Giancarlo Da'Writa JOMC 220

World War 2 and Media

2010-06-01T11:10:00.000-07:00

The Media was the major source of information for Americans during the war. Although the media played a big role during the war, government cencorship was heavy in the 1940's.

Many Americans found comfort in the media during the war and relied heavily on radio, movies, newpapers, books and music. Many citizens used such activities as an outlet to communicate with other Americans during the war.

The radio, movies, etc. provided the U.S media with an effective means for giving war information to the public. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, also used the media to spark up his Fireside radio chats.

Throughout the war, Americans were urged to help fund production of ammunition, weapons and vehicles through television. Even famous people appeared in the commercials, pleading for people to help out.

Hollywood had a big influence on Americans during the war. The movie industry used this to its advantage and made sure that movies that were coming out portrayed war in a positive light.

Eventually, there was a government policy that recommended the occasional war message to help home front unity. Movie makers also had to factor in the question, "Will this movie help win the war?" The newspaper also played a vital role in helping Americans follow in the latest war news.

Government officials made sure that reporters emphasized American values in the papers, such as family values and American patriotism. However, the news edited out combat, to avoid unpleasant descriptions of death or soldier insanity. Many soldiers during this time did not agree, however, because they felt it distorted the truth of how war really was.

The government ignored the soldier's opinions, and kept the portrayal of war postive because they felt that it would help win the war. Also, the government was so strict about the war that the first picture of a casualty was not published until 1943 and many other visual materials were never even prohibited.

This was published by Life magazine which captured the pictured of three American soldiers lying down on the ground dead. Over thirty government agencies were involved at censoring any type of war related news, and cut down a lot of what was published about Americans.

The government sent out messages that included statements about the nations war goals and suggestions on what people could do to contribute to the war. The government also sent out reports of the progress of war. Without the media during War World 2, the citizens may have not had the right attitude to support the war efforts and to help the United States to win the war.

Government officials made sure that reporters emphasized American values in the papers, such as family values and American patriotism. However, the news edited out combat, to avoid unpleasant descriptions of death or soldier insanity. Why Would Media portray the war in a positive light? could it deal with altering peoples perception?

In response to pearl harbor President Franklin D Roosevelt issued executive order 9066, which permitted the military to circumvent the constitutional safeguards of American citizens in the name of national defense.

The order set into motion the exclusion from certain areas, and the evacuation and mass incarceration of 120,000 persons of Japanese ancestry living on the West Coast, most of who were U.S. citizens or legal permanent resident aliens.

These Japanese Americans, half of whom were children, were incarcerated for up to 4 years, without due process of law or any factual basis, in bleak, remote camps surrounded by barbed wire and armed guards. They were forced to evacuate their homes and leave their jobs; in some cases family members were separated and put into different camps.

President Roosevelt himself called the 10 facilities "concentration camps." Some Japanese Americans died in the camps due to inadequate medical care and the emotional stresses they encountered. Several were killed by military guards posted for allegedly resisting orders.

At the time, Executive Order 9066 was justified as a "military necessity" to protect against domestic espionage and sabotage.

However, it was later documented that "our government had in its possession proof that not one Japanese American, citizen or not, had engaged in espionage, not one had committed any act of sabotage. Rather, the causes for this unprecedented action in American history, according to the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians, were motivated largely by racial prejudice, wartime hysteria, and a failure of political leadership.

What Could of been the real purpose of the U.S government imprisoning the Japanese being that they proof of their innocents?

World War 2

2010-05-31T11:10:00.000-07:00

the 1940's was a very controversial decade

beginning of the war

2010-03-12T17:53:00.000-08:00

Giancarlo Spells- can you tell me about a typical day

Joseph Frierson- A typical day for me is not really typical at all; it’s never marked in stone what is to be done as it relates to do this first and this next. Usually a day would consist of talking and communicating with different people around Greensboro, the day is branched off different issues that arise in the community.

