Three members of the College community are participating in an upcoming ProArts Consortium panel series about highlighting artists that are focused on social justice and community engagement.
The trio is taking part in the Amplifying Community Voices panel on October 8 from 12:30-1:30 pm EST, which will be moderated by Visual and Media Arts affiliated faculty member Elisa Hamilton. The panels are free and open to the public, and registration is required.
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ProArts Panel: Emersonians Discussing How to Amplify Community Voices - Emerson College Today
All are welcome to join the Writing, Literature, and Publishing series event "Politics & Pandemic: Covering Our Strange, Polarized Times." Register by Sunday evening, October 4.
MON, OCT 5 AT 6:00 PM EDT
WLP Pub Series: Politics & Pandemic: Covering Our Strange, Polarized Times
Since hosting high school radio shows, Katleen Francois ’13 knew she wanted to become a media mogul. Recently launching her own business, she returned this year to Emerson and the Launch Startup Bootcamp to hone her entrepreneurial chops.
Born in Haiti and raised in Boston, Francois first came to Emerson during a high school internship at 88.9 WERS, where she continued to produce shows throughout her college career as a broadcast journalism major and business minor. After college, she held several jobs, including traffic coordinator at WERS, before assuming her current role as co-founder and chief creative officer (CCO) for the Geaux Network. https://today.emerson.edu/2020/10/01/emerson-launch-bootcamp-shapes-student-and-alumni-business-plans/
Erik Messerschmidt ’02 earned his first Emmy nomination this year for his cinematography work on the Netflix true-crime drama Mindhunter. Emerson Today spoke with the cinematographer about his work, how he’s coped with the coronavirus pandemic, his time at Emerson, and his cinematography on the upcoming David Fincher-directed biographical film, Mank.
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Emmy Nominee Erik Messerschmidt ’02 on TV Work, Pandemic, Emerson - Emerson College Today
Join the School of Communication and Emerson College Alumni Association on Thursday, October 1, at 7 p.m. for a look at the hot-button issues leading into - and coming out of - the presidential and vice-presidential debates. Spencer Kimball, director of Emerson College Polling, will share the latest polling data with special guests who will provide analysis, insight - and fact-checking.
Panelists include Sue O'Connell ’84, NECN journalist and co-publisher of Bay Windows and South End News, Fred Baldassaro ’96, communications director at Pew Charitable Trusts and former advisor for the U.S. Treasury Department, and Miriam Valverde ’10, contributing writer/editor at PolitiFact. Register via https://nvite.com/emerson/a4a05
NVITE.COM
Election 2020: The Road to the White House - The Debates / Thursday, October 1 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Miss going to live theatre events? This weekend, WERS is bringing live theatre to your home across Greater Boston and beyond with Standing Room Only: Kitchen Kickline, a virtual musical theatre extravaganza featuring local theatre companies.
Airing during WERS’ weekly Standing Room Only shows on Saturday, October 3, 10 am, and Sunday, October 4, 12 pm, Kitchen Kickline will kick off what would have been the start of the Fall 2020 Boston theatre season with live, in-home performances from Greater Boston Stage Company, Moonbox Productions, New Repertory Theater, SpeakEasy Stage, Voices of Hope, and Wheelock Family Theatre.
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WERS Bringing Live Theatre, Important Conversation to the Airwaves - Emerson College Today
Emerson students and faculty are a driving force behind Team Harmony, a global movement to eradicate hate. Founded in 1994, the Team Harmony Foundation is an international nonprofit organization and multicultural forum devoted to uniting, educating, inspiring, and engaging youth to address and eradicate worldwide hate in all its forms.
This year, Team Harmony is getting considerable help from the College’s Communication Studies department, under the leadership of its chair, Gregory Payne, to carry out three powerful virtual programs: the HATE: “What are YOU going to DO? web series; the Team Harmony Virtual Institute for Activism; and an Activism Tool Kit.
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Emersonians Lead Global Movement to Eliminate Hate - Emerson College Today
The National Book Foundation named professor Jerald Walker’s forthcoming collection, How to Make a Slave and Other Essays (Mad Creek Books/The Ohio University Press) a finalist for the 2020 National Book Award for Nonfiction.
How to Make a Slave was longlisted in September, the only essay collection to earn the distinction. Winners will be announced live at the virtual National Book Awards Ceremony on November 18.
The book, due out in November, includes reflections on the author’s experiences with racial profiling, discussing race with his children, and meditations on disability and family, “all told with a wry comedic eye and deep honesty,” according to the National Book Foundation, which confers the award.
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Walker Essay Collection Named Finalist for National Book Award - Emerson College Today
In the years leading up to the 2020 presidential primary campaign cycle, the Emerson College Polling Center established a solid reputation as one of the nation’s most trusted public opinion research organizations. Its accuracy during the 2018 midterm elections earned second place among pollsters to trust, as ranked by the renowned FiveThirtyEight.
Looking ahead, Emerson Polling will conduct 30 surveys in the four weeks leading up to the U.S. election. Looking back over 2020, they have conducted 63 studies — from the presidential primary and general election campaigns, through the coronavirus pandemic and the social justice movement.
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At Emerson Polling, 2020 Is a Hotbed for Public Opinion Research - Emerson College Today
Tonight, join the Bright Lights Film Series for a virtual screening of The Reason I Jump, an “immersive cinematic exploration of neurodiversity through the experiences of non-speaking autistic people from around the world.” Free and open to the public.
THU, OCT 8
Bright Lights: The Reason I Jump
A trio of Emersonians are part of the team that won the first Sports Emmy for Outstanding Esports Coverage ever awarded.
John Daniel Depa ’17 and Sam Chaimson ’13 were producers, and Max Trauss ’07 was an operations producer, for Riot Games’ coverage of its League of Legends World Final on YouTube. More than 100 million people watched the final across the world, according to Business Insider.
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Emerson Alumni Win Inaugural Emmy for Esports Coverage - Emerson College Today
"We can make change within our program and have more resources available to us." Astrid Esquilín Nieves, MS ’21, and other students in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program have worked to create a culturally inclusive and anti-racist resource, which has been infused into curricula.
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CSD Students Create Resource to Make Courses, Practice More Culturally Inclusive - Emerson College Today
President Lee Pelton recently joined area higher education presidents of color Valerie Roberson (Roxbury Community College), Lynn Wooten (Simmons University), and MassArt Acting President Kymberly Pinder in conversation with Callie Crossley on GBH's Basic Black program to discuss leading during the pandemic and systemic racism.
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Pelton on Leading During COVID-19, Systemic Racism: Basic Black - Emerson College Today
Rob Paine ’92 knows the stresses of live television. He’s worked on the Oscars telecast for more than 20 years and as a supervising producer since 2016. His work on that telecast earned him another Emmy nomination this year. He has more than 200 television events to his name, including 12 Super Bowl halftime shows and the Kennedy Center Honors.
On October 15, Paine co-executive produced a special on HBO Max that reunited the cast of The West Wing to benefit When We All Vote, Michelle Obama’s nonpartisan voter drive. Emerson Today spoke with Paine about what it’s like producing live shows, how the coronavirus has affected his line of work, and what advice he has for students hoping to go into live production.
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Alumnus Rob Paine ’92 on producing the Emmys, Oscars, and live TV - Emerson College Today
Amid a global pandemic, Emerson students continue to inspire, create & innovate—because #EmersonShinesThrough. Now, help us help them! This week, give to directly benefit Student Financial Aid, and receive an Emerson face cover as a special thank you. Give at: https://www.givecampus.com/453mhu
😷 You may not be able to tell—but we’re smiling. In the COVID-19 era, we know that the best way to stand together is by standing apart, and we are so proud of our community. For keeping each other safe, for lifting each other up, and for weathering this storm together. But the storm isn’t over. Many of our students and their families have been impacted financially by COVID-19 and are still very much in need.
This week, help us help them shine through by making a gift to directly benefit Student Financial Aid. You will have an immediate impact on the life of a student facing economic hardship. And as a special thank you, you’ll receive a limited-edition Emerson face covering, so you can show your Emerson pride—while following health and safety regulations! Give at: https://www.givecampus.com/y1e4r7
President Lee Pelton joins fellow higher education presidents of color on GBH's Basic Black program this evening at 7:30 p.m. to discuss leading during the pandemic, racial unrest, and additional topics. Tune in on TV or via the link below.
