News

WILSON, N.C. - Barton College Phi Beta Lambda students were recognized with top honors at the recent 2009 Phi Beta Lambda National Leadership Conference, and Dawn Lewin-Montoya, a recent Barton graduate from Rocky Mount, was elected Southern Region Vice President.

Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL), the largest and oldest student business organization, held its National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, Calif., earlier this summer. Nine Barton students and approximately 1,775 college business students from across the United States and around the world attended this conference and the FBLA-PBL Institute for Leaders. Barton's chapter advisers Teresa Parker and Ron Eggers accompanied the members.

Lewin-Montoya, who served as the 2008-2009 North Carolina Phi Beta Lambda State President, will represent the interests of Phi Beta Lambda members in 12 states as she serves on the National Board as an officer during the 2009-2010 year. Lewin-Montoya was North Carolina's Who's Who representative and also was recognized for achieving both the Executive and Presidential levels of the national Career Management and Achievement Program. Lewin-Montoya was one of only six individuals in the nation to attain the Presidential Award.

Lewin-Montoya and Andrea Alston, a junior from Rocky Mount, attended the FBLA-PBL Institute for Leaders. Alston is currently serving as the 2009-2010 North Carolina Phi Beta Lambda State Secretary/Treasurer.

Paola Marte, a recent Barton College graduate from the Dominican Republic, received a $400 National Leadership Conference Scholarship. Elaine Guthrie, a senior from Bailey, placed sixth in Client Services. The team of Montoya, Marte, and Jaren Palmer, a senior from Corpus Christi, Texas, ranked ninth in Business Decision Making. Amanda Tyndall, a recent Barton College graduate from Goldsboro, and Lisa Payne, a recent Barton graduate from Elm City, garnered tenth place in Emerging Business Issues.

In addition to receiving the Gold Seal Chapter Award of Merit, the Barton College chapter was commended as an Outstanding Chapter and a contributor to the March of Dimes national philanthropy. And, Alston, Palmer, and Amanda Moore, a senior from Kinston, were acknowledged for their efforts in increasing local chapter membership.

The awards are part of a comprehensive competitive events program sponsored by FBLA-PBL. Individuals, state teams, and local chapters were encouraged to compete in any of the over 50 different events representing a wide range of activities and the business and leadership development focus of FBLA-PBL. The winners of these highly competitive and prestigious awards were selected from among FBLA-PBL's membership of approximately 11,000 students and represent the best and brightest of today's college scholars.

Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) education association with a quarter million members and advisors in 12,000 chartered middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Its mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. The association is headquartered in Reston, Va., just outside Washington, D.C. For more information, visit http://www.fbla-pbl.org.

For additional information about Barton College's chapter of Phi Beta Lambda, contact Teresa Parker, associate professor of business, at 252-399-6421 or email: tparker@barton.edu or contact Ron Eggers, associate professor of business, at 252-399-6417 or email: reggers@barton.edu.

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

Wire-wrapped vase by Mark Gordon

WILSON, N.C. — The 2009-2010 exhibition season for the Barton Art Galleries begins with Mark Gordon: Recent Works.  The ceramics exhibition will open on Monday, Aug. 24, and will run until Friday, Sept. 18. An opening reception for the exhibition will be held on Sunday, Aug. 30 from 2-4 p.m. This event is open to the public at no charge, and the community is invited to attend.

A professor of ceramics at Barton College, Gordon fills the Virginia Thompson Graves Gallery with many of his iconic vessels. Forms in the exhibit, placed on individual pedestals and lining the walls, create a monolithic display evoking a quiet reverence as if in a place of worship.

"Clay is a universal medium; potters' vessels have formed an essential part of material culture, shared Gordon. "Often, in the vessels, Greek or Chinese forms seem to be echoed in my clay shapes." Works presented range from more traditional smooth-surfaced vessels to composite, coagulate encrusted versions. In these latter pieces, the surfaces retain a comfortable tension somewhere between chaos and structure. Their forms resemble things one might find in nature, but on the molecular level.

Gordon's inspiration is often derived from an eclectic mix of nature and plant growth, animal skeletons, machinery, scrap yards and through travel. He sees his artwork as a melding of idea and action, of inspiration and impulse. "I approach claywork as the creation, pulling form out of inchoate matter, as an ongoing experiment in seeking new direction through variation," Gordon said. "The physicality of clay, along with its remarkable ability to freeze action and respond to physical impact or retain any fleeting impression, immediately and permanently captured my interest."

