September 13, 2017 WEDNESDAY
VOL. 104, NO. 2
DACA pg 2
Bishop Arts pg 4
Campus | Professor Feature
Grant reflects back on 36 years By SIERRA TAYLOR
At first glance, Susan kae Grant does not look like she would cast a large shadow, but her artwork and career show otherwise. After 36 years at TWU, Head of Photography and Book Arts Grant retired at the end of August. During her time at TWU, Grant has educated many students, but her love of art and education has always been with her. “Since I was a little girl I have loved making things and showing other people how to make things,” Grant recalled. “My dad bought me a row of school desks and put them in the basement, and I would teach imaginary art classes. Then at some point I started inviting all my neighborhood friends and we would have little classes. There were no rules or grades, creativity ruled the day.” Grant explained that she fell in love with seeing the excitement in other people when she showed them something, and they would understand it. Being an incredibly shy child, she said she would often draw pictures, write poetry and read to go into her own little world. “Being a reader inspired me to be a visual artist,” said Grant. “When I was a little girl and I read, I would picture an image for each word. I think that helped me become an artist and create photographs with narratives that do not really have an answer.” After finishing her Master in Fine Arts from The University of Wisconsin-Madison she taught at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Grant explained that after teaching at Wayne State, which she referred to as “multicultural,” the woman’s campus in Texas was different for her. “My goal all these years has been to empower women to be significant and contributing,” said Grant. “From the beginning, I have been interested in teaching my students the importance of community, of being a team, building a voice
Volleyball pg 6
Campus | Organization
SCPE AIDS STUDENTS IN ENACTING CHANGE By TIERNAN SHAW
and learning to give equal voice in an empowering environment. I do not see that in a lot of programs.”During her time at TWU, Grant has established a number of programs to further student’s art education. She established the graduate program in Photography and Book Arts in 1983, with the assistance of Professor Corky Stuckenbruck, they created the Book Art and Paper Making program. In 1994, she cofounded Photographic Artists Coalition, the student-run photography
group on campus. Grant has been recognized for her excellence as an educator by many organizations. In 2016, TWU named her a “Cornaro Professor.” According to the TWU website, The Cornaro Award for Excellence in Teaching is a recognition in outstanding commitment to scholarship and the advancement of learning. The National Society for Photographic Education recognized Grant as an “Honored Educator,” and Women of Visionary Influence named her “Mentor
of the Year” in 2014. However, Grant recognizes her biggest accomplishment at TWU to be teaching women to have their voice and dreams in the world. “The opportunity to teach at a woman’s college was an opportunity to show women that their voice matters,” Grant explained. “That finding their voice in the art world is important. Now whether anyone likes it or cares about it, it’s not what it is about. It is about self and following their dreams.”After reflecting on her life and career, Grant
Campus | Program
The TWU office of Diversity, Inclusion and Outreach is establishing a new student organization this fall. The Social Change Peer Educators organization is seeking to prepare students to seek and advocate for social change by creating resources and a mentorship program that will allow students to develop their own leadership skills, and become the leaders they want in their communities. The stated purpose of the organization is to “ . . . heighten awareness and sensitivity regarding social issues within the TWU community through education, programming and training.” The program has grown from a sharing of ideas between DIO and the Office of Civility and Community Standards. Inspiration for SCPE comes from TWU’s Peer Advocates Teaching Health organization. When thinking of ways to implement SCPE, Interim Director of TWU’s Office of Civility and Community Standards, Michelle Reeves, realized that PATH’s organizational structure of two leaders leading students through a series of trainings would fit perfectly within the organization’s goals. The program is looking for a small group of students: Sierra Taylor / The Lasso roughly eight; however, should said,“I always had the feel- the number of outstanding aping I wasn’t good enough. All plicants exceed eight, exceptions the things that come together will be made. Reeves stated that to make us who we are not students hoping to be a part of great wishes and inspiring. the program will have to be “pas The things people do and sionate about this idea of being say, shape us and those experi- an educator to other students.” ence never go away. What you Reeves also stated that the prodo about is where the power gram advisors will give suggeslies.”Grant is retiring as an ed- tions on how these students will ucator, but when asked about go about accomplishing their her retirement plans she said, goals, but what they won’t do “I get to be what I have al- is “dictate what we are going to ways what to be, an artist.” be talking about that year.” The students themselves will determine the ideas and the issues that the organization takes on. “A lot of times students have great ideas and lots of passion; they just don’t know necessarily how to make those actionable, so we can help them on ‘how do you make this actionable,’ so that’s really what the premise of it (the program) is”said Reeves. Students can get advice and training on how to enact educational and promotional programs, how to go about teaching other student groups about the issue or how to establish an online program or a video series. “We can guide them on how to do that and make those events successful” said Reeves. The events and ideas will not be limited to the TWU campus either. Students are encouraged to seek out ideas that will affect the entire community, and to seek social change at a community level, students must interact with the entire community. It is even anticipated that students with opposing views could be selected to the organization, and the organization itself can serve as a lightning-rod for understanding between people with differing views. SCPE is at the genesis of its inception. They are Photo courtesy of CAPS currently working through an application process with applicaby stopping by CAPS in West tions from eligible students due Jones Hall or calling 940-898- by Sept. 22. Eligible students in3801. Registration closes on clude juniors, seniors and graduSept. 18. Those who cannot ate students, and a commitment attend may keep an eye out period for both the fall and for Diversity Institute regis- spring semesters is required for tration in the spring semester. those selected. Students can go to www.twu.edu/diversity-inclusion-outreach to apply today.
Awareness, inclusivity, experiential learning offered for Diversity By MORGAN VILLAVASO
The Diversity Institute is returning to the Denton campus on Friday, Sept. 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This all-day interactive workshop will take place in Studio two of the Fitness and Recreation Center. Although the Diversity Institute is not new to TWU, it has proven to be as important as ever in light of recent campus events. The white supremacist rhetoric that littered the Denton campus on Aug. 18 has prompted students, faculty and the administration to open up difficult dialogues. The Diversity Institute provides participants with the tools to do exactly that. Assistant Director of Clinical Services and Licensed Psychologist Dr. Marshall Bewley of Counseling and Psychological Services regards the Diversity Institute as an essential learning opportunity for our campus. Bewley said, “In line with the values of TWU and the Division of Student Life, CAPS wants to ensure that there is ongoing training and workshops to help increase awareness, knowledge and skills in regards to cultural diversity.” We view it as vital to increase affirming and inclusive environments within our campus community and see Diversity Institute as one component of that mission.
Through experiential learning and small group discussions, Bewley says that participants will explore cultural and social dynamics including, but not limited to ability/disability, age, body size, citizenship, education, family system, gender identity, racial/ethnic/nationality, religion/spirituality, sexual orientation, social class
and privilege/marginalization. Current TWU students are strongly encouraged to attend. Bewley said, “Our optimal learning occurs on the edge of our comfort zones, and we must take steps to think critically, understand others’ experiences, and listen to each other. We understand our own experiences and world view when we
encounter others who have had different lived experiences. For those who may feel they are already well educated in diversity, Bewley said: “CAPS believes in life-long learning. Thus, anyone can continue to challenge their knowledge and better understand intersections of identities and experiences at Diversity Institute. Students may register
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