College Presidents of Color
Basic Black was live.
October 15 at 5:01 PM ·
Hear from 'College Presidents of Color' on what it's like to lead during the COVID pandemic, racial unrest and more.
Basic Black was live.
October 15 at 5:01 PM ·
Hear from 'College Presidents of Color' on what it's like to lead during the COVID pandemic, racial unrest and more.
Raul Reis, dean of the School of Communication, recently added Mozambique to the list of nations where he provided training for journalists—except this time his visit was virtual. His guidance offered helpful insight to journalists who conduct their work in spite of everyday threats to their safety.
Reis, who was born and raised in Brazil, delivered his insights in Portuguese (Mozambique’s official language), through a series of self-recorded videos. He shares his top five pieces of advice for Mozambiquan journalist in the following article.
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Dean Reis Delivers Training for Journalists in Mozambique - Emerson College Today
Senior Distinguished Artist-in-Residence and composer Scott Wheeler writes for The Conversation about the state of classical music during the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating that while the situation is “grim,” musicians and organizations are performing online, or in socially-distanced ways.
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Wheeler on Music During Pandemic: The Conversation - Emerson College Today
This week, Emersonians across the country and around the world showed up—and it’s not too late to join them. Make a gift now to the Shine Through face covering campaign to provide immediate Financial Aid dollars to students who have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Give at https://www.givecampus.com/8iri8k. 💜😷 #EmersonShinesThrough
Visual and Media Arts and Comedic Arts assistant professor Ed Lee's movie short "Becoming Eddie" is having its (virtual) New England premiere at the Boston Asian American Film Festival beginning today, and is streaming online from October 22 through November 1.
Lee’s own experiences growing up as Korean American in New Jersey during the 1980s are the inspiration for the film.
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Lee’s ‘Becoming Eddie’ Screening at Boston Asian American Film Festival - Emerson College Today
Tonight, join Bright Lights Film Series at Emerson for a virtual screening of Code of the Freaks, a documentary that presents “a radical reframing of the use of disabled characters in film,” Discussion with producers to follow. Free and open to the public with registration.
THU, OCT 22
Bright Lights: Code of the Freaks with producers
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Shine Through Campaign Aims to Help Students Affected by COVID-19 - Emerson College Today
Snow in October? Pretty spooky! 👻❄️ The first snow of the year, captured by student photographer @lakejustin ‘22. Happy Halloween from #Boston!
In advance of Halloween tomorrow, we revisit an Emerson Today story that explores whether Charlesgate East, the former residence hall occupied by students from 1981-1995, was in fact haunted. Alumni weigh in. 👻🎃
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Was The Charlesgate Dormitory Haunted? - Emerson College Today
Typically, this close to Election Day, Korey O’Brien would have students in his Road to the White House class fan out across the region, following candidates, talking to voters, covering rallies and campaign events. Normally, students might make a trip to the swing state of New Hampshire — particularly during this high-stakes election. But “normally” hasn’t been an option for months now.
“What are journalists doing right now?” asked O’Brien, an affiliated faculty member and morning executive producer for 7News Boston WHDH. “Journalists are doing Zoom calls, are reaching out through social media. I’m taking what I’m doing in the newsroom right now and translating that to the classroom. … [Students] are doing exactly what their future selves are doing."
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Gathering News in 2020: How Journalism Classes Are Navigating Elections, COVID - Emerson College Today
Tonight, join Bright Lights Film Series at Emerson for a free virtual screening of Councilwoman, the documentary about Carmen Castillo, a Dominican hotel housekeeper who wins a seat on the city council of Providence, R.I. Discussion with director and producer Margo Guernsey to follow. https://www.facebook.com/events/2760204797588883
THU, OCT 29
Bright Lights: Councilwoman and short with directors
Congratulations to President Pelton, who was honored this past weekend by Mass Humanities with its Governor’s Award in recognition of his civic leadership and support for the liberal arts. A tribute video is linked below, which includes an introduction from Governor Charlie Baker, a photo montage documenting his academic career, and the acceptance speech.
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President Pelton to Receive Governor’s Award from Mass Humanities - Emerson College Today
A study from Tufts University released in 2019 found that not only did 33.2 percent more Emerson students vote in the midterm elections from 2014 to the 2018, but the College beat the 2018 national student voting average of 39.1 percent by nearly 6 percentage points.
Those figures come from the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE), an initiative of the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts. The study collected and analyzed student voter registration and voting rates at more than 1,000 higher education institutions, all of which participated voluntarily. 🗳️
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Report: Emerson Voting Rates Soar Over Four Year Period - Emerson College Today
Join the Emerson Alumni Association this Sunday, 11/15, at 1pm EST/10am PST to virtually celebrate the 2020 Alumni Achievement Award recipients—Adele Lim '96, Peter Loge '87, Brian Smith '95, and Brittany Martin Porter '10—for their outstanding achievements. https://nvite.com/emerson/d992a
Alumna filmmaker Ramona Diaz ’83 will discuss her latest award-winning documentary, A Thousand Cuts, with the Emerson community in an online event this evening at 7:00 pm ET. The film is about Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s assault on the press.
Registration links and details are included in the article below.
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Alumna Filmmaker to Discuss 'A Thousand Cuts' with Emerson Audience - Emerson College Today
Alumna filmmaker Ramona Diaz ’83 will discuss her latest award-winning documentary, A Thousand Cuts, with the Emerson community in an online event TOMORROW, 7:00 pm ET. Register now!
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Alumna Filmmaker to Discuss 'A Thousand Cuts' with Emerson Audience - Emerson College Today
Writing, Literature and Publishing professor Jerald Walker was interviewed on NPR’s Fresh Air program, as his new book "How to Make a Slave and Other Essays", published this month, is a finalist for the 2020 National Book Award for Nonfiction.
Walker discusses his youth growing up in Chicago and raising his sons in a mostly white suburb, among other experiences as a Black man.
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Walker on 'How To Make A Slave': NPR's Fresh Air - Emerson College Today
School of Communication faculty Greg Payne, Roger House, and Vincent Raynauld say keep counting the ballots and focus on the process as the election results unfold.
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Communications Faculty: Keep Counting and Focus on the Process - Emerson College Today
President Lee Pelton co-authored an op-ed with Steven W. Tompkins, sheriff of Suffolk County, and Michael Curry, member of the National NAACP board of directors, in which they discuss the reasons behind low voter turnout in men and women of color, citing data from the 2016 election and 2018 midterms. Regardless of the reasons, they urge and implore all to vote.
COMMONWEALTHMAGAZINE.ORG
Obstacles vs. apathy in holding back turnout in communities of color - CommonWealth Magazine
This year’s Alumni Achievement Awards went digital! Listen to Crazy Rich Asians screenwriter Adele Lim ’96, political strategist Peter Loge ’87, and TV producers Brian Smith ’95 and Brittany Martin Porter ’10 talk about their lives and their work.
You can also read more about their careers at the link below.
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Watch: 2020 Alumni Achievement Awards - Emerson College Today
🌎 International Education Week is here! 🌎 Today's schedule includes global food options; World Cafe: Coffee, Culture & Conversation; and an IEW Debate on US Involvement in International Human Rights! Learn more at https://www.emerson.edu/iew. #EmersonIEW
Emerson alum Norman Lear ’44 and additional well-known alumni shared their feelings about the presidential election results via social media.
Lear, who has always been very politically minded and active, founded Declare Yourself, a national nonpartisan, nonprofit campaign created to empower and encourage eligible 18- to 29-year-olds in the U.S. to register and vote. It has registered millions of young people.
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Norman Lear Says It's 'The Return of My America' - Emerson College Today
Next Wednesday, Nov 18, at 7pm ET, join us for a virtual town hall event, “An Evening with Justin Willman,” '02 Emerson alum and creator and star of Netflix's Magic for Humans. Both current students and alumni are welcome with 500 spots available! Info and RSVP at: https://emconnect.emerson.edu/event/6591637
Both President Donald Trump and President-elect Joe Biden talked a lot in their campaigns’ advertisements and debates. But were they actually saying anything with substance?
School of Communication faculty Peter Seronick and Deion Hawkins give their perspectives.
