News

WILSON, N.C. - Please join the Barton College community on Tuesday, June 23, at 7 p.m. for a stimulating evening of student presentations focusing on American-Cuban policy.  The presentations will be made in The Sam and Marjorie Ragan Writing Center. There is no charge for the event, and the community is invited to attend. Refreshments will be served.

The following questions were posed to Barton students for research and response as they prepared for their presentations. "Should any policy change depend upon reform within the Cuban government or revolution against the Cuban government?"  "Should the opinions of Latin Americans and/or members of the United Nations affect American policy?"  "President Obama recently eased restrictions on travel by Cuban Americans and on gifts sent by Cuban Americans to their relatives in Cuba. Was that a good decision?  Should he do more?"

"These are questions Americans currently face, and as part of the new General Education program at Barton College, our students are being asked to face and attempt to 'solve' these problems," said Dr. Alan Lane, associate professor of history in the Department of History and Social Sciences and the director of general education and the quality enhancement plan.

This assignment is the result of a new academic initiative on the Barton campus. During the past year, Barton College began the initial stages of implementation for its new General Education core, which emphasizes student writing, oral communication, critical thinking, and global awareness.  Each Barton student completes four writing intensive courses, two speaking intensive courses and four critical thinking intensive courses.  This focused academic core curriculum prepares students for GEN 301, Barton's General Education Capstone course taken during the junior year.  Each capstone class centers on one problem facing America or the world, and Barton students are asked to research, discuss, and determine what they believe to be the best solution to that problem.  While some classes may choose an issue with a political focus, others may choose a cultural, economic, or environmental issue that affects the United States or the world.

"None of the students studying American-Cuban policy this summer are history majors or international relations majors," said Dr. Lane.  "Most of this class represents social work majors while a few students enrolled in the class are studying business.  But it's incredibly exciting to observe these students putting so much energy into how America should approach this serious political-diplomatic issue of the western hemisphere.  This is an issue that everyone should be discussing; it affects our lives and America's future.  And, the Barton faculty want our students to be attuned to these national and international issues and to understand how they impact our lives."

Dr. Lane went on to share his pride in his Weekend College students in this class. "I hope our students, through this experience, gain not only a good understanding of the one issue they worked on but also gain a greater confidence in their ability to find out about and understand other issues that face the United States and the world today."  Dr. Lane said most of the students in this class are working full time or have just begun final internships in the social work program. This course required students to read some 800 pages of material on Cuban affairs, and they have debated the issues in six four-hour classes.  Other requirements included presenting speeches, writing papers, and researching an important international issue that affects the future of the country.

"The result of this challenging and thought-provoking study is the development of honed communication and writing skills and a heightened level of critical thinking for our students," Dr. Lane concluded.  "Barton students are learning to articulate and debate, to discuss and investigate.  They are learning to reach beyond the obvious to discover significant solutions to serious issues, to make informed decisions, and to identify positive change for our world."

END

Questions?  Please contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.

WILSON, N.C. - Freshmen, the countdown has begun for Summer Orientation at Barton College! With the first of two sessions beginning June 23, Summer Orientation will prepare you for the start of your academic career as a Bulldog.

Session I takes place June 23-24, and Session II closes out the week on June 26-27. Although they take place on different dates, both sessions are identical in structure.

On your first day, you'll meet your admissions counselor and other students from your geographical area. President Norval Kneten and Vice President for Student Affairs George Solan will extend their official welcome to you in Howard Chapel.

Next, you'll meet your Orientation Leader and your First-Year Seminar (FYS) Advisor. Dr. Terry Grimes, vice president for academic affairs, will join Vice President Solan to discuss Barton's Honor Code. Then, everyone will head to the fountain at center campus for lunch.

Throughout the rest of the afternoon, you will have the chance to learn about college life from current Barton students; discover the amazing international travel opportunities available during January Term; meet the Student Affairs staff; and break out into information sessions on network technology, student activities, and residence life.

Your first day ends with dessert receptions hosted by athletics, the Disciples of Christ, and multicultural affairs, followed by a student activities meeting in the dining hall.

After breakfast, your second day begins with the opportunity to meet with the athletics staff, attend student advising, conclude business arrangements, and learn about health and wellness services at Barton. Later, the student activities department will showcase Barton's annual traditions. Special interest sessions on Greek life, fall move-in, and religious life will be available. Then, your day will conclude with a campus tour and lunch on your own in Bully's Campus Grill.

