News

WILSON, N.C. - Acclaimed novelist David Payne will be the featured speaker at Barton College's Friends of Hackney Library fall dinner and lecture on Tuesday, Oct. 14. The evening's festivities, to be held in Hardy Alumni Hall, will begin with a book signing and wine reception at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and the program at 7 p.m. Payne's program is titled "A Lonely Impulse of Delight," taken from a line in W.B. Yeats' poem "An Irish Airman Foresees His Death."

Tickets for the dinner event are $35 per person with reservations accepted until Oct. 3. Members of the Barton College Friends of Hackney Library may reserve tickets for $30 per person. Please contact Cynthia Collins at 399-6503 for reservations or additional information.

Payne is the author of "Confessions of a Taoist on Wall Street" (1984), "Early from the Dance" (1989), "Ruin Creek" (1993), "Gravesend Light" (2000), and "Back to Wando Passo" (2006).

Born in Henderson in 1955, Payne attended the Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating with highest honors in creative writing in 1977.

After college, he spent a year working on fishing trawlers out of Wanchese, and, later, Point Judith, R.I. - experiences that would later underlie the commercial fishing scenes in his fourth novel, "Gravesend Light," which was named one of the top books of the year by the Christian Science Monitor.

Following his fishing experiences, Payne spent time traveling the world. An episode of Louis Rukeyser's "Wall Street Week," a 1980 television show, planted the seeds that would eventually inspire Payne to write his first novel, "Confessions of a Taoist on Wall Street," which the "Washington Post" describes as "a book to be read twice, first to be gulped down in great chunks during sleepless nights; later to be sipped slowly, savoring details, like a well-brewed cup of tea." The success of this book, a winner of the Houghton Mifflin Literary Fellowship Award, allowed Payne to write full time. He also has taught at such institutions as Bennington, Duke University, and Queens University of Charlotte.

His subsequent three novels, "Early from the Dance," "Ruin Creek," and "Gravesend Light," all share settings and, in some cases, characters in the fictional Piedmont town of Killdeer and on the Outer Banks.

Payne's fifth novel, "Back to Wando Passo," is set on a rice plantation in Low country South Carolina and features two related love triangles that take place there - one set in the present and the other during the Civil War. Pat Conroy says of this novel, "‘Back to Wando Passo' quivers with authentic life and is so bold in concept and audacious in scope that it seems like the summing up and exclamation point of a great writer's career. The novel contains everything."

Payne lives in North Carolina with his wife and two children, and he is currently working on a memoir.

The event is sponsored in part by BB&T.

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Questions? 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's fall signature dinner concert "Symphony and Soul" will open a spectacular 2008-2009 concert season on Thursday Oct. 9 with a delightful program of musical selections and food to warm the soul. Music director Mark N. Peterson will be conducting, and featured performer and Wilson native Joel A. Martin will bring his trademark show "Jazzical" to the symphony audience for this event.

The evening will begin with a wine and cheese reception at 6:30 p.m. followed by the symphony performance at 7 p.m. After the concert, a sumptuous dinner buffet will conclude the evening. The event will be held at the Darden Alumni Center at 1600 Lipscomb Road.

Tickets are $25 per person, and reservations may be made by calling Lynne Medlin at 252-399-6309. The deadline for reservations is Monday, Oct. 6.

"Jazzical," a marriage of classical and jazz, is an innovative genre, which bridges the gap while remaining true to both forms. Martin has released four Jazzical CDs to critical acclaim in such publications as "TIME Magazine," "The Washington Post," and "Piano Today Magazine" as well as feature articles for his Jazzical Arts-in-Education programs in "The New York Times."

Martin has performed as soloist with the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony, and the Delaware Symphony, as well as with the Springfield Symphony in Massachusetts, and the Hartford Symphony Orchestras premiering "Jazzical: Dueling Orchestras." Martin was the youngest competitor in the 1985 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, and he has toured Japan, Finland, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Germany, Austria, England, and France.

The year 2007 proved an extraordinary year for this composer and pianist who recorded his fifth CD titled "A Jazzical Christmas" featuring the Brooklyn Youth Chorus in all original Christmas and Hanukkah music. The CD will be released nationwide in 2008. Martin also collaborated and performed at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and at the Kennedy Center with famed operatic singer Kathleen Battle. His debut of the eight movement "Requiem for Peace," featuring the poem "Caged Bird" by Maya Angelou and six other compositions, at Meymandi Hall in Raleigh was met with critical acclaim. And, in December 2007, "Jazzical" went on a concert tour in Russia and Kyrgyzstan.

