Monks return to make another mandala at Randolph in Sept. 2013

A group of Tibetan Buddhist monks will return to Randolph College in September to construct a sacred sand mandala.

The monks from Tashi Kyil Monastery in Derha Dun, India, are on a tour of the United States. They visited Randolph on their tour in 2011. Suzanne Bessenger, assistant professor of religious studies, invited them back.

An opening ceremony will take place on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 12:45 p.m. in Houston Memorial Chapel, during which the monks will dedicate the space for the sacred artwork. The public is invited to watch them work daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.  On September 11, at 3:30 p.m., the monks will hold a closing ceremony in which they will destroy the mandala and disperse its colorful sand into a nearby creek.

“This is a great opportunity to witness an historic form of religious art,” said Bessenger. “I hope that Randolph students and Lynchburg area residents take advantage of the opportunity to come and watch Tibetan Buddhist art in action and to develop relationships with some wonderful people.”

A mandala is created by arranging grains of sand in an intricate pattern containing religious symbols. Bessenger said it has played a significant role in Buddhist thought and practice since at least the sixth century. Its significance in Hindu thought and practice dates earlier. “To be able to witness the evolution of the practice of the mandala art form, here in 21st century Lynchburg, Virginia, is a remarkable opportunity,” she said.

The monks will create an Avalokitesvara mandala representing the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Beginning in the 17th century, Tibetan Buddhists believed this deity incarnated as the Dalai Lama.

When they are not working on the mandala, the monks will offer several public events:

• Sunday, Sept. 8, 7 p.m.—Film screening of “The Cup,” a movie about young monks who manage to find a way to watch the World Cup finals at their monastery.  The monks will answer questions after the movie. Nichols Theatre, Student Center.
• Monday, Sept. 9, 7 p.m.— “Let’s Travel to Tibet,” a cultural program that will include a yak dance, a re-enactment of the story of Tibetan holy man Milarepa, and a debate demonstration. Attendees will receive a guidebook with Tibetan phrases. Houston Memorial Chapel

Like this video? Watch highlights from the 2011 mandala opening ceremony.

Also, Bessenger will present a lecture, “Do Nuns Make Mandalas?” on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m. in Houston Memorial Chapel.

Since the monks will be staying in the residence halls, students will be able to meet and personally interact with them during their visit.

“Randolph students will get to live, eat, and work with Tibetan monks for five days, all without leaving their college campus.  It is a tremendous educational opportunity,” said Bessenger.

“Normally when I teach Buddhism to Randolph students, I use books and other forms of media, which is fine.  It is another thing entirely, however, to be able to live with practicing Tibetan monks, to talk with them about their work, to share meals with them,” she added.

Professors present honor code and academic integrity research at national conference

Two Randolph psychology professors recently presented their research on honor codes, cheating, and academic integrity to a standing-room-only audience at a national conference in Hawaii.

Beth Schwartz and Holly Tatum organized the symposium “Why Do Students Cheat: Investigations of Academic Integrity in the Classroom” for the American Psychological Association annual conference this month. The research brought together several scholars who investigate the motivations for cheating and methods for preventing cheating.

“It’s always really exciting when people are that interested,” Tatum said. “I was glad they were there trying to figure out which parts of our research they can use to prevent cheating.”

Schwartz, the Catherine Ehrman Thoresen '23 and William E. Thoresen Professor of Psychology and assistant dean of the College, and Tatum began a research project on academic integrity about two years ago. With the help of Megan Hageman ’13, they investigated the way students’ understanding of academic integrity is affected by an honor code.

“A lot of people look at cheating and what causes cheating,” Schwartz said. “We wanted to look at ways of preventing cheating.”

“Our focus has been more on integrity,” Tatum added.

Their research, which will be published in the journal Ethics and Behavior this fall, found that in small liberal arts colleges, a traditional honor code—under which students feel a responsibility toward the honor code and run the judicial system responding to violations—is more effective at promoting academic honesty than a modified honor code, such as one with a faculty-run judicial process.

Randolph’s Honor Code, overseen by a student judiciary committee and with perks like unproctored, self-scheduled exams, follows the traditional model.

Last year, Hageman expanded the research to look at the way an institution’s size might affect students’ understanding of integrity and cheating. Elizabeth van Noppen ’14 is continuing that research this year.

Schwartz and Tatum organized the symposium at the APA conference to share their findings and collaborate with more professors. They invited Eric Anderman of The Ohio State University, who spoke at Randolph College earlier this year, and David Rettinger of the University of Mary Washington, to present research that complemented their own.

The professors are still receiving feedback from people who attended the symposium. Many have questions about promoting academic integrity.

Tatum said that Hageman’s contributions were crucial to the success of this research and the symposium. “She was involved at every stage in the research,” she said. “She managed the data collection, which was good experience for her and allowed us to do the research.”

In addition to sponsoring the symposium, Schwartz was voted as the vice president for recognitions and awards in the Society for the Teaching of Psychology, a division of the APA.

Largest first-year class in decades moves in at Randolph College

New first-year Randolph College students arrived on campus today and began moving into the residence halls. They had plenty of assistance from returning students, faculty and staff, and even Randolph College's president, Bradley W. Bateman.

The Class of 2017 includes 220 students, making it the largest first-year class the College has had in 28 years. Learn more about the incoming class in this news release.

You can see pictures from the move-in here on our Facebook page, and be sure to check out our video about moving in the new class as well as this story by local television station WSET.

Local mentors meet Randolph science students

Participants in Randolph College’s summer program for first-year science, math, and engineering students recently met mentors who will provide advice and direction as the students advance through science programs and pursue careers.

