This is the first in the second series of informal profiles of UNCA's many noted faculty scholars. Written by Dr. John Stevens, director of the Office of Sponsored Scholarship and Programs, each of the weekly profiles will highlight the scholarly accomplishments and interests of faculty colleagues. We hope that you will find these profiles of interest as we celebrate the intellectual vigor that is at work on our campus.

Dr. Bill Miller

John W. Miller
John W. (Bill) Miller is Professor of Environmental Studies and has published on a wide variety of local to national projects. He has just completed the Asheville geological map -- an 11-year project, and he has been researching the bedrock origins of ballast stones from Blackbeard's flagship, the Queen Anne's Revenge. Other projects include a major compilation of Mossbauer data on minerals on the surface of Mars; geological inventories of local regions; and a series of investigations of mercury environmental contaminants.

He has received numerous recognitions for his teaching and research, having received several grants recently, the most noteworthy is a $412,716 award from the National Science Foundation to establish a regional center for imaging and nondestructive chemical analysis. The goal of the center is to further develop interdisciplinary research involving most of the science departments at UNCA while also involving programmatically the HBCU institutions of the UNC system and Cherokee teachers. 

-- Dr. John Stevens

THIS WEEK

Monday, September 15
Humanities 124: "India," Dr. Keya Maitra, 11 a.m., Humanities Lecture Hall

Humanities 214: "Christianity and the Medieval World," Dr. Gordon Wilson, 11 a.m., Lipinsky Auditorium

Window on the Arts: Performance by Alaskan poet and musician Ken Waldman, 12:15 p.m., Ramsey Library Glasshouse

CSAC Meeting, 2 p.m., 242 Dining Hall

Women's soccer vs. East Tennessee State, 4 p.m., Greenwood Field

Sixth Annual S. D. Squibb Distinguished Lecture Series: "Life on Earth, Mars and Beyond," Dr. Richard N. Zare of Stanford University, 7:30 p.m., 125 Robinson Hall

Tuesday, September 16
Sixth Annual S. D. Squibb Distinguished Lecture Series: "Investigations of Chemical Reactions with Lasers," Dr. Richard N. Zare of Stanford University, 8 a.m., 125 Robinson Hall

Center for Teaching and Learning Drop-In, 8:30-10:30 a.m., Laurel Forum, Karpen Hall

Student Success Workshop: "Exam Preparation and Test-Taking," student panel, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Laurel Forum, Karpen Hall

Chancellor's Fourth Annual Appreciation Dinner, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Dining Hall. Free dinner and music by the Hula Cats.

UNCA Outdoors leave no trace clinic, 7 p.m., 107 Health & Fitness Center

Wednesday, September 17
Mind-Body Fitness Challenge: Medicine ball training, 12:15 p.m., 213 Health & Fitness Center

Hispanic Heritage Month: "Chilean Artists and Culture," Paola Pascual of Valparaiso, Chile, 6 p.m., Humanities Lecture Hall

UNCA Outdoors Everglades canoe adventure interest meeting, 7 p.m., 108 Health & Fitness Center

Astronomy viewing session, 8:30-9:30 p.m., Quad (weather permitting)

Thursday, September 18
Family Business Form Meeting: "The Heart of Leadership," Joe Judge of Staub Leadership, 8:30 a.m.-noon, Reuter Center. Call Rich Lasher at 251-6797 voice mail box 8003 to register.

Window on the Arts: Bluegrass performance by Ben Saylor, 12:15 p.m., Ramsey Library Glasshouse

N.C. Teachers' and State Retirement System information session, 2 p.m., Dining Hall. Questions? Call Lisa Honeycutt at 232-5114.

Faculty Senate meeting, 3:15 p.m., Red Oak Room, Ramsey Library

College Night, 6-9 p.m., Asheville Mall

Mind-Body Fitness Challenge: Medicine ball training, 6 p.m., 213 Health & Fitness Center

Friday, September 19
UNCA Outdoors weekend climbing trip. Call UNCA Outdoors Office at 232-5658 to register.

