B Y: G L EN D A HE N S L E Y
A PR I L 20 1 4
Special Report:
Annual EYE on FYE Celebration & FYE Advocate Awards_2013-14
This year students have demonstrated how they
“Connect the Dots,” via artistry and via action!
WHEN: Tuesday, April 8th
 5 pm -Reception: refreshments served!
 5:30-6:30 - Awards and Recognitions
WHERE: Blue Ridge Hall Conference Room
(ground floor of the residence hall)
EYE on FYE will recognize the finalists and
winners in these categories:
 FYE Advocates (faculty/staff/GAs)
nominated by the class of 2017
 Connect the Dots-- student awards
 The Bucket List -- student award
 PEAKS Residence Hall of the year
Refreshments will be served
Prizes will be awarded
Congratulations will be in order!
YOU may be a finalist or a winner--but you need to show up to find out…..
Family Table
FYE Advocate Awards and EYE on FYE Celebration
“An advocate is someone who you know has your best interest in mind - someone who
cares deeply about your success in and out of the classroom, someone you can count on
to give you sound advice and someone you know will be in your corner."
The theme this year is “Connect the Dots,” and that seems quite perfect as we honor and celebrate together
with students, faculty, and staff - CONNECTED - as the family we are! Please plan to join the celebration on April
8th at 5pm in Blue Ridge Hall to honor this year’s FYE Advocate nominees and winners – faculty and staff
members and GAs nominated by WCU first-year students! You may review last year’s finalist list and video on
the FYE Advocate Page.
Perspectives
FYE Advocate Nominator Comments
Would you like to know what our students are saying about WCU First Year
Educators? Join the EYE on FYE Celebration on April 8th and find out as you view
a video loop with comments about this year's 283 nominees!
Sneak Preview:
 "... she helped me find out different study techniques, checked in on my grades, and gave our class the
opportunity to be like a family and I couldn't thank her enough for that."
 "She is an inspiration to me. She is a joy to work with and she motivates me to get involved, to stand up
for what is right and stand up for myself. She is a light that makes everyone's day brighter...... But most
of all, she empowers me as a woman and has taught me to fight for what I believe in, as well as
empowering others.”
 "He made me and my fellow classmates feel welcome in our first semester. He gave us outstanding
advice and went out of his way to assist us in our endeavors. He also had lunch with me one day and
talked to me about my goals outside of college."
 "Because he is awesome ... a great mentor."
 "the in-depth conversations."
 "He is passionate about what he does and gets people involved."
 "A friend and mentor; really positive, good influence, good outlook on life."
 "This [LC]made a huge impact.”
 “She has helped me so much by guiding me in the right direction and always supporting me in
everything I do.”
The CORE
The “Finish In Four” website is designed to introduce students to
Fostering Undergraduate Student Success and increase four-year
graduation rates. Please visit this website and familiarize yourself
with the new policies. www.finishinfour.wcu.edu
Tool Box
We all have assigned some variation of the "About Me" paper, right? Eager to have students reflect on who they
are, their perspectives, values, goals....we prompt them to think critically and communicate effectively and
expressively. This is an alternate to the traditional paper...a way to prompt students to connect their personal
dots with those around them.
Self-Portrait
Objective:
Students create an original self-portrait using decoupage and collage techniques. Writing prompts should guide
students to outline key points such as personal values, educational and career goals, skills and attributes, world
views, etc.
Purpose:
Student: The collage may be combinations of images, photos, text, graphics – anything that is a fitting reflection
of 'who you are.' Once complete, viewers can look at your portrait and ‘recognize’ you. Viewers may also
discover something about you that you have not previously revealed. This is not a literal representation. You
will be recognized by the values, goals, and passions that you have represented visually. This work will be on
public display and you should put your best effort and creative expression into creating your self-portrait. Once
complete, you should be able to view and feel the ‘mirror.’
Process:
Essentially, decoupage consists of pasting (with glue or varnish) pieces of paper onto a surface to create a
desired image or decorative effect. For the best results, it is recommended that you use soft paper and if it is
not, you may soften it before affixing. You may also fill in areas with paints/markers etc. to enhance your
artwork. If you are not familiar with decoupage techniques, you may reference the links below.