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Faculty Analyze Presidential Campaign Ads, Debates - Emerson College Today
Next week is International Education Week! Join us Monday through Friday for a virtual schedule of events spanning Boston, Los Angeles, the Netherlands, and more, including:
🌎
‣Debate on international human rights,
‣Podcast on social justice and diplomacy,
‣Live-streamed play,
‣Global film festival, and more!
🌎
We encourage students, faculty, staff, alumni, and parents/families to join us throughout the week, engaging with all things global at Emerson using the hashtag #EmersonIEW.
🌎
Info and event links available at: https://www.emerson.edu/iew
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On Becoming a Changemaker: Insights from Alumni - Emerson College Today
Today, President Lee Pelton shared his 2020 State of the College report, reflecting on meeting the challenges of an unprecedented year and looking to the future.
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President Pelton: State of the College 2020 - Emerson College Today
First-year Comedic Arts students Eddie Tarr ‘24 and Jonah Bowen ‘24 met this semester and quickly bonded over their passion for stand-up and their disappointment over their lack of opportunities to do it the midst of COVID-19.
While lamenting the loss of normal comedy shows, Tarr and Bowen realized that Boston Common, located directly across from Emerson’s campus, would be a safe and accessible place to perform…with a built-in audience.
“If we can make people in a public park laugh, then we can make anyone laugh,” says Tarr. “It’s very tough conditions to start in, but it’s great practice.”
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Bundle Up and Stand-Up: Comedy in the Common Creates Community - Emerson College Today
Calling all undergraduate students: Help shape life and learning at Emerson by completing the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) Pulse today! 📝 The survey will be open through TOMORROW, Nov. 20, and takes less than 3 minutes to complete. https://bit.ly/38dYnJP
Emerson Stage debuts its first live virtual musical, “This Golden Day,” tonight, running through November 22. Emerson is one of few, if any, higher education performing arts entities executing a live musical online.
The musical explores the concept of “The Golden Rule” and building community through various religions and diverse perspectives. Students worked in conjunction with nearly 20 professional award-winning lyricists and writers to refine the musical. More information and link to tickets below.
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Emerson Stage to Premiere First Online Musical, 'This Golden Day' - Emerson College Today
Important COVID-19 Update: In the last day, we have seen a rise in the number of positive cases and close contacts within our community, which you will see reflected in our dashboard this afternoon. We are taking several precautionary measures. Please read: https://today.emerson.edu/2020/11/18/important-covid-19-update/
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Important COVID-19 Update - Emerson College Today
Happy Thanksgiving 🍁 This season, we are so grateful for our incredible community of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends who have stood together while standing apart and continued to innovate, create, express, communicate, and inspire through an unprecedented year and an unusual semester. Wishing you a safe and happy holiday.
Today, the Presidential Working Group (PWG) shared a revised set of Draft Recommendations on programs and procedures related to the College’s handling of power-based interpersonal incidents among students. Online response to these revised recommendations is invited, at the form provided within, as is participation in a Community Forum webinar that the Working Group is holding on Friday, December 4. Details here: https://today.emerson.edu/2020/11/25/presidential-working-group-second-draft-recommendations/
Cultural anthropologist and marketing communications assistant professor Carol Ferrara writes for The Conversation about French school reform laws pushing forward designed to help combat Islamic separatism after the recent terror attacks in France.
Ferrara, who spent ten years researching French Muslim schools, says these schools are allies.
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Ferrara on Muslim Schools, France, & Radicalization: The Conversation - Emerson College Today
Emerson Los Angeles held its seventh annual PitchFest competition, co-sponsored by Final Draft and the International Screenwriters Association (ISA), virtually for the first time this month. Students and alumni gave 90-second pitches of their TV pilots, screenplays, and digital series to a panel of alumni judges.
Judges included Kelly Edwards, MFA ’20, a writer and producer at Iron Scotty Productions; Dina Hillier ’00, head of development at Counterbalance Entertainment; Thomas Pettinelli ’13, director of development and a producer at Branded Pictures Entertainment; and Jordan VanDina ’10, writer/producer at Warner Brothers.
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Emerson LA’s PitchFest Goes Virtual for the First Time - Emerson College Today
Congratulations to three Emerson alumni, film director Hao Zheng ’15, music promoter Lydia Liebman ’14, and video game growth strategist Maddy Wojdak ’13, who made the 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the Hollywood & Entertainment, Music, and Games categories, respectively.
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These Emerson Alumni Made Forbes’ 30 Under 30 List - Emerson College Today
Photo by Justin Schmalholz '22
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Emerson Embarking on $10 Million Financial Aid Fundraising Campaign - Emerson College Today
As the forensics team transitioned from in-person tournaments to debating over a screen, they’ve encountered a number of new topics to navigate: different rhetorical styles, socialization with teammates and opponents, even what to wear. Some of what makes debating in person exciting has undoubtedly been lost, but for some, going remote has opened up new opportunities.
“There’s a lot of thing we miss about debating in person. But what’s really cool for virtual debates is the amount of competitions expands significantly,” said Jenna Dewji ’21.
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Debating the Pros and Cons of Virtual Forensics - Emerson College Today
Tomorrow at 7pm! Join the Bright Lights Film Series at Emerson for a FREE virtual screening of The Condor & The Eagle, a documentary featuring never-before-seen images exposing the global rise of land and water protectors across the Americas, and the indigenous women leaders deploying unparalleled global response. Register: https://bit.ly/35r6mkS
We wanted to share with you some bittersweet news, as we've been so fortunate to have Lee as our President for the past ten years. Dr. Lee Pelton has informed the Board that he will be leaving his position as President of Emerson College at the end of the academic year in June to accept a new role as CEO and President of The Boston Foundation. The Board of Trustees Chair and Lee wanted to express their thoughts jointly to the Emerson Community. At the link below are letters from Jeffrey Greenhawt, Board of Trustees Chair, followed by Lee.
https://today.emerson.edu/2020/12/01/news-for-the-emerson-community/
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President Pelton Leaving to Helm Boston Foundation - Emerson College Today
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Emerson’s Newest Global Portals Program Takes Students Down Under - Emerson College Today
Before Todd Strauss-Schulson ’02 even finished the short film, Rat, it had gone viral, with the likes of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ice-T, and the State of Pennsylvania tweeting and ‘gramming videos of the production.Then the media coverage came from CNN, New York Post, Forbes, and more.
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A Magical Melancholy ‘Rat’ Goes Viral for Alum Strauss-Schulson - Emerson College Today
Since its 2016 launch, the Business of Creative Enterprises (BCE) program has been recognized as a first-of-its-kind in higher education. On Tuesday, December 15, BCE will host a first-of-its-kind, open-to-everyone conference on “The Future of the Creative Industry.” The registration link can be found in the following article.
The half-day event will be headlined by a discussion with iconic make-up artist and entrepreneur Bobbi Brown ’79, H’12. In panel discussions and breakout sessions, accomplished professionals from the fashion and music industries will share their insights on the ever-changing business landscape.
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BCE Hosts Bobbi Brown ’79 and Other Pros for Inaugural Conference - Emerson College Today
Emerson College’s award-winning radio station, 88.9 FM WERS, announces new programming changes to address issues of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with a new 24/7 urban music stream, “Boston’s Black Experience."This new music format is now available at 88.9 FM HD-2 for those with HD-equipped radios. ERS+, a new channel, will also be available as a stream – online and via app at https://wersplus.org.
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88.9 FM WERS Boston Launches New HD2 Radio Format: New ERS+ to Stream “Boston’s Black Experience” - Emerson College Today
This is the first semester at Emerson for Novuyo Tshuma, assistant professor of fiction in Writing, Literature & Publishing. She spoke to Emerson Today about her path to Emerson, from growing up in Zimbabwe to living in South Africa, with stops in Iowa and Houston. She was recently awarded a 2020 Lannan Literary Fellowship for Fiction.
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Prestigious Lannan Fellowship 'Cherry on Top' to Tshuma's First Semester at Emerson - Emerson College Today
Emerson Today recently interviewed Leonie Bradbury, Henry and Lois Foster Chair of Contemporary Art Theory and Practice; and Distinguished Curator-in-Residence, Emerson Contemporary, about curating art amidst the pandemic. Bradbury also discusses the College's exhibitions, both online and at the Media Art Gallery on Avery Street in 2020.
