Delta Symposium XXIX, ‘Talking about the Weather,’ Scheduled for April 4-6
JONESBORO – The theme of the annual Delta Symposium at Arkansas State University, set for April 4-6, is “Talking about the Weather.”
The 29th edition of the symposium will be held in various locations. Thursday, April 4, events begin in the Humanities and Social Sciences Building and will then shift at 2 p.m. to A-State Museum, room 157.
Friday, April 5, events will commence in the Carl R. Reng Student Union and be completed with an evening reading at the Bradbury Art Museum. Symposium sessions are free and open to the public, although there is an admission fee for the Arkansas Roots Music Festival, at the Historic Dyess Colony: Johnny Cash Boyhood Home, on Saturday, April 6.
Participants will present research on a range of topics. In connection with the upcoming eclipse, focus will be provided on research into stories, songs, history, and the science of weather and climate. Presentations will cover a range of topics through inquiries into the literary, artistic and historical heritage of the Delta.
"The Delta Symposium committee is especially interested in this year’s event. We have a wide variety of presentations, and the content is especially relevant to contemporary interests in our environment and upcoming total eclipse,” explained Dr. Gregory Hansen, Delta Symposium coordinator.
The full schedule is available at the symposium website, AState.edu/Delta-Symposium. The event begins on Thursday, April 4, with a panel session on community life and climate change at 9:30 a.m. in room 3001 of the Humanities Building. Throughout the day, presenters will explore a wide range of topics through multimedia sessions and documentary film.
The keynote event is a presentation from Dr. Les Johnson of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. He will be meeting students and community members throughout the day, and his presentation is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday, April 5, in the Reng Student Union Auditorium.
Johnson is a physicist, author, technologist and educator. His presentation will enhance attendees’ understanding of the dynamics of the eclipse. His presentation is offered in conjunction with A-State’s Heritage Sites, and all are welcome to attend this event and the reception to follow.
Friday, April 5, events conclude with an evening reading by two writers. Dr. Mara W. Cohen Ioannides and Dr. John Zheng will share their creative contributions through a reading to be held at 7 p.m. at the Bradbury Art Museum in Fowler Center, 201 Olympic Dr.
The Delta Symposium concludes with the Arkansas Roots Music Festival. KASU’s Marty Scarbrough will serve as master of ceremonies for the festival, which will be at the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home starting at noon Saturday, April 6, and continuing until 5 p.m. Admission is $35, with proceeds going to support the continued development of the university’s heritage sites.
For tickets and more information, one may visit DyessCash.AState.edu. For further details about the symposium, one may contact the Department of English, Philosophy and World Languages, (870) 972-3043 or the symposium website, AState.edu/Delta-Symposium.
