Volume XVIV, Issue 23
Scientist Syivia Earle speaics at
Science and Matli Building dedication
At the ceremony, three
symbolic bricks were pre
sented to symbolize accept
ance of the building. SGA
President Lora Tillman
accepted a brick for the stu
dent body, Kni^t accepted
one on behalf oif the facul
ty, and Hartford accepted
one on behalf of the
Meredith community at
la^e.
"I was honored to accept
the brick on behalf of the
faculty. We are all very
excited about this build*
ing," Knight said.
She emphasized the posi
tive impact the building
would have on the entire
school.
"We want this biiilding to
belong to everyone,"
Knight said.
The ceremony concluded
with a well-attended open
house in the new Science
and Mathematics Building.
Activities were located
throughout the different
classrooms and included a
look at various ecology and
biology experiments in the
laboratories, a look at the
instructional classrooms
and a book signing by
Sylvia Earle.
On the inside:
Leam about Puzzle of Light’s Want to help out In the Learn about Meredith’s latest
upcoming performance at community? Find out about theatre production.
Meredith. volunteering opportunities.
Page 2 Page 4 Page 7
Afternoon high
lights Science and
Math Building and
scientific
achievements
REBECCA
BARRINGER
Staff Reporter
The Opening Ceremony
for the Science and
Mathematics Building took
place this past Friday from
3 to 6 p.m.
"This day is a wonderful
opportunity for us to cele
brate a new beginning in
this building," said sopho
more Caroline Johnson.
"The building adds so
much to the school and
exemplifies Meredith's
commitment to seeing
women excel in all fields."
The celebration of the
building featured a variety
of events, including a
speech from Sylvia Earle, a
world-renowned oceanog
rapher, a dazzling Puzzle of
Light performance, a trib
ute to the donors, and an
open house in the newly-
completed building."
Keynote speaker Earle
first spoke in Jones
Auditorium about the
importance of science and
its application in real world
situations.
Earle discussed her expe
riences as an explorer and
researcher and showed
video clips illustrating
important environmental
issues.
"Meredith College was
fortunate to host such a
speaker," said junior Mary
Heather Swink.
Swink also said that she
admired Earle’s efforts to
"protect the ocean from
continued pollution by
toxic chemicals, oil,
sewage and other harmful
substances."
Earle is currently serving
as a National Geographic
explorer-in-residence, join
ing the ranks
of noted indi
viduals such
as Jane
Goodall. She
is a former
chief scientist
for the
National
Oceanic and
Atmospheric
Administration
(NOAA) and
has authored
more than 125
scientific and
popular publi
cations.
Following Earle's speech,
the audience was invited to
attend the dedication cere
mony at the Science and
Mathematics Building.
The ceremony began
with a taste of the Puzzle of
Light performance, which
included performers play
ing self-made instruments.
According to Assistant
Art Professor Blair Ligon,
the performers create sound
sculptures and play them.
"Puzzle of Light uses
unique instruments to make
unique sounds. The effect
is amazing," he said.
Mathematics professor
Virginia Knight agreed.
"Puzzle of Light is per
fect for today's event," she
said. "It is the combination
of music and science. It
helps to emphasize the
interdisciplinary purpose of
this building and the stud
ies we hope to do."
The dedication ceremony
also included speeches
from Michelle Rich, the
chairperson of the Meredith
College Board of Trustees,
and President Maureen
Hartford.
Knight expressed the
importance of this ceremo
ny. "We are thanking those
who have supported us and
worked so hard to make
this building possible," she
said.
"In a
.sense, this
ceremony
is the com
pletion of
the building
phase of
the Science
and Math
»uilding,"
she said.
"Now we
can offi
cially move
into the
next phase
of using
it!"
Sylvia Earle signs copies of her kwoks In the Science
and Math Building after her speech. *
Wioto by JuHe Stansbury