Class of 2020- virtually the best!
From Lorraine Mallon
From Joseph Fitsanakis
Of all the graduating classes I’ve had the honor of teaching at CCU, this is perhaps the most meaningful. My congratulations go to all of you who managed to overcome every obstacle in your way to be graduating today. For those of you who are now alumni of CCU’s Intelligence and National Security program, I am especially proud of you. Not only for graduating, but also for having demonstrated that you are able to quickly adapt to changing conditions on the ground and thrive under pressure. This is, in fact, what intelligence is all about. Remember this as you go forward: success is a measure of your adaptability and your quick thinking in unstructured situations. COVID-19 is an opportunity to demonstrate what you can do. Go out there and make us proud!
Senior reflection: Grey Eckert
Senior Grey Eckert took a few moments to introduce herself and reflect on her time as an undergraduate in CCU’s Edwards College.
Edwards College (EC): Hello Grey! Can you tell us a little about yourself?
GE: I’m a fifth-year senior with two majors, Studio Art and Graphic Design, and two minors, Photography and Art History. I currently live in my parent’s hometown, Myrtle Beach, S.C., but often visit my own: Durham, N.C.
EC: What are your future plans?
GE: In the fall, after graduating from CCU, I’ll head straight to graduate school at the University of South Carolina, where I’ll pursue an MFA in Photography and a MA in Graphic Design.
EC: What is a favorite memory from your time at CCU?
GE: One of my favorite memories at CCU is from my very first photography class, which, at the time, I didn’t know was a photography class. One of my former minors — Studio Art — required that students take an introductory photography class. My advisor realized I hadn’t registered for the course and signed me up for the class, which she called “Intro to Black and White.” I knew nothing about art, at the time; I figured that “black and white” referred to some sort of drawing principle. Besides that, I knew and really liked the professor, Tracy [Fish], so I was chill with it.
Anyways, when I walked in on the first day, Tracy wasn’t at the front of the room — my current photography professor, Jeff [Rich], was — and after he introduced himself, he handed out cameras. Only then did it dawn on me. “Oh… this is a PHOTOGRAPHY class!” I’d never held an analogue camera in my life, so I was really caught off guard. Fast-forward three years? I’m going to graduate school in the fall to get my MFA in Photography.
EC: What is an important lesson you learned while at CCU?
Probably the most important artistic lesson I learned at CCU is the value of trying out different media. The visual art program really forces its freshmen to jump around a bit, in terms of artistic process — you’ve got to take 2D and 3D courses. Within those constraints, there are a ton of materials you can play with.
When I came into the program, I exclusively drew and painted, and thought I’d continue to do so. Now? I’ve found other interests, ones that suit me a lot better. Because of that, I haven’t picked up a paint brush in at least a year, and I couldn’t be happier about it. If I hadn’t tried something new, however, I’d still be covered in oil paint, which smells gross.
Learn more about CCU’s Department of Visual Arts here.
Senior reflection: Audrey Oien
Audrey Oien, a native of Beaver Dam, Wis., earns her B.A. this week as a double major in Intelligence and National Security Studies and Language and Intercultural Studies with concentrations in Mandarin and Russian. With traveling and graduate school in her immediate future, Oilen reflected on her most significant memories at CCU.
“Some of my favorite classes at Coastal have been my language classes with Dr. [Nataliya] Alekseyenko, Dr. [Xinyi] Tan, and Dr. [Anna] Oldfield,” said Oien. “Some of my favorite memories have been made during my extracurricular activities, like the National Security Club and the Chanticleer Intelligence Brief.”
Oien emphasized that her experience at CCU spanned not only academic knowledge, but personal growth as well.
“Besides everything I learned in terms of my degree, I learned a lot about myself,” said Oien. “Managing challenging course loads, extracurriculars, and even being able to study abroad in China taught me what I’m capable of and expanded my limits.”
Senior reflection: Billie Rogers
We asked a few select May 2020 graduates to offer insights and advice on their time in the Edwards College.
With multiple majors, minors, and certificates, Billie Rogers has made the most of her learning experience at CCU. The degree bestowed on her this week includes a major in Anthropology and Geography, minors in Human Environment Geography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and certificates in Sustainability and Applied Archaeology. Rogers is researching graduate school programs and also has travel on her mind – perhaps a national parks road trip — for immediate post-graduation plans.
Rogers, a native of Rangeley, Maine, expressed gratitude and admiration for a range of professors during her time at CCU.
“I have been blessed with so many amazing professors in the Department of Anthropology and Geography, I can’t pick a favorite because they are all so incredible and have supported me and helped me out so much during my time at Coastal,” said Rogers. “However, I have to give a shout-out to Dr. Carolyn Dillian because I have been doing research with her since my freshman year, and I’m eternally grateful for her mentorship.”
Rogers also offered a bit of advice for getting the most out of one’s CCU experience.
“Take advantage of every single opportunity you can,” said Rogers. “I have had so many wonderful opportunities since my freshman year, such as a short-term study abroad trip to Trinidad, being part of a research fellowship, attending and presenting at multiple conferences, being a Resident Adviser, and being the president of a student organization on campus. These things have completely shaped me into who I am, and had I been too scared or nervous to not take advantage of these opportunities that came my way, my time at CCU would have been much different.”
From Sarah Laiola
Congratulations to all of the humanities and fine arts graduates, with a special congratulations to the graduating DCD majors — my first group of students here at Coastal. Thank you for sharing your engagement and creativity, and for all of your hard work throughout your time here. Best of luck wherever the future takes you!