The event will move to the Convocation Center; nearly 500 high school students are expected to attend the annual showcase.
Students dance at the 2018 Liberal Arts Festival.
Cal U will celebrate “Cultures and Arts” at the third Liberal Arts fall festival.
The event, from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Convocation Center, celebrates the importance of a liberal arts education by showcasing the departments of Art and Languages; Communication, Design and Culture; Criminal Justice; English; History, Politics, Society and Law; Music and Theatre; Psychology; and the Honors Program.
Admission is free, and the Cal U community and public are welcome to attend.
Dr. Kristen Majocha, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, is impressed with the event’s impact.
"The considerable growth of the Liberal Arts festival from year to year is a testament to the importance the liberal arts have in student's ability to succeed after graduation," Majocha said.
"The Liberal Arts bring value to the job market. This festival showcases the breadth of offerings at Cal U that give students what employers want and desperately need — vision, communication skills, ethical decision-making ability, etc. In other words, leadership."
More than 500 high school students and teachers are expected to attend the festival.
From 10-11 a.m., they will hear presentations from Cal U faculty and guest speakers.
Cal U student Dana Rhadi, the University’s fourth visiting Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant in the Arabic program, will discuss the culture of Bahrain. Other presentations will discuss German culture, motifs in early Islamic architecture and artistic expressions of French monuments. Cal U’s Dance Ensemble will perform.
Activities are scheduled to include performances by the Young and Gifted Gospel Choir; University a cappella groups; the Cal U Dance Ensemble; African, salsa, and Latino bands; and a Middle Eastern dancer.
Painting and drawing demonstrations; cultural diversity tables; a metal work showcase; puppetry art; art technology; and medieval sword-fighting demonstrations are also on the schedule.
Students and faculty from the College of Liberal Arts will present academic works and share interactive experiences with visitors.
Andrea Cencich, from Art and Languages, is the event organizer, with assistance from Sabrina Hykes-Davis, from Music and Theatre, Amanda Magdic, from the Admissions Office; and Becky McMillen, from University Conference Services.
“The festival is a wonderful way of showing our openness and tolerance to not only visiting high schools but our campus and the community,” Cencich said. “It’s so important to celebrate culture, arts and diversity.”
"This festival allows high school students to see how their college experience can be enriching and rewarding, not to mention absolutely fun!” Majocha said.
The Office of the President is the gold sponsor. Co-sponsoring the festival are the Office of the Provost, College of Liberal Arts, the Department of Art and Languages, and Department of Music and Theatre.
For more information contact the Department of Art and Languages at 724-938-4182 or email cencich_a@calu.edu.