West Liberty University’s College of Liberal and Creative Arts (COLCA) is pleased to announce dates and presenters for its 2024-25 lecture series.
The series will showcase the work of WLU professors outside the classroom by sharing their innovative research and creative work with the public.
Topics will include an artist’s creative journey, the influence of media ecology, exploring feminist ideas through music, the increasing complexity of officiating sports, and audience persuasion.
Lectures take place noon-1 p.m. on the fourth Wednesdays, September & October, and January – March. The full schedule of presenters is as follows:
September 25, 2024: Brian Fencl – Professor of Art
Mr. Fencl will discuss his upcoming plans for artistic explorations, which include the captivating symbolist trickster transformers—“modern Punchinello” figures—that have occupied his canvases for many years.
October 23, 2024: Dr. Ryan McCullough – Professor and Chair of the Department of Media and Visual Arts
Dr. McCullough will summarize his recent research work and discuss how media ecology informs pedagogies, politics, and design, as well as our engagement with the natural environment.
January 22, 2025: Anna Stephan-Robinson – Professor of Music Theory and Ear Training
Mrs. Robinson will present an analysis of Tortie-Tortue by American pianist and composer Katherine Ruth Heyman, exploring how she takes feminist ideas and realizes them through musical means. She’ll also outline her larger research project to shine light on the legacy of this little-know composer.
February 26, 2025: Aaron Harper – Professor of Philosophy
Author of Sport Realism: A Law-Inspired Theory of Sport, Mr. Harper will compare sports to legal systems in terms of how judges and referees make & enforce decisions to helps answer questions of cheating, using replay or review, or whether officials should give makeup calls after a mistake.
March 26, 2025: Dr. Tim Borchers – West Liberty University President
Today’s world demands a new perspective on persuasion—one that is grounded in the assumption that human consciousness and culture have been forever altered by communication technology. From advertisers to politicians to influencers to friends, persuaders use increasingly sophisticated strategies to sway behavior. This presentation will review these strategies and provide critical responses audience members can use in today’s media-saturated world.
Events are held in the Alumni Wall of Fame Alcove located on the second floor of the Paul N. Elbin Library. Lectures are free and open to the public.
The College of Liberal & Creative Arts at West Liberty University offers 19 undergraduate programs, one masters degree program, 20 minors, and countless opportunities for students to express their creative side and broaden their critical thinking. Programs and majors in this pathway lead to careers in education, journalism, music, professional writing, theater, law, art therapy, social work, criminal justice, visual and media arts and many more.
Learn more at westliberty.edu/liberal-creative-arts or call 304-336-8076.