GS- how did you get started doing this type of work

JF- I actually started at A&T as a political science major and wanted to pursue being an attorney or lawyer. It was when I had my internship in the field when I found out that this profession wasn’t for me. I had talked to my advisor Dr. Claud Barnes and he said that I loved people to much to be an attorney; from there he had brought me to a meeting at the beloved community center were they spoke about a book called “Stolen Lives” which basically was about state and federal governments wrongfully executing citizens, and I thought to myself who was responsible who took the blame. From then on I knew that community organizing was what I wanted to do.

GS- What is your favorite part of your job

J F- I get an opportunity to engage in social contra that has really brought about a continued mindset of separation, oppression, segregation, and marginalization. Not everybody has a job were they can do that, and I’m free to do it, free to be able to speak freely about a wrong that I see.

GS- What surprised you the most when you started working in the field

JF- What surprised me the most when I started working in this field was the amount of work that is needed to be done on a regular basis not just a 9-5 but randomly throughout the week. Also the anti-market that goes against what we do at the beloved community center and the way they speak about individuals who do positive things and how they put a negative twist on different community issues that we deal with

GS- What Advise would you give someone who wants to get started in PR

JF - the advise I would give someone is to get started now, whether you are in high school or an undergrad however you can get into the field early to catch on to how it works and what is needed out of individuals.

GS- What are employers typically looking for in

Studying Abroad and the Vast Change of Perception

2009-12-09T21:01:00.000-08:00

Every year over 190,000 students study abroad each year. Continuously many students if not all, come back home from these experiences with changed thoughts and perceptions about the countries they visited.

On June 16, 2009, over 700 students enrolled in the University of Virginia’s semester at sea program embarked a two month voyage abroad; porting at eight different countries around the Mediterranean before returning home in Virginia on August 23rd. After nearly every country students were already starting to view the world a little differently in addition to the country itself.

What entity in this civilization is powerful enough to provide such false ideas about different countries and types of people to the point were it would turn into a concrete perception.

Peggy Kreshel a media studies professor of the University of Georgia says “it’s due to nations branding”.

“Nations branding is similar to brands such as Nike and or McDonald’s both have an image and attached some type of slogan that everybody knows.”

For example, McDonald’s has the golden arks as the symbol and the “I’m loving it”. In additions Nike’s symbol being the check and the slogan being “just do it”. Countries in this aspect have the same thing, such as America having the nation brand of the flag with the slogan “Land of the Free”, but such things can be altered by global media. Such media are the news, movies, history books, and more importantly television.

Shanae Strachum, a sophomore fashion design major said “Bulgaria is a country that has a negative nation brand, they are known for human trafficking according to the media and the movie “Taken” only built more superstition.”

“But after spending a couple days in the country there seemed to be a different perception, it turned to just be a party city with a lot of entertainment it nothing like the stereotype.”

Brittney Simon, another student enrolled in the semester at sea program said “my perception was definitely based on television and sometimes even history books.”

“Before I got to Egypt, I thought of it being this beautiful desert sand with pyramids, but after viewing it for myself I seen how impoverished Egypt is and how it’s not well cleaned up.”

Today’s study abroad experiences are more than just education abroad; it brings students to a level of truth. Truth of the media and how it portrays different people, and countries, and how much it affects out perception.

By Giancarlo Spells
Special thanks to Shanae Strachan, Peggy Kreshel, and Brittany Simon
For more information go to Nation Branding.

Business Around The Holidays

2009-12-02T08:54:00.000-08:00

Due to the state of the economy many local businesses are going out of business. Facing the stressful recession, local businesses are suffering from a decrease of sales while other bigger businesses such as Wal- Mart and Target use their marketing strategies to make it through the economic storm.

The holiday season leads businesses into the New Year, starting from September all the way through February businesses make their push to end off the year on a good note. This profitable business strategy builds the base for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and the most profitable day of the year Black Fridays which is right after Thanksgiving. Such sales would not be existent if not for the marketing and sales plans.

Businesses that lack the proper marketing planning skills or outreach, more than likely attract devastating blows, economically leading into bankruptcy and closing. Others on the other hand, profit generously and receive record breaking revenues.

