Celebrate Curiosity at SHOWCASE 2016

There are three classes of people: Those who see. Those who see when they are shown. Those who do not see.  —Leonardo da Vinci
Showcase-590 copy

Much like an Italian Renaissance, Stetson University Showcase is an annual occasion where diverse minds come together to present the fruits of their labor. Beginning in 1999, its focus has been on undergraduate research and creative arts and is open to all classes, academic disciplines and forms. The symposium will take place on Tues., Apr. 12, from 9 a.m. until the end of the day (classes will be cancelled in order to ensure attendance).

“Showcase is not about any one discipline, format or media,” explained Showcase Director Kimberly Reiter, Ph.D., associate professor of history at Stetson. “It is the creative and intellectual expression of many academic methodologies and philosophies all coming together in new and interdisciplinary approaches. However, I will never forget the Showcase a few years ago when Robert Apgar, Mayor of DeLand, officially declared that the day was recognized as Showcase Day. I still have the proclamation in my office.”

Eclectic presentations will be found across campus, catering to an audience of faculty, fellow students, community members and judges, for, in the vein of Greek play competitions, participating students will be striving for research awards that include a cash prize.

“Although competition can be healthy,” said Reiter, “Showcase reminds us that the chief value learned at a liberal arts university is intellectual advancement based in ethical research, student/mentor collaboration, interpretation and dissemination. In other words, learning and growing.”

The symposium will culminate in a banquet in the Stetson Room, second floor of the Carlton Union Building at 5:45 p.m., and will be followed at 6:15 p.m., by keynote speaker, and 2016 Grady Ballenger Lecturer Jennifer Blackmer. Blackmer is an award-winning playwright as well as associate professor of theater and director of Immersive Learning at Ball State University. Her talk, titled “All the World’s a Laboratory: What the Sciences and Humanities Can Learn from the Performing Arts,” will expound upon her work in collaborative playwriting with undergraduates. She will focus on the resulting findings in such science and history-based plays as The Human Faustus Project and Daughters of Trinity, along with exploring the deep connections between the scientific method, research in the humanities and the process of making art.

“The day feels like a kaleidoscope in terms of diversity, and that is part of the excitement. Faculty and students alike are in awe at the scope of such research. It’s true that the core of any university values system must be intellectual curiosity, and Showcase speaks to that,” said Reiter.

All events are open to the campus community and members of the public, free of charge. Students can also earn up to five cultural credits throughout the symposium by receiving program stamps at the presentations.

So don’t miss out; come to the Stetson Showcase and, as da Vinci put it, see when shown.

For further information on Stetson Showcase, please contact Reiter, chair of the Undergraduate Research Committee, at [email protected].

by George Salis