The Wesleyan community gathered to remember Dr. Del Carlson in Eggleston Commons on Jan. 30. Carlson lost his battle against kidney disease Dec. 24, 2001. In his opening remarks Chaplain Bob Chapman described the political science professor as a loving husband, a caring father, a proud grandfather, a demanding and dedicated teacher, and a churchman in the best sense of the word.
Those who knew him reminisced with laughter and tears about Carlson’s trademark tennis shoes, the fear of being called on first, the red-marked papers, and the numerous blue books used on his essays.
Adult Studies student Martha Burns recalled that all those blue books were supposed to produce an “Aha!” experience.
Bethany Webster, ‘02, joked that she still cringes when she remembers these words: “Take out a piece of paper! Pop quiz!” Carlson, a member of the Virginia Beach Democratic Party, loved politics in all forms from Plato and Aristotle to Clinton and Bush. He had a gift for spreading his enthusiasm for the subject to his students. “I was a good student,” said Dr. Matthew Franck, ‘80, “but he never let me think I couldn’t become a better one.” Twice winner of VWC’s Teacher of the Year award, Carlson taught “politics as an arena where principles matter,” Franck said. While several speakers mentioned how tough a teacher he was, Webster said he taught her “the value of what it means to be an independent thinker.”
Dr. Craig Wansink, VWC religious studies professor, was always amused by Carlson’s assertion that “the political science major is the most demanding major on campus.” While debating the issues, Carlson never hesitated to add humor to the class and was known for his quick wit. “Humor was meant to prevent mutiny in the classroom,” Burns said. The Honorable Deborah Paxson, ‘75, who served on the selection committee to hire Dr. Carlson, recalled that he “always had a smile on his face and the ‘I’m-ready-to-go-get-the-world’ attitude.” She said he was also a gentle and caring man, devoted to his students. “His teaching was animated by a passionate care for our future,” Franck said. “He shaped the course of my life more than anyone other than my parents.”
Jaye Koch, ‘82, remembered him as “someone I respected but didn’t fear, because he cared so much.” After teaching at VWC for 27 years, Carlson asked his former professor Dr. Dick Stevens, to teach three of his four classes last semester. Shirley Hurd Anderson, ‘91, recited a poem dedicated to Dr. Carlson, titled “Doctor.” It was written by Megan Maynard,’02, and will appear in the next issue of the VWC literary magazine. Paxson said, “We have not just lost a father or a husband or a teacher, but a great man who meant something to the community.” Webster recalled the words of Henry Brooks Adams to describe Carlson’s impact on her life: “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” Carlson’s impact will continue to be felt by all who knew him.
By BETH HARZOLD and BECKY SCHEELY
The new Jane P. Batten Center basketball court was dedicated to former VWC athletic director Don Forsyth Feb. 2. The ceremony took place at halftime during the men’s game facing Randolph Macon College.
Forsyth shared his elation over the new center.
“Thirteen years ago, when I was coaching soccer, we never dreamed this day would come,” he said.
Appointed in 1969, Forsyth was athletic director for 29 years. He was the primary architect of the athletic department, expanding it from five to 14 award-winning teams. He looks forward to many more opportunities for VWC with the opening of the new facilities. Now retired, Forsyth said it was “a real honor to be recognized in this beautiful facility.” Jane Batten, former chair of the board of trustees and a current board member, expressed her enthusiasm at having the $18.6 million center named after her. She said she cried when she was told. Batten’s husband Frank, who owns Landmark Communi-cations, donated $10 million for the construction. She described the dedication as an exciting event.
“Coach Forsyth was so touched,” she said. “We are proud to have his name on the court. He’s done so much for the school.” The Donald M. Forsyth Gymnasium was only one of the many highlights of the opening. The 36-foot climbing wall was open for learning and demonstration. The fitness facility offered fitness orientations throughout the day. Other activities included the Racquet Ball Challenge, the Turkey Bowl, a step class, kick boxing, yoga and wacky relays on the indoor running track. Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity ran a concession stand in the morning, while the hospitality suite, sponsored by Adidas, was open in the afternoon. Meanwhile, the eight-lane, 25-yard swimming pool was open for kayaking and scuba demonstrations, along with inner tube games and free swim. The Grand Opening of the Batten Center marks the beginning of a new and exciting era for the VWC community.
By COURTNEY COE
VWC tuition is increasing again, to $18,000, and room and board will rise to $5,950, for the 2002-2003 academic year. “The continued growth and development of the college is extremely exciting,” wrote President William T. Greer Jr. in a letter to students and parents, “but it does not come without cost.” There was a time when tuition did not increase. The 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 academic years did not see an increase. Tuition was set then at $13,400, with room and board at $5,750. Two immediately observable causes for the new charges are Clarke Hall and Jane P. Batten Center. Clarke was finished by fall of ‘98, and the Batten Center is in its first semester of operation.
The Batten Center was an $18.6 million project. Much of the money that went to the center — $10 million — was donated by Frank Batten; however, the operating costs of electricity and water, as well as 75 new student workers, four housekeepers and two physical plant employees, is expensive. “Insurance costs continue to rise,” said Dean of Students David Buckingham. “Utilities are especially high for the Batten Center.” The college hopes to turn a profit by letting basketball and wrestling camps use the facilities over the summer, when most students won’t be around. Already there’s a tentative list of what can be rented and for how much. Right now, there are three swim teams using the pool at $50 an hour. The climbing wall can also be rented by groups for the same rates.
“We are trying to generate as much revenue from the Batten Center as we can,” said Assistant Vice President for Finance Cary Sawyer, “but it didn’t affect the budget this year because we weren’t sure how much it would be.” Sawyer explained that while the college does hope to generate money, the Board of Trustees, which sets tuition every year, doesn’t want to assume that this will happen and does not want students to feel pushed aside by non-student groups. While the cost of tuition will never go down, because the cost of business continues to rise, Sawyer does not foresee the trend for tuition increase continuing over the 2003-2004 academic year. Buckingham and Sawyer felt the Batten Center to be a good investment, worth the tuition increase.
As Stephen Mansfield, Vice President for Academic Affairs, said, “We want to continue to add value to what the school has to offer. The enhancement of facilities have been genuine, but they come at a price.” The college isn’t leaving students high and dry. “As the budget increases,” Mansfield said, “so does the amount of money the college gives away.” On Feb. 5 the Office of Admission and Financial Aid released a memorandum that was put in every student’s mailbox explaining how this works. Basically, any funds a student receives through VWC increases by the same percentage that tuition does. For commuter students, the total increase is 9.09 percent. For residents, it is 7.16 percent.
Director of Financial Aid Deanie Hickman said that currently 80 to 85 percent of students are getting financial aid. “Very few end up paying the full tuition,” she said. Wesleyan gives approximately $5.7 million in financial aid to its students every year. “We work very hard to make sure every student goes through the financial aid process,” said Dean of Admissions Rick Hinshaw. Hickman and Hinshaw encourage students to seek out venues outside VWC for additional funds and to visit the financial aid office for help. Hinshaw pointed out, however, that a scholarship is not an entitlement. “It is earned,” he said. “It is not going to be guaranteed if the student doesn’t do their part.”