 How to: http://www.wikihow.com/Decoupage
 Just for fun – the pros: http://www.decoupage.org/
Materials:
Provided by class/instructor
 Wooden plaque
 Glue paste
 Brush
 Scissors (to share)
 Markers
 extra papers and/or magazines as available – not to be counted on.
Student must provide:
 Images, photos, text, graphics to use for the collage
 Paints/markers/etc. if you want to use these in addition
 You may bring your own scissors, etc. if you prefer .
 Plan for the collage
CEO Reminders---Calendars – Events – Opportunities
CALENDARS
Student Life Calendar: For a complete listing of what's going on for students from intramurals, to concerts and
lectures, to organizations, arts and culture, and so much more....
Events Calendar: Information on arts and culture at WCU - plays, concerts, art exhibits, films, and more...
Service Learning: Current Events
ACE: Arts and Cultural Events Calendar
Coulter Faculty Commons Calendar
PEAKS Potty TimesWestern Carolina PEAKS disseminates a newsletter called the Potty Times every two-three
weeks which includes toilet teasers, words of wisdom, campus events, etc. If you would like for us to advertise a
specific event in the calendar section, please Contact Laura Ansley, Department of Residential Living.
EVENTS
Literary Festival!
Monday, March 31, 2014
12 p.m.
Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poets Series featuring Richard Chess and student poets Samuel
Fox (WCU), Patrick Bahls (UNC-A), Teleia Tollison (Spruce Pine), and Grace Wester (Odyssey
Community School) (UC Theater)
4 p.m.
Nonfiction Writer David Cecelski (UC Theater)
7:30 p.m.
Poet & Fiction/Nonfiction Writer Luis Alberto Urrea (UC Theater)
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
4 p.m.
Poet Ron Houchin (UC Theater)
7 p.m.
Robert Conley Tribute (UC Theater)
7:30 p.m.
Poet and Fiction/Nonfiction Writer Linda Hogan (UC Theater)
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
4:00 p.m.
Fiction Writer Donna Glee Williams & Fiction/Nonfiction Writer Charles F. Price (UC Theater)
7:00 p.m.
Fiction Writer Jill McCorkle (Sylva Public Library Community Room)
Thursday, April 3, 2014
4 p.m.
Fiction Writer George Singleton (UC Theater)
7:30 p.m.
Fiction Writer Colum McCann (Coulter Recital Hall)
th
35 ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL (I-FEST)
Date: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014
Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: University Center (UC) Lawn
I-FEST encourages cultural awareness and appreciation, as well as a greater understanding
of the world diversity via music, food, dance, arts and crafts.
Office of International Programs & Services---Office Phone: 828.227.7494 / 3458---international@wcu.edu
I-FEST SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Time
I-Fest Begins
11:00
Japanese Singing in Remembrance of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake
11:15
Matthew Tooni – Cherokee Flutist
11:30
WCU Provost’s Welcome Address (Preceded by Flag Procession at 11:45)
Noon
Gamelan Ensemble, led by Dr. Will Peebles
12:20
Traditional Saudi Dance Performance
1:00
Whimzik – Mask and World Music
1:30
WCU Inspirational Choir
2:00
WCU Straight Ahead Jazz Septet
2:20
I-Fest Ends
3:00
In celebration of I-Fest 2014, COURTYARD DINING HALL will serve a variety of international menu options from
Monday through Thursday at their International Grill Station. On Wednesday, April 9, Middle Eastern cuisine will
be featured.
OPPORTUNITIES
North Carolina: Our State, Our Time-- the WCU Campus theme for 2014-15
Would you like some ideas for next year's campus theme, North Carolina: Our State, Our Time?
Consider: "Photographs by Hugh Morton: An Uncommon Retrospective.”
The exhibit will remain on display from March 27 – May 23, 2014.
Hugh Morton was an influential 20th-century North Carolinian: a promoter, businessman, conservationist, public
servant, and photographer. His photographs include iconic images of agriculture, sports, musicians, Grandfather
Mountain, and North Carolinians from all walks of life. The 87 images in the exhibit were selected from over
250,000 donated by Morton to the North Carolina Collection at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
For more information about this program please call 227-7129 or see this Press Release.
Mountain Heritage Center, 150 H. F. Robinson Building, WCU.
