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| Ambassadors member drive
continues this week |
Jessica Sellers
Clubs | Organizations Beat
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The Appalachian
Student Ambassadors have served Appalachian State University for
25 years, and their excitement and dedication is still going strong
as they begin the membership drive for 2003.
This year’s theme is creating “A Future Worthy of Our
Past.”
“The main focus of this year is to get very qualified students,
who love ASU, to represent Appalachian State University on campus
and off,” said Adrienne M. Buchanon, vice-president and membership
chair for the Ambassadors.
Goals for the Ambassadors for the upcoming year will be to gain
new qualified members, to improve the quality of Appalachian and
to make the university a better place.
“We want to see where [those interested] are coming from. We
look for individuality and a true love for ASU, and we try to figure
out how they can best help the university,” said Alan F. Rasmussen,
who is in charge of membership publicity.
For students who are new to the university, there is a membership
education program that helps new Ambassadors learn more about the
campus and the community.
Being an Ambassador greatly impacts a person’s life.
“It has opened my doors tremendously. You definitely get a
good sense of feeling that you’re helping out the university,”
Rasmussen said.
“I’ve met some of the most amazing people. I’ve learned
my limits; I’ve learned my strengths and that ASU is truly
an amazing university,” said Buchanon.
The activities for last semester included the “Chancellor for
a Day” project and the canned food drive. Goals were not only
met, but surpassed.
The most tours in the history of the Ambassadors were conducted
last semester in October.
A contact table will be set up in W. H. Plemmons Student Union this
week from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
There is a mandatory membership information session Jan. 29 at 6:30
p.m. at the George M. Holmes Convocation Center in room 13 A-C.
Applications are due Jan. 31 by 5 p.m. at the University Visitors
Center.
For more information, or if you have questions, please contact Patrick
Setzer, at 262-2160, or by e-mail at setzerpk@appstate.edu. |
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| Aikido offers unique
outlet for ASU student goals, ambitions |
Jessica Sellers
Clubs | Organizations Beat
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Many students
at Appalachian State University are taking part in a little-known
activity called aikido.
Although aikido is a Japanese form of martial arts, it is far from
being competitive like karate or tae kwon do, two forms of martial
arts with which many people are familiar.
Participants in aikido learn and experience many things other than
self-defense. The primary purpose of aikido is to cleanse the mind,
encounter spiritual enlightenment and to improve physical health,
according to www.aikidoweb.com.
The art of aikido was developed in Japan by Morihei Ueshiba. The
two basic goals achieved through aikido are a commitment to peaceful
resolution of conflict and self-improvement.
Students who participate in the aikido club have their own personal
goals when it comes to what they want to get out of it.
“[I want] to gain more control over myself, my thoughts and
the way that I allow things to affect me,” said Jason W. Hoyle,
an Appalachian graduate student and current member of the club.
About 12 members are currently involved with the aikido club, which
has been an official club at Appalachian for 10 years.
“[Aikido is] a process of developing the mind, the body and
the spirit,” said Charles M. Kreszock, club advisor.
Last semester students in the club gained recognition. The United
States Aikido Federation tested club members, with several of them
receiving advancements in rank by demonstrating their abilities.
Currently the aikido club meets on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
in Varsity Gymnasium. Anyone is welcome to join. For more information,
call Charles Kreszock at 262-6156. |
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