A photo of a band conductor and student musicians during a performance of "Dogfight."

2021 Arts & Sciences Week in Photos

Revisiting this year's Arts & Sciences Week through the lenses of our staff photographers
October 26, 2021

Every aspect of the fourth annual Arts & Sciences Week at WPI contained a singular focus: lighting the spark—of interest, new passions, and ongoing impact. The week’s theme, Imagine, Innovate, Integrate, and Impact, gave students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to explore the specialties and expertise of those within WPI’s School of Arts & Sciences through panels, performances, roundtable discussions, social summits, and other opportunities to engage in new areas of research and interest.

Take a look back as we capture highlights of this year’s celebration of scientific, technological, social, artistic, and humanistic innovation.

DEPARTMENT(S)
Humanities & Arts
|
Social Science & Policy Studies
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Chemistry & Biochemistry
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Mathematical Sciences
PROFILE(S)
Carissa Olsen
|
Francesca Bernardi
|
Jean King
|
Joseph Aguilar
|
Joshua Rosenstock
|
Lori Ostapowicz-Critz
|
Mimi Sheller
|
Stacy Shaw

Peterson Family Dean of Arts & Sciences Jean King, department heads, program leaders, and Arts & Sciences staff delivered the week's opening remarks, "Lighting the Way to a Better Normal: The State of Arts & Sciences."

 

The Medwin String Quartet, directed by assistant teaching professor of humanities and arts Abigail Koo, closed out the opening remarks with a performance.

 

WPI’s Wikipedia Editing Community, led by Francesca Bernardi, assistant professor of mathematical sciences, and Lori Ostapowicz-Critz, associate director of the Gordon Library, enjoyed an evening of editing, creating, and translating Wikipedia pages for those from underrepresented and marginalized identities in the arts and sciences.

 

WPI’s popular Critical Conversation Series featured a discussion on the connections between science and creativity. The panel was moderated by King and Joseph Aguilar, assistant teaching professor of humanities and arts, and featured panelists Stacy Shaw, assistant professor of social science and policy studies; Carissa Olsen, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry; and Joshua Rosenstock, professor of humanities and arts.

 

The week was soundtracked by concerts and performances from several of WPI’s music and choral groups—Orchestra, Concert Band, various jazz ensembles, Brass Ensemble, Alden Voices, Glee Club, Festival Chorus, and Chamber Choir.

 

One of two social justice summits held during the week, “In Light of a Future We Have Yet to Make: Mobilities Justice” featured a keynote speech by Mimi Sheller, dean of The Global School, and a roundtable discussion with WPI faculty and graduate students working on different aspects of mobility justice.

 

VOX musical theatre treated the WPI community to a performance of the musical Dogfight as part of Arts & Sciences Week and Family Weekend.

 

Whether you participated in one event or several, virtually or in person, it’s safe to say that all aspects of this year’s Arts & Sciences Week were music to our ears.

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