A Bit of Dutch History

Travel study trips have an academic focus. Currently Vol State students are in the Netherlands studying Dutch and international law. However, there is plenty of time for students to immerse themselves in the history and culture of the country. Loretta Calvert, the coordinator of the paralegal studies program, shows a bit of what her students have been seeing:

My students at the Escher Museum which was the winter palace of the queen. Escher is a famous Dutch graphic artist who lived from 1898 to 1972. The art of M. C. Escher is by itself extremely impressive; however, the lighting above proved to be a wonderful surprise. In every room, there were chandeliers designed by Hans van Bentem from Rotterdam.

http://sharing.theflip.com/session/676815084c2f6a3a0f20999ba8e36d51/video/11504837

The Knights' Hall is used for meetings and conferences. and a special ceremony on Princes' Day. The opening of the Dutch Parliament occurs the third Tuesday in September. The queen arrives by a golden coach with footmen and delivers her speech from the throne shown in the video.

http://sharing.theflip.com/session/c65fe0a290191d7a97d4024dbf52a68f/video/11505110

We had a really active discussion with our guide about Dutch history, diplomatic relations, and the current crisis in the Dutch government. The Dutch involvement in assisting the U.S. and other countries in Afghanistan was the reason that the Dutch government recently failed and will have to hold new elections in September for the legislature.

-Loretta Calvert
Paralegal Studies

Study Break

Spring break is in full swing this week for Vol State students.

For some this means taking advantage of the extra time and forming study groups. In addition to working and catching up on some rest, this is how I’m spending my week.

As a current Vol State student myself, I think study groups can be very beneficial. It gives students a way to meet outside of the classroom in an environment that isn’t as intimidating as a classroom setting, with the possibility of making friends in the process of learning. Here is what a few other students have to say about study groups.

“I think it is important. The best way to learn something is to teach it, and it is easier to teach your peers than it is your teacher. It is intimidating if you teach your teacher,” said Journalism student Jamie Barto about study groups.

“If done properly it addresses all of the learning modalities because you are speaking, listening, teaching, etc,” said student Gary Parker.

Some may wonder why students would study over spring break. “It’s either this. Don’t study over spring break and fail, or study and pass,” Barto said. “I’m a non-traditional student. I look at school as a job. It’s my on the job training; I treat it as a job,” Parker added.

Julie Stewart said, “I think it is important to get the perspective from other people. I would say that reaching out to other people is the most important.”

My experience in a study group has been positive so far, and I would suggest at least trying it. The way I see it is I have to study anyway, why not do it in a group?

Volunteer State Community College

Vol State Students Visit the Netherlands

A visit to another country is a way to gain a new perspective. That's certainly the case for Vol State Paralegal Studies students this week. They're in the Netherlands studying Dutch and international law. Here is a report from Program Coordinator Loretta Calvert:

Some students are studying Intellectual Property issues here in the Netherlands such as what treaties impact copyright protected images and the licensing of trademark products which are imported to the U.S. Other students are looking at the laws dealing with prostitution and the tolerance of drug use. Does legalization minimize other crimes?

Yesterday, the group visited the Peace Palace with is part of the UN. The Peace Palace houses several international tribunals including the International Court of Justice. The Peace Palace was created primarily out of a donation from American Andrew Carnegie. Other countries donated items such as marble from Italy, stained glass from England, paintings from France, vases from China, statutes from Argentina.

One of the most exciting visits we did yesterday was to visit the International Criminal Court in the Hague where the trial of a war criminal is happening. We saw the portion of the case dealing with the defendant's argument. A witness for the defense now claims that the ICC investigators pushed him to testify about the enlisting of children in the military and were drunk the first time they met.

-Loretta Calvert, J.D.
Paralegal Program Coordinator

This is just one of several trips our students are taking this year. We have another group in Ireland as we speak, and they have an entirely different emphasis. More on that soon.

TCCAA Region VII tournament results

Vol State men and women’s basketball teams fought hard this weekend in the TCCAA regional tournament in Columbia.

The Lady Pioneers defeated Dyersburg State on Friday. They lost in the championship on Sunday 62-48 to Walters State.

The Pioneer men beat Motlow State on Thursday. They made their stand on Saturday versus Southwest Tennessee in a semifinal game. They lost that match up 100-81.

Congratulations to both teams.

Go Pioneers!

Basketball Tourney Update

Here's an update on the 2010 TCCAA Region VII Men’s & Women’s Basketball Tournaments at Columbia State Community College.

The Vol State Men’s Basketball Team won 81-76 against Motlow Thursday. They will play at 2 p.m. Saturday in the semi-finals.

The Vol State Women’s Basketball Team will play Dyersburg, Friday at 2 p.m.

Go Pioneers!

Cash Prizes for Public Speakers

If you are an excellent public speaker and could use some extra cash, the Hal R. Ramer Memorial Oratorical Contest is for you.

The first place winner will receive $100 cash, second place, $75, and third place, $50.

“We do it every year. It has been a tradition that has been going on at least 20 years. It is a student public speaking contest for all enrolled students,” said Leonard Assante, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication. Assante will be moderating the contest.

Students wishing to participate must be currently enrolled at Vol State, and must submit their topic of interest and outline by March 29.

“It is supposed to be a persuasive speech. We have celebrity judges that come in to judge the students,” said Assante.

The contest will be in the auditorium of Caudill Hall Monday April 5, from 12:15 pm. to 1:45 p.m.

For a copy of complete contest rules or additional information contact Dr. Judi Truitt, at 230-3781, or 230-3202.

Volunteer State Community College

Dr. Michael Dyson Speaks at Vol State

Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, speaker, author, and Professor of Sociology at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, spoke to Vol State on the subject of race titled “Obama: One Year Later” on Monday March 1^st.

“As a moderate democrat he sought to overcome some of the left over issues from the sixties. Barack Obama certainly wanted to find a way to link himself with the founding fathers as a black man. He wanted to be judged by the content of his character, not the color of his skin. He had to convince America that he was not obsessed with race,” said Dyson.

Dyson is a controversial speaker, and talked about issues that many people wouldn’t even think about unless they are African American. Dyson talked about scientists and how “some black folks don’t want to donate their organs.” He jokingly said, “Don’t take my heart! I’m still breathing!” He said that African Americans aren’t afraid of science, just some scientists. “Remember the Tuskegee Air Experiment? Can black people get the same treatment as animals?” he added.

Dyson said, “Rich, white people run America. We don’t speak our mind about how we feel about race issues. Mr. Obama knew he had to address this issue.”

Dyson went on to say that, “I don’t want white brothers and sisters to stop being white, black people to stop being black, Asians to stop being asian, etc. I want people to be who they are. Be accepting of who you are. When we look at race in America, I don’t want to live in a post-racial society, I want to live in a post-racism society. We have to accept who we are.”

Deondra Moore, student, said she thought his presentation was great and really enjoyed it. “I’m hoping that we can have a lot of speakers in the future.”

“It will definitely take some time,” Moore said of the challenges of racism. “As far as challenges racially at college, I haven’t run into any,” she added.

Moore is a light skinned African American woman and said she deals with racism due to the color of her skin. “It’s not so much white people. It’s black people that tease me about being light-skinned,” she said.

While the issue of racism is a touchy subject, it is still prevalent in America, even a year after Obama’s election into the presidency.

Volunteer State Community College