This is the second 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. Richard Chess

Richard Chess
Richard Chess is Professor of Literature and Language. His poetry is widely published in various literary journals and anthologies. Dr. Chess is also Director of the Center for Jewish Studies at UNCA. He has received numerous awards recognizing him for his outstanding teaching, including the 2002 North Carolina Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching. More than 100 of his poems and essays have been published.

Collections of his poems have been published in two books titled "Tekiah" and "Chair in the Desert." "Tekiah" is described as a book that will "amaze, challenge and console all those who seek in poetry the transfiguring articulation of our darkest problems." Dr. Chess is currently working on two new book-length manuscripts of poetry. He has received funding for his scholarly activities from the North Carolina Arts Council, the North Carolina Humanities Council, and the Blumenthal Foundation. In recognition of his accomplishments as a poet and a teacher, he has been invited to teach at prestigious conferences and graduate-level workshops throughout the country.

-- Dr. John Stevens

THIS WEEK

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

Hispanic Heritage Month: Salsa dance lessons, 7-8 p.m., Health & Fitness Center Dance Studio

Tuesday, September 23
ADAPT meeting, noon, Dining Hall

Student Success Workshop: "Perceptions: Psychological Disabilities," Drs. Heidi Kelley and Maggie Weshner, 12:30 p.m., Laurel Forum, Karpen Hall

Wednesday, September 24
Hippocrates Forum: Talk by James Peden and B.J. Causey of East Carolina University School of Medicine, noon, Red Oak Room, Ramsey Library

Mind-Body Fitness Challenge: Nutrition for Dummies, 12:15 p.m., 205 Health & Fitness Center

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

Thursday, September 25
Window on the Arts: Classical guitar performance by Shane Ambro, 12:15 p.m., Ramsey Library Glasshouse

"Painting, Politics and Pinochet: Art in Chile Under General Augusto Pinochet," Paola Pasqual of Chile's Open Sky Museum, 12:30 p.m., Laurel Forum, Karpen Hall

Mind-Body Fitness Challenge: Nutrition for Dummies, 6 p.m., 205 Health & Fitness Center

Friday, September 26
UNCA Outdoors white water kayaking weekend trip on the Nantahala River, Bryson City, $45. Questions? Call Chad Morgan at 251-6368.

Humanities 324: "Women and the Quest for Universal Suffrage," Dr. Sarah Judson, 11 a.m., Humanities Lecture Hall

Humanities 414: "Africa and Post-Colonial Experience," Dr. Bill Spellman, 11 a.m., Lipinsky Auditorium

Academic Affairs Forum: Talk by UNCA General Counsel Tom Lawton, 3:30 p.m., 006 Karpen Hall

Women's soccer vs. Coastal Carolina, 4 p.m., Greenwood Field

Volleyball vs. Liberty, 7 p.m., Justice Center

Saturday, September 27
UNCA Outdoors white water kayaking weekend trip on the Nantahala River, Bryson City

Volleyball vs. Birmingham Southern, 4 p.m., Justice Center

Sunday, September 28
UNCA Outdoors white water kayaking weekend trip on the Nantahala River, Bryson City

UNCA Outdoors horseback riding trip, $35. Questions? Call Chad Morgan at 251-6368.

Monday, September 29
Humanities 124: "Philosophy I," Dr. Merritt Moseley, 11 a.m., Humanities Lecture Hall

Humanities 214: "Late Medieval Transition, Medieval Women," Dr. Cynthia Ho, 11 a.m., Lipinsky Auditorium

Window on the Arts: Jazz performance by the Bryan White Duo, 12:15 p.m., Ramsey Library Glasshouse

GLBT Student Reception, 4:45-6 p.m., Laurel Forum, Karpen Hall

Art Exhibition Opening Reception: "FO CO," photographs by B.A. candidate Jesse Gumucio-Kitt, 5-7 p.m., Owen Hall second floor gallery

Hispanic Heritage Month: Salsa dance lessons, 7-8 p.m., Health & Fitness Center Dance Studio

COMING UP

Turtle Island String Quartet to Perform, Hold Workshops
The highly acclaimed Turtle Island String Quartet will present the jazz tribute "Blue in Green: The Legacy of Miles Davis" at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, in Lipinsky Auditorium. This concert will pay homage to Davis and explore the roots of his influences as well as the jazz classics that built his legendary recordings. Tickets are $6 for students, $12 for faculty/staff and $18 general admission. Tickets are available in the Student Activities Office, 226 Dining Hall. The group will also hold two music workshops while on campus. Questions? Call Student Activities at 232-5000.

TheatreUNCA Stages "Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean"
TheatreUNCA will stage "Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean" October 1-5, at Carol Belk Theatre. Curtain is 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday with a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee. Tickets for all performances are $10 general admission, $8 for senior citizens and $5 for students. Tickets may be ordered by phone by calling 232-2291 between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays after September 25. Tickets are also available at the box office 90 minutes before curtain and online. Questions? Call the Drama Department at 251-6610.

UNCA Knowledge Bowl
The UNCA Knowledge Bowl will be held on October 25 and November 1 in Karpen Hall. Area high schools 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

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

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.

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

Grounds Worker in Facilities Management and Planning
Starting Salary: $18,065-$18,418
Closing Date: September 25

Administrative Assistant II in Office of Sponsored Scholarships
Starting Salary: $31,500-$32,000
Closing Date: October 3

Energy Tip
Opening and closing an electric garage door 100 times costs about three cents. Questions? Call Lisa Belcher at 232-5031.

Safety Tip
To avoid hydroplaning while driving in the rain, keep your tires properly inflated, maintain good tire tread, drive slowly, and stay away from puddles. Questions? Call Reggie Goble at 251-6038.

ART EXHIBITIONS

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

On view through October 7 at the University Gallery, first floor of Owen Hall: Annual Alumni Exhibition