Left Column
Academic Reminders:
Faculty: Final grades for spring 2007 are due Friday, May 11 at noon. Please contact the records office if you have questions.
New This Week
Stop and Smell the Roses
As graduating seniors accept their diplomas each May by the Rose Terrace of the Administration Building, the scent of soft pink roses wafts through the air – a gentle breeze carries the flower’s delicate fragrance on its wings.
It is no coincidence that these beautiful hybrid tea roses are in bloom – abundantly so – in time to be the backdrop for graduation photos. In fact, it is “expected” that the roses be in bloom, according to Robert Easler, the man charged with making sure the bushes look their best.
As the superintendent of landscape services at USC Upstate, Easler works year-round on the 21 ‘Peace’ variety hybrid tea rose bushes gracing the Quad that he estimates are between 20 and 25 years old.
In February, Easler cuts the plants back, making sure to cut out the three D’s: the dead, dying and diseased stems and branches. By Valentines’ Day he applies a slow release fertilizer (8-12-6) to the ground and then he begins a bi-weekly spraying regimen of systemic fungicide to prevent blackspot, with fertilizer (magnesium, zinc and seaweed) added to the foliar spray.
In the spring he aerates the soil with a pitchfork, turning the mulch to allow air and fertilizer to penetrate. Contrary to popular practice, Easler applies new mulch only once every two to three years. His mulch is a special blend of mushroom compost and horse manure.
If bugs become a problem, which he says is very common with roses, he applies a granular systemic insecticide to the soil. The plant absorbs it through its roots, carries it to its leaves where it is then ingested by bugs. If the bugs are especially heavy he applies a sevin spray to the leaves.
In the fall, Easler does not feed the plants as frequently, and halts feedings over the winter. Even so, it is not uncommon for the plants to bloom all the way through December, he says.
Easler checks up on his “babies,” as he calls them, weekly throughout the year because they require lots of attention. During the blooming season he removes spent flowers at every visit. “They are like children or pets,” he says, “because you have to constantly keep track of them.”
“They’re fussy,” he admits. “But they’re worth it.”
Robert Easler holds a degree in agriculture pomology with a minor in horticulture from Spartanburg Community College. He is a board member of the S.C. Turfgrass Association and is a member of the Sports Turf Managers Association. He holds certifications in environmental landscaping and the application of pesticides. He has “babied” USC Upstate’s roses and other ornamental plantings for 17 years.
Bobbie Ann Mason’s In Country Selected for PREFACE
As freshmen enter USC Upstate this fall, they will be a part of a special reading, writing, and discussion experience. In every English 101 class, first-year students will read In Country by Bobbie Ann Mason. In Country is the story of Samantha Hughes and her quest to confront her past and the legacy of the 1960’s in her life. During the summer before she begins college, Sam makes a trip to the newly dedicated Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial. She is on a journey to understand her father, who was killed in Vietnam before she was born, as well as to discover who she is. Sam’s need to deal with the controversies of war and its impact on soldiers, the families they leave behind, and the country they serve makes In Country a meaningful book for today.
It is an especially appropriate study this fall as USC Upstate celebrates its 40th Anniversary and its founding in the 1967-68 school year. Events in the PREFACE series will help us make connections between life in the 60’s—the music and fashion, the social movements, the war—and our lives today.
In addition to a campus visit by the author, several other events are planned throughout the fall semester to coincide with the 60’s theme. Here is the flyer with all the details.
Vision Education Partnership Formed
USC Upstate is one of eight partners in the Vision Education Partnership formed in 2002 to create a new master’s degree program at USC Upstate in the area of visual impairments with the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind as the clinical training site. The mission of the Vision Education Partnership is to ensure high quality education for children with visual impairments through teacher education and professional development. The goals are to support the preparation of professionals in visual impairment education and orientation and mobility and to facilitate public awareness and recognition of programs, agencies, professional organizations and the professionals involved in the provision of educational and rehabilitative services to children and youth with visual impairment.
On March 16 the partnership hosted the Vision Summit: 2007 Pathways to Success for South Carolina’s Students with Visual Impairment at the SC Archives and History Center in Columbia. Representatives from all partnership groups signed the partnership agreement in a formal signing ceremony.
