2001
The Voice: Fall 2001
Campus Capsules
Artists visit
Levi O'bem Yakubu and his wife, Gnuemo, from Makurdi, Nigeria, spent a week
on campus as guests of the art department. Following a public reception in
the art gallery, they presented a public lecture on life and work in
Africa. In addition they gave a public demonstration of their batik work and
pottery, including raku firings.
On October 23, the Iowa State Court of Appeals met on Dordt’s campus.
The session, which meets at different locations around the state, is open to
the public. This fall’s event was arranged by Court of Appeals Judge Terry
Huitink and Lawyer Mike Jacobsma, an adjunct instructor at Dordt.
Visitors to Dordt’s website noticed a new look this summer. A major part
of the project was to separate the external site from the internal site
known on campus as DENIS. The site is now more usable for those
off campus who wish to get information about the college. Prospective students, alumni,
friends, parents, and employers will now have an easier time finding what they
are looking for, says Webmaster Brady Fopma.
Levi is the president of Dajo Pottery Ltd. in Makurdi, “the first marble-ceramic
table-ware manufacturers in Africa.”
During the session of the court, a three-judge panel heard both criminal and
civil cases. Pre-law students observed the proceedings and had lunch with the judges.
“The court system is a bit mysterious to some people,” says Jacobsma. “Most
people don’t know exactly what goes on.” The appeals court makes an effort
use its varied meeting locations to educate the public about its operations. Judges
welcome the opportunity to talk with students, and political studies professors and pre-law
students appreciate the opportunity to see the judicial system in process.
In addition to a new look, the site has a more consistent look
for all pages. Previously, some pages were maintained by department or staff members.
Now all information that appears on the external site goes through the public
relations office first.
Other features include a new virtual tour of campus, a better online calendar
for campus events, and a more regularly updated news and events page. Sports
information is updated daily.
Perhaps the most significant change internally is a new connection to the college
databases that allows the site to pull information more easily from these sources.
Changes are easier to make and should help keep information more current.
