Symposium hosts photo show

For the first time in its history, the MSE Symposium is hosting a free photography exhibit entitled "Headlines: Politics and the Press." It is on display until Oct. 26 on the first and second floors in the Ross Jones Building of the Mattin Center. Presented by The Baltimore Sun, the public exhibit, as a part of the Symposium's "A Nation United: Politics and Power in the 21st Century," emphasizes the influencing power of the media over historic events and the emotional reactions of Americans throughout time.

"We chose to feature the role of the media in photography because of all the film media and historical implications," Audrey Henderson, co-chair of the MSE Symposium, said. "For example, the photo of the debate with Kennedy and Nixon in 1960 brings together the headlines of the time and the perspective view of the media."

Award-winning journalist Bob Woodward, who spoke on Sept. 20 in Shriver Hall, also addressed the theme of the role of the media in his speech entitled, "The Media: News Breakers or News Makers." Immediately following the speech, the audience was invited to attend a reception where they would be able to talk to Woodward directly or view the exhibit while eating various fruit, veggie and dessert platters. The response to the reception was positive among the approximately 120 students who attended the event.

"I was very impressed with MSE in sponsoring and setting up such an informative reception and exhibition," freshmen Yu Kwan Chan said. "This is definitely a wonderful and interesting way of educating students."

President William Brody and his wife were also seen at the reception talking to Woodward. Students were pleased to learn of Woodward's cordiality and willingness to talk to many of the guests who attended.

"He totally exceeded my expectations. He did not leave until he made sure that everyone who wanted his autograph received one," Gregor Feige, co-chair of the MSE Symposium, commented. "People would not think that a media icon could be so courteous, but instead would expect him to be aloof."

"He gave some fascinating insights about Watergate, and his role in it," said freshman Travis Snow said. "His knowledge on such a wide variety of topics was very inspiring."

The photo project started in March when Feige and Henderson decided to submit their ideas of the exhibit to the school for approval as a part of the 2001 MSE Symposium. Once endorsed, they went through the archives of The Baltimore Sun and photos of the Associated Press and picked out the items for display. Some events that are featured include Kennedy's assassination, Nixon's resignation, the Gulf War and the impeachment of former President Clinton.

"We tried to pick out main events from Kennedy's time to the present that people would immediately recognize and be able to empathize with," Henderson said. "The pictures and headlines that we chose have a dramatic air, which we wanted to convey to the viewers."

The role of the press and media had always fascinated Henderson and Feige since different perspectives can change the image of one event in the eyes of the public drastically.

"During the series of the Bush and Gore presidential debates, The Washington Post depicted a triumphant and smiling Gore, where The Washington Times portrayed a defeated and frowning Gore after the same debate," Feige explained. "The differences shown by the two Washington newspapers were striking, since the media provides a way to connect to an audience that might not have been there otherwise."

In addition, Feige and Henderson believe that the attacks of Sept.11 on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon certainly proved the power of the media in the everyday lives of the people, which further attracted people to the exhibit.

"I am very happy with how the photography exhibit turned out since the timing of it could not have been better despite the horrific events that have taken place," Henderson said. "I hope future co-chairs will consider having events such as the photography exhibit and film series that have not traditionally been a part of the MSE Symposium, but add an incredible new dimension to intellectual discourse on campus.