From 1980 to 1983, Gordon taught at Altos de Chavón in La Romana, Dominican Republic, creating a vocational workshop for local youth. He later traveled throughout the Mediterranean observing and documenting traditional pottery and brickmaking.  "Knowing these traditional clay artisans has contributed to my education," Gordon added. "I continue to make ceramic vessels to celebrate and maintain a connection to traditional potters worldwide."

In contrast to the vessels, Gordon's installations in the Lula E. Rackley Gallery refer to architecture and industrialization. For Gordon, these works represent fragments, combined geometries, and biomorphic musings. "Geometry, being a form of math, has always served as a universal language for sculpture," shared Gerard Lange, director of exhibitions at Barton. "Gordon's use of these pure forms has placed the work in a global context, where many interpretations can be drawn by evaluating the sculptures from different cultural points of view. Influence of his time spent abroad is clearly evident in Gordon's complex manipulation and integration of these otherwise simple forms."

Gordon has presented over 100 lectures and workshops in 19 states and seven foreign countries. He has been recognized with numerous awards and grants and has held numerous art residencies across the nation as well as in Caracas, Venezuela; Cairo, Egypt; Madrid, Spain; Jerusalem, Israel; and La Romana, Dominican Republic.  In 1991, Gordon was a Fulbright Lecturer at the Facultad de Artes, Universidad Nacional in Obera, Argentina.

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

WILSON, N.C. - "Reaffirmed!" That announcement was music to the ears of all involved in Barton College's recent application for reaffirmation of accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

On Friday, July 17, the president's office received SACS' official notification of reaffirmation, including a substantive change for Barton's membership to be raised to Level III to include the offering of graduate programs. Following the 10-year cycle for SACS, Barton was last affirmed in December 1998.

"We at Barton have known for some time that we provide a quality academic environment that supports and inspires our students to achieve their goals," said Dr. Norval C. Kneten, president of Barton College. "It is gratifying to have the recent Southern Association of Colleges and Schools' reaffirmation of our accreditation reiterate Barton's recognition unconditionally.

"I am extremely grateful to all who worked tirelessly on the campus-wide self-study and on the development of Barton's Quality Enhancement Plan," he continued. "Dr. Claudia Duncan, chair of Barton College's SACS Reaffirmation Steering Committee, and Patricia Burrus, chair of the QEP Leadership Team, provided extraordinary leadership during this lengthy and arduous project. Dr. Terry Grimes, vice president for academic affairs and the Barton College SACS liaison, and Richard Marshall, vice president for administration and finance, were particularly instrumental in moving this process to a successful conclusion. The quality of Barton College is a direct result of the quality of our faculty and staff."

SACS describes accreditation as "both a process and a product that relies on integrity, thoughtful and principled judgment, rigorous application of requirements, and a context of trust. It provides an assessment of an institution's effectiveness in the fulfillment of its mission, its compliance with the requirements of its accrediting association, and its continuing efforts to enhance the quality of student learning and its programs and services. Based upon reasoned judgment, the process stimulates evaluation and improvement, while providing a means of continuing accountability to constituents and the public."

Barton's reaffirmation process began with a self-study in 2005 to evaluate its compliance with the standards for accreditation established by SACS and culminated with the College's submission of its Compliance Certification Report in March 2008, which was reviewed by an off-site committee in Atlanta in May of the same year. In September 2008, Barton hosted the SACS on-site committee, led by Dr. Rudolph Jackson, for the final phase of the evaluation process.

"Though it was an enormous amount of work, preparing for reaccreditation by SACS was a positive experience because it helped us reaffirm our mission and clarify our goals for Barton," shared Dr. Terry Grimes, vice president for academic affairs. "We were very pleased that we received a rare commendation for our strategic planning from the SACS committee that made the on-site visit and feel that we are well prepared to meet the increasing challenges that higher education faces in the twenty-first century."

The centerpiece for the institution's recent evaluation was the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), which was introduced by SACS as an integral part of the reaffirmation process. SACS leaders emphasize "the concept of quality enhancement is at the heart of the Commission on Colleges' philosophy of accreditation - a philosophy that presumes each member institution to be engaged in an ongoing program of improvement and able to demonstrate how well it fulfills its mission."

