I did not plan to make a fool of myself on Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day. I thought I would listen to presentations, observe, ask questions and engage our students, as I have for the past 11 years on this special day set aside for students to show their work.
But I had never met Joey Hamburger, a theater major, actor, writer and comedian. Joey also is an E-Scholar interested in learning the business side of theater. I stumbled upon his presentation thanks to Judy Shank, secretary for the Myers Chair and the Clemens Chair. She saw me wandering the hallway in the Henrita Academic Building at CSB, pointed me toward Joey’s presentation and assured me he is funny.
Great! I thought. I could use a laugh.
I was a few minutes early. A personable young man, Joey introduced himself and we chatted about the connection between theater and the E-Scholars program, which is operated by the Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship.
Joey explained that, for his E-Scholars project, he wants to develop an improv workshop for a corporate setting, to help people gain skills in public speaking and presentations.
The next thing I knew, Joey started conducting an improv workshop for everyone in the room, a group consisting of me and approximately a half dozen students.
The first rule of improv is stay out of your head, Joey explained. It’s a nifty way of saying don’t overthink what you are doing.
We began with a series of interactive, physical exercises, and I discovered I could not stay in my head and do the exercises at the same time. I had to set aside any self-consciousness I felt so I could concentrate on Joey’s instructions – which, by the way, were pretty goofy.
The exercises helped put us at ease with each other and ourselves as we mimicked each other, made strange sounds and behaved foolishly.
Then we moved on to actual improvisation. As someone who tuned in to watch the original SNL cast, I felt like I was being initiated into a secret society. It turns out the mystery of improv is pretty simple.
You and your fellow improvisers create a scene, create conflict, escalate it and resolve it.
That’s it.
Well, it’s a wee bit harder than that, especially since I struggled with the urge to sneak back inside my head. For a few precious moments though, while celebrating creativity in a classroom with CSB and SJU students, I overcame that temptation and lost my head.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
The liberal arts: not just for students
We talk a lot at CSB and SJU about the value of the liberal arts experience we offer our students, and I have no doubt it is exceptional. Since I work in communication and marketing, I see evidence of it every day. But every now and then I take advantage of the experience myself.
Last month I enjoyed two occasions to immerse myself in the liberal arts. I signed up for a book discussion group which culminated with a dinner with the author. I also attended Private College Scholars at the Capitol, an annual event that showcases student scholarship. In both instances I got to talk about ideas with people representing a range of academic disciplines and perspectives.
The book discussion group was the first organized by Noreen Herzfeld in her capacity as Nicholas and Bernice Reuter Professor of Science and Religion. We read The Evolution of God, a New York Times bestseller and finalist for the Pulitzer Prize by Robert Wright, a senior fellow at the New America Foundation and editor in chief of Bloggingheads.tv. http://www.newamerica.net/people/robert_wright
Two discussion groups composed of faculty and administrators, as well as student reading groups met separately earlier in the month. Then, we all convened Feb. 20 for a casual dinner with the author at the Saint John’s Pottery Studio. In that relaxed atmosphere, we engaged the author and each other in conversation about how we perceive God, how those perceptions have changed over time and how our understanding of God affects the way we treat each other as individuals and as nations.
My compliments to the many individuals who made this a perfect evening. In addition to Noreen’s efforts, Richard White, associate professor of chemistry and director of the Honors Program and Undergraduate Research, organized the honors student reading groups. The Benedictine Institute provided funding support, and Hilary Thimmesh, director of the Benedictine Institute, hosted a discussion one evening. Gloria Hardy, master of all essential matters at the Benedictine Institute, provided indispensable organizational support. Finally, Richard Bresnahan, Saint John’s artist-in-residence, provided Benedictine hospitality as the gracious host at the studio.
I realize much behind-the-scenes work went into making the experience appear so effortless. Since all I had to do was read a book, show up, talk about it and eat, it’s easy for me to say, “Hey, let’s do this again sometime,” but I hope we do.
