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Environmental issues were addressed with a mixture of arts and science on Saturday. More than 70 faculty members and students gathered in Minsky Recital Hall for the University of Maine Initiatives for Environmental Challenges, sponsored by the Maine Fulbright Founding Board.
“Since this is a new chapter in Maine established last year, Fulbright’s Senator Washington gave some funds to the events all over the state of Maine,” said Dorothy Klimis-Zacas, a nutrition professor. “I am a founding member of the board, so I decided to set up events here at the University of Maine for showcasing and facing environmental challenges.”
The ultimate purpose of the Environmental Challenges event was to promote understanding among nations, prevent wars and promote peace. In order to arouse student awareness, Zacas said education shouldn’t be left only to science but should integrate the arts.
University professors and students presented four performances in various art forms. The event began with a music piece titled “All Crows are Equally Black” by music professor Beth Weimann on clarinet and music professor Anatole Wieck on viola.
Other performances included “A Child Said,” sung by Nancy Ogle, professor of music and voice. English professor Kathleen Ellis read a poem titled “Narrow River to the North Woods.” She was accompanied by Shannon Buccieri, a music education major, on flute.
The green message of protecting the environment was also displayed through body movements. A modern dance performance, “Space Invaders,” was performed by students and dance instructor Ann Ross.
“Arts are kind of a consciousness. So with dance, we can incorporate visual images, and we can create feelings that may be added to the music,” Ross said.
Lecture theories were also important for arousing Environmental awareness. Mechanical engineering Professor Mick Peterson said that people need to focus on saving energy in several ways.
“If anybody told you there is a single solution, they are lying,” Peterson said. For reducing heating energy use, he suggested using a heating pump for warmer days and a pellet stove for colder days.
Vice President of Administration and Finance Janet Waldron summarized the event by giving a presentation titled “Present and Future University of Maine Initiatives for Facing Environmental Challenges.” She said the university is facing the environmental challenge by expanding the campus.
“By extending the south mall, it provides the organizational principle for all of the buildings and the future development and the south end of campus,” she said.
