What sparks imagination in the academy?
On Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 4 p.m. in the Stieren Theater, Trinity University faculty, students, and an alumnus will highlight the roles that imagination plays in their scholarship and teaching in a panel discussion. Immediately following the panel, there will be a reception in the Ruth Taylor Courtyard (and, in case of rain, the reception will be held in the Laurie Art Gallery). This panel is part of a full week of events celebrating the inauguration of Trinity President Vanessa B. Beasley, Ph.D.
The concept of imagination provides a powerful point of entry into a discussion of Trinity’s identity as a liberal arts institution—one rooted in answering questions and questioning answers. Propelled by values of enduring excellence, intentional inclusion, and perpetual discovery, the panelists will reveal both the diversity and the commonalities that characterize their teaching, learning, scholarship, and creative activities at Trinity and beyond.
As we begin a new era under a dynamic new president, this academic panel will illuminate the sparks already alight in our community and ignite new sparks guiding the University as we redefine the liberal arts on the national stage.
The moderator for the panel will be Jaime "JJ" Lopez, general manager of Trinity University’s KRTU 91.7 FM. Lopez is a dedicated broadcasting professional with more than a decade of experience in noncommercial educational radio. In addition to being the general manager of KRTU 91.7 FM, he teaches audio production and podcasting. Lopez is an avid record collector of soul, jazz, and disco music with 25 years of experience as a disc jockey.
Panelists
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Double Major in Biology and International Studies with a Global Health Concentration
Jade Bondy ’23 participates in the Trinity University Student Ambassadors, Trinity Diversity Connection, TU Science Olympiad Alumni Chapter, and AAPI Council. Bondy studied abroad on SIT's International Honors Program and has worked on various Texas biodiversity projects through Trinity's ALE program and faculty-led research. After graduation, Bondy will pursue a Master of Public Health with a concentration in environmental health.
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Professor, English
Jenny Browne, MFA, served as State of Texas Poet Laureate from 2017-18, and in 2020, she was a Distinguished Fulbright Scholar at Queens University, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Her most recent collection is Fellow Travelers: New and Selected Poems.
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Founder, Kalos
John Burnam ’10, MTS, is the founder of Kalos, a social impact consulting firm focused on utilizing ESG principles, philanthropic best practices, and compassionate AI to reimagine how we scale social impact. After graduating from Trinity in 2010, Burnam received a Master of Theological Studies (MTS) from Vanderbilt University. Over the past decade, Burnam has worked on hundreds of nonprofit and government-based community impact projects in the areas of data evaluations, strategic planning, community engagement, capacity building, strategic communications, and branding.
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Associate Professor, Business Administration
Mario V. Gonzalez, Ph.D., teaches consumer behavior, marketing strategy, and brand storytelling and identity. His research interests focus on the process by which consumers negotiate their identities in changing cultural environments as well as the interactive power of narratives and their elements to engage consumers.
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Associate Professor, Computer Science
Matthew Hibbs, Ph.D., researches computational biology, focusing on the development and application of artificial intelligence and data visualization methods to analyze genome scale data and investigate aging and age-related diseases. He teaches courses in introductory computer science, computer graphics, video game development, and bioinformatics.
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Major in Applied Physics
Omarree Kimbrough ’25 is an applied physics major at Trinity from La Vernia, Texas. Getting accepted to Trinity and starting undergraduate physics research has been a fantastic continuation of Kimbrough’s lifelong fascination with the natural sciences. Competing in speech and debate and academic competitions in high school were important experiences that continue to aid him both inside and outside of the classroom.
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Professor and Chair, Sociology and Anthropology
Jennifer Mathews, Ph.D., teaches archaeology and physical anthropology and works in Mexico studying the ancient and historic Maya. She is the author of six academic books and numerous book chapters, essays, and articles. Mathews is a recipient of the Z.T. Scott Faculty Fellowship and Piper Professor awards.
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Associate Professor, Engineering Science
Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs: Inclusive Excellence
Wilson Terrell Jr., Ph.D., teaches introductory engineering design, various courses that utilize the CSI Makerspace, and upper-division heat transfer and fluid mechanics courses. Terrell’s research interests include the thermal performance of slurries and secondary heat transfer fluids and heat exchanger design.
Attendees with a parking permit may park in the designated levels in the Laurie Auditorium Parking Garage. Visitor parking is available on the Orange level and Lot B of this garage. There are elevators and accessible parking spaces available on all levels, and there are reserved wheelchair seating and accessible seating in all the venues.
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