November 13, 2009
Dr. Matthew Krepps is now on the Community Advisory Panel for the Arch Chemicals, Inc. and Olin Corporation Companies.
The Community Advisory Panel (CAP) is a small, representative group of citizens who meet with plant management and employees to discuss issues of mutual interest including environment, health, and safety as it relates to the chemical manufacturing process. The CAP provides a forum for open dialogue between these citizens and plant management to better understand the risks involved with the chemical manufacturing process and address safety issues of its employees and the plant’s operational impact on the greater community.
Both companies are located in Charleston, TN, just north of Cleveland. These discussions and presentations in bi-monthly meetings provide CAP members with information that helps them serve a vital role in community outreach.
There are about 35 members on the panel and they meet bi-monthly to receive a safety report from both companies and have a discussion or lecture from an invited guest speaker.
Krepps earned his Ph. D. in Inorganic Chemistry and is also a member of the American Chemical Society and the American Guild of Organists.
November 5, 2009
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the National English Honor Society, held the Second Annual Graduate and Undergraduate Student Conference on Literature, Composition, and Rhetoric on October 16 and 17. Two Lee University students, Emily Carlisle and Mallory Leonard, were accepted to present their papers at the convention.
Carlisle presented her paper “The Eternal Poet” in a panel on Studies of American Literature. Her paper, which she wrote for 20th Century American Drama, focuses on Tennessee William’s play Suddenly Last Summer, and she subverts the protagonist’s perceived death. The reading slot for her was 7:30 a.m., and she says, “If you have to read your paper before the sun also rises, it is always a good idea to discuss Tennessee Williams’ religious hauntings in order to get the synapses firing.”
In her paper, “Struggle Against Water: A Deeper Look at Queen Gertrude in Hamlet,” Leonard uses feminist literary criticism to claim that Gertrude’s character serves as a warning to women who may give into patriarchy and deny their own femininity. She claims that Ophelia and Gertrude are opposites: Ophelia embraces her feminine nature and escapes the patriarchal structures around her through suicide, but Gertrude fears to follow and remains trapped in the world of men which destroys her.
This is the first conference at which either has presented, and both found the reading useful. Leonard says, “Overall, the experience was beneficial. This was my first experience reading one of my papers in front of anyone else, and I’m very glad I did it. I look forward to participating in more conferences in the near future.”
October 29, 2009
The Nillie Bipper Creative Arts Festival is held the first weekend in October. This year was the 42nd annual show, and it is a function of the Cleveland Creative Arts Guild. Professor John Simmons is a Vice President in the Guild and Co-Director of the Festival.
One of the exhibitors at the Festival
There are typically about 70 exhibitors from throughout the Southeast, and as far away as Michigan, Ohio, and Florida. The show is juried and only accepts quality handmade arts and crafts such as painting, ceramics, woodworking, fabric art, stained glass, and jewelry.
Each year there is also free musical entertainment and the exhibitors donate a sample of their work as a door prize. The event is held at the Tri-State Exhibition center off Exit 20 on I-75.
Simmons has been involved with the festival since 1997 and was also involved from 1971-1984. He says, “The festival is important to me because it gives craftspeople, both local and distant, a chance to show their creativity and gain some income from their talents.”
October 28, 2009
Earlier this month, Dr. Christie Kleinmann partnered with Oak Gove Elementary School to give the students in her Public Speaking class first-hand experience.
Students Taylor Presley (left) and Jared Powers (right) reading to their group
In order to teach delivery, phrasing, and voice inflection, Kleinmann took her students to Oak Grove Elementary to read children’s books to the Kindergarten class. Kleinmann says that she always uses children’s books for this lesson because you have to focus on vocal variety for it to work.
Students Vicente Nudman (left) and Matt Bryant (right) learning how to overcome a kindergartner's eagerness
Oak Grove was especially interested in this partnering because some of the children there have parents who may not read to them. This way, they were able to see older students showing them that reading is worthwhile.
The Lee University students were able to work on audience adaptation. While a college student may have a short attention span, a kindergartner’s is even worse. Students worked on their vocal variety, facial expressions, and began learning how to think on their feet, all while helping others. Kleinmann says, “These are the gifts God has given us to help others. We don’t have to do the great and grand, but it’s the little things.”
