On “Nutty” SC Politics

Note: This post was featured on JAMcArthur.com and has been reprinted here.

Despite the “nuttiness” of this election cycle, I cast my ballot in today’s South Carolina primary elections.

Each time I walk into the polling place in my precinct, I am reminded of the rights and privileges we have a citizens of a democratic state that allows us to select our representation for local, state, and national government. And, each time I go, I am reminded of the number of people who take this right for granted.

Conway Belangia, director of the Greenville County Election Commission, expected today’s voter turnout to be between 18 and 20 percent, as reported in the Greenville News (T. Smith, A1).  My hope, like Belangia’s, is that his estimate will prove to be remarkably low: proof that this citizenry feels empowered to be heard.

In the School of Communication at Queens University of Charlotte, our school’s mission is to prepare consumers and creators of communication messages to become engaged citizens, advocates and leaders in the communities they serve. Being an advocate and a leader in the community requires each of us to be a citizen of the community first.

I hope that, like my students, my peers are empowered to be citizens: to read and assess the messages sent out by political candidates and action groups, to critically evaluate those messages, and to make decisions about which causes move them to action.  On primary election day, candidates place themselves before the citizenry and make their causes known. Each of us may agree with some candidates and disagree with others. And, each of us has the right to voice that opinion.

Voting days cause us to become educated, to make decisions, and to act as members our communities. And, even though the leaders and advocates in politics can seem nutty at times, when it comes to elections, the true nuttiness can be seen in those who decline to participate as citizens.

A Lesson on Service

Note: This post was featured on JAMcArthur.com and has been reprinted here.

Being a professor, a teacher, is a vocation that I find inherently other-focused. Perhaps my view stems from my work at Queens University of Charlotte which, in both word and action, lives up to its motto: non ministrari sed ministrare (not to be served, but to serve). Or perhaps my view might be a result of my own values, my faith, or my sense of self. Or more likely, my outlook is a direct result of those teachers who have spent time building into my life.

Among these educators are talented professors, elementary school teachers, passionate friends, devoted parents, and a handful of mentors. These people have been, at times, counselors, friends, shepherds, guides, and directors that have driven me to twist and turn my way toward a vocation of giving. I have learned from them, and my subsequent honor is to pass that learning on to others.

I was overjoyed last weekend as I sat on the idyllic Queens University of Charlotte campus when the institution honored one of these mentors: Stuart Hunter. I watched and couldn’t help but to smile as this Queens alumna was awarded a doctorate of humane letters by her alma mater.

I am but one of the thousands of students whose life has been marked by Dr. Hunter. As Director of the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition, Stuart forged a national focus on the student transition from high school to college. Her work has impacted higher education in ways that few can claim.

My first teaching experience, in the University of South Carolina’s University 101 program, was a noteworthy one because I was privileged to teach alongside Stuart. As the graduate instructor for her class, I watched and learned from a true talent in the classroom. As she said in her acceptance remarks at Queens, Stuart has dedicated her life to “meeting and teaching students where they are.” And she truly does. I speak from experience. Stuart built into my life for a short season with a lasting impact, and I am a better teacher because of the impact that she had on me.

So, congratulations, Stuart! Your career continues to demonstrate a life of service to the profession and art of teaching. Your impact has been one of leadership and education by example. And, although I know you find yourself humbled to be honored as a Doctor of Humane Letters, we who have learned from you find your gracious and honest humility to be yet another lesson – a lesson of what it means to be a servant, a mentor, a teacher. Thank you.

Read the original article here.

new shirt for the new year

After being married to a wildcat for almost 5 years and finally becoming an unashamed UK Basketball fan, I made  a role-defining purchase on our most recent trip to Lexington: my first University of Kentucky t-shirt.

While some have mistaken this image as decade-old vintage wear from the year 2000 meltdown, all you NCAA basketball fans already know that this UK2K shirt commemorates the momentous occassion two weeks ago when UK edged out Chapel Hill as the first team to 2000 wins in program history.

With John Wall and Patrick Patterson on the team, now is a great time to join the Wildcat Nation. But, the thing I love the most about being a UK basketball fan is the history of the team. Everyone who pulls for Big Blue can name all of the teams past coaches, tell you why they have such a  love-hate relationship with Louisville coach Rick Pitino, and easily identify Ashley Judd in a “Where’s Waldo?” crowd of 24,000 at Rupp Arena (and that is quite a feat).

I’ve found that most Kentucky fans are never of the fair-weather variety. They have watched the program succeed and fail, but they demand success. Being a committed fan is something that agrees with me, and committing to an NCAA basketball team that often has televised games is an added bonus.

