Dr. William F. McComas

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. -
On Wednesday, April 20, from the early morning until well into the evening, Lock Haven University students, faculty alumni and guests participated in a tradition unique to LHU. All across campus, the university’s 4th annual Celebration of Scholarship showcased scholarly and creative achievements in all of the disciplines. .

One of the highlights of the day was the keynote address, delivered by LHU alumnus Dr. William F. McComas. His talk, “Educating Science Creators, Critics, Consumers, and Connoisseurs: What Everyone Should Know About How Science Functions,” was a witty, engaging analysis of why we teach science and what everyone must know about it. For example, in discussing “the cost of not knowing science,” McComas cited the need to recognize the unfounded and unscientific advertising claims for over-the-counter cold remedies “with no active ingredients.”

McComas also stressed the creative component of science, and took science teachers (including himself) to task for teaching science outside its historical and philosophical context. He also pointed out that science is not boring, as evidenced by the number of popular magazines devoted to science available on almost any newsstand. The popularity of zoos, parks, museums also show a wide interest in science topics.

Fittingly, McComas recognized all those who were involved in the Celebration of Scholarship. He was impressed by the quality of the presentations and of the research they represented, and he praised the students for the creativity, imagination, and talent they have put into their hard work.

These qualities of creativity, imagination, talent and hard work were in evidence all across campus. The Celebration of Scholarship featured presentations of academic and professional research; performances in music, dance, theatre, and speech; and exhibits of photography, painting, drawing, sculpture, and animation.