NORTH MANCHESTER - Manchester University offers more than a dozen presentations in its Values, Ideas and the Arts (VIA) series for spring 2024.
Presentations are at 11 a.m. Mondays in Wine Recital Hall on the North Manchester campus unless otherwise noted. They are free and open to the public.
• Jan. 29: President Stacy H. Young welcomes students back for spring semester.
• Feb. 5: Step Afrika! performs an array of traditional African and contemporary dances, integrating songs, storytelling, humor and audience participation.
• Feb. 12: Dr. Stacey Floyd-Thomas explores the meaning of the man, mission and movement of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in relationship to our troubled times.
• Feb. 19: This panel discussion, led by professor Dave McGrady, will address the challenges faced by conservatives on campus, the benefits of a politically diverse campus and how Manchester University can foster a climate that values the infinite worth of every individual.
• Feb. 26: Professor Jeff Osborne and students from Manchester's medical practicum in Guatemala share stories of resilience and cultural exchange and explore the impact of health care interventions in diverse settings.
• March 4: Drawing upon decades-long experience in military and police forces and his expertise in approaching organizational conflict, Al Bello provides tools to become a flexible and innovative leader.
• March 10: Symphony guest artist Filip Michalak will perform "Piano Concerto No. 1" by Johannes Brahms, "Royal Fireworks Overture" by George Frideric Handel and "Duo Ye" by contemporary Chinese composer Chen Yi. This performance is at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
• March 11: This panel, led by Professor Gabriela Ramalho Tafoya, will feature student members of Manchester's Model U.N. organization.
• March 25: Professor Jacob Mertens and students of the COMM 336 Video Games and Virtual Identities course discuss emergent trends in game studies.
• April 1: Chad Heck, a 2004 Manchester graduate, delves into the complexities of censorship, examining its impact on intellectual freedom and the broader societal implications of restricting access to information.
• April 8: Reflections from a panel of Manchester Honors students, facilitated by Dean Pam Haynes.
• April 15: This presentation from the Office of Advancement and students of the Advanced Public Relations course, led by Professor Tim McKenna-Buchanan, will explore topics of philanthropy education and the economics behind nonprofit organizations.
• April 22: As our society goes through the energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy, the paths ahead supply many interesting challenges and unique opportunities for Manchester's campus. Presentation led by Professor Jeff Osborne, with senior Sarah Eberly and Duke Energy.
• May 6: Baccalaureate, a reflective celebration of the Class of 2024, led by graduating seniors and featuring musical performances from student ensembles.
For more information about individual presentations, visit the website at www.manchester.edu/academics/VIA.