Business Administration senior research students create conceptual plan to reopen the Center Theatre in Banner Elk For the last several years, the business administration senior research class has chosen a group project to tackle and gain practical business experience. Rather than each student working individually on a project, the class forms a business of sorts and works through the process of starting up just as a real company would. In the past, projects have included opening a coffee shop on campus, a comprehensive usage plan for 200 acres of undeveloped property in Banner Elk, and opening a movie theatre in the Cannon Student Center. This year the class is once again pursuing the movie theatre idea, but this time they are focusing their efforts on the old Center Theatre that was operational in Banner Elk from 1949 to 1977. The class is charged with creating a business plan to open and operate the theatre, while determining all the details in between from the projection and sound equipment to company uniforms and policies. “The students are doing research, creating a business plan and an implementation plan, and then they’ll determine if it’s feasible – if the theatre has a real chance for success,” said Professor Forrest Pulley, the course instructor. With subgroups including facilities and operations, marketing, finance, and human resources, the class operates as a real company responsible for everything from initial planning to opening the doors for business, although it’s all conceptual at this point. Members are assigned positions ranging from CEO to brand manager to director
of facilities. “The students will conduct surveys and create financial plans – basically everything you would expect any business to do when starting up,” Pulley explained. Kendall Reese, a senior from Hickory, NC, double majoring in history and business administration, has played a significant role in the project by researching the history of the Center Theatre. Her studies in both business and history made her the best candidate to delve into the theatre’s past. “I didn’t have much to start with, so I had to find people to talk to, but the first few people referred me to others and I began compiling many stories,” said Reese. “The theatre was quite the local hotspot in its day.” Students in the class hope to resurrect the theatre, although donor interest won’t be pursued until the business plan is complete in April. With a presentation to the college and greater community planned for May 10, the students hope to gain enough community interest to continue with the project. “I think the college and the community would benefit from opening the theatre. I’d like to see the theatre keep its name as a link to the past,” Reese said. “I would also like to see the theatre utilize ultra modern equipment while maintaining a nostalgic 1940s feel.” If you have stories you’d like to share about the Center Theatre or would like more information about the project, you can contact Kendall Reese by emailing communications@lmc.edu.
Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants broaden cultural horizons on campus Over the years, Lees-McRae has become an increasingly diverse campus, with students traveling from the far reaches of the globe to study at this special place. LeesMcRae students, faculty and staff represent 35 states and US territories and 18 foreign countries. In August 2009, another country was added to that group with the arrival of Essia Belaid, a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) from Tunisia, a country in northern Africa. Belaid is the second FLTA to be hosted by Lees-McRae. Last year, Rashid Al-Hinai from Oman, Jordan, taught Arabic language and culture courses. During her stay (which will conclude in May 2010), Belaid taught Standard Arabic and Arabic Culture in the fall and teaches Elementary French and International Relations and World Culture this spring. “Lees-McRae College has been very fortunate to participate in the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant program,” said Professor Michael Vines. “In addition to expanding our foreign language offerings with instruction in Arabic and French, both Rashid and Essia have broadened the cultural horizons of our campus community.” The Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant Program, created in 1938, aims to increase the knowledge of foreign languages and cultures by Americans and offers a unique opporunity for native-speaking teachers to increase their knowlege of the customs and cultures of the United States. FLTAs are assigned to host institutions for one year during which both benefit from the exchange. This year 408 scholars were chosen from 49 countries across the world. The scholars are scattered across 230 colleges and universities in 48 states teaching over 31 different languages. Before her American debut, Belaid, who loves to travel and meet new people, already had many accomplishments under her belt. “The Tunisian high school system is set up so that you can graduate high
school with a major, just like in American colleges. I graduated from high school with a degree in mathematics before I went on to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in American Literature. From there I received my Master’s degree in Cross-Cultural Poetics,” said Belaid. Belaid was also able to take a break from teaching to be a student in two fall semester classes: Intermediate Painting and Social Problems. This spring she is excited to continue her education in General Psychology and Digital Imaging. “The number one objective of the program is for the scholars to share their own culture and learn about American culture. I am required to teach my own languages, and also take classes (at least one about American culture). Then when I return to Tunisia I will share my experience and all that I learned,” said Belaid. During her stay, Belaid visited New York and also took a cross-country road trip to California with four other Fulbright participants. She believes that a large part of the college experience happens outside the classroom. “I am not the type of person who likes to plan. I just let things happen. When I heard about the Fulbright Program I did not think much about it. Then a friend tried the program and told me it would be perfect for me. So I did it. It was like it was meant to be. Even though it was a long process of interviews, exams and essays, everything went very smoothly. “To fully appreciate the program you must be open-minded, willing to learn about American culture and willing to share your own. You also have to be curious and patient. You go through lots of hard times when you travel, when you miss your family, and when you are adjusting to the new culture. LeesMcRae has been a wonderful place for me this year. I have learned so much about myself and my culture,” said Belaid. The Pinnacles Spring 2010 | 7