UCSD Undergrads Rate Smarr Talk
1.20.2004 -- Last fall, Calit² director Larry Smarr gave an invited presentation to Warren 11A, Scholars Seminar. Evaluations for all presentations were done the last week of class so that the students could indicate their favorite speakers to guide design of the next seminar series.
According to Barbara Sanchez, program coordinator for the series, "The fall quarter Scholars Seminar was rated 'outstanding,' and Dr. Smarr's talk was the main reason students loved the class so much." (See below for a sampling of the comments they provided.) On a scale of 1-10, 45 students in the seminar rated the talk a 10+.
As a result, Smarr has been invited to present during Warren College Parents' Weekend on February 21 to some 70 parents and students. According to Sanchez, "this session is the most popular part of the weekend because we offer a wide range of speakers from different disciplines."
Student comments:
"I did learn that UCSD is a very advanced school in terms of technology and understand that the technology will have an impact on my education."
"Dr. Smarr presented interesting information, and I enjoyed hearing about the high tech gadgets and future implications of their uses."
"The lecture was an excellent showcase of his fascinating projects."
"I enjoyed his real life example and that his topic pertained to us @ UCSD in a real way. I found his lecture interesting, and he has an excellent way of giving a lecture."
"It is interesting to realistically consider the possibility of a 'Jetson's-like' future through the rapidly advancing new technologies. Great talk!"
"I learned a lot of things about the new technology, especially cell phones. I had never thought much about the technology and the info network involved with cell phones before the lecture. I think I might check out some material on the topic even though I was never interested in technology before Dr. Smarr's talk."
"Interesting lecture. Some fascinating ideas on what MAY come in the future...
but there might have almost been a distortion of facts, even unintentionally. Yes, new technology will come into use...but not nearly so quickly or over such a wide number of people."
"Privacy issues were stimulating, and the talk was fascinating."
"Great connection to our lives/other subjects. Would enjoy hearing Dr. Smarr speak again and getting more specifics on technology."
"Interesting lecture, but some of it was very technical and I may have missed some stuff. Would enjoy hearing him speak again."
"Slides really added to his preparedness and communicated things that might otherwise be lost. Expert in his field and it shows. Very interesting, very thought provoking, and he speaks well."
"Modernization and technology was a fascinating topic. Prof. Smarr kept us informed of the reality around us. The consistent pride in UCSD was also very notable."
"I was fascinated by the new technical innovations he spoke of. I also thought the development of technology was interesting."
"For me, this lecture was especially interesting because Dr. Smarr brought up all the new technologies that are coming up and even those existing today. I was really affected by the fact that, whether for good or bad, technology is going to continue to grow."
"By far the best presentation! Extremely interesting and very informative. Very well organized. Visionary and brilliant speaker. Intense and very motivated on the subject matter."
"He went off topic a few times, but I suppose the tangents may have been planned. Very interesting and my favorite speaker. He is obviously an expert in his field and has a great way of communicating."
"Thank you for including Dr. Smarr in the group of Seminar speakers. He was my favorite, and I would like to hear him speak again. Brilliant presentation."
"He's the best! Bring him back because he is stimulating and one of the most knowledgeable speakers I have ever heard."
"By far, the best speaker in the group. I learned a lot about technology. I like the way he organized the material, the way he spoke, and the excellent use of power point."
"Hearing about the technology of the future is a little scary. I learned a lot and would like to hear him speak again."