LEWISBURG, Pa. — These are Bucknell University story ideas that may interest you this summer.
THE BUCKNELL VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE — With generous support from Marc Lore ’93, former president and CEO of Walmart eCommerce, Bucknell partnered with the Chicago-based digital agency Next/Now to create the Bucknell Virtual Experience, an entirely new way to explore Bucknell through a phone, web browser or Oculus virtual reality headset. Designers have taken dozens of the iconic elements that make Bucknell and Lewisburg unique and blended them together to create an interactive multimedia space that’s ripe for exploration. The virtual experience starts at the same place an actual Bucknell experience begins: the Christy Mathewson Gates. From there, visitors enter a simulated building that is, appropriately, shaped like the letter B. As they explore the space, guests can stop at any of the 10 interactive exhibits — each featuring a helpful audio introduction, photos and never-before-seen 360-degree videos shot on campus. There’s an exhibit for each of Bucknell’s three colleges (Arts & Sciences, Engineering and the Freeman College of Management), as well as exhibits covering athletics, housing, alumni outcomes and more. Visitors will see downtown Lewisburg’s three-globe lampposts, clock and Campus Theatre, and iconic elements from the Bucknell campus. The Bucknell Virtual Experience was recently featured by The Wall Street Journal and Philadelphia Inquirer. CONTACT: Lisa Keegan, vice president for enrollment management, 570-577-1618, lisa.keegan@bucknell.edu
UN-DISTANCING FROM COVID — The COVID-19 pandemic introduced “social distancing” to the world, disrupting almost everything “normal” while separating people from each other. As the world slowly comes back together, Bucknell’s Freeman College of Management is joining The Aspen Institute, Franklin & Marshall College and The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania to host a virtual Aspen Undergraduate Consortium of more than 100 educators starting June 14-15 for a conversation about the liberal arts and business as it relates to the theme of “Un-Distancing.” Faculty members, college deans, program directors; and administrators in career services, admissions and student advising will participate. They’ll discuss the un-distancing of humanity in business, the greater use of technology and what it might mean for the future of work, the un-distancing of equity, and the consortium’s impact on shaping the future of higher education. CONTACT: Douglas Allen, professor of markets, innovation & design and department chair, 570-577-3713, douglas.allen@bucknell.edu
SCHOOL’S IN FOR SUMMER — Last summer, because of the academic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Bucknell responded by expanding its summer course offerings by nearly 10 times the number that were originally planned. This summer, the University has a similar course listing with around 50 classes across 24 academic departments being offered from June 14 through July 23. Some of the more interesting classes include “Vampires & Zombies” by Professor Jaye Austin Williams, Africana studies; “The Hidden Secrets of Genomes” by Professor Le Paliulis, biology; “Economics of Climate Change” by Professor Thomas Kinnaman, economics; “Responsible Management, Sustainable Values,” by Professor Neil Boyd, management; “Psychology of Attraction & Relations” by Professor T. Joel Wade, psychology; and “Perspectives on Drug Use” by Professor Jennie Stevenson, psychology, and Rebekah Stevenson, director, core course labs. The complete summer course listing is available here. Students may register for Summer Session courses here. CONTACT: Mike Ferlazzo, 570-577-3212, 570-238-6266 (c), mike.ferlazzo@bucknell.edu
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CONTACT: Mike Ferlazzo, 570-577-3212, 570-238-6266 (c), mike.ferlazzo@bucknell.edu