4 CAMPUS NEWS
College welcomes new faculty
members
AUDREY TAMER
Staff Writer
Freshmen aren't the only
new people on Meredith's
campus this year. The
school also welcomed new
feculty members. Take this
opportunity to learn a few
facts about some not so
familiar faces around cam*
pus.
Steven Cox
Dr. Cox teaches
Consumer Behavior,
Advertising and Promotion,
and International
Marketing. He attended
Northwestern University,
Northern Illinois
University, and the
University of Nebraska.
Prior to teaching at
Meredith, Cox taught at
Virginia Tech and
Creighton University.
When asked about his
philosophy on teaching
Cox said, "It is my job to
prepare individuals to suc
ceed in careers in business.
Whether they are destined
for line or staff positions in
marketing, finance, or pro
duction, they must have at
a minimum, a thorough
understanding of mariceting
theory and die role market*
ing plays in the success of
the corporation. Beyond
that, they need to have the
opportunity in the class
room to test the strength of
their understanding against
real world problems."
He feels his strengths are
academic preparation, his
25 years of experience, and
a talent for educating. Dr.
Cox's favorite p^ about
teachii^ at Meredith are
die characteristics of the
students. His favorite color
is blue. His favorite food is
prime rib, as illustrated
when he said, "Midwestern
boys believe in the slogan,
'Beef, it's what's for din
ner.'"
Steve Wilkins
Mr. Wilkins is the
Associate Director of
Admissions, Operations
and Support. He attended
Syracuse
University/Maxwell School
where he received a B.A. in
Geography. Prior to coming
to Meredith, Wilkins
worked six years in admis
sions at Duke University
and over two years at
Syracuse University.
His philosophy on edu*
cation is, "Everyone bene
fits from deep intellectual
thought and ^e ability to
ask relevant questions.
Cross cutting and cross cul
tural experiences enhance
one's knowledge base by
developing a diversity in
perspective. We need to
learn and grow with one
another."
The sense of community
and closeness attracted him
to Meredith College. He
feels that his strengths are
working interactively and
relating to others. His
favorite food is calamari
and his favorite store is
Neiman Marcus. In con
junction with his favorite
store he said, "I like to
dream."
Astrid Biilat
Dr. Biilat teaches
Spanish 205 and Spanish
306. She received her BA
from Augustana College,
her M.A. from the
University of New Mexico,
and her Ph.D from the
University of Michigan.
She taught at the University
of New Mexico, the
University of Michigan,
and at Ohio Northern
University.
She chose to teach at
Meredith because she said,
"I love to teach! Meredith
is an institution that greatly
values teaching so I feel at
home here. Moreover, for
being a smaller college, I
have the opportunity to
know my students and col
leagues better than I would
at a major research univer
sity."
She feels that her
strengths are her enthusi*
asm and passion for teach
ing and her subject area.
Billat's ^vorite store is
Whole Foods and one of
her favorite foods is vanilla
ice cream with chocolate
sauce.
The Herald will
profife more new
faculity'ineiiibere
In future Issues.
Leadershape display showcased
students’ visions
Students involved in ttie 2003 Leadershape vision display.
photo by Nina Borum
NINA BORUM
Staff Writer
The LeaderShape
Institute is a week-long
leadership program
designed to improve socie
ty by inspiring, developing,
and supporting students to
"lead with integrity." The
program content for the
LeaderShape Institute
reflects key leadership
issues such as vision, part
nerships, integrity and
resuhs.
Participation in the
Institute teaches students
how to work on high-per
formance teams, practice
decision m^ing for ethical
dilemmas, learn to deal
with change, clarify per*
sonal values and standards,
and understand and respect
the values of other individ
uals. In addition, all partici*
pants leave the Institute
with a "LeaderShape
Project." The LeaderShape
Project is vision and plan
of action for the partici*
pants to implement back in
their organizations, com
munities or worlq)laces.
Forty Meredith students
gathered in Fort Caswell,
North Carolina this past
May for the LeaderShape
Institute. The goal for the
week was to develop a
vision accompanied with a
plan of action for the stu*
dents to bring back to
Meredith. Erica Edwards
was a recent participant
who is taking steps towards
her vision. Past
LeaderShape Institute par
ticipant, Tiffany
McKinnon's vision is com*
ing to surface this year and
impacting the Meredith
community.
Edwards stated, "For
me, LeaderShape was an
amazing experience.”
See Visions
on Page 6