May 12, 2017

David Bushhouse '19 

This story was originally featured in The Tiger with the title "Diverse Delegation Attends Men's Studies Conference."  

Image of Hampden-Sydney students and professors who attended a men's studies conference During the weekend of March 31-April 2, a group of Wellness Advocates travelled to the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor to the 25th Annual Conference of the American Men's Studies Association (AMSA). The conference focused on men and masculinities, and the Wellness Advocate group — made up of Sean Walden '18, Sam Murphy '18, Hayden Robinson '18, Steven Dvornick '18, and David Bushhouse '19 — hosted a panel discussion about the challenges and opportunities of Title IX advocacy on Hampden-Sydney's all-male campus. One key topic of discussion was whether the phrase "Man Up," which sets rigid constructs of masculinity that can have damaging consequences, could be revamped to encourage a universal standard of masculinity.  

Also attending the conference were Sue Carter, Title IX Coordinator & Director of Human Resources, and Annie Jones, Director of the Wellness Center, both of whom advised the Wellness Advocates throughout the duration of the project. Several other H-SC faculty members were also present, including Doctors Katherine Weese, Nicholas Nace, Elizabeth Deis, and Lowell Frye, all of whom presented at the conference. Professors Nace, Deis, and Frye gave a talk detailing the H-SC Rhetoric Program, describing how it has been tailored towards men and how it aids the College's mission to "form good men and good citizens." In her presentation, Dr. Weese analyzed the work of Scottish author and playwright Ali Smith as it related to men and objectification. In addition, Dr. Deis serves on the AMSA Board of Directors serving as its Recorder.