“If you don’t have a business plan then you are planning for failure”, said Ryan Spells business owner of A&D Graphixs.

Spells has been in business for 10 years. A&D Graphixs is a black owned business that’s in the business of advertising.

“Known for catching the eyes and making people pay attention to an advertisement even if their not interested” said Spells.

The company does many different things such as making and designing websites, flyers, business cards, brochures, logos, CD / DVD covers, tee shirts, photo editing and stationary.

Spells said “that the recession affected his line of work, because of the affect the economy had on other businesses. When the recession came about one of the first things on the budget business started looking at and cutting down on was advertising. Advertising is one of the major expenses for businesses today.”

“The recession caused me one of the slowest summers I have ever experienced, but September is the months where a lot of businesses make their push for the end of the year. Not only to market for sales but to also promote Christmas and New Years parties. For such events companies will put an order in for fliers and invitation.”

“Being that A&D Graphixs is an advertising company, my business can help other businesses that are going out of business, but first they have to find a niche within their market.”

Niche marketing is the subset of the markets on which a specific product is focusing on; therefore the market niche defines the specific product features aimed at satisfying specific market needs, as well as the price range, production quality and the demographics that is intended to impact.

Jorge Gaytan, a business professor at North Carolina Agricultural and State University said “Niche marketing plays a very important role, because businesses are able to maximize marketing opportunities by linking their niche with the business environment.”

“First we must build a marketing plan, finding out who are customers are and where they are located. Second build a website to take the business from a local level to national level, selling products online is the next biggest money producer as far as sales”, said Spells.

“The market plan is essential to the success of an organization, because it forces members of that organization to engage in various preparation activities essential and critical to the beginning life stages of an organization” said Gaytan.

When comparing the success of Black owned businesses to big international companies such as Wal-Mart and Target; Spells says that those companies not only strive in marketing but also in convenience.

“What nationally run black owned business out there could you compare to Wal-Mart, those companies sell a variety of products ranging from electronics and household items to clothes and groceries. Black owned businesses usually only have one niche not a wide variety all in one business.”

So what if numerous black owned businesses with different niches linked up and became as powerful as a Wal-Mart and a Target. Could the missing link within the idea of success just be collaboration and cooperation? What is the next big step for black owned businesses to reach the next level?

By Giancarlo Spells

Special Thanks to Kelvon Barkley, Ryan Spells, and Jorge Gaytan

College- Is it an Instituion of Higher Learning

2009-11-18T09:11:00.001-08:00

In the mist of the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement, Wartmouth T.Gibbs, President of North Carolina A&T said “We don’t teach are students what to think, but how to think.” Today our society has changed such concrete environment to the complete opposite; not only are students taught what to think, but also how to think about whatever issue maybe. Is College really an institution of higher learning or is it just an institution of regular training.

Could it be that our college educational system is suffering from a term called “group think”, a term used to describe a group unwilling to look over the overall consensus of the herd. In times it is out of the lack of drive or ambition to ask original questions to arrive at genuine answers. But more importantly and dangerously it is also an accordance that ponds from the fear of looking foolish in front of peers.

Today’s College Institutions relies heavily upon the country’s economic systems, especially concerning jobs. Many students are forced to face difficult decisions, of whether they should pursue their passion, or work within a major that pays a good amount of money so that the American Dream can be pursued.

Derek Lineberger, a freshman, English major said “if I had to make a decision I would pursue my passion; I rather work with my gift and make 10 to 20 thousand per year versus being stressed out and unsatisfied in a field that doesn’t inspire me, and make 40 to 50 thousand.”

Moreover, there is a state of pressure among this generation from past generations to achieve a level of higher learning so that one can get a good job and be deemed as successful.

“Our Educational system is made to train people to be a corporate slave; even if you do get a high paying job, your still making crumbs compared to the higher ups. The system doesn’t push and inspire self sustainability, instead it implements sustaining and upholding a system already in place”, said Chris Loney a freshman biological engineering major.

