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"THAT'S INCREDIBLE" SERIES HAS SCIENCE FOCUS;
TOP SPEAKERS COMING TO CAMPUS FOR 2001-2002
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GREENSBORO--Science historian James Burke and psychiatrist-author Dr. Kay Jamison will be highlights of "That's Incredible: Science, Technology and Belief," a yearlong series of programs at UNCG that will examine the complex interaction of science and culture in the modern world.
Co-sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences Program Committee, the series opened with Andrea Barrett speaking as the featured author in this year's All Freshman Read. Approximately 300 freshmen at UNCG read her short story collection, "Ship Fever."
The annual Harriet Elliott Lecture will feature science historian James Burke, who hosted the popular television series "Connections," "Connections 2" and "The Day the Universe Changed." He will speak April 9, 2002. His best-selling books include "Connections," "The Knowledge Web" and "Circles."
Another series highlight will be the Feb. 5, 2002, address by psychiatrist-author Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison, who is a professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Her books include "Night Falls Fast: Understanding Suicide," "Touched by Fire: Manic-Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament" and her autobiographical "An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness." Her appearance will be sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs and the Office of Residence Life.
Barrett and Jamison are among 23 persons to be selected for the 2001 John D. and Catherine T. McArthur Foundation Fellowships. Jamison's citation credited her research on serious mood disorders that "have had a broad impact on mental health treatment," research and advocacy. MacArthur Fellowships, often referred to as the "genius fellowships," are valued at $500,000 and are paid out over five years with "no strings attached" to support the recipients' work. Barrett's award citation noted that her storytelling presents "a compelling literary vehicle for enhancing our appreciation of the intellectual complexities" of human endeavor.
The Weatherspoon Art Museum will sponsor a major exhibition, "Lab Results: Three Artists' Residencies in the Sciences," opening Jan. 14 and running through March. Two of the artists are working with UNCG professors. Bill Burns is working with Dr. Roy Stine , Department of Geography, and students to create a series of live projected images of ozone distribution superimposed on a geo-political map of the world. Russell Crotty is collaborating with Dr. Stephen Danford, Department of Physics and Astronomy, and students at the Three College Observatory to create new drawings of the heavens. Shannon Kennedy will work with a handful of UNCG scientists to study environmental health issues.
UNCG faculty members also will hold a series of lectures on how their own scholarly and creative work relates to the theme, running from mid-January through March.
"The selection of 'science' as our organizing theme for the year provides us with opportunities for exploring numerous topics and issues relating to science and society in the modern world, while showcasing the excellent science programs at UNCG," said Dr. Mary K. Sandford, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "While the natural and physical sciences can offer unique treatments of 'Science, Technology and Belief,' many other disciplines, such as psychology, religion, philosophy and anthropology, can all contribute to our understanding of the nature of science and scientific belief.
"It's clear, for example, that technology, or applied science, is transforming contemporary life, and it's relevant to ask to what extent technology has an impact on the quality of our lives. We hope that the community will join us for our 'That's Incredible' activities. Our intention is to create a community-wide dialogue which can promote a greater understanding of the impact that science and technology have on the modern world."
Several other programs are being planned for second semester at UNCG, Sandford said, noting that the state's budget uncertainties have made it difficult to have a full schedule of programs during first semester. "'That's Incredible' is ambitious in that it undertakes to examine some of the fundamental questions about science and technology," Sandford said. "We have an outstanding program and we hope that the community will join us."
"That's Incredible" is an example of UNCG's leadership as a community asset inside and outside the classroom. With particular strengths in education and the study of social issues, as well as science, performing arts and business, UNCG offers the community and surrounding areas an unparalleled combination of multidisciplinary resources suited to develop new knowledge, stimulating business and inspiring leadership.
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