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Emerson Contemporary Curator on Presenting Art During Pandemic - Emerson College Today
Bruce Seals was an assistant basketball coach for Emerson from 1994 to 2011, and his impact on the many Lions he mentored continued long after their playing careers. He was a legend across Boston, and his death on December 15 has brought many people and organizations to praise his years of being a leader and mentor.
“Bruce Seals gave his heart and soul to every men’s basketball student-athlete to help them develops on and off the court,” said Stanford Nance, senior associate director of athletics, who came to Emerson in 2003. “A master tactician, Bruce was also known to incorporate his life skills, which help them be successful after the ball stops bouncing.”
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Former Basketball Coach Bruce Seals Remembered as Leader, Mentor - Emerson College Today
Our BA in Business of Creative Enterprises: Australia merges business, creativity, internships, and world travel and gives students the best of two incredible institutions. Learn about our new partnership with the International College of Management Sydney, and the innovative program that allows students to study in Sydney, Boston, and LA. Visit emerson.edu/BCE-Australia
Congratulations to all of our early admitted students! You are officially #IntoEmerson, and we can't wait to meet you! #Emerson2025 🎉 💜
We are pleased to announce the launch of expression.emerson.edu, the robust digital version of Expression, the magazine of Emerson College. Our Fall/Winter issue is full of stories of alumni whose creativity, leadership, and commitment to social justice and equity is more important than ever. 🦁💜 Read the stories:
EXPRESSION.EMERSON.EDU
Expression | Emerson College
The Business of Creative Enterprises program hosts their virtual inaugural conference tomorrow, "Future of the creative industry." All are welcome to join. Registration information in link.
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BCE Hosts Bobbi Brown ’79 and Other Pros for Inaugural Conference - Emerson College Today
Writing, Literature and Publishing Professor Jerald Walker’s latest book, How to Make a Slave and Other Essays (Mad Creek Books/The Ohio University Press, 2020) is being heaped with accolades, from being shortlisted for a National Book Award to securing Walker an interview with Terry Gross, host of NPR’s Fresh Air.
Emerson Today asked Walker about some of his choices in writing the book, as well as the response its generated.
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Walker on Writing Essays, Receiving Rejection, and Looking for Humor Everywhere - Emerson College Today
As 2020 draws to a close, our warmest wishes for a new year to a community that did more than persevere. You shined through. ❄️✨💜
Her Socialist Smile, Visual and Media Arts Professor John Gianvito’s documentary about Helen Keller’s advocacy for progressive causes, won the Douglas Edwards Experimental Film Award from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA), Variety reports.
In a September 2020 interview with Emerson Today, Gianvito said he was struck by how relevant Keller’s ideas are today, as well as by how little-known her political and advocacy work is.
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Los Angeles Film Critics Award Gianvito's 'Her Socialist Smile' - Emerson College Today
As Emerson mobilized over the summer to make sure students could safely return to classes in the fall, Jason Meier, director of student engagement and leadership (SEAL), needed to figure out how roughly 100 student organizations might function.
Meier said there was never any doubt in his mind that orgs would operate this past semester. The pandemic did not hamper student orgs so much as allowed them to innovate in the way they operate, test the boundaries of their creativity, and expand on their ability to adapt to the future.
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Student Orgs Innovate, Create Amid Fall COVID Restrictions - Emerson College Today
A new video series is bringing together Emersonians from different generations. Titled Alumni Conversations, the videos pair alumni together for wide-ranging discussions, touching on topics like career pathways, working in entertainment, and navigating the industry during a pandemic.
The first four videos feature Doug Herzog ’81 sharing his thoughts on streaming and comedy with Jackie Sosa ’14; Kate Boutilier ’81 discussing her career path and current work on the Rugrats reboot with John Wentworth ’81; Seth Grahame-Smith ’98 talking with Emerson LA affiliated faculty member Andy Miara about working during COVID-19 and his advice for new graduates; and Traci Blackwell, MA ’14, conversing with Taylor Jett ’16 about her position as head of scripted programming at BET and her advice for up-and-coming writers and executives of color.
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New 'Alumni Conversations' Video Series Connects Emersonians - Emerson College Today
Bruce Seals was an assistant basketball coach for Emerson from 1994 to 2011, and his impact on the many Lions he mentored continued long after their playing careers. He was a legend across Boston, and his death on December 15 has brought many people and organizations to praise his years of being a leader and mentor.
“Bruce Seals gave his heart and soul to every men’s basketball student-athlete to help them develops on and off the court,” said Stanford Nance, senior associate director of athletics, who came to Emerson in 2003. “A master tactician, Bruce was also known to incorporate his life skills, which help them be successful after the ball stops bouncing.”
TODAY.EMERSON.EDU
Former Basketball Coach Bruce Seals Remembered as Leader, Mentor - Emerson College Today
Our BA in Business of Creative Enterprises: Australia merges business, creativity, internships, and world travel and gives students the best of two incredible institutions. Learn about our new partnership with the International College of Management Sydney, and the innovative program that allows students to study in Sydney, Boston, and LA. Visit emerson.edu/BCE-Australia
On the Mary Christie Foundation's Quadcast podcast, President Pelton discusses young adult mental health, racial injustice, COVID-19 effects, and what we can collectively learn from 2020.
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Pelton on Young Adult Mental Health, Other Topics: Quadcast Podcast - Emerson College Today
Assistant Director of Comedic Arts and theater historian Matt McMahan writes for The Conversation about the history of holiday cards and comedy, especially during other hard times, and present day cards, as they can help us deal with what has been a difficult year worldwide. The article includes beautiful imagery of cards from the 1800s – present day.
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McMahan on Holiday Cards & Comedy: The Conversation - Emerson College Today
As 2020 draws to a close, our warmest wishes for a new year to a community that did more than persevere. You shined through. ❄️✨💜
Her Socialist Smile, Visual and Media Arts Professor John Gianvito’s documentary about Helen Keller’s advocacy for progressive causes, won the Douglas Edwards Experimental Film Award from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA), Variety reports.
In a September 2020 interview with Emerson Today, Gianvito said he was struck by how relevant Keller’s ideas are today, as well as by how little-known her political and advocacy work is.
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Los Angeles Film Critics Award Gianvito's 'Her Socialist Smile' - Emerson College Today
As Emerson mobilized over the summer to make sure students could safely return to classes in the fall, Jason Meier, director of student engagement and leadership (SEAL), needed to figure out how roughly 100 student organizations might function.
Meier said there was never any doubt in his mind that orgs would operate this past semester. The pandemic did not hamper student orgs so much as allowed them to innovate in the way they operate, test the boundaries of their creativity, and expand on their ability to adapt to the future.
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Student Orgs Innovate, Create Amid Fall COVID Restrictions - Emerson College Today
A new video series is bringing together Emersonians from different generations. Titled Alumni Conversations, the videos pair alumni together for wide-ranging discussions, touching on topics like career pathways, working in entertainment, and navigating the industry during a pandemic.
The first four videos feature Doug Herzog ’81 sharing his thoughts on streaming and comedy with Jackie Sosa ’14; Kate Boutilier ’81 discussing her career path and current work on the Rugrats reboot with John Wentworth ’81; Seth Grahame-Smith ’98 talking with Emerson LA affiliated faculty member Andy Miara about working during COVID-19 and his advice for new graduates; and Traci Blackwell, MA ’14, conversing with Taylor Jett ’16 about her position as head of scripted programming at BET and her advice for up-and-coming writers and executives of color.
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New 'Alumni Conversations' Video Series Connects Emersonians - Emerson College Today
It’s not just anywhere that two undergraduate students can produce a star-studded event like the first annual Future of Creative Industries Conference, but Kristen Cawog ’21 and Valeria Ocando ’22 made it happen at Emerson.
The December 15 event drew 300 attendee registrations and was headlined by a conversation between Business of Creative Enterprises Director Wes Jackson and cosmetic entrepreneur Bobbi Brown ’79, MA’12, who shared insights on her career path, business experience, some Emerson memories, and a delightful sense of humor.
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Inaugural BCE Conference Offers Wisdom for Creative Entrepreneurs - Emerson College Today
Wishing you and your loved ones Hope, Peace, Truth, Love, and Health in 2021. 💜
Marlboro Institute professor Tulasi Srinivas writes a piece for The Conversation about the origins of ice and how it developed popularity, as people around the world are ready to clink glasses and cheer to a better 2021.
