Mitchell Columns

Nursing Faculty Participated in Workshop
Ms. Beth Downing, MSN, RN, ONC and Ms. Kelly Hicks, MSN, RNC-OB, nursing faculty, were selected to participate in the ATI Item Writers Workshop in Kansas City. Only 100 nursing faculty from across the country were selected to participate. During the workshop, Ms. Downing and Ms. Hicks developed online video scenarios and test questions which will be used by nursing programs across the country to assess student learning. Congratulations to both Ms. Hicks and Ms. Downing on this achievement. —Submitted by Camille Reese (02.01.12)

Dr. James T. Brewer Named as Mitchell’s Next President
The Mitchell Community College Board of Trustees has announced the appointment of Dr. James T. "Tim" Brewer as its next president. Brewer is currently the executive vice president and chief academic officer at Mitchell. The vote took place at the Board’s January 25 meeting following a recommendation from the College’s Search Committee. Three finalists visited the campus last week and met with the Search Committee, Board members, faculty, staff, and representatives from the community. Brewer came to Mitchell in 2005 as vice president for instruction with primary responsibilities for academic programs, institutional effectiveness, institutional and program accreditation, and library services. He served as a member of the President’s Council and as SACS liaison throughout the College accreditation process. Prior to his service at Mitchell, Brewer was executive director of the State Board of Community Colleges where he led the senior administrative staff in all matters related to the State Board of Community Colleges, a 21-member board consisting of individuals appointed by the Governor, Senate, and House. In addition he worked as executive assistant to Martin Lancaster, then president of the North Carolina Community College System. Brewer began his community college career as an instructor of agriculture and natural resources at Wayne Community College in Goldsboro. That experience led him to pursue a career in community college administration. He received a doctorate in Education, Higher Education Administration, Adult and Community College Education, and a master’s degree in Recreation Resources from North Carolina State University. He received a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Administration from Mars Hill College. Brewer is originally from in Cary, NC. He and his wife Shannon live in Mooresville and have two children. The Board’s selection of Brewer will be forwarded to the State Board of Community Colleges and is expected to be formally approved at the State Board’s next meeting. —Submitted by Kathy Holland (02.01.12)

Phi Beta Lambda Congratulates Neili Eggert
Join us as we congratulate our Mitchell Community College PBL chapter president and NCPBL Western Region Vice President, Neili Eggert, for being selected by National PBL Southern Region Vice President, Sarah Rasheid, to serve on the Southern Region Action Council. As a member of the council, Neili will be working with PBL chapters across 12 states within the southern region of our National FBLA-PBL organization. In this role, Neili will promote communication among local chapters and the national office, assist chapters in membership recruiting, gather chapter reporting information, and write articles for the national FBLA-PBL publication, PBL Business Leader. —Submitted by Susan Stinson (02.01.12)

Shannon Alexander Exhibit in February
The Louise Gilbert Gallery in the Wallace House will be the setting for an exhibition of works by popular local African American artist Shannon Alexander throughout the month of February. Mr. Alexander is well-known for his richly textured paintings and drawings that portray scenes of

everyday life and comment on political perspectives as well. The opening reception for the exhibit will be held on Thursday, February 2, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in Wallace House, located at 420 Walnut Street on the Historic Main Campus in Statesville. We hope you will join us for the reception, to meet the artist and view the exhibit, which will be on display through February 23. For more information, contact Mark Flake at (704) 878-3337 or by email at mflake@mitchellcc.edu. —Submitted by Roxanne Newton (02.01.12) CLICK ON THUMBNAIL TO ENLARGE PHOTO.

Gift for Dr. Eason, the College, and the Community

MCC announces "Leading Voices, Leading Minds: The Douglas O. Eason Lecture Series," established by employees to honor Dr. Eason on the occasion of his retirement. The lecture series will feature eminent scholars and individuals who have made significant contributions in their fields, thereby illuminating the scholarship of our students, enriching the work of the faculty and staff, and stimulating discourse with the local community. This gift will be an enduring tribute to Dr. Eason and his important work at the College and in the local community. To make a contribution, visit the website at www.mitchellcc.edu/eason-lecture. —Submitted by Roxanne Newton (02.01.12) CLICK THUMBNAIL TO ENLARGE PHOTO. Left to right: Dr. Laurel Eason, Dr. Douglas Eason and Ms. Roxanne Newton.

