“Family of Man” Exhibit Compliments National Geographic Scientist Spencer Wells’ Visit to NSU

October 17, 2006

“Family of Man” Exhibit Compliments National Geographic Scientist Spencer Wells’ Visit to NSU
Photographic display represents 60,000 years of genetic heritage

FT. LAUDERDALE-DAVIE- Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center (LRITC) will host the “Family of Man,” a photographic exhibit illustrating the journey of human migration and identity.

The exhibit is comprised of a collection of 50 photographs by Barry Barker, Ed.D., associate professor for the Math, Science, and Technology division of the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences at NSU. Spanning 20 years documenting human cultures around the world, the photographs will also be supplemented with indigenous art pieces from various local collectors.

This tribute to human diversity and commonality will be exhibited from October 23 to November 22, in the 2nd floor Gallery of the LRITC on NSU’s main campus in Davie, at 3100 Ray Ferrero Jr. Blvd.

The exhibit compliments Farquhar College’s Distinguished Speakers Series, “The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey,” a presentation by National Geographic geneticist and anthropologist, Spencer Wells, Ph.D. Barker’s display represents the scope of Wells' landmark Genographic Study Program, a sweeping five-year genetic study of human migration that tracks genetic markers in members of modern populations, using the chromosomal information to trace genetic dispersion.

The “Family of Man” exhibit constructed for Well's visit:

photographically depicts the journey of the male Y-chromosome over the past 60,000 years;
portrays the ethic diversity of humankind, resulting from natural selection and adaptation by 2000 generations of ancestors;
presents the spatial relationships of 6.3 billion humans, creating distinct sets of cultural hearths around the world;
and inspires the social identity deep within each human soul that genetically connects us to each other and thousands of generations of ancestors.

Well’s lecture is scheduled for Thursday, October 26, 7:30–9:00 p.m. in the Miniaci Center for the Performing Arts on NSU’s main campus, and admission is free and open to the public. He will discuss how the Genographic Project has established interdisciplinary research into the origins of human identity. The program is presented in association with National Geographic Live!, a mission program of speakers and events that brings the National Geographic experience to communities worldwide.

For more information about the exhibit, contact LRITC Head of Reference, Nora Quinlan, M.A., M.S., at nora@nova.edu

For more information about Wells’ lecture, contact the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences Office of the Dean at (954) 262-8236.

For more information about Spencer Wells and the National Geographic Society’s Genographic Project, visit www.nationalgeographic.com/emerging/spencerWells.html.