The complete Orientation schedule, including the family schedule, is available here as a PDF.

That's a lot of activity packed into just two days. Why do we do it? It helps make your transition to campus easier. With the preliminaries out of the way, you can focus on moving in and gearing up for class.

Fall is approaching, and the clock is ticking. If you haven't signed up for Summer Orientation yet, now is the time. Visit http://www.barton.edu/orientation/ to sign up. We look forward to seeing you here!

WILSON, N.C. - Despite a brief rain shower near the beginning of the program, the Barton College community celebrated commencement on center campus in grand fashion on Sunday, May 24.

Some 228 seniors participated in the 107th annual commencement exercises.  Dr. Norval C. Kneten presided over his sixth commencement program as president of Barton College. Dr. Terrence L. Grimes, vice president for academic affairs, presented the graduating class.

Barbara Lyons Goodmon of Raleigh, president and executive director of the A.J. Fletcher Foundation, delivered the commencement address.  Dr. Goodmon was presented with the Doctor of Laws degree, honoris causa, by Barton College during the commencement exercises.

In her address to the Class of 2009, Dr. Goodmon told the graduating seniors that this was "a great time to be a young adult just beginning your journey. You have the opportunity to help determine change. In fact, opportunity is not a strong enough word - you have a responsibility to help bring about change. You have spent four or more years at Barton College developing the tools and competence to help make the world a better place. Your education has given you the skills to be flexible and creative about your future in this fast changing world. You have many challenges ahead of you, but remember sustainable change is driven by young people, not by the people who like it just the way it is.  In fact, the ranks of the satisfied folks are shrinking daily. Things will never be the same again; they will be better."

She also encouraged them to remember the importance of taking chances along their journey in life, to live and work with passion and compassion, to be involved in their neighborhoods, churches, schools, and communities, to reach out to help others, to always vote, to commit to lifelong learning, to take care of their physical, mental, and spiritual health and to never do anything without integrity.

Participating in this year's commencement ceremony were students who completed their baccalaureate degree requirements in December 2008 and May 2009, as well as candidates who expect to fulfill requirements over the summer.

The three highest honors presented to Barton students: the Coggins Cup, the Hilley Cup, and the Hemby Leadership Cup, were awarded during the program. The Coggins Cup, presented annually to the student voted best all-around by the Barton faculty and staff, was awarded to Paola Marte from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, who graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management.  The Hilley Cup, presented annually to the graduating senior with the highest cumulative grade point average, was awarded to Chelsea Katherina Hsieh of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science.  The Hemby Leadership Cup, presented to the graduating senior, who in the estimation of the college community (including students, faculty and staff) has demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout a career at Barton College, was awarded to Jeremy Joseph Lowe of St. Petersburg, Fla., who graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.

The Jefferson-Pilot Faculty Member of the Year awards, presented annually to two faculty members, were awarded to Dr. Alan Lane, associate professor of history in the Department of History and Social Sciences in the School of Arts and Sciences and the director of general education and the quality enhancement plan, and Dr. Bettie J. Willingham, associate professor of education in the School of Education.  The awards include a cash stipend for international study in conjunction with Barton's international emphasis.

Jared Parker Morgan of Winterville, senior class president, addressed the graduating class and also offered appreciation for the support and guidance from professors, staff, families, and friends on behalf of his fellow classmates.  Phillip H. Warren of Dunn, class of 1971, president of the Barton College Alumni Association and its Alumni Board, brought greetings to graduating seniors on behalf of the Alumni Association.

The Reverend Hollie Woodruff, chaplain of the college, delivered the baccalaureate sermon earlier Sunday morning.

Other commencement festivities during the weekend included a luncheon for seniors and their parents on Saturday afternoon, hosted by Dr. and Mrs. Norval C. Kneten, at the Barton-Graves House.  The pinning ceremony for the graduates of the School of Nursing followed on Saturday evening at First United Methodist Church.

END

Questions?  Please contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.

WILSON, N.C. - Barbara Lyons Goodmon of Raleigh, president and executive director of the A.J. Fletcher Foundation, will be the featured speaker at the 107th annual commencement exercises of Barton College in Wilson, scheduled for Sunday, May 24, on center campus at 1:30 p.m. Wilson Gymnasium is the rain site. Dr. Norval C. Kneten will preside over his sixth commencement program as president of Barton College. Dr. Terrence L. Grimes, vice president for academic affairs, will present the graduating class of 230 seniors.

