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Volume IX, Number 7
The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
May Zl, 19S9
Speakers Discuss 'Coming Out'
by Beth Kiodel
Recently, about 70 people.
Including students, teachers.
RA’s and administrators,
gathered to hear two Duke
students speak about "Coming
Out in College."
Shane Butler and Meg
Gandy, members of the Duke
Gay and Lesbian Alliance,
shared their experiences of ex-
ptesslrig their homosexuahty
aird of "coming out." The
audience then flooded the
speakers with questions.
The two major questions
dealing with homosexuality,
Butler said, are: "How do you
krraw you're gay?", and "Why
are you gay?"
In response to the first
question, Butler said. "1 knew
I was gay when I was 12
years old. when I had my
first crush on a guy"
As for the second ques
tion, no direct answer was
given.
Some people believe
homosexuality is an inherited
trait, but this has not been
proven. Others believe that
one's sexual preference is based
on envifonmental factors.
Students initiated ''Coming
Out in College," sponsored by
the World Concerns Club.
Junior Sam Kirkland had the
idea for a speaker on
homosexuality.
"1 thought it would be use
ful to the community," Kirkland
said, "because 1 feel there are
a lot of gay people here.
He also said, “I think a lot
of gay people are scared of
how others will react. They're
scared of themselves, too.
I just wanted to relieve their
fears."
Kirkland hopes to start a
gay and lesbian organization
at NCSSM, but he said, “(1]
will not start one without
talking to the administration
first."
English faculty member
Soon-Heng Llm said. "We’re
trylrig to serve a student need,
but 1 don’t know If an or
ganization can legally be set up
here." Llm worked with the
World Concerns Club to or
ganize the speakers.
When Dr. Joan Barber, as
sistant prhrdpaL was asked
about the administration’s reac
tion to the speakers, she said.
"The administratiori responded
to a faculty request lo have
the speaker on campus."
The administration made no
comment concerning the pos
sible aeation of a gay atrd les-
bian organization at NCSSM.
Eilber Reflects on Graduates
by Dana Buis
On Graduation Day, May
27, all juniors and seniors will
first go to the commencement
ceremony.
Following will be a recep
tion for students, parents, and
faculty to bid their last
farewells.
For everyone it is a time
to reminisce and to look to
the future, This year, it is
even mote so, As Dr. John
Ftiedtick assumes the director
ship of NCSSM, Director Eil-
bet will leave to begin his
new work with the National
Science Foundation, a govern
ment organization dealing with
science and mathematics educ
tion.
Graduation this year means
a great deal for Director Eil
ber, "I have mixed emotions,"
related Eilber.
“I have great affection for
this school and the people in
it, and great pride in what
has been accomplished here.
1 am going to miss all of this.
Henry Donates Tablet
Computet consultant Jim Henry is shown above demonstrat
ing a digitizing tablet to Howard Weeks. Henry, owner of
JCH and Associates, recently donated the tablet to the Art
Studio to use with the Computet Aided Design program. Henry
is the former director of instructional development at NCSSM.
It is a big turning point in
my life. Commencement is a
symbol for me. It is the com
pletion of something very im
portant, while at the same
time, the arrival of new op
portunities and beginnings. I
am very excited about being
able to help Iniprove the teach
ing and learning of science
and mathematics at the nation
al level"
When asked about his
most memorable experience at
NCSSM, Director Eilber
thought of the opening day
of NCSSM hr 1980 when the
very first group of students ar
rived.
"We’d all worked so hard-
-about one year-to prepare for
them, and as 1 took back at
what has grown from that ef
fort. that memory sharpens."
In his graduation speech.
Director Eilber will discuss
what this school has meant to
all of us. and some problems
the world is facing. He will
also urge seniors to take
responsibility for these
problems and help work
toward solutions.
His advice to NCSSM stu
dents is to keep an open mind.
"Listen to all sides of a ques
tion, be sure to have all the
facts before forming on opinion,
and have a sense of mission.
Use your ability and what is
provided here at NCSSM to
bring about a better world."
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Friedrick Chosen New
NCSSM Director
by Ross Little
Mr, John J, Friedrick, the
founding director of the Science
Academy of Austin, Texas, will
become the new director of the
North Carobna School of
Science and Mathematics effec
tive July 1, 19S9,
Mr. Friedrick, a native of
Pittsburgh, has received
bachelors and graduate degrees
in cardiovascular medicine from
Texas A8«.M and is currently
working towards a doctorate
from the University of Texas
at Austin.
When asked about what
inspired bis interest in teach
ing, Freidrick replies, "1 thought
1 was going to be a doctor
until my roommate in college
got a teaching job at an elemen
tary school It ended up that
he couldn't teach the class after
all, and recommended me. 1
decided to try it. After that
first day of teaching, 1 was
hooked."
Mr. Pteidrick’s experiences
with young people don't stop
there. "I’ve taught on the
kindergarten on up to graduate
level" says Freidrick, "and en
joyed every minute of it."
Some of Mr. Preidiick’s
most memorable teaching ex
periences Iridude performing
live rat operations with 4th and
5th graders aird taking a group
of high -schoolers to the
Galapagos Islairds. "1 want to
help make my students become
internattonally aware people."
he says.
Fr eld tick’s teaching
philosophy is equally innova
live. "Out body of knowledge
doubles the size of the Library
of Congress roughly every ve
years." he slates, "and th -’s
no way one person is goli to
learn everything they need to
know. I try to teach students
how to work together and find
the information as they need it,
whicl) is much more like a real
world situation.
No one could build a
bridge, for example, solely on
their knowledge. They work in
teams, 1 also try to mold stu
dents into creative problem sol
vers."
In closing, Mr. Friedrick
says, "The School of Science
and Mathematics has a wealth
of potential, and 1 look for
ward to working with the
talented faculty, staff, and stu
dents here."