Something to Talk About Personal notes and news.

Campus Salvage raises money, gives donations

May 20 2011

Imagine a giant yard sale where everything is $1. Even designer shoes and handbags. Larger items like microwave ovens and TVs are $10, and mini-refrigerators are $25. The goal is not to make money, but to get rid of stuff – recycle and reuse it.

It was the Campus Salvage sale where 25 PODS full of student castoffs – electronics, clothes, bedding, appliances, food – were gathered during move-out week May 2-7 and donated to nonprofits or sold to the public for very low prices. The crowds were on hand, to be sure, about 500 people strong, and more than $2,000 was made to recycle back into campus sustainability efforts.

Jennifer Sellers, sustainability coordinator at Coastal Carolina University, was pleased with the sale and is already making plans for next year's event. Faculty and staff have asked for a preview sale, so she is considering allowing volunteers who work a certain number of hours first pick at the sale, along with a free T-shirt.

But even before the sale, Campus Salvage gathered enough resources to make some major donations:

• 30 bags of clothes to the tornado relief efforts in Alabama.
• 3 bags of clothes, 8 bags of bedding, 15 shower caddies, to the women's shelter, Rahab House.
• 641 pounds of food to Lowcountry Food Bank.
• 20 bags of bedding, pillows and towels to Horry County Animal Care Center.
• 10 bags of clothing to Street Reach, Myrtle Beach.
• Three refrigerator-size boxes of items, five tote bins of shoes, four bags of clothes, plus TVs, lamps and  appliances to Goodwill.
• 15 bags of clothing to Fostering Hope.

Conner's team is state tennis finalist

May 23 2011

Debbie Conner was a member of the Dunes Club 2.5 Women’s Tennis Team that was a state finalist in the South Carolina 2.5-3.5 Adult League State Championship playoffs held recently in Greenville.

The Grand Strand team went undefeated until the championship match, which was won by the Daniel Island Team.

Twelve teams that won their area leagues competed in the state tournament.

Unfortunately, Conner ruptured her right plantar tendon and will be out of the game for three months.

If anyone is interested in playing, contact Robert Bulza in Career Services.
 

CCU student heads for state beauty contest

May 27 2011

Coastal Carolina University student Dakota Beach, 19, was crowned Miss Myrtle Beach 2011 earlier this year, and as she makes her push toward Miss South Carolina, she's made homelessness her platform. Beach was homeless for a short time with her mother and younger brother when she was in grade school. 

This year's Miss South Carolina Pageant will be July 2 at the Township Auditorium in Columbia. Between now and then, Beach is working hard to raise money to finance the almost week-long stay in the capital city for the pageant, and talking to local groups about how she can best boost awareness of homelessness.

Hoffman receives math award

June 1 2011

Thomas Hoffman, an associate professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, was recently honored by the Mathematical Association of America, Southeastern Section. He was given the Award for Distinguished Teaching by a Beginning College or University Mathematics Faculty Member in a ceremony at the regional MAA conference this spring.

Hoffman joined the CCU faculty in 2004 after earning his degree in algebra at the University of Arizona. He has taught a wide variety of classes, from Math 101 for humanities majors, to Abstract Algebra.

“Tom’s expectations for his students are high, but he manages to find a way to balance those high expectations with the struggles that some of his students face," a colleague said in making the nomination. "He uses a modified Moore method, but he is very patient and has the ability to get his students to respond and participate, even when they are not 100 percent sure they know the answer.”

“Tom is very organized and presents the material in a clear and succinct manner," writes Prashant Sansgiry, chair of the department. "He takes time to answer students’ questions and runs a very interactive classroom.”

Hoffman developed a new seminar for majors, as well as a new freshman course for non-majors. He actively recruits students for undergraduate research projects, works with them as they develop results, then helps them present and publish their results. He has chaired the department’s curriculum committee (and spearheaded the revisions of the major and minor) and the University’s Faculty
Welfare & Development Committee.
 

CCU reunion takes place in Iceland

June 3 2011

Iceland has a large contingent of CCU alumni, and a delegation of University leaders traveled to Reykjavik in late April for a weekend of events and meetings designed to strengthen alumni relations there.

The CCU group – President David DeCenzo; Darla Domke Damonte, assistant dean and executive director of global initiatives in the Wall College of Business; Geoff Parsons, director of international programs; and Debbie Conner, associate vice president of university relations – visited businesses run by alumni and had a planning meeting with the Icelandic Whales Alumni Association, the country’s anchor CCU alumni organization.

One of the highlights of the visit was a reception attended by more than 80 alumni and guests on April 30. The event marked the 20th anniversary of the Whales Alumni Association, which recently created a scholarship for Icelandic students attending CCU. Camilla Hákonardóddir '03 and Linda Jóhannsdóttir '96 assisted in planning many of the events.