February must have been a busy time for Richard White. I saw him again a few days later in the capitol rotunda, where four of our students gave poster presentations of their research. They were among 39 students presenting their research as representatives of Minnesota private colleges. The Scholars at the Capitol program is facilitated by the Minnesota Private College Council. https://sharepoint.csbsju.edu/Pages/Scholars-at-the-Capitol.aspx
As soon as I walked inside the capitol, I could feel the energy. A buzz of ideas filled the rotunda as students explained their research projects to visitors. I talked with each of our four students – Heather Beckius, CSB sophomore English major; Pierce Edmiston, SJU senior individualized major in cognitive science; Shannon McEvoy, CSB senior art and Hispanic studies double-major; and Christopher Seiler, SJU senior chemistry major. Then I went around and talked with students from the other private schools.
By the end of the day, I felt better about the future of our country. I felt downright optimistic. We hear plenty in the news about problems we face in our communities and worldwide. These students – with their intellectual enthusiasm, their energy and their confidence – are the solution.
Last month I enjoyed two occasions to immerse myself in the liberal arts. I signed up for a book discussion group which culminated with a dinner with the author. I also attended Private College Scholars at the Capitol, an annual event that showcases student scholarship. In both instances I got to talk about ideas with people representing a range of academic disciplines and perspectives.
The book discussion group was the first organized by Noreen Herzfeld in her capacity as Nicholas and Bernice Reuter Professor of Science and Religion. We read The Evolution of God, a New York Times bestseller and finalist for the Pulitzer Prize by Robert Wright, a senior fellow at the New America Foundation and editor in chief of Bloggingheads.tv. http://www.newamerica.net/people/robert_wright
Two discussion groups composed of faculty and administrators, as well as student reading groups met separately earlier in the month. Then, we all convened Feb. 20 for a casual dinner with the author at the Saint John’s Pottery Studio. In that relaxed atmosphere, we engaged the author and each other in conversation about how we perceive God, how those perceptions have changed over time and how our understanding of God affects the way we treat each other as individuals and as nations.
My compliments to the many individuals who made this a perfect evening. In addition to Noreen’s efforts, Richard White, associate professor of chemistry and director of the Honors Program and Undergraduate Research, organized the honors student reading groups. The Benedictine Institute provided funding support, and Hilary Thimmesh, director of the Benedictine Institute, hosted a discussion one evening. Gloria Hardy, master of all essential matters at the Benedictine Institute, provided indispensable organizational support. Finally, Richard Bresnahan, Saint John’s artist-in-residence, provided Benedictine hospitality as the gracious host at the studio.
I realize much behind-the-scenes work went into making the experience appear so effortless. Since all I had to do was read a book, show up, talk about it and eat, it’s easy for me to say, “Hey, let’s do this again sometime,” but I hope we do.
February must have been a busy time for Richard White. I saw him again a few days later in the capitol rotunda, where four of our students gave poster presentations of their research. They were among 39 students presenting their research as representatives of Minnesota private colleges. The Scholars at the Capitol program is facilitated by the Minnesota Private College Council. https://sharepoint.csbsju.edu/Pages/Scholars-at-the-Capitol.aspx
As soon as I walked inside the capitol, I could feel the energy. A buzz of ideas filled the rotunda as students explained their research projects to visitors. I talked with each of our four students – Heather Beckius, CSB sophomore English major; Pierce Edmiston, SJU senior individualized major in cognitive science; Shannon McEvoy, CSB senior art and Hispanic studies double-major; and Christopher Seiler, SJU senior chemistry major. Then I went around and talked with students from the other private schools.
By the end of the day, I felt better about the future of our country. I felt downright optimistic. We hear plenty in the news about problems we face in our communities and worldwide. These students – with their intellectual enthusiasm, their energy and their confidence – are the solution.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
The stories we tell
Imagine you are a historian charged with creating an exhibit about an individual. How do you tell that person’s story? What objects do you choose? Which ones do you omit?
