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The Rotunda At The Half-Century VOL XtV-ll 41
No. 17
Longwood College, Formville, Va, May 6, 1970
Asian Studies Program Held
Search For Personal Authenticity
At Longwood College May 9
Is Theme For Group Discussion
ByLINDASMALLEY The Spring Colloquim of the Virginia Consortium for Asian Studies will be held at Longwood College, Saturday, May 9, 1970. "Thought and Culture: East and West" will emphasize informal talks, presentation of ideas, active discussion between listening audiences and speakers. The purpose of the Colloquim will be to stimulate interest in Asian Studies. Five films will be shown for general interest and background in the culture of Japan, China, and India. These films are "Buddhism," "Hinduism," "Arts of Japan," "Japanese Calligraphy," and "City of Cathay." The Japanese film, "Gate of Hell," was shown May 4,1970. The activities of the Colloquim will begin at 9:30 a.m., in the ABC Room
of Lankford, with registration. Dean of the college, Herbert R. Blackwell, wiU welcome all at 10 a.m. Following the welcome the program will consist of guest speakers and films. Charles F. Baldwin, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Virginia Consortium for Asian Studies, will give a brief history of the Consortium. Kurt F. Leidecker of Mary Washington College and Mary F. Williams of Randolph-Macon Woman's College will also speak before the buffet luncheon at noon. Paul Chaffee of Emory and Henry CoUege, T. Sato of Virginia State College, and Richard C. Rowland of Sweet Briar College will continue the program. Before and after their talks group discussions and films will be presented.
Students Work On Gross Street Help Human Relations Project By JO ELLEN REID and JANE CRAWFORD This past weekend Longwood College carried on its annual festivities in celebration of May Day. Beginning with a tour of the college, May Pole dance, and ending with a picnic on the mall. A group of twenty paint-spattered, barefoot students arriving at this picnic were greeted with glares, stares, etc. Possibly these looks were not of contempt but of questions to their appearance. In answer to these doubting persons - it should be not they who doubt but the twenty individuals should question them. These few persons had spent the day - not celebrating May Day but humanity. The visitors of Longwood for the weekend would not be expected to know about Gross Street, but their hosts should. It was on this street which these twenty students spent the day cleaning, painting, screening, sheet-rocking, and glazing windows of devastated row house. The name given to this street is definitely appropriate. As one student commented, "It IS Gross Street."This street consists of twenty-seven row houses inhabited by black citizens of Prince Edward County. These persons share two outside spigots which are the only source of water. There is no plumbing or sewerage and there seems to be little expectation of any in the future. The students peeled as many as three layers of wallpaper held by nails, tacks and staples from the walls before they were able to paint. To their surprise, at times beneath the paper they found nothing. It was necessary for them to construct walls with sheet rock. One door had been patched with tin cans and should have been replaced, but as one student said, "The
generosity of the community is outstanding." The people at the picnic saw only the physical results of the efforts of these students. It was the satisfaction which they received that is more important. One little black girl said, "I like you all." This was not blacks and whites but as one elderly black man stated, "We have to work together," and that is exactly what they did — work together. Kids from two to fifteen helped to paint. Although some of the smaller ones applied blue polka dots to green walls it made no difference. The pleasure in their eyes made up for all mistakes. These persons worked from nine to five and were still unable to finish. And what was the reason for this? As one student said, "Why with six hundred students at Hampden-Sydney College and two thousand at Longwood only twenty were there?" There are no spoken or written words that can express the feelings which these students held from this experience. As one said, "No comment." This was the last weekend for the work project on Gross Street. It is unfortunate that not more could have experienced what these twenty did. But as one said, "It is easy to talk, but hard to act." Alter all it was May Day at Longwood. Is it not possible to find time for both traditional celebrations and problems of today?
DR. GILES CONSTABLE
Harvard Professor To Speak May 8th On Society In Middle Ages Dr. Giles Constable, Henry Charles Lea professor of medieval history at Harvard University, will lecture at Longwood College on Friday, May 8, at 10 o'clock a.m. in Jeffers Auditorium. This program is under the sponsorship of the University Center in Virginia. A specialist on medieval religious life, Dr. Constable has done research on various aspects of the history of monasticism and has taught courses in general medieval history and on the Empire and Papacy. During the summer of 1961, he lectured at the Centre d'Etudes Superieures de Civilization Medievale at Poitiers, France. His topic will be "The Orders of Society in the Middle Ages." Dr. Constable received his Ph.D. from Harvard University. He has formerly served as professor at Radcliff College and the State University of Iowa. He is a fellow of the Royal Historic Society, a member of the Medieval Academy of America, advisor to the "Journal of Ecclesiastical History," and associate editor of the "Speculum." Dr. Constable is also the author of "Monastic Tithes Form Their Origins to the Twelfth Century." All are invited to attend.
