OCU is unique in how many opportunities it presents students to showcase the work they do in their various disciplines. From theatrical and musical performances to art galleries to research days, there are a wealth of opportunities for students to view peers’ work.
Students are always creating new things on campus. Student organizations such as The Shadow Collective, Out of the Box, Sigma Tau Delta, Project 21 and the student choreography show give students the opportunity to present new plays, writing, music and dances.
This list is hardly complete and doesn’t include the capstone presentations of seniors of various majors, which are open to the public.
All of these events can entertain us and tell us new, relevant stories. They can also teach us what our peers are learning from their programs, and we can then take those messages and apply them in our lives and creative work.
The sheer range and proximity of all of these events present an opportunity that students will be unlikely to encounter ever again.
At OCU, we can walk to an art gallery, go to a poetry reading, then go to an auditorium for that night’s music performance. Some programs even showcase work off-campus, such as the lighting design and production show, and the theatre and performance program’s Festival of New Works (read our article about the upcomign Festival of New Works here).
Perhaps due to the number of organizations making new things, students on this campus are busy. Many are actively involved in a organization’s projects or a hobby of some sort. Because of our personal obligations, we sometimes forget to make room for the work of others. The editors have previously written about the need to attend events outside of one’s major, particularly guest speaker presentations.
In order to truly fulfill the goal of a liberal arts program, students should be active in areas outside of their own interests. It can be easy for students to partition themselves into groups with the same interests and activities. While this practice helps build friendships within one’s own field, it does not lend itself toward exploring new areas.
Whether students are staying on campus or wanting to take a break from seeing the Goldstar, a student organization or club is usually hosting a low-cost or free event. We may all be busy, but we should also work to recognize the efforts of others and take the chance to learn from them. After all, isn’t that what a liberal arts education is all about?
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