Fairmont State University - Mound Yearbook (Fairmont, WV)

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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

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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

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The social science honorary, Phi Gamma Mu, en- couraged excellence among students participating in so- cial science programs. Membership required interested juniors and seniors to maintain a 3.0 average in at least 21 hours of social science courses including economics, geography, histo- ry, philosophy, psychology, political science and sociolo- gy. In addition, an eligible student had to rank in the top 35 percent of the class. Membership included a two-year subscription to In- ternal Social Science Review , and offered students aca- demic recognition, advancement in government service rating, and chances to work with people with similar interests. Founded in 1924 at Southwestern College and William and Mary College, Pi Gamma Mu had over 150 chapters with 150,000 members, according to adviser JoAnn Van- Horn. The Psi Imicron chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, na- tional history honorary with more than 500 active chap- ters, recognized and encouraged excellence in the study of history, according to director Mary Morgan, history professor. The national chapter awarded six annual scholarships for graduate students and sponsored an annual contest for papers written in historical subjects. To be eligible for membership students had to be juniors or seniors who had completed at least 12 hours in history, with a 3.0 average or above, and ranked in the top 35 percent of the class. Criminal justice, geography, history, philosophy, po- litical science, psychology and sociology programs in the Division of Social Sciences improved in increased com- puter hardware for classroom instruction, office automa- tion for exam making and the addition of a new degree program. According to Dr. Yu San Wang, division chairman, the new degree, the bachelor of science in human ser- vices, was an extension of the existing bachelor of sci- ence in sociology with emphasis in human service and increased employment opportunities for the students in the area of social services. While no new instructors were added to the division ' s faculty this year, Dr. Wang saw the possibility in another year of adding someone in the criminal justice program, the largest program in the division, with 140 majors. Criminal justice majors required to have internships for practical training were sent to law enforcement agen- cies, such as the sheriff ' s office, the police department, or a correctional facility. Psychology seniors were also required to participate in on-the-job-training. The had to have 12 credit hours of practical training to graduate. They went to various hos- pitals and social service agencies such as senior citizen centers for practicums. Six students from the division went to Charleston during the legislative session to work learning the legisla- tive process. The students selected were not required to be social science majors or minors but were selected on a campus-wide basis. While these students worked in the capital city anywhere from one week to one month to earn credit, others stayed a whole semester to work for the executive branch. These students worked for the governor ' s office, com- missioner ' s offices and various departments. On one hand, they participated in the government process and learned how it operated. On the other hand, they re- ceived payments to help with their expenses. fa ■ Science Math, Social Science 21