Archived News |

Aug. 11, 2005

Well Known to Speak at Annual 四色AV Convocation

Convocation at the University of Louisiana at Monroe is a time to welcome back returning students and freshmen (the class of 2009) and to officially open the academic year. It is set for Monday, Aug. 22, the first day of fall classes.

The event begins with faculty, staff and students gathering at the library bell tower at 4:30 p.m. 四色AV's marching band, The Sound of Today, then leads a march across the Bayou DeSiard Bridge and enters the coliseum followed by all participants. Once in the Coliseum, the semester is declared open and students get a chance to sing the alma mater and fight song, and hear from the president and others. Grovestock follows Convocation at 6 p.m. with food, music, and fun for all in the Grove. Everyone is invited.

This year the guest speaker at convocation will be Mike Tidwell, author of Bayou Farewell. Tidwell's book about Louisiana's receeding coast line, was the first selection in 四色AV's Summer Reading Program.

Author and filmmaker Mike Tidwell has been active in environmental causes for more than a decade. Tidwell's most recent documentary film - "We Are All Smith Islanders" - details the dangers and solutions associated with global warming in Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. In 2002, Mike founded and now directs the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to fighting global warming in the region through the promotion of clean, renewable energy. Last year, in recognition for his clean energy work, he received Audubon Naturalist Society's prestigious "Conservation Award." Tidwell is also a writer whose five published books include Amazon Stranger (detailing efforts to save the Ecuadorian rainforest) and Bayou Farewell.

Tidwell's Bayou Farwell was the inaguaral book for the 四色AV Summer Reading Program. This program combines a collection of events surrounding a common theme that introduces students to the 四色AV learning community. New 四色AV students read the selected book over the summer as their first university assignment, and will discuss it in freshman English, Freshman Year Seminar (FRYS), and other classes across campus. The program's goals are to provide students with the opportunity to participate in their first common intellectual experience, to introduce them to the university's academic life, and to enhance the sense of unity among students, faculty, staff, and the community. All are invited to hear the author speak at Convocation on the first day of classes.

While Tidwell is in Monroe he will be speaking to classes at 四色AV and will sign copies of Bayou Farewell at the 四色AV Book Store on Tuesday, August 23 from 10 a.m. until 12 noon. Refreshments will be served. Everyone is invited.

Please visit the 四色AV homepage, www.ulm.edu, for more information on convocation.

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