Born in Meridian, Miss., Goodmon was raised in Memphis, Tenn. She moved to Raleigh upon her marriage in 1969 to James Fletcher Goodmon, president and CEO of Capitol Broadcasting Company and chair of the board for the A.J. Fletcher Foundation and The Fletcher Academy School of Achievement. The Goodmons have three children and three grandchildren.

Goodmon graduated from the St. Joseph's School of Nursing in Memphis in 1965, earning her Registered Nurse licensure. In 1994, she graduated magna cum laude from Meredith College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and later completed a Master of Liberal Studies degree from North Carolina State University in 2000.

In addition to myriad responsibilities with the Fletcher Foundation, Goodmon is an ardent supporter of numerous community organizations. She has served on a variety of community boards in the Wake County area and has brought a wealth of experience to her administrative appointment with the Foundation as well as her leadership roles among the community organizations.

With primary interests in the field of human service, she has served as chair of the Wake County Human Services Board and the Salvation Army Advisory Board, and vice chair for The Healing Place of Wake County, a substance abuse treatment center of which she was one of the three principal founders. She also has served on the Meredith College Board of Trustees and Board of Visitors, the North Carolina State University Veterinary Medical Foundation, the North Carolina State University Advisory Board for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Parents Council for Hampden Sydney College, Ravenscroft School Board of Trustees, and the Board of Visitors for the School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Goodmon currently serves on the Pamlico Community College Foundation Board of Directors and the North Carolina School of the Arts Board of Trustees.

A true humanitarian, Goodmon's service to community has been recognized with numerous awards including, but not limited to, the William Booth Award, the "Others" Award, and the Life Membership Award by the Salvation Army. She was inducted into the Academy of Women of the Raleigh YWCA and listed among the Top 100 Distinguished Graduates of Meredith College. Goodmon also has received the Leadership By Example Award from the Rotary Club of Raleigh, the Women's Center of Wake County Star Award, the Sisters Delany Honor Society Achievement Award/N.C. Women of Distinction from Saint Augustine's College, the North Carolina State University 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award, and the 2008 Sertoma Club Regional Service to Mankind Award.

Goodmon and her husband were honored with the Methodist Children's Home 2001 Guardian Angel Award, the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraisers of 2001 Award presented on National Philanthropy Day by the Triangle Chapter of the Association of Professional Fundraisers, the United Arts 2000 Paladin Achievement Award for business support, the Marty Prairie Award at the 2005 North Carolina World AIDS Day Awards, and the 2008 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Award. The Goodmons were also inducted into the Raleigh Hall of Fame in 2008.

In 2002, Goodmon was featured in Metro Magazine Who's Who and, in December 2003, she was listed in Business Leader Magazine as one of the 10 effective women of the Triangle. Goodmon and her husband were featured in the 2006 Edition of Business Leader as distinguished business leaders of 2005.

Goodmon will receive the Doctor of Laws degree, honoris causa, from Barton College during this year's commencement.

Participating in this year's commencement ceremony will be students who completed their baccalaureate degree requirements in December 2008 and May 2009, as well as candidates who expect to fulfill requirements over the summer. The three highest honors presented to Barton students: the Coggins Cup, the Hilley Cup, and the Hemby Leadership Cup, will be awarded. The Coggins Cup is presented annually to the student voted best all-around by the Barton faculty and staff. The Hilley Cup is presented annually to the graduating senior with the highest cumulative grade point average. The Hemby Leadership Cup is presented to the graduating senior, who in the estimation of the college community (including students, faculty and staff) has demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout a career at Barton College.

The Jefferson-Pilot Faculty Member of the Year awards will also be presented. The awards, given annually to two faculty members, include a cash stipend for international study.

Dr. Phillip H. Warren, class of 1971, president of the Barton College Alumni Association and its Alumni Board, will bring greetings to graduating seniors on behalf of the Alumni Association.

Barton's Commencement Day program will begin with the baccalaureate sermon Sunday morning at 11 a.m. in Howard Chapel. The Reverend Hollie E. Woodruff, chaplain of the college, will deliver the address. Lunch will be served in the Hamlin Student Center Dining Hall from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at no charge for seniors and $5.00 each for family members and guests.

