OCR Text |
Show The Thunderbird Monday , May 7, 1984 Page 9 Harrison learns from his students while teaching by Daum DeBusk Love Balloons. Ninety-nin- e This successful pop song, which originated in Germany, lyricizes many of aspects that concern James W. Harrison: the human race and love for the humanities. Harrison, an Associate Professor of German, was a teaching assistant at the University of North Carolina for two years before coming to SUSC. Jobs were very scarce at the time, recalls Harrison. 1 applied for a teaching job at SUSC and got it. Harrison, who got his masters degree at the University of Utah, says he was a little hesitant to put down his roots at a small school since he had been associated with larger schools, but I am glad to teach at this small school, he said, because it has diversifications. The first thing I found out, Harrison says, is that teachers learn more than students. Another epiphany Harrison experienced later was realizing the importance of knowing how to articulate an idea." Harrison explains, There is a difference between having the knowledge and transferring it to others. I enjoy introducing things to people, Harrison says with enthusiasm. Its frustrating when you really bare your heart to a class and no one cares, says Harrison. But when students learn, and in the process enjoy learning, it strengthens my convictions. Professors throughout Harrisons education have also strengthened his convications. Paul Wieler at the U. of U. and a Medieval German professor from the U. of N.C., preserved a depth of knowledge. They can grasp, love, and analyze knowledge without allowing it to become sterile, Harrison recalls with admiration. They disect without killing. It spurs me on. Harrisons classroom techniques spur on the students to learn. He uses a fresh approach through music and exercises which stimulate the mental energy and relax the student. The biggest problem in "Education is a moral force which has an important role in building character, James Harrison. maintains learning a foreign language, explains Harrison, is the tension students feel. This tension stems from the fear of making a fool of ones self in front of other class members. His approach to teaching is not new. Leon E. Chidester, associate professor in the language department, also advocates the music approach to teaching. Chidester and Harrison attended a seminar in Boston exploring these techniques. This system, originated by a man in Bulgaria, is geared toward a lack of tension. The system functions according to the split-brai- n theory. The right side of the brain controls creativity while the left side is analytical. Music appeals to the right side of the brain, and draws in the entire mind. Music relaxes and allows students to approach their learning like little children when they first learned to speak their native language, explains Harrison. I view myself as a romantic, rather conservative, says Harrison. I believe education should be a process that forms character around ideas. The main idea of education is to teach us how to be human beings. "We should think about living, getting a job, et cetera, only after we have mastered being human. We should become well acquainted with Greek philosophy, Western literature, The Divine Comedy, and The Testament, Harrison advises. These works are valid to people and will be as long as were concerned with human values. Education is a moral force which has an important role in building character, not just a way to prepare for living, he says. Although Harrison could talk forever on the subject, education is not the most important aspect to his life. His ,wife, and his two children, aged 10 and 7, are. Matthew and Heidi provide a really nice balance in my life, says Harrison. I often live in the clouds. My children bring me down to earth. While gazing out the window, he'lnterjects, My wife has been great help, too, throughout my educational career. I often let her edit what I write. SUSCs Business Building is named for Dixie Leavitt SUSC officials will name the business building in honor of former state senator Dixie Leavitt, who entered politics with SUSC on his mind. Dixie Leavitt made possible many advancements for r SUSC, including its status as a college and approval for the business building, said Institutional Council Chairman Dale Zabriskie. Indeed, Leavitt said he first ran for the state r legislature to help change SUSC from a to a four-yea- two-yea- four-ye- ar college. chairman of a committee to make this a independent college in the late 1950s, Leavitt said. I could see it was going to take legislative I was four-ye- ar action. So in 1962, Leavitt ran for the state House of Representatives, and that was the very purpose of my getting involved, he said. The business building was constructed through state funding on a special bond passed while Leavitt was a state senator. The building had not been included in the bond at all until Senator Leavitt pressed foi it, noted Paul Southwick, executive vice president for financial affairs. Indeed, he was in a position to hold up the entire bond issue until the business building was approved, Southwick said. Leavitt is also the author of the 1969 Higher Education Act, which established the system of Leavitt is only the fifth individual to have a building named for him in the history of the college. governance for college, including the Board of Regents and institutional councils. Starting with the PE Building, Leavitt said he was involved in funding for the construction or renovation of every building on campus during his 14 years in the legislature. Formal naming ceremonies will be held June 1 in front of the building, just a few weeks before Leavitt leaves for England to serve as an LDS mission president. I have no idea why they made this move, Leavitt said, however. Im really flattered and appreciative of their thoughtfulness. Vice President of Student Services Sterling Church noted that Its still the general policy of the Institutional Council not to name buildings after people. There are several exceptions. Already are the Braithwaite Fine Arts Gallery, named after former president Royden Braithwaite, the Ashcroft Observatory, which honored physical sciences professor Theron Ashcroft, and Thorley Recital Hall, after Frank A. Thorley. The other facilities are the Adams Memorial Theater, which was named for the mother of Grace Adams Tanner, wife of O.C. Tanner, whose name was lent to the Tanner Room of the Old Administration Building. |