Fairmont State University - Mound Yearbook (Fairmont, WV)

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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

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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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$mm vm? Students in the Division of Technology, guided and supported by their professors, continued to reach for lofty goals. The Technology Education Department, formerly In- dustrial Arts, created a company that produced a prod- uct, in this case drafting tables, from inception to pro- duction to sale. Projects of this kind make the Technol- ogy Education Department the premier program of its kind in the United States, with none as far along as it is, according to Dr. William Griscom, division chairman. Other departments were active in their pursuit of ex- cellence. For example, the Architecture Department took a trip to New York City and won a National award for Best Student Organization Project, and the Civil Engineering Department won first place in a Concrete Design Project at Penn State by racing a concrete canoe weighing less than 175 pounds. Another strong program that Fairmont ' s Division of Technology boasted was its safety degree. Remarks made by industrial recruiters indicated that the strong emphasis on science, math and toxicology made the FSC bachelor of science in safety degree unique among other four-year safety programs. Change and improvement, the foundations of tech- nology, were evident within the division itself. A new associate degree was added in 1985 with the Home Eco- nomics Department ' s Fashion Merchandising Program, coordinated by instructor Beth Thorne and electronics instructor Gary Devine-King joined the division ' s staff. With new programs, new activities, new faculty, and a desire to excell, at least so far as the Division of Technol- ogy was concerned, 1986 was a very good year. The American Institute of Architecture ' s 25 mem- bers promoted greater interaction between the students themselves and the students in the professional commu- nity, said Lee Gray, club adviser. Members attended the annual meeting of the West Virginia Society of Architects in December and pre sent- ed a display of student works. Then in January, three club members, Kathy Prior, Julie Hutchins and Jerry Bankovich, and Gray participat- ed in a photographic survey of the flood damaged areas from the November flood. American Society for Civil Engineering ' s 20 members planned, designed and built a two-man con- crete canoe for the April 26 races at Penn State. The canoe, made of concrete and wire reinforcement, was judged for design and maneuverability. Members competed against other colleges and universities in six different races, said adviser Gary Zickefoose. Last year the club won the design award. A new student professional group on campus, the Computer Graphics Association, became the first West Virginia chapter of the American Institute of De- sign and Drafting. The organization planned to develop the organization statewide and then to begin work on designing logos, developing a newsletter and taking field trips. Membership was open to anyone interested. 22 Academics, Organizations