Disclaimer: This proclamation doesn’t change my love for Clemson, my loyalty to Furman, or even my nostalgia for South Carolina. And to my college roommate, who can’t believe this conversion, I say, “Well, at least you’re not a Duke fan.”

get a clue

In the tradition of Trunk-or-Treats at Grace Church, our community group embarked on a hair-raising adventure: A game of clue with the regular cast of characters. We are happy to say that we won the award for “most original display” this year. Check us out:

From left: 2 police investigators, Professor Plum, Mrs. Peacock, Col. Mustard, Ms. White, the detective, Miss Scarlett, and Mr. Green.

turtle tracks

When we arrived on the beach at DeBordieu last week, to the right of our beach access was an patch of sand surrounded by bright orange netting on PVC pipes., one of which bore a sign reading: “Loggerhead turtle nesting site – S.C.U.T.E.” Loggerhead nesting sites are becoming a more protected tourist attraction along the coast of South Carolina due to a large number of volunteers who give their time and energy to watch out for this endangered species. S.C.U.T.E. (what does this stand for?) is one such group, and the guardians of the nests on DeBordieu.

When Erin & I arrived, Jane & Heath let us know S.C.U.T.E. would be excavating part of this older nest to determine whether viable eggs and/or hatchlings were still present. The four of us made plans to attend with the rest of our squad (two daytrips guest authors  – Jessica BrightFlame and TP Snodgrass – and Eric).  Apparently this was a hot-ticket item for the weekend, because almost 200 people showed up to watch the event.

Paula, the S.C.U.T.E. spokeswoman, told us that this nest was one of three made by a single female turtle this summer, each nest laid two weeks apart with around 125 eggs in each. Researchers believe that, on average, only 1 female turtle  will survive at least a quarter-century so that she can return to the beach to lay eggs of her own. The few males that survive never return to shore.

As they dug, Paula informed us that over 50 of the eggs in this particular nest had already hatched and the hatchlings were hopefully out frolicking in the ocean. To our delight, a single hatchling was left in the nest – a late bloomer, and likely the last of this nest. S.C.U.T.E.’s important task was to let this baby seaturtle imprint on this beach and safely find its way to the water. At Paula’s direction, the two hundred onlookers formed two lines to cheer the turtle on as it made its way to sea.

Here it is after its long trip down the beach, just before it swam into the surf:

137

You might think that I was inspired by my neighbor Lucas Glover: a Greenville native, Clemson grad (in communication), and the current US Open Golf Champion. For the past month, every golf pro-shop in town bore signs congratulating Glover on his win and the city hosted a Lucas Glover celebration last Sunday. He’s a big deal, and maybe he did inspire me, but I think this was a long-time coming.

I took a golf class back in my days as a Carolina grad student and read the rules of the game, learned how to grip a club, and got to watch myself drive on video so that the golf pro could point out every imperfection in my swing. And then, I never played.

I borrowed my father-in-law’s golf clubs for about eight months last year, but failed to put them to good use. So, a few weeks ago, when Erin and I decided to take advantage of a “Sizzlin’ Summer Sale” to procure a set of clubs, we were both wondering what would actually happen.

My first round of 18 holes of golf this week went well. I hit a career-best (137) on the course at Pebble Creek, and I could not be more proud. I even jumped up and down at the 11th green when I sank a putt for a 7 (3-over par), much to the amusement of my friend Matt who graciously invited me to play and never became impatient. Incidentally, Matt also had a career-best for that course – 82 –  which I have now immortalized here in the pages of history.

So now I’m into the game and enjoying the fun of it, and I’m out to beat my career-best. Next time we head out for the course, Lucas, you’re welcome to come along and give me some pointers, or just enjoy the energy of a new golfer who is excited about the game.

5K, the first

Last night, I accomplished a goal that I have been working toward for a month. After I heard the shocking news that a friend of mine had a mild heart attack last month, I have been focusing on my health. I spring of 2008, I was playing tennis twice a week, but my level of physical activity has recently been limited to intensive gardening. So, I decided to set the goal for myself of running in a 5K event.

If you know me, you know that running has never been a passion of mine. It has never really been easy for me to motivate myself toward physical activity unless it had some sort of social benefit. However, this month I set out to reverse that mentality. With the goal of maintaining my health, I have a newfound interest in exercise. The change has been that I have been motivating myself to exercise as its own reward rather than trying to find another reward. But, I know myself well enough to know that that motivation still requires some sort of goal.

In May, I read about the Greenville Candlelight Charity 5K Run. Erin and I signed up for the event and recruited Jane and Heath to join in the fun, and I began training. In my first time out, I ran a quarter of a mile and then walked a mile, ran a quarter mile and walked the rest of the distance (total 3.1 miles).  My second time out that week, I ran farther; so I continued practicing the 5K distance 3 times a week. By my third week, I was able to comfortably jog the whole distance. I timed myself at 42 minutes and continued practicing. And last night, I ran my very first 5K. 

I clocked in at 31 minutes and 35  seconds, and I could not be more excited. After all, the goal is my health. Heath graciously maintained my pace and supported me alongside Erin (my top cheerleader) and Jane, who cheered us on as they participated in the 5K walk event, complete with matching accessories in the form of pink glow necklaces and bracelets.  

My goal now is to maintain a level of physical fitness that will allow me to continue to participate in 5K events, not for my time, but for my health. Be on the lookout for 5K, episode 2, coming soon…