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Volume 5 |
February
15 , 2004
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No.
13
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HOME | CAMPUS PEOPLE | CALENDAR | ABOUT THE BULLETIN | PAST BULLETINS
CHARLY LOWRY: Next ‘American Idol’ may be one of our own
 Photo courtesy of www.idolonfox.com |
Charly Lowry’s performance of “Proud Mary” earned the Robeson County native a spot among the 32 performers who advanced to the final round of Fox television’s “American Idol.”
Lowry will leave on February 18 for Los Angeles and will perform on the show at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24.
The daughter of Delores Lowry (UCIS), Charly is a part-time student at the University.
“At this point, we hope America will call in and vote for her,” Delores said. “We are hoping for a lot of support from Pembroke too.”
A recent winner on “American Idol’s” February 11 show received more than two million votes, according to Fox.
“This has been her dream for a long time,” her mother said. “We’re very excited for her. It’s like a dream come true.”
Lowry sharpened her talents with performances in local pageants, churches, schools and plays. The versatile performer was Junior Miss Lumbee.
“She grew up with the ‘oldies,’ and her first concert was Martha Reeves and the Vandellas at UNCP,” her mother said. “She is very versatile and likes all kinds of music, rap too.”
Fox television has created an Internet site for each of the 32 finalists. Lowry’s may be viewed at: www.idolonfox.com/contestants/charly_lowry/. The site contains a short biography and an interview.
Lowry was among the more than 70,000 people nationwide who tried out for a spot on the reality show designed to find America’s next pop star.
Preliminary segments were filmed in October 2003. Contestants wrote lyrics and composed music for an original song. For another performance, they selected from song titles provided by the judges.
From Pembroke, Lowry is taking courses at UNCP in history and American Indian Studies while participating in “American Idol.”
Roger Brown appointed to judicial review committee
Provost and Vice Chancellor
for Academic Affairs Roger Brown has been named to the Advisory Committee
on Political
Conduct of North Carolina’s
judges and judicial candidates.
Dr. Brown was appointed to the 36-member committee by North Carolina’s Chief Justice of the Supreme Court I. Beverly Lake Jr. Chairing the committee is Associate Supreme Court Justice Robert F. Orr, who was UNCP’s 2002 Commencement speaker.
“This is a critical issue for the state’s judiciary,” Dr. Brown said. “New rules were formulated, and they resulted in some controversy in the last judicial election.”
The North Carolina Code of Judicial Conduct was revised recently by the state Supreme Court to allow judges to solicit campaign contributions to run for election. They were also permitted to speak at political fundraisers, something they have not been allowed to do in the past.
Critics say the new rules erode the impartiality of the state’s judiciary, especially if judges are allowed to solicit contributions from attorneys who may later try cases in their courtrooms.
The Advisory Committee on Political Conduct will hold its first meeting on February 20 in Raleigh to discuss the issue.
“I do not support an elected judiciary, but as long as the State of North Carolina continues to elect its judges, it is imperative that the rules be clear and consistent,” Dr. Brown said. “I am pleased and honored to have been appointed to serve with this distinguished group of individuals.”
A political scientist, who specializes in American government, UNCP’s provost is one of only three people on the advisory committee who are not judges, attorneys or elected officials. He is the only committee member from Robeson County.
“As one of only three ordinary citizens on the committee and considering the importance of this issue to the State of North Carolina, I am duly impressed by the seriousness of the task that faces us,” Dr. Brown said.
Dr. Bukowy, volunteers offer free income tax preparation
“The time fast approaches, when we have to ‘pay our fair
share’ of the bill to run our country,” said business Professor
Stephen Bukowy.
To make that burden a little easier - or at least the paperwork anyway - UNC Pembroke’s VITA or Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program will prepare income tax returns again this year - free, according to Dr. Bukowy.
“The accounting students and faculty are here to help provide income tax assistance, and it’s free,” Dr. Bukowy said. “We are not in competition with other income tax preparers. This service is intended for low income and elderly taxpayers.”
To set up an appointment, call Dr. Bukowy at (910) 521-6668.
Four students, all in the accounting program at UNCP’s School of Business, are working on the VITA team. These volunteers have all taken and passed the VITA income tax preparers test, and Dr. Bukowy checks their work for completeness and accuracy.
“It is the 10th year that we have performed this service,” Dr. Bukowy said. “I don't know why others do it, but I believe that we should give back to the community based on our talents and skills, so that is why I do it.”
The VITA team will prepare 1040EZ, 1040A and 1040 income tax forms. VITA will also fill out schedules and forms for itemizing and Social Security. They also will prepare the necessary forms to obtain tax credits, such as the child credit, the childcare credit and the earned income credit.
“Generally, if the return is not too difficult, we will do it,” he said. “We don't do farms, corporations, partnerships, rental properties, trusts or estates.”
Faculty committee on mold at the Dial Building to meet
The special Faculty Senate committee to conduct an inquiry into the closing of the Dial Building will have an open hearing in the Andre Nadeau Room (No. 34) of the Jones Athletic Center on Wednesday, February 18, 10:15 - 11:15 a.m.
Speakers will be given three minutes to address issues related to the closing of the building. The Dial Building was closed Thursday, October 17, 2003, after airborne mold was found.
Individuals who wish to speak at the meeting should bring the committee a brief summary of their presentation. Please contact Dr. Richard Vela at: richard.vela@uncp.edu or extension 6600.
UNCP to host International Educators conference
The North Carolina Association of International
Educators (NCAIE) will hold its annual conference on March 11-12 at
UNCP.
The NCAIE will provide free admission for up to five UNCP employees or students, who wish to assist with the conference or attend sessions.
Approximately 150 NCAIE members and their guests from across North Carolina are expected to attend the meeting at the University Center, according to event planner Beth Carmical (International Programs).
The state Association of International Educators is a professional organization of over 600 educators and community volunteers, who are committed to furthering the cause of international education in North Carolina.
The mission of the NCAIE is to support and to enhance the effectiveness of professionals and volunteers who advocate for the education of international students and scholars, Carmical said.
“There is no membership fee to join NCAIE, and the conference will offer several specialty area workshops that may be of interest to students, faculty, administrators and the public,” Carmical said. “We especially welcome community colleges that admit a low number of international students and are in need of a network of resources.”
Workshops are scheduled on admissions, English as a second language, advising, community programming and a section on U.S. students abroad. There will also be an interest group for community colleges.
On Friday, March 12, there will be 16 sessions and the association’s annual meeting at lunch. A pre-conference workshop on “F-1 Basics” is Thursday, March 11.
For more information about NCAIE or conference registration, see: www.uncp.edu/ncaie/, or contact Beth Carmical at (910) 521-6865 or beth.carmical@uncp.edu.
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