Current Release: September 11th, 2007 | Vol. XXIV Iss. 10

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY DR. CLAY DREES

Students score big at regional history conference

By Margaret windley

mw777@verizon.net

Frederick Charles “Charlie” Swift, 56, is an award-winning writer of history. 

At the national honor society Phi Alpha Theta’s 2008 Virginia Regional Conference in March at Christopher Newport University, he was recognized with First Place for Undergraduate History in World History. In his paper, “St. Paul of Tarsus and St. Augustine of Hippo,” Swift explained that the two early fathers of the faith brought different backgrounds that affected Christianity.

Paul, a member of the Israelite tribe of Benjamin and native of modern Turkey, came from a Jewish background. He became a Christian shortly after the crucifixion of Jesus and is credited with writing several letters in the Christian New Testament.

St. Augustine of Hippo, a native of North Africa, was a convert from a Greek Neo-Platonic background. Living in the 4th – 5th century of the Christian era, he also developed important stances for the church in his “Confessions” and “The City of God.”

“My argument in this paper is that some of the Neo-Platonic philosophy carried over into Christianity,” said Swift, a senior in Wesleyan’s Adult Studies Program. “It’s still there in Christian doctrine today.”

In his presentation, Swift explained that according to the Neo-Platonists, the soul was in a process of becoming perfect on earth and would eventually be able to dwell with God. However, according to the Jews of Paul’s day, no one could ever be good enough without some sort of redemption.

Swift originally wrote the paper for a course last summer taught by Dr. Clay Drees on “Heresy and the Great European Witch Hunt.” The class examined the development of orthodox Christian beliefs and various heresies from the time of Jesus down to the early 1600s, as well as the Witch Hunts of Europe.

Swift is here for a career change. He was a professional photographer for 12 years and a computer technician for 18. But he felt unsatisfied. He talked with family and friends and decided on teaching.

“It’s something inside you — the teaching,” he said. “I decided to try it out.”

It has been a long, hard but satisfying trail. Currently Swift works by day in Wesleyan’s groundskeeping department, shaping hedges and cutting grass. By night he is a student. 

While making his decision to teach, he worked for two years with SECEP (Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs) as a teacher’s aide.

“I loved working with autistic students,” said Swift. “I worked with 7th grade social studies. Seventh grade is a very interesting age group. They are old enough to sit still, old enough to think about interesting questions. And they are at a very good, teachable age.”  

His educational background includes high school graduation and an associates’ degree from Tidewater Community College. He has been here for two or three years.

“He really jumped on it with both feet,” said Drees. “The level of the research and writing was very good. Charles went at it with a real resolve.”

Wesleyan student Brandan Adams, who also presented at the Phi Alpha Theta event, was pleased with Swift’s recognition.

“When going to this type of conference, you see such great academic scholarship,” she said. “It’s very competitive. I’m glad that VWC didn’t come home empty-handed.”

Wesleyan student Jennifer Brownell also received recognition at the conference. This was for second place undergraduate paper in European History.

Several members and supporters of Wesleyan’s Phi Alpha Theta chapter attended the conference to present papers or to support those who did.

 Wesleyan provides its Adult Studies Program as an educational opportunity for students over 23 years old who are working or who have other commitments. Classes are generally held one evening a week from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. or on weekends.