“What if all the top engineers at NC A&T received degrees, and grouped up to start their own firm instead of working for another company. Just imagine the influence we would have being that we can build up our own communities; and on top of that give jobs and internships to other engineering students."

Commemoration March for the 30th Anniversary of the Greensboro Massacre

2009-11-10T20:33:00.000-08:00

On Nov. 3rd, 1979, the Communist Workers Party (CWP) held an anti-Klan rally in Greensboro, North Carolina.

During the rally the Ku Klux Klan drove through, and some CWP members started to beat on the cars with their sticks. The KKK responded by shooting at the CWP, Resulting in the shooting deaths of five CWP members t. The event became known as the "Greensboro Massacre."

November 4, 2009 marks the 30th anniversary of the Greensboro Massacre; Aggie Alum Wesley Morris, along with Terrance Muhammed and other community organizers from the beloved community center unite to unite the community for this special commemoration. See slide show

March Sound slide

Special Thanks to Britney Drakeford, Wesley Morris, Terrance Muhammed, Beloved Community Center Organizers, and all of those who participated in the march.

NC A&T Homecoming Coronation Sound Slide

2009-11-03T22:54:00.000-08:00

NC A&T Homecoming Coronation Sound Slide

NC A&T Homecoming Coronation

2009-11-03T21:47:00.000-08:00

The Homecoming Coronation last thursday was a night of history, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University witnessed the crowning of the first Mr. A&T, Austin James. Many were in attendance and were impressed at the decorations and performances. One in particular, Kelvon Barkley "Miss Aggie Economics Association" was honored to express what happened and how she felt about the event. This Q&A interview was conducted on November 3, 2009.

Giancarlo Spells: Were you involved in the coronation if so what was your role in the event?

Kelvon Barkley: Yes i was involved, I was Miss Aggie Economics Association one of the 52 represented organizations for the event. All of the organizations were involved in a small performance, we came in to the song "love of my life" the classical version by Erykah Badu featuring Common.

Giancarlo Spells: How was the scenery of the coronation?

Kelvon Barkley: It was decorated nicely; the coronation had the Mr. and misses of 52 on campus organizations. They had each organization sit alongside of both sides of the stage in a row leading from the royal court stage to the reserve stage for friends family and faculty. In addition there was a velvet red carpet going down the center of the isle connecting the royal court stage to the reserved stage. On all four corners of Corbet gymnasium were two huge columns that light up different colors. The royal court stage consisted of three rows and on the top row stood these beautiful white chairs with red cushioning, it was beautiful.

GS: Were there any performances if so how were they?

KB: The performances were great they were very unique and different, it had an afro centric style to it. It started out with African folk dancing and drumming, then it went on with a performance by a group of mimes who performed to “a change is going to come” by Sam Cooke. Followed by a small dance by the kings and Queens of the organizations, then the Mr. and Misses of the freshman, sophomore, junior classes; and then the royal court appointees. After everybody was settled Mr. A&T Austin James came out after the showing of a very inspiring speech along with a slide show; such great words received a standing ovation. Next came out Miss A&T with her beautiful white dress, crowned by last years Miss A&T Tanisha Fordham.

GS: How was the reception?

KB: The reception was amazing; it reminded me of a wedding it had a live band and some really good food. After we ate everybody started dancing from the royal court family friends to A&T students.

Special Thanks to Kelvon Barkley
By: Giancarlo Spells

practise sound slide

2009-11-02T09:07:00.000-08:00

my slideshow

OFF CAMPUS LIVING

2009-10-28T07:50:00.001-07:00

Over the years at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University there have been much speculation with incoming students over the importance of living off campus.

Off campus living suggests that you've reached some level of maturity and responsibility, which is almost the exact opposite of life in dorms, where students are subjected to rules and weekly fire drills.

Jessica Davis, a junior at NC A&T is a part of the swim team and said,“(The athletic dorms have there on rules and regulations, one in particular that bothered me was the 11:30pm curfews.”