Genevieve Neale '93, right, talks with Anthony Quinn '17, a student she will mentor
as part of the SUPER program for students interested in science careers.

The students and mentors held their first meeting at lunch on Monday. They will continue to meet throughout the academic year so the mentors can help the guide the students toward their goals.

Mentorship is an important part of Step Up to Physical Science and Engineering at Randolph (SUPER), a program funded by the National Science Foundation. The program aims to help students excel in science and engineering curricula and pursue crucial careers.

Kelly Hazlegrove, an environmental scientist at the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, said she enjoyed the opportunity to meet the SUPER student she will mentor. She added that she sees this as an opportunity to help students turn an interest in science into a life direction. “At that age, they might not be aware of the career paths available to them. This will open doors for them,” Hazlegrove said. “The mentoring can help guide them in their studies.”

Sienna Brown '17 talks with her mentor in the SUPER program.

Three alumnae of the College are serving as mentors for the students: Rebecca VanWitzenburg Skeen ’05, a research and development chemist at C.B. Fleet; Ruth Herbert Maragni ’80, a registered nurse and human resources official for Centra Health; and Genevieve Neale ’93, owner and veterinarian for Paw Prints Mobile Medicine for Pets.

“We have matched each SUPER student with an industry professional who works in a career in which the student is interested,” said Peter Sheldon, a Randolph physics professor who directs the SUPER program. “We expect that the mentors will become a friend, a guide, and a resource that will help our students find their way to their passion. We expect that these mentoring relationships will aid our students in finding their career path, will help to provide them with meaningful internships, and will ultimately lead to a career in science.”

Student paint crew gives fresh look to many parts of campus

Many classrooms, offices, and residence halls received a new look this summer with the help of more than a dozen students and a recent graduate.

The student paint crew completed 34 projects this summer, according to John Leary, Randolph’s maintenance supervisor. The projects included classrooms, all of Webb Hall’s living spaces, the Office of the President, the registrar’s office, the Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College, and the Health Center.

Four student team leaders—Ben See ’13, Olivia Johnson ’14, Ashlie Hughes ’15, and Babatunde Ajao ’15—helped Deck Davidson, the College’s painter, complete the projects successfully by guiding the newer painters on the team.

Their work has caught the attention of many faculty and staff members. “I, along with others throughout campus, are proud of their work, their enthusiasm, the teamwork exhibited, and the great leadership shown by the team leaders on the crew,” said Mitch Wesolowski, interim vice president for finance and administration. “They were excellent!”

New activities coordinator brings experience in helping students succeed

Nick Spicer admits that his transition to college was bumpier than it should have been, and as a freshman at Hood College in Maryland, his grades dipped so low he had to sit out a season of lacrosse. Once he mastered time management skills and secured a solid GPA, he set out to help other new students do the same.

“I helped start a peer mentoring program for student-athletes to bridge the transition between high school and college,” said Spicer. “That program was wildly successful. It drastically cut down on the number of ineligible athletes and students who were on academic probation.”

Seeing the success of that program helped Spicer decide to pursue a career that focuses on helping college students be successful. This summer, he became Randolph’s new coordinator of student activities. He will advise the Macon Activities Council, manage the Student Center, coordinate some aspects of the intramural sports program, and help organize and promote activities that keep campus life fun and exciting.

Spicer majored in law and society at Hood. At first he considered going to law school, but his experience working with other students helped him realize he would find a student affairs career more fulfilling. In addition to starting the peer mentoring program, he served as an orientation leader and a member of the campus activities board at Hood.

He went on to earn a master of education degree in student affairs at the University of Virginia, where he also served in the office of orientation and new student programs. Working in a transfer student advisory program, a peer theatre program in which continuing students used skits to welcome new students, and with other aspects of orientation confirmed Spicer’s career direction.

Shortly after completing his degree, Spicer learned about an opening at Randolph created when Amanda Denny was promoted to director of leadership and engagement. “It didn’t take long for me to like the surroundings on campus and the students,” Spicer said.

Since joining Randolph this summer, Spicer has been preparing for events on the fall schedule, which include tubing on Sept. 14, a Great Gatsby-themed dance party on Oct. 12, the comedian Adam Grabowski on Oct. 16, and “Randolph Idol” on Nov. 18.

“I hope to provide a forum for students to get involved somehow,” he said. “Even if they just show up to a dance or a party, that’s one way they can become involved. The more involved you are, the more likely you are to feel a connection to other students and to Randolph.”

Randolph will participate in College Colors Day

Get ready to don your black and yellow to show everyone your pride in graduating from Randolph College or Randolph-Macon Woman’s College.

August 30 is College Colors Day, “an annual celebration dedicated to promoting the traditions and spirit that make the college experience great by encouraging people across America to wear apparel of their favorite college or university throughout the day.” College Colors Day has been organized since 2005, and many organizations and colleges encourage participation.

The College not only wants you to participate, but we also want you to show off that school pride. On August 30, snap a picture of yourself wearing black and yellow at work, at your current school, at the pool or the park, or wherever you happen to be. Then share your photo on the Randolph College Facebook page.

We would also love for you to join Wanda WildCat and the whole College community at City Stadium that evening for Randolph College Night with the Lynchburg Hillcats. Your Randolph gear will get you into the baseball game for a discounted $3. Don’t miss the first pitch thrown by Randolph President Bradley W. Bateman, the National Anthem performed by Touch of Harmony, and lots of other fun activities with the Randolph community.