MacArthur Campus Students Win Top Awards in 'Reality Bites' Competition

Nkaya Williams, a senior in the Wilkes Honors College won first place in "Reality Bites: The Real Corporate Experience," a reality television event that prepares FAU juniors, seniors and graduate students for employment. Her prizes included a Dell laptop computer, one year of career coaching, a business suit and professional image consulting.

Williams said, "In a fun-filled educational manner, the 'Reality Bites' competition provides all participants a competitive edge for entry into corporate America." Ellen Bentley, a senior pursuing a degree in criminal justice was a runner-up. She said, "This experience has opened my eyes to the real world and has better prepared me for what I will come across in my future endeavors."

To reach the finals, candidates had to excel in such events as resume writing, job search skills, proper business luncheon etiquette and business social skills. In the final competition, held at the Davie campus, contestants were videotaped as they participated in a business wardrobe shopping experience, business luncheon, company tour and job interviews.

Heather Burke-Sheridan, head of the Career Development Center on the MacArthur campus, said, "All of us at the Jupiter campus are especially proud to have had the winner and runner-up in this year's event. Both women performed extremely well, and I am confident they will both be successful in the future."

Upcoming Art Exhibits Feature Paintings, Collage and Cartoons

The MacArthur campus is home to a number of art spaces that host exhibitions throughout the year. The Student Resources (SR) building houses "Art in the Atrium." Two long walls provide ample space for large artworks. And the Library Gallery has a number of smaller spaces suitable for a variety of art media including sculpture.

A committee of students, faculty and staff coordinates the exhibitions. The group meets regularly to review proposals submitted by artists and arrange the schedule for shows and receptions. The fall season included Sara Fisher's "Translucent Luminous Paintings" in the Atrium and Katie Deits' photographic exhibit, "Around the Block…Around the World," in the library.

This month, a selection of Edna Hibel's floral works will be displayed in the Atrium in honor of her nine decades of painting. The spring semester offers:

• January-February – a joint exhibition in the atrium and library by Wendy Deschene, "WYSISYG (What You See is What You Get)" and "Simply Stated." The library will also feature a mixed media exhibition by Rosemarie Chiarlone.  
• March-May - Judith Rodman Flescher will exhibit paintings and collage in the atrium, while Ray Rusotto will show "Bocaratoons," cartoons from the Boca News, in the library.

The committee is planning a student/faculty/staff show in the atrium and library during the summer months. Be sure to take a look at the current show on your next visit to the campus. For submission guidelines, contact Terry Gearing at gearing@fau.edu or Dianne Arrieta at darrieta@fau.edu.