The issue is the lack of freedom, the idea of not being able to do whatever you want to do while living on campus. (Because of the restrictions), many students after their freshman year opt to move off campus, where they can be treated like adults and be held to those same responsibilities.

There are still some things about on campus-living that off campus students envy.

Kelvon Barkley, a junior business and mathematics major, said, "I miss getting to classes faster, and knowing about activities, events and programs happening on campus."

"Alot of events are promoted in the dorms, you can go to the door or look at the bulletin board and see a series of programs".

In addition many organizations on campus do "dorm storms". (Last year I remember seeing students going around dorms and knocking on doors passing out candy influencing people to go vote. "This type of dedication and openness is not really adhered to off campus students" said Jessica Hallager, who lives off campus.

"I also miss being within the social community of the dorms and hanging out with friends" said Barkley.

Davis even mentioned that the main luxury of living on campus was going back to your rooms in between classes and taking naps; moreover, having food already cooked for you in the cafe.

Although off campus students may reminisce on benefits they had staying on campus, off campus living is more free and spacious.

"I love living off campus i get to have my own room, bathroom, an kitchen." said Davis

Barkley made similar statements saying, "I get to have my own space and there's no curfew for visitors."

Today's main issue with off campus living for the past to years has been security, since the murders of two A&T students Dennis Hayle and Derrick Hodge. Due to those tragic events many apartments complexes have set up cameras and extra security devices.

Hallager a resident of Campus East Apartments said, "I feel really safe her, our apartment has a security alarm, plus there's a gate that requires a key in order for people to even get into the apartment building".

Campus East apartments is one of the safest complexes to live. she said

In all the only other issue with off campus living is on campus parking, many students complained about why should we pay so much money for a parking pass when there is often nowhere to park; which concludes to being late for class or not making it to class at all.

In Due time NC A&T will probably bridge these gaps that stand in between are educational highs, but till then we just have to learn how to deal with them.

Special Thanks to Jessica Hallager, Jessica Davis, and Kelvon Barkley
By: Giancarlo Spells

NC A&T's Lost of Connection with the Community

2009-10-21T20:27:00.000-07:00

Throughout the years North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has undergone many cultural changes parallel to the changes of time. These changes include both negative and positive, but the one change that Alumni and current students mostly always bring up is the lost of connection and presents of NC A&T within the Greensboro community.

The city of Greensboro is currently dealing with a lot of troubling issues concerning black on black crime, police brutality, gang violence, injustices within the police gang unit, injustices within the law, and the gentrification of black areas for the building of residence halls and apartments for college universities. Mostly if not all of this information of such acts goes ignored on A&T’s campus until somehow A&T gets pulled into the picture.

Wesley Morris a community organizer and an A&T graduate of 2007 said, “The culture has changed and has put less of a priority on community organizing, and the priorities have been internalized sole to the campus.”

For example there have been many black on black crimes in the city of Greensboro that have resulted in death, but it wasn’t until the death of two A&T students did the campus try to reach out as a unit and do something about it. Even then students strived for “Campus Saftey” not city wide safety.

It wasn’t always this way, Dr. Samuel Moseley a political science professor noted in his text book “American National and State Government” that during the 60’s and 70’s A&T students and faculty were heavily involved in the community. Organizations such as The Student Organization for Black Unity (SOBU) which was created in 1969 in the A&T student union ballroom and its newspaper the “African World”, also other organizations off campus such as Greensboro Association of Poor people (GAPP) and the Foundation for community development (FCD) students were involved in.

Students of this time period protested police brutality, racism, and inhumane treatment of blacks while at the same time building as a unit to fight for a cause.

Shirley Samuel a Bennet Bell of 65’-68’ said “there was more cohesiveness amongst students and attitude about being an aggie, as far as influence A&T was the parent of Dudley high school”

She describes the relationship between A&T and Dudley with the same correlation that middle schools have with their connected high schools.

Additionally the affection and love that the professors had for the students had a high level of influence said Samuel, she noted that back then teachers and professors prepared students for the real world not just for the test; they didn’t teach everything from out of a book and took extra time to teach other valuable life lessons. This important characteristic is missing in most of today’s professors and teachers said Samuel.

