TECHNICIAN
NCSU prepares for AIDS day
30 2012
Caldwell Fellows program inspires leaders in service
Alex Petercuskie Staff Writer
Sara Awad Staff Writer
ing of Jingle Bells. At this point, he gets out his “storybook” and reads Twas the Night Before Christmas to his audience and finishes with verses from a song like Silent Night. 70 percent of the work Campbell performs as Santa is free as he often volunteers his time with nonprofit organizations, churches and nursing homes. On Christmas Eve, Campbell goes to the homes of families who have had firemen or police officers die, often in the line of duty. For the children of these families, “the grief is abated for just a few minutes,” Campbell said. Campbell said what distinguishes him from other Santas is his voice. “Believe it or not, many Santas cannot carry a tune,” Campbell said. Campbell also puts effort into his appearance. His Santa belt cost $375, while his tailor made suit cost $1,150. Unlike many Santas, Camp-
Caldwell Fellows applications are underway to find the 41st generation of Caldwell Fellows who exemplify the N.C. State traditions of leadership and service, despite recent technical difficulties. Although IT issues had temporarily impeded access to the scholarship program’s website, the site is now up and running again. According to Caldwell Fellows Program Assistant Liz Holt, the problem occurred when the server was unable to read the site after it had migrated to another host. The program, initiated in honor of Chancellor John T. Caldwell, will select about 25 students to receive a scholarship of $5,500 to cover part of their tuition and experiential learning, Holt said. Funding comes from about 100 alumni. Part of the annual scholarship consists of a $1,500 stipend, and Caldwell Fellows are required to submit a proposal for what they would like to do with the money, Holt said. Uses for the stipend could range from a local service project to study abroad. “Caldwell Fellows are passionate [and] students who apply are usually already interested in doing something. We are looking for people who have creative ideas for using their talents to give back,” Holt said. Caldwell Fellows must also keep a 3.25 grade point average, Holt said. Holt said the program is designed as a “leadership development program through service,” which teaches students to not only lead, but also to lead while being involved, as well as to listen to others. For this reason, Caldwell Fellows are required to take a course in leadership during the first semester of their sophomore year, Holt said. Components of the application include three essays and two references. Approximately 100 people will review the applications so that three people review each submission, Holt said. Holt said hundreds apply each year, but only fifty are selected for the interview stage, so she advises to students to “be themselves” when applying. Caldwell Fellows are an open-minded, diverse group of students that come from all majors, countries,
SANTA continued page 2
CALDWELL continued page 2
COURTESY OF AIDS.GOV
President Barack Obama addressed the nation on the AIDS crisis and the strides being made in research to cure the disease.
50,000 people become infected with HIV every year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC estimates that more than 1.1 million people in the United States alone live with HIV, and 18 percent of those people do not know they have the infection. Additionally, AIDS has killed more than 25 million people since 1981, when the first cases were reported, according to aids.gov, a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website. In the past, the GLBT Center has organized a chalking event in the brickyard, where members of the
center outline chalk figures and fill them in with facts about the HIV and AIDS infection. According to Hollingshead, because World AIDS Day falls on a Saturday this year, it was difficult to do some intentional in-person activity. Instead, the center opted to wait until a later date to hold the event because it was also students’ final day of classes. Throughout the year the GLBT center organizes various events to promote HIV/AIDS awareness, such as partnering with local agencies to provide testing on campus and other educational programs. In addition to World AIDS Day, the U.S. also recognizes the disease
a number of times throughout the year, including National Black HIV/ AIDS Awareness Day on Feb. 7 and HIV Vaccine Awareness Day on May 18. While the rate of people living with AIDS is highest in the Northeast, the number of people diagnosed is highest in the South and in 2009 accounted for 48% of U.S. deaths from AIDS, according to CDC. “World AIDS Day is a time to remember all of the people in the world we have lost to AIDS and
AIDS continued page 2
Grade giver by day, gift giver by night Sara Awad Staff Writer
When Agricultural and Resource Economics Professor Ron Campbell took a job that involved chauffeuring children around town on Shetland ponies, he had no idea he would have to wear a Santa Claus suit. This was the first time that Cambell had “performed” as Santa Claus. The year was 1965 and he was a broke college freshman who happened to come across a job that turned into a career. Now Campbell barely has time to relax this December—he already has eight events scheduled for tomorrow, which include, “breakfast, brunch, and lunch.” He will also be appearing before the North Carolina governor and Supreme Court, as well as lighting “the best North Carolina Christmas tree” at the Capitol building. Mix 101.5 listeners can also tune in to his “Santa
november
Raleigh, North Carolina
technicianonline.com
Various student centers on campus will recognize World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, to promote awareness about the HIV and AIDS crisis. The Africana Studies program will host its second annual University in the Community forum Saturday, Dec. 1, titled “HIV: A Global Campaign, A Local Focus.” The program will include James Bunn, co-founder of World AIDS Day, and James Kiwanuka-Tondo, associate professor of communications and expert regarding HIV/AIDS campaigns. The forum, co-sponsored by the African American Cultural Center, the African Student Union and the North Carolina Community AIDS Fund, will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in room 126 of the Witherspoon Student Center. Justine Hollingshead, director of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Center, said most people operate under misconceptions about the transmission of HIV and AIDS and said it is vital that students and community members overcome their fixed notions about the disease. “The only way to understand how something like disease transmission occurs is to become more educated and to attend programs and events like the one occurring on Saturday, sponsored by the African American Cultural Center,” Hollingshead said. While the annual number of HIV infections remains stable, about
friday
NATALIE CLAUNCH/TECHNICIAN
Ronald Campbell, a professor in international business law at N.C. State, doubles as Santa Claus during the holiday season.
exploits” all day Monday as he visits the Boys and Girls club and Marbles Museum. His act consists of bringing a canvas bag filled with jingle bells from reindeer sleighs, and handing them
out to “children” to make music with them. As the music develops, he tells them the story of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer in the best deep and jolly Santa voice that he can muster, which leads to the sing-
insidetechnician viewpoint features classifieds sports Story headline story. See page 3.
‘The Nubian Message’ celebrates 20 years of publishing
Getting a rise out of students See page 6.
See page 5.
TODAY!!!
NOV. 30 11AM to 9PM NC STATE BOOKSTORE ON THE BRICKYARD
Pack excited about Jimmy V Classic See page 8.
40% off ALL Apparel,
GIfts & Novelties go.ncsu.edu/madness
4 5 7 8