Extending the Line

For the past month, CC’s IDEA Space has hosted a multi-media exhibit, entitled Extending the Line, featuring drawings, prints, sculpture, fiber arts, music, video, theater, poetry, and dance.  I was treated to a tour of the exhibition by Jessica Hunter Larsen ’81 to see how a variety of artists explore the idea of line in multiple contexts.

IDEA programs regularly engage other departments around campus. However, one of the especially fun elements of this exhibit was made possible by a National Endowment for the Arts grant that enabled CC to develop interactive educational experiences for area K-12 students.  It was a great opportunity for CC education students to work with Jessica and Education Lecturer Kris Stanec in developing gallery-based activities for local after-school programs.

Gold Trapezoid by Krysten Cunningham

Exciting News from the Soup Project

Colorado College is excited to announce the next phase of the CC Community Kitchen’s 23-year legacy. The campus came together to create The Soup Project, imagining creative new ways of addressing poverty, hunger, and homelessness in Colorado Springs. Colorado College is supporting these efforts in three ways:

1.) The President’s Office recently awarded funding for several innovative new internships through the Collaborative for Community Engagement. These internships began in Block 5, with student interns and their interested peers being supported with time and space devoted to their projects at The Soup Project’s new Collaborative Impact Hub. Students convene on the first, second, and third Wednesdays of each block from 4-9 p.m. in the Morreale Carriage House. The internships run throughout the academic year.

2.) Additionally, four new food coalition internships will launch this summer. The coalition works to coordinate various student groups working on food-related issues. Students may submit applications for opportunities at the CC Farm and Greenhouse, and The Soup Project by 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27. For more information, please visit the Student Employment page.

3.) Four teams will deliver their final pitches in the $20,000 Soup Project Challenge at this year’s Empty Bowls benefit Thursday, March 5, from 5-7 p.m. in Bemis Hall. The Challenge, spearheaded by The Collaborative for Community Engagement and The Innovation Institute at CC, will fund student-designed social innovation projects to address poverty, hunger, and homelessness locally. Seating is limited, so please register by taking a short survey for your free ticket HERE.

The Soup Project’s success depends on your support and participation. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to get involved in weekly conversations at The Soup Project from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. each Sunday in Sacred Grounds at Shove Chapel. Student leaders will continue to serve a free hot meal through their final day in Shove on Sunday, May 10.

Following the results of the Soup Project Challenge, The Soup Project team will report to the campus community about the future plans for the kitchen and how CC will continue to address hunger and homelessness. To learn more about how you can get or stay involved, please contact the CCE atcce@coloradocollege.edu.​

CC Swimmers Give Locks for Love

For the past four years, our CC swim team has worked with yoga instructor Misty Banta. This fall, Misty was diagnosed with cancer.  So what do Tigers do to support one of their own?  When Misty walked into the final yoga class for this year, one by one the swimmers and head coach Ann Goodman James entered the room with their heads shaved (or hair cut short for Locks of Love) to support her.  Misty shared not only this story, but how much the team and their act of solidarity meant to her. These same Tigers went on to take second (our women) and fourth (our men) at the SCAC swim championships last week. We’re rooting for you too, Misty!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Last evening I attended CC’s Chinese New Year Celebration. What a wonderful event! Students from the US Air Force Academy joined our students in performing, dining, and socializing.

The performances included – Zijing Wu ’17 playing his Erhu (a traditional Chinese two string bowed instrument), Shiying Cheng ’17 dancing to Dropping Flowers, and students who are currently studying Chinese language and culture singing and dancing.

Thanks to Professors Hong Jiang and Fanny Zhang and East Asian Languages Staff Assistant Michelle Christiansen for working with our students to plan this celebration.

The Teenage Brain