The Scholars luncheon, hosted by the Business Advisory Council, was held Monday afternoon in the Meadows Hope Theater Lobby and featured keynote speaker Jose Bowen, dean of Meadows School of the Arts.
The informative event brought together a wide range of scholars— Presidents, Hunts, Embry, Leadership, Meadows, International Baccalaureate and Hilltop Scholars. Bowen delivered a speech entitled “Epistemology and Phenomenology: Using Music to Ask Better Questions”.
Provost Paul Ludden welcomed the scholars and introduced Bowen.
“I am not as cool as the man I am going to introduce,” Ludden said.
Bowen majored in Chemistry and Jazz music prior to taking a job as the dean of Meadows. Before starting his lecture, Bowen instructed all the scholars to meet those sitting at their table.
“Find out their name, area of study and what question their field of study asks,” Bowen said.
As the scholars continued to enjoy their three-course lunch, Bowen began to lecture about epistemology and phenomenology.
Bowen defined epistemology as how we know what we know, and phenomenology as a way of learning through observation. His intent in talking about epistemology and phenomenology was to provoke questions about their disciplines, or fields of study.
“My discipline is music,” Bowen said. “I play the piano.”
Bowen demonstrated his musical talent by playing several different pieces and posing the question, “Phenomenologically, how can these differing sounds be the same?”
Through his questioning, he demonstrated how people could learn the different theories by having an inquisitive mind.
His lecture provoked excitement around the room as he challenged the scholars to consider how the university could be reorganized with a better understanding of these concepts.
After igniting the discussion, Bowen encouraged the young scholars to participate in discussions at their tables.
Christian Genco, a Presidential Scholar, presented one of the ideas his table discussed, “Have each student major in their area of interest, but add a specialization. For example, engineers would specialize in education.”
Other scholars had different ideas. Some wanted to organize the university in terms of the goal of each area of study; others suggested that everyone have either an objective or subjective study.
As the discussion continued and the students shared their opinions, they found Bowen’s challenge amusing.
“Dean Bowen really set the bar for our first scholars’ luncheon because he has such a broad understanding of the different disciplines in a University. He challenged the scholars with his question- ‘What is a different way to organize a University?'” Brittany Weltner, president of the BAC, said.
The scholars left the luncheon feeling inspired by Bowen’s refreshing perspective.
