Incoming students crowded around the Felician Hall courtyard Thursday afternoon to watch Health sciences and business chair Todd Baker take the ALS Ice bucket challenge. What they didn’t expect is the broad challenge to the college’s Art department faculty including chair Sandra Reicis.
“Sandra and I are the two longest-serving department chairs here at the college,” wrote Baker in an email. “I have great respect for her and her faculty, all of whom I consider friends. However, there is undeniably a little rivalry between the arts and sciences. I was stoking that a little bit, but only in good fun!”
The ALS Ice bucket challenge dares participants to be filmed having a bucket of ice water poured on their heads, or to make a financial donation to a particular charity. Over the last two months, the ALS Association challenge has gained increased media attention, as celebrities, including Matt Lauer on The Today Show, have posted their own videos, prompting brands, politicians, and others to join in and donate.
UPDATE #1: The Physical Therapist Assistant program stepped up to the plate and made their own splash on Wednesday, August 27.
UPDATE #2: The Art Department came through on their challenge, and lined up to take the plunge on Thursday, August 28.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, will be closely explored this semester by students in the Physical therapist assistant program, taking pathology courses. The Business administration program will be looking into the viral reach of the video and the challenge in social media and marketing courses. While these disciplines may seem to be on opposite ends of the spectrum, Baker explains that this phenomenon illuminates ways science, culture, and commerce intersect, and illustrates how the programs are not that far apart.
“I wanted to communicate this connection to the incoming students, and this was a fun way to do it,” he said.
Watch Baker’s challenge video below.
