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More than 100 students and the Marching Band attended the first Harmony Walk On September 21.

The walk was staged on the International Day of Peace and celebrated “Harmony Walk: Diversity One Step at a Time.”

Harmony Walk was sponsored by The Office of Multiculutral and Minority Affairs, Leadership and Service Opportunities Program, and Disability Support Services. It was combined with student sign-ups for community service projects.

Diversity and UNCP are virtually one and the same, as keynote speaker Gwynn Swinson noted. Swinson is secretary of the Department of Administration for North Carolina.

“Diversity is part of the culture here,” Swinson said. “In the diversity category, your University is number one in North Carolina.”

Senior Terri Stewart, who had just signed up to volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club of Robeson County, said diversity is one of the reasons she came to UNCP.

“You’re exposed to people of different backgrounds here,” Stewart said. “You don’t see that on other campuses. “I love it; that’s why I came here.”

Freshman Alana Jackson, who also signed up to volunteer, said everybody at UNCP gets along.

“We need to learn to get along by being together,” Jackson said.

Dr. Roger Brown, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, said he could not think of a better time to celebrate peace and diversity.

“I am pleased to be on a campus that does not just tolerate diversity; we celebrate it,” Dr. Brown said
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Offering a welcome was Jessica Puckett, a member of the Disabled Student Organization (DSO). DSO helped organize the event and signed up volunteers to rehabilitate a park in Lumberton.

“We can make the world a better place through community service,” Puckett said.

Students walked from the Amphitheatre on the Arts Quad to the James B. Chavis University Center. The marchers were joined by the Marching Band.

“I’d like to thank the numerous persons that were instrumental in making our first Harmony Walk a success,” said Robert Canida, event co-coordinator and director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Minority Affairs. “The purpose was to show collaboration, unity and commitment with our students and the greater community. We are talking about building and strengthening relationships; we are talking about building communities of diversity and respect.”

Native American Resource Center and AIS announce projects

“Over the years, the Native American Resource Center (NARC) and the American Indian Studies Department (AIS) have collaborated on numerous projects - workshops, public programs, teacher institutes, curriculum development and so on,” said Dr. Stan Knick, NARC director. “Currently, we are working in three exciting areas in conjunction with faculty members in other University departments.”

First, Linda Oxendine (AIS) and Dr. Knick are in the planning stages of a collaboration with Alfred Bryant (Regional Center/Education) and the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs. Dr. Bryant comes with the resources and expertise of the Education Department as well as the Regional Center for Economic, Community and Professional Development. Dr. Knick has met with Greg Richardson (Haliwa-Saponi), executive director of the N.C. Commission of Indian Affairs, to discuss possible development of a Tribal Leadership Institute. The initial phase of this long-term project will be to conduct a needs assessment in the various tribal communities in North Carolina, to determine what kinds of training the tribes would like to see offered in such an institute. Dr. Knick is also planning, in collaboration with George Johnson (Mass Communications), to produce an ethnographic video about the tribes served by the commission.

Second, Dr. Jay Vest (Monacan/Saponi), AIS, is in the planning stages of a series of annual conferences on Indians of the Southeast. Dr. Vest is working alongside Mike Spivey (Sociology) and Ottis Murray (Sociology) on this project to bring together emerging scholars and established researchers to highlight the often-overlooked tribes of the Southeast.

Third (but certainly not least), Drs. Oxendine and Vest are also working with Ralph Steeds (Lakota/Southern Cheyenne), Janette Hopper and Tulla Lightfoot (all of the Art Department) on plans for an American Indian Art Institute. This project would bring art students to campus for three weeks of summer classes, including both individual studio work and Native American art history. This institute would also incorporate field trips to various museums, which hold American Indian art collections.

“We have always seen ourselves holistically in American Indian Studies. Not only is it important for us to serve students through an academic program on campus, we also have a responsibility to be of service to the larger community,” said Dr. Linda Oxendine, AIS chair. “I'm excited about our continued collaboration with other departments on campus as well as with the N.C. Commission of Indian Affairs and tribal communities throughout the state.”

For more information, visit the Native American Resource Center in historic Old Main or at www.uncp.edu/nativemuseum.

Family Life summer program sizzled

The Family Life Center wrapped up a busy summer program that included a number of programs on campus and off.

Youth activities included academics with emphasis on math and English and arts and crafts. Through a photography project, youth were given the opportunity to study images and discuss and write narratives. Participants were allowed to reflect on how, in an undeniably multi-ethnic place, patterns of racism are generational. These issues were discussed openly and allowed the participants the opportunity to capture and convey their personal experience and to engage in self-reflection. A photo-journalism exhibit is available for viewing through December at the University Center in the 2nd floor lobby.

Family Life Center participants and staff participated in the Higher Ground Outdoor Education Center and in soccer lessons on campus. Field trips included Emerald Pointe Water Park and Medieval Times in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Student orientation leaders needed for summer

The Office of New Student and Family Orientation is looking for a few good student leaders to work (with pay) for several days during summer orientation.

If faculty or staff members know of a student or students who would be interested, please have them call John McMillan (Enrollment Management) at extension 6264. Besides a paycheck, students will gain leadership skills and earn points toward their LSOP volunteer hours.

Blood sport – The wrestling team, with help from the Student Government Association and the Cheer Squad, collected money and blood for the American Red Cross on September 29. From left are wrestlers Eric Payne and Jason Bostick, Assistant Coach Chaz Seibert and Coach P.J. Smith. By mid-day they had collect over $800 and by the end of the day a UNCP record of 141 pints of blood.

WEB SITES OF INTEREST

• Academic Catalog is available online
• 2004-05 Faculty Handbook
• University Attorney
• GPAC's 2004-05 season is online
• University Calendar
• University Newswire
• Campus construction update