The Commencement festivities will include a luncheon for seniors and their parents on Saturday afternoon, May 23 from noon to 1:30 p.m., hosted by Dr. and Mrs. Norval C. Kneten at the Barton-Graves House. The pinning ceremony for the graduates of the School of Nursing will follow at 6 p.m. on Saturday evening at First United Methodist Church.

END

Questions?  Please contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.

WILSON, N.C. - Traveling back in time on May 1, Barton College honored the faculty, staff, and students of the 1940s with "Founders' Day 2009: Celebrating the Era of World War II."

A memorabilia tent on center campus greeted guests as they arrived, and newspaper clippings and yearbooks from the World War II period brought back memories of bygone days. Junior Deese, a World War II collector and parent of Barton senior Ben Deese, displayed his collection of German and American ordnance, including a flamethrower and a Willy jeep.

At noon, "Reveille," played by Jim Bradshaw of the Barton College/Wilson Symphony Orchestra, called attendees to assemble in the large pavilion tent for lunch. Beginning the program, Billy Leegins and Vann Raper of American Legion Post 13 presented our national and state colors; and Barton College President Norval Kneten led the assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Dr. Jeff Broadwater, professor and chair of the department of history and social studies, shared interesting facts about the wartime period: "It was a simpler, if not necessarily an easier, time. Cokes sold for $.05. You could rent a house for $35 a month; you could buy a house for less than $4,000. The average new car sold for a fraction of that."

Broadwater recalled the launchings of M&M's and McDonald's and the death of actor Tom Mix against the backdrop of war and unrest on the other side of the world. This political turmoil led to the cancellation of the 1940 Olympic games and in America the beginning of a peacetime draft. Despite the protests of a campus pacifist movement, the draft sent many of the College's males off to war.

In a conversation after the program, alumnus Dr. John Goff, Jr. ('47) described the College's wartime campus as matriarchal: "There weren't any guys here, so the women ran the show," he said.

"There were about 300 girls and 25 boys," recalled alumna Aileen Reel ('47) Parish.

In spite of the dark backdrop of war, Miriam "Mickey" Moore ('47) Dunn had pleasant memories of the time: "It was wonderful, except for the war. We didn't have a lot of boys. We had a lot of girls, and we had a lot of fun. We didn't think about having to do without. We rationed sugar, shoes - you name it.

"I can remember trying to go home on the weekends; and if there were service men in line, I had to stand back and wait for them to board first. Never thought a thing about it," said Dunn.

Following Broadwater's "fast facts," senior Lizzie Stafford read an article from the May 15, 1943, issue of "The Collegiate," describing wartime mail in the campus post office.

"Of the 231 letters going out that same day, around two-thirds of them were addressed to men in the Army, Navy, or Marines."

Freshman Alex Minton sang "America the Beautiful"; then, senior David King shared draft and conscientious objector information from "Barton College: Our Century" by Dr. Jerry MacLean.

"Ironically," King read, "Marvin Jackson, class of 1937, who initially requested conscientious objector status, changed his mind, enlisted, and became ACC's first student, or former student, killed in the war."

Next, junior Nathanael Shelton read an article written by Georgia Brewer ('36) Campion for the Atlantic Christian College column in the North Carolina Christian," which told of then-senior Howard Blake's ('43) efforts to enter the Naval Reserve.

"He spent the whole summer trying to get his weight up to the minimum required by the Naval Reserve of 132 pounds, but all he could get was 128. However, four pounds of bananas eaten on the morning of his physical examination got him by," quipped the author.

A slideshow prepared by Keith Tew, Barton's director of publications, followed the readings and presented images of the College from the war era, accompanied by swing music from the same period. The nostalgic tunes, to the delight of the rest of the audience, led alumna Etta Rae Tyndall ('47) Oliver and husband James to give an impromptu display of their dancing skills.

Barton College junior Jensen Davis' reading from a Sept. 30, 1942, article in "The Collegiate," spoke of students picking cotton to help local farmers harvest their crops. Senior Emily Jamieson shared the dedication of 1943's "The Pine Knot," written in honor of the boys who had gone to war.

"During the past several months, those of our boys who had not previously registered did so, and they will be in the various branches of the service - on the land, in the air, on the seas - doing their bit to preserve for our country all the principles of democracy about which they have learned at Atlantic Christian College.

"Our hearts are with the boys who have gone out from Atlantic Christian College. It is to them that we would dedicate this book," read Jamieson.

