NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The 2014 Bright Ideas Conference highlighting faculty research, scholarship and artistry at Stephen F. Austin State University will be held Thursday, May 1, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center. The public is invited, and admission is free.
More than 90 research posters and scholarly exhibits will be on display from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom. Spotlight exhibits will be featured in the Twilight Ballroom along with refreshments. An invitation-only awards ceremony and luncheon will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The biennial Bright Ideas Conference is sponsored by the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Teaching Excellence Center and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
"It is essential that the faculty of a teaching institution such as SFA remain active in research and creative work," said Dr. Richard Berry, SFA provost and vice president for academic affairs.
"Many of our faculty members have an extraordinary record of achievement in these areas, and I believe it is important to provide an opportunity to showcase these achievements so that, at the very least, we can become aware of the very impressive scholarly work of our colleagues and the ways in which this work informs and strengthens our teaching."
One spotlight exhibit was chosen to represent each of the six SFA colleges, as well as the Ralph W. Steen Library. The presenters include:
- Dr. Violet Rogers, Nelson Rusche College of Business, "The Keystone Pipeline;"
- Dr. Eric Jones and Dr. Mark Faries, James I. Perkins College of Education, "Effects of Different Types of Clothing on Thermoregulation and Microenvironments During Simulated American Football;"
- Dr. Jere Jackson and Christopher Talbot, College of Fine Arts, "Diedrich Rulfs - Designing Modern Nacogdoches;"
- Dr. Leon Young and Wayne Weatherford, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, "Value of Biomass Power Plant Wood Ash as a Limestone and Plant Nutrient Source;"
- Dr. Emmerentie Oliphant, Dr. Kim Rich-Rice and Wilma Córdova, College of Liberal and Applied Arts, "HIV + Women of Color in Rural East Texas: A Description of Narratives;"
- Dr. Jennifer Gumm, Dr. Matthew Kwiatkowski and Dr. Brent Burt, College of Sciences and Mathematics, "Sensory Ecology at Stephen F. Austin State University;" and
- Kyle Ainsworth, Ralph W. Steen Library, "Texas Runaway Slave Project."
For additional information about the Bright Ideas Conference, contact the SFA Office of Research and Sponsored Programs at (936) 468-6606 or saldanagrace@sfasu.edu.