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For more information, contact Barb Steadman - 843.857.4199

HARTSVILLE, S.C. – March 21, 2012 – Continuing a tradition that began during President Robert Wyatt’s inauguration as the 16th president of Coker College, Coker will host a campus-wide Celebration of Academics Monday, April 9, through Friday, April 13.

“These celebrations have been enthusiastically embraced by students and faculty and by our neighbors throughout the region,” said Wyatt.  “In fact, the overwhelming success of last year’s celebration has prompted this year’s organizers to extend the event from three days to five.”

According to Professor of Political Science and Philosophy Jim Lemke, who headed planning for the inauguration as well as for the now annual Celebration of Academics, it just wasn’t possible to present even a cursory introduction to the many intriguing projects and programs students and faculty are exploring at Coker this year within the three days originally allotted for the event.

“One of the most satisfying lessons we’ve learned in putting together this year’s program is that the volume of individual and collaborative projects we are undertaking is exploding,” said Lemke.  “From computer science to life science, from American literature to international studies, Coker students are involved and deeply engaged in scholarly inquiry in ways I’ve not seen for a number of years.  This will be a Celebration well worth celebrating.”

With last year’s program, organizers decided that the theme of the annual celebration would be “What Box?,” a phrase intended to convey the idea that education – effective education – is not confined to the classroom but is incorporated into all aspects of the student experience. This year, the “What Box?” theme means significantly more.  It also reflects the fact that the activities of a robust academic community do and should press the boundaries of conventional beliefs and expectations.

“In light of the expanded program in 2012, we are especially grateful for the financial support of Wells Fargo, which, this year, became the sole corporate sponsor of the Celebration of Academics,” said Lemke.

Among the many presentations in this year’s Celebration are the final presentation of the College’s 2012 Last Lecture Series by retiring Professor of Geology Fred Edinger, dozens of poster presentations of student research and service-learning projects, 20 presentations of student-faculty research projects, and a special presentation about PULSE (a local education initiative supported by Sonoco).

The popular, culminating presentation of Coker’s annual Performing Arts Showcase will be performed twice this year.  The first showing, on Wednesday evening is intended, primarily for faculty, staff and students.  A second presentation has been scheduled on Friday evening in response to broad interest expressed by residents from Hartsville and surrounding communities and by alumni who are returning to campus for Saturday’s Alumni Day activities.

The following events of the Celebration of Academics are free and open to the public:

Monday, April 9

Student Research Symposium, Library, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
(students will offer oral presentations of their posters from 2 to 6 p.m.)
Community Service Poster Display, Library, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Education Student Presentation: “An Action Research Study,” Library 4 p.m.
Senior Art Show, Aliese Gregory, Cecelia Coker Bell Gallery,  6 p.m.

Tuesday, April 10

Student Research Symposium, Library, 11 a.m. – noon
Last Lecture, Geology Professor Fred Edinger, Davidson Hall, 7 p.m.
Reception, Drawing Room, following lecture

Wednesday, April 11

Faculty-Student Presentations, various locations, 1-5 p.m.
Performing Arts Showcase, Watson Theater, 7:30 p.m.
Reception, Stein Gallery, following show

Thursday, April 12

PULSE Presentation, Charles W. Coker Auditorium – Davidson Hall, 3:30 p.m.

Friday, April 13

Performing Arts Showcase, Watson Theater, 7:30 p.m.
Reception, Stein Gallery, following show

The 2012 Celebration of Academics at Coker College is sponsored by Wells Fargo.  For more information about the events scheduled, visit www.coker.edu/celebration-of-academics.html.

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