"Opening Doors to Teaching" workshop for high school juniors and seniors, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Laurel Forum, Karpen Hall. Questions? Call Teaching Fellows at 251-6864.

Founders Day/Family Weekend: Alumni Check-In, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Alumni Relations Office, 309 Owen Hall

Humanities 324: "The Industrial Revolution, Marxism and Liberalism," Dr. John McClain, 11 a.m., Humanities Lecture Hall

Humanities 414: "India After Independence," Dr. Keya Maitra, 11 a.m., Lipinsky Auditorium

Founders Day/Family Weekend: Birthday cake and music, noon, Reed Plaza

Founders Day/Family Weekend: Campus tour, 1:30 p.m., meet in front of Lipinsky Hall

Women's soccer vs. UNC Wilmington, 2 p.m., Greenwood Field

Men's soccer vs. Furman, 4 p.m., Greenwood Field

Founders Day/Family Weekend: Departmental alumni reunions, 4 p.m., various locations

Founders Day/Family Weekend: Family Weekend Check-In, 4:30-7 p.m., Reed Plaza

Founders Day/Family Weekend: Unveiling of former Chancellor Pasty Reed's portrait, 5 p.m., Blowers Gallery, Ramsey Library

Founders Day/Family Weekend: Founders Dinner, 6:30 p.m., Reuter Center, $20. Call Alumni Relations at 251-6512 for tickets.

Saturday, September 20
UNCA Outdoors weekend climbing trip. Call UNCA Outdoors Office at 232-5658 to register.

Founders Day/Family Weekend: Alumni Check-In, 9 a.m.-noon, Karpen Hall Lobby

Founders Day/Family Weekend: Family Weekend Check-In, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Reed Plaza

UNCA Outdoors caving trip to Poplar Cave, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., $25. Call UNCA Outdoors Office at 232-5658 to register.

Founders Day/Family Weekend: Faculty displays and presentations, 9:30 a.m.-noon, Karpen Hall Lobby

Founders Day/Family Weekend: "The Erosion of Diversity: World History Since 1945," Drs. William Spellman and Mark West, 9:30 a.m., Laurel Forum, Karpen Hall

Founders Day/Family Weekend: Bulldog Brunch, 10 a.m.-noon, Dining Hall, $4 or included in meal plan

Founders Day/Family Weekend: Career exploration seminar, 10 a.m.-noon, 136 Ramsey Library

Founders Day/Family Weekend: "The Poetry of Publishing," Dr. Grant Hardy, 10:30 a.m., Laurel Forum, Karpen Hall

Founders Day/Family Weekend: Management and accountancy alumni reception, 11 a.m., Owen Hall second floor lobby

Founders Day/Family Weekend: Sample Humanities lecture, 12:30 p.m., Humanities Lecture Hall

Founders Day/Family Weekend: Biltmore College/Asheville-Biltmore College reunion, 1 p.m., Private Dining Room, Dining Hall

Founders Day/Family Weekend: Departmental alumni reunions, 1:30 p.m., various locations

Founders Day/Family Weekend: Campus tour, 2:30 p.m., meet in front of Lipinsky Hall

Friends of Music reception and open house, 3 p.m., 018 Lipinsky Hall

Alumni Art Exhibition opening reception, 5:30 p.m., University Gallery, Owen Hall first floor

Founders Day/Family Weekend: An evening with mentalist Banacheck, 8 p.m., Lipinsky Auditorium

Founders Day/Family Weekend: Cosmic bowling, 10:30 p.m., Star Lanes, 1477 Patton Ave. (free to students only)

Sunday, September 21
UNCA Outdoors weekend climbing trip. Call UNCA Outdoors Office at 232-5658 to register.

Writers at Home: Readings by Jasmine Beach-Ferrara and Dannye Romine Powell, 3 p.m., Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe, 55 Haywood St.

