SU System events to promote healthy, productive environment
"Sustainability is a field of study where all disciplines collaborate and partner to find solutions to the national and international problems that face our environment, economy, and society today and tomorrow," said Francesca Mellieon-Williams, Ph.D., project director, SU Office of Research and Strategic Initiatives.
The week-long SU System observance will include daily campus-wide sustainability activities led by student groups, an evening of student showcase and demonstration, a day for student research competition, and professional development and recognition for faculty and staff.
"Student led sustainability activities will encourage the campuses to be more conscious of their actions and adopt more sustainable practices whether it is with energy use, food, water, transportation, or waste," said Mellieon-Williams.
The first guest speaker on Tuesday, April 23, is Kesavalu M. Bagawandoss, Ph.D., J.D., corporate technical director, Accutest Laboratories. He will discuss different opportunities for cleaner fuel. Also on Tuesday, students from various departments will showcase the practical application of the concepts learned in the classroom.
Student research is the focus of Wednesday's activities, April 24, including the Research Poster Competition, workshops, and presentations. Students from the Southern University System's campuses submitted abstracts that were reviewed by an outside panel. More than 60 abstracts will compete in five categories (health and biomedical sciences; advanced materials and nanotechnology; energy, ecology, and the environment; understanding human behavior, institutions, and cultures; and business, commerce and workforce development, cyber infrastructure, and collaborative environments. SU System President Ronald Mason Jr. will give remarks and make presentations to the SU System winners.
On Thursday and Friday, April 25, 26, faculty and staff will engage in professional development sessions. The facilitators for these sessions are the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the National Science Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Energy. In addition, each of the System's campuses will recognize their outstanding faculty and staff at an invitation-only Research and Academic Achievement Awards Program. James Colon, vice president of Toyota Product Communications, will serve as the guest speaker at the awards ceremony to honor faculty and staff for their research and academic achievements.
SU System Sustainability Week information including the schedule and participants is available here.
For more event information, contact:
Francesca Mellieon-Williams 225-771-3890 ext 204 francesca_williams@subr.edu