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."

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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. - 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!