A few weeks ago, we asked OU faculty to let us know what’s been keeping them busy this summer. The response was so generous, we had to post another blog! Here are more of their exciting stories:
Dr. Jay Lutz, Professor of French, visited the country of Senegal as part of the Intercultural Dimensions Program. He and two colleagues explored Senegal for three weeks, and stayed with the Diedhiou family in Sédhiou for a portion of their travels.
The group participated in all aspects of family life while staying in the compound, engaging in cultural activities that included a lesson in local agriculture. In preparation for one of their dinners, Dr. Lutz and the others pounded spices with a traditional upright African mortar and pestle. They also brought seeds with them, and together with the Diedhiou family, dug a vegetable garden in the compound.
The group also stayed overnight in the remote Pulaar village of Temento Samba near the border of Guinea Bissau. There, they shared a traditional West African meal, while being entertained by drummers and chanters…Check out the sights and sounds of Senegal (and Dr. Lutz dancing!) below:
Associate Professor of Japanese Robert Steen spent a week at the Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition at the University of Minnesota, where he enjoyed the cool weather and studied the latest theories of second language acquisition with instructors from all over the world.
Dr. Daniel Schadler, Professor of Biology, attended the 19th National Meeting of the National Association of Advisors for the Health Profession, held in Atlanta last month. He was involved in local arrangements for the meeting, organizing and staging a silent auction that raised over $4000 for the Good Samaritan Health Center, a local clinic that provides medical care for un- and under-insured patients.
Dr. Brent Runnels, Professor of Music, has been spending his time on stage this summer. He conducted Jazz Orchestra Atlanta with special trumpeter Marcus Printup from the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. The concert was featured on the front page of the Marietta Daily Journal newspaper:
