Peterson to present last lecture about arts
Tom C. Peterson will give the 27th annual Last Lecture at in an attempt to “open people’s eyes to the world around them,” he said.
His lecture will be Thursday at 12:30 in the Taggart Student Center Ballroom.
The title of his presentation is “If it Speaks to You, Listen. If it is Mute, Move On.”
Peterson said his goal is to help people understand that just enjoying art and design is beneficial.
“Art and design can be extraordinarily profound; they are imbued with great power. They can be advocates for political change or social welfare,” Peterson said. “We should not, however, overlook the fact that both art and design possess the unique potential to enrich our lives simply because they have the power to delight us.”
The program is sponsored by the Utah State University Honors department, and the speaker is nominated by students and then chosen by a panel of honors students, said Shalae Larsen, a senior in landscape architecture who was on the selections committee and took a class from Peterson.
Larsen said Last Lecture gives students the opportunity to recognize a professor who has contributed to USU over the years.
“It offers a ‘passing-on’ of knowledge, experience and advice from great thinkers and teachers,” Larsen said.
According to a press release, Last Lecture is an opportunity for the chosen professor to give what for him or her would be their last lecture to students and faculty peers.
Peterson, a Logan native, said he has taught at USU for 26 years and is currently a professor in the department of human environments.
Past awards include Family Life Teacher of the Year in 1999 and 2001, and Family Life Adviser of the Year in 1985, 1997 and 1998.
He said he was amazed when he found out he’d been chosen to give the lecture.
“I’m just amazed and honored. You always look at these people and go ‘Wow, they must be great teachers,’ and then there you are,” Peterson said.
Larsen said all three finalists were very qualified and it was a difficult decision, but Peterson was chosen because his views on art are unique.
“In this age of science and technology, of grades and all the utilitarian aspects of college life, Tom’s concept of art in everyday living invites us to slow down and appreciate our surroundings,” Larsen said.
Callie Taggert, a freshman majoring in public relations, said she nominated Peterson because of his teaching method.
“He has taught us that art exists to ‘entertain, edify and exalt’ (Goethe). But he doesn’t just teach by lecturing. He has taught me that ‘art is not just nice, it is necessary,'” according to Taggert’s nomination letter.
Taggert said Peterson makes a personal effort to help students both in their selected majors and in understanding art.
Peterson said his goal is to help people understand they don’t have to “get something” out of art to appreciate it.
“I want them to be aware of the world around them because it is really important to who they are,” Peterson said.
He said he will also discuss the importance of arts in education because of its importance in all areas of life.
“Art helps each individual to develop as a person,” Peterson said.
Larsen said she is looking forward to the presentation.
“I’m really excited to hear Tom’s lecture. I hope we have a good turnout. It will be a great opportunity to learn something new and hear one of USU’s great minds speak,” Larsen said.