Monday, September 22
Humanities 124: "China," Dr. Grant Hardy, 11 a.m., Humanities Lecture Hall

Humanities 214: "Medieval Art and Music," Connie Schrader, 11 a.m., Lipinsky Auditorium

Window on the Arts: Violin performance by Shane Ambro, 12:15 p.m., Ramsey Library Glasshouse

COMING UP

UNCA Knowledge Bowl
The UNCA Knowledge Bowl will be held on October 25 and November 1 in Karpen Hall. Area high school may now sign up teams. Winning teams receive a cash prize and the opportunity to move on to national competition. To volunteer or for more information about registering a team, call Special Academic Programs at 251-6558.

Campuswide Power Outage
A campuswide power outage has been scheduled for November 28 by Facilities Management in order to finish work on the new electrical switch gear. The work is part of the ongoing upgrade to the campus electrical distribution system. It is essential that the work be completed before onset of very cold weather. The outage will begin early in the morning and should be completed by 2 p.m., if problems do not arise. Questions? Call Lisa Belcher at 232-5031.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Asheville Theatre for Young Audiences Offers After-School Drama Classes
Asheville Theatre for Young Audiences (ATYA) will offer after-school drama classes September 22-November 14 for students in grades K-12. ATYA is sponsored by the Drama Department in cooperation with the N.C. Stage Company (NCSC). Classes will meet Mondays-Thursdays at UNCA and NCSC, located at 33 Haywood St. in downtown Asheville. Cost for the conservatory class is $200; all other classes are $80. A multiple-class discount is available. For more information, call Patricia Snoyer at 251-6940 or the Drama Department at 251-6610.

SAT Test Prep Class Offered
Registration is now open for a SAT college test prep class offered by Special Academic Programs beginning October 6. The class will be held on campus from 6-9 p.m. on October 6-8 and 13-15. Tuition is $275 and includes study materials. Registration deadline is September 24. Late registrations will be accepted from September 25-October 3 for an additional $10 fee. For more information or to request an application, call Special Academic Programs at 251-6558.

Required Teachers' Course Offered
Registration is now open for the fall session of Effective Teacher Training, a required course for teaching and substituting in some North Carolina public school systems, including Buncombe County and Asheville City public schools. The class is offered by Special Academic Programs and will meet in the Owen Conference Center. The class will meet from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on four consecutive Saturdays from October 18-November 8. Cost is $60 plus textbook, which is available at the UNCA bookstore. For more information or to request an application, call Special Academic Programs at 251-6558.

Leave Donations Needed
The shared leave committee is soliciting donations for Amy McDonald. Remember, leave can only be donated from vacation leave accounts. Donations or questions? Call Lisa Honeycutt at 232-5114.

Super Saturday Program Offers Super Classes for Kids
Gifted, creative and motivated 3rd-8th graders have an opportunity to explore dog obedience training, ancient Egyptian culture, veterinarian science and much more at the 17th annual Super Saturday Program beginning September 27. Some 28 unique courses are open for registration. Classes meet 9 a.m.-noon for six Saturdays between September 27 and November 8. Classes will not meet on October 18. Tuition is $55 per class; a special rate of $45 is available for children of UNCA employees. Deadline to apply is September 19. For information or to request an application, call Special Academic Programs at 251-6558.

Employment Opportunities
Click on the Human Resources job opportunities Web site for complete employment information. Questions? Call Joy Thurman at 251-6605.

Energy Tip
Based on the average use of a hair dryer for five minutes, the energy cost  is less than one cent. Questions? Call Lisa Belcher at 232-5031.

Safety Tip
In case of a small fire, always have hot pads and lids ready when cooking. Questions? Call Reggie Goble at 251-6038.

ART EXHIBITIONS

On view through September 17 at the University Gallery, first floor of Owen Hall: Annual Art Faculty Exhibition

On view through September 26 at the Center for Craft, Creativity & Design, 11 Broyles Rd., Hendersonville: Blue Ridge Potters and Weavers

On view through September 30 at Blowers Gallery, main floor of Ramsey Library: "Nature's Patchwork," fiber-art quilts by Kimberly Childs