Kourtney Brumfield

A celebration of scholarship and creativity took place last Friday morning in the University’s Wilson Library at the Faculty Research and Professional Activity Day. Michael Frantz, professor of mathematics, discussed his poster board titled, “A Perspective on Infinity: Anamorphism and Stereographic Projection” with Dan Campana, professor of philosophy and religion.

Jaclyn Gonzales
Staff Writer

More than 100 professors from various departments provided an opportunity for an informative glimpse as they presented their specialty to the students and colleagues in the annual Faculty Research and Professional Activity Day: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creativity that was held last Friday in the Wilson Library.

The event provided an opportunity for many professors from various departments to engage in conversations with their colleagues as info was spread on the tables and surrounding areas in a presentational layout that contained each professor’s specialty topic in their interest of study.

“The event is better this year,” said Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs Al Clark. “We have the Board of Trustees here and the number of people presenting is more than other years.”

Many were returning faculty who had attended this annual function before while others were new to the University and did not know what to expect.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before with the professors interacting with each other,” Yingxia Cao, research analyst for the office of institutional research said. “You can actually go up to the author, if they wrote a book, and have a conversation with them. It’s great to have an environment like this.”

Professors stood by their tables presenting visuals such as multimedia, posters, books and handouts.

Topics varied from “Psychologists’ Search for the Good Life” by Assistant Professor of Psychology Jerry Kernes to, “Compositions and Recording of Jazz, Latin and Piano Music” by Professor of Music Reed Gratz and “Ten Things Your Future Employer Wants to Make Sure you learned in Marketing” from Professor of Business Administration Janis Dietz, as well as many others topics.

The Microscopy and Imaging Center had a table where those involved set up a microscope.

“We want to provide high quality education in theory with a hands on experience,” said Jay Jones, professor of biology and biochemistry.

“We want to let people know our mission statement which is preparing students to improve the world,” he added.

Another professor who had a table was Kirsten Ogden, associate professor of English.

“The main thing I want people to get from this is: learn,” Ogden said. “It’s nice to see faculty and students getting into in depth conversations.

“There is also a lot of interdisciplinary work going on,” she added.

Many University students came in to support their professors, while other students wandered into the library without realizing there was an event happening.

“I came in to talk with my professor, Christine Broussard. She is presenting a poster that contained some of the data from her students,” biology student Joan Ordonez said. “It’s just cool to see this. Hopefully I can [help with the data] next year.”

Britney Conner, a psychology major, went into the library to study and was surprised by how crowded it was.

“I was looking at the psychology department section, it was interesting,” Conner said. “I like to learn about psychology research.”

The Faculty Research Committee, the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Provost’s Office and the Wilson Library sponsored the event.

The overall turn out was a success as observed by the comments and expressions by those who attended the event.

“I enjoy seeing what the faculty is engaged in,” said special projects manager Judy Stillwell of the office of academic affairs.

“We don’t realize what goes on the background, (when the professor prepare instruction),” she added.

Jaclyn Gonzales can be reached at jgonzales4@ulv.edu.