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First copy free ROCK Volume 54 lssue 24 Majors on display for undecided students . J .%'* ft^te'******v Photo by George Hawkins Shanna Fountain, EXCEL Center academic advisor, left, announces a drawing while Philip Arias, right, waits to see if he won. Several drawings were held for prizes at the Mardi Gras of Majors held in the TLC on Tuesday. Leslie discusses love of research, activism By Kelly Williams Staff Writer kellyuwga@bellsouth.net West Georgia has another celebrity walking around campus. Junior Logan Leslie, chemistry major, was recently featured in USA Today. He was one of 20 students selected for the 2006 All- USA College Academic Second Team. Leslie has a long list of accomplishments that include the Goldwater Scholarship, the UWG Presidential Scholarship, and several other awards all while maintaining his 4.0 GPA. Leslie’s research started when he was in seventh grade. His teacher Mrs. Wynn introduced him to Dr. Andy Leavitt. Leslie said, “I thought it was neat. Starting that summer I worked five days a week for 10 weeks.” He continued this every summer up through college. j|l|k dleoroMtot^^BLj "The Student Voiee at the l nivcrsity of West since 1024" Leslie works with folding proteins. In layman’s terms it is research that could help repair lenses in eyes. When Leslie found out about USA Today’s feature on him, he was studying for a test. “It didn’t sink in until the next day. I realized I was ranked in the top 20- 40 students in America.” However, there is more to Leslie than his many accomplishments within the academic world. Leslie enjoys helping out at Carrollton Humane Society. There he acts as a liaison between the Human Society and several of the campus organizations getting volunteers to help socialize pets. Leslie has also helped at Mole Day. Mole Day is where students present scientific presentations to different high schools in the area. “We did different See LESUE. page 2 Prospects check out UWG Photo by Kristal Dixon Melissa Shaw, assisant director of the Office of Student Activities, talks to a girl and her mother about different clubs and organizations current UWG students have within their reach on campus during Preview Day. Preview Day gives prospective students and their families an opportunity to view different aspects of the UWG campus, including residence halls, student organizations, and different academic departments. By Mariam Abuhaideri Staff Writer mahuhaider@yahoo.com It was a day that provided a direction for students with undeclared majors and an opportunity for students with majors to explore other possibilities. The Mardi Gras of Majors was organized last Tuesday by the Excel Center for Academic Success. Major departments on campus set up booths to help direct and answer any questions that students would have about their respective departments. Although the fair was organized primarily for undeclared students, department representatives found students with declared majors inquiring about a second major, or changing their current area of study as well. Ashley Foster, an early childhood education major, was at the fair to look at something apart from the degree she is currently pursuing. “The festival was helpful. I found the answer I wanted. I was looking at perhaps changing my major to management,” she adds. The other purpose was to attract students to particular majors by sharing with and convincing students’ about future prospects of the major. Jeremiah Alberg, chair of the Philosophy Department, explained to a Mass Communications student, “The best preparation for a career in journalism is to also major in philosophy.” With Mardi Gras being the main theme of the event, a few employees of the Excel Center were sporting Mardi Gras beads. Professors from the different departments were subject to a variety of questions ranging from how classes of particular majors differ from the rest, advising, core curriculum, and requirements for certain majors. Some professors were surprised by the turnout of curious students. “The turn out has been strong. Students have inquired about differences between the general core classes and liberal arts core,” said Douglas Turner, associate professor of Management. Some of the departments represented at the Mardi Gras of majors were Mass Communication and Theater Arts, Department of Global Studies, History and. Mathematics. Other departments represented were Foreign Languages and Literature, Geosciences, economics, accounting and finance and English. The Departments of Student Development, Wednesday , March S. 2006 Career Services, and Honor’s College were present too. Students seemed satisfied at the service they received from the different departments. Jeffery Tucker said that all his questions were answered. “I stopped by tables of the history, psychology, foreign language, criminology, and study abroad departments all of which were pretty satisfying.” Jake Mathews, another student, said, “The information provided was helpful. I really hope they do this twice a semester.” Both Tucker and Mathews are freshmen with undeclared majors. Representatives also offered hope for concerns of visa and sponsorship for international students. “A career in accounting is quite promising and the demand for doctorate degrees in any area of business is rising substantially. A Ph.D. increases chances for an acceptance of a visa,” said Steve Salter, incoming chair of Accounting and Finance. The atmosphere seemed lively and most students were enthusiastic about the concept of the fair. All students and faculty members spoken to at the event suggested this festival be organized at least once during the spring and fall semester.