Despite it being largely virtual, there was a tangible feeling of camaraderie surrounding the 2021 University of Findlay Mazza Museum Summer Conference, held recently from July 12-14. If the enthusiasm of the participants and the artists who took part is any indication, the kinship between them, and the love they have for the conference, hasn’t waned after a most challenging several months. The three-day conference that hosts internationally known authors and illustrators from across the country, once again brought people together in the name of art and education. Most joined via Zoom, however, an in-person watch opportunity was also available...

Commitment. Commitment to studying. Commitment to attending class. Commitment to projects, papers, and presentations. It’s a word that all University of Findlay students know well, as the strength of it can often determine the fate of an academic career. For some UF students like Mahdi Khansari, who was recently named the University of Findlay Graduate Student Employee of the Year for his work with UF’s Mazza Museum, it leads to recognition for their dedication to commitments outside of the classroom. Khansari comes to UF by way of his home country of Iran, where he earned an undergraduate degree in engineering...

The Findlay community has many avenues to develop a knowledge of literature in children, and recently, a couple of gems from the area – Hancock Literacy, a literacy organization to coordinate and support community initiatives that promote lifelong literacy, and the University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum, known to house the world’s largest collection of original art work by children’s book illustrators – have partnered for the Tell-a-Tale story writing contest. As a result, an opportunity for an even deeper educational breadth and partnership is blooming, much like the knowledge and creativity it is planting in the community’s kids. The contest...