Thanks to our 44 Convocation Faculty Scholars from our teaching faculty, and the active involvement of colleagues from around campus, Convocation Day 2021 was a smash!
Our Convocation Faculty Scholars provided students with scholarly activities and projects around the themes of Convocation Day which included the research of climate change, activities to mitigate global warming and data on the global status of water and the oceans.
Dr. Bruce Monger, our Convocation speaker and scientist at Cornell University, gave an inspiring speech, via Zoom, regarding the unique challenge that climate change and global warming poses to this generation of college students. Many students and faculty attended the 3 afternoon workshops offered by our teaching faculty as well as a documentary film screening about the Everglades, followed by a lively discussion.
Hundreds of attendees listened as Dr. Monger provided insight into the findings of scientists regarding the impact and immediacy of the global challenges we face. Many of the attendees stayed for the interactive Q and A session which featured discussions of greater depth regarding aspects of climate change of greatest student interest.
Our faculty-led afternoon workshops respectively addressed three key issues: the important social issue of how climate change disproportionately affects citizens of color and citizens with fewer economic resources; how to curb climate change; and finally, how to be a green investor.
The afternoon documentary film screening, Battleground Everglades, focused on important issues regarding environmental reclamation and the hope inspired by attempts to redress environmental damage. A large group of students and faculty discussed the film with a focus on regional climate and water issues.
Many thanks to the SUNY Broome campus community for their participation in Convocation Day activities and for showing interest in the important environmental issues that were the focus of today’s gathering, the single largest student event, held online via Zoom, during this exceptional pandemic year.
Who Are the Members of SUNY Broome’s Convocation Committee?
(SUNY Broome’s Convocation Committee is a cross-divisional campus effort with student representation)
- Professor Irene Byrnes (Chair)
- Professor Carla Michalak, Liberal Arts Division
- Dr. Victor Lamoureux, Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics Division
- Associate Librarian Dr. Amanda Hollister, Library
- Professor Gian Roma, Business and Professional Studies Division
Submitted by: Campus-Wide Convocation Committee
