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Former Assistant Secretary of Defense Joseph Nye Speaks at Meredith
Nye's lecture was one in a month-long series meant "to heighten awareness of important world issues," said Vice President for Academic Affairs Rosalind Reichard. With the end of the Cold War, the United States became the world's only super power, causing some to believe that the U.S. could do what it wanted and "others had no choice but to follow," Nye said. Likening Sept. 11, 2001 to a flash of lightening, Nye said the attacks allowed the world to "see a new and difficult landscape" that has led to a tremendous change in U.S. foreign policy. September 11 "showed that terrible conditions in a poor, weak country halfway around the world can…come back to haunt us," he said. An increase in the pace of globalization and a rapid decrease in the price of computers and other communication tools have led to a world in which every nation is "much more affected by things in different parts of the world," Nye said. Because the cost of computers has decreased, "now anyone has the capacity for instant global communication," Nye explained, calling this a "tremendous democratization of communication" that has led to an increase in "non-government actors," such as Al-Qaida. "Terrorism has become more agile and lethal because of these changes," Nye said. "It is not science fiction to imagine terrorists being able to get access to nuclear weapons and being able to kill in the millions…without any government support." Nye argued that the U.S. has neglected its "soft power" a term that he coined to describe "the ability to get what you want through attraction rather than coercion or payments." According to Nye, neglect of soft power can negatively affect a nation's military power. He used the current situation in Iraq and in other parts of the Middle East as an example. "Whose army wins and whose story wins are equally important," Nye said. "Unless we learn ways to combine soft power with hard power, we aren't going to win." Nye, dean of the Kennedy School of Government from December 1995 through 2004, is a former chair of the National Intelligence Council and was assistant secretary of defense in the Clinton administration. Nye is the author of "Soft Power: The Means to Success in World Politics," published in 2004. World Fest Celebrates Meredith's International Community
"World Fest" included an international menu and entertainment by Color Latino. A number of attendees also wore international clothing to the event. The international studies committee wanted to host an event that was "livelier, more celebratory, than we had previously managed for International Education Week, which is held annually in November," said Betty Webb, director of study abroad. "The idea of honoring our international faculty, staff and students just emerged as we discussed options for celebration."
Thirty-three members of Meredith's faculty/staff claim an international connection. Thad O'Briant, dining services director, estimates that approximately 500 resident students, 20 commuters and 25-30 faculty and staff attended. O'Briant said he planned the menu to "include foods with an international flair that students would enjoy." Items included egg rolls, lasagna and éclairs for dessert. "We hoped the campus was surprised by the number of countries represented in our community and reflected on what that says about the world we live in," Webb said. "We hoped the honorees enjoyed the opportunity to represent with pride and pleasure their countries." |
NOW President Kim Gandy Speaks at Meredith College, Says Women "Haven't come as far as people think." Kim Gandy,president of the National Organization for Women, spoke to Meredith College students, faculty and staff about the status of the women's movement during an October 11 lecture in Jones Auditorium. Gandy's lecture, "Reinventing Community NOW: Women, Equity, and Civic Engagement," discussed important political issues and how they relate to women. Meredith's department of human environmental sciences sponsored her visit. After giving the audience an overview of the gains made during the women's movement, Gandy said, "we haven't come as far as people think." Gandy offered several statistics to show that there is still a glass ceiling, job segregation and a wage gap for women. According to Gandy:
"Women are almost invisible on the news and in politics," Gandy said. "Yes, we are business executives and politicians, but we are rarely CEOs or college presidents…and we are still waiting for Madame President." Gandy urged those in the audience, particularly students, to become more involved in politics by registering to vote, by finding out where political candidates stand on women's issues and by running for office. "Begin to think of yourself as a candidate, and help change these issues," Gandy said. "Feminism is not only about equality between women and men, it is about raising the standards for everybody." Communication Students Participate in State Fair Exhibition The N.C. State Fair is always a place to indulge in funnel cakes, corndogs, games and amusement rides, but for Meredith students participating in COM 140, 141 and 142, the fair was also a place to gain experience. Meredith communication students assisted with the Healthy Farms Healthy Families exhibit, which was set up at the State Fair near Gate 11. The exhibit highlighted how to make gardens, homes and families healthier. Prior to the fair, Agriculture Commissioner Britt Cobb said, "We hope this exhibit will show people who attend the fair how they can incorporate healthy eating and exercise into their lives." Bill Brown, Jones Auditorium coordinator, who teaches COM 140, 141, and 142, has been implementing N.C. State Fair exhibits for eight years. CYBERSPACE, a computer exhibit introducing the World Wide Web, was nominated for the Smithsonian Award. BioFrontiers, a biotechnology exhibit showcasing scientists working with plant genetics, took first place in 2001. Communication students helped Brown facilitate the scavenger hunt. Brown believes his biggest achievement from his exhibits has been "creating the scavenger hunt because it fosters interactive learning." Many Communication students assisted families gathering for the scavenger hunt by directing them to the stations and distributing the scavenger hunt worksheets. "I had no idea the set up was going to be that sophisticated," said Teresa Hale, '05. "We even had Internet access at our table to help visitors find their way around. Tons of kids and adults raced around to complete the scavenger hunt of educational questions and win a prize and most people said they learned something at the stations." The exhibit provided the students with useful experience. "Having the opportunity to work the Healthy Farms Healthy Families exhibit has been a wonderful experience! I have had practice using my organizational skills and multitasking while enjoying the thousands of people that walk through the exhibit each day," said Ashley Penman, '06.
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"Everyone prayed for the end of the Cold War, but now that we have it, it isn't exactly what we prayed for," said former Assistant Secretary of Defense Joseph Nye in an October 25 lecture at Meredith College.
"World Fest," was held on October 18 to recognize international faculty, staff and students at Meredith.
More than 50 countries were represented during "World Fest," including Jamaica, Venezuela, Turkey, Lebanon, Argentina, Brazil, Bangladesh, Peru, Colombia, Panama, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, Romania, Haiti, Palestine, Japan, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, France, Canada, Syria, Philippines, Laos, Cuba, India, South Korea, Pakistan, Netherlands, Burma, Belarus, Saudi Arabia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Germany, and New Zealand.