time of memories. She encouraged the jxinior class to set an example of excellence photo by Jan Seate and Laura Ross These Meredith juniors proudly display their new gold finery after putting on their class rings at the junior class Ring Dinner. in their professional, social and aca demic lives. “I thought their messaged were ap propriate, and it’s good to know that Meredith pride lasts long after gradua tion,” said Joi Williams, junior. Afterthe programs were completed. Barrick then an nounced the names of the stu dents receiving their rings while the class officers presented them to the students. The Bathtub Ring provided en tertainment by performing the song “You Needed Me,” and members of the freshman class serenaded their big sisters with a song to the tune of “Hero.” Julia Rathbone gave the closing re marks, which prompted a flurry of picture taking. Students with wide smUes posed with their shiny new rings that seem to make their status as juniors official.