I write to respond to your Feb. 19 editorial on SU Showcase. I applaud your decision to take a stand on the issue, but wish to offer several important clarifications.

First of all, Wednesday’s press conference was the first in a series of announcements about SU Showcase. I am pleased to report that the planning process is well ahead of schedule.

Secondly, I must point out that The Soling Program – a University-wide program dedicated to experiential and interdisciplinary learning, administered by the College of Arts and Sciences – organizes SU Showcase, not Hill Communications. The Soling Program recently engaged Hill to do pro bono communications for SU Showcase. A pleasant byproduct of our partnership is Hill students’ personal interest in the planning process. In a mere three months, they have helped facilitate dozens of relationships between Soling and key student organizations, as well as helped make numerous programming recommendations, including the academic triathlon, ‘green’ art challenge, a relay race, the Orange Groove dance competition, a prominent breakfast speaker and a national music act in the afternoon. Hill, which is an award-winning student PR firm in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, should not be faulted for their interest, participation or expertise. We could not be happier with them.

Thirdly, SU Showcase is in a class by itself. We cannot name another institution nationwide that devotes an entire day to showcasing academic achievement. The event’s goals are as follows:

-To celebrate creativity, discovery and services through a myriad of presentations, displays, demonstrations and performances

-To promote the recognition and understanding of the breadth and depth of creative and service work being done by students and faculty members

-To foster the spirit of academic involvement at the highest levels

-To display to the community the scope of creative and service work being done on campus.

At its core, SU Showcase is about students. The idea for the event was conceived mostly by students, and, five years later, many students continue to play a major role in its planning and implementation. In fact, event ideas come directly from student and faculty online submissions. SU Showcase is a chance to show how proud the university is of the academic and engagement accomplishments of our student body.

As a faculty member, I recognize the importance of balanced debate. Such discourse provokes further thought on the part of readers and, on a college campus, is both healthy and necessary.

Professor James T. SpencerChemistry departmentOn behalf of Students, Faculty and Staff of the SU Showcase Planning Committees

Published on February 22, 2009 at 12:00 pm