“A Celebration of Learning” kicked off this week, in honor of the 15th annual faculty convocation and the inauguration of Dr. Shirley Raines. A schedule of campuswide events has been lined up in order to celebrate the inauguration of Dr. Raines as the eleventh president of The University of Memphis.
On Monday, Dr. Raines and the deans from the different colleges at The U of M, participated in the College Celebration Tour. The tour allowed the faculty to view presentations and displays of student work and faculty research. Every college at The U of M presented different displays that represented various themes associated with the “Celebration of Learning.”
The displays were presented to Dr. Raines and faculty members in the atrium of the Administration Building, the College of Communication and Fine Arts, the University Center and outside on the Alumni Mall. Each display demonstrated the concept of learning in many different forms, including photography, theater, music, and sculpture.
According to Moira Logan, the associate dean of the College of Communication of Fine Arts, all five departments associated with that particular college were represented during the Communication and Fine Arts presentation to Raines and the faculty.
“The communications department, the journalism department, department of theater and dance and the school of music showed something,” Logan said. “We wanted to show the variety of learning experiences that are available here at the College of Communication and Fine Arts.”
During the College of Communication and Fine Arts’ presentation, Dr. Raines and faculty were able to a view a five-minute film created by students, observe a student art exhibit, listen to a music composition by a music student, and witness a performance by dancers from the Theater and Dance department.
Logan believes that their demonstration gave the deans and Dr. Raines a little demonstration of what happens in their college on a day to day basis.
“Everybody was able to demonstrate a real diversity of the studies that are practiced. I think they got a real scope of what goes on here,” said Logan. “I think we created a nice fiesta. They saw how we work hard and have fun.”
Dr. John W. Schifani, the Dean of Education at the U of M, enjoyed his experience during the College Celebration Tour.
“It was very, very pleasant. I learned a lot about the different colleges and programs. It was interesting to become more familiar with what we do,” Schifani said. “Each college has its own uniqueness and its own story to tell. All in all, it came together as a unified presentation.”
“A Celebration of Learning” week continues on Tuesday with the faculty convocation and the inauguration of Dr. Raines. The ceremony will begin at 3 p.m. in the Rose Theater and conclude in the McWherter Library. The inaugural address will be delivered by Fred Smith, Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer of the FedEx Corporation.
On Wednesday, April 17, the Department of Physics will be presenting the three Ring Circus: Grand Finale at 4 p.m. in Manning Hall. Dr. Raines will be delivering a presidential address to Joint Session of the Faculty Senate, the Staff Senate, and the SGA on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. in the Fogelman Executive Center.
Friday, the Museum of fine Arts will have its opening night reception at 5 p.m. in the Art Museum. Spring Fest will take place on Saturday at 12 p.m. at the Alumni Mall. “A Celebration of Learning” week concludes on Sunday, April 21 with a one-woman show put on by Cybil Sheperd beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Big Red Theatre.
For a full schedule of the up-coming “Celebration of Learning” events, visit the information desk in the University Center.
