2008 Woodie Awards
Swimming in the Big Waters of Life
Some Muskies sink when it comes to behaving in convocations
Natalie Shirkey
Issue date: 9/30/03 Section: Opinions
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Let's picture ourselves in the real world. The many academic duties, socializing opportunities, and extracurricular activities or clubs are done. The time is fast-forwarded to us acting and behaving as adults in a real world setting. All of us, as students, are at some point going to have to accept real responsibilities. There are various events on the Lakeland College campus that are opportunities for us to experience a feeling of the real world before actually entering it. It reminds me of dipping my toes in the water and swimming around a little before actually attempting the big swim in the big lake. It's a better chance for us to make mistakes and learn from what we are doing right and wrong.
Convocations are provided at our college for a good reason. Various artists from all over come to Lakeland in order to provide us with a taste for the arts. It also supplies our students with a chance to show off their talents. Lakeland students gain the benefit of receiving convocation credits for attending these events. As students of Lakeland College, we are required to attend thirty-two of these in order to graduate. This opportunity gives us a chance to enter the world of the arts at our very own campus.
The most recent artist from our convocation selection list was Keb' Mo', a renowned jazz artist. Prior to his visit, we also had a few introductory speakers explaining jazz music. So what happened with the poor response that was given to David Sullivan, one of the introductory speakers? If you ask me, and many others, they will inform you that our student body was all but a good audience. When Martha Schott, a writing professor, was asked to comment about the Dave Sullivan convocation, she said the following. "I was sitting in the far back on the right, and a group of three women were talking and laughing through the entire event."
This obviously creates some problems for anyone who is interested in gaining knowledge at these events. Some problems that could arise from people talking are: the people around them cannot hear, it is disrespectful to the speaker and may or may not hamper his performance ability, and it reflects poorly on Lakeland's students, faculty, and staff. There are other consequences as well.
Convocations are provided at our college for a good reason. Various artists from all over come to Lakeland in order to provide us with a taste for the arts. It also supplies our students with a chance to show off their talents. Lakeland students gain the benefit of receiving convocation credits for attending these events. As students of Lakeland College, we are required to attend thirty-two of these in order to graduate. This opportunity gives us a chance to enter the world of the arts at our very own campus.
The most recent artist from our convocation selection list was Keb' Mo', a renowned jazz artist. Prior to his visit, we also had a few introductory speakers explaining jazz music. So what happened with the poor response that was given to David Sullivan, one of the introductory speakers? If you ask me, and many others, they will inform you that our student body was all but a good audience. When Martha Schott, a writing professor, was asked to comment about the Dave Sullivan convocation, she said the following. "I was sitting in the far back on the right, and a group of three women were talking and laughing through the entire event."
This obviously creates some problems for anyone who is interested in gaining knowledge at these events. Some problems that could arise from people talking are: the people around them cannot hear, it is disrespectful to the speaker and may or may not hamper his performance ability, and it reflects poorly on Lakeland's students, faculty, and staff. There are other consequences as well.