September 18, 2008

Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock to speak at Bryant

Best known for “Super Size Me,” Spurlock’s talk is the first event of the new Student Arts and Speaker Series.

Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, director of “Super Size Me,” a documentary that examined the health effects of eating nothing but McDonald’s for a month, will present a talk on Tuesday, September 23, at 7 p.m. in Janikies Theatre. The event is sponsored by the new Student Arts and Speaker Series (SASS).

Students and staff members can pickup tickets in the Center for Student Involvement on the third floor of the Bryant Center. Members of the community can reserve tickets beginning on Monday, September 21 by calling (401) 232-6160.

          

Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, director of “Super Size Me,” a documentary that examined the health effects of eating nothing but McDonald’s for a month, will present a talk on Tuesday, September 23, at 7 p.m. in Janikies Theatre.

A screening of “Super Size Me” will take place today at 7:30 p.m. on the Hall 17 lawn. (Rain location is Janikies Theatre beginning at 8 p.m.) The film won a Documentary Screenplay Award from the Writer’s Guild of America and was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Documentary category.

Endless possibilities

The mission of the SASS is to bring prominent speakers to campus and plan events that promote a greater awareness of the arts. The committee will also collaborate each semester with Bryant’s Trustee Speaker Series and the President’s Cultural Series. The next event sponsored by the SASS will be announced at the Spurlock event.

“The SASS will help students connect with the world around them and start the discussion on topics related to diversity, the arts, and other important issues,” says Meagan Sage, assistant director of the Center for Student Involvement and cochair of the SASS.

          

(Photo on the left) Assistant Director of the Center for Student Involvement Meagan Sage and (Photo on the right) Michelle Thompson ’10 (Norwood, MA).

Michelle Thompson ’10 (Norwood, MA), second cochair of the SASS, says the possibilities are endless for the new series.

“We have ideas for performance arts groups, fashion-related shows, international-inspired events, political programs, and artwork exhibits,” she says. “The SASS will be able to bring many different perspectives to campus, which we hope will allow students to have an experience with the arts that they haven’t had before.”

          

(Photo on the left) Assistant Professor of English and Cultural Studies Alex Perullo and (photo on the right) Kelly O’Connell ’09 (Whitman, MA).

Alex Perullo, assistant professor of English and cultural studies and faculty representative on the SASS committee, says hearing about a person’s life, watching a film, or listening to a musical performance are important supplements to classroom learning.

“These connections are important for enhancing a student’s understanding of a topic and their overall knowledge of the world around them,” he says

Committee member Kelly O’Connell ’09 (Whitman, MA) adds, “Through SASS we can bring a more integrated way of thinking to Bryant students.”

Learning outside the classroom

Brian Waddell ’11 (Schenectady, NY), an SASS committee member, says some of his most valuable learning experiences so far have been campus events like the President Bill Clinton rally or the regular networking receptions sponsored by Delta Sigma Pi.  

“We hope our programs provoke students so they start questioning and thinking on their own and open their minds to possibilities they never thought existed,” says Waddell.

          

(Photo on the left) Brian Waddell ’11 (Schenectady, NY) and (photo on the right) Cristine Cox ’11 (Suitland, MD).

Cristine Cox ’11 (Suitland, MD), an SASS committee member, says campus events are a hallmark of the Bryant experience.

“The organizations, clubs, and events are a huge part of what sets Bryant apart from other schools,” she says. “The opportunity for each student to get involved on campus is what makes Bryant such a special place.”

Michael Adams ’10 (Richmond, VT), an SASS committee member who has already started his own small business, says it is important for students to exercise the right side of their brains.

          

(Photo on the left) Michael Adams ’10 (Richmond, VT) and (photo on the right) Kate Rosales ’11 (Dallas, TX).

“We need to encourage students to think creatively and abstractly so they can do great things,” says Adams.

SASS committee member Kate Rosales ’11 (Dallas, TX) adds, “My hope is that these events provide a creative outlet for students and allow them to explore talents they might not have discovered yet.”

Student Arts and Speaker Series Committee Members

Cochairs

Meagan Sage, Assistant Director of the Center for Student Involvement
Michelle Thompson ’10 (Norwood, MA)

Committee

Michael Adams ’10 (Richmond, VT)
Cristine Cox ’11 (Suitland, MD)
Kelly O’Connell ’09 (Whitman, MA)
Kate Rosales ’11 (Dallas, TX)
Brian Waddell ’11 (Schenectady, NY)

Staff Representative

Nick Poche, Area Director in Residence Life

Faculty Representative

Alex Perullo, Assistant Professor English and Cultural Studies

Front row (L-R) Kelly O’Connell ’09 (Whitman, MA), Assistant Director of the Center for Student Involvement Meagan Sage, Cristine Cox ’11 (Suitland, MD), Kate Rosales ’11 (Dallas, TX), and Michelle Thompson ’10 (Norwood, MA). Back row (L-R) Assistant Professor of English and Cultural Studies Alex Perullo, Area Director in Residence Life Nick Poche, and Brian Waddell ’11 (Schenectady, NY).