TU to host first Juneteenth Art & STEM Showcase

By Kyle Hobstetter on June 14, 2022

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. It is traditionally marked on June 19.

To celebrate the holiday, the Towson University Black Faculty & Staff Association (BFSA) will host an Art & STEM Showcase on June 17 from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The BFSA Art & STEM Showcase is a celebration of the arts and sciences with a focus on building, bridging and strengthening connections both on campus and in the local community. It also continues to celebrate diversity and inclusion at Towson University.

“We want this to be an inclusive event that highlights some of the work that Black members of our community have done,” says Jasmine Carr, event and planning coordinator for BFSA and administrative assistant for the Department of Electronic Media and Film. “We also want for those participating to share view points on how we can strengthen Baltimore City communities, Baltimore County communities, and especially African-American communities in art and STEM.”

TU is an anchor institution for Greater Baltimore and Maryland, committed to making a difference and transforming lives throughout our region.

The Art & STEM Showcase serves as a partnership between BFSA, the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) and the Jess & Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics (FCSM), and will recognize Towson University’s faculty, staff, students and alumni who have made contributions to the fields of art and STEM.

The day begins at the Dr. Julius Chapman Quadrangle, with event registration and opening remarks from Dena Barnwell, BFSA’s staff program director.

The showcase then moves to the Science Complex, with presentations from Towson University faculty and staff. These presentations include:

• “The Vision for TU BFSA Art & STEM” — Jasmine Carr, BFSA event and planning coordinator
• “African Cultural, Social and Economic Histories” — Oluwatoyin Oduntan, associate professor in the Department of History
• “Communicating, Organizing and Building Resilience in the Black Diaspora” — Eric Karikari, assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies
• “Envisioning Equity in Art” —Morna McNulty, professor in the Department of Elementary Education  
• “Building, Bridging, and Connecting Art & STEM in Black Communities” — Trudymae Agboka, program coordinator for the TU Research Enhancement Program, and Lynn Patterson, adjunct faculty member in the College of Fine Arts and Communication
• An open panel dialogue on art & STEM, featuring:  
  • Aisha Ali-Gombe, assistant professor in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences
  • Stephany Zetterstrom ’23, electronic media and film and mass communication major
  • Maliya Baxter ’23, Hill-Lopes Scholar Program student[BROKEN LINK]
  • Amerria Casey ‘23, biology graduate student in TU’s Bridges to the Doctorate program
  • Aris Hines ’19, COFAC alumnus and program coordinator at the Young Women’s Project.
  • Henry Jackson, TU Center for STEM Excellence staff member
  • Elena Versenyi, Department of Theatre Arts staff member
  • Emma Wesoloski ’07, National Aquarium vice president of marketing and engagement strategy
  • Shodekeh Talifero, COFAC innovator-in-residence 

After a break, the showcase continues with tours of the Science Complex. This will include a Planetarium show, a look at the TU Human Remains Identification Lab, the Science Complex Lab, observatory, greenhouse and living classrooms.

The day concludes with a special pop-up art gallery, with presentations from Felicity Knox of Towson University Special Collections and University Archives and Michelle Casey, an assistant professor in the Department of Physics, Astronomy and Geosciences.

Along with the pop-up art gallery, there will be a soul food reception as well as time for networking.

“What it’s important to highlight about this event is the whole idea of envisioning equity,” Carr says. “We’re all coming together in these beautiful new spaces and celebrating. And it’s going to be a celebration.”

The event is free to attend, but registration is recommended. Those interested in attending can register online.

Take part in these other Juneteenth events.