Focus-Discussion  Lunches For Spring 2019

One thing that distinguishes academics is the general aversion to always sitting quietly (more or less) listening to someone else’s thoughts. We like to talk through big ideas with other generally-well-informed people. And nothing beats the lively exchange when there are contrasting viewpoints!

Now that EC faculty members have a great, configurable space in which to meet, we’re organizing  focused-discussion orange-bag lunches. The idea is that the topic will be set and announced in advance of each discussion over lunch, giving participants the opportunity to bring materials that relate to the topic. A  discussion topic is set for each meeting and is led by a guest moderator or an emeritus faculty. There’s no enrollment, and no required preparation. Pack a lunch or have the EC order a no host lunch for you from Panera in Anderson. Click HERE for lunch information and options. Contact Nicci to RSVP for no host lunch (nherman@clemson.edu or 864-656-3990). Don’t worry about a beverage. We’ll have water, tea, lemonade and coffee ready, and there’s a soft-drink machine close by. Mark your calendars for  11:30 am on these focused-discussion lunch dates!  CLICK HERE for past dates and discussion topics.

If you do not already have an orange EC lunch bag, be sure to pick one up when you come to one of the lunches!

*All lunches will take place in the Emeritus College Meeting Room (511 Westinghouse Road  Pendleton, SC 29670)

September 23, Monday: 11:30am – 1:00pm, Focus Discussion Lunch – Grad 360° Program: Dr. Tia Dumas, Assistant Dean for Professional Development and Inclusive Excellence, and Jodi Cox, Director of Graduate Training and Mentoring, will be joining the lunch to discuss the Grad 360° program (comprehensive professional development program for graduate students and postdocs) and how emeritus faculty may assist in providing professional development programs for graduate students.  You may bring your own lunch OR lunch will be catered by Village Bakery and Café. Click HERE to view menu. The catered lunch will cost $15.00. Please let Nicci know by Thursday, September 19, if you plan on participating in the catered lunch.

PAST LUNCHES

September 10,Tuesday: Focus-Discussion Lunch – Sustainability Assessment with Vic Shelburne (Emeritus Professor of Forestry and Natural Resources) and Caye Drapcho (Associate Professor of Biosystems Engineering): The Clemson University Commission on Sustainability was established in September of 2009 by President James Barker. In December of 2010, the commission released a draft of the University’s first comprehensive Sustainability Plan, acting as the basis for all sustainability practices at Clemson. The plan was filed in accordance with the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment, to which Clemson is a signatory. In 2018, a revised charter was adopted, and the commission became The Clemson University Sustainability Commission, and is the coordinating body for our efforts to become a model of sustainability among institutions. To creatively address sustainability, the commission facilitates collaboration among students, faculty, staff, and the community by integrating education, research, and public service with the social, economic, and environmental infrastructure.  Dr. Shelburne will give the Executive Presentation of the AASHE/STARS results (sustainability assessment) as well as discuss with attendees any other information/issues regarding this topic.

June 18, Tuesday: Focus-Discussion Lunch Faculty Advocate Program with Jerry Knighton (CU Director of Access and Equity)  and Danny Weathers (Associate Professor of Marketing/Faculty Senate President 2019-2020: This focus discussion centers on a current student program Student Advocates for Empowerment (SAFE) and the opportunity to expand this type of program to faculty. This initiative is intended to provide support for faculty who are involved in an investigation alleging unlawful discrimination and/or harassment. Students have a similar program (SAFE) that is designed to provide assistance in the investigative process, and the intent is to modify this program to provide assistance and counseling for faculty. Because Grievance Board members and grievance counselors may be called upon to adjudicate later, it is desirable to keep them out of the process until that time. Emeritus faculty can help in this way by assisting faculty in navigating the investigation (for example, explaining the process and faculty members’ rights).

May 16, Thursday: Creative Inquiry and Emeritus Faculty: The director and associate director of Clemson’s Creative Inquiry and Undergraduate Research Program will describe the program’s history and accomplishments, then discuss opportunities for emeritus faculty to interact with student researchers. Such activities range from judging posters, assisting students in designing presentations, and mentoring Creative Inquiry projects. If you have other ideas and suggestions, bring them to our discussion. Presented by: Dr. Barbara Speziale, Director of Creative Inquiry and Undergraduate Research, Associate Director of the Watt Family Innovation Center and Professor of Biology and Cora Allard Keese, Associate Director of Creative Inquiry and Undergraduate Research

April 18, Thursday: featuring Del Kimbler (Professor Emeritus of Industrial Engineering): “Are You Someone’s Crazy Relative?”  Polarization is real, and managing polarized conversations around the dinner table or in meetings has become an issue for some.  Can we talk about polarized issues without taking people out of our lives (or being taken out ourselves)? Dr. Kimbler will lead the discussion about polarization and how a national group is trying to deal with it a few people at a time.  The topics will include the rise of polarization, political views, talking across the divide, and the work of Better Angels.

April 9, Tuesday: CU’s Student Alumni Council (SAC) Advisor, Stewart Summers, will be present to discuss a proposed mentorship program between emeritus faculty and members of SAC. This program is in its beginning stages and Stewart is seeking advice/ideas in developing a program to connect emeritus faculty with current CU students. Please join the lunch to present your ideas on this valuable new program for the Emeritus College and the University.

February 20, 2019: featuring Dr. Della Baker Sprowl, Coordinator of Special Projects for the Director of Extension – “Civil Dialogue: Coming Together For Racial Understanding” Dr. Baker Sprowl will lead participants in a discussion on how to engage faculty across the university on civil dialogue on race. Developed by a team of experts across the U.S., a training program on civil dialogue was provided to land-grant universities. Dr. Baker Sprowl will provide the emeritus faculty an opportunity to discuss the program and generate ideas for engaging the university in civil dialogue on race.  Click HERE for Dr. Baker Sprowl’s PowerPoint presentation.

March 6, Wednesday: 11:30 am until 1:00 pm, featuring Dr. Darren Linvill, Associate Professor of Communications:  The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Social Media. Dr. Linvill will lead a discussion about the positive and negative effects of social media. B