Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 9, 1995 TAG: 9503110031
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LUCY LEE SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
They also dismantled a few stereotypes.
The truck driver who delivered the 200-pound steel plates the students ordered was startled when they told him not to bother with unloading. "This is the first time I've had ladies unload my truck," he declared.
The "ladies" were enrolled in a short-term class called "Creating Bridges." Short term is a four-week period between semesters in which students focus on a single activity such as on-campus seminars, travel/study programs or internships with businesses or organizations.
Students working on the bridge selected materials, calculated quantities, checked out prices, placed orders, bought supplies and sought advice from workers in hardware stores and lumber yards. They poured concrete, cut lumber, drilled holes and attached steel and wood to concrete.
Handling the steel and lumber was one of the hardest parts of the job, according to Melissa Chris. Her teammates agreed, but quickly mentioned the weather as the other major challenge. On many days, they worked in below-freezing weather. To get relief from the cold, they formed small teams, alternating working outdoors and in the shop.
"Creating Bridges" was the brainchild of history Professor Andre Spies. A native of Norway, he enjoyed working outside in cold weather and thought it would be fun for the students. David Bell, grounds supervisor at Hollins, suggested a bridge as a campus need.
Anthropology lecturer Abigail E. Adams decided to team up with Spies because she'd always wanted to build something. She also enjoys academics in a different kind of setting. During the last short term, she designed and led a study tour of Guatemala.
In order to make the course "academically respectable," Spies and Adams selected five texts, ranging from Thoreau's "Walden" to Solzhenitsyn's "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich." They hoped that, through discussion of the books and keeping a journal, the students would discover yet another bridge - one between the humanities and the world of work.
At registration, "Creating Bridges" was the first course to fill up. When asked why they chose it, several students said they liked the idea of making something with their hands and of contributing something permanent to the college.
Melissa Chris, whose great-great-grandmother and great-great aunt attended Hollins, cited the appeal of tradition. "Maybe my great-grandchildren will come here one day and see my work," she said.
The challenge of doing something different also was a factor. "I just wanted to see if I could do it," said Leslie Woodmansee.
The project was launched with a groundbreaking ceremony and "a lot of slushing around in the mud." Students had two days to plan and organize the ceremony and to decide where and how big to dig the foundation holes. The result was a festive gathering of the Hollins community complete with music from the choir, hot drinks from the dining room staff and a speech by President Maggie O'Brien.
Early on, the students met with Michael O'Brien, associate professor and chairman of graduate studies in architecture at Virginia Tech. O'Brien suggested using a design of a bridge already on campus, so they would have a prototype. Throughout the construction process, Davy Whitmire, machinist at Hollins, and the grounds crew were invaluable resources.
To develop team-building and leadership skills and understand group dynamics, Carla Ponciroli, leadership development intern, designed problem-solving activities for the group. Sara Gooch said one of the best parts of the course was the bonding that occurred as the students and professors became a team.
Other benefits included a different perspective on manual work and respect for people who do it, self-confidence, pride, learning to mesh brains with brawn, and making new friends on campus and in the Roanoke community.
Would they do it again? A unanimous, "Yes!"
But, "preferably in warmer weather."
by CNB