Academic Integrity
Please visit studysmart.wcu.edu or call Bob Alston in the Department of
Student Community Ethics (828.227.7234) for more information.
Throughout the week from 10:00 a.m. -1:30 p.m., StudySmart information
tables will be in the UC and outside Scott Hall to continue the academic
integrity conversation!
University Center Lawn - April 7 and 8
University Center 2nd Floor - April 9 and 11
Scott Hall - April 7,8,9, and 11
April 1, 2014 Don't Cheat Yourself… Study Smart at WCU! 10:00-2:00
p.m. UC Lawn
Learn more about the WCU Academic Integrity Policy and grab some
giveaways to help you make good academic choices. The first 50 students
to fill out a survey about Academic Integrity @ WCU will receive a surprise!
April 7, 2014 Whee Know Better 11:00 a.m. UC Cardinal Room
Please join the DSCE as they discuss the Academic Integrity Policy from the graduate student perspective.
April 10, 2014 Pencils Down: Faculty Feedback Session 11:30-1:30UC Multipurpose Room A
The DSCE invites faculty members and any interested students to the UC Multipurpose room A from 11:30 a.m.
until 1:30 p.m. for a feedback session related to the Academic Integrity policy and process at WCU. Bring a
brown bag lunch along with your questions to quiz us.
April 10, 2014 Elephants Never Forget 7:00 p.m. Scott Blue Lobby
All students are invited to attend this discussion about common Academic Integrity issues, tips for better time
management as the end of the semester approaches, and receive advice on how to successfully finish the
semester.
NC Science Festival
WCU is participating in the statewide NC Science Festival now through April 13, 2014 and hosting two events.
1. Weather permitting, Enrique Gomez, Assistant Professor of Physics, will be hosting a free, public telescope
viewing beginning at 7:30 pm at the Jackson County Airport on Friday, April 4th, 2014.
2. STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) Expo on Saturday, April 5th from 9:00AM
- 5:00 PM that will be free and open to the public. The Expo is made up of exhibits and hands-on activities that
target people of all ages that celebrate an area of STEAM and its impact on everyday life. Exhibits run in a
morning session from 9:00AM - 11:30AM or in an afternoon session from 1:30PM - 4:00PM. We'll also host a
social from 12:00PM - 1:00PM to allow our STEAM professionals at WCU and our visitors to mingle. If you have
any questions or would like to participate, please feel free to call or email Dave Evanoff (x2829,
devanoff@wcu.edu) or Scott Huffman (x3669, shuffman@wcu.edu). If you'd like to participate, you may also fill
out the questionnaire found here: http://tinyurl.com/o99z5f4
Career Services Peer Career Mentors!
Peer Career Mentors offer students on-location guidance and support from their Mobile Mentoring Station at
locations across campus. They can critique resumes, teach students how to search for jobs, showcase resources
like Perfect Interview and Focus 2, and help research careers. Please look for their yellow table, and refer
students to the PCMs for help with any of these tasks. Their schedule for the semester is
here: http://www.wcu.edu/WebFiles/Spring2014PCMTableLocations.pdf
CAPS
See the CAPS website to learn more about the free and confidential weekly groups offered by Counseling &
Psychological Services (CAPS). Call CAPS (828-227-7469):
 For Consultation: You have concerns about a student and wish to talk to a counselor about your concerns.
 To request Outreach: CAPS staff can provide outreach programming on a variety of mental health topics.
Resource File
Blackboard --- reference and participate in the Transition Pathways Course site....
Education Briefcase – resources and information for students and for faculty……….
CFC on the Web --- help with teaching, technology, and more--- helping you do what you do better!
OrgSync --- the place for student clubs and organizations and other co-curricular opportunities .
First-Year Seminar: Liberal Studies – resource guide for faculty teaching the first-year seminar …
Transition Pathways: An instructor resource - resource guide for FYE transition course instructors …
FYE on the Web --- many resources and network links to help you along the way …..
FYE Message Board – A weekly e-journal for and by FY students.
Engage students in the conversation of learning and experience – with each other!
The next regular publication will be May, 2014 --- please let me know if you want to share
updates about programs, events, or other opportunities for teaching and learning in FYE!
Glenda Hensley, FYE Director ghensley@wcu.ed