By Josette M. Kubicki. All photos by AU photographer Michael Holahan except where noted.
The University Libraries was excited to host its inaugural AU Authors Reception a week ago, last Thursday, November 2nd, in collaboration with CURS (Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship) and The Graduate School.
In years past, the University Libraries have held an annual AU Faculty Authors Reception to recognize faculty who have published a book, book chapter, poem, illustration, or other creative work within a book or created or performed a creative work within the past year. Creative works could include albums, art exhibits, music performances, plays, compositions, recordings, computer software, or applications. However, this year, in the spirit of inclusivity, we collaborated with CURS and The Graduate School to extend to honoring AU staff and students who have written or edited a book, book chapter, or creative work. Staff and students could also submit journal articles.
On a cool Thursday evening, nearly 60 students, staff, and faculty gathered in Greenblatt Library on the first floor future café space that faces Laney-Walker Blvd. After a warm welcome from Brad Warren, Dean of Libraries, were opening remarks from the university president, Dr. Brooks Keel, who had a story to tell about his casual attire, and Dr. Tiana Curry-McCoy, Chair of the Faculty Senate.
Dr. Tiana Curry-McCoy
Following this were faculty speakers Dr. Gokila Dorai and Professor Dylan Wilson, who each presented on their two very different works. Dorai, from the Department of Computer & Cyber Sciences, discussed the findings of a study she and her co-authors wrote in a chapter entitled “Forensic Analysis of the Snapchat iOS App with Spectacles-Synced Artifacts.” In a nutshell, can evidence be collected from Snapchat’s Spectacles devices paired with Apple iPhones, unlike from the Snapchat app, due to the vanishing nature of the media there? Turns out you can.
Wilson, from the Department of Communication, shared a sampling of his photojournalism and the stories behind them, published in renowned and popular news outlets, including The New York Times, The New York Post, and The Daily Mail. Many were interested to hear about his photography experience at the Murdaugh auction. Check out his photos in The Daily Mail “EXCLUSIVE: Alex Murdaugh’s BULLETS, hunting gear, trophies and furniture from lodge where he murdered wife Maggie and son Paul go under the hammer at auction” article.
Finally, Dr. Quentin Davis, Director of CURS, and Dr. Alex St. Louis introduced Mr. Melvin Hilson, our first undergraduate student speaker. Hilson spoke on the study he led on “Mentor Science Identities and their Influence on Student Relationships with Science.” The qualitative study investigated how undergraduate students developed their science identities while mentoring K-12 students for their science projects and how these science identities are shared with students to enhance learning in science education and STEM programming.
After each of these interesting talks, was time for mingling and delicious food!
People enjoyed meeting other authors acknowledged in the 2023 Bibliography and checking out the works on display published by this year’s and previous years authors. Over the coming weeks, this year’s program and bibliography will be added to the AU Author Collection in the Libraries’ Special Collections Research Guide, and acquirable works to the physical collection, so watch this space!
University Libraries enjoyed celebrating their colleagues’ authorship, Thomas Weeks, Josette Kubicki, Rod Bustos, and Melissa Johnson, for their chapter entitled “X, Y, Zzzz: Generational differences in academic librarian burnout” in Academic Librarian Burnout published by the Association of College and Research Libraries.
We thank the following AU Authors Reception Committee members for putting together such an enjoyable and enlightening event: Melissa Johnson, Jennifer Davis, Courtney Berge, Aspasia Luster, Dr. Jennifer Sullivan, Dr. Julia Davis, and Dr. Alex St. Louis.
Photo credit: All photos are by AU photographer Michael Holahan except where noted.
