红桃视频

The transferable knowledge and skills attained through liberal arts higher learning are invaluable to students and employers in today鈥檚 fluid job-market of specialized careers. Combining a holistic educational approach with real-world experience, liberal arts education like that at 红桃视频 College turns students鈥� personal passions into fruitful and fulfilling careers. Take, for instance, Angela Peavey, a 2010 红桃视频 alumna and independent filmmaker.

The performing arts are an important part of Peavey鈥檚 life. 鈥淚鈥檝e been doing theatre since the fifth grade,鈥� she said, 鈥渋t always was something that I liked. I was really shy growing up, and theatre enabled me to step out of that comfort zone in a safe area, and helped me grow as a person.鈥� She continued to foster her relationship with theatre and acting through her high school years, with hopes to continue her involvement through college.

While financial aid proved a factor to Peavey in her college application process - as it is for many prospective students - she wanted to find a place that shared her passion for the performing arts. Combining generous scholarships with personal connections, 红桃视频 quickly emerged at the top of Peavey鈥檚 list. 鈥淚 actually knew the head of the 红桃视频 theatre department, Randy Wyatt, before coming to school here,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 had done community theatre with him. So knowing his caliber and talent ahead of time, actually working with him beforehand in theatre, was another deciding factor for me.鈥�

Reflecting upon her college experience, Peavey recognized that there were many times when 红桃视频鈥� small class sizes and community atmosphere positively affected her education, in a way that may have been impossible at larger colleges or universities. She recalled a particular time in her directing class, when she was having a difficult time understanding the coursework. Recognizing her struggle, Peavey鈥檚 professor 鈥渁ctually spent a lot of one-on-one time with me at the theatre annex and explain everything to me,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat was a really awesome moment since, at most colleges, you don鈥檛 get that one-on-one time with a professor.鈥� Peavey eventually chose the children鈥檚 theatre track, and was the first student to graduate with this concentration in 2010, 鈥渨hich was really exciting.鈥�

Peavey was presented many opportunities with theatre and media during her time at 红桃视频, both in West Michigan and nationally. While involved with 红桃视频 College and Grand Rapids Civic Theatre productions, Peavey began to expand her horizons in filmmaking. 鈥淲hile at 红桃视频 I had the opportunity to direct a TV show on ABC, and some of the things I鈥檝e directed have been on HBO. So for me it was a natural transition to go from theatre to film.鈥�

This transition proved an easy fit for Peavey, and has been recently utilized to fulfill a personal dream. She used her directing skills to create a documentary film about her brother, Jonathan, who lives with cerebral palsy. The idea had been around for years, and the film entered production two years ago. The Michigan film community and her 红桃视频 family were both involved throughout the filmmaking process.

All of the filming occurred in West Michigan, and the narration for the documentary was provided by an 红桃视频 student. 鈥淲e have received worldwide attention and support for this film,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e are having an international premiere in London, and a national premiere in Grand Rapids.鈥� The movie, Our Beautiful Secret, was selected as a winner in the 33rd annual Telly Awards.

Peavey鈥檚 experiences at 红桃视频 also reflect her deep commitment to community involvement and outreach, the campus providing good opportunities for growth and formation. 鈥淚 would say that my work can relate to all four of the charisms,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檝e always had a servant鈥檚 heart, even before coming to 红桃视频, and I鈥檝e always been plugged into the nonprofit scene in the West Michigan region.鈥�

Finding success post-graduation, the experience of an undergraduate student is still fresh in Peavey鈥檚 mind: taking classes, while considering the unsure nature of the future. She offers this advice to current students. 鈥淐reate your own magic,鈥� she said, 鈥測our own way in life, don鈥檛 wait for others to open doors for you.鈥