Sept. 25 marked the debut of a unique collaboration
of artists. Doctors, lawyers, professors, their family
memberswhat otherwise is known as the Emory communityput
their artistic skills to use for an exhibit in the new Orange
Gallery of Emeritus College.
Twenty-five people submitted a total of 50 pieces, including paintings,
photographs and sculpture. The so-called Orange Gallerythe
name is inspired by the rooms 1970s-style orange chairsis
actually an ongoing exhibit within the Emeritus Colleges Briarcliff
Campus offices. Eugene Bianchi, director of Emeritus College, redecorated
the rooms with hanging boards and orange trim to help make the space
more conducive to artwork.
A champagne gala was held last Thursday, Sept. 25, to celebrate
the gallery opening, with Emory faculty members providing live music
to accompany the event. The 50 pieces displayed during the opening
now will rotate throughout the year in the Orange Gallery, 18 at
a time.
Giving the Emory community a chance to showcase its creative side
is just one of the many opportunities Emeritus College provides.
Founded in 2001 with the purpose of enhancing the relationship between
the University and its emeritus faculty, the college has made great
strides in benefiting Emorys educational mission as well as
the greater welfare of its emeriti and the community as a whole.
Its a win-win situationwe dont want to let
these wonderful people wander off when they retire, after spending
30 years at Emory, Bianchi said. We want them to continue
to be a part of the community, to contribute to the intellectual
stimuli of Emory, as well as to continue to have a place here.
And through the Emeritus College, they certainly do. In the two
years since its inception, the college has hosted numerous programs.
Ongoing events include monthly breakfasts, lunches, lecture series,
retirement seminars and social outings.
Several standing programsin addition to the Orange Galleryalso
are in place, including the Adopt-a-Hall program that gives emeriti
the chance to interact with undergrads. With Adopt-a-Hall, emeriti
visit residence halls five to six times during the year for conversations
over dinner or a study break of dessert and coffee.
The meetings provide an opportunity for meaningful conversations
about life experiences. Student response has been high; some resident
advisors say it is their most successful program.
Still in the planning stages is another unique project, the Living
History interviews. The Emeritus College will record conversations
with retired faculty to be put into the library archives. The talks
will give the interview-ees a chance not only to reflect on their
time at Emory, but also to share the unique and notable experiences
of their lives.
Programs like these have proven to be beneficial to senior faculty
members and retirees. Of the 260-plus retirees, Bianchi (an emeritus
professor himself) estimated that 7090 actively are involved
in Emeritus College, which includes some family members as well.
When you are involved with a community like Emory for so long,
Bianchi said, its difficult for some to retire and leave
thatand its hard for Emory, too, to lose these people.
What we try to do is cultivate this population, intellectually and
socially, so that both benefit.
The colleges next major event is scheduled for Oct. 9, when
emeriti will have the opportunity to meet President Jim Wagner,
followed by a tour of the new Candler Library. For more information
on this and other upcoming events, visit www.emory.edu/emeritus/
or call 404-712-8834.
|