The Barton College community has embraced "Pathways To Writing Success" as its focus for quality enhancement on the Wilson campus. "Pathways" is a comprehensive program designed to intentionally and purposefully address and improve student writing across the disciplines over the next five years. The program will include the implementation of a series of writing-intensive courses throughout the academic experience.

This new initiative continues to support Barton College's vision of "taking advantage of its smaller size and its historic commitment to students to create a unique undergraduate experience centered on a passionate belief in a community of active learners. Barton graduates will be well prepared for life and for success in their chosen careers because they will possess a lifelong commitment to learning, service, and achievement. We will gain national recognition for the value of the Barton experience."

In May 1922, Barton College (then Atlantic Christian College) was recognized as a standard A-grade institution by the North Carolina Board of Education, and the College received initial accreditation by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1955.

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

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.

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Questions?  Please contact 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.

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

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

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

WILSON, N.C. - "Oculus," the 2009 Barton College Senior Art Exhibition,  opens on Saturday evening, April 4, with a reception from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. in the Barton Art Galleries. This event is open to the public at no charge, and the community is invited to attend.  The exhibition will run until Friday, May 8.

Art works by seniors Sarah Stoia St. Martin and Cameron Basil Gooch will be on view in the Virginia Thompson Graves Gallery. Gallery talks by the artists will be held during the reception with St. Martin and Gooch, at 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. respectively.

St. Martin is the daughter of Navy Chaplain Commander Peter St. Martin and Judy St. Martin, stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. She plans to graduate in May with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art with a concentration in Graphic Design.

Ceramics by Sarah St. Martin

She has combined her love of photography with her creativity in graphic design to develop several unique pieces for the senior show.  Influenced by a period of residency in Japan, St. Martin has incorporated Eastern aspects throughout her works in the exhibit, including an Asian-inspired dressing screen that depicts a self-portrait as well as friends' portraits.  Another intriguing piece is a miniature book of poetry she has created to showcase various forms of typography.

St. Martin also has created a proto-type application of a letterform design project that included research in merchandising and product display.  "The letterforms have been hand painted on china as a successful proto-type for china that one might see in a store like Pier 1 or The Pottery Barn," shared J. Chris Wilson, professor of art and senior advisor.  "The design is intended to appeal to a young audience and plays with the number '8′ as a major design motif on the dinning china, making a pun of 'ate' as an implied design motif."  In addition, St. Martin has designed banners with related letterform designs that would function as merchandising elements in the commercial arena for the line and could also function as table runners for a comprehensive design statement in the home.

St. Martin eventually hopes to earn a teaching certificate, but looks forward to working in the field of art and design upon graduation.

Cameron Basil Gooch is the son of Deborah and Basil Gooch of Elon.  He also is scheduled to graduate in May with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art with a concentration in Graphic Design and Photography.  His works in the exhibition will feature designs for recreational equipment including skateboards, snowboards, snow skis, and a skim board that are intended to appeal to a young, grunge-style consumer. Gooch's clothing designs also showcase his comprehensive approach to a product design campaign.  His inspiration, fueled by travels to New York City and other metropolitan areas, provides a strong urban theme for his art.

Designs by Cameron Gooch

"Cameron's work has greatly matured, and his urban theme with a young target audience is focused and successful from both a design perspective and an understanding of the need in today's economy to seek a market niche," said Wilson.  "The work is exciting and dynamic and should successfully hit its intended mark."  Photographs and design letter projects by Gooch are also included in the exhibition.

Following graduation, Gooch anticipates a career in commercial design and looks forward to developing his own signature product line.

For additional information about the exhibition, please contact the Barton Art Galleries at 252-39-6477 or J. Chris Wilson at 252-399-6476.  The Barton Art Galleries are located in Case Art Building on the Barton College campus. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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

"Waiting Room" by John Legg, grade 12, Cardinal Gibbons High School

WILSON, N.C. - As host and regional sponsor for the 31st year, Barton College welcomes The National Scholastic Art Awards for the Eastern/Central North Carolina Region. The featured speaker for the annual awards ceremony will be Dean Johns, Director of Arts Education for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

The Scholastic Art Awards, Inc. conducts a visual art awards program for middle and high school students in the United States. Entries from all 50 states are submitted for competition in this nationally renowned program. The Scholastic Art Awards program is designed to encourage student achievement, to recognize and applaud our fine art teachers and to emphasize the importance of the visual arts in the school curriculum. Barton College is proud to host the Eastern/Central Regional District in North Carolina, representing 62 counties from the piedmont to the coast.

