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The Dining Room by A.R. Gurney

Sun, 02 Nov 2008

The Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences Division of Performing Arts will present its second production of the 2008–2009 season, A.R. Gurney’s The Dining Room, November 14–22, 2008, in the new Performance Theatre at the University Center.

The Dining Room, which premiered in 1982 and was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, examines the decline of the dining room as the center of family interaction. There is no single, continuous story. Instead the play features a mosaic of interrelated scenes—some funny, some touching, and some rueful—that revolve around the only constant in the play, the dining room table and chairs.

The NSU production consists of eight actors portraying 58 different characters in different time periods, from the 1930s to today. Their stories are comedic and dramatic, and it is intriguing to watch the actors transform from a child to a grandfather or from a rebellious teenager to a maid.

Different from Gurney’s original production is NSU’s ethnically diverse cast. “Gurney was writing about the decline of the upper middle class, more specifically, the WASPs,” said Jett Canary, the play’s director and an adjunct faculty member at NSU. “My belief with this color-blind casting is that the play will speak to an even broader audience,” because after all, the dining room is universal.

The Dining Room is produced by students from the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences. Performances are November 14, 15, and 20–22 at 7:30 p.m., and November 9 and 16 at 2:00 p.m. Admission is free but reservations are required. To reserve seats, email nsutheatre@nova.edu or call (954) 262-8179.

Ars Flores: Young Artists Concerto Competition Finals

Mon, 10 Nov 2008

The Ars Flores Symphony Orchestra, in partnership with the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, will host the final round of its Young Artists Concerto Competition on Saturday, November 22, 2008, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., in the Miniaci Performing Arts Center. The competition consists of two divisions of musicians: Division I includes seven secondary-level musicians from grades nine to 12; and Division II includes seven musicians at the college, university, or conservatory level, up to the age of 25. This is the seventh annual Young Artists competition, which features musicians from around the country and the globe. This year’s finalists include violinists, pianists, vocalists, and a French-horn player. The winners of the competition will perform at an Ars Flores concert in January. Bill J. Adams, D.M.A, assistant professor in the college’s Division of Performing and Visual Arts, will speak prior to the competition. The Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences is proud to continue its partnership with the Ars Flores Symphony Orchestra, further connecting campus and community creative resources. Nova Southeastern University’s orchestra in residence consists of a variety of South Florida orchestral musicians, with professional, conservatory, and gifted secondary school students performing side by side. Tickets to the Concerto Competition Finals are available for $10 and $5, and may be purchased through www.arsflores.com, or at the door on the day of the event. For more information, email info@arsflores.com.

, or call (954) 764-4455.

Associate Professor Presents Research on Civil Rights in Miami

Sun, 02 Nov 2008

Eileen Smith-Cavros, Ph.D., associate professor in the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences, presented a research paper at the national conference of the Social Science History Association (SSHA) in Miami, October 24, 2008. Smith-Cavros spoke on a panel titled "Civil Rights in Miami: Past and Present." Her paper is a historical examination of civil rights in Miami, titled "Man is Cuttin' Down His Own Self: Activism, Nature, and Black History in Miami, Florida." The college supports and encourages the professional development of its faculty. Smith-Cavros’ research on civil rights enables her to share her fieldwork on racial stereotypes and environmental activism with her students in an academic and applied sense. By sharing quotes and data from her research, Smith-Cavros enriches learning in the college’s classes such as sociology and anthropology.

