Two milestones, one conversation: MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences, Phi Beta Kappa celebrate anniversaries, explore future
Contact: Sarah Nicholas
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State’s College of Arts and Sciences marks its 70th anniversary this month alongside the 250th anniversary of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. One of the university’s largest academic colleges will mark the occasion with the nation’s oldest academic honor society by holding a panel discussion exploring the enduring value and future of a liberal arts education.
“Rooted in Excellence: Shaping the Future of Liberal Arts” begins Friday [Sept. 25] at 2 p.m. in the Griffis Hall Forum Room. The discussion will explore how the arts, humanities, social sciences and natural sciences are shaping the next generation of problem-solvers, creators and leaders and delve into how these disciplines remain at the heart of innovation, critical thinking, communication and discovery. The free program is open to the campus community and the public.
The panel features former MSU College of Arts and Sciences Dean Gregory R. Dunaway; MSU Professors Anthony Neal and Chris Snyder; and Amber Cox, associate secretary and chief operating officer of the Phi Beta Kappa Society.
“Education must be grounded in the liberal arts and sciences because it is there that students are challenged to think creatively and critically, become discerning consumers of knowledge, develop intellectual flexibility and grow and practice communication skills,” said Rick Travis, College of Arts and Sciences dean.
“In a world where intelligence is produced artificially, to lack these skills is to leave oneself vulnerable in a quickly changing world. As we celebrate 70 years of the college, this panel gives us an opportunity to reflect on the impact of that education while looking ahead to how the liberal arts and sciences must continue to shape the future.”
MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences encompasses disciplines across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and mathematics.
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