From left to right: Martha Veto (President SC Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired); Marty McKenzie (Access Technology Coordinator, SCSDB ); Dr. Susan DuRant (Director, Office of Exceptional Children SC Department of Education); Dr. Rebecca Stevens (Director, University of South Carolina Upstate Graduate Programs); James Kirby (Commissioner, SC Commission for the Blind); Dr. Sheila Breitweiser (President, SC School for the Deaf and the Blind); Seated Dr. Stephen Morse (Medical University of SC Storm Eye Institute)
Week in Pictures
Spiffing things up a bit for graduation …
AIGA Portfolio review
Aiga portfolio day is a great opportunity for students and professionals in the industry to be reviewed by award-winning creative professionals. They offer insight and advice about creating a strong portfolio and offer individual feedback. Speakers and portfolio reviewers were: Gil Shuler, owner and creative director, Gil Shuler Graphic Design from Charleston; David Wood, creative director, Blue Ion, LLC, Charleston; Bobby Bostick, senior art director, Cognetix, LLC, Charleston; and Patrick Hogan, professor of graphic design, Savannah College of Art and Design.
Congressional Arts Competition at Upstate Visual Arts
On Thursday and Friday, April 16-27, Henry J. Fagen, Jr., adjunct professor of art, (left) joined Congressman Bob Inglis – Greenville, Spartanburg and Union Counties (center) and Bruce Bunch, prize winning wildlife illustrator (right) to judge the annual Congressional Arts Competition. The competition is between high school students in Inglis’ districts. On Thursday, they awarded 1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd place prizes and four honorable mentions. The first place winner, Chelsea Tillotson of Spartanburg High School, received a $5,000 scholarship to Savannah College of Art & Design and will have her artwork on display for a year in the U.S. Capitol Building. Friday evening was the opening of the show with Inglis attending and hosting.
SBAE Awards
The annual School of Business awards ceremony was held last Friday, honoring the top graduates in each concentration. From left to right, the following students received awards:
Susan Rankin: Best Achievement Spring 2007 Major Field Test
Excellence in General Business Concentration
Andrew Turner: Certificate for Excellence in Service as President of Marketing Club
Surguei Pivnev: Best Achievement Fall 2006 Major Field Test Excellence in Accounting Concentration
Honor Graduate December 2006
Fredrick Bremmer: Inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society
Dr. Faruk Tanyel: Professor of marketing
Michael Horne: Best Achievement Fall 2006 Major Field Test
Activities and Events
Maggie’s Drawers and A Near Miss Awards
Monday, May 7 … 6:30 p.m. … HPAC
Maggie's Drawers is dedicated to presenting the work of young writers and artists from area middle schools and junior high schools throughout the upstate area. Our high school publication, A Near Miss, dedicated entirely to the work of young writers and artists in area high schools was created Spring 2001. Maggie's Drawers and A Near Miss is edited and published by the Department of Languages, Literature and Composition and is made possible by the generosity of the Carolina Piedmont Foundation. The program will last approximately 1-1 ½ hours with light refreshments served afterwards. Book distribution will start at 6:00 p.m. in the HPAC Lobby and continued after the award program. Free books are distributed to each school's principal, Media Center, teacher of award recipients, and student award recipients. Additional books will be available for purchase. Contact Marilyn Knight with questions.
Shoestring Players Golden Shoe Awards
Thursday, May 10 … 7:30 p.m. … HPAC
And the golden shoe goes to ….. You’ll have to come to the HPAC Theater Thursday night to find out who will go home with the Best Actor/Actress Award, Best Supporting Actor/Actress Award, Best Performance in a Cameo Award, Best Newcomer Award, the Best Stagecraft Achievement Award, Best Techie Award and more! Billed as USC Upstate’s version of the Tony’s, there will be awards, drama, scenes reenacted from the past season’s plays, and recognition of all the students whose efforts made Amadeus, Picnic, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Nunsense possible. Barry Whitfield has all the details.
May Day Picnic
Thursday, May 10 … 12:00 p.m. …Tent on the Quad
Add this event to my Outlook Calendar.
Our annual May Day Picnic for faculty and staff is coming up soon. During the picnic our retirees and State Service Award recipients who reached a 10, 20, 30 and 40-year milestone in 2006 with the University and/or the State of South Carolina will be recognized.
- Retirees to be recognized are: Jim Anderson, Nancy Bailey, Jerry Bennett, Steve Berry, Cecilia Cogdell, Jackie Goode, Carolyn Jamison, Jerry Lehman, Josephine McBeth, Carol Mitchell, Linda Randolph, Glenda Sims, Barbara Sprague, Bobby Welborn, and Joyce Wiley.
- State Service Award Recipients are:
30 years: Judith Kizer, Gillian Newberry, Catherine Talley, Lyle Campbell
20 years: Linda Gilbert, James Griffis, Janice Janiec, Linda Cooke, Nancy Lambert, James Charles, Clementine Geter, Hester Sloan, Lisa Lever, Daniel Cooke, Donette Stewart
10 years: Jack Stafford, Patricia Wood, Joyce Kiensler, Brigitte Neary, Jeanette Reeves, Becky Taylor, Cenek Alcena, Robert Thomas.
