Franklin Pierce University Hosts 13th Annual Academic Showcase Event
Apr 20, 2022
The 13th Annual Academic Showcase at Franklin Pierce University returned to an in-person event on Tuesday, April 19 with special invited guests and members of the public in attendance after being presented in a virtual format in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19.
Academic Showcase is a much-anticipated spring tradition that celebrates the entire University community with scholarly and creative presentations, panels, and performances by students, faculty, and staff. The theme of the 13th Annual Academic Showcase was Pierce@60, reflecting on the University where it is today, as it looks ahead to the future.
The day began with a small reception in the Pioneer Lounge of the Emily Flint Campus Center to recognize Pierce@60 sponsors as well as emeriti faculty and friends of the University, followed by a welcome from President Kim Mooney ’83 in Spagnuolo Hall. University Librarian and Academic Showcase Committee Chair Paul O. Jenkins thanked all students, faculty, and staff for their support and participation and also recognized the University's Board of Trustees and the Grimshaw-Gudewicz Charitable Foundation as the Pierce@60 yearlong celebration's presenting sponsors and Belletetes, Inc., this year’s Academic Showcase event sponsor.
“Academic Showcase is a beloved tradition at Franklin Pierce University, so much so that not even a global pandemic could stop us. I remember in the spring of 2020 when our presenters so quickly and capably adapted that year’s Showcase presentations to a virtual platform. While that change was thrust upon us, it also opened up this event to even broader participation for presenters and for attendees,” shared President Mooney. “We are so proud to share the accomplishments and talents of our students, faculty, and staff with the community and finally welcome guests back for in-person presentations and events.”
A robust schedule of events followed with Poster Presentations in Spagnuolo Hall and a myriad of presentations across the Rindge Campus by students, faculty, and staff on topics including insights in to the crisis in Ukraine, the history of athletics at Franklin Pierce, accessibility and disability culture on college campuses, and the battle for reproductive rights.
The afternoon saw a series of musical performances by Pep Band, Jazz Ensemble, Vocal Ensemble and individual students. This year’s Showcase also offered all day events and displays including the Thoreau Art Gallery’s most recent exhibition: Lockdown Art by Associate Professor Susan Silverman and #WeHearYou: Women and Gender Art by Professor Verna DeLauer.
“Guided by the theme of Pierce@60, our presenters were able to explore and focus on all aspects of the University in their work – reflecting on our past, acknowledging our present and looking ahead to where want to be in the future,” said Jenkins. “It’s been exciting to see so much participation by the community this year, and we look forward to more opportunities to showcase collaboration among students, faculty, and staff.”
The day’s festivities were capped off by sweet treats in the DiPietro Library and a performance by Franklin Pierce’s Diamond Steppers dance group.
To learn more about the yearlong Pierce@60 celebration and upcoming Signature Events, please visit franklinpierce.edu/pierce60.
