Faculty/Staff Accomplishments and News Briefs 11/21/17

In this issue, we celebrate the accomplishments of faculty and staff in communication, dance, education, English, financial assistance, history, interior design, library, music, religious and ethical studies, sociology, and technology services. We also share news about an upcoming Staff Affairs event.

Assistant Professor of Dance Sarah Bean presented a paper, “Equity and Access to What, Exactly? Three Dance Ed Settings, One Teacher, Multiple Learning Outcomes,” at the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) Conference on November 14 in San Antonio, Texas.

Associate Professor of Religious & Ethical Studies Steven Benko and Professor of Education Julie Schrock provided an international online seminar on November 8 titled Facilitate Deep Learning and Student Engagement through Socratic Questioning. Faculty from 27 different colleges and universities participated in the seminar.

Professor of English Robin Colby and Associate Professor of English Laura Fine presented papers at the South Atlantic Modern Language Association (SAMLA) conference in Atlanta, Ga., which took place November 3-5. Robin Colby’s paper was entitled “Teaching the Other in Jane Austen’s Emma: The Gypsy Scene.” Laura Fine’s paper was entitled “Gender and Class in the Country Noir Fiction of Bonnie Jo Campbell.”

Associate Professor of History Dan Fountain participated in a three-person panel discussion for the Meredith’s Friends of the Library Fall 2017 meeting on October 30. The event focused on writing, publishing and accessing history.  Fountain was joined by historian Joe Mobley and Layla Milholen of McFarland Publishers.  Jeff Waller, the library’s head of research and instruction, moderated the panel.

Ellen Goode, Professor Emeritus of Interior Design, presented on November 15 at NeoCon East, an East coast design expo and conference for interior designers and architects. The title of her continuing education program was “The Residential American Craftsman Style: Past and Present.”

Instructional Design Specialist Paul Keys and Assistant Professor of Sociology Kris Macomber co-presented a workshop at the International Society for Exploring Teaching and Learning in October in Orlando. The title of their workshop was “Stories Worth Telling: How to Bring Documentary Filmmaking into the College Classroom.”

Director of Financial Assistance Kevin Michaelsen participated as a Panelist on the first CFNC and NCASFAA-sponsored Financial Aid call-in show on Sunday, October 22nd called Focus On: Financial Aid. The show also selected four students to submit a video question for the Panelists to answer.  Meredith College Sophomore, Laura Jenkins, was selected to prepare a student video question. The video is available on demand at https://www.unctv.org/watch/live-stream/financial-aid/ .  This video can be used for informational purposes at meetings, presentations, etc. and can be referenced in brochures and email/social media posts to raise financial aid awareness.

Associate Professor of Mass Communication Doug Spero was a guest on Commentators, a show on WPTF Radio (680-AM), on November 8. Spero and North State Journal Editor Donna King discussed current events with host Rick Martinez. The show airs from 10 a.m. – noon.

Director of Instrumental Activities Jim Waddelow conducted the Western Wake County Orchestra Festival, which featured the combined orchestra students of Apex, Green Hope, Cary, and Athens Drive high schools. The festival was held on October 26.

News Briefs
Staff Affairs Committee “Winter Warm Up”
Meredith’s Staff Affairs committee is sponsoring a “Winter Warm Up” event on Friday, December 15 from 10 – 11 a.m. in Johnson Hall rotunda. Hot chocolate with all the trimmings will be served. The event will include holiday music and a photo station featuring two large hot chocolate mugs where employees can take “mug shots.”