While utilizing ice was a tradition for hundreds of years, dating back to first-century Rome, it was for the elite only. It became popular when Bostonian Frederic Tudor created Tudor Ice Co. and initiated trade with India in 1833.
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Srinivas on History of Ice: The Conversation - Emerson College Today
Important updates regarding reopening plans for the 2021 Spring Term. Please read: https://today.emerson.edu/2020/12/30/important-message-regarding-the-2021-spring-term/
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Important Message Regarding the 2021 Spring Term - Emerson College Today
On the Mary Christie Foundation's Quadcast podcast, President Pelton discusses young adult mental health, racial injustice, COVID-19 effects, and what we can collectively learn from 2020.
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Pelton on Young Adult Mental Health, Other Topics: Quadcast Podcast - Emerson College Today
Assistant Director of Comedic Arts and theater historian Matt McMahan writes for The Conversation about the history of holiday cards and comedy, especially during other hard times, and present day cards, as they can help us deal with what has been a difficult year worldwide. The article includes beautiful imagery of cards from the 1800s – present day.
TODAY.EMERSON.EDU
McMahan on Holiday Cards & Comedy: The Conversation - Emerson College Today
Media fragmentation, disintegration of the social contract, and the economic policies of the past 25 years fueled the resentments that led Donald Trump supporters to storm the Capitol Building and the violence that ensued, said School of Communication and Marlboro Institute of Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies faculty.
TODAY.EMERSON.EDU
Emerson Professors on How We Move Forward After Insurrection - Emerson College Today
A portion of President Pelton's community message denouncing the events of this week at the U.S. Capitol Building are featured on Inside Higher Ed, alongside the words of additional college presidents.
INSIDEHIGHERED.COM
A day later, college presidents continued to condemn violence at the Capitol
"On a day that began as a hopeful one for so many, exemplified by the outcome of a historic voter turnout in Georgia, this president and his marauders brought despair and darkness upon us. History will not treat them with kindness or generosity." - President Pelton on today's events in the nation’s capital.
Read full letter here: https://today.emerson.edu/2021/01/06/todays-events-a-new-year/
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Today's Events, a New Year - Emerson College Today
President Lee Pelton explains to the Wall Street Journal why Emerson will begin its spring semester online. “We’re going to be very attentive to the changing landscape of the virus."
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Pelton Says Starting Spring Semester Online Is Right Move: WSJ - Emerson College Today
There aren’t a lot of Emerson alumni working in the energy industry. Elizabeth Kaiga, MA ’98 is one of the few, and she’s also a leader in the clean energy sector.Kaiga was recently recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy for her achievements and leadership in clean energy. Kaiga received the C3E Award in the business category during the virtual C3E Women in Clean Energy Symposium. The U.S. C3E Awards are administered by the MIT Energy Initiative, Stanford Precourt Institute for Energy, and the Texas A&M Energy Institute.
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Alum Honored for Work and Leadership in Clean Energy, Equity - Emerson College Today
Roger House, associate professor in American Studies, writes for The Hill that the Black political leaders of Washington D.C. should learn from “the Georgia experiment.”
House says that African Americans in Georgia brought attention to an alternative vision of political progress that ignited a grassroots movement for statewide governance.
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House Writes Die Has Been Cast for New Direction in Black Politics: The Hill - Emerson College Today
Communication Studies senior lecturer Keri Thompson discussed President Trump and rhetoric with NECN's Sue O'Connell '84 in the wake of last week's attack on the Capitol Building.
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Thompson on President Trump & Rhetoric: NECN - Emerson College Today
Emerson may not be a Division I sports powerhouse like neighboring Boston College, but campus tours and bonding with current athletes has always been a strong part of the recruiting process. So how does recruiting happen when COVID-19 restricts travel and campus access? “Coaches spend almost a year recruiting student athletes. What I think has changed the most is the coaches aren’t able to see the athletes performing,” said Patricia Nicol, director of Athletics. “If the spring sports high school schedule is canceled again, then it will be a two-year hiatus of being able to watch the skill level of these high school athletes.”
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Student Athlete Recruiting During COVID Had to Change - Emerson College Today
Emerson interns (#emterns) work for amazing organizations and do fascinating things. One in a series of conversations with #emterns, republished from Careerbuzz.
Jess Niazian ’22 is a Media Arts Production major who interned at Conscious Minds, a production studio based out of Pasadena, California, from May to August 2020. Emerson Today asked Jess about her role there.
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#Emtern Spotlight: Learning the Ropes at Conscious Minds Production Studio - Emerson College Today
Faculty members’ expertise and interests are as varied as the students they teach. In this article, one in a series about faculty and staff dissertations, associate professor of Performing Arts Brenda Foley discusses her dissertation "Image as Identity: Beauty Contestants and Exotic Dancers as Merchants of Morality."
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Dissertation Dive: How Exotic Dancers, Pageant Contestants Are Regulated and Commodified - Emerson College Today
Media fragmentation, disintegration of the social contract, and the economic policies of the past 25 years fueled the resentments that led Donald Trump supporters to storm the Capitol Building and the violence that ensued, said School of Communication and Marlboro Institute of Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies faculty.
TODAY.EMERSON.EDU
Emerson Professors on How We Move Forward After Insurrection - Emerson College Today
A portion of President Pelton's community message denouncing the events of this week at the U.S. Capitol Building are featured on Inside Higher Ed, alongside the words of additional college presidents.
INSIDEHIGHERED.COM
A day later, college presidents continued to condemn violence at the Capitol
President Pelton spoke to Diverse: Issues in Higher Education about his departure from Emerson this coming spring after 10 years of leading the College, as he will become the President and CEO of The Boston Foundation.Under his leadership, "[The College] redeveloped the downtown corridor to create a sense of place for the city in a way that would recognize and reinforce the great diversity of this city. The other legacy is that we have transformed, with the help of Tony’s leadership, a rather sleepy college into a global powerhouse," Pelton said, referring to Dr. Anthony Pinder, the associate VP of international and global engagement at Emerson. "We are present in all but one of the continents on the globe."
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Pelton on Legacy, Leading TBF: Diverse Issues in Higher Education - Emerson College Today
📍Look who stopped by. (credit: Desiree Bradford, our Assistant Director of Student Transitions)
Join us TONIGHT for an exclusive live Q&A with Kevin Bright '76, Director/Producer of the documentary "Never Too Late: The Doc Severinsen Story," joined by Doc Severinsen himself and School of the Arts Dean Rob Sabal. 8pm ET / 5pm PT
THU, JAN 21
Never Too Late: The Doc Severinsen Story
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed Laura’s Law on January 15, legislation that created the requirement of standards for emergency room access.
Laura’s Law was named after alumna Laura Levis ’04, who in 2016 died outside of an emergency room in Somerville, Massachusetts, after being unable to find the entrance to the hospital while suffering from an asthma attack.
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Laura's Law Named After Late Emerson Alumna - Emerson College Today
Journalism associate professor Roger House writes for The Hill Opinion that Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was co-pastor from 1960-1968, furthered its legacy this month as Georgia elected its current pastor, Reverend Raphael Warnock, to the U.S. Senate.
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House on Legacy of Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church: The Hill - Emerson College Today
Since Raul Reis became Dean in 2016, the School of Communication has hosted an annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. This year, faculty joined Dean Reis in sharing reflections on King’s legacy in light of the issues and events of this time in history.
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Reflections on MLK's legacy, January 2021 - Emerson College Today
President Lee Pelton discusses his upbringing, career in higher education and leading Emerson, racial injustice in the U.S., and more with former MA Governor Deval Patrick on his podcast "Being American."
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Pelton: Diverse Issues in Higher Education, Deval Patrick's Podcast "Being American" - Emerson College Today
This Friday night on GBH Open Studio, Jared Bowen sits down in-studio with David C. Howse to talk about the leadership transition at ArtsEmerson, the post-COVID era future for the organization, and a look at ArtsEmerson's upcoming digital programming. Tune-in at 8:30pm ET. GBH-TV 2 (PBS), Local - Channel 2.