Following an ice cream social for awardees and their families in Wilson Gymnasium on the Barton campus at 1:30 p.m., on Sunday, Jan. 25, there will be an awards presentation for the Gold Key recipients beginning at 2:00 p.m. The ceremony is open to student Gold Key Award recipients, their families, and N.C. arts teachers and principals. The Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition will be available for public viewing in the Barton Museum beginning Jan. 26.

Contributors to the program include the Visual Arts Department of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, the Wilson Chamber of Commerce, Stan Corbett of Corbett Reproductions, Framer's Alley of Elm City, and the Office of Enrollment Management at Barton College.

Dr. Norval C. Kneten, president of Barton College, and Mark F. Gordon, director of The Eastern/Central North Carolina Region of The Scholastic Art Awards Program, will bring brief remarks during the program. Debra Pylypiw, chair of The Eastern/Central North Carolina Region of The Scholastic Art Awards Advisory Committee, will present the awards to the student recipients.

Guest speaker Dean Johns received his Bachelor of Science degree in Visual Arts Education from Florida State University, a Master of Education degree in Visual Arts Education from the University of Central Florida, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Jewelry and Sculpture from Winthrop University.

He has 42 years of experience in public school arts education, with 32 of those years as a middle and high school teacher. Johns has been active in both the North Carolina Art Education Association and the National Art Education Association, serving in various leadership roles. He also has conducted workshops for artists and teacher throughout the United States on a wide variety of topics including: "Literacy and Arts Education," "Design Development," "Understanding the Creative Process," "Tapestry and Loom Weaving," "Jewelry Making," and, most recently, "The Creation of Sculptural Forms Using Cardboard."

"My creative problem solving can be thought of as having three components: inspiration, imagination, and intellectualization," shared Johns. "For me, inspiration is the force that begins the act of creation; imagination is the energy that fuels the work in progress; and intellectualization is the process that propels the work through the various stages to completion. My work derives from a conscious manipulation of the formal qualities of art and design, learning by accident, maintaining control, and seeking refinements for the entire creative process. A good piece of work usually evolves from a balance and control of artistic spontaneity and the technical aspects of creating."

The Scholastic Art Awards entries for the Eastern/Central North Carolina Region are received at Barton College during the first week of January. This year, approximately 1,800 entries were presented for judging. Students, through their teachers, submitted artwork in a variety of categories including painting, drawing, mixes media, printmaking, sculpture, photography, computer graphics, video, film and animation, environments, graphics, products, ceramics, jewelry and metalsmithing, textile and fiber design, art portfolio, and photography portfolio. Jurors are charged to select entries that they deem especially worthy of recognition.

The Eastern/Central North Carolina Region has an advisory committee composed of eight art teachers. This year the exhibition selection jury was composed of teachers, gallery directors and professional artists.

Two hundred and fifty-one pieces were selected as Gold Key Awards for the exhibition. Digital images of these finalist art works will be sent to New York City for judging against other regional winners for the national exhibition held in June at the Corcoran Gallery, Washington, D.C. Also sent to New York will be the works of five American Vision Award (Best of Show) nominees, including: Holly Fulton, grade 12, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Career Center; Skye Miller, grade 9, West Stokes High School; Eri Miyagi, grade 12, Salem Academy; Jessica Mayes, grade 12, Durham School of the Arts; and Emily Buchanan, grade 12, East Forsyth High School. There also were 311 Silver Key Awards chosen from the works submitted. A list of award recipients is available for viewing on the Barton Art Galleries' web site at http://www.barton.edu/galleries/scholastics.htm.

From the Gold Key artworks, the jury also selected works for additional regional awards to be presented at the ceremony including the Barton College Award to John Legg, grade 12, Cardinal Gibbons High School ("Waiting Room," pictured above); "The Wilson Daily Times" Award to Tyler Beddard, grade 9, West Forsyth High School; the North Carolina Art Education Association Award to Hannah Jennings, grade 12, R. J. Reynolds High School; the Governor's Student Excellence Award to Zach Vestal, grade 12, West Forsyth High School; the Emerging Vision Award to Hannah Sloan, grade 7, Arendell Parrott Academy; and the Edward C. Brown Award, which honors the long-time director of the Barton Scholastics Program, to Grayson Schmidt, grade 12, Durham School of the Arts.

