THE
ROTUNDA
LONGWOOD COLI^EGE, FARMVILLE, VIRGINIA, TUESDAY. DECEMBER 6.1977
VOL. LIII
NO. 11
President Willett's Tenth Year At Longwood
President Henry Willett, Jr., is in his tenth year at Longwood.
Students Participate In Honors Program By LINDA CARRILLO To do an Honors Research paper. Mary I^aPrade believes that 'you have to be slightly mad; a bit on the insane side." With three other Longwood seniors. Therees Tkach. Debra Mero. and Anne Hunt, she is currently participating in the Honors Research program. Kstablished in 1930. the Honors program is "designed to benefit the academically superior student who is self-disciplined and who handles responsibility well." according to Dr. Webber, the chairman. Juniors and seniors with a grade average of 2.7 and a 3.0 in their major are eligible. After receiving approval of their thesis stated in a preliminary paper from the Honors Committee, students begin their research and writing under the guidance of an examining committee. After the completion of the paper, an oral examination on the research topic is conducted by the examining committee. If final approval is granted by the Honors Committee and a grade of A or B is received, students will graduate with honors in their field. The program requires two semesters for six credits. However, if a student decides not to take the oral examination or does not receive approval for the honors, the six credits will still be given with the grade earned. Dr. Maurice, a French professor who is a member of the Honors Committee, thinks that "everybody should be aware of it. I have heard that students hesitate to volunteer for it because they think they are being presumptuous, and teachers don't want to recommend it because they don't want to cram it down students' throats." Another Honors Committee member. Dr. Maxwell, a chemistry professor, feels that
•students that have the potential would profit more from this than six hours of course material." Dr. Webber said that the Honors Committee's 'main responsibility is to criticize the preliminary drafts of the paper and to examine the final paper." Three student members also belong to the committee and have the same responsibilities and powers as the faculty members. Because original research must be carried out on a topic that has not previously been studied in depth, the subjects may require a great deal of effort to find material. Mary IxiPrade is an art major with a concentration in art history and also a history major. Her paper deals with "The Artistic Temperament of Adolf Hitler, 1889-1949." She explained that before Hitler became politically involved, he was very interested in art and in architecture. Mary said that the "focus of the paper will be to analyze the canvases of Hitler, do a formal analysis of his work. The basic question is, was Hitler an artist? Right now, I would love to say yes, because historians have put down his work in so many large biographies." Her research has included an analysis of the slides of his paintings from the National Archives. She also used books from the library of Dr. Sydnor, who is on her examining committee. Mary also did some research during her trip to Germany last summer. She emphasized that those considering the program should "start early; don't wait until your senior year." Therees Tkach, a voice major, agrees with Mary that those who are candidates should begin early. Although her paper does not have a specific title yet, it deals with "soprano roles in the
By CERESA HANEY On December 1, 1967, Dr. Henry Willett began his official duties as President of IiOngwood College by attending a legislative meeting in Richmond. On December 1, 1977, history repeated itself when Dr. Willett marked his ten years as president of Ix>ngwood College by traveling to Richmond for the same kind of meeting to let the legislators "know what longwood is all about." In discussing his years at IxHigwood, Dr. Willett recalled some of the changes that have taken place over the years. When Dr. Willett came to longwood in 1967. there was a rule prohibiting the consumption of alcoholic beverages within fifteen miles of Farmville. Dr. Willett had a hand in modifying the rules so that students could drink beer on campus. Also, when Dr. Willett became president, only secondsemester seniors could have cars on campus. The rule was first changed to permit all seniors to have cars, and eventually all students were permitted to have cars on campus. Another change instituted by Dr. Willett concerned the Judicial Board. Originally, the accused student was brought to trial and found innocent or guilty, there was no way of appealing the decision. The college established a review and appeals procedure, becoming one of the first state nineteenth and twentieth century opera that require dance as part of the role characteristic." Even though it has been difficult for her to find sufficient material, she wrote to professionals in the operatic and dance fields and the Metropolitan Opera Guild. In addition, she went to the Library of Congress and obtained opera scores from the Inter-Library Ix>an Service. She would like to see the Honors Committee allow students whose major is in the arts to do research and then present it in a visual form through a performance. Therees said that "it's a super experience if you want to do research. You have to be academically oriented." She also suggested that a prospective Honors student should carefully choose the topic since the student will be involved with the topic almost constantly for at least two semesters. Because she worked on her paper for approximately three years, Debra Mero, an English, Library Science, and Reading major, "got extremely tired of it. It's a concentrated effort, so much in a short period of time." Debra just finished the final draft of her paper, "The Literary Influences of Tono-Bungay by H.G. Wells and Youth's Encounter and Sinister Street by (Continuedon Page8)
colleges to do so. One of the most important changes over the years according to Dr. Willett. has been the transformation of Longwood from a teacher training college to a comprehensive college. Over the years, the academic programs have been expanded to include social work, theraputic recreation and business administration. Dr. Willett stated that he would like to see growth in the graduate program, which now includes master's degrees in English and Education only. Dr. Willett believes that a publicadministration program would also be a good idea since many students enter government jobs upon graduation. Another major change over the years, of course, has been the change from an all girls school to a co-educational facility. Dr. Willett stated that he would like to see an increase in the per cent of male students, not necessarily an equal number of both sexes. Dr. Willett also stated that a continuous increase in the number of minority students is desirable. In discussing the students at Longwood, President Willett commented ihat students tend to be more liberal in their thinking than school administrators." But, he said, this fact has not changed in the ten years he has been president.
Dr. Willett also commented that "students are dressing better, after hitting an all time low." Dr. Willett further stated that he recognizes a renewed interest, on the part of the students, in physical fitness Dr. Willett also slated that students tend to be more concerned with the job market than they were ten years ago." In looking to the future. Dr. Willett feels that the student enrollment at Ixmgwood will remain pretty close to its present 2.300. He also stated thai with the completion of the new P.E. building, there should be no need for further enlargement of the college facilities. He feels the only changes will be renovations, or perhaps additions to existing buildings In discussing his future. I)r Willett. who enjoys the longest tenure in office of any of tinstate's college presidents, stated that he has no immediate plans to leave his present position lie further stated that he sees the future as holding many new challenges I)r Willett attended Washington and Lee University. receiving a B.A. degree in history and he attended the University of Virginia, receiving his master's degree in 1955 and his doctorate in 1967. He has also taught in the Virginia public school system and at the University of Virginia
Major-Minor Elections Todtt) 9:00-6:00 in Kotiiiidn and Snack liar
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A medieval bard entertains the I-ords and Indies at the Renaissance Dinner. Photo Audrey Hinck