Calling the event "a wonderful way to commemorate a time that so many of us will never forget," Barton College President Norval Kneten closed the program and invited the Rev. Hollie Woodruff, chaplain of the College, to lead the singing of the alma mater.

More than 60 years after the horrors and victories of World War II, Barton College remembers those who fought, rationed, and sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy today. Acknowledging a debt we can never fully repay, we humbly say, "Thank you."

END.

Questions? Contact Ken Dozier, web services manager, at 252-399-6596 or email kdozier@barton.edu.

WILSON, N.C. - Step back in time as the Barton College Friends of Hackney Library host "War Bonds: The Songs and Letters of World War II" on Friday, May 1. The evening event, to be held in Hardy Alumni Hall, will include a wine reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the performance at 7 p.m.

Tickets for the event are $50 per person, and reservations are available through April 27.  Please contact Cynthia Collins at 252-399-6503 or email: fohl@barton.edu.

"War Bonds," a musical journey through a war that redefined the world, explores "the dark side of war and the strange juxtaposition of the light-hearted, popular tunes of the time" through 22 familiar World War II-era songs, veterans' actual letters from the front (including zum Brunnen's father's letters, whose correspondence provided the impetus for the show's creation), and headline news of the period.  Actual veterans' stories create a sentimental journey through the days when blackouts and rationing were a small sacrifice in order to obtain freedom; a time when Rosie the Riveter discovered she could take care of herself; a time when African-Americans, who were segregated at home, integrated abroad to become heroes; and when a man's only wish was to be home for Christmas.

The "War Bonds" production has toured across the nation, and an edited-for-television version was filmed by UNC-TV and premiered in December 2007.  This exemplary show allows the "greatest generation" to remember its sacrifices and to celebrate its victories while the "next generation" contemplates this extraordinary period of history.

The multimedia family-friendly program will be performed by award-winning artists David zum Brunnen and Serena Ebhardt (co-founders of EbzB Productions), the husband-and-wife acting/singing duo who also arranged the show.  Serena Ebhardt, a Raleigh native, received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Dramatic Art from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and attended the North Carolina Governor's School for drama. She has acted in and/or produced over 175 professional stage plays and is a member of Actors' Equity Association and Canadian Actors' Equity Association. In addition to stage work, she also has appeared in feature films, television, commercials, industrials, and has done voice-overs. Ebhardt is a recipient of the International Television and Video Association Silver Reel Award.

David zum Brunnen, who hails from Salisbury, also received his baccalaureate degree (in Broadcast Journalism) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has performed in numerous local, national, and international productions. In addition to his performance skills, he also has served as general manager for several theater companies and served as executive director of the North Carolina Theatre Conference. And, zum Brunnen has received two INDIE awards for enhancing the cultural life in the Triangle.

Ebhardt and zum Brunnen currently live in Chatham County with their young son, Carlton.

END

Questions?  Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.

WILSON, N.C. - The Barton College/Wilson Symphony Orchestra will present its Spring Concert on Sunday May 3, at 3 p.m., in Howard Chapel on the Barton College campus.  The orchestra, under the direction of Mark N. Peterson, will feature Barton College professor Phillip J. Valera performing George Frederic Handel's sprightly Concerto in F Major for Organ and Orchestra, Op.4 No.5.

Valera is the assistant professor of audio recording technology in the Department of Communication and Performing Arts at Barton College and the music director of St. Timothy's Church in Wilson.  Prior to moving to Wilson, he worked as an instructor of recording technology at the University of Arkansas in Pine Bluff.  He also held the positions of organist at All Saints' Episcopal Church in Lakeland, Fla., and music director for St. David's Episcopal Church in Lakeland.

Valera has performed numerous organ recitals in Florida, Arkansas, and in his native Massachusetts.  In 2006, he performed a concert at St. Timothy's Church entirely comprised of his own arrangements and compositions for electronic music and organ.

He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in organ performance from Boston University where he studied organ under Jack Fisher and Max Miller.  In 1998, Valera was an award-winning graduate from the Audio Recording Technology program at Full Sail Real World Education in Winter Park, Fla., from which he embarked on a second career that combines his love of music and music technology.

