Evening dispels myths of LSA

In an evening beginning with Shakespeare and ending in song, LSA students dedicated last night to showcasing their school's diversity, excitement and personality.

The first-ever Evening of Literature, Science & the Arts attempted to create a sense of identity within the large student population of LSA, said members of the LSA Student Government Public Activities Committee.

"In LSA, a lot of people think we go through four years just being here," said Sanju Krishnan, an LSA sophomore and the chair of the Public Activities Committee. Krishnan said one cannot assume that LSA is less unique than other schools because of its size.

"We have so many identities within LSA," Krishnan said. "We need to build unity within our college."

DANA LINNANE/Daily English and religion prof. Ralph Williams speaks last night at the Michigan League as part of the first ever Evening of Literature, Science and the Arts.

Krishnan said he hoped the event would dispel myths about LSA representing fun and games instead of dedicated study.

"We are a serious college and we do serious work," Krishnan said.

The event, held in the Ballroom of the Michigan League, combined representatives from several disciplines within LSA to illustrate the school's breadth of study.

English and religion Prof. Ralph Williams, the event's keynote speaker, said LSA houses some of the most creative and imaginative students on campus.

"The stereotype does not fit the students that I know," Williams said. "The students here explore and push and probe and press me for my best ideas."

Williams, who said he was fortunate to be in the presence of the LSA students, addressed what he called "the voices of LSA" in his speech.

"Diversity isn't an abstract goal," Williams said. "The most challenging of our tasks is putting our stories together."

Williams quoted William Shakespeare and Walt Whitman to illustrate the importance of uniting the attributes of literature, science and the arts.

"You and I am one," Williams said, in a line from the play "As You Like It." "In literature, we lay out our narratives in the hopes that we can be understood. In arts we attempt to represents ourselves."

The evening featured the University musical group Sugar Pill and representatives from the American Chemistry Society, who incorporated the audience in their experiment. Last year's M-Flick winning film was shown.

The State Street Poetry Project and 58 Greene, an a cappella musical group, were also involved in the event.

Hwee Tay, an Engineering first-year student, said she enjoyed watching the night unfold.

"At the engineering school, people assume engineers work, work, work and don't party as much as LSA students do," Tay said.

"LSA students simply cannot be non-serious about their work," Williams said. "At their best, their characteristic best, they are simply splendid."

04-02-98