Emerson Contemporary, the College’s platform for showcasing contemporary visual art, presents a new exhibition, "Georgie Friedman: Hurricane Lost," on view in the Media Art Gallery at 25 Avery Street, beginning today through April 4, 2021. Free and open to the public.The exhibition transforms the entire Media Art Gallery into a singular site-specific, fully immersive, sculptural video installation referencing our changing climate and extreme weather.
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Emerson Contemporary Presents "Georgie Friedman: Hurricane Lost" - Emerson College Today
EMERSON.EDU
Support Emerson
Emerson College Alumni Association
January 22 at 9:00 AM ·
Jaden '22 is a film production major and aspiring filmmaker. He grew up in a theatre family. He’s used to the financial vicissitudes of the artistic life with both his parents professionals on Broadway - But nothing prepared him for the economic fallout of the pandemic, when stages nationwide closed last March & haven’t opened since. Simply put, without scholarship aid Jaden would not be able to continue his Emerson education this semester.
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In the midst of the global pandemic and economic crisis, our most urgent focus remains on helping our current students, like Jaden, continue their education, and future students access one. To learn more about our priorities and the impact of giving at Emerson College, visit: emerson.edu/support-emerson
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#ImpactatEmerson
Armando “Tripp” Rams ’20, an IDIP Multimedia Journalism and Design major who graduated this December, interned last summer with Technology, Humans and Taste (THAT), a creative company in New York and Tokyo that creates by collaborating with unfamiliar voices. Rams received a hands-on experience and shares advice for students interested in similar opportunities.
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#Emtern Spotlight: Making Media at THAT - Emerson College Today
Emerson faculty expertise and interests are as varied as the students they teach. This is one article in a series about faculty and staff dissertations. Adam Franklin-Lyons, an associate professor of history in the Marlboro Institute of Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies, discusses his with Emerson Today: "Famine—preparation and response in Catalonia, Spain after the Black Death."
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Dissertation Dive: Famine After The Black Death - Emerson College Today
Hello, February. 👋 🌨 (captured by student photographer @lakejustin ‘22) #boston
Senior Distinguished Artist-in-Residence P. Carl writes for LitHub about 22 books that helped him transition, including Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov, Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, and Claudia Rankine’s Citizen: An American Lyric. P. Carl also discussed his highly-regarded memoir, Becoming A Man: A Story of a Transition with Emerson Today.
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P. Carl on 22 Books That Helped Me Write the Story of My Transition: Literary Hub - Emerson College Today
Emerson Alert: Due to inclement weather continuing through Tuesday morning, all flex in-person classes scheduled to begin before 10 a.m. ET will be held online. At 10 a.m. or later, flex in-person classes will be held in person as scheduled.
All Emerson campus buildings will be open during regularly scheduled hours. Classroom buildings (including the W and Park Plaza) will be open as of 7:30 a.m. ET. To access buildings, please make sure to fill out the symptom checker app before you arrive and wear your face covering.
If you're commuting to campus, please give yourself extra time.
Faculty expertise and interests are as varied as the students they teach. This is one article in a series about faculty and staff dissertations. Amer Latif, associate professor of religion, Marlboro Institute for Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies, discusses his dissertation "Qur’anic Narrative and Sufi Hermeneutics: Rūmī’s Interpretations of Pharaoh’s Character" with Emerson Today.
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Dissertation Dive: Restoring Islamic Context to Rumi’s Poetry - Emerson College Today
Emerson Alert: Due to severe winter forecasted tomorrow, all Emerson campus buildings will be closed on Monday, February 1 with the exception of 172 Tremont, the Dining Center, and residence halls. Dining will be open during regularly scheduled hours.
All flex, in-person classes will be held online synchronously at their appointed times on Monday, February 1.
Emerson College staff members, with the exception of emergency personnel, will be expected to work from home.
The College will continue to monitor conditions throughout the storm and will announce plans for Tuesday on Monday evening.
The Alumni Relations team, like everyone else, have had to find other ways than in-person events to connect to alumni during the pandemic. As people worldwide are connecting via technology and are at home, that availability led to hosting online panels with speakers from all around the world (available on the College's Youtube channel).
Another pandemic-driven creation is the "Making It Big In 30 Minutes" podcast, created by Associate Director of Alumni Relations Rebecca Glucklich and hosted by Alumni Board Member and chair of the professional development committee Terri Trespicio, MFA ’02.
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In Pandemic, Emerson Deepens Digital Offerings for Alumni - Emerson College Today
HBO’s limited series adaptation of a memoir, The Fact of a Body: A Murder, will very much be an Emerson-influenced project. The Fact of a Body: A Murder and a Memoir was written by Alex Marzano-Lesnevich, MFA ’09, and alum Jeremiah Zagar ’03 will direct, produce, and co-write the script for the film.Read on for more Emerson connections:
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Zagar '03 to Direct HBO Adaptation of Alum Marzano-Lesnevich’s Memoir - Emerson College Today
The ESOC Week of Action last November shared once again the struggles and conflict experienced by BIPOC identifying students at Emerson. We acknowledge and accept responsibility for our failures. Here’s what we’re doing and what our next steps will be: https://today.emerson.edu/2021/02/05/emerson-community-equity-statement/
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Emerson Community Equity Statement - Emerson College Today
President Lee Pelton and Mneesha Gellman, director of the Emerson Prison Initiative and associate professor of political science wrote an op-ed for the Boston Globe, describing the need for more educational opportunities for incarcerated people post-pandemic. The Emerson Prison Initiative, which is a pathway program to a bachelor’s degree, and all other college programming in MA prisons, were suspended in November, though Emerson continued remotely.
They cite reducing recidivism rates and providing opportunities for employment in civilian life once they return as among the advantages to educational programming in prisons.
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Pelton, Gellman Urge Expansion of Education for Incarcerated: Boston Globe - Emerson College Today
📢 Emersonians, did you know you can earn your Master’s in one additional year through our 4+1 programs? Learn more at our upcoming 4+1 info sessions for the Public Relations & Publishing and Writing programs. Visit: https://www.emerson.edu/admissions-aid/graduate-admission/events?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=spring21-four-plus-one
EMERSON.EDU
Events
ArtsEmerson executive director and VP, Office of the Arts David Howse sits down with Open Studio host and alum Jared Bowen to discuss how theatre is changing amidst COVID-19, this “year of experimentation,” and how performances may look when in-person art returns.
Howse also describes current productions “Julia” and “A Brimful of Asha,” which are available virtually (check ArtsEmerson's websites for dates).
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Howse on Art Now, Moving Forward: GBH Open Studio - Emerson College Today
Since premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2019, Exam, a short film directed and co-written by Sonia Hadad, MFA ’17 has scooped up accolades at festivals around the world, gathering 33 awards, including Best Actress in a Short Film at Sundance last year for star Sadaf Asgari, and Best Live Action Short Film at AFI (American Film Institute) Fest. Thanks to the AFI award, Exam qualifies for a 2021 Academy Award – voting takes place this month.
Exam, a 14-minute thriller was filmed on location in Tehran, Iran. It tells the story of a teenage girl (Asgari) who is enlisted to deliver a drug package on a day when she is scheduled to take an important exam at school. Emerson Today asked Hadad about the film, its success, and learning filmmaking at Emerson.
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Alumna’s Film, Exam, Passes Test at International Film Festivals - Emerson College Today
Happy Valentine's Day! 💞💜 We’re sharing stories of Emerson couples who met at Emerson, met before Emerson, met after Emerson, love-at-first-sighters, couples who met online, couples who met pre-online dating, and everyone in between.
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Valentine's Day: So Much Love Sparked at Emerson College! - Emerson College Today
Optimistic is how Emersonian faculty members view the Biden administration’s support of the arts and humanities. Visual and Media Arts Professor Cher Knight, chair of Emerson’s Public Art Think Tank (PATT), and Leonie Bradbury, Henry and Lois Foster Chair of Contemporary Art Theory and Practice; and Distinguished Curator-in-Residence, Emerson Contemporary, share their perspectives with Emerson Today.
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Emerson Artists on What Biden Administration Could Mean for the Arts - Emerson College Today
TONIGHT, Bright Lights Film Series at Emerson presents Landfall Documentary, which "chronicles the aftermath of Hurricane Maria and the fraught relationship between the US and Puerto Rico." The viewing window opened yesterday and closes when the conversation starts at 8pm EST tonight. Discussion with producer Ines Hoffman Kanna ('96) and Boston Latino International Film Festival director Sabrina Aviles to follow. Co-presenters: Boston Latino, Boston Women's Film Festival, Roxbury International Film Festival, and Living on Earth.
