The Academy of Scholars symposium, "20th Century Retrospective and 21st Century Prospective on Various Disciplines," held Thursday, Sept. 17, at Wayne State University raised the issue of finding a common understanding among the disciplines.

The event opened with Ananda Prasad, of internal medicine and president of the group, welcoming President Irvin D. Reid. The symposium was held in honor of the inauguration of Reid as the ninth president of Wayne State.

Dr. Reid, who had attended 15 inaugural events the previous day, challenged the group to spearhead the university to sustain the intellectual and cultural climate of the inaugural week events.

James Hartway of the music department and immediate past president of the academy moderated the symposium with Ronald Aronson of interdisciplinary studies. Both made presentations as well.

Other presenters included Michael Conrad, computer science; geneticist Mark Evans, obstetrics and gynecology; William Hase, chemistry, John Reed, English; and Mel Small, history.

Individually, group members explained the development of their fields from the early 20th century until now, the end of the century, and explained what the future might hold. Collectively, the group showed that as knowledge evolves, human progress usually follows, whether recognized as such or not.

As the presenters spoke, their enormous diversity became apparent. This raised the question of how a common ground or understanding could be developed.

Aronson suggested that the university provide a campus location or space for people to talk and share a common language. It would be a place where they could have a common citizenship discussion to find what is good in the evolution of knowledge and the human progress it brings and what is not.