This is the 11th in the second series of informal profiles of UNCA's many noted faculty scholars. Written by John Stevens, chief research officer, 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. David Hopes

David Brendan Hopes
Professor of Literature and Language, David Hopes has immense artistic talents that explode on the page in the form of poetry, on the canvas and in the theatre as a playwright. David's poetry has been published in several books, including "A Sense of the Morning," "The Glacier's Daughters," and "A Childhood in the Milky Way," the later of which was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. His most recent book "Bird Songs of  the Mesozoic" is soon to be published. His poetry also appears in many publications including the New Yorker, Audubon, The Sun and Windhover.

In the past year, he has won several noteworthy playwriting prizes including "Abbott's Dance" (Siena Playwrights Prize Winner, 2003) and "Man in Flight" were both performed in New York, and "The Class of 1950" was premiered in Nashville at the Southern Playwrights Conference. A one-act called "Piss" appeared at the theater festival in Liverpool, England this fall and "7 Reece Mews" is due for a New York premiere in 2004.

David, in recent years, has spent a considerable amount of time in Ireland having gone there a dozen times. It is there he has been pursuing much of his canvas talents, in addition to writing.

-- John G. Stevens

THIS WEEK

Monday, December 1
Undergraduate Research: Spring research grant applications and proposals due

Humanities 124: "Buddhism," Dr. Grant Hardy, 11 a.m., Humanities Lecture Hall

Humanities 214: "Europe in Global Context," Dr. Bill Spellman, 11 a.m., Lipinsky Auditorium

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

Exploring Environmental Issues in WNC Lecture Series: "The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid: Dealing with a Rising Menace," Rusty Rhea of USDA Forest Service, 4 p.m., 228 Robinson Hall

Africana Studies Film Screening: "Daughters of the Dust," a feature film depicting Gullah culture on the South Carolina-Georgia Sea Islands, 7 p.m., Whitman Room, Ramsey Library

Tuesday, December 2
Tea Time Talk with art collector Scott Blackwell, 4 p.m., Center for Craft, Creativity & Design, 11 Broyles Rd., Hendersonville

"Catholicism 101," Father Frank Cancro of St. Eugene Church, 5:30-6:45 p.m., 206 Reuter Center 

"Cherokee Culture: The Trail of Tears, Native Language and History," Garfield Long of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians' Office of Cultural Resources, 6 p.m., Private Dining Room, Dining Hall

Wednesday, December 3
Hippocratic Forum: Presentation on the Pardee Hospital osteopathic residency training program, noon-1:30 p.m., Red Oak Room, Ramsey Library

Basketball Double Header vs. East Tennessee State: women's game at 5:30 p.m., men's game at 7:45 p.m., Justice Center, $6 

Analyzing Violence and Terror Lecture Series: "Responses to Terrorism and Civil Rights," Dr. Carmela Upright of Furman University, 7:30 p.m., Kellogg Center, 11 Broyles Rd., Hendersonville, $5

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

Thursday, December 4
Bookstore Holiday Sale, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Window on the Arts Series: Mountain roots-rock performance by Kristin Mills and Keturah Orr, 12:15 p.m., Ramsey Library Glasshouse

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

Taste of the Holidays -- Food for the Soul: Spiritual Traditions of the Winter Holidays, 3-6:30 p.m., Private Dining Room, Dining Hall

Taste of the Holidays -- Food for the Body: Meals from Various Winter Holidays, 5-7 p.m., Dining Hall, $5, free with five cans of food or included in meal plan

Humanities 214 Faire: A Medieval and Renaissance Celebration, 6-9:30 p.m., Laurel Forum, Karpen Hall

Art Exhibition Opening Reception: "Visualism," paintings by UNCA alumnus Mark McDiarmid, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Blowers Gallery, main floor of Ramsey Library

Jazz Ensemble Concert, 7:30 p.m., Lipinsky Auditorium, $5

Friday, December 5
Last day of classes

Humanities 324: "The New Physics in the Atomic Age," Grace Campbell, 11 a.m., Humanities Lecture Hall

Humanities 414: "Science, Human Values and Liberal Arts Education," Chancellor Mullen and Dr. Merritt Moseley, 11 a.m., Lipinsky Auditorium