Handel was best known in his lifetime as a composer of operas and oratorios.  In order to fill the time between the scenes and acts of these dramatic productions, he would frequently perform movements from his wonderful concertos for organ and orchestra.  Handel was one of the first composers to use the organ in this manner, and these works were often adaptations of concertos and sonatas he wrote for other instruments.  The concerto to be presented at the spring concert will be familiar to many as an often-performed flute sonata.  Because of their lively, tuneful nature, these pieces became quite popular, and served to draw English organ music away from the solemn style of previous generations.  Because of Handel's influence, English composers began writing voluntaries and other organ works that were much livelier, often longer, and increasingly secularized.

The orchestra will also be performing Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance March" No. 4 and Mozart's brilliant Symphony No. 40 in G minor.

Sir Edward Elgar wrote a series of six "Pomp and Circumstance" marches. The first four, composed between 1901 and 1907, helped to firmly establish his reputation as the preeminent English composer of his generation. Marches No.5 and No.6 were created much later with No.6 being assembled from sketches after the composer's death. The title is taken from Shakespeare's "Othello," Act III, Scene iii, which reads, "Farewell the neighing steed, and the shrill trump, The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife, The Royal banner, and all quality, Pride, Pomp, and Circumstance of glorious war!"

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Symphony No. 40 in G minor is undeniably one of the most familiar and beloved works in the entire symphonic repertoire.  This popularity is a result of the immediately captivating nature of the melodies that fill every movement, the restrained romanticism of the first movement, and the astounding chromatic harmonies that foreshadow music of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.  All of these elements coalesce within a concise form, which is perfectly in keeping with the symphonic style of the late 18th century.  Mozart wrote his final three symphonies (No.39, No. 40, and No. 41) during an eight-week period in the summer of 1788, and these works stand among the great pillars of western art.

Following the concert, the audience is cordially invited to meet the musicians at a reception in the Barton Art Galleries hosted by ARAMARK Higher Education. Admission for the orchestra performance will be $10 at the door or by season ticket. All students within the community will be admitted free of charge as well as faculty, staff, and students of Barton College.

For additional information about the concert, please contact Lynn Medlin at 252-399-6309 or email: lmedlin@barton.edu.

END

Questions?  Please contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.

Incoming Student Checklist:
- Application? Check!
- Transcripts? Check!
- SAT/ACT scores? Check!
- Acceptance letter? Double check!
- Deposit? … Um, hello? Deposit?

Did you know that May 1 is the National Tuition Deposit Deadline? With all the progress you've made in applying to and being accepted at Barton College, don't trip up on the next step. Secure your seat in the fall class at Barton with your tuition deposit.

Barton College is currently accepting $200 advance tuition deposits for the fall semester. Be sure to make your deposit before the May 1 deadline. To save your place in this fall's class, call 1-800-345-4973 and pay with your Visa or MasterCard.

Remember housing preferences are made in order of tuition deposits received, so don't delay.

Become an official Barton Bulldog today!

WILSON, N.C. - Barton College was well represented at the 55th Annual North Carolina Phi Beta Lambda State Leadership Conference held last weekend in Charlotte.  Members of Barton College's Gamma Gamma Chapter of Phi Beta Lambda provided regional leadership while also receiving numerous kudos at the conference.

Barton College student Dawn Montoya, a senior from Rocky Mount and the 2008-2009 state president for Phi Beta Lambda, presided over the annual state conference, and Andrea Alston, a sophomore also from Rocky Mount, was elected the 2009-2010 state secretary/treasurer.

Brittany Keith, a sophomore from Creedmoor, was awarded a North Carolina Phi Beta Lambda Foundation, Inc., Scholarship.

Dominican Republic senior Paola Marte brought home first-place honors in the Future Business Executive category.  And, Elaine Guthrie, a senior from Bailey, earned first place in Client Services.  Amanda Tyndall, a senior from Goldsboro, and Lisa Payne, a senior from Elm City, teamed to receive first-place honors in Emerging Business Issues.

Seventeen Barton chapter members participated in a variety of competitive events and attended general sessions, regional meetings, and leadership seminars.  Approximately 335 delegates, representing 33 chapters, attended the annual conference.

First-place, second-place, and third-place winners at the state conference (14 members from Barton's delegation) also earned the right to compete at the National Leadership Conference to be held in Anaheim, Calif., in June.  Marte and Montoya also received "Who's Who in North Carolina Phi Beta Lambda" recognition for their outstanding contributions to North Carolina Phi Beta Lambda.  And, Barton's Montoya will represent North Carolina at the National Conference as the most outstanding member of North Carolina Phi Beta Lambda.