Football season tickets on sale now

June 3 2011

2011 Coastal Carolina Football season tickets are on sale now!

Season tickets start at just $75.

Family Zone seats are just $99! The Family Zone option includes four season tickets to see the Chants play at Brooks Stadium. That's less than $20 per game for a family of four. Additional season tickets are available for purchase at $25.

Be sure to mention that you are a CCU Faculty or Staff Member to receive your 20 percent discount.

Payroll deduction is available for season ticket purchases and Chanticleer Athletic Foundation donations.

Call 347-TIXX or go online to GoCCUSports.com. You may also stop by the Athletics Ticket Office in Arcadia Hall.

Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Single-game tickets are not on sale at this time.

Please note that TEAL and BRONZE ZONE ticket orders will not be processed until your CAF donation has been completed.
 

Kim Singleton sends thanks

June 3 2011

As most are aware, on May 12, 2011, my daddy, Edward M. “Dick” Singleton, accompanied by angels and the Holy Spirit, ascended to join our Heavenly Father. On behalf of the Singleton family, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Coastal Carolina University community for the condolences, generosity, support and all other gestures. He devoted his professional life to Coastal many years ago, and his passion and dedication for the institution continued until his final days. His presence and blessing will forever be a part of the University for all generations to come.

 President DeCenzo, Debbie Conner, Chyrel Stalvey, Jennifer Packard and Kathy Watts were exceptional in their efforts to provide a very special visitation. A very difficult time in my life was eased with the significant support I received from Eddie Dyer and Anne Monk. I cannot thank you enough.

Once again, I thank the entire CCU community for the heartfelt support and many kindnesses that have been extended to our family.

With kindest regards and all sincerity,

Kim Singleton
 

Maymester history class takes Charleston field trip

June 3 2011

John Navin reports that his Maymester history class took a field trip to Charleston for its special topics course, Crime and Punishment in Early America.

The class received a guided tour of Charleston’s Old Jail, the first section of which was built in 1802. Students also visited the Old Exchange and Provost’s Dungeon, the Old Slave Mart Museum, the Charleston County Courthouse, City Hal, and one of Charleston’s oldest cemeteries.

Navin reports: "Ironic aside: On the drive home from Charleston, two students were fined for not wearing seatbelts, and I was cited for an expired vehicle registration. Crime and punishment indeed!"

Shown is an illustration of the Charleston Jail (on the left) and the Workhouse from Civil War Harper's Weekly, February 18, 1865
 

State service awards given

June 3 2011

The following state service award recipients were announced recently.

10-year

Edward Bailey 
Sara A. Brallier 
Rosemary Browne 
Jerome Christia
Lori A. Cox 
Glenn K. Fisher 
Jack Flanders 
Dennis P. French
Johnnie K. Gore 
Patricia Harrington 
Bruxanne Hein 
Donald R. Hoeffel 
Nyoka Hucks 
Michelle Lewis 
Varavut Limpasuvan 
Philip L. Little
Sean W. Pierce 
Belinda L. Pope 
Evelyn A. Sherman 
Tabitha C. Singletary 
Allen Terrell 
James Tully
Kelly L. Welch 
Timothy Winningham 

20-year

Lynne E. Brock 
Adrian L. Burgess
Deryl L. Edwards
Lillian I. Heit 
James A. Hendrick Jr. 
Eric T. Koepfler
Treelee M. MacAnn 
Christine L. Mee 
Anne Trainer Monk 
Sheila F. Mooney 
Eldred Prince Jr. 
Prashant S. Sansgiry 
Sandra W. Williams 

30-year
Francis M. Butler 
Andy E. Hendrick 

When in Rome...

June 3 2011

The Department of Visual Arts offered two study abroad courses to Italy this Maymester: ARTS 499 (photography) and ARTH 499 (art history).

Professor Easton Selby led the photography course, and Stephanie Miller taught the art history course. The combined courses with 20 students spent two weeks in Rome with a three-day excursion to Florence.

Miller and Selby were assisted by sculptor Chris Todd, who was there as a mentee to the study abroad program to gain experience prior to her 2012 Maymester class to Greece; her trip to Italy was followed by a visit to Greece.

Selby (with Professor Scott Mann) is currently planning a Maymester to China in 2012. Miller is planning a repeat trip to Italy in May 2012 with Professor Treelee MacAnn (drawing); their courses will focus on the historic cities of Florence and Venice.

"Highlights included the various Roman artistic and cultural experiences -- the Colosseum, St. Peter's catacombs, and open air markets at the Campo dei Fiori," says Miller. "In Florence, our experiences ranged from seeing Michelangelo's David and Brunelleschi's Dome to seeing the cast of 'Jersey Shore' (no kidding!). Actually, the students were thrilled at the possibility of being on the show -- and some of them just might make the cut."