How do you document a life? Do you aim for a comprehensive story about the individual, or do you focus on one characteristic of that person? How do you arrange the information to capture the interest of the museum-goer? Consider, for example, that Julia Child’s kitchen is on exhibit at the Smithsonian.
Annette Atkins, CSB/SJU professor of history, gave such an assignment to her History 200 students. Each student was assigned to act as curator of an exhibit about the life of a fellow student, to tell that classmate’s story using primary and secondary research, interviews, observation, objects and photos.
Then, she invited colleagues and administrators to attend an exhibit opening Tuesday, Feb. 7, on third floor Quad at SJU.
The exhibits ranged from literal to abstract presentations of information. Some were puzzling. Some had a creative edge, but all were thoughtful attempts to convey meaningful information about a unique person. Of course, because it was an Annette Atkins event, it also was fun.
Each student stood next to the exhibit about her or his life, and we viewers were encouraged to interpret the array of objects, photos and text, ask questions and interact with the students, then vote for our favorite exhibit. In some ways, it was like the old game show, “What’s My Line?” where panelists asked questions to guess a person’s occupation.
As I approached one exhibit, I could hear a recording of someone singing “Ave Maria.” Sheet music of “Don Giovanni” was displayed on a music stand, along with other objects. I asked the student if he is studying vocal performance.
“Yes.”
I asked if he enjoys singing “Don Giovanni.”
“Yes.”
Finally, I made the connection with the “Ave Maria.”
“Is this you singing in the recording?”
“Duh!” (OK, he didn’t actually say that, but he probably thought it.)
Visiting the history exhibit was a great opportunity to chat with students about their interests. Some discovered a love for history as early as fifth grade. For one, the American Revolution holds primary interest. Another leans toward the Middle Ages.
It also was a great reminder of how the historical record is interpreted and constructed – how fragments provide clues to a person’s life. If I had to choose a few objects to characterize myself, I would start with a pen and notebook. How would you tell your story?
How do you document a life? Do you aim for a comprehensive story about the individual, or do you focus on one characteristic of that person? How do you arrange the information to capture the interest of the museum-goer? Consider, for example, that Julia Child’s kitchen is on exhibit at the Smithsonian.
Annette Atkins, CSB/SJU professor of history, gave such an assignment to her History 200 students. Each student was assigned to act as curator of an exhibit about the life of a fellow student, to tell that classmate’s story using primary and secondary research, interviews, observation, objects and photos.
Then, she invited colleagues and administrators to attend an exhibit opening Tuesday, Feb. 7, on third floor Quad at SJU.
The exhibits ranged from literal to abstract presentations of information. Some were puzzling. Some had a creative edge, but all were thoughtful attempts to convey meaningful information about a unique person. Of course, because it was an Annette Atkins event, it also was fun.
Each student stood next to the exhibit about her or his life, and we viewers were encouraged to interpret the array of objects, photos and text, ask questions and interact with the students, then vote for our favorite exhibit. In some ways, it was like the old game show, “What’s My Line?” where panelists asked questions to guess a person’s occupation.
As I approached one exhibit, I could hear a recording of someone singing “Ave Maria.” Sheet music of “Don Giovanni” was displayed on a music stand, along with other objects. I asked the student if he is studying vocal performance.
“Yes.”
I asked if he enjoys singing “Don Giovanni.”
“Yes.”
Finally, I made the connection with the “Ave Maria.”
“Is this you singing in the recording?”
“Duh!” (OK, he didn’t actually say that, but he probably thought it.)
Visiting the history exhibit was a great opportunity to chat with students about their interests. Some discovered a love for history as early as fifth grade. For one, the American Revolution holds primary interest. Another leans toward the Middle Ages.
It also was a great reminder of how the historical record is interpreted and constructed – how fragments provide clues to a person’s life. If I had to choose a few objects to characterize myself, I would start with a pen and notebook. How would you tell your story?
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