The Thomas W. And Robin W. Edwards building was dedicated on September 21, 2001. Over the past 20 years, the college has grown into the legacy that was bestowed upon it that fall evening.
A number of notable CCU legends were present during the dedication, including Ron Ingle and Dean Lynne Franken.
To catch up with the Edwards family and learn about what they’ve been up to in the 20 years since the Edwards College’s dedication, read A Gracious Yield.
Meet the 2020 cohort of new Edwards faculty!
Twice a year, undergraduate students compete to create their best work in 40 or fewer lines. Poems are then read without identifying characteristics by a nationally-renowned judge from outside of CCU.
To see past winners and read their work, click here: https://www.coastal.edu/english/beyondtheclassroom/paulricepoetrybroadsidecontest/
The contest is named after Paul Rice, who taught in the CCU English Department from 1987-2004. Rice was a talented poet, professor, and songwriter. In 2005, friends and relatives honored Rice’s work in a concert played at the Recital Hall of the Edwards Building.
The CCU Theatre Department, housed in the Edwards College, has made a number of notable accomplishments over the past 20 years. From the establishment of the BFA program in 2010 to the first senior showcase in New York in 2012, to the production of Metamorphoses in 2014, the Theatre Department continues to delight and inspire with its talented students, faculty, and staff.
CCU Department of Theatre Presents…
Legally Blonde: The Musical
In 2020, the Department of Theatre presented Lawrence O’Keefe and Neil Benjamin’s “Legally Blonde: The Musical.” Students taking part in this production were able to work with one of the original cast members, Jason Gillman, who helped the cast hone in on the characters they were tasked with portraying.
Putt-Putt
In January of 2020, the Department of Theatre hosted its first completely student-written play in the form of Putt-Putt. Students were given the opportunity and academic freedom to create a story that was completely their own, and the passion they had for the project shows in their performance.
Metamorphoses
In 2014, students and faculty accepted the challenge of performing Metamorphoses, which called for a “water stage.” This stage consisted of 13,000 gallons of water, and was built mostly by CCU students. Click here for more information about the play https://www.coastal.edu/ccustories/news/news-article/index.php?id=3826
Rob Sperduto ‘18, ‘20 is a recent graduate of CCU’s Master of Arts in Writing (MAW) program. He shares his experiences at CCU, how he overcame the challenges of finding a job that fulfills his passion, and future plans.
Not everyone can say they’re living the dream and mean it. But for Rob Sperduto, a recent Master of Arts in Writing (MAW) graduate, his dream job just so happens to be his actual vocation. As editor-in-training for ProGamesGuide (PGG), Sperduto spends his days writing about his passion: video games.
One of the biggest professional hurdles Sperduto had to overcome was learning to believe his passion was a viable career choice. As a student, he kept his dream of being a games journalist to himself, afraid that his goals were impossible. Eventually, though, Sperduto realized that other people were making careers out of his passion.
“Realize that your passions are out there, and you can potentially turn that into a job,” Sperduto advises students.
Sperduto didn’t get to this realization immediately, however. He moved to New York after graduating, and the pandemic hit shortly thereafter, adding a layer of difficulty to his job search. Sperduto mentioned that he was quickly running out of funds after a few months in the city, as there truly was no one hiring in New York during a global pandemic. By November 2020, he’d applied to more than 120 jobs – data available thanks to a spreadsheet he maintained documenting at least 90 of those applications, before he found it “too sad” to keep track of. Of those 120 applications, he heard back from four.
Finally, then, a break: Sperduto landed a part-time job with PGG, a website that specializes in creating and publishing game guides. Sperduto initially worked as a freelancer, writing guides for the site as needed. It wasn’t a full-time job just yet, but it was a start.
“It was a one-in-a-million chance. I was in the right place at the right time,” Sperduto said.
Two weeks into the position, Sperduto was asked if he could cover a relatively popular game, Roblox. He said “Yes,” despite never having touched the game. His supervisors were so impressed by his work that they asked if he would be willing to work full time.
Now, Sperduto is working to become an editor for the site. He spends his days maintaining Roblox coverage, as well as creating general how-to guides, responding to online comments, and editing others’ work.