Robert Steadman Releases CD
In December 2011, Robert Steadman, adjunct instructor of guitar in the MCC Music Department, released his first CD. Recorded at Ticknock Studios in Lenoir, the self-titled CD, "Robert Steadman, Jr.," features a series of classical works of the Renaissance by John Dowland, Robert de Visee, Fernando Sor, and Fransisco Tarrega as well as "Variations on a Japanese Folk Song: Sakura" by contemporary composer Yuquijiro Yocoh. Mr. Steadman is a popular performer of classical guitar in the mid-Atlantic region and teaches at several local colleges in addition to his busy performance schedule. The CD project was funded in part by the NC Arts Council and other foundations. To learn more visit Mr. Steadman’s professional web site at www.robertsteadmanjr.com. Congratulations to Mr. Steadman on this achievement. —Submitted by Roxanne Newton (02.01.12)

Mark Flake Exhibits Work Locally
Art Department Coordinator Mark Flake has four paintings in the spring exhibit at the Studio Gallery in Newton. The exhibit, "Outsider and Folk Art," features an eclectic mix of artists and media. The exhibit will open with a reception for the artists on Friday, February 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Studio Gallery, located at 106 E. "B" Street in Newton, and the works will be on display in the gallery through April 3. Kudos to Mr. Flake for this recognition of his work. —Submitted by Roxanne Newton (02.01.12)

Note of Appreciation
Thank you to everyone who attended the reception for Dr. Eason on Friday, January 27 at the Statesville Woman’s Club. It was a lovely and meaningful occasion, made especially memorable because of the many employees who attended and those who assisted with the event! Special thanks to Carol Johnson, Judy Morgan, and Harry Stillerman for planning and preparation; Mike Brown and his staff for set up; Steve Herman for the floral arrangement; Judy Phillips for designing the invitation and printing the brochures; Kathy Holland for designing the Eason Lecture Series brochure; David Ross for adding the information to the MCC website; and Vicki Holland for clerical assistance and other support. In addition, thanks are due to everyone who helped serve and clean up after the event: Mary Bilmanis, Beverly Brown, Sandra Cox, Maryann Earwood, Eduardo Garcia, Sandra Landry, Amy Naylor, Jane Pardue, Ben Pressley, Kent Shoffner, Rita Taggert, Wendy Turner, and Emily Weddington. See photos from the reception at http://www.mitchellcc.edu/about-mcc/photo-galleries.cfm —Submitted by Roxanne Newton (02.01.12)

Memory Book for Dr. Eason
We are preparing a memory book for Dr. Eason on the occasion of his retirement. If you would like to write a card, share a remembrance, or send best wishes to Dr. Eason for his memory book, please send via campus mail or bring your note (on a 4"x6" index card or any one-sided card) to me in Frazier House by Wednesday, February 8. I will put your note in the book to present to Dr. Eason on February 9. Thank you. —Submitted by Roxanne Newton (02.01.12)

For more information about Diverse Expressions events, call Tony Ricciardelli at (704) 878-4286. —Submitted by Roxanne Newton (01.11.12)

20th Annual Spring Writers Series Announced
The events for the 20th annual MCC Spring Writers Series have been announced! Coordinated by English instructors Kelly Wisdom and Ben Butler, the featured writers include UNCC poet Chris Davis on Thursday, January 26, at 7:30 p.m.; NC A&T poet Dr. Anjail Rashida Ahmad on Thursday, February 23, at 7:30 p.m.; Davidson College writer Brenda Flanagan on Thursday, March 1, at 7:30 p.m.; Hollins University writer Amanda Cockrell on Thursday, March 8, at 12:30 p.m.; and UNCC scholar and memoirist Dr. Jim McGavran on Tuesday, April 17, at 12:30 p.m. All programs are free and open to the public. The readings will be held in Rotary Auditorium. Please mark your calendars and look for details about each of these exciting literary events on our campus this semester! Thanks to Kelly Wisdom and Ben Butler for their work to organize these programs. —Submitted by Roxanne Newton (01.11.12)