On Wednesday, September 13th, Collins Living-Learning Center’s Board of Educational Programming (BOEP) invited Richard Hardy, Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, for the first Fireside Chat of the year. It was a crisp 6 P.M.in the Formal Lounge when the initial group sat down and began the conversation.
Dean Hardy began with a summary of his life and work up to his recent appointment as Associate Dean— from his time as a Ph.D. student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, to studying the molecular requirements for virus replication in the Hardy laboratory in IU’s Simon Hall, to his recent administrative roles in the ASURE program and the College of Arts and Sciences. As he responded to questions from students, the conversation turned first to Collins—Dean Hardy was intrigued by Collins’ relatively massive retention rate, and was curious as to what draws residents in and what keeps them coming back—and then to Dean Hardy's plans and the students’ hopes for the future of the College.
The gathering was well-populated. Throughout the hour, attendance rose from the original group of seven on the couches until the room had filled to standing room only. There was a sudden growth spurt halfway through, when Daniel Vesper’s Q-Class—scheduled at the same time—made a surprise appearance.
Chief among the guests were warm chocolate chip cookies from Baked!
When the event concluded, Dean Hardy remained for an extra fifteen minutes, talking with the BOEP co-chairs and several students especially intrigued by his scientific work, until his duties pulled him away into the night. A warm energy remained in the room after his departure. All in all, this first Fireside Chat of the year could safely be declared a smashing success.
The College of Arts