Longwood Professor Publishes Book On Women Poets
Dr. Rosemary Sprague of Longwood's English department, recently published her twelfth book for the Chilton Publishing Company in PhiladelWe realize that the previous com- phia. The book, "Imaginary Gardens," ments may be scorned as were the deals with the lives and works of five students at the picnic. They appeared American women poets: Sarah Teasin colors of green, blue and white. dale, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Emily To others they were colors of paint, Dickenson, Marianne Moore, and Amy but these twenty students would color Lowell. When asked by a ROTUNDA interit real. viewer why she chose this particular subject for her new book, Dr. Sprague responded that her editor, Job Marion, approached her with the idea some two years ago and then she accepted the undertaking because she believed that each of these women was, in her own way, a great poet and that they had been too long neglected by the literary public. Research for "Imaginary Gardens" required intensive background study in American literature as well as very impressive and interesting exploration into the lives of the poets. Her work involved interviews with such people as Margret Conklin, Sarah Teasdale's literary executive; Mrs. Norma Millay Ellis, sister of Edna St. Vincent Millay; and Miss Marianne Moore, who read and approved the chapter written on her own life. "The major standpoint of the book," stated Dr. Sprague, "is to reveal each of the poet's attitude toward her poetry and toward poetry in general." And in keeping with her belief that "no author writes to be studied," "Imaginary Gardens" offers much in the area of pure pleasure reading as well as scholarly information. Dr. Sprague also revealed, oddly enough, that she began writing before Amy Thomas helps with the (Iran-up and paint-up on Gross Street. (Continued on Page 4)
Throughout time man has sought to realize a sense of purpose, direction and meaning in his life. This search for person authenticity is the theme for an exciting and thought - provoking weekend planned for May 8-10. Mr. Harold Wanking, Assistant Professor of Psychology and Pastor-Counselor at Georgetown College, Georgetown, Kentucky, will lead discussions on this theme at the Baptist Student Center throughout the weekend. Mr. Wanking is an extremely popular speaker among college students, and is a fascinating person to know. His background includes working as a civil engineer and naval officer. He holds masters degrees in both psychology and theology. For five years he served as chaplain of a state mental hospital. Mr. Wanking is the author of a book published this April on man's search for personal authenticity, "Being Christlike." Students who have participated in discussions and sensitivity experiences led by Mr. Wanking in the past have found these sessions most meaningful and memorable. The schedule for the weekend is as follows: Friday, May 8, 7:30 - discussion led by Mr. Wahking (at the center) Saturday, May 9 - 9:30 - discussion led by Mr. Wahking (at the center); 1:30 - leave the B.S.U. center for a picnic at Dr. Johnson's
farm; 8:00 - discussion at the B.S.U. center, led by Mr. Wahking Sunday, May 10, 11:00- Worship service, led by Mr. Wahking, Farmville Baptist Church Everyone is Invited to attend any or every event scheduled for this weekend. If you are planning to come to the picnic, please sign the list on the religious bulletin board or on the board at the B.S.U. center, so you will be included for food and transportation. Several other Virginia schools have also been invited to participate in these activities.
HAROLD WAHKING
Richardson And Voyten Win MENC Offices By FALETA WINSTON Jeanne Sharon Richardson and Willie Ann Voyten were honored by the Virginia chapter of Music Educators National Conference at its annual convention held in Norfolk. Jeanne Richardson, a junior, was elected state president of the Virginia chapter. Jeanne is the president of Longwood's chapter of M.E.N.C. and a member of the national professional music fraternity for women, Sigma Alpha Iota. Jeanne's area of concent ration is piano and she plans to teach upon graduation.
Willie Ann Voyten, a sophomore, was elected state secretary of the M.E.N.C. Willie Ann is a member of Longwood's woodwind Ensemble. She is also a member of Longwood's chapter of M.E.N.C. and Sigma Alpha Iota. Studying instrumental and piano she intends to teach upon graduation. Music Educators National Conference is a professional organization which tries to develop interest in music education by exemplifying the profession by programs and talks given by leaders of the field. M.E.N.C. is a national group affiliated with the National Education Association.
Student Assistants Chosen To Aid New Freshmen The Student Assistants were chosen Mary Adkisson, head Student Assistant, has announced the new stu- primarily from the rising Junior Class, dent assistants for the session 1970- the sister class. However, a limited 71. These girls are chosen each year number of outstanding sophomores and to help freshmen adjust to life at Long- seniors were chosen. The job of the wood College, especially dorm life. Student Assistant does not end when the Orientation period ends; this job The Student Assistant will be as- lasts the entire year. During the first signed to a hall in the freshman dorm. few days and this period of adjustment, The day on which the freshmen arrive, the freshman needs an upperclassman the Student Assistants will stay in their to whom she can turn for anything. The assigned hall the entire day, doing Student Assistant is usually there, everything from finding a handyman to ready and willing to help. The Stubringing up the luggage to finding the dent Assistants have been highly reccontact lens that just popped out of ommended. Their Job is a huge one, but they can do the job well! that freshman's eye.
Carol McMullen, Bev Hampshire Prepare Honors Presentations Two students are participating in the Honors Program. These Honors papers, which must be finished by May 4 to be judged by the Honors Committee Examining Board, entitle the students to graduate with honors in their major fields. Carol McMullen, a German major, chose the topic, "The Elements of the Absurdist Drama of Max Frlsch." She has had much background in both French and German literature, including a study of the absurd theatre of such writers as Albert Camus and Jean Paul Sartre.
Bev Hampshire chose to do her paper on the effects of temperature changes on the metabolism of tropical Bev, a Biology major, began working on her paper during the spring o! her junior year. Her advisor is
oott, These students presented their topics to the Honors Committee for approval last spring and have been working this academic year on research and writing. They will receive six hours of credit upon completion of their papers, aft' r passing an oral examination '/jncerning their topics.