2008 Woodie Awards
To Turn a New Leaf
James Rizor
Issue date: 9/18/06 Section: Life & Times
- Page 1 of 1
Rollins has begun a metamorphosis, casting away its tried and true conservative attitude. One can observe this not only in the class of 2010, but also in the upcoming curriculum change, occurring sometime in 2007.
Perhaps not as noticeable to the student body is the new influx of professors which will provide the catalyst for this transformation. Doctor Eric Smaw, a new professor specializing in the philosophy of law, epitomizes what the future holds for those attending Rollins.
If one is ever inside the French House lounge and hears the enchanting sound of blues infused with tribal melody, then he or she has already been informally introduced to Dr. Smaw by proxy of his exotic music. The quite intellectual "blue" notes of the trumpet, and the sharp energy filled snap of the tribal drums exemplify Rollins's new faculty member.
Having just finished a year of teaching and working on his book at the University of Massachusetts, how does one open up the minds of other Individuals? Of course a professor can always teach new material to his students, but that does not really differ from anything that the professors here at Rollins have already done. Dr. Smaw hopes to use Clubs and debates to liberate the minds of his students.
As the faculty advisor of a revamped Psychology Club and the newly established Amnesty International program on campus. Dr. Smaw plans on helping the Psychology Club in adding a debate team. For this year, the debates will only take place within the Rollins student body, discussing such issues as the gay marriage amendment that will be voted on in Florida this year.
In future years, though, Dr. Smaw hopes to make the debate team an intercollegiate activity and broaden the subject matter by adding philosophical debate. As for Amnesty International, Dr. Smaw has been looking forward to working with the students and helping them making it a success on campus.
Dr. Smaw's interest in Amnesty International stems from the work that he did with the program while he was a student in college. When asked what was the defining experience that got him involved with the organization, Dr. Smaw responded, "There was no defining experience." Rather his studies in college in unison with his politically active nature produced his interest in Amnesty International. It is only fitting that Dr. Smaw is now working on a book about the justification of human rights.
What ended up coercing a professor who spent time teaching at a university such as Massachusetts into coming to a small southern liberal arts college such as Rollins? The college won Dr. Smaw over, because of its faculty and students. Two very impressive aspects of Rollins according to Dr. Smaw were that, "[he] actually got to meet the students" and "[Dean Casey and other faculty] told me what they though was good about [Rollins] […] and what was bad."
Apparently a strong student body and the ability for the faculty to admit their failings really made an impression on Dr. Smaw. It is not often that a school's administration is willing to present it in a less than perfect light, but when they do, that statement really says something positive about the institution. Rollins is not afraid to hide anything about itself and for that reason it can attract a higher grade of professor, like Dr. Smaw.
Perhaps not as noticeable to the student body is the new influx of professors which will provide the catalyst for this transformation. Doctor Eric Smaw, a new professor specializing in the philosophy of law, epitomizes what the future holds for those attending Rollins.
If one is ever inside the French House lounge and hears the enchanting sound of blues infused with tribal melody, then he or she has already been informally introduced to Dr. Smaw by proxy of his exotic music. The quite intellectual "blue" notes of the trumpet, and the sharp energy filled snap of the tribal drums exemplify Rollins's new faculty member.
Having just finished a year of teaching and working on his book at the University of Massachusetts, how does one open up the minds of other Individuals? Of course a professor can always teach new material to his students, but that does not really differ from anything that the professors here at Rollins have already done. Dr. Smaw hopes to use Clubs and debates to liberate the minds of his students.
As the faculty advisor of a revamped Psychology Club and the newly established Amnesty International program on campus. Dr. Smaw plans on helping the Psychology Club in adding a debate team. For this year, the debates will only take place within the Rollins student body, discussing such issues as the gay marriage amendment that will be voted on in Florida this year.
In future years, though, Dr. Smaw hopes to make the debate team an intercollegiate activity and broaden the subject matter by adding philosophical debate. As for Amnesty International, Dr. Smaw has been looking forward to working with the students and helping them making it a success on campus.
Dr. Smaw's interest in Amnesty International stems from the work that he did with the program while he was a student in college. When asked what was the defining experience that got him involved with the organization, Dr. Smaw responded, "There was no defining experience." Rather his studies in college in unison with his politically active nature produced his interest in Amnesty International. It is only fitting that Dr. Smaw is now working on a book about the justification of human rights.
What ended up coercing a professor who spent time teaching at a university such as Massachusetts into coming to a small southern liberal arts college such as Rollins? The college won Dr. Smaw over, because of its faculty and students. Two very impressive aspects of Rollins according to Dr. Smaw were that, "[he] actually got to meet the students" and "[Dean Casey and other faculty] told me what they though was good about [Rollins] […] and what was bad."
Apparently a strong student body and the ability for the faculty to admit their failings really made an impression on Dr. Smaw. It is not often that a school's administration is willing to present it in a less than perfect light, but when they do, that statement really says something positive about the institution. Rollins is not afraid to hide anything about itself and for that reason it can attract a higher grade of professor, like Dr. Smaw.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Jennifer Queen
posted 9/22/06 @ 12:55 PM EST
While I am sure that Dr. Smaw is a great asset to the Philosophy Department and our campus as a whole and it is true that the Psychology Club is going through some changes, I can assure you that he is not the faculty advisor of the club. (Continued…)
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