The exhibition will run from Jan. 26 - Feb. 8 in the Barton Art Galleries located in Case Art Building. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. For additional information, please contact Mark Gordon, at 252-399-6474 or the Barton Art Galleries at 252-399-6477.

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

WILSON, N.C. - Bound by ties of friendship and a profound love for their alma mater, Bulldogs from near and far returned to the campus of Barton College for Homecoming Weekend 2008 on October 24-26. (For photo slideshows of Homecoming 2008 and the Alumni Golf Tournament, click here.)

Overcast skies and wet, autumn weather did not dampen the spirits of alumni and their guests as they enjoyed a weekend packed with events and activities. From class and affinity reunions to sporting events to brunches, lunches, and dinners, a bounty of activities greeted this year's participants.

Following the luncheon and tour at the Barton-Graves House, the first major event of the weekend was the Bulldog Club Superball Golf Tournament at the Wilson Country Club. Comprising 21 teams, over 80 alumni and guests battled for the best team score.

Jeremy and Jerry Tucker, Steven Brame, and Craig Brame, forming The Good Ole Boys team, secured the victory with an outstanding score of 53.

As the golfers contended on the course, tennis enthusiasts enjoyed the inaugural Homecoming Doubles Tennis Tournament, also at the Wilson Country Club. Meanwhile, those not playing golf or tennis had the opportunity to take a tour of Barton's campus and view a pottery demonstration by associate professor of art Mark Gordon.

After the golf tournament, Alumni Happy Hour welcomed those at the country club while the men of Alpha Sigma Phi kicked off their 50th anniversary celebration with a pig pickin' at the Alpha House.

Five new members joined the Barton College Hall of Fame Friday night at the Bulldog Club and Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner. The inductees were Rufus Outland '59, basketball; Alton Hill '67, basketball and track and field; Gary Farmer '70, baseball; Mark Raynor '96, baseball; and Tanisha Adams Dixon '98, basketball and volleyball.

"It was such a pleasure to have 250 people with us to help celebrate the history of our athletic program and the successes of those we recognized," said Gary Hall, director of athletics. "The personal stories shared at this banquet help us to see how Barton College has inspired the futures of its student-athletes by providing to them an exceptional educational experience."

On Saturday morning, Barton's English bulldog mascot, Bully, welcomed guests to the Alumni Reunions and Awards Brunch. Following the meal, Barton College president Dr. Norval Kneten unveiled the newest addition to the campus: a 6′x4′ statue of Bully. Inspiring school spirit, the large fiberglass bulldog will be placed at the entrance of Wilson Gymnasium so athletes and fans can rub its head for good luck.

The 2008 Alumni Awards were presented next: Miriam "Mickey" Moore Dunn '47, Alumna of the Year; Morgan P. Dickerman '79, Alumni Achievement Award; Gareth Hosford, Alumni Achievement Award; and Dr. Harold Ladwig, Honorary Alumnus.

Former student and Atlantic Christian/Barton College alumnus Russell Rawlings described Dunn as a "career educator who has remained fiercely faithful to her alma mater." In her acceptance speech, Dunn attributed lessons on "the power of love, the power of humility, patience, respect, compassion" to the College and her parents.

"I shall forever cherish your choosing me for the outstanding honor," said Dunn. "My love for the College has never wavered."

Alumni Achievement Award recipient Morgan Dickerman recalled special memories of his time at Atlantic Christian College and thanked his professors. Dickerman's gratitude for one particular professor led him to honor this educator in a special way.

"Dr. Amrut Nakhre got me through school as my political science professor, and we have established a scholarship in Dr. Nakhre's name to thank him," said Dickerman, who led the effort to create the scholarship.

Gareth Hosford, who also received the Alumni Achievement Award, shared his memories as a student. Thanking those who made an impact on his life while at Atlantic Christian/Barton College, Hosford recognized friends Bob and Kim Watson, Barton College president emeritus James Hemby, trustee and former vice president of student life Bobby White, professor Dr. Anand Jaggi, professor Rob Edmondson, and campus icon Tony Tilley.

"What can I say about Tony [Tilley, food services director]?" said Hosford. "Tony actually knew everything about me in college and chose to coach me in the background in a way that no professor could coach me. But, the coaching was there, and I truly appreciate it."

Dr. Harold Ladwig received Honorary Alumnus status for his support of Barton College.

