MAY 2007 Volume XI, No. 5  

Homecoming 2007

P.A.W.S.

P.A.W.S. is an organization designed to help save and find homes for stray and abandoned animals in the Sumter community. It is through the efforts of P.A.W.S. that many animals are spayed and neutered thus helping control the pet population. The group was recognized specifically for their efforts during the past several years to raise money to help rescue approximately 25 to 36 stray dogs and cats in the community, have them spayed or neutered, vaccinated and ultimately, find homes for them.

This award is given to one student organization among the many located at the main campus as well as those student organizations at the senior and regional campuses of the University of South Carolina.

Fire Ants Need Booster Club

Summer Film Series

Documentaries will be screened every Monday night in June, beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the Bibliographic Instruction Room (122) of the Anderson Library. The events are free and open to the public.

June 4: Wordplay (2006, 85 min.) Patrick Creadon’s documentary explores the wide-ranging appeal of crossword puzzles, from the creation of the puzzles by New York Times crossword puzzle editor Will Shortz and others to celebrity enthusiasts, culminating in the highly competitive American Crossword Puzzle Tournament. Along the way, we will learn about the origins of this pastime, and we may possibly come to some resolution on the great pen vs. pencil debate.

June 11: Corridor of Shame: The Neglect of South Carolina’s Rural Schools (2005, 58 min.) Bud Ferillo’s moving documentary about rural public schools on the I-95 corridor in South Carolina features interviews with students, parents, teachers, and administrators of the most neglected educational institutions in the state. Ferillo shows how the decrepit state of these schools and the lack of adequate resources have a negative impact on those students in our state who are in most need of education. The screening of this film will be accompanied by an exhibit of photos taken by students in these schools. Filmmaker Bud Ferillo will be on hand after the screening to discuss the making of the movie and answer questions about the film.

June 18: Spellbound (2002, 97 min.) Filmmaker Jeff Blitz followed eight young students as they made their way from local spelling bees to the national finals in 1999 in this exciting, thoroughly entertaining documentary.

June 25: Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005) This Academy Award nominated documentary explores the causes and effects of the biggest corporate bankruptcy in US history. Enron prided itself on hiring the brightest minds and most creative talents, and the company benefited from unprecedented success. Through interviews with many of the major players, along with audio and video recordings from within the company, the filmmakers show how this apparently successful company was really a house of cards, with few in the company willing or able to raise warnings about the coming crisis. The filmmakers also deftly connect the Enron story to larger political, social, and moral issues in American culture. So, even if you think you know this story, there will be some things here that will surprise you.

Please contact Andrew Kunka (938-3718; or ajkunka@uscsumter.edu) for further information.

Employee News

Find out who’s coming and going at USC Sumter.

Four new employees were recently announced by Dr. Carpenter.

Admissions Counselor/Recruiter, Quiana' L. Anderson
Admissions Counselor/Recruiter, Alicia M. Curtis
Instructor of Theater and Speech in the Division of Arts and Letters, L. Hunter Boyle, Jr.
Instructor of English in the Division of Arts and Letters, James W. Borton

Congratulations! Associate Professor of History Dr. David F. Decker has been selected as the 2006-07 SGA Teacher of the Year at USC Sumter. Professor of Government and Philosophy Dr. John L. Safford has been selected as USC Sumter's nominee for the 2007 Governor's Professor of the Year competition.

Interesting Photo of the Month