Additional awards included Marte earning second place in Accounting for Professionals; Montoya, Kellie Peoples, a junior from Macon, and Jaren Palmer, a junior from Corpus Christi, Texas, placing second in Business Decision Making; Montoya earning second place honors in Job Interview; and Brantley House, a sophomore from Wilson, placing second in Statistical Analysis.  The Gamma Gamma Chapter's Local Chapter Annual Business Report also garnered second place at the event.

Third place recognitions were awarded to Montoya and Keith for their Community Service Project, "The Wilson Chamber of Commerce;" Keith, for Computer Applications and Marketing Concepts; Ridge Pruitt, a sophomore from Selma, for Contemporary Sports Issues; Brandi Stevens, a sophomore from Four Oaks, for Financial Concepts; Guthrie and Kathy Tate-Hildreth, a senior from Four Oaks, for Human Resource Management; and Amanda Moore, a junior from Kinston, for Management Concepts.

Tate-Hildreth and Guthrie earned fourth-place honors with their Free Enterprise Project, "Diversity in the Workplace," while fifth-place honors went to Tyndall in Business Communication, Palmer in Microeconomics, and the team of Tyndall and Payne with their Free Enterprise Project, "Identity Theft."

Stevens earned sixth place in Computer Applications and the team of Marte, Palmer, and Moore earned sixth place with their Community Service Project, "Day of Service."

Seventh place honors went to House in Accounting Principles, Peoples in Business Law, Pruitt in Microeconomics, and Moore in Word Processing.  Eighth place was awarded to Tate-Hildreth in Information Management, and Tiara Ward, a junior from Middlesex, in Sales Presentation.

In addition to receiving the Gold Seal Award, Gold Star Chapter, Membership Madness recognition, and the Terry Lowrance Leadership Award, the Gamma Gamma Chapter received recognition for its monetary contributions to state- and nationally-recommended projects. And, two chapter members received National Recognition Awards through the Career and Membership Achievement Program: Tate-Hildreth, at the Director Level, and Montoya, at the Presidential Level.

Teresa Parker of Wilson and Ronald Eggers of Rocky Mount, associate professors in the College's School of Business, accompanied the student delegation to the state conference.

For additional information about the Gamma Gamma Chapter of Phi Beta Lambda, visit the web site: http://www.barton.edu/SchoolofBusiness/PBL/bartonpbl.htm

END

Questions?  Please contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.

WILSON, N.C. - And, they're off! - What better way to signal the efforts of enthusiastic runners as they rush to take the lead in the "Barton College/Dick's Hot Dog Dash," scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, April 15, at 3:30 p.m.  The approximate two-mile run, sponsored by the Barton College Student Government Association in partnership with Dick's Hot Dog Stand, is being held to help raise funds for "Stop Hunger Now," an international hunger relief agency that coordinates the distribution of food and other life-saving aid around the world.

The "Barton College/Dick's Hot Dog Dash" is one of several fund-raising efforts coordinated by the SGA on Barton's campus this spring to help raise dollars for the world-wide food project. Last year, Barton and the Wilson community teamed with "Stop Hunger Now" to produce 10,000 meals in an on-campus packaging event. This year, the community goal has more than doubled to supply 24,000 meals for the April 22nd annual packaging event at Barton.

"The Student Government Association is very excited to participate in 'Stop Hunger Now,'" shared Jeremy Lowe, SGA president.  "It's amazing that here in Wilson, we can have such an impact on world hunger.  We hope to continue our efforts every year and continue to increase our goal."

The "Barton College/Dick's Hot Dog Dash," similar in concept to the famous "Krispy Kreme Challenge" held in Raleigh, will start at 3:30 p.m. at Barton's Centennial Alumni Bell Tower. The winner will receive a $100 cash prize.

Registration at $10 per person will be limited to members of the Barton College community, but members of the extended community may sponsor a Barton runner in the race.  Sponsorship dollars must be turned in at registration time, which begins at 3 p.m., 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the race.

For additional information about sponsoring a Barton runner, making a donation to "Stop Hunger Now," or to receive additional information about the project, please call Lynne Medlin at 252-399-6309 or email: lmedlin@barton.edu or Jeremy Lowe at jjlowe@bulldogs.barton.edu. The "Stop Hunger Now" Committee will be raising funds through April 21.

END

Questions?  Contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.