APSU Mondays: Study abroad, increased SGI conservation, and a renowned percussionist
Here's the latest news from Austin Peay State University.
'Beyond the textbook' in Argentina
In May 2022, over two years after all Austin Peay State University related international travel was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 10 APSU students took classes with assistant professor of accounting Dr. Brandon Di Paolo Harrison, at the Universidad del Centro Educativo Latinoamericano campus in Argentina.
Students lived with host families for their stay. They had the opportunity to discuss supply chain issues with Argentinian executives, take Tango lessons, and develop their Spanish language skills.
“Our mission is to take students beyond the textbook,” Di Paolo Harrison said. “Studying abroad takes them and gives them access to people and places they won’t normally have access to.”
Di Paolo Harrison is gearing up for a second trip to Argentina this summer.
Institute targets 14 million grassland acres with federal grant
APSU's Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) is developing a conservation plan addressing the Cumberland Plateau Ecoregion of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee, thanks to a $495,000 federal grant.
In November, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation awarded $91 million through the new America the Beautiful Challenge, with SGI receiving one of 55 grants nationwide.
“This is an exciting day for grasslands conservation,” Dr. Dwayne Estes, SGI co-founder and executive director, said. “For the past century, naturally open grassy ecosystems have been low priorities for conservation east of the Mississippi River. Now, we are one step closer to bringing E.O. Wilson’s call-to-action to fruition.”
This work will help prioritize habitat needs for at least 185 species of conservation concern that need or prefer more open ecosystems. This includes at least 125 plants and at least 60 animals.
“Nature is essential to the health, well-being and prosperity of every family and every community in America,” U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland said. “Through the America the Beautiful Challenge, we are investing in projects that advance collaborative conservation utilizing the best available science, innovative practices and Indigenous Knowledge to help conserve and protect our lands and waters."
Renowned percussionist Pius Cheung to perform
Celebrated percussionist Pius Cheung – hailed by The New York Times as “deeply expressive” for his groundbreaking recording of Bach’s “Goldberg Variations” – will perform live on Jan. 29 at APSU’s Mabry Concert Hall.
Cheung is widely known as one of the most important percussionists of his generation and a highly sought-after composers for percussion today.
His latest works include “Allegro Brutale” for solo marimba, commissioned by Dame Evelyn Glennie; “Heaven and Earth,” a 20-minute tone poem for the Ju Percussion Group; and a marimba concerto for the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra. He .
The concert will begin at 3 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit www.clarksvillemusic.org or call 1-877-811-0200. Senior, military, teacher, student and group discounts are available. APSU students with ID are admitted free.
APSU Mondays content is provided by submissions from APSU News and Communications department.
This article originally appeared on Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle: APSU Mondays: study abroad, SGI conservation, and a percussionist
