MACON – Mercer University will hold its fourth annual Breakthroughs in Engagement, Arts and Research (BEAR) Day and 13th annual Engineering Expo April 10-11 to showcase over 150 outstanding undergraduate and graduate student research and special projects from the College of Liberal Arts, Stetson School of Business and Economics and the School of Engineering.
“BEAR Day gives our students the opportunity to showcase their learning that comes through some process of discovery – research projects, experiments, artworks, engagement and creative projects. Our planning committee is thoroughly impressed with the amazing range and quality of work that our students are doing,” said Dr. Paul Lewis, associate professor of Christianity in the College of Liberal Arts and chair of the College's Engaged Learning Committee that organizes the event along with the Provost's Office, undergraduate deans and University Libraries.
“The Expo presents the design skills and the creative energy of our outstanding students,” added Dr. Wade H. Shaw, dean and Kaolin Professor of Engineering.
This year's keynote address, “Protecting the Future from Ourselves: International Climate Negotiations at a Crossroads,” will take place April 10 at 6 p.m. in the Medical School Auditorium.It will be delivered by Mercer alumnus Andrew Light, CLA '89, an internationally recognized expert on the intersection of the scientific and moral dimensions of environmental policy, with a focus on terrestrial restoration ecology and urban ecology. He is author of over 85 scholarly articles and book chapters and has authored, co-authored and edited 17 books.
Light, professor of philosophy and public policy and director of the Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy at George Mason University, is currently on leave in order to serve as senior adviser to the special envoy on climate change for the U.S. Department of State. There, he works on the senior strategy team for the ongoing United Nations climate change negotiations, directs the U.S.-India Bilateral Climate Change Working Group and chairs the U.S. Interagency Working Group on Climate Change for the Post-2015 United Nations Development Agenda.
BEAR Day will feature 150 students and more than 100 presentations, while the Engineering Expo will feature more than 200 students and 60 design projects from senior design, freshman design, thesis research and the honors program. These poster and oral presentations and art displays will begin as early as 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 2:50 p.m. on April 11.
Additionally, the School of Engineering will hold its annual Freshman Design Competition, 9:30-11:30 a.m., in Hawkins Arena, and the University will hold its annual Honors Convocation at 4 p.m. in Willingham Auditorium to be followed by a reception on the historic Quad.
More information, including this year's program and full schedule of presentations is available at http://bearday.mercer.edu/.
