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

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■ - ft r Hi p — ' Quilting Robots The Department of Communications and Theatre featured two very different works, plays about quiltiiig and robots, for its fall productions the first two weeks in November. The first production was Quitters by Molly Newman and Barbara Damashek with music and lyrics by Barbara Damashek. The director and choreographer of this all-female musical production was assistant professor of theatre Angela Green. A native of Enterprise, Green earned a bachelor of science degree from Troy State University and completed her MFA in acting at the University of North Carolina. This production begins with Sarah Bonham (played by Sarah Rhodes, of Florence) on her deathbed. She is instructing her six daughters to complete and pass on a family quilt. The quilt and all of its pieces represent not only the story of their family, but the lives of all pioneer women facing the chal- lenges and rewards of the frontier life. The stories contained in each of the patches are presented through music, dance and drama to illuminate girlhood, mar- riage, childbirth, love and humor in the face of great hardship. Newman was nominated for a Tony Award and a Helen Hayes Award for the production. The second production was R.U.R. (Rossum ' s Universal Robots) by Karel Capek. Dr. David Ruebhausen, a Leavenworth, Kansas, native who completed his bachelor of arts degree at William Jewell College in Kansas City, his MA at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis and his Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, directed the science fiction production. When the deceased Rossums had discovered the secrets of creating artificial life, they gave no thought to the moral dilemma of such a creation and its eventual effects on the human race. Capek wrote the play in 1920 and it prenuered the following year in Prague. Years ahead of its time, this landmark work of early science fiction introduced the word robot (which Capek ' s broth- er Josef had coined) to society, along with the con- cept of artificial humans, and serves as the major inspiration for modem science fiction writers, including Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry. (QUILTING CIRCLE. I - (in Rossum ' s Island. Quitters cast smgs, mimes quilting and rests.

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Quilten Cast Sawh The Diiughters C0Oinpaninient Harr - Domin Sulla Man us Helena Glory Dr. Gall Mr. Fabni ' Dr. Hallcmcier Mr. Alquist Consul Busman Nana Radius Helena Primus First Robot Second Robot R U.R. Cast Sarah Rhode ' s Christi Cargal Christine Fink Jennifer Higginbotham Amanda Maddox Natasha Montgomery Jennifer Salter Kelli I ' e.irl Michael Redman Kristy McCutcheon Matt Sw.in Carrie Sumner Michael Fisher Michael Dailey Drew Hampton Michael Bradley Kris Mclnnis Shenique Monique Milton Ryan Taylor Abby Holmes Alan Hampton James E. York III Heath White I . ' f

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Three in one year flriiy( ' iirinllielil ()[llier l|)resiilen(i 111 mil- L.ili ' iuljr o.ir, iIk ' LniMT il nl North Aliibam.1 went through threo presidents. Former President Robert L. Potts announced to the campus commu- nity during a hoard meeting in late March 2004 that he would be leaving the school after 14 vears of service. Potts had been cleared by the Board of Trustees to pursue other offers in late 2003. In early March of 2004, he was cho- sen to become the new chancellor of the North Dakota University System where he is responsible for more than 42,000 studi ' nts .It 11 iiniMTsitii-. and colleges. I ' liliss Kisl day was June M). Dr. Garry Warren took over July 1, 2004, to serve as the interim president during the searching process for a new president. Warren, who had been at the university for 17 years, temporarily extended his absence from his permanent position of dean of Information Technologies. During the 2003-04 school year he had held the position of interim vice presi- dent for academic affairs provost. It was something I ' d never really aspired to become — a president of an institution or an interim president, but it was an honor, he said. The Board of Trustees announciil on Friday, November 12, 2004, that tin next president of UNA would be Dr. William G. Cale. Cale, the CEO and dean at Penn State Altoona, was one of four finalists. Cale tries to maintain an imme- diate contact with students. He said, 1 teach a course each year. I avail myself of every opportunity to speak to student groups. Cale would serve as the IHth presi dent of the institution since UNA began operation in January 1S30. WHO KNEW? (aboiv) Former President Robert L. Potts meets in a U.S. Senate committee hearing to discuss accreditation, an area in which he is regarded as an expert. STILL IN CHARGE: (right) Potts talks over univerM policies the week he resigned.