Fairmont State University - Mound Yearbook (Fairmont, WV)

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mmm vm? Change was a real challenge for all our programs, said Dr. Paul Edwards, chairman of the Health Careers Division, which consisted of two-year programs in medi- cal lab technology, medical records technology, nursing and veterinary technology. The nationally accredited programs changed continu- ously, Dr. Edwards said, so graduating students were trained to meet area health institutions ' needs. A community-based advisory, comprised of represen- tatives from nearby health institutions, helped determine the future needs of employers. They were quick to tell us if we are doing something differently than they were, Dr. Edwards said. Veterinary technology students gained experience working at the state depository for injured birds of prey, the West Virginia Raptor Rehabilitation Center, which moved to Fairmont State this year. The students were responsible for nurturing the birds until they were able to return to their natural habitat. Their care was a very good experience for the students, Dr. Edwards said. Plans underway for a bachelor of science program in nursing should be completed by 1988, Dr. Edwards said. All the health programs had fine reputations, he said. They were the only FSC programs with selected and limited enrollment. For example, only 60 of 300 nursing applicants are accepted. Any of the four division programs could serve as the first two years of a bachelor ' s degree in Allied Health. To become certified after graduating, students took national certifying exams. The percentage of passing rates on all the tests increased, Dr. Edwards said. The Medical Laboratory Technology program is hands on work experience , said Jo Ann Burns, MLT program coordinator. Through work experience practicums, students learned to work under supervision in areas such as chem- istry, blood bank, hematology and microbiology. The MTL Student Association raised funds by selling candy and stitchery to fund a May trip to the State Society for Medical Technology convention in Charles- ton. Money second-year Student Nurses Association raised from fall sub sale was used to provide necessities, said Aletta Moffett, first and second year club adviser. During spring semester both first and second-year students participated April 13 in the Lions Club Eye Clinic at FSC. The nurses took blood pressure and checked children for amblyopia, the lazy-eye disorder, she said. The name of the Veterinary Technology Associ- ate Degree program, the only one of its kind in the state, changed from veterinary assistant during the 1985- 86 academic year. The addition of a $5,000 hand-held portable x-ray machine used for farm animals helped secure the nation- al accreditation after the program was on probation. Other department additions included a resusciation dog for a CPR course and a raptors center for birds of prey. 18 Academics, Organizations

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Theatre students gained recognition from being on stage and working in theatre, but the highest honor of recognition came from becoming members of Alpha Psi Omega the honorary drama fraternity. The Alpha chapter or cast, of Alpha Psi Omega in recognition of outstanding theatre students, were re- quired to earn points in acting and technical theatre to become members of the international organization. Alpha Psi Omega was founded at Fairmont State un- der the guidance of the late Dr. Paul F. Opp in 1923. Since then over 700 casts have been organized in the United States and throughout the world. Officers of the Alpha cast, advised by Jo Ann Lough, associate professor of speech communication and the- atre, were Jayne Traugh, president; Rich Myers, vice president; and Helen Patrick secretary-treasurer. Building a float for the Homecoming parade and sponsoring a candidate for the Miss FSC pageant became major projects for the Water Polo Club formed in 1977-78 by swimming Coach Steve Mahaney to provide non-varsity swimmers chances to compete in a varsity sport. In its first few years of existence, the club participated in water polo matches with other schools along the east coast, but the group has not had a competitive match in three years. We stopped having matches for two reasons, said Mahaney. One, because I moved swimming practice up to the beginning of September and all the members of the club are swimmers; and two, because the sport is extremely dangerous and we were getting some people injured. All members of the swimming teams are in the club, but Mahaney noted that anyone interested in joining would be considered. The fitness craze is still alive, according to Colin Ca- meron, chairman of the Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Safety Division, which reports a 5 percent increase in students majoring in the program. It ' s here, and it ' s here to stay. In light of the public ' s continued interest with staying in shape, a new fitness program was offered through the Fairmont State Community College. Adults were tested for physical fitness and, based on the test ' s results, pre- scribed a program especially for them. They were then tested at the end of their program to evaluate its success. Physiology students worked with the testing in the lab, Cameron said. The program was expected to be expanded into a student testing program for athletes. One hour of physical education was included in the general studies requirements to give students carryover activities such as tennis, golf and volleyball, Cameron said. Also offered was a basic physiological conditioning course geared to teach students what they needed to know to stay physically fit for the rest of their lives. Besides the classes offered, students also enjoyed swimming, racquetball, volleyball, basketball, weightlift- ing and jogging in the indoor facilities of the Feaster Center. Football, baseball, tennis and frisbee toss were some of the activities offered outdoors. Fine Arts, HPERS 17

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The Student Medical Records Association raised money for their April 16 dinner, featuring speaker Niki Hutzler, R.R.A., from Parkersburg. The officers were Chris Hardway, president; Melissa Marton, vice president; Angela Smith, secretary; Stacie Morgan, treasurer; Susan Tatterson, activities officer; and Melanie Wilkinson, first year representative. The Alliance Francaise of Fairmont State spon- sored the International Education Committee, which in turn sponsored the fall reception for foreign students. The alliance was founded in 1972 by adviser Christiane Sweeney and is open to any student interested in study- ing France or French culture. Sigma Tau Delta, honorary for students in an Eng- lish language related major, emphasized the cosmopoli- tan by sponsoring an educational and cultural trip of the British Isles last June and the campus visit of a Fairmont native, now a well-known novelist. Summer 1985 saw a 24-day trip to Europe June 8-July 2. Fifty-one people, including 21 Fairmont State stu- dents, toured England, Southern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. The trip studied the English literature and educational majors. The group visited schools in London as well as Shakespeare ' s home, the London Theatre and Canter- bury. Computers are being used more for instructional and organizations purposes in the Language and Literature Division, which consists of English, foreign language, journalism and library science. Expository and technical writing are the first English courses in which we are formally trying to incorporate computer science into the students ' activities, said Dr. Byron Jackson, division chairman. Students actually composed at the computer during scheduled lab time, resulting in a more concise and efficient method of writing themes and term papers. A number of English professors with computer exper- ience used computers for grading purposes. Dr. Charles Poston spent a recent sabattical preparing a program to grade compositions more efficiently. Dr. Leland George began instructing new writing courses using computers. Foreign language instruction expanded teaching tech- niques with the computer. The French Department had 10 programs for intermediate students, said Christiane Sweeney, French coordinator. Students enrolled in the 199 Foundations course spent one hour with the comput- er and one hour in the language lab to receive credit for the course. Library director Robert Masters said students saw more changes in the library as it invested in a local library system using computer terminals in place of the card catalog, bringing about changes in instruction for library science majors. Journalism students taking Advanced Reporting con- tinued to receive hands-on computer experience during their internship at the Times-West Virginian, said Jane Dumire, journalism coordinator. In addition the depart- ment planned to link student publications Macintosh Plus Computer network to the academic program when funding is allocated from the division. ■■-- ' ' ■ ' Health Careers Language Lit. l9