Monday, October 2, 2006, Issue 2
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Headline News

  

Top News

  

Fine Art Building construction underway, makeover to add much-needed space

by Courtney Bullard, co-news editor

Like the works of art created in it, the Fine Arts Building will soon be a masterpiece in itself.

Construction, now underway, will be divided into three phases.  The first phase will be on the west side, which is the back of the building. There they will add four art studios, including a stand-alone ceramics classroom, a stand-alone jewelry lab, a drawing and painting room, and a drawing and design room.  New men’s and women’s restrooms will be added, while a covered kiln yard will be constructed outdoors.  The choir room will be expanded into a rehearsal hall, and, storage will be added for the theatre.

“In the past, we had to teach so many different kinds of things in one space,” said Jon Johnson, chairman of the Fine Arts Department. “It would be like teaching history and in the same room bringing in an art class, and then bringing in a P.E. class after that.  Essentially, that’s the way we have been operating.”

The construction will not only separate the classrooms but also accommodate the growth of students in the future.

“We’re still operating in pretty much the space we operated in 1975,” Johnson said, “so we are really pleased about what the possibilities are in every area, particularly art, because it is so long over do. When the building was originally built, a big class in art was 10 people.  Most classrooms were designed for the maxim of 10 or 12 people.  Now we have 15 or 20 students,” added Mr. Johnson.

 “Just 10 years ago, there were offered an art appreciation class and two music appreciation classes.  This semester, here and at Reese, were offering six art appreciation classes and 11 music appreciation classes.”

The new classrooms will also allow many instructors to teach closer to their offices.

“A lot of the fine arts classes were up on the third floor of the Library, and we have a lot of faculty members going up there,” said Dr. Kelvin Sharp president of South Plains College. “By renovating this space, we are hoping that they will be able to stay down there with their offices.”

  

Sundre leaves retirement to serve as interim dean

by Isa Torres, staff writer

It didn’t take long to find the right person to take the place of Dr. Jay Driver as dean of arts and sciences, at least temporarily.

Dr. Orlo Sundre, who held that position more than 18 years ago, has returned to help fill the void. According to Dr. Sundre, even though he was retired, he kept in contact with many of his friends at SPC. 

Dr. Sundre was born in Mayville, North Dakota. He studied at Mayville State University, before obtaining his master’s degree and his doctorate at North Dakota University. He later worked at Eastern New Mexico University, before joining SPC to serve as the dean of arts and sciences in 1983.

After four years, he became the vice president for academic affairs. He asked to be reassigned to teach in the Math Department in 1992, before retiring three years later. 

Dr. Sundre is married and has two grown sons with careers. When he told his wife about the opportunity to come back to SPC, his wife said, “Go for it.”

 “I feel honored that I’ve been provided with this opportunity,” said Dr. Sundre.

 “SPC is a very special place for me.” 

Dr. Sundre added that he likes working at SPC, and for him to be back again is something really great.

 After 11 years of being retired, Dr. Sundre said he heard about the problem that Vice President Darrell Grimes and SPC President Dr. Kelvin Sharp were facing after Dr. Driver decided to return to the classroom.

“I’m pleased to be here,” said Dr. Sundre. “There are 11 departments in SPC, and out of those 11 departments, I know 10 of them.”

After hearing about what was going on, Dr. Sundre talked to Grimes and told him he was willing to work as an interim dean until they find someone else. 

Dr. Sundre said he hasn’t been here long enough to talk to the chairmen about projects to improve the departments.

“I still haven’t projected any changes,” said Dr. Sundre, “or long term goals.”

To Dr. Sundre, helping is the best thing he can do.


 
  
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