Campus and community briefs
Professor to speak on academic freedom
Utah State University professor William L. Furlong is slated to speak at the 29th annual “Last Lecture” Thursday at 12:30 p.m. in the Taggart Student Center Stevenson Ballroom.
Furlong, a professor in the political science department in the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, will present “Academic Freedom and Political Correctness: Teaching Controversial Topics Constructively.”
“Dr. Furlong was told to imagine that this lecture would be the last presentation given in his academic career,” said David Lancy, director of the Honors Program.
Sponsored by the Honors Program, the lecture allows Furlong to express what is most important to him before an audience of fellow faculty members and students. It also allows students in the Honors Program the opportunity to acknowledge and award the work of an outstanding professor. It is the only award given to a professor on campus chosen entirely by students.
Campus gears up for A-Day events Friday
The Utah State University blue light atop Old Main will light the night sky Friday to honor A-Day.
The Utah State Student Alumni Association (SAA) hosts A-Day every year, and students are invited to participate in several service projects and activities planned throughout the week.
On Wednesday, a longboarding competition will take place on Old Main Hill at 3 p.m. Students can register in the Taggart Student Center before the race or at the event. Prizes and food will be provided for all participants. Senior Send-Off is that evening from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Taggart Student Center. Entertainment, giveaways and food are all part of the event. Graduating seniors are admitted free, while others pay $5. Tickets are available at the Utah State Alumni House.
Lunch for the Bunch, with music provided by the Skinner Jazz Combo, will be offered to students on the TSC Patio Thursday from noon to 1:30 p.m. Service-minded students can work on a service project to help Habitat for Humanity during the lunch.
Students will celebrate A-Day on the Quad Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Booths featuring games, crafts and food will be on hand, as well as live entertainment and a parachute Ping-Pong drop. The Club A-Day Dance, with entertainment provided by DJ’s Sound it Out and Charlie Jarvis, begins at 9 p.m. in the TSC Sunburst Lounge. Tickets are available at the door and are $3. All proceeds collected throughout the week will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help Ashley, a 10-year-old Brigham City girl with Rett’s syndrome. The week ends with another Aggie tradition – at midnight sweethearts become “True Aggies” by kissing on the concrete block A.
All invited to plant a tree for Earth Day
The Utah Conservation Corps and Common Ground are sponsoring the annual Earth Day Tree Planting at Denzil Stewart Nature Park.
The event will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the park, 100 S. 800 East in Logan.
Plant a tree and enjoy Earth Day activities for kids, refreshments, music, information booths and more. For more information, contact the Utah Conservation Corps at 797-0964 ext. 2.
Dance Ensemble sets up for Friday night
The Valley Dance Ensemble is presenting its annual spring performance, “Translate: Life … experience … movement,” on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The community event will be held in the Ellen Eccles Theatre at 43 S. Main St. in Logan. Tickets can be purchased at the Eccles Theatre Box Office. Prices are $6 for students, $9 for adults and $25 for a family.
“Join Valley Dance Ensemble, Cache Valley’s community modern dance company, for an evening of dance that will take you on a journey of experiences from several generations translated through movement,” said Pat Terletzky, Valley Dance Ensemble Board chairwoman.