Martin has had an equally busy year in 2008. He was a featured guest artist/composer on WCNY-PBS's live concert DVD with the YMCA Center for the Creative Arts Music Program with the Boys and Girls Choir of Harlem Alumni Ensemble, released in January. In March, Martin won a gold medal for the third consecutive year, with singers from the American Traditions Vocal Competition, at the Savannah Music Festival. In October, Martin will debut his own Jazzical Symphony Orchestra, and his not-for-profit Jazzical Arts, Inc., concerts in Sun Valley, Idaho, and Palm Beach Fla., as well as several additional high-definition television projects for PBS.

On November 15, Martin will debut his latest creation, the Jazzical Symphony Orchestra at its new home base, the Darien Arts Center, in Darien, Conn. This unique ensemble is comprised of 35 musicians from New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey who are equally adept at classical, jazz, musical theater, and rock music. The Jazzical Symphony Orchestra aims to blur all the parameters that comprise the traditional symphony and to program innovative concerts that are truly inclusive of the multi-cultural world in which we live. To this end, the Jazzical Symphony Orchestra will expand its roster in 2009 to include 25 of the area's finest young talent playing alongside professional musicians in a unique mentoring program.

For additional information about the 2008-2009 concert schedule, tickets for events or season membership, please contact Lynne 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 Art Galleries will welcome sculptor Hanna Jubran to campus on Tuesday, October 7, from 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. for an artist lecture. His sculpture exhibition "Alchemy, Metaphor & Form" is currently on view in the Virginia Thompson Graves and Lula E. Rackley Galleries located in Case Art Building on the Barton College campus. This event is open to the public free of charge, and the community is invited to attend.

As he reflects on his 25-year journey creating sculpture, Jubran will discuss his influences, creative activity, and goals along the way. He will also share with the audience a brief synopsis of symposiums, exhibitions, and commissions of his work during this quarter-century period.

"The nature of my goals for art is to reflect my own aesthetic views, concepts and sincerity of expression," said Jubran, a native of the Upper Galilee region of northern Israel. "My journey began when I left my hometown of Jish in 1967. My vision, goal and dream is to become an active voice out of this relatively invisible place. Therefore, there is no choice but to continue my intended journey and to give to my community in the East and West a feeling of accomplishment and pride. I am emotionally motivated to be creative and a contributor to humanity. For me, sculpture and research is an opportunity I cannot ignore."

A world-renowned artist, Jubran received his Master of Fine Arts degree in Sculpture from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and is currently a sculpture professor and sculpture area coordinator at East Carolina University.

Jubran's work addresses the concepts of time, movement, balance and space. Each sculpture occupies and creates its own reality influenced by its immediate surroundings. The work does not rely on one media to evoke the intended response, but takes advantage of compatible materials such as wood, granite, steel, iron and bronze.

The "Alchemy, Metaphor & Form" sculpture exhibition runs through October 10. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the exception of holidays. For additional information, please contact Gerard Lange, director of exhibitions, at 252-399-6475 or email glange@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 will welcome author Josephine Humphreys as the featured speaker for the Joyce T. Boone Southern Authors Series. The lecture will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 30 in The Sam and Marjorie Ragan Writing Center at 7:30 p.m. The program is open to the public at no charge, and the community is invited to attend.

Humphreys is the author of four novels including "Dreams of Sleep," winner of the PEN/Hemingway Award for the Best Novel of 1984 and named by the "New York Times" as a Notable Book of the Year; "Rich in Love," also a Notable Book of the Year, with a film version produced by Richard Zanuck starring Albert Finney and Jill Clayburgh; "The Fireman's Fair," also a Notable Book of the Year; and "Nowhere Else on Earth," winner of the Southern Book Award, a novel based on the true story of the Lumbee Indian outlaw Henry Berry Lowrie.

A native of Charleston, S.C., Humphreys studied writing with Reynolds Price and William Blackburn at Duke University and received a Master of Arts degree from Yale University. She has received various awards, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Literature Award from the American Academy of Arts and letters, and the Lyndhurst Prize. In 2002, Humphreys was named McGee Professor of Writing at Davidson College and, in 2005, she was named a Distinguished Visiting Writer at the University of Richmond. She is a member of the Fellowship of Southern Writers.

Humphreys and her husband, Tom Hutcheson, live on Sullivan's Island near Charleston. They have two sons and four grandchildren.

The Joyce T. Boone Endowed Lectureship for Southern Authors was established in memory of the late Joyce Thornton Boone by her husband, Doug Boone. This endowed lectureship supports special programs featuring visiting Southern writers.

