- Campaign: Geology professor starts scholarship
- WCU shoreline program opens coastal station at USC Beaufort
- "Blues Brothers Revival" set for Halloween night
- Concert/jam session series to kick off Nov. 6 at Mountain Heritage Center
- WCU's Rash wins Wolfe Award for short story collection 'Chemistry'
- Smothers Brothers coming to WCU for REACH benefit show Nov. 19
- WCU co-sponsors summit for instructional leaders
- Broadway's Adam Pascal to perform Nov. 13 at WCU
- Charges filed against two students in bear incident
- Tickets go on sale Nov. 4 for 2008 Madrigal Dinners
Presenting posters about the advancement of safety, health and environmental professionalism, the WCU seniors, all majoring in environmental health, placed first, second and third while competing against students from Clemson University and the University of Texas.
“The environmental health program is extremely proud of our students for their accomplishments in the ASSE research competition,” said Tracy Zontek, assistant professor in WCU’s environmental health program. “They were competing against graduate students from other universities, and their studies were both an accomplishment for the research itself and the service they provided to protect the members of our community from occupational hazards.”
Mark Salsbury of Highlands won first place at the conference, presenting “Assessment of Noise Exposure in a Commercial Cabinet Shop Finishing Room.” Salsbury graduated from Highlands High School in 1991, and he is the son of Cindee Salsbury.
“The environmental health program prepared me for this event in several ways,” said Salsbury. “I had already attended an ASSE conference as a field trip for my industrial hygiene class, so I had a good idea about the conference.”
Laura Litchfield took second place, presenting “Solvent Exposure of Cabinet Shop Workers in Highlands, N.C.” From Franklin, Litchfield graduated in 2005 from Franklin High School. Her parents are Delwin and Caroline Litchfield.
Carla Catalan of Clemmons claimed third place, presenting “Noise Exposure of Athletic Trainers and Fans at Western Carolina University.” Catalan graduated from West Forsyth High School in 2004, and she is the daughter of Maria Cabell.
“WCU’s environmental health program’s curriculum is challenging,” said Catalan. “It prepared me to conduct research, gather data and make recommendations. My professors didn’t treat me like a student. They treated me like a rising professional, and I was expected to act accordingly.”
For more information about WCU’s environmental health sciences program, contact Burt Ogle, associate professor and environmental health sciences program director, by phone at (828) 227-3517 or via e-mail at bogle@email.wcu.edu.
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Last modified: Friday, Oct. 17, 2008