“It’s a challenge, but there’s still potential for A&T to reach out; the beloved community center has meetings from one to three every Wednesdays and is open for people to bring their issues concerning the city of Greensboro and ideas of upliftment” said Morris.

“NC A&T has a strong connection with the Greensboro community only throughout homecoming; were there’s a concert and a big football game, so now it’s commercialized” said Samuel.

“The Homecoming parade use to be a classic involving all surrounding high schools, colleges and organizations, it not only involved A&T but it involved the City of Greensboro, Winston Salem, and Highpoint, it was also a dress up affair you would show up to the event in your finest of formal wear.”

What does A&T need to do to connect back with the community and be just as strong and just as influential as we were in the 60’ and 70’?

“Cleanup, Within the University Professors need to care about the students and the University as a whole needs to get back to the basics” said Samuel.

“A&T needs to start reaching out to the community, and raise the level of physical presence within the community” said Morris.

November 4th, there will be a march from the aggie 4 statue to downtown Greensboro Historical Museum at 6pm. At the museum there will be a showing of the documentary film “Closer to the truth”, dealing with the events of the November 3^rd, 1979 massacre.

Special Thanks to Wesley Morris, Shirley Samuel, and Dr. Samuel Moseley

By: Giancarlo Spells

HIP HOP CULTURE FIGHTING FOR BALANCE

2009-10-13T22:10:00.000-07:00

A&T’s decision to take its name off the homecoming concert featuring controversial rapper Gucci mane has sparked discussions on hip hop's current status on campus.

In the beginning of the hip hop culture the style of art was freestyle based, always proving a knowledgeable point. Through spoken word, dance, graffiti, and song, viewpoints were expounded upon political, social, economical, and other issues that dealt with our everyday lives.

"Hip hop has always been a reflection of society, backed by drugs sex and violence; the difference was the balanced level of content," said Bryan Turman, a professor at A&T who teaches a popular course on hip hop.

"Then you chose what to listen to, there was variety you can jump from a Niggas With Attitude gang tip, to a tribe called Quest storytelling tip, and end on a political level with Public Enemy."

The Problem today is that the youth "dont have a choice of what mainstream hip hop artists to identify with.

The level of influence on our youth is high, and current day mainstream hip hop continues to feed a narrow lane of messages, he said.

“Children and teenagers these days mirror whatever is popular in mainstream media” said Shawanda White," a library security officer, who is concerned about the music her children listen to.

"Consequently these messages consist of drugs, violence, sex, gang affiliations, and degrade women," she said.

UNC TV posted a fact stating, "More than 90 percent of record lables, magazines, tv stations, radio stations and retailers disseminating hip hop related products are white owned."

Could this possibly be the problem, African Americans not owning their own art?

Darius Pandy, an A&T student who is also a hip hop fan, noted the current issue concerning mainstream hip hop and connected it to a historical connotation saying, "Even back in the 80's you had your conscious hip hop music and your party hip hop music; but once mainstream media got a hold of it the style became less artful and more of a minstrel show."

"There’s been a depreciation for the art, it use to be both conscious and party but now it’s just party, party, party, let’s all get wasted," said Pandy.

Pandy noticed the disrespect for the art in the song "Wasted". It Sends out an negative implication of being under the influence, but it's one of the more popular songs today.

"We need to get back to our roots making songs about bettering our society, and meaningful issues that we can relate to," said White.

"Today’s popular hip hop is still a form of art. The only issue is the lack of diversity", said Turman. "The art of hip hop has been co modified to fit one style and only that style is receiving high quality funding."

Due to this modification many aspiring rappers feel that the road to success is to perpetuate common stereotypes, said Turman and others interviewed for this article.

“It would be better if all of the different range of artists got the same type of funding, the same amount of money put into artists such as Lil Wayne and Gucci should be put into artists such as Lupe Fiasco and Common," said Turman.