Boone graduated from Atlantic Christian College with degrees in business administration (1978) and nursing (1988). An enthusiastic advocate for students and alumni of Barton College, Boone believed in the mission of the small, private, liberal arts college. She served on both the Barton College Board of Trustees and the Barton Alumni Council. Boone was president-elect of the Barton College Alumni Council when she passed away in October 2004.

For additional information about this program, please contact Dr. Kathy James, professor and chair of the Department of English and Modern Languages.

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

WILSON, N.C. - In celebration of Constitution Day 2008, the Barton College Friends of Hackney Library will present a reception and program featuring the Honorable William G. Stewart, N.C. District Court Judge, District 7. The event will be held in the Willis N. Hackney Library on Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 5 until 7 p.m. There is no charge for this event, and the community is invited to attend.

The reception will begin at 5 p.m., followed by Judge Stewart's presentation on "The Constitution: Everyday Applications" beginning at 6 p.m.

A native of Fremont, Judge Stewart is the son of the late Jessie and Jesse Stewart. He completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1972 and served six years in the Army Reserve following graduation. He also was employed by the Smithfield Herald newspaper for a year before entering the classroom to teach English and French, while coaching football at Charles B. Aycock, his high school alma mater.

Upon completion of his law degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1978, Judge Stewart began his law practice with the firm Parker, Miles, and Hinson. He later served as Clerk of Superior Court for Wilson County before returning to private practice for three years with Narrron, Holdford, Babb, Harrison, and Rhodes. He later ran his own law firm until 1990, when he began service as Assistant District Attorney. Judge Stewart served in this role until his election in 2000 as District Court Judge to the 7th Judicial District for the state of North Carolina, in which he currently serves Wilson, Nash and Edgecombe counties.

Judge Stewart has a lifelong commitment to the Boy Scouts of America. As a youth, he achieved the level of Eagle Scout, and he has continued to remain actively involved with scouting over the years serving as an Assistant Scout Master and Scout Master, as well as Vice Chair and Chair of the Wilson District, Boy Scouts, in addition to serving in numerous other roles as either a member or officer.

He currently is a member and a past president of the Wide Awake Wilson Kiwanis Club, and he has been a member of the Playhouse of Wilson for over 10 years.

Judge Stewart and his wife, Vicky, make their home in Wilson where they are members of the First United Methodist Church. They have two grown children, Steven and Jessica, and two grandchildren, Beatrix and Claire.

For additional information about this program, please contact Cynthia Collins, at 252-399-6503 or email: cecollins@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. - Highlighted on the cover of the latest issue of "PotteryMaking Illustrated" is the work of Barton art professor Mark Gordon. Gordon's article "Pushing the Envelope," leads the magazine's list of titles with a step-by-step process of joining dry clay to dry clay.

This ceramic assembly procedure, "Dry/Wet/Dry: Pushing the Handbuilding Envelope," was demonstrated in March by Gordon at the Furini Memorial Outdoor Sculpture Symposium at Meredith College. Gordon shared a two-page handout explaining this original clay process and later forwarded the notes to the editor of the national bi-monthly "PotteryMaking Illustrated." The editor liked the idea and asked Gordon to write a more in-depth article that included step-by-step photos as well. With the help of photographer Steven Stewart, Barton's circulation librarian, the process was documented, and one of the close-ups was eventually chosen as the cover photograph for the September/October issue.

Gordon was originally inspired to try this technique after observing the traditional rural brick makers on the banks of the Nile near Aswan, Egypt. "I have adapted it over the years as I faced various deadlines and scheduling challenges, including the breakneck production pace when I have the chance to travel and make art in different studio spaces," shared Gordon. "Through these experiences, I have developed a body of work that uses this peculiar technique for joining bone-dry pieces so that I can produce pieces in these situations where more traditional clay construction techniques would not work."

Gordon will demonstrate this unique clay assembly method again at his open studio sale at 808 Woodard Street on October 3, 4, 5. Studio hours for the demonstration and ceramics sale will be Friday, 3-5 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday, 2-4 p.m.

For additional information, please contact Mark Gordon at 252-399-6474, 293-4925, or email: mgordon@barton.edu.

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

WILSON, N.C. - With a name that could have jumped off the page of a Dickens' novel, Adam Twiss, Barton College's new director of theatre, leaps into his new role on campus as the fall semester gets underway. And, he has a lot to be excited about - not only does Twiss oversee the theatre's academic program on campus; he also is an integral partner in the development of the new Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Studio Theatre now under construction.

