Stetson Commons 1997-6-2

WinreFl997^ A Newsletter foiggFamffi, Stetsori Students The Stetson group celebrated the end of civil war with the local population in Quate- mala City. From left, William Moore, Mary Elizabeth Knapp, Matt Shaw, and Francisco Sastre. (Photo courtesy of Francisco Sastre) The students hiked up the tallest Quatemalan mountain peak, about 12,550 feet above sea level, near Todos Santos. Left, Matt Shaw stands close to the top of the ridge. (Photo courtesy of Matt Shaw) Students explore Mayan culture from politics to sacred peaks Five Stetson University students, Francisco Sastre of Ormond Beach, Matthew Shaw of Wellington, William Moore of Orlando, Rebecca Forrest of Palm Coast, and Mary Elizabeth Knapp of Apex, N.C., traveled to the capital of Guatemala with Stetson Assistant Professor of Foreign Languages Robert Sitler and his wife, June. They celebrated the end of 36 years of civil war before moving to a remote Mayan town where they lived with local households. The group flew into Guatemala City on Dec. 29 while marimba bands played and crowds cheered the signing of peace accords formally ending Latin America's longest civil war. The Stetson group met with Caspar Pedro Gonzalez, a native intellectual leader and author, to discuss the implications of the treaty accords for his country. They then traveled to Todos Santos, a town perched in a valley of Central America's highest mountains, the Cuchumatan range. For two weeks students lived in Amerindian family households and took part in daily activities. The Stetson course included daily lessons in Mam, the Mayan language spoken in the region. Other activities included visiting with community elders, participating in reforestation efforts, bathing in traditional earthen saunas, extensive hiking to sacred peaks 12,000 ft. above the evergreen forest, learning agrarian and survival skills from families in remote villages, and studying herbal medicine with a local midwife. Sitler explained Mam women are among Native America's most accomplished weavers and Todos Santos artisans introduced the Stetson visitors to fundamentals of the craft. Local Mayan men instructed the students in their elaborate, colorful crochet techniques. "We designed the course so that students will not be studying 'about' the Maya as an academic subject, but will learn from the Maya, who will assume the role of Stetson teachers," Sitler explained. "While lacking in formal studies, the rich life experience of these men and women has much to offer." Student wins national music competition Senior music education major Jason Paulk, Winston-Salem, N.C., recently won the national American Choral Director's Association Student Conductor Competition. Paulk competed in March at the conference with other finalists from such schools as Yale University, Oberlin Conservatory, Eastman School of Music, and Stanford University. Paulk, a student conductor of the Concert Choir, submitted a videotape "of a 15-minute rehearsal of the Stetson University Choir which he • conducted, along with several strong letters of recommendation from School of Music Dean Jim Woodward and his mentor, Dr. Duncan Couch, director of the choir, in order to be critiqued for the competition. This was the first time Stetson has had a participant, both as an entrant and as a finalist. Paulk Students qet insider's look at colleqe athletics Seven students are getting an "up close and personal" look at the university's intercollegiate athletics program as members of committees conducting a yearlong, campus-wide self-study for a recently- mandated NCAA Division I athletics certification program. Provost Eugene Lubot, who chairs the self- study, has appointed David Hill, Kingwood, Texas; Jean Bonnici, Naples; and Roman Rodriguez, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, to the Steering Committee which oversees the study. Serving on sub-committees looking at specific issues, such as academic and financial integrity, rules compliance and commitment to equity, are Brande Martin, Belleview; Amy Rowell, Jensen Beach; Russell Triplett, Ocala; and Salonda Ezell, Daytona Beach. The NCAA requires all Division I athletic programs to be certified every five years to ensure integrity in an institution's athletics operations. Benefits to the university are an increasing awareness and knowledge of the athletics program campus-wide, confirmation of its strengths, and development of plans to improve any areas of concern. Stetson and NEA to develop Master Teacher Institute The Stetson University Center at the Celebration Teaching Academy and the National Education Association will develop a Master Teacher Institute to offer the country's educators the latest in instructional practices and research. NEA President Bob Chase announced plans to enter into the agreement with the Stetson University Center. The Master Teaching Institute, a three-day program based on instructional approaches being implemented at the Celebration School and in schools throughout the nation, will be established at the Celebration Teaching Academy. "We are very excited to have the National Education Association on board with us at the Stetson University Center," said Larry Rosen, director of the academy. "This partnership will enhance the horizons of teachers across the nation by offering a program spotlighting the best in educational practices today." NEA, through its National Center for Innovation, will maintain a permanent desk at the academy and will serve on a board to help shape and focus curriculum for the center. NEA expects to link the Master Teacher Institute with national teacher education programs under development. Plans are to present the first programs at the Stetson University Center in early 1998.