"Dr. Harold Ladwig is a man of great tact and acumen and compassion, understanding, and insight; and he's a good friend of mine," said Barton's Director of Music Mark Peterson as he introduced Ladwig. "He's one of the first people I met when I came to Wilson. His appreciation and love for art and music and theatre has resulted in a strengthening of fine arts here at Barton College. Through his solid financial management, the Barton College/Wilson Symphony Orchestra has flourished; and he has been a wonderful guardian of that endowment."

Ladwig, originally from Iowa, thanked his family for their support over the years and thanked the College for the honor he received. Expressing his gratitude to the Wilson community for the hospitality shown to his family, Ladwig said, "We arrived here 20 years ago as strangers; but you took us in, even though we were from the North. You took us in, and we've been very grateful since that time. Thank you."

Alumni Greek games followed the brunch, as well as numerous class gatherings interspersed throughout the day. Barbeque aficionados sated their pork cravings with an Eastern North Carolina barbeque dinner catered by Wilson landmark, Parker's Barbeque. Returning by popular demand, "Spare Change" played a variety of tunes from beach to boogie during the meal. The evening concluded with the annual Homecoming Dance and the crowning of Corey Winner and Susanna Benson as Homecoming king and queen.

Sunday morning, Dr. and Mrs. Kneten welcomed alumni to the Barton-Graves House for breakfast. Afterward, First Christian Church held a service of celebration honoring Atlantic Christian and Barton College alumni that was followed by a covered-dish luncheon. Homecoming concluded that afternoon with the Alumni Baseball Game and a pig pickin' for friends and family.

In spite of the rainy weather, Homecoming Weekend 2008 was a tremendous success. Ties were renewed, and memories were shared. And, this year's guests know that next year's Homecoming will be just as spectacular.

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

WILSON, NC — Honoring a local business leader and patriot, the Wilson-Barton Partnership awarded the 2008 Business Leadership Award to Robert E. Kirkland, Jr., at a reception held September 18 on the campus of Barton College.  A slideshow of the event is available by clicking here.

Leadership, commitment, and service all started at home for Robert E. Kirkland, Jr., known as Bobby by most.  Robert E. Kirkland, Jr., was primed for success by parents who taught him to be honest with himself and to work hard.

A Wilson native, Bobby was born in 1925 to Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Kirkland.  He is the middle sibling of Martha Kirkland Walston and the late Dr. John Alvin Kirkland.  Bobby attended Charles L. Coon High School and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1946.  In 1950, he married Jane Gardner and the couple later had four children: Robert E. Kirkland III, Janet Kirkland Hesmer, Elizabeth Kirkland Peters, and Lela Lee Kirkland King.  As a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church, Bobby has served as chair of the Finance Committee and Administrative Board, taught Sunday School, and served as a Lay Leader.

While at UNC-Chapel Hill, Bobby played on the baseball team and joined the Zeta Psi Fraternity.  Before graduating with a degree in Business, he was inducted into the Golden Fleece, Order of the Grail, and Phi Beta Kappa.  In July of 1943, Bobby's education at UNC-Chapel Hill was interrupted by the call to serve the United States Military.

After attending basic training in Alabama, Bobby served in World War II from May 1944 until August 1945.  He fought in the South Pacific and was part of the Guam Invasion.  At the age of 19, he was promoted from Squad Sergeant to First Lieutenant and later was awarded the Bronze Star for heroism in ground combat.

After graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1946, Bobby returned to Wilson to work with his father in the family business, Barnes Motor & Parts Company.  For many years, Bobby served as president of the company and, as a result, he was active in many state and national automotive associations.

Locally, Bobby has exemplified his commitment to this community by his service on numerous boards:

• Member of the Wilson County School Board for 14 years
• Chairman of the Wilson County Morehead Foundation for 20 years
• Member and Chairman of the Wilson Hospital Board
• Member of the Chamber of Commerce
• Member and Chairman of the First Union Bank Board
• Member of the Board of Trustees at Atlantic Christian College

Today, Robert E. Kirkland, Jr., continues to demonstrate what his mother and father instilled in him so many years ago.  There is a lot to honor, remember, and no doubt, learn from this father, brother, business leader, and countryman.  In March, Kirkland said, "Don't worry about something you can't do anything about, but enjoy life, enjoy — enjoy growing up."

Many thanks to Beth Peters, and to an Oral History Project by Perry Morrison III, for information used in this biography.

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Questions? Please contact Ken Dozier, web services manager at Barton College, at 252.399.6596 or email kdozier@barton.edu.