Agricultural and Technical State University - Ayantee Yearbook (Greensboro, NC)

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SPEAKER FOR SUMMER FRESHMEN ORIENTATION JULY 15, 1983 THE CHALLENGE OF A FRESHMAN CLASS, IMPLIES PARTICIPATION BY ALL PEOPLE IN MANY CONSTRUCTIVE ACTIVITIES. Within this University, the strengthening of institutional resources clearly calls for both administrative and scholarly involvement. The whole student is admitted to college, and the University accepts the responsibility for knowing and offering opportunity for the development of each aspect of your concerns. In the first place, your entire personality, (MIND, TEMPERAMENT, EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL MAKE-UP, AND ETHICAL ATTITUDE, PRESENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATION.) This principle accounts for the development of social events, of sports both intercollegiate and intramural, the encouragement of the religious activities, and our liberal attitude toward all sorts of organizations and movements. Our age has been characterized as being the first in history to recognize the practical possibility of having all people throughout the world share in the fruits of our large and diversified educational program. llEach of you should be commended for selecting North Carolina Agricultural And Technical State University as your four years challenge. I share with each of you, the majesty of this moment. For each moment in history is a fleeting time, precious, and unique. The challenge — your ability to explore, to change, to grow, and ceaselessly to adapt to new knowledge. The University personnel knows that college life represents an opportunity to challenge effectively and completely the aspirations of students. The ultimate challenge, however, lies not in any remedial adjustment but, instead — in the facilitation of competence so as to enable the new freshman to cope successfully with new experiences and to sustain and enhance their sense of efficacy and self-esteem. Given the complexity of our University, more and more it is affording opportunities for the development of insight and capacity for enjoyment of art, not only by the Departments of Music and the Fine Arts, Literature, Drama, and the Lyceum Series, but by the increasing beauty of its landscape and architecture. Actually, there is no reason for any of you to become bored, regardless of economic circumstances. All the great works of literature may be obtained from our Library. The best in painting and sculpture can be seen in our Art Gallery and African Heritage Center. The finest music can be heard on our Radio Station WNAA and the finest drama can be seen on our stage of Paul Robeson Theater. AS FRESHMEN STUDENTS YOU MUST BE AWARE OF THOSE THINGS WHICH TEND TO FRAGMENT AND UNBALANCE YOUR EFFORT. AS FRESHMEN STUDENTS YOU MUST SEEK TO DETERMINE YOUR OWN PRIORITIES AND CHART YOUR OWN COURSE OF EXCELLENCE. THE DIMENSIONS OF EDUCATION MUST BE GIVEN CONCERTED AND SUFFICIENTLY HIGH LEVEL ATTENTION. AS FRESHMEN STUDENTS YOU MUST COPE WITH A NUMBER OF IMPLICIT, UNSPECIFIED TASKS IMPOSED BY THE SOCIAL AND ACADEMIC COMPOSITION OF THE UNIVERSITY. THERE ARE MANY UNSTATED PERSONAL TASKS THAT WILL DERIVE FROM YOUR ALTERED CIRCUMSTANCES AWAY FROM HOME. FURTHER, YOU MUST MASTER NEW CONCEPTS IN SUBJECT MATTERS, REEVALUATE YOUR NEWTONIAN VIEW OF MATTER, REASSESS IN VARYING DEGREES YOUR PHILOSOPHY, YOUR POLITICS, AND YOUR RELIGION. THE PERSONAL TEMPO OF YOUR LIFE IS SUBJECT TO MAJOR REVISIONS. THERE ARE DEADLINES TO BE MET, AND LITTLE OPPORTUNITY FOR REFLECTION OR REPOSE. YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO SEARCH FOR PURPOSE AND EMANCIPATION. YOU LIKE OTHERS, WILL NOT ONLY LOOK TO A T TO TRANSFORM STUDENTS IN ATTENDANCE, BUT ALSO TO PLAY KEY ROLES IN AN EFFORT TO UPLIFT THE POPULATION AT LARGE. NOW THEREFORE BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, THE TRAIN IS COMING, HERE IS YOUR TICKET— IF YOU WANT TO RIDE— YOU ' D BETTER GET ON BOARD.

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m SPEAKER FOR SUMMER FRESHMEN ORIENTATION JULY 8, 1983 It is gratifying to note that such preparation is made for the entering freshman. In any vital organization, change and modification are constantly needed to meet the demands of a dynamic society. This phase of the process might appear to be boring to you as students, but educators need to know as much as they can about the academic strengths and weaknesses of the students with whom they deal. Similarly, it is important to gain, knowledge about student motivations, special student needs, student backgrounds, and student expectations of the University. You will soon learn that this great University is organized to serve specific functions. Not only do we classify students, but we move them upward from a point of admission, to a point of departure. The University has over a period of 90 years, increased its efforts to reach the goal of full educational opportunity for all students. In spite of widespread opportunities for and improvements in higher education, this Historically Black Institution continues to exist for the LIFE, LOVE, AND LIBERTY involving ail- without discriminating against applicants — based on race, creed, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or the handicapped. In evaluating the educational attainments of blacks, one must not only look at enrollment rates but also at completion rates, as well as the quality of the educational experience. We can no longer assert that each individual has a fixed intelligence — that measurable IQ necessarily remains constant throughout life, and that little can be done to improve the capacity of a student to learn. We have grossly underestimated the potential ability of human beings to learn and to improve their capacity to learn. Not to be overlooked is the fact that we in the University are already being pressed by students who have had the benefit of new approaches, new methods, and new technologies in their high schools. They are coming better prepared with sharper intellects, with greater skills, with better developed capacities for learning. Students, you will face many pressures, but you must realize that you can only meet your campus pressures in a series of tentative and impermanent approximations. You must realize that your campus pressures hold nothing more precious than the sacred process by which you stretch your minds and hearts. OUR pressures must utilize recognized channels for change — change in attitude, concepts, and approaches. These are required at all levels to turn the wheel for progress. Even the present Student Government Association is attempting to UTILIZE NEW STRATEGIES FOR CHANGING TIMES. You may be wondering — what has made this wheel rotate continuously over the years? The answer is clear — There exists, a tremendous centripetal force at the necleus of the wheel that keeps it in motion. This necleus is composed of none other than AGGIE SPIRIT ' AND AGGIE PRIDE.

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WNAA CAMPUS RADIO ACTIVITIES 9 REFLECTIONS, WHILE GROOVING WITH STEVE! Student Union Reflections to Remember . . . Do you ' Recognize her? Doris Person and Maurice Spears interviews Peedie Snipes Mother, Susan. Student Life I