March 27, 2007
Research Town Meeting & Fair set for April 3
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Research is a major portion of what happens on the campus of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and an upcoming event will provide an opportunity to learn more about those efforts.
The fourth annual SIUC Research Town Meeting & Fair is set for 3:30 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 3, in the Student Center Ballrooms. John Koropchak, vice chancellor for research and dean of the graduate school, will play host at the event, along with others from his office.
"It's an opportunity for faculty members, centers, institutes, schools and scholars from around the campus to showcase the quality work they do," Koropchak said. "Last year's event was the first time we sort of added the fair aspect to it and it was very exciting and a lot of people came. This year we have even more room and it's looking like this year will be even bigger than last."
The event features researchers and information tables where various units will highlight their projects. SIU President Glenn W. Poshard will make a brief address on SIUC research efforts and conduct a question-and-answer session. Rodney G. Jones, professor and distinguished scholar in the Department of English at SIUC, will do a poetry reading. Jones recently won the 2007 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. The $100,000 prize is the largest monetary prize in the nation for a mid-career poet.
Starting at 5 p.m., the SIUC School of Music will provide entertainment and organizers will provide a wine and cheese reception.
Koropchak said the breadth of research that goes on across the campus sometimes surprises even people who work at SIUC.
"As scholars we all tend to become very focused on our own areas and it's easy to lose sight of all the other good things going on here," he said. "Last year there was a lot of interdisciplinary discussion and comments from many people impressed by the quality of activities going across the campus."