In an effort to more comprehensively tell the story of scholarship, research and creative endeavors at Eastern Kentucky University, Scholars Week this year will feature two new events focusing on faculty.
The fourth annual celebration includes a University Fellows Showcase on Monday, April 10, and a new Faculty Division in the University Presentation Showcase on Thursday, April 13. That’s in addition to the numerous usual events that spotlight the work of EKU’s best and brightest students. For a full calendar of events, visit ekuscholars.eku.edu.
The week also includes a juried student art exhibition, Honors thesis presentations, an alumni spotlight, induction ceremonies for Phi Kappa Phi and Alpha Lambda Delta, the launch of the 2017 Aurora Literary and Arts Journal, a diversity scholars panel, a dance theatre spring concert, a Noel Studio “Program Appreciation Night,” the presentation of African and African-American Writing Awards, the annual University Scholars Assembly and an Assurance of Learning Poster Showcase.
“We want to share all perspectives on how scholarship and research are produced,” said Dr. Russell Carpenter, executive director of the Noel Studio for Academic Creativity. “When we share our work, we also learn.”
The annual Scholars Assembly, on Friday, April 14, at 8:30 a.m., and most other events will take place in John Grant Crabbe Main Library.
The Alumni Spotlight, on Tuesday, April 11, features Adam MacPharlain, Class of 2005, curatorial assistant of fashion arts and textiles at the Cincinnati Art Museum; and James Pennington, Class of 2010, an associate attorney with Morgan, Collins & Yeast of Lexington, Kentucky. MacPharlain, who was an Honors Scholar, will discuss how his experiences at EKU and beyond shifted his career path from fashion design to fashion history. Pennington, a member of the mock trial team while at Eastern, will talk about his unique path as a non-traditional student and how his mock trial and co-op experiences prepared him for a successful law career. Their presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Allen Auditorium (Room 108) of the library, with a reception following at 6:30 on the first floor.
"We have so many reasons to be proud of both of these alumni,” Carpenter said. “If we can connect our current students to these speakers, it will answer a lot of questions for them and help them form other questions that can help guide their EKU journey.”
A Diversity Scholars Panel, on Wednesday, April 12, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in Allen Auditorium, will feature students sharing their perspectives on diversity and inclusivity as they relate to scholarly pursuits.
As many as 50 faculty members are expected to participate in the inaugural faculty division of the University Presentation Showcase, to be held on Thursday, April 13, from 3 to 5 p.m. on the first floor of the library. A record number of posters and creative projects are entered in the student division of the Showcase, to be presented on Friday, April 14, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on the first floor, followed by an awards presentation in Allen Auditorium.
Another new Scholars Week event, the University Fellows Showcase, on Monday, April 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Walnut Hall of the Keen Johnson Building, will feature the scholarship of a representative group of Fellows from a cross-section of campus. A reception will follow.
An Assurance of Learning Poster Showcase, 1-4 p.m. on Friday, April 14 on the first floor of the library, will help the campus to “think about how assessment practices are connected to scholarship goals, and provide another opportunity for programs to share best practices,” Carpenter said.
The first recipient of the Dr. Janna Vice Award for Student Scholarship will be recognized at the Noel Studio Program Appreciation Night, on Wednesday, April 12, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Noel Studio Greenhouse in the library. The award honors the University’s retiring provost, who has served as a faculty member and administrator at Eastern for the past 43 years.
All Scholars Week events are open to the entire University community and public and, except for the EKU Dance Theatre performances, are free. In addition to the website, you can follow on Twitter @EKUScholarsWeek.
The Encompass digital archive at encompass.eku.edu makes the scholarship, creativity, and history of EKU globally accessible.