Future events planned include the following, with specific dates and times to be determined:
2025-2026 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Bio: Ty Matejowsky is a Professor and the Chair of the Department of Anthropology at the University of Central Florida. His primary research area is food and foodways, particularly the globalization of fast food and symbolic meanings behind popular restaurant brands. His books include 2018’s Fast Food Globalization in the Provincial Philippines (Lexington Books), 2022’s Smothered and Covered: Waffle House and the Southern Imaginary (University of Alabama Press), and 2025’s Risqué Business: Breastaurants in American Culture. He was awarded the 2014 Association for the Study of Food and Society’s Belasco Prize for Scholarly Excellence for his publication “The Incredible, Edible Balut: Ethnographic Perspectives on the Philippines’ Favorite Liminal Food.”
Abstract: Dr. Matejowsky will present insights from his book Smothered and Covered: Waffle House and the Southern Imaginary, exploring the cultural significance of this iconic Southern institution.
Bio: Mary Rubin is a librarian at the University of Central Florida. Previously, she served as the archivist for the UCF University Archives from 2012 to 2022. A proud alumna of UCF, she published the University of Central Florida Trivia Book in 2024.
Abstract: This presentation offers a hands-on introduction to free, beginner-friendly artificial intelligence (AI) tools that anyone can explore and enjoy. Participants will learn about popular options such as ChatGPT, Bing Image Creator, and AI-powered assistants like Siri and Alexa, discovering how these tools can help with writing, creativity, learning, and daily tasks. The session will highlight the pros and cons of using AI, explain how to get started safely, and share practical tips for protecting privacy and avoiding common pitfalls. By the end, attendees will feel comfortable experimenting with AI in fun, low-pressure ways that enhance convenience, curiosity, and creativity.
2024-2025