15 May 2012
On April 17 the President's Council, including President-elect Sybrowsky, held an open forum to answer questions and receive feedback from Southern Virginia University students.
Here's an audio recording in case you missed it.
15 May 2012
An article published yesterday by "The Christian Science Monitor" highlighted the leadership experience that young Latter-day Saints receive and how that experience influences their future careers—enabling many to become successful businessmen, like republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
The article quoted Professor Jeff Benedict, author of "The Mormon Way of Doing Business: Leadership and Success Through Faith and Family," as saying that there is "a disporportionate percentage of Mormons with decent organizational and managerial skills... because, at a very young age, Mormon kids are given responsibilities and taught to organize."
Professor Benedict recently released a new edition of "The Mormon Way of Doing Business" with a new section on Romney, in addition to the other business leaders and executives already included in the book.
(Post by Hannah Benson Rodriguez '13.)
2 May 2012
This year, the dance was red carpet themed, which was made evident first thing as my date and I walked toward the entrance and were met with the rapid flashes of cameras as the evening's paparazzi snapped photos of the two of us. Oh, and I can't forget the red carpet laid out beneath our feet on the steps of Main Hall. The evening continued with music, dancing, refreshments and a table to vote to bestow some professors and students with a variety of awards.
(Post by Hannah Benson Rodriguez '13. Photos by Lindsey Morgan '14 and Bruce Fuentes '14.)
2 May 2012
What brought about such a successful year? It comes down to the dancers and their captain, Nikelle Mantle. They're dedicated to performing their best and they take care of each other like family. Every opportunity to visit their practice is a treat. They also have a spiritual focus, with prayers and spiritual thoughts to start and end their practices. Mantle made it a goal at the beginning of the year to have a spiritual focus coupled with an open learning environment.
Kelly Belt, who became a member of the dance company this year, said, “It gives all of us dancers a place where we learn and grow from one another. Plus, it’s a ridiculous amount of fun.”
The fun and growth have been evident. Lead choreographers Sarah Meyers, Rachael Jerome and Nikelle Mantle have had the opportunity to create intricate, passionate and highly technical dances that pull the audience in. Many audience members commented after last month’s recital that the creativity of the dances was inspiring and powerful, and made them want to get up and dance too!
The recital showcased a variety of styles from high energy hip hop, jazz, krump, flag, and kick numbers to the more introspective contemporary, lyrical and spiritual variety. A favorite group number was "Nerd Hop," a hip hop dance taking us back to the 80's and 90's and celebrating everything nerd. You could tell the dancers were having the time of their lives in their hilarious nerd costumes. Another great number featured Rachael Jerome as a curious girl who ventures into an attic and meets mysterious dolls who whisk her away into their world.
The night was supplemented by a variety of guest dancers including Gloria and Jon Bowden, and Caitlyn Schillemat, who performed traditional Irish dance that had us clapping our hands and stomping our feet. Additionally, the recital included beautiful lyrical pieces by Desiree Gentry and Callan Burnett, and hilarious and mesmerizing freestyle by Taylor Ellsworth.
At the end of the recital as the dancers performed their spiritual contemporary piece that has become a tradition for Dance Company, I couldn't help but think how far they've come and how much farther they can go. I'm so excited to see what level they'll take it to next year and what fantastic new choreography will come about!
For all of the dancers out there, auditions are held at the beginning of each semester and everyone on campus is invited to attend the open practice hip hop night.To learn more about Dance Company email Captain Nikelle Mantle at necia.nikelle@gmail.com.
(Post by Cimone Furler '10. Photos by Amanda Hite, Lisa Hoover '14 and Cameron Leavitt '14.)
24 Apr 2012