Faculty Lecture Series: “The Life and Death of a Species”

Wed, 12 Nov 2008

Edward O. Keith, Ph.D., associate professor in both the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences Division of Math, Science, and Technology, and the Oceanographic center, will present “The Life and Death of a Species: The Sirenians as a Case Study” on Tuesday, December 2, 2008, from noon to 1:00 p.m., in the Parker Building, room 241. There are only five existing species in the mammalian order Sirenia, and all of them are in danger of extinction, primarily from human threats. This lecture will review the biology and natural history of these unique animals, discuss the variety of risks they face, and summarize the efforts to protect and conserve them. Keith will focus on the ecological roles of manatees and dugongs and the probable ecosystem consequences of their demise. The lecture also will address the philosophical rationale for protecting endangered species. The Faculty Lecture Series draws from the knowledge and expertise of more than 120 full-time faculty members within the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences and explores their diverse interests in humanities, the performing and visual arts, social sciences, physical sciences, and biological sciences. This year’s lectures focus on the college’s 2008–2009 academic theme of “Life and Death,” and all are free and open to the public. The college also will offer eight talks during the winter 2009 semester. For more information, visit the college’s Faculty Lecture Series page.

“21st Century Energy Challenges” Lecture

Wed, 19 Nov 2008

The Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences will welcome economist John R. Brodman on Wednesday, December 3, 2008, to speak on “Energy Challenges of the 21st Century,” during the Stolzenberg-Doan Fall Lecture event in the Knight Auditorium of the Carl DeSantis Building at Nova Southeastern University, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The lecture will cover current trends in energy markets across the country and the globe, the recent rise and fall of oil prices, the role of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and the challenges that extreme volatility in oil prices pose for policymakers. Brodman also will speak about the myths and realities associated with energy and oil independence, and the technical, economic, and political challenges associated with fossil fuels, nuclear power, and renewable sources of energy such as biomass, solar, and wind. Brodman is former deputy assistant secretary of policy and international affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy, and former senior economist in the Office of Energy Economics at the International Energy Agency in Paris. He has spent the past 35 years analyzing energy-market trends and formulating policies to promote energy security in the United States and abroad. Brodman now writes a biweekly column on OPEC and developments in the world oil market as a contributing editor to the Abraham Energy Report. The Stolzenberg-Doan Fall Lecture is funded by the Stolzenberg-Doan Family Endowment named in memory of the grandparents and mother of James E. Doan, Ph.D., professor in the college’s Division of Humanities. In addition to the lecture, the endowment funds a scholarship for international studies and other majors in the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences participating in travel-study courses taught or sponsored by the college’s faculty.

"Test Prep/Test Skills" Workshop

Sun, 26 Oct 2008

The Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences is hosting a series of three workshops, titled “Three Keys to Success,” to take place on November 6, 20, and December 4, 2008. The journey from Convocation to Commencement requires goals and commitment, knowledge of resources, a strong starting point, effective curriculum planning, and the ability to stay focused and on track. This workshop series is designed to provide you with the keys needed to unlock the door to your academic success. The final workshop, "Test Preparation/Test-Taking Skills," will be held on Thursday, December 4, from 12:00-1:00 p.m., in the Parker Building, room 123. Explore test-taking strategies that include how to approach different types of tests and the actual test-taking process. This workshop will help you gain confidence and assurance in your test-taking abilities. This workshop is hosted by Academic Services. Join us for the final workshop of the series and you’ll be one step closer to academic success here at the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, and Nova Southeastern University.

Undergraduate Holiday Open House

Mon, 21 Jul 2008

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions will host a Holiday Open House for prospective undergraduate students on Monday, December 29, 2008. If you will be in South Florida over the holiday season, take a day to see if NSU is in your future. You’ll enjoy our great year-round climate and you’ll love our affordable, private-school education too. Find out what student life at NSU is like, and why this unique opportunity may be one of the great decisions of your life. This Holiday Open House is your opportunity to experience NSU first-hand. Prospective undergraduate students can look forward to meeting with admissions counselor, acquiring financial aid information, and taking a campus tour with current NSU students. Make the most of your day by being prepared with questions for the admissions counselor, your high school or college transcripts, and your enthusiasm. If you would like to attend this event please RSVP by calling 954-262-8000 or toll-free at 1-800-338-4723 ext. 28000, or e-mail us at admissions@nova.edu. Appointments for the Holiday Open House are made on the hour and are subject to approval based on availability. Once your RSVP has been confirmed the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will notify you of the approved appointment time and e-mail you the parking pass with directions. Walk-ins are also welcome. We look forward to seeing you!