While most may have difficulty appreciating the beauty of a complex chemical formula, one man says he can see the elegant simplicity of the scientific world reflected in the arts and humanities.

Roald Hoffmann, the Frank H.T. Rhodes Professor of Humane Letters at Cornell University, will be continuing the 2003 Syracuse Symposium tonight. The presentation will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Shemin Auditorium in the Schaffer Art Building.

Hoffmann, a writer, poet and chemistry Nobel laureate, said his work in chemistry explores the relationships between the various sub-categories of the science. His written work explores the relationships between science and humanity.

“If there’s a theme to what I do, it is trying to find unity in diversity,” Hoffmann said. “People who know chemistry will be able to see that in my work.”

Hoffmann is the only person to win American Chemical Society awards in three different sub-categories. He hopes that his presentation will encourage people to keep and open mind towards chemistry and other physical sciences.

“One reason that people never give chemistry a chance is because chemistry is about change,” Hoffmann said. “The reason that people are ambivalent about chemistry is because they are ambivalent about change.”

The Syracuse Symposium is an annual series of events designed to encourage interdisciplinary discussion on a broadly-based topic. The theme of the 2003 symposium is “Journeys.”

Eric Holzwarth, assistant dean in the College of Arts and Sciences and symposium coordinator, said he hopes that the symposium events allow students to connect various academic disciplines in ways not possible in a regular classroom setting.

“There is no ‘Department of Journeys’ on campus, there is no ‘Department of Beauty,’ which was the theme for the last symposium,” Holzwarth said. “The symposium is a way for students and faculty to explore broad topics that fall within everyone’s potential interest area.”

Also featured in today’s symposium line-up is the 5th annual Sojourner Storytelling Conference. The event is cosponsored by Students Offering Service and African American Programs at Hendricks Chapel.

Rachel Gazdick, graduate assistant for Students Offering Service, said the conference attracts some of Central New York’s best storytellers and this year will feature songwriters Charlie King and Karen Brandow. The duo will give a performance entitled “Songs of the Civil Rights Movement.”

“The storytellers will be addressing the issue of ‘Journeys’ through stories on topics ranging from the Underground Railroad to the Harlem Renaissance,” Gazdick said.

The Sojourner Storytelling Conference will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel. It will then move to the Alibrandi Catholic Center at 110 Walnut St., where it will begin again at 7:30 p.m.

Published on February 12, 2003 at 12:00 pm