THU, FEB 11
Bright Lights: Landfall with Ines Hofmann Kanna ‘96 and Sabrina Aviles
💜❄️😷 More snowy moments from around campus this week, captured by @lakejustin ‘22.
While we aren’t able to gather in person to celebrate Black History Month this year, Emerson organizations are offering a variety of places to come together online to honor and celebrate the Black community and experience. The following events are listed on the Alumni Events page and EmConnect.
EBONI (Emerson’s Black Organization with Natural Interests) and the EBONI Alumni Association are hosting Celebrating from Home: A Virtual Black History Month Experience, which begins this evening with "Taking Care of Ourselves: COVID and Stress in the Black Community" from 8-9 p.m.
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Emerson Celebrates Black History Month: Events Throughout February - Emerson College Today
Six alumni and now professional TV reporters/producers from across the country spoke candidly with students about their experience covering the 2020 election amid contentious politics and COVID-19 restrictions during a virtual event last month.Moderated by Janet Kolodzy, Journalism Department chair and former senior writer/editor at CNN, the event drew alumni insights on their greatest challenges/resolutions, the pressures and negativity from social media, distrust in media, and keeping current while keeping calm.
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Alumni Journalists on Facing Danger, Keeping Calm Covering the 2020 Election - Emerson College Today
Growing up, Visual and Media Arts assistant professor Rae Shaw didn’t see many heroines who looked like her in TV or film. Now a filmmaker, she’s set out to change that for today’s young girls of color.
The result, a transmedia web series Shaw created, wrote, and directed called Black Kung Fu Chick, is making its world premiere at the virtual 2021 Slamdance Film Festival, now through February 25.
“I wanted to share this story of a vibrant and powerful community that has commonly been portrayed through stereotypical lenses that create limits and boundaries instead of empowering and inspiring,” Shaw said.
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With Black Kung Fu Chick, VMA Professor Creates a Heroine for Young Girls of Color - Emerson College Today
Throughout Black History Month, the College is highlighting historic Black Emersonians who, over the past century, broke new ground and planted the seeds of justice through their contributions to the arts and communication.
Ms. Elma Ina Lewis ’43 was one of Boston’s most important Black female luminaries in the arts, education, and civil rights work. Born in Roxbury, Massachusetts to parents who had emigrated from Barbados, Ms. Lewis was dedicated to teaching Black and Brown youth education through the arts. She graduated from Emerson in 1943, financing her education by acting in local theatre productions, and went on to earn her master’s in education from Boston University.
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Honoring Black History Month: Ms. Elma Lewis '43 - Emerson College Today
Do you know about the College's award-winning radio station, 88.9 FM WERS' new 24/7 urban music stream, "Boston's Black Experience?"
Launched in December 2020, it is available via 88.9 FM HD-2 for those with HD-equipped radios, and via ERS+, a new channel, available as a stream – online and via app at https://wersplus.org.
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88.9 FM WERS Boston Launches New HD2 Radio Format: New ERS+ to Stream “Boston’s Black Experience” - Emerson College Today
Writing Literature & Publishing associate professor and Elma Lewis Distinguished Fellow Jabari Asim reviewed two new picture books for the New York Times, giving high acclaim to both: ”Have I Ever Told You Black Lives Matter” by Shani Mahiri King and illustrated by Bobby C. Martin Jr., and “The ABCs of Black History” by Rio Cortez, illustrated by Lauren Semmer.
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Asim Reviews Books Celebrating Poetry & Promise of Black Lives: NYT - Emerson College Today
This spring, the Marketing Communication department launched its "Rethinking Consumer Engagement: Leading with Empathy, Equity, and Integrity" speaker series that explores this new direction with a wide variety of industry leaders. It kicked off last week with Tim Gunn, fashion consultant, actor, author, Project Runway mentor and co-host of Making the Cut.
Read on for pearls of wisdom from Gunn.
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TV’s Tim Gunn Mentors Emerson Students on Leading with Empathy - Emerson College Today
TOMORROW 3PM EST: Join the School of Communications for "Women in Business Leadership," part of the Marketing Communication Speaker Series. The panel discussion will feature women in leadership who have paved the way—from tech PR to media and the arts—and is open to the public. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/marcomm-speaker-series-women-in-business-leadership-tickets-141229048887
🌃 ✨ Nighttime at the corner of Boylston and Tremont. (Taken sometime in October, back when the grass was still green!)
Emerson interns (#emterns) work for amazing organizations and do fascinating things. One in a series of conversations with #emterns, republished from Careerbuzz.
Last fall, Brandon Lebel ’21, a Media Arts Production major with a focus in audio post-production and minors in Music History and Culture and Psychology, interned with Ugly Duck from August to December 2020. Ugly Duck Studios is a full-service recording studio and video production company in Boston.
TODAY.EMERSON.EDU
#Emtern Spotlight: Engineering a New Experience - Emerson Today
Throughout Black History Month, the College is highlighting historic Black Emersonians who, over the past century, broke new ground and planted the seeds of justice through their contributions to the arts and communication. Sam Cornish was Boston’s first poet laureate and a guide and mentor to generations of young voices as a longtime Emerson faculty member.
Associated with the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and ‘70s, and influenced by poets as diverse as the Beats, Gwendolyn Brooks, Mary Oliver, Langston Hughes, and T.S. Eliot among countless others, Cornish wove issues of race and class, family and history into his spare and precise poems.
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Honoring Black History Month: Sam Cornish - Emerson Today
This year, Emerson’s Social Justice Academy is highlighting a conversation around mass incarceration and abolition, hosting a variety of events that will run through March 8.
On Friday, March 5, the academy, offered through the Intercultural Student Affairs office, will present their keynote speaker, Raymond Santana of the Exonerated Five, in conversation with Keyon Sprinkle, a Boston-area exoneree, to share their experiences of wrongful incarceration and the paths that they are on now.
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Social Justice Academy Taking on Mass Incarceration This Spring - Emerson Today
Screenwriting faculty Rae Shaw's compelling transmedia series Black Kung Fu Chick debuted at Slamdance Film Festival this month and is available through tomorrow, and to the public later this year. The series follows a young female action hero that inspires young women of color through martial arts. Learn more: https://www.wbur.org/artery/2021/02/24/black-kung-fu-chick-rae-shaw
WBUR.ORG
'Black Kung Fu Chick' Fights Back Against Stereotypes And Adultification Of Black Girls
The College’s Archives and Special Collections was fortunate enough to add the Katherine D. Bourne Papers to its collections in 2017. They were a gift to the College from Kay Bourne, who died on January 31, 2021, at the age of 82.
For four decades, Bourne was the arts editor for the Bay State Banner, which covers Boston’s Black community. In Bourne’s obituary, Banner senior editor Yawu Miller wrote in her obituary that Bourne’s coverage was an integral part of the city’s Black arts community.
“She covered the luminaries of the community with sensitivity and respect, helping generations of artists gain recognition and reach broader audiences,” wrote Miller.
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Kay Bourne Papers Celebrate Decades of Boston's Black Arts Community - Emerson College Today
Read the College's update on our Community Equity Action Plan.
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Update on Community Equity Action Plan - Emerson Today
After careful consideration, the College has decided to support the participation of our Spring athletics programs in the NEWMAC competition, beginning March 13 along with other participating members of the NEWMAC.
Read the full announcement about the decision regarding the Spring Athletics season:
TODAY.EMERSON.EDU
Decision Regarding Spring Athletics Season - Emerson Today
Writing, Literature, and Publishing associate professor and Elma Lewis Distinguished Fellow Jabari Asim wrote a piece about reading Dr. Seuss’ books to his son at library, and updated it recently as six books will now discontinue publishing as they contain racist content.
Asim recalls reading If I Ran the Zoo with his young son decades ago, coming across offensive content and redirecting to another book at the time.
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Asim on Dr. Seuss Books: Boston Globe - Emerson Today
This Women’s History Month, the College compiled a list of Emerson women who’ve made history in many arenas as "firsts." Among them are Mary Burrill (1904), Ms. Elma Lewis '43, former faculty Carole Simpson, who was the first African American to anchor a major national newscast, and many more.