He said, if such equality existed among hip hop artist within the mainstream industry, then the youth would be able to pick and choose who to identify with and who not. Teenagers who are into politics could listen to political artists, same with subjects such as Afrocentricity, spirituality, dance, and lots of others.

"Artists that truly speak about issues within our community and abroad that are different with styles and subject matter still make hip hop music you just got to find them" said Madison Bowden, an A&T student. The mainstream media makes such artists hard to find.

For more info go to Hip Hop Issues.
Special Thanks to Bryan Turman, Shawanda White, Darius Pandy, and Madison Bowden
By Giancarlo Spells

Going International!

2009-10-11T18:48:00.001-07:00

GOING INTERNATIONAL!
International programs one of the more important programs on North Carolina A&T’s campus is known for sending a good amount of students abroad, to maximize their global growth and make them more educationally competent. Director, Dr. Minnie Battle Mays speaks on the process interested students should work through and the unforgettable life long experience gained after studying abroad. This interview was conducted at the international programs office on Friday Oct. 2nd. Read more on what Dr. Mayes had to say.

Giancarlo Spells: Where is International Programs Located?

Dr. Minnie Mays: We are located slightly off campus in the CH Moore Agricultural Research Facility at the corner of Lindsay & Beech Streets.

GS: What are international Programs and what is its purpose for A&T students?

MM: The purpose of International Programs is to provide a way for all students to be exposed to opportunities to become globally competent. The Office of International Programs (OIP) does this, in a way that supports the academic programs if the university, by providing co-curricular activities for students and the university community. OIP does this through three channels:
• Study Abroad: providing students the opportunity to study in another country and culture;
• Global Awareness Programs: OIP organizes a series of events and programs, including speakers, on campus throughout the year to provide global awareness for all. Our primary event is International Education Week held during the third week of November annually.
• Global Studies Certificate Program (GSCP): GSCP was created and is administered by OIP as a way to encourage global competency. Students who earn the Certificate, have demonstrated their ability to adapt and function on a global level, by taking two prescribed courses (Introduction to Global Studies and the Capstone Seminar in Global Studies) and two elective courses that are global in nature and by earning a minimum of 6 credits overseas. Upon graduation they are presented with the Global Studies Certificate and a sash to wear at graduation, made to resemble the flag of the country where they earned their credit abroad and with a patch that say “Global Scholar.” The Certificate is designed to accompany an A&T degree in any discipline. It can improve a student’s chances for employment and graduate school.

GS: What should students have before pursuing studying abroad?

MM: Students should have a strong desire to be challenged culturally, socially and linguistically before pursuing a study abroad experience. The main reason to study abroad is to learn, first hand, about another culture and its social norms. Often, this means learning another language – another great reason to study abroad. Many people have difficulty learning a language out of context. That is, without having to use it outside the classroom. Study abroad immerses the student in the use of the language and often results in a degree of fluency at the end of a semester. However, even if the student is studying in a country where the language spoken is English, the accent will be different and may pose a challenge, and the use of many words will be different from the way we may use the same words.
GS: How often are the study abroad information meetings?
General Information Sessions are held every Monday & Thursday at 2:15 and every Friday at 12:15. All students interested in studying abroad must begin by attending one of these sessions. Additional sessions are arranged as necessary so we encourage students who cannot attend any of these sessions to call the office to request another time. The General Information Session provides an overview of the many options available for A&T students to study abroad and how to proceed. It ensures that students make informed choices about their study abroad.

GS: How early should students start preparing for studying abroad and why?

MM: We begin providing information for students at freshman orientation. The earlier a student decides he/she will pursue study abroad, the more time they will have to apply for outside scholarships and to determine which courses they will take abroad. Several majors at A&T require students to take only electives abroad. These students need to study abroad before their junior year while they are still taking electives.

GS: What are the main changes you see in students (if there are any) when they return from studying abroad?

MM: We see tremendous changes in students after they have studied abroad. If they were timid about venturing into new territory, they are now confident. If they thought they had limited resources here, they often return realizing the tremendous opportunities they have here and how little they truly utilize these resources. They return with a greater sense of purpose and a greater awareness of themselves. In this clarity of purpose, sometimes students return and actually change their major, or focus within their major, to pursue an area of study that they discovered interest in while abroad. They have learned skills that include: adaptability; independence; and flexibility.

