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Show .,. PAGEJ UNIVERSITY JOURNAL CAMPUS NEWS !MONDAY. JUNE lS. 2001 SUV filril festival proves a succe.s s The inaugural Thunderbird International Film Festival, • attended by hundreds of film buffs, was held June 8-9, at SUU. Films were submitted from around the world· as far away as The Ne herlands. Local film makers had six films screened al the festival , including Brigham City. "It's always good to see· anything outside the mainstream," said Heather Hartin of Hurricane, Utah , Many film festivals pride themselves on screening "edgy" films but the Thunderbird International Film Festival strives to provide quality "family friendly" films, according to Mariam Arthur, the festival' s coordinator. "We have strict guidelines against graphic sexuality and the promotion of anything illegaJ: That naturally eliminates most films that would be considered "R" rated." A big hit at this year's festival was Grandfather's Birthday. Based on a poem, this professionally-made short portrays a grandfathec (Robert Prosky) waiting for his grandchildren to arrive on his birthday. It raises relevant issues as the baby-boomer generation ages. Another favorite was Trade Day. Set in post-World War II Alabama, a young boy learns lessons about life from his grandfather. Ship Builder, by Kyle Smith, an SUU student, was well received and included on the Best of the 2001 Thunderbird International Film Festival video. Favorite short films are included on this video which was inspired by a friend of Arthur's. "After attending another festival , I made the comment that I would like to be able to watch a short film when I get home from work to relax before making dinner," said Kevin Wtederhold of Hurricane. The theatre arts and dance department will hold the festival annually. "We want to provide a place for students and independent film makers to be seen for their creativity. Many aspiring film makers have no budget and depend a lot on ingenuity," Arthur said. More information about the Thunderbird International Film Festival can be found on its website at www. thunderbirdfilmfestival.suu.edu Sharing m~mo·ries of the 'O~d .Schools' Close to 100 people met Thursday morning at the old high school/middle school/elementary school to listen memories and meet with those they went to school with . There were teachers, administrators and students meeting for the last time at the school.house they cherished so much. SUU Box Office Manager Maureen Robb (right) visits with Rulan Woodbury as they shared some fond memories of past years. Woodbury was the last principal of old West Elementary and principal of the old high school (1968 -1972). He also planted most of the trees that surround the school. 'They (trees) have grown so big,' Woodbury sa.ld as toured the grounds at 300 West Center for the last time. Woodbury remembers when he planted each of the trees then transplanted them to the school property. The old buildings, now SUU property, beyond renovation , will be demolished later this summer for a parking lot and a future education building. Reutzel returns to closer ties ~to students SUU provost seeks 'greater joy' as a professor/chair in early childhood education at Utah State University When D. Ray Reutzel re ign a · UU's . provost, effective arurday, what he wiJJ mi most are the people . ··1 have truly enjoyed my colleagues, " he said. "I have enjoyed the cremendou people I've worked with -the admini tration, the Deans' Council and many, if not all the faculty. " Reutzel announced hi re ignation from UU on April 5 after three years in the po ition . He accepted a po ition a the endowed professor/ chair of the Emma Eccles Jone Center for Early Childhood Education at Utah State University. He said he left UU to do what he love. "The pas ion of my heart has always been teaching and re earch," Reutzel aid. He added that being an administrator wa only a detour to try and spread that passion to colleague . "I could [be the provo t] , but was it my calling? Was it making me joyful? The answer is no,: he said. Reutzel de cribed hi resignation not a a choice to leave UU, but rather a choice that what would give him the greatest joy as a profes or. He said hi po ition a an endowed chair at USU is the highest honor an academic can achieve. "I'm an academic to the core of the heart," Reutzel said. "I always was and I always will be. ~ Over an extensive career in reading education and literacy, Reutzel has become a national authority in this field and i frequently called on to keynote onferen e bn reading education and literacy. In 1999 he won the A. B. Herr Award for out tanding contribucjon to research in reading education in America . UU Pre ident teven Bennion said he was going to mi Reutzel. "He' been a very positive cata..ly t to help us look at our elves academically-where we are and where we 're going," he aid. Bennion aid Reutzel' offer from USU was a " once in a lifetime opportunity." ome of the things Reutzel aid be has accompli hed are emphasizing the importance of achieving ·accreditation; balancing the demands of professors ' responsibilitie in scholarship, teaching and enrice; enacting a systematic assessment thrust; moving in the direction of more master's degree ; and planning strategically lhrough prioritization. "l can say that whatever I've done [as the provo t] , it was the right thing to do , not the political thing , and that's cost me sometimes," Reutzel said. He aid the growth SUU has experienced in the past three years has been a " turbulent time like · adolescence. n Reutzel aid he was never the provost to say something i fine if it isn 't fine , but he has never not been concerned about v~luing faculty. "The deans , president and I have inoved forward building on a foundation made by our predecessors ," he aid. "Whoever succeeds me will do the things needed for [his] time . n Carl TempHn, dean of the College of Business and Technology, will replace Reutzel as interim dean for the next academic year. "[Templin} is man of great capacity," Reutzel said. "I have the highest regard for him as I do all my deans." Reutzel aid his advice to Templin is to remember that even though he comes from a particular di cipline , his responsibiJity as provost is to nurture and care for aU di cipline as he doe hi own. "You don't have the luxury of playing favorites, • Reutzel aid. An acting dean for the College of Bu iness and Technology will be appointed in the interim of Templin · service as.interim provo t . Many important i ue will needs be tackled by Templjn a he embark on his new duties. "Among other important goals, will be the completion of the very vital repriorifrzation and reallocation process that is nearing its most inten ive stage of review and analysis. This will indeed be important for the future growth and strength of the university," aid Bennion. UU Board ofTrustees chair, Larry · Lunt, sajd, "The Board of Trustee continues to give its trong support to the repri9ritization and reallocation process that is underway. We fully expect that the administration, working with the campus community and the B ard of Trustees, will complete this process dµring the ' coming year. We thank Ray Reuti.el for his service and wish him the best in his new opportunity. " A national search for a new UU provost will be launched in tne fall with the aim of having a new provost ready to begin service by the summer of 2002. |