"My family and I are delighted to be a part of the Barton community," said Twiss. "Visual and performing arts have been a rich and vital part of the Barton experience for many years and the addition of the Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Studio Theatre exemplifies the College's commitment to outstanding theatre education. This wonderful, state-of-the-art, theatre facility will be home to an enhanced program of study and performance. Most important, it ensures that generations of young theatre artists will be prepared for the rigors of professional work and/or graduate study by providing the high-quality, disciplined experience necessary for this exceptionally rewarding and highly competitive field."

Twiss added that he welcomes those who love theatre and who support the arts at Barton to come and take part in the campus programming, both on-stage and off. "You won't want to miss the new theatre at Barton!" he exclaimed.

Twiss certainly has the academic and professional credentials to take Theatre at Barton to the next level. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Brandeis University, and then shifted his focus toward the arts, completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with Honors in Architectural Design at Massachusetts College of Art. Twiss later completed his Master of Fine Arts degree with Honors in Acting and Directing at Trinity Rep Conservatory, (Brown University/Trinity Rep Consortium).

Twiss' numerous stage, film and television credits add to a distinctive, professional resume. To date, Adam is the only recipient of both the Rita and London Lloyd Award for Artistic Excellence from Rhode Island Arts Foundation and the Richard Kavanaugh Award for Acting from the Trinity Repertory Company.

Prior to his appointment at Barton, Twiss served as Development Director and Artist-in-Residence at Raleigh's Theatre in the Park. In that role, Twiss oversaw marketing and development while collaborating on main stage artistic and educational programming. During his time at Theatre In The Park, the company experienced an unprecedented 40% growth in revenue while producing some of the most successful theatre in their 60 year history. Twiss also received tremendous critical acclaim for directing last year's landmark, Triangle premiere of Tony Kushner's award-winning, 2-part epic, Angels In America, the largest and most successful, non-musical production in the theatre's history.

Adam has taught acting and theatre at Rhode Island College and Brown University/Trinity Rep Consortium, both in Providence, R.I., as well as at the University of Washington in Seattle; he was a founding member and Producing Artistic Director for the Intimate Theatre Company in Providence, R.I., and has acted in and directed world premiere plays for theatres throughout the country.

Twiss' reviews are consistently stellar for his work as both an actor and a director, but Brian McEleney, Head of Acting at Brown University/Trinity Rep Consortium, had this summation of his teaching style, "Adam's work is informed by a superb sense of truth and personal connection. As an instructor and director, he elicits exceptional results from his students."

When asked about the importance of an academic theatre program, Twiss shared, "I feel this professional-level theatre program is an outstanding asset to Barton College and to the entire region. Strong training and education raises the bar on artistic output and drives personal investment in the arts. As a professional artist and member of the actors' unions, AEA, SAG, and AFTRA, I am proud to commit myself to furthering the craft and to encouraging generations of emerging artists to touch the lives of others with their talents."

A native of Boston, Mass., (and a die-hard Red Sox fan), Twiss is the son of Mary Liz and George Twiss. He, his wife, Andrea (a native Tarheel), their daughter, Isabel (5), and son, Elijah (2), live in Cary.

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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 Art Galleries is pleased to announce the opening of Hanna Jubran's "Alchemy, Metaphor & Form" sculpture exhibition now on view in the Virginia Thompson Graves and Lula E. Rackley Galleries located in Case Art Building on the Barton College campus. An opening reception and gallery talk by the artist is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 7 from 2-4 p.m. This event is open to the public free of charge, and the community is invited to attend.

A world-renowned artist, Jubran received his Master of Fine Arts degree in Sculpture from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and is currently a Sculpture Professor and Sculpture Area Coordinator at East Carolina University.

Jubran's work addresses the concepts of time, movement, balance and space. Each sculpture occupies and creates its own reality influenced by its immediate surroundings. The work does not rely on one media to evoke the intended response, but takes advantage of compatible materials such as wood, granite, steel, iron and bronze.

Over the years, Jubran's work has been on exhibit in North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and South America. He has participated in numerous international art shows, competitions and symposiums, including but not limited to: The International Sculpture Symposium in Granby, Canada, The Ecatepec, Mexico International Monumental Sculpture Symposium, The Toyamura International Sculpture Biennial at Toyamura Village, Japan, The International Sculpture Symposium and Conference at Europos Parkas in Vilnius, Lithuania, The Second International Invitational Iron Sculpture Exhibition and Iron Pour at Tallinn University in Tallinn, Estonia, and The International Woodcarving Symposium in Kemivarji, Finland.

Jubran's research awards include the Milwaukee Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, the Artist Fellowship Award at The Southeastern College Art Conference in Mobile, Ala., the ECU Five-Year Achievement Award, the VCAA Teacher Scholar Award from East Carolina University, the Outstanding Artistic Achievement Award at The Southeastern College Art Conference in Columbia, S.C., the Board of Governors Teaching Award, and the East Carolina University Alumni Distinguished Professor for Teaching Award Finalist from East Carolina University.

