Adam Shepard speaks at Waldorf, inspires students

Students at Waldorf College learned an important lesson Wednesday evening: you can achieve anything if you have the courage and determination to pursue it.

Adam Shepard reads out an excerpt
from his book, Scratch Beginnings

Students were inspired after intently listening to Adam Shepard, the author of Scratch Beginnings, who spoke about his experiences of moving to a new city and starting a life in a homeless shelter with just $25 in his pocket. The book spans across the time Shepard spent in Charleston, SC. and successfully achieved his goal: to have a furnished apartment, a car, and $2,500 in savings within a year.

The book is a rebuttal to Nickel and Dimed, written by Barbara Ehrenreich, with the aim to prove that the American dream is not dead.

On Wednesday evening, Shepard engaged the students by talking about different situations he encountered while living in Charleston, which included winning a date on a radio contest.

His book is being read by all freshmen attending Waldorf.

“Such common reading books can engage students in discussions, as some people love it, and some people don’t,” said Shepard.

He wants students to think and get involved in discussions about the book. He also wants people to be inspired to chase their American dream.

For Shepard, the American dream is “the ability to wake up and work hard to pursue my passion,” he said.  “Times are tough, but you can still go after it.”

Sophomore Kelsey Munson was deeply inspired by Shepard’s determination and his will to go after his dream. “It made me realize you can do anything if you put your mind to it,” said the elementary special education major.

Waldorf College to stage its season-opening play during homecoming

The spotlight will shine on Waldorf College’s Smith Theatre this fall as Lost Socks,the first production of the year, opens September 21.

Written and directed by Dr. Bob AuFrance, associate professor of theatre and director of fine arts administration, Lost Socks is a romantic comedy set in a typical Iowa laundromat. The story is about a Friday night dating service in the laundromat, which is started by its owner for single people to meet prospective partners.

“I wanted to start the season with a comedy,” said AuFrance, who received several requests from Waldorf alumni to direct a play during homecoming weekend.

The inception of the idea for the play happened in a laundromat itself. “I was sitting in a laundromat one day and thought, ‘this would make for a good setting,’” said Dr. AuFrance. “People spend a lot of time together doing laundry. What if this was the place you go to meet single people?”

The play features an all-student cast, with seven characters ranging from a new freshman to a graduate assistant. The female lead character will be played by freshman Haley Mosley. “We are very excited to have a freshman in the lead,” said Dr. AuFrance.

During the showing, representatives of the Kennedy Center’s American College Theatre Festival will adjudicate the play and the cast. If selected, the play will enter in a national playwright competition and the cast, which can receive up to two nominations, will compete for the Irene Ryan award at the regional level in Ames and be directly entered into the national competition.

“This is a play about the silliness and laughter of trying to find someone else,” said Dr. AuFrance. “I look forward to people coming and having a good time.”

Lost Socks will be performed during Waldorf’s homecoming celebration, between September 21 and 24. The tickets are priced $10 for adults and $8 for students. No one under the age of 9 will be admitted.

Top 2010 freshmen honored at Waldorf College opening convocation

 

Four freshmen from 2010-2011 were honored for academic excellence at the Waldorf College opening convocation held Friday, August 26.

This is the sixth year that Waldorf’s top freshmen have been singled out for public honors. The ceremony offers the opportunity for incoming freshmen to envision their own possibilities.

“These are outstanding students, ” said Dr. Scott Searcy, the new interim vice president of academic affairs and dean of the college, “and their excellence isn’t limited to their GPAs.” The honored students have all become integral members of the Waldorf community through participation in performance ensembles, athletics, and service projects.  “This is someone incoming freshmen should be like and emulate, at least adopt their best habits,” said Dr. Searcy.

The students being honored are communications major Amy Greshowak from Andover, MN., history education and theatre arts major Chelsey Shreeve from Cottrellville, MI., elementary education major Emily Clausen from Forest City, IA., and business major Antoine Cummins from Brooklyn, NY.