Dear Prospective Student of the Humanites: Letters from Alumni
Dear Prospective Student of the Humanities,
I loved my experience at Dominican. Loved it. The classes were rigorous, the faculty was caring and the campus is beautiful. Matriculating through the excellent Humanities Department is one of the best decisions I have made in my life.
Two faculty members made significant differences in my life: Sr. Aaron Winkleman and Sr. Patricia Dougherty. I have a tremendous amount of respect for them, both academically and personally. I always say, “Sr. Pat gave me wings; Sr. Aaron demanded I use them.” These two teachers had high expectations of me and I strove to meet the challenge. Along the way, I learned what I can do and it was far more than I believed possible.
One of the best academic offerings is colloquiums. Essentially, courses are clustered in order to offer a full view of a place or a period of time in human development. The experience fundamentally changed the way I see the world. I use my Dominican education every day, both in my career and personal life. While teaching students about a concept, I am able to draw upon history, literature, art and more. When looking at politics, I am able to understand the complexities of human progress. I see the full picture because of the way I was taught. I am incredibly grateful for this gift.
Be prepared to open your eyes and heart for an experience that will crack open the world for you. Prepare to be challenged. Take advantage of the supportive community and contribute back whenever possible. There’s room for you here.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Gray
Bachelor of Arts in History and English Literature, 2001
Dear Prospective Student of the Humanities,
Were it not for my degree in Humanities from Dominican and through the Pathways program (I was working full time as executive producer for Pacifica National Radio, traveling a lot) in May 2005, I never would have been hired in my new career as a communications strategist for scientists, physicians and environmental health advocates on toxic chemical issues.
Nor would I have received a deal to publish a book, Divine Destruction: Dominion Theology, Wise Use and U.S. Environmental Policy (Melville House, 2005) that came out of my senior thesis. Updating my research for the book enabled me to network with the faith community, which has in turn enabled me to bring them into coalition with the people I work with on environmental health issues for policy work and for raising public awareness on chemical exposure issues.
As an aside, to balance the stress of working on these issues, I sing with a very talented jazz band, and we perform through Bread & Roses, entertaining folks in convalescent homes and in other types of confinement. I also teach a capella improv singing.
I am grateful to have an opportunity to reach out to you, whomever might be reading this, because chances are, like I was, you might be at a crossroads in your life and not sure of your direction. I guess I am proof that if you listen to your heart and surround yourself with others who honor the breadth of learning that Humanities provides, that your world can be opened up in ways you could never have imagined. It is a privilege to be enrolled in college in any case, but it is an especially honorable position to be in Domincan’s Humanities program. As long as you are true to yourself, they can be resources for the support you need to find your gifts to share with the world, so don’t hold back, with the Dominican Humanities program, you’re positioned to experience some of the greatest adventures of your life!
Sincerely,
Stephenie Hendricks
Bachelor of Arts in Humanities, 2005
Dear Prospective Student of the Humanites,
The pursuit of a degree in the Humanities was life changing for me. However, it was more than just the studies. The environment of Dominican is a memory to treasure for the rest of one's life.
I attended Dominican as an older student and, after graduating, came to Santa Barbara to pursue a graduate degree in Art History. To ease financial responsibilities, I began to give piano lessons. Although I had played piano from a very young age, prior to my four years at Dominican, I would not have had the courage to reach out and share this skill with others.
My young students responded positively and this led me to form a partnership with a professional musician. Over the years, we have built a strong studio with students regularly winning state competitions. Some of our students include under privileged students, who receive scholarships and benefit considerably from encouragement, going onto college despite the fact that their parents never had the opportunity.
In pursuing a degree in the Humanities, I discovered the universal quality of being human. This was very empowering. It gave me the confidence to encourage those around me to reach their full potential, as I continue to reach for mine.
Warmest wishes,
Sheila Johnson
Bachelor of Arts in Humanities, 1989
Dear Prospective Student of the Humanities,
I am a graduate of 1967 with an Art History major and a History minor. I retired a year ago from a 37 year teaching career in elementary school. My major and minor were extremely valuable in the many lessons that I planned and taught over the years. My major was instrumental in setting up a schoolwide art history program used by K-5 teachers and students.
As a retiree I like to work with the U.S. Forest Service in their website volunteer program "Passport in Time." In particular I like to participate in the historical projects that validate and verify pioneer trails in the west by use of metal detecting for artifacts, identifying and dating them, then GPSing them to plot the trail. I also enjoy painting on canvas and on my walls.
Sincerely,
Sharon Hanson
Bachelor of Arts in Art History, 1967