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These Emerson Alumnae Were the First To… - Emerson Today
Senior Distinguished Director-in-Residence Regge Life produced and directed the film "Live your Dream: The Taylor Anderson Story," which chronicles the impact of the American English teacher who lost her life during the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Life's film is part of the Footprints & Footsteps 3.11 and the Future of Tohuku online event this month commemorating 10 years since the Japan earthquake and tsunami.
The film is available from March 5 to March 14 (more information in link). Life was also a Fullbright Scholar in Japan in 2003. The Fullbright Association celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.
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Online Tribute Event
As Black History Month transitions into Women's History Month, we continue to honor historic Black Emersonians. Find the full collection of profiles online at today.emerson.edu. Meet alum Donzaleigh Abernathy: entertainer, author, activist, speaker, and goddaughter of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Emerson Class of 1980.
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Martin Luther King Jr.'s Goddaughter on Telling Stories of Courage - Emerson Today
Join us Saturday, 3/6, at 1pm EST, for "In Conversation with Dr. Jenn," a discussion that marries mental health, building relationships, and strengthening communication during and after the COVID-19 pandemic with accomplished psychotherapist, author, and media personality Dr. Jenn Mann '91. REGISTER to attend at: https://bit.ly/InConvo_DrJenn
Senior Executive-in-Residence, assistant dean, and Director of Business and Entrepreneurial Studies Lu Ann Reeb discusses the E3 Entrepreneurship program, a yearlong program that culminates in its pitch competition, where each student showcases their new business idea.
In this Medium.com interview, Reeb shares how the program had to pivot online due to COVID-19, some of the business ventures alumni are working on, and more.
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Reeb on E3 Entrepreneurship Program: Medium - Emerson Today
Don’t forget: the 2021 Teach-In on Race is this Thursday & Friday (3/18 & 3/19)! View event schedule, panel topics, and speaker info at emerson.edu/teach-in. #EmersonTeachIn
🎼 Have a musical Monday!
You’ll find Emerson alumni all over this year’s SXSW film and comedy lineups. Emerson grads can be spotted in front of the camera, behind the camera, and behind the folks behind the camera.The Festival runs online March 16-20 this year.
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An Emersonian’s Guide to SXSW - Emerson Today
Spotted in People Magazine's Picks for Book of the Week: Emerson WLP MFA alum Alexis Landau's "Those Who Are Saved." 👏📖
In an era when the gulf between left and right can feel too wide to bridge, how can we have conversations across the divide without screaming?
In Left and Right, or Being Who/Where You Are, Ioana Jucan, assistant professor in the Marlboro Institute of Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies and an instructor in the Business of Creative Enterprises program, created and directed an interactive, online devised performance that stages scenes between and among human actors and bots, who disrupt and deconstruct those seemingly rigid political identities.
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Jucan’s Latest Piece Explores More Expansive Ways of Being Political - Emerson Today
The event schedule for the 2021 Teach In on Race (next Thursday and Friday, 3/18-3/19) is here! View on emerson.edu/teach-in. Keynote address will be available to the public. Panels reserved for Emerson community members. #EmersonTeachIn
Emerson’s Intercultural Student Affairs wrapped up this year’s Social Justice Academy on March 5, with a conversation about mass incarceration and the school-to-prison pipeline with keynote speaker Raymond Santana of the Exonerated Five.
Joining Santana on the panel discussion were Keyon Sprinkle, a Boston-area exoneree, and Luz Villar, a former aide to Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. Clarissa Carillo ’24, an Intercultural Student Affairs student worker, moderated.The panelists spoke, among other things, about how their experiences with the prison system changed their perspectives and drove them to help out their communities where they can.
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Social Justice Academy Panel Examines Incarceration, Activism, Education - Emerson Today
The 2021 Teach-In On Race continues this morning at 9:30am with a keynote address by Dr. Eve L. Ewing, "1919 and Beyond." This address will not be recorded and is open to the public! Zoom info at emerson.edu/teach-in. #EmersonTeachIn
Congratulations to all of our 2021 Admitted Students! We can’t wait to welcome you to the Emerson #Classof2025! 🦁 💜 🎉 👏 #IntoEmerson
Filmmaker Jhanvi Motla ’14 received a NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Short Form, Live Action, for the film Black Boy Joy. The film is about three generations of Black men struggling to juggle the demands of raising a young son with autism while adapting to their new normal after the death of a loved one. It explores how to raise a Black boy with autism in America today, especially amid microaggressions and policing of Black bodies.
We spoke with Motla about how she got involved with the film, some of the programs and organizations she has participated in, and the impact COVID-19 has had on her work.
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Jhanvi Motla ‘14 on NAACP Image Award Nomination, Representation in Film - Emerson Today
Please read our community message in support of our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.
Please note, the College's vigil originally scheduled for Friday will now take place on Tuesday, March 23, at 6 p.m.
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In Support of Our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Community - Emerson Today
Join Emerson and Paris College of Art this Saturday at 12pm EST for: "Death of the Silver Screen: New Modes of Distribution," the inaugural event in a new Industry Talks series. In this series, top media talent and academic analysts explore cutting edge art, global culture, and media trends in an ever-changing digital landscape.
This event is free and open to the public. View details and sign up:
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GBFA Industry Talks: Death of the Silver Screen - New Modes of Distribution
A panel of Emerson artists gathered last week as part of the 2021 Teach-In on Race to talk about how creatives are finding their place through the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and white supremacy, and how they’re creating art while practicing self-care.
“Art and the Art of Survival,” featured Visual and Media Arts Assistant Professor Ed Lee, comedy writer, and writer-producer of the film, Becoming Eddie; Tatiana Johnson-Boria, MFA ’21, a writer and artist; and Performing Arts Assistant Professor Nathaniel Justiniano, founder and artistic director of Naked Empire Bouffon Company. It was moderated by Writing, Literature, and Publishing affiliated faculty member Amy L. Clark, author of the story collections Wanting and Adulterous Generation, and the novel Palais Royale.
Journalism associate professor Paul Niwa joined GBH’s “Beat the Press” program to discuss recent events in the news and their coverage, including the recent Atlanta tragedy in which eight people were killed by a gunman.
Niwa said we need to listen to the words of the shooter to the police; based on those, it was a racially-based crime and a lynching.
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Paul Niwa on Atlanta Tragedy: GBH Beat the Press - Emerson Today
Members of the Emerson community came together virtually last week to engage with each other and guests around issues of race, self-care, and creating art in a climate of inequity and violence during the College’s fifth Teach-In on Race.
Dr. Eve Ewing, a writer, sociologist, and assistant professor at the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration, was the keynote speaker. Read on for excerpts from the keynote, in which Dr. Ewing discusses the importance of epistemology to the Black experience, art and perspective, Afrofuturism and the nature of time, the recent Atlanta murders, and more.
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Teach-In on Race: Writer, Scholar Eve Ewing on ‘Time Folding Back in on Itself’ - Emerson Today
Jesse Soares, who was incarcerated in Massachusetts Correctional Institute (MCI)-Concord, credits receiving a liberal arts education through the Emerson Prison Initiative (EPI) with not just providing a skill set to come back into the world, but also the ability to thrive and function in it like he had never before.
“Knowing how to hold yourself in a conversation allows options to come to you,” he said. Soares was one of three panelists in the College's Teach-In on Race panel, “The Emerson Prison Initiative: Education as Social Justice.”
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Teach-In on Race: EPI Sees Social Justice Through Liberal Arts - Emerson Today
🔦Lights out!🔦 Emerson is participating in #EarthHour this year by turning off some of our lights, and we invite you to join! Starting at 8:30 pm this Saturday, March 27, support the planet by turning off your lights for an hour. Need ideas for passing the time in the dark? Find some inspiration at https://latest.earthhour.org/earthhour-at-home. 🌎 #greenemerson
Richard Fucillo Jr. ’21 performs a balancing act: he’s senior in his last semester, vice president of his class, and he coaches a youth baseball league and umpires games.He is also running for the 19th Suffolk District state representative seat in Massachusetts. There will be a special election on March 30.
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Fucillo '21 Mixes Running for State Rep with Classwork - Emerson Today