GS: Would you recommend a study abroad experience and why?

MM: I recommend study abroad for all students who truly want to call themselves globally competent and knowledgeable – and this should include every degree seeker. We live in a world that is more interconnected than many people realize. What better time to get to this experience than during the 4 years you spend getting a college degree. It will never be more affordable and accessible than then. At OIP we help students identify study abroad opportunities that best meet their academic, financial and personal needs.

Wesley Morris- Striving for Excellence

2009-10-07T08:57:00.000-07:00

Knowledge is power, throughout life experiences one can gain such powers to achieve excellence and for past the limits projected through society. Wesley Morris a strong conscious being has illuminated himself by playing a role in uplifting the community through unity marches and festivals. I had a chance to interview Wesley on Tuesday October 6th, read more about what he had to say about him self and his life.

Giancarlo Spells: Who are you and where are you from?

Wesley Morris: My life began as the caboose to three other children from my mother and father, Carole and W.J. Morris. My mother and father had grown from roots in small towns in Georgia. Hogansville and Sandersville, GA respectively, and I were able to make the trip to these hometowns yearly and count them as my greatest moments of reflection. My older siblings were born up north in either Virginia or New York. I was born in Raleigh, NC April 24th, 1985 as the only child born in North Carolina in my family.

GS: What are your interests?

WM: I enjoyed sports and music while growing up. I played the piano, violin and drums; heavily involved in most and any church activity. I played several sports, basketball, and baseball mainly with basketball being my choice for favorite. My social life consisted of middle class families with different racial and cultural backgrounds. Sharing in activities as a family was constant and consistent and I count those as very good times in my life. My mother and father decided that I would travel with my sister, who was a teacher of social studies at the middle school I attended, to West Africa, specifically, the countries of Ghana, Benin and Togo. The journey was with two other young people and a group of adults. Much of that experience may go unwritten, as I felt my way through the trip and did not write much.

GS: How did it feel to open up for Lupe and what message was your group sending in the song performed at the concert?

WM: opening up for Lupe was amazing. It was a feeling of living in the moment. Not having to force anything, a feeling like everything works out. Our group had the message that unity and respect can get us a long way. We also had one song that was for the sisters in the audience, and it was saying we appreciate your love.

GS: What are some life stories that really benefited you in the long run?

WM: I had a good deal of confidence tied into my appearance, and before braces most jokes centered on my dark skin and buck teeth with a gap. For the most part I was too happy and told too many jokes of my own to notice any of that, however much I heard it and the idea of race still was not clear to me. After many attempts I finally made a school basketball team in my 12th grade year. I was cut from the team every year beginning in the 7th grade. I was always able to play city ball, but making it on a school basketball team made me feel accomplished. Also before graduating and since freshman year in high school, I had an interest in the different art programs. I find the arts as an expressive outlet for many of the mechanical and tension filled patches of life. So I appreciate the different forms that probably lead to a major decision in my collegiate experience. I can remember watching drama movies with my sister closest to me in age, (mainly her lifetime movies) and I picked up her habit of making noises when something hits close to home so I may do so in class so please excuse me. I also enjoy nature and its elements, more precisely the wind that I feel to be a great comfort to me.

GS: What are some words, quotes, or phrases that explain you?

WM: live long and strong, See k for courage, character, confidence, complete.
No worries. No pain. No difficulty. Just be the best of you.

Special Thanks to Wesley Morris, for more info go to Wesley Morris
By: Giancarlo Spells

About me

2009-08-31T08:28:00.000-07:00

I am GIANCARLO DA' WRITA SPELLS................., I am a writer and i write poetry, short stories, plays and i am currently working on a novel called 'DENASIS".

I am a spiritual being from Raleigh, North Carolina i enjoy receiving and giving knowledge, Wisdom, and Undestanding
..................................................not finished more coming soon