The Cardinal Connections Committee met on Sept. 22 for the first time this year to brainstorm new and innovative ideas for this year’s symposium. Max Mendez, coordinator of Cardinal Connections, stated that this year’s theme is creativity.
Cardinal Connections formally known as the “Popcorn Forum” was started in 1970 by Tony Stewart, a longtime human rights activist. It began as a week-long symposium that had many Chautauqua performances.
Chautauqua actors are described as part actor part scholar and gifted in research skills and performance. The performers must deeply research their character, thoughts and beliefs. The performer will bring up topics of the present and relate them to the beliefs of the person they are portraying.
Also each of them must know their character well enough to answer thought provoking questions conducted from the audience.
Discussed in the meeting, last years symposium was highly attended by several faculty, staff, students, and the community at large. The topic “Brains Rewired” had countless workshops and performances, which discussed the science of the brain.
The plan for this year is to have even more student involvement and possibly interactive creativity stations set up around the campus.
Other ideas discussed were having a dress up day where the students may earn a prize for most convincing costume portraying a creative person in history and having a flash mob where student clubs and organizations could take part in.
“I feel the idea of creativity is going to bring a lot more student interaction,” said ASNIC Vice President Nick Dimico. “It’s important to remember that our students want to get involved, but they need a reason in doing so; therefore I think this topic will generate outstanding numbers for student involvement.”
Tentative dates for the symposium are Monday March 13th to Wednesday March 15th.
Topics that are yet to be confirmed for this years symposium could include creativity in pop culture and the evolution of creativity.
Keynote speakers being discussed, included Sherman Alexi, John Lasider, Jim Boyd, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Son of Gandhi) and pop-star icon Lady Gaga.
Meetings for planning the event are open faculty, staff, students and all members of the community.
The committee encourages all ideas, thoughts and concerns. Meeting times are yet to be finalized.
Mendez mentioned that he would send out a confirmation to everyone on the committee.
“ASNIC is encouraging students to get involved on committees,” said Dimico. “Students can do so by applying for a Student At Large position which allows students to voice opinions on student committees.”
Students can pick up a Student At Large application in the ASNIC office upstairs in the SUB.
For more information about the Cardinal Connections Committee students are urged to contact Max Mendez at Max_Mendez@nic.edu or by phone at 769-3275.