Holiday Ceramics and Art Sale, 4:30-7 p.m., Owen Conference Center

Theatre Showcase featuring five one-act plays directed by UNCA students, 8 p.m., Carol Belk Theatre

Film Screening: "Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers," 9 p.m., Humanities Lecture Hall

Saturday, December 6
Holiday Ceramics and Art Sale, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Owen Conference Center

Theatre Showcase featuring three one-act plays directed by UNCA students, 8 p.m., Carol Belk Theatre

Film Screening: "Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers," 9 p.m., Humanities Lecture Hall

Sunday, December 7
Holiday Concert, 3 p.m., Lipinsky Auditorium, $5

Big Band Swing Dance, 7 p.m., Justice Center, $5

Monday, December 8
Finals begin

Art Exhibition Opening Reception: "Stratosphere," ceramics by B.F.A. candidate Kelsey Wheeler, 6-8 p.m., University Gallery, first floor of Owen Hall

Late Night Exam Breakfast, 8:15-10:45 p.m., Dining Hall. Call Jeremy Poore at 251-6700 to volunteer.

COMING UP

Chancellor's Holiday Open House
Chancellor and Mari Mullen will host a holiday open house from 3-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the Chancellor's Residence, 62 Macon Ave. Because parking is very limited at the residence, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to use the shuttle vans, which will make round trips from the Dining Hall to the residence. Please call 232-5112 to RSVP. Questions? Call the Chancellor's Office at 251-6500. 

Annual Holiday Luncheon
The annual UNCA Holiday Luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 15, in the Dining Hall. A free traditional holiday meal will be served to UNCA employees; a $5 fee will be applied to each guest. A highlight of the program will be the announcement of the 2003 Distinguished Staff Member of the Year. Please plan to bring new unwrapped mittens, hats and scarves to donate to Hearts with Hands Koats 4 Kids program. RSVP to Human Resources, CPO 1450 by Friday, Dec. 5.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Help Sodexho Fight Hunger
In an effort to help fight hunger in our community, Sodexho is sponsoring its annual "Caring Cans" food drive through December 5. Cans of non-perishable food may be dropped off in the Dining Hall for donation to local food banks. Diners who donate five cans will receive a free meal. On- and off-campus groups, clubs and scouting troups are also welcome to participate to earn free meals. Questions? Call Kristen Gibson at 251-6183.

WNC Weather Calendar Available for Reduced Rate
The 2004 WNC Weather Calendar, produced by the Atmospheric Sciences Department, is available to faculty and staff for the reduced rate of $3. To purchase a copy, stop by 236B Rhoades-Robinson Hall or mail your check made payable to "weather calendar" to Dr. Alex Huang, ATMS, CPO 2450.

Headwaters Seeking Submissions
Headwaters, UNCA's creative arts magazine, is accepting submissions of creative writing, art and music from faculty and staff until December 12. Submission forms are available online.

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

Program Assistant V in the National Environmental Modeling & Analysis Center
Starting salary: $15,914-$25,171 (30 hours per week)
Closing date: December 3

Program Assistant V in the Office of Sponsored Scholarship & Programs
Starting salary: $15,914-$25,171 (30 hours per week)
Closing date: December 3

Processing Assistant IV Office Manager in Auxiliary Services, Bookstore
Starting salary: $19,626-$24,000
Closing date: December 8

University Residence Administrator I in Housing & Residence Life
Starting salary: $22,037-$23,108
Closing date: 12/10/03

Energy Tip
Winter heating - use a humidifier to make the air feel warmer, and use a lower setting on your heater. Questions? Call Lisa Belcher at 232-5031.

Safety Tip
Stand away from people working with loud devices or wear hearing protection. If you have to shout over noise to be heard, the noise is probably damaging your hearing. Questions? Call Reggie Goble at 251-6038.

ART EXHIBITIONS

On view through December 4 at the University Gallery, first floor of Owen Hall: "The Veil," paintings by B.F.A. candidate Wil Medearis

On view through December 5 at the Center for Craft, Creativity & Design: (Folk) A.R.T. IS, work by self-taught artists from the collection of Scott Blackwell and the Immaculate Baking Company