Spring 2007 Commencement
Saturday, May 12 … 7:00 p.m. …The Quad
The May Commencement ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. on the quadrangle rain or shine (bring rain gear). In case of severe weather, the ceremony will be held in the G.B. Hodge Center Gymnasium. IMPORTANT!!! Please note new processional time and process: Due to the large volume of students and the time it takes to process in, the student processional will begin promptly at 6:40 p.m. following the announcing of the Class of 2007. The faculty will then be announced at 6:50 p.m. for the faculty processional. Once the faculty are in place, the platform party will be announced at 6:55 p.m. with the ceremony beginning at 7:00 p.m. Please be dressed in full academic regalia, including hats, and gather in the lobby of the Media Building no later than 6:30 p.m. Purses and other valuables should not be brought to the ceremony as there is no place to lock them up. Traffic approaching campus will be very heavy during the hours prior to commencement. Please arrive early to avoid any delays.
On Upstate TV
Putting Health in Your Own Hands
| Day | Time | Channel |
| May 10 | 9:30 p.m. | 115 |
| May 11 | 2:00 p.m. | 115 |
| May 13 | 11:30 a.m. | 115 |
| May 17 | 9:30 p.m. | 115 |
| May 18 | 2:00 p.m. | 115 |
| May 20 | 11:30 a.m. | 115 |
| May 23 | 10:00 p.m. | 115 |
| May 30 | 10:00 p.m. | 10 |
Upstate Trails
The trails of the Upstate are the focus of the next installment of Upstate TV hosted by Julie Phillips. She will be joined by Jason VanDriesche, director of the Clean Air and Water Program of Upstate Forever, and Mike Teachey of the Greenville County Recreation District.
| Day | Time | Channel |
| May 24 | 9:30 p.m. | 115 |
| May 25 | 2:00 p.m. | 115 |
| May 27 | 11:30 a.m. | 115 |
| May 31 | 9:30 p.m. | 115 |
| May 18 | 2:00 p.m. | 115 |
| May 20 | 11:30 a.m. | 115 |
| May 23 | 10:00 p.m. | 115 |
| May 30 | 10:00 p.m. | 10 |
Right Column
Healthy Upstate Carolina
Shed Pounds On the Lawn!
Did you know that lawn care and gardening are a valuable form of exercise? Consider these figures for an average size woman (130 lbs) and man (180 lbs) who do yard work for 60 minutes:
General gardening activities can burn 389 calories for a man and 281 for a woman.
Mowing the lawn with a push mower burns 475 calories for a man and 343 calories for a woman.
Mowing the lawn with a power mower burns 389 calories for a man and 281 for a woman.
Source:Living in South Carolina Magazine, March 2007
Did You Know?
Robert Easler’s Rose Care Tips and Tricks
Pick a good sunny location, preferably one that receives a minimum of six hours of direct sun.
Soil must be well-drained.
Don’t buy too many, only what you can handle.
Check the plant for good structure and a healthy root ball - avoid plants with dead or dying branches.
Plant in loose soil with lots of organic matter, starter fertilizer and Epsom salt. Epsom salt provides magnesium for good cell structure, disease control and overall plant health.
Roses prefer a soil ph in the 6 – 6.5 range. Your soil can be tested with a kit available at most garden centers.
Mulch with a one to two inch layer of pine bark, pine needles or a mushroom compost/horse manure combination.
Alumni Spotlight
Keep in touch!
The Advancement Office maintains a database for alumni, friends and corporations of the University. If you have news about one of the constituent groups (employment changes, marriages, new addresses), please e-mail alumni@uscupstate.edu with information.
Student Spotlight
The USC Upstate Gospel Choir concluded an outstanding year of service with a concert in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, April 22 and their annual Spring Fellowship Banquet on Tuesday, April 24, in the CLC Ballroom. Dr. Warren Carson recognized the choir for their devotion and their superb performances throughout the year.
Staff members Angie Cleveland '05, Kenny Shider '05, Les Davis '06, and Courtney Davis were presented tokens of appreciation.
The following students were recognized for their contributions:
Commitment Award: Nikholas Martin
Spirit Award: Keidric Hall;
Academic Excellence Awards: Christin Oglesby and Angel Burns:
"Breakthrough" Award: Darnell Rivers; 
Dedication Awards: Qua'Shawnda Conyers, Shannon Coleman, and Nadia Kennedy:
Perseverance Award--Tamara Prioleau.
Special citations were presented to Christopher Gallman, DJ Booker, Bryan Wilson, Lakisha Spears and Daunetra Paulin.
The banquet was attended by over 200 choir members and their guests.
