By Jody Record, Media Relations

UNH faculty and students will explore energy alternatives and solutions during this year's Academic Convocation, the first discussion in the ongoing series “Power to the People: A University Dialogue on Energy.”

The Academic Convocation will be held Tuesday, Sept. 12, at 12:45 p.m., in Dimond Library’s fifth floor reading room. UNH Interim President J. Bonnie Newman will give the welcome and Provost and Executive Vice President Bruce Mallory will deliver opening remarks.

Following the Convocation, the University Day Picnic will take place on Thompson Hall lawn from 3:30-6:30 p.m. This year’s event will include games, face painting, “Wayne from Maine,” and other kids’ activities. Visit "Green Way", presenting exhibits that showcase the University's efforts to create a sustainable community.

In the spirit of sustainability, UNH Hospitality Services will be serving food to more than 6000 guests on Frisbees to cut down on paper waste. Project 54, a voice-activated patrol car, also will be on display as will other student-led projects that provide a fun and interactive displays.

Now in its second year, the University Dialogue is part of the Discovery Program which focuses on first-year students, interdisciplinary learning experiences and integration with the academic major.

Panelists include:

• Walt Alderman, “The Power of O” UNH Manchester, Business
• Carmela Amato-Wierda, “Here Comes the Sun: the Promise of Solar Energy” College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Materials Science
• John Carroll, “Peak Oil, Geopolitics and the Need for Relocalization”
  College of Life Sciences and Agriculture, Natural Resources
• Sonke Dornblut – “Hop on the Bus, Gus: The Power of Public Transit” College of Health and Human Services, Institute on Disability
• Janine Jacques – “Powering Down Technology” UNH Manchester, Computer Information Systems
• David Ripley, “Energy's Human Face: Immigrant Stories in Song” College of Liberal Arts, Music
• Ruth Sample, “Overpowered: American Domination, Democracy and the Ethics of Energy Consumption” College of Liberal Arts, Philosophy
• Stacy VanDeveer, “Our Energy (In)Security” College of Liberal Arts, Political Science
• PT Vasudevan, “Energy—The Not–So Bottomless Oil Well and the Alternatives” College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Chemical Engineering
• Cameron Wake, “Life in the Balance” College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Climate Change Research Center Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space, Department of Earth Sciences