Feb. 19-21: Henry Ford College (HFC) hosted the annual Liberal Arts Network for Development (LAND) Conference, which celebrated its 40th anniversary. At this event, seventeen HFC students won awards in several categories.

In the Creative Writing contest, Alana DeMaggio won Third Place for Creative Non-Fiction with “My Father’s Love.” HFC creative writing instructor Ruth Ann Schmitt served as her faculty mentor.

Three HFC students were winners in the LAND Film Contest. HFC Media and Communication Arts (MCA) chairperson Susan McGraw served as their faculty mentor. Kalimah Gardner won Third Place for Non-Fiction/Documentary with “Chapman Testimonial.” Tatianna Powell won Honorable Mention for Non-Fiction/Documentary with “Dearborn Parks Montage.” Ainsley Oliver won Honorable Mention for Non-Fiction/Documentary with “Dance.”

HFC had the most winners from one school in the Art categories. Rayan Assi won third place for her self-portrait in the 2D category. HFC fine arts instructor Nemanja Rosic was her faculty mentor.

In the LAND Photography Contest, HFC fine arts instructor Karen Larson-Voltz served as faculty mentor for Seth Konarske, who won Third Place with “Pathway.”

Four HFC graphic design students were winners in LAND’s new Graphic Design Contest category for Branding, Package Design, Album Covers, and Typography. HFC graphic design instructor Vicki Shepherd served as their faculty mentor. Karlos Moore won First Place for Album Design with “Deceptive Angels.” Zoe Brace won Third Place for Package Design with “Soap Box.” Darlen Luna won Honorable Mention for Package Design with “Monserrat.” Carlos Alvarez won Honorable Mention for Branding Design with “Taco to Go.”

Moore was surprised that he won. “To be honest, I was in shock when I heard,” he said.

“This is a good start for this new category. I am excited to see it grow next year,” said LAND Art and Film Coordinator Jjenna Andrews. “Professor Adam DeKraker of the Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD) at Ferris State University was very impressed with the quality of all the entries and found it very difficult to narrow down the awards. He thanked everyone for the opportunity to see all the great artwork being created at the community colleges of Michigan.”

HFC graphic design student Sean Taylor won First Place for Cover Design and T-Shirt Design with “Land of the Mountains.” Honorable Mention went to Cameron Freeman for “Less Traveled By” and Ali Attia for “LAND.”

With “Land of the Mountains,” Taylor said, “I was working with Photoshop and picked a background image of mountains, then I edited them all in a row and put in a man walking toward the mountains.”

HFC had the most winners in the Student Scholar category from one school. HFC psychology instructor Alison Buchanan served as the faculty mentor for Holly Collins for “Anxiety in Children: Recognizing the Signs” and Aya Soweidan for “Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Mental Health.”
HFC English instructor Dr. Courtney Matthews served as faculty mentor for Buchi-Nkem Elizabeth Ezeoke for “Cultural Assimilation by Name.” HFC English instructor Dr. Peter Kim served as faculty mentor for Sonja Lentz for “Detroit City Rock.”

Since its opening 40 years ago, the LAND conference has symbolized strong connections between the liberal arts and sciences and continues to provide an opportunity for the friendly exchange of ideas and talents between students and faculty alike. When asked how the LAND Conference has influenced his professional journey, HFC English professor Dr. Peter Kim emphasizes the atmosphere of sharing: “It has given me the chance to meet students from other institutions. It also gives our students a place to connect with them.”

Macomb Community College English Professor Clark Iverson provides an alternate perspective on the conference’s impact. “For my professional career, it has introduced more fun, as most professional conferences are very stressful affairs. However, this one is much more relaxed. It was 21 years ago when I first attended, and that first impression has allowed me to maintain a consistent association with it. I could tell you that it’s a good thing to add to my resume, but when it comes to what I think as a human being, introducing more fun and enjoyment is primarily the effect it’s had on me.” Such a perspective proves that in the significantly stressful world we live in today, it can be incredibly beneficial to have a place like this available: a place where students and educators can comfortably and collectively learn from each other.

A second key factor present within the LAND conference would be its purpose: to honor and promote the liberal arts. Within the world we live in today, liberal arts fields are often overlooked as careers or professions and tend to face countless challenges. “The division between the math and sciences and the liberal arts is arbitary,” Dr Kim emphasizes, “A lot of people forget that math and sciences are also part of liberal arts. Philosophy was even the basis for math and science as some early philosophers would go on to become famous scientists and mathematicians.” Historical evidence proves this to be true as Aristotle started as a philosopher and then went on to contribute to the world of science and math.

As Professor Iverson later highlights the more globally complex aspect: the way our world tends to behave plays a role in developing these problems. “The rise of American fascism and the overall direction our culture is heading is the reason for such issues. Anti-intellectual elements have always been present in every historical period. However, there are some occasions where it gains more currency and unfortunately, we are living in one of these times.” He later adds, “If there is a culture that doesn’t value education itself or instead views it as an instrument for any narrow purpose, then something like the liberal arts, which by definition is broad in its scope, is going to come off very badly against such a mentality.”

The LAND conference was and is both a fun and symbolic event that allows individuals from community colleges across the state to share their knowledge of and appreciation for the liberal arts. Although the issues facing the liberal arts remain, what is important is making sure to preserve and foster liberal arts education, which is the very purpose of conferences like LAND: to honor the liberal arts and to elevate them to the status they deserve.

This year not only marks the 40th anniversary of the LAND Conference, but also nearly 20 years since HFC has served as the host. Henry Ford College will again serve as the host for next year’s conference.

Information on the LAND Conference and links to the winning entries from all participating colleges are available at: landconferencemi.com.