Department Spotlight
2006 Carolina Piedmont Foundation Annual Report
From setting up scholarships and endowments, to honoring those whose efforts have improved the institution over the years, to supporting the building projects, grounds and infrastructure of USC Upstate, the Carolina Piedmont Foundation has had a full year. Read the online version of the 2006 Carolina Piedmont Foundation Annual Report to learn more.
Alumni Establish Scholarships
Five USC Upstate alumni have established scholarships in the past year: They are:
- Arthur Meilenger and Family- Accounting Scholarship- Mr. Meilenger’s son, Mike ‘93 and wife, Penny ‘92 are USC Upstate alumni.
- David Miller ‘90, president of Community South Bank established a scholarship in the School of Business
- Donavan McAbee, son of the late Billie Weiss-McAbee ’87, established an endowed scholarship in memory of his mother, Billie.
- David Bourke and son Brian ‘01, established an endowed scholarship in memory of Marjorie Bourke.
- Michael Moton, ‘89, and his wife Nicki, established an annual scholarship in honor of the AAA Fraternity president.
For information on how to establish a scholarship, contact Bea Smith.
Faculty & Staff Briefs
Dr. Rachel Snow, assistant professor of art history, has been awarded a grant from the Hartman Center at Duke University to research the ways in which Kodak has marketed their cameras and other types of photographic technologies during times of war.
June C. D. Carter , LLC, chaired and served as discussant of the panel titled “Theorizing Religion and Spirituality in Hispaniola: Spirit, Prophecy and Philosophy” at the 67 th Annual Convention of the College Language Association, Miami, Florida, April 19-21, 2007.
Professor Jorge Salvo’s SSPN 311 (Introduction to Non Literary Translation) had a class project published by the Cato Institute. The following articles were translated into Spanish by the class and were published by the CATO Institute, a well known think tank based in Washington, DC that often features articles from people such as Alan Greenspan, former chairman of the Federal Reserve, Henry Kissinger, former secretary of state and the late economics Nobel Prize winner, Milton Friedman. For the Spanish version there are columnists such as Felipe Calderón, president of Mexico and Leandro Fernández, former president of the Dominican Republic. It is a great accomplishment by the non-literary translation class to have their work in such illustrious company.
China avanza hacia el liberalismo económico (Chinese Takeout) by James Dorn
http://www.elcato.org/node/2437. The translation of James Dorn’s article has been published also by the important “El Diario Exterior” of Spain:
El curioso problema de tener más de lo que se necesita. (The Curious Problem of Having More Than You Need) by Brink Lindsey.
Employment Opportunities
APPLICATION PROCESS: Visit www.uscupstate.edu/jobs for additional information and online application submission instructions.
STAFF/ADMINISTRATION POSITIONS:
Publications Coordinator
(State Title: Public Information Coordinator)
University Communications
Requisition No. 043262
Online applications accepted through Monday, May 14, 2007
HUMAN RESOURCES REMINDERS
HR has two important memos regarding pay schedules during summer school: 2007 Summer School Pay Schedule
2007 Faculty Summer School Pay Schedule
Volunteer Opportunities
Greer Police Need Volunteers to Help Victims
Tanya Anderson, victims witness advocate with the Greer Police Department, is excited about a new program to recruit volunteers to help with the department’s victims service program. During April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Anderson is screening for volunteers skilled in grant writing, judicial systems, fund raising and computers. She hopes for a team of six primary and six secondary volunteers to assist in the hospital visits. Volunteer training will begin at the end of May. Want to help? Call Tanya Anderson at 877-7985.
New Employees
Ms. Connie Holloman has joined USC Upstate as Director of Budgets and Resource Planning in the Division of Business Affairs. Connie brings exceptional skills and 20 years of governmental accounting experience to this position. She and Nancy Bailey will be working together during a transitional period until Nancy’s retirement on May 31. Connie’s office is in Administration 303 and she may be reached at ext. 5324.
Miscellaneous
The 2007-2008 Tenure and Promotion Calendar is online here.
The 2007-2008 Post Tenure Review Calendar is online here.
The faculty governance meeting dates for the 2007-2008 academic year are now posted online.
Two CDs are still available of the Greater Spartanburg BellSouth 2007 YellowPages. E-mail Claire Sachse for your copy(ies).
2007 Faculty/Staff Telephone Directory The 2007 Faculty/Staff Telephone Directory is now available for you to download and/or obtain from Printing Services. Visit the Printing Services web site to place your order. Each directory costs $3.09 and will be charged to the ordering department. Please note that all information in the directory is available online, and the online information is updated continuously throughout the year. University Communications encourages the use of the online directory primarily to conserve paper and printing costs, but also to reduce the number of internal calls to the switchboard operator.
Download the directory here. This is a large file and will take several seconds to download. Please note that as updates are made online, the directory you download will reflect the changes.