Among his exhibition awards are the Purchase Award, JUST- Jackson Union Sculpture Tour in Jackson, Tenn., the Artist Choice and 3rd Place Chaco Argentina Sculpture in Biennal, Chaco, Argentina, the First Place 3D, Sculpture Salmagundi VIII Indoor Exhibition in Rocky Mount, the Best in Show, The Down East Sculpture Exhibition in Greenville, Purchase Award, Yuzi Paradise Sculpture Competition in China, the Semi-Grand Prize in the Toyamura International Sculpture Biennale in Hokkaido, Japan, the Merit Award in the 29th Annual Competition of North Carolina Artists in Fayetteville, and the Best Execution of Concept at the Ma'llot International Sculpture Symposium 2000 in Ma'llot, Israel, among others.

Selected commissions and collections of Jubran's work are on view across North Carolina as well as Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, New York and Kansas.

A recent commission Jubran just completed is on view on the campus of Fayetteville State University. The installation is a nine-segmented concrete sculpture and reaches 11 feet in height. Jubran continues to be consistent in his pursuit of creating enjoyable sculptures for private and corporate collections.

The "Alchemy, Metaphor & Form" sculpture exhibition runs through October 10. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the exception of holidays. For additional information, please contact Gerard Lange, director of exhibitions, at 252-399-6475 or email glange@barton.edu.

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

Who says the start of school has to be boring? Barton College welcomed its students, faculty, and staff to a new academic year with the annual traditions of Bulldog Day (view photo slideshow here) and Welcome Back Barton Day.

Camp Rockfish, located at Lake Upchurch near Fayetteville, experienced an invasion on Saturday, August 23, as approximately 200 new Barton freshmen and transfer students arrived with their instructors and orientation leaders for Bulldog Day.

"The purpose of Bulldog Day is simply for the incoming freshmen class to bond and to have fun and meet their classmates, " said Dan Kennedy, Barton's director of new student programs and Greek life.

Of the many activities available to the students that day, two were mandatory: the group challenge course and bulldog painting. Divided according to their First-Year Seminar (FYS) classes, the students had to work together to overcome obstacles on the group challenge course. Following that, the FYS groups coated their canines with color. According to Kennedy, votes will be cast for the best bulldog at the upcoming Family Weekend event, September 26-28.

Students took advantage of the camp's amenities, enjoying the lake, the pool, sand volleyball, and a climbing tower. Many students experienced the Blob and the Iceberg, inflatable structures anchored in the lake. The Blob, resembling a giant pillow, propelled one person at a time high into the air as another jumped onto it from a platform. The aptly named Iceberg functioned as a climbing wall from which the students could jump into the water.

Barton College President and First Lady Dr. and Mrs. Norval Kneten also attended Bulldog Day and had a chance to meet and interact with the new students.

"Susan and I had a great time with our students at Camp Rockfish. The enthusiasm and energy they were demonstrating means a great year for us," said Dr. Kneten.

According to junior biology major and orientation leader Lyndal Brown, "Bulldog Day is a great opportunity for the freshman class to just be able to hang out together and just truly get to know each other. Instead of being thrown into a classroom and not knowing anybody, they get to 'play' for a whole day and by the end know many different people. As a freshman I met some of my best friends at Bulldog Day.

"This year I had the opportunity to experience Bulldog Day through different eyes. I saw freshmen who were shy begin to take on tasks and become more outgoing. I saw friendships beginning, and it was truly a magical experience."

Music, food, and freebies greeted the campus community on the evening of Monday, August 25. Sponsored by the Wilson Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Barton College, Welcome Back Barton Day provided a festival atmosphere for new and returning students as well as faculty and staff. With booths and displays lining the brick walkways of center campus, local businesses and churches greeted the Barton community.

"We greatly appreciate all the businesses that were represented on the Barton Campus today. Our partnership with Wilson, city and county, is one of our greatest strengths. And, our students loved all the attention!" said Dr. Kneten.

Barton senior Victoria Gonzalez thinks Welcome Back Barton Day "really helps not only the freshmen know what businesses there are in Wilson, but also us upperclassmen see what new businesses have come while we were out for the summer."

Another senior, Peter Damroth, makes it a point to attend the event each year: "I always go to Welcome Back Barton Day. There are always great vendors that can help new and current students get acquainted with businesses, companies, and just the city of Wilson in general. Music, dancing, and free stuff are always a hit with college students."

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