University of North Alabama - Diorama Yearbook (Florence, AL)

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Guett apeaker Dr. Samuel Betance» traits for hia introduction by Uniremiiy President Robert L. Pottt at the Kcond annual convocationa ceremony aponaored by Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. Photo by Shannon Weil . A popular apeaker. Dr. Betances uaea geatures to ernphaaize hia pointa. He encouraged atudenta to allow nothing to stand in the way of their education, and cited examples of how he overcame obetaclea in hia own life. The appreciative audience gave the apeaker a atanding ovation. Photo by John Cahoon. Dreaaed in their academic regalia, several profeaaora wait to Join the prr ceaaion into Sorton Auditorium. Tom Haggerty. biology; Max Gartman, foreign lan- guagea; Richard Hudiburg, psychology; and Paul E. Jones, HI, foreign languages, were among the faculty members participating in the convocation. Photo by Janet Waasner. 24 CODVOUtlOQ

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A time to learn SOAR gives new students the chance to find out about college life By Keith Pilgrim So, what is SOAR? It ' s a program that introduces new students to college life each year. SOAR is more than just a pre-registration program, however. Friendships that last a lifetime start at SOAR. There are many questions that beginning stu- dents may have, such as, What school should I major in? and What school clubs and pro- grams can I participate in? SOAR is a time for asking questions. SOAR, or Summer Orientation and Advanced Registration, is a two-day program developed to help beginning freshmen and transfer students with curiosities and uncertain- ties about college education. Freshmen may choose from any one of ten different sessions, and there is also a one-day session especially for re-entry students called Re-SOAR. New students are provided peer counseling and academic advising by a select group of counselors. The 12 counselors are seleaed during the spring semester from students of sophomore, junior, or non-graduating senior status. The counselors attend a week of camp at Bear Creek Educational Facility and attend a class where they learn, among other things, about group dynamics and the reasons for SOAR programs. Direaor of Student Aaivities Bob Glenn said that Rob Brooks, Jennifer Dicken, Russ Edwards, Laura Gray, Claudia Henao, Stacy Lee, Jill Lindsey, Lia Pope and Jennifer Sellers were an excellent group of SOAR counselors. He said, They worked very hard. Eight hundred and fifty students went through SOAR, and Dr. Glenn said, We fell very good about the program and had a 95 percent approval rating this year. The SOAR program was also fun for the counselors said Claudia Henao. She said, The SOAR counselors developed very close friend- ships and had a lot of fun participating in the SOAR program. Henao also said, The beginning freshmen learned how to deal with so many different people in groups. It broke down the barriers among students and created new friendships. SOAR also presented cabaret skits to enter- tain the students and make the new experience It broke down the barriers among students and created new friendships. — Claudia Henao of college less uncertain. According to Jayne Miller, student aaivities assistant, the cabaret show was all about a typical day at UNA. A skit about a math professor who goes into a song and dance rou- tine during a class, a spoof of the Student Development Center and a skit about an incoming freshman nerd who ends up with the best looking girl on campus were acted out. The SOAR cabaret cast members were Nikki Barrett, Brian Branscome, Joanna Morrow, Laura Leigh Parker, Angela E. Rue, Ashlee Had- dock and Amber Rhodes. Their director was Robert Allen Holder, associate professor of communications and theatre. Kevin Robison was the musical direaor. Also the cabaret crew, under technical direc- tor Jayne Miller, keep the show going during SOAR. The cabaret crew did all the grunt work such as moving things and setting up, and they became a close-knit group, according to Miller. You become a family for the summer, she said. The SOAR cabaret crew members were Todd Nelms, J. Craig Lewis, Paul Gartman, Michael Howard, Eric Berryman, James Conrad Bell and Jason Braly. SOAR ' S greatest result in the end is that a community atmosphere was aeated for incom- ing students. Fun with SOAR counselors — Claudia Henao and Lia Pope shou: Katie Glenn (daughter of Dr. Bob Glenn) a great time dancing in the University Center. Photo by John Cahoon. Follou: the leader! SOAR counselors lead future i ' yA students into another SOAR adventure. Wonder uhat ' s next? Photo by John Cahoon. SOAR SS

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Preparing for a new life convocations speaker says that a multi-cultural education is important By Amy McCleUan ' There must be a respect for diversity and iniversality, according to Dr. Samuel letances, guest speaker at the second annual onvocations ceremony on September 15 in Jorton Auditorium. Betances said a university is a community nd students should become one family. Betances, a professor of sociology at North- ast Illinois University, spoke at the ceremony ponsored by Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. The lurpose of the ceremony is to welcome fresh- nen and introduce them to college life. Betances further said, You look alike, but ou are different. You are different, but you re the same. To emphasize his point, he gave examples if hovi diverse a country America is. He said he U.S. is the fifth-largest Spanish speaking ountry in the world and there are more Jewish leople in New York than in Tel Aviv, Israel. Betances also encouraged students to get heir education even though they might some- imes fail. He said teachers often associate fail- ig grades with lack of studying, but that is not Iways the case. He said many fail because they lo not understand or do not have that nowledge. He encouraged teachers to help tudents once they discover what students do lot know. Betances told about the successes and allures in his life. He said he was a high school dropout who tried to join the armed forces, but failed. He said he then began working at a church where he met a women named Mary who helped him see a need for an education. He said she told him he had the talent of time which he could invest in an education. She also told him that God had special work planned for him and for that work, he needed an education. Betances went on to get a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and religion from Columbia Union College in Tacoma Park, Maryland. He then received his masters and doOorate in edu- cation from Harvard University. Betances returned to his point that everyone should get a multi-cultural education. He said the white male brought change to America and now minorities and women are needed to help shape things. According to Betances, 80 per- cent of the early 21st century workers will be from those groups. He also said roles have changed. We may not be used to seeing certain people in charge, he said. He said television had reinforced the stereo- types which make it difficult to accept the changes he mentioned. Television, however, is our greatest teacher and could be used to learn about different cultures according to Betances. Dr. Tom Osborne, associate professor of his- tory and political science, said he thought Betances ' message was good for students. He said, The message he had was exactly what students needed to hear. He said the convo- cation was used to help students adjust to university life that is different from high school. Dr. Osborne said entering students need to know that the expectations are different here and they will have to manage their own time. Draenard Jackson, a freshman, said, I thought it was interesting. Dr. Betances said many things that we needed to hear. His remarks about more minorities and women needing to be in administrative positions were true. You look alike, hut you are different. You are different, hut you are the same. — Dr. Samuel Betances Freshman Tangela Long said, I think con- vocations had a good impact on all of the stu- dents that were there. The speaker taught us that we must respea other people and their differences. Dr. Joe Thomas, vice president for academic affairs and provost, said the convocation is becoming a tradition at the university. ring the Abna Mater for a near-capadt} crowd of freriuntn, traiufer ttudenta and other at Norton Auditarium. Photo by Shannon WttU. wmzM EOrf : .•- • ' 5 »ifi aiif»V ' ' j w . v.-J« •V ' -.-i - e F ' wW3i . • - —. m lf ' f)i! , - Convoution 25