Acceptance Celebrated on Scholars Day
Scholars Day created a buzz in Brockport. Every year The College at Brockport hosts Scholars Day for its undergraduate and graduate students. The event features various presentations that appeal to all majors and minors.
On April 10, Brockport held its 36th annual Scholars Day with 300 presentations and 700 presenters. Events ranged across the entire campus, bringing students and faculty together in place of classes, which all were canceled for the day.
There was a session titled “Culture and Power in the Modern World” in Hartwell Hall which catered specifically to anthropology students, but was attended by a spectrum of individuals with several areas of study.
Among the session was Riley Sullivan’s presentation, “Camping in Sin: Multi-Partnering in the Gay Male Camping Community vs. Monogamous Pairings in the Straight Christian Camping Community.” The title alone stood out to Brockport students, as it brought to the forefront a conflict driven by stereotypes.
Sullivan’s presentation was centered around observations that he made between Lighthouse Christian Camp and Jones Pond Campground. The Jones Pond Campground is an outlet for gay men to be themselves and escape judgments associated with their sexuality. The Lighthouse Christian Camp, on the other hand, outwardly condemns a same-sex lifestyle.
The presentation included an overview of each mission statement. Sullivan explained the irony of the Christian camp’s statement, as it wanted to create a welcoming community but had clear regulations against same-sex activity. In contrast, Jones Pond Campground welcomed Sullivan’s sexuality.
Sullivan revealed later in the presentation that throughout his childhood he attended the Lighthouse Christian Camp. He eventually came to terms with his own sexuality, resulting in an individual conflict with these dividing forces. This experience sparked his interest in creating a Scholars Day presentation.
The audience was intrigued throughout the presentation, as his findings were both informative and intimate. Sullivan captured the division between the two communities based on personal experience. Having a direct connection with the topic made the presentation compelling to attendees.
Following Sullivan’s presentation, other speakers discussed different topics related to issues of power in society. Subjects included Donald Trump’s Administration and its rhetoric, along with a discussion about bilingualism in Western America.
After the anthropology session, Sullivan discussed his presentation in further detail. He also talked about his personal progress in feeling comfortable with his identity.
Through his presentation Sullivan hints at the larger issue of a lack of acceptance in society. Whether it’s between the Christian or LGBTQ communities, issues of prejudice come in all forms.
Dr. Neal Keating, an anthropology professor, helped organize the session. He was excited to provide an outlet for student exploration and deep discussion, and was proud of their accomplishments.
A co-organizer of the event, Professor Irene Ketonen, also shared glowing praise for the presenters who shared their knowledge on Scholars Day.
“The presenters were incredible”, Ketonen said. “I liked them all. Just because I helped organize this event doesn’t mean I didn’t also learn from it.”
Ketonen was one of several faculty members from the anthropology department in attendance. They were engaged and asked questions after the session. The presenters gladly fielded the questions allowing for an even deeper understanding of the content.
The goal of the session was to provide those who were there with new perspectives and address issues of conflict and power from these points of view. It is safe to say based on the looks on the faces of those in attendance that this was successful. Students and faculty were enthralled by what they learned, giving their complete attention to the front of the room.
The meaning of Scholars Day in Brockport varies greatly depending on the student. Some take it as a cherished opportunity to learn, while others have different activities in mind. However, judging by the rousing ovation given to the presenters at the end of the anthropology session, students in this room had an appreciation for the perspective they gained.
At the end of the day, the scholarly work put on display captivated the campus and gave new insights into current issues facing society. Sullivan’s research and that of the entire anthropology session focused on the powers that be in the world today and the stereotypes which must be combatted.
Whether it be the LGBTQ community facing resistance from some Christian communities, or immigrants being assaulted by the president’s rhetoric, the issues of conflict and power in society are quite possibly more relevant now than ever before.
As a result of this session, students and faculty in attendance were exposed to new perspectives, and educated on some of the struggles groups of people without as much power historically have faced. Seeing this from firsthand experiences undoubtedly had an impact on those in the room, as individuals like Riley facing these challenges are not often given enough of a voice.