Although he is a games journalist, Sperduto’s days aren’t spent playing too many video games.
“It’s not glamorous work,” he says, “but I never have a boring day. I’m constantly learning.”
In addition to using his technical writing skills, Sperduto has also been learning more about Photoshop and Google trends and analytics.
Sperduto mentions that CCU prepared him to take on this role, albeit in ways he didn’t originally recognize.
“There are hidden skills,” Sperduto said. “I found so much comfort tracing these skills back to specific class moments at CCU. Some moments don’t expose themselves until long after leaving university.”
Some of these “hidden skills” included time management, organization, and synthesis of research. Many of these skills came from the simple role of being a graduate student, though being in the MAW program proved especially helpful as well. Beyond being present for classes and putting effort in, Sperduto has one piece of advice for students.
“Get writing samples. If you have samples, you’re already 98% ahead of the cut.”
Whether it’s on a personal website, from freelance work, or submitting to journals, Sperduto recommends students establish a portfolio as soon as possible. He also recommends this tip for students in other majors: if it’s possible to create a portfolio, every student should start putting one together.
Sperduto had numerous mentors during his time at CCU. He mentioned that working with Sara Sobota, publications editor of the Edwards College and senior lecturer in the Department of English, was an eye-opening experience in the world of professional writing.
“Working with Sara Sobota… She is the best editor in the world,” said Sperduto.
Sperduto also credited Joshua Cross, lecturer of creative writing in the Department of English, with helping him learn how to speak to an audience. Cross was also instrumental in helping Sperduto develop teaching skills that have now transferred to his job.
Finally, Sperduto recalled how creative writing workshop sessions with both Joe Oestreich, chair and professor, and Jason Ockert, professor of creative writing, both in the Department of English, provided in-text feedback that continues to inform his editing process to this day.
“As an editor, you’re almost like a teacher,” said Sperduto. “You have to understand the writing process to give good feedback.”
For now, Sperduto is content to revel in the stability that having a full-time job brings — that, and the reassurance that his passion continues, both in his work and on side projects.
“Having a job doesn’t mean creative endeavors are over,” said Sperduto. “That was my biggest fear, but that definitely isn’t what happened.”
Julie Emory (’19) was able to explore all of her academic interests, continue to graduate school, and persevere despite challenges during her undergraduate career.
Having pursued majors in history and intelligence/national security studies and minors in religious studies, Asian studies, and economics, Emory is no stranger to a full schedule. As a determined first-generation student who supported herself throughout her undergraduate career, Emory worked tirelessly to ensure her success.
The highlight of Emory’s CCU experience was a study abroad opportunity in Osaka, Japan.
“As a self-supporting student, this year long trip would not have been attainable without my scholarships from CCU,” Emory notes. She adds that the trip prepared for her graduate studies at the University of Washington, where she is currently pursuing a master’s degree in advanced Japanese language.
Emory is able to dedicate her time as a graduate student to intensive Japanese language study due to a Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) award from the University of Washington. Emory believes CCU was crucial to her academic career and her subsequent achievements, citing her rigorous schedule and mentors Jonathan Acuff, associate professor in the Department of Politics; and Ronald Green, associate professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, as catalysts for her success.
“CCU taught me to always take initiative — apply for everything, discipline myself, and plan, plan, plan!” said Emory.
Just following graduation, Emory held an internship with the CCU-sponsored program Georgetown RISE, a United Nations Centre of Expertise (RSE) on Education for Sustainable Development, in summer 2019. The work involved developing a historic exhibit. “This experience is something I will never forget,” said Emory. “I worked with Habitat for Humanity to create a museum celebrating the proud legacy of African Americans in the city’s West End neighborhood.”
For current students, Emory’s advice is to explore your passions in order to determine what you want to do with your life.
“I will give the age-old advice with a crucial caveat: follow your heart, to the extent that it is possible,” Emory said. “You may have to resort to Plan C. But don’t give up—understand the rules of the game and play again.”
Currently, Emory is workshopping Japanese-to-English translations about the Fukushima disaster, with many more exciting projects on the horizon.
Intelligence and National Security Studies