Campus fosters community
Louise Elliot
Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: Culture
A book recently written by the University of the Ozarks President Dr. Rick Niece is igniting a conversation at UTC about how a campus can function as a community.
According to Niece's publicist, Corrine Licketto, "The Side-Yard Superhero" was inspired by a childhood friend who taught Niece that personal connections are important, even with people who society can sometimes overlook.
"He wrote the book to help people to find their own superhero," Licketto said.
A sense of community is already a goal on UTC's campus, Chuck Cantrell, vice chancellor of university relations, said.
"I think we do function as a community, whether we realize it or not," Cantrell said. "A college campus is a microcosm of a city, so that makes us our own community."
Cantrell said he believes it is the interaction with people that creates a community, and a college campus is a great place for interaction.
"The college experience is about the exchange of ideas, growth and the exposure to different types of
thinking," Cantrell added. "And you can't do that without interaction."
Andrew Clark, a Manchester, Tenn., junior and Student Government vice president, said he thinks a sense of community is what students will take away from their experience at UTC.
"Friends and a love for your university, those are both part of a community," Clark said. "Of course, college is what you make of it, and if you don't get involved, you won't feel like part of the community."
Clark said that even if it means simply going to an event to meet new people, it will help the entire campus for a closer community because students would be more connected and involved.
Laura Cagle, a Dandridge, Tenn., junior and student government association parliamentarian, said: "UTC has a great sense of community based on the amount of student involvement. There are a ton of campus organizations and SGA approves more and more every year."
Cagle added that UTC is a community because students care about being involved and faculty care about students.
"Faculty and staff really value our opinion," said Cagle. "And that creates a sense of connection."
According to Niece's publicist, Corrine Licketto, "The Side-Yard Superhero" was inspired by a childhood friend who taught Niece that personal connections are important, even with people who society can sometimes overlook.
"He wrote the book to help people to find their own superhero," Licketto said.
A sense of community is already a goal on UTC's campus, Chuck Cantrell, vice chancellor of university relations, said.
"I think we do function as a community, whether we realize it or not," Cantrell said. "A college campus is a microcosm of a city, so that makes us our own community."
Cantrell said he believes it is the interaction with people that creates a community, and a college campus is a great place for interaction.
"The college experience is about the exchange of ideas, growth and the exposure to different types of
thinking," Cantrell added. "And you can't do that without interaction."
Andrew Clark, a Manchester, Tenn., junior and Student Government vice president, said he thinks a sense of community is what students will take away from their experience at UTC.
"Friends and a love for your university, those are both part of a community," Clark said. "Of course, college is what you make of it, and if you don't get involved, you won't feel like part of the community."
Clark said that even if it means simply going to an event to meet new people, it will help the entire campus for a closer community because students would be more connected and involved.
Laura Cagle, a Dandridge, Tenn., junior and student government association parliamentarian, said: "UTC has a great sense of community based on the amount of student involvement. There are a ton of campus organizations and SGA approves more and more every year."
Cagle added that UTC is a community because students care about being involved and faculty care about students.
"Faculty and staff really value our opinion," said Cagle. "And that creates a sense of connection."
