Master's program invites community to spend a day on campus

The university invited students, alumni and the general public to attend the University for a Day program, held Saturday, sponsored by the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program.

In an attempt to showcase the MALS program and the College of Arts and Sciences for the residents of Newark, the event featured lectures from university faculty members Joel Best, David Smith and Joan DelFattore.

DelFattore, professor of English and legal studies and director of the MALS program, said she hoped the event would provide an intellectually stimulating environment for the attendees, garner some interest in the MALS department and provide a better understanding of the College of Arts and Sciences.

"The main thing is outreach to the community," DelFattore said. "Here's an event designed specifically for you."

Best, a professor of sociology and criminal justice, gave a lecture titled "You Too Can Be a Winner! Prize Proliferation in a Self-Congratulatory Culture," and Smith, professor of biological sciences, gave a lecture on the ethics of government-mandated vaccinations. DelFattore spoke about what intellectual freedom means.

The idea for the University for a Day event was based on similar programs traditionally hosted by Ivy League universities that often span two to three days and are more expensive than the $25 registration fee that MALS charged for the program's breakfast and lunch.

MALS began in 1988 and is taught by faculty from various departments within the College of Arts and Sciences. According to the MALS Web site, MALS courses "break down traditional departmental boundaries to explore important questions through a variety of perspectives." Class topics range from bioethics to American foreign policy.

Like the program's course themes, the students within MALS are diverse themselves, ranging in age from 20 to 80 years old and coming from a variety of professions and backgrounds. MALS caters to working students taking night classes, acknowledging that some students may have established careers and are returning to college to obtain a master's degree.

Best, who in addition to speaking at the University for a Day event also taught in the MALS program last year, said he enjoys teaching a mixture of students and the dynamics between them can be eye-opening.

"MALS students bring different experiences," Best said. "If you get them talking to one another they usually have a lot to say."

Maryanne Brown-Mackay began as an administrative assistant in the MALS department 20 years ago and was later inspired to join the program as a student. She graduated in 2004 and now handles both administrative assistant duties in addition to being in charge of the program's Web site.

Brown-Mackay said her experiences in the MALS program exposed her to subjects and ideas she had never considered before and also provided her with an outlet to explore her new interests.

"When you have a passion for something, MALS helps you develop and share that passion," she said.

Brown-Mackay said she was impressed by the event's success in attracting those possibly interested in joining the MALS program.

"This was very enthusiastic faculty giving talks on exciting and interesting topics," she said. "I think the event was a good representation of the diverse age groups of the students and the professional backgrounds of the faculty. It exemplifies perfectly the MALS program."

University alumna Janna Craig said she attended the University for a Day program due to her desire to return to her former college lecture halls.

"I just miss Delaware," Craig said. "I miss school and learning and this seemed like a great event."