The Blue Banner Bulldogs of 2009

This semester, The Blue Banner featured hard-hitting, investigative articles and strong editorials that highlighted, among other things, issues with student fees and controversial administrative decisions.

No institution is perfect, and UNC Asheville faces tough choices in the coming years which will determine the future of this unique campus. Yet, the Banner’s editorial staff wanted to end the year on a positive note by recognizing several faculty, staff and administrators for their excellence. To be fair, we chose not to nominate the talented faculty of the mass communication department, our department. There are, of course, dozens who deserve recognition, but with limited space, here are The Blue Banner Bulldogs of 2009:

Surain Subramaniam, political science associate professor

It’s 2009, and you would think faculty would integrate more technology into their lectures (PowerPoint presentations don’t count). In his Humanities 414 class, Subramaniam mixes powerful multimedia pieces with curriculum readings and strong outside articles. His students say Subramaniam uses his passion and humor to drive home meaningful lessons on everything from diversity to the environment.

Ethan Bramlett, sociology lecturer

“His difference and inequality class had a profound effect on me,” one student said. “In fact, I ran into a couple students who were in the class, and we agreed it was one of the most important classes we had ever taken. This might be totally clichéd, but there were few dry eyes on the last day of that class.”

Jane Fernandes, provost

No administrator has an easy job balancing the competing demands of a limited budget with the desires of UNCA’s notoriously fiery and politically active students and faculty. In dozens of interviews this semester, Banner editors talked with faculty and staff who respect Fernandes. Even those who disagree with the direction the university is heading hold her in high regard.

Janet Cone, athletics director

Cone’s passion and wit are unmatched at UNCA. She is a wizard at fundraising and a true asset to this university. Honorable mention goes to women’s basketball head coach Betsy Blose and volleyball head coach Julie Torbett for leading teams of dedicated women to victory. This month, Torbett was named Big South Coach of the Year, and her team won their first regular season title since 2002. Blose, too, provides a strong example of leadership and perseverance to her team.

Eileen Buecher and
Holly Waltemyer, Career Center

Buecher, the director, and Waltmeyer, the assistant director, work overtime with their staff to help prepare graduating seniors for an abysmal job market. Both women have energetic, friendly attitudes, and they coordinate an amazing number of events, including the annual “World of Work” trips. It’s no surprise that, in the 2008 senior survey, seniors rated UNCA higher in all nine career and employment categories than the survey’s five-year average, including a nine-point improvement in resume preparation.

UNCA’s staff

They are overworked, underpaid and often receive little thanks from students. These are the employees who clean the halls late at night, the servers in the dining hall and Highsmith Student Union, and the grounds crews who keep a campus of thousands of college students clean and tidy. Without them, UNCA would cease to function. Thank you.
 

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