Milestones of Creative Thought theme of Academic Festival

A record number of students and presentations comprise the 14 ^th annual Skidmore College Academic Festival, scheduled Wednesday, May 2, on campus. 

With a theme of "Milestones of Creative Thought," the program begins at 9 a.m. and runs through 5 p.m. A total of 403 students will participate in 120 presentations over the day's 64 sessions. Skidmore's Honors Forum is sponsoring the event. Refreshments will be available at stations throughout campus during the day.

Professor of English Catherine Golden, director of the Honors Forum, explained that many students are presenting more than once, for example, some will present their senior capstone work and participate as well in a class exhibit.

The organizers have been challenged by the number of participants, but have managed to develop a schedule that accommodates everyone. Said Golden, "It is exciting how many students are participating and how many are presenting more than once. However, this has made scheduling a challenge.  Another challenge is organizing the schedule so students can present more than once, but I believe we have succeeded!  

She added, "More and more departments are involving their seniors in capstone presentations, and more and more classes are also putting on presentations as well. There are a number of plays, and exhibitions and posters. Clearly, this will be an exciting year, our biggest ever, and venues will extend from the Tang and the Pohndorff Room to the Spa and classrooms around campus.  I am excited that once again, my Victorian Illustrated Book Honors class will give a presentation about their exhibit, followed by a tea party in the Pohndorff Room--please come at 3 p.m. for this event."

Golden introduced two new initiatives this year--interdisciplinary roundtables and challenges. She said, "This year, in addition to individual presentations, panels, and poster sessions, we are offering interdisciplinary roundtables on three topics:   Visual Communication, Skidmore and the Saratoga Community, and Undergraduate Research. Each individual student will have seven minutes to present. Groups of two can have 10 minutes, and there is one group of four that has a bit more time. Once the presenters talk about the various ways they have been involved in the community, for example, ranging from Saratoga Reads! to environmental projects, there will be a general discussion. Students from all four years and from different disciplines are participating in these roundtables.  I encourage you to check out these three roundtables at 9 a.m. (two) and 1 p.m."

She added, "There also will be a few Academic Trivia Challenges. The newly formed Literary Society will have a session at noon, and those coming will form teams to answer questions ranging from Beowulf and Shakespeare to Harry Potter.  Amanda Ostrove '13 has been instrumental in this challenge and has worked closely with HF member Emily Reiser '14. Tim Nichols, the HF vice president, will be in charge of a Family Feud at the end of the day (3:45 p.m.). The purpose of this challenge is to guess not the right answer but the answer most Skidmore students think is right."

Golden offered advice for those attending the event. "I encourage faculty and students to move out of their comfort zones and attend sessions in disciplines they have not studied in yet or know much about.  The theme is Milestones of Creative Thought, and I am pleased to say creative milestones are happening all across the curriculum!  I plan to attend as many sessions as possible all day, and I hope students and faculty and staff and retirees will do the same."

Click here to see this year's program on line.