Fairmont State University - Mound Yearbook (Fairmont, WV)

Page 23 text:

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

Page 22 text:

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

Page 24 text:

mm vm? Independent student reseatch, hosting seminat speak- ers, adding new faculty member Dr. Harry Baxter, and computer purchases were some of the events and changes taking place in the Science and Math Division. Several speakers and senior biology and chemistry majors were involved in independent research guided by biology professor Steve Stephenson and division head William Ruoff. Seminar speakers sponsored by the division visited the FSC campus from Ohio U., Pitt, WVU, and Marshall. Computers were used in the biology and chemistry classes. Students doing independent projects also har- nessed the computers ' power. The division continued to add to the number of computers available to students and faculty. Along with the new happenings in the division, classes in geology, mathematics, physical science and physics progressed as usual, with many instructors keeping their students up to date with related current events of the world. Observations of Halley ' s Comet, space probes and satellites were some of the topics discussed in classes. In the everchanging flap of science, FSCs science and math division moved to keep pace. The American Chemical Society, an international organization dealing with the chemical sciences, was designed to promote scientific interests and inquiry. The society, which began nationally in 1876 and local- ly at FSC in 1964, provided in-depth research through guest speakers, field trips and student seminars. The society held many social activities related to chemistry throughout the year. Christmas they decorated a tree with ornaments made of chemical substances. They also had many fundraising activities, such as gath- ering and recycling of aluminum cans. Faculty sponsor Elizabeth D. Swiger, professor of chemistry, said she believed the society was beneficial to students. One of the things the society does is offer help in future employment, she said. The speeches and journals broadened a student ' s hori- zons. To provide opportunities to explore the life sciences, Beta Beta Beta, biology honorary, helped rehabilitate injured hawks, falcons and other birds of prey. Members of the organization also participated in con- ventions, field trips, and nature explorations geared at stimulating interests in the life sciences. The society had four types of memberships: active, associate, graduate and honorary. Active members had to be biology majors and maintain B averages in biology. Associate members were undergraduates not eligible for active membership. Graduate members completed their undergraduate studies, and honorary members were elected for significant contributions to the society. Founded in 1922, the society boasted over 100,000 persons accepted into lifetime memberships. Twelve ac- tive members belong to the organization at FSC. 20 Academics, Organizations WK M