2012-Daniel Ricken

First Major:      Theatre
Thesis:             Theatre and Social Change
300 Word Statement

Throughout the last four years, I have striven to take advantage of the diverse opportunities that Lafayette offers as well as contribute to the many aspects of its community.  As Lafayette’s first official theatre major, I have represented the College and spoken at alumni events to help create, advertise, and sustain this new academic discipline.  I have participated in numerous Lafayette productions in all aspects of theatre, including acting, stage managing, and directing.  My semester abroad program included an internship at a London theatre, during which time I directed a professional performance.  Despite both classroom and theatrical achievements, I also utilized the College’s externship program on two different winter breaks and took an inter-session abroad class to further an outside interest.  More importantly, I have become a strong and effective leader in many areas.  As a three-year Resident Assistant, I have effectively overseen extremely different living conditions with widely diverse populations.  I have held positions in organizations ranging from the Hillel Society where I was the Religious Chair, to the choir where I am a section leader.  I have been acknowledged as the Lafayette “tour guide of the year” by the Admissions Office before being promoted to Senior Interviewer for prospective students.  I belong to campus organizations that fight for identity acceptance, both politically and socially.  I have also immersed myself in community service opportunities.  Four years later, I strongly believe that it is important to give back to Lafayette for teaching me so much about myself and the world around me.  “Ideal” is a lofty title.  Regardless, my variety of accomplishments, combined with my efforts to help create a new academic program and contribute to the fabric of the Lafayette community, demonstrate my unique and personalized use of my ideal time at Lafayette.

 

Academic Activities

• Senior Honors Thesis    1
  I am completing my senior honors thesis with advisor Mary Jo Lodge.  My thesis examines how theatre impacts society and features both research into sociology and theatre and the direction of the final production of the Lafayette College Theatre season.  Directing on the collegiate level will also enhance my educating abilities, as my cast and crew are predominantly underclassmen who are not only working but learning from the production experience.
• Marquis Scholarship    4
  I have been a Marquis Scholar at Lafayette for all four years, and have attended and help coordinate several of the programs in that time.
• Dean’s List    3
  I have been named to the Dean’s List for the last three years.
• Gateway Center   4
  I have participated in programs at the Gateway Center for all four years of my time at Lafayette.  During my first year (when I was still planning on a pre-medicine track), I took part in an externship with a cardiologist, who is a proud Lafayette parent and alumnus.  I took part in resume building workshops and practice interview sessions as well.  During my sophomore year (after the major change), I took part in another externship with the executive producer of NJN Public Television, who is a parent of a former Lafayette student.  I also utilized the Gateway program to secure an internship that enabled me to work Off-Broadway the following summer.  Further, I have attended several Gateway events during my time at Lafayette including dinners with alumni who have effectively utilized their undergraduate degrees from Lafayette.  Additionally, I attended the Networking Night in New York City during January 2010.  During my junior year, I met with my Gateway Advisor, Molly Clarke, regularly to discuss my plans after Lafayette.  Finally, this year, I have met with the Gateway staff to help enhance my resume and letters of intent for graduate school admission.
• I Clinton Kline Prize Recipient    1
  The I. Clinton Kline Prize is awarded annually to the senior who has demonstrated excellence in acting, directing, or technical theatre.  I am the recipient this year.
• Boston University London Internship Program: Theatre    1
  I was selected as one of five students to participate in the Boston University London Internship Program for Theatre during Spring 2011.  Through this program, I not only learned about international theatre and film, but I was given the opportunity to work in a professional theatre as well.  At this professional venue, I worked as a stage manager and a technician, and directed the World Premiere of a professional production.
• Lafayette Concert Choir Section Leader    4
  As the Section Leader for the Concert Choir, I help in the selection of music, the organization of the choir, and the hospitality given to guests who aid the choir.  It is my responsibility to teach other members of my section the music and ensure that we are all well-prepared for all of our performances.  I also lead warm-up activities for the entire choir weekly and conduct the entire group rehearsal when the Professor is absent.  This semester, I was invited to sing with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra.  During Spring 2010, I aided our guest conductor in coordinating the Commencement Choir performance and led this choir for part of Commencement.
• Lafayette Interim Abroad: Hawaii    1
  In January 2012, I participated on Lafayette’s Interim Abroad trip to Hawaii through the Geology 150 Course: Geologic Evolution of the Hawaiian Islands.  Through this course, I studied how different types of geological processes affect the Hawaiian Islands.  Though the course is outside of my major field of study, I excelled in both the academic and field work components of the class.
• Marquis Society Dinner and Alumni Scholarship Dinner    2
  I was selected to represent the Lafayette College Theatre program by speaking about the new major at the 2010 Marquis Society Dinner.  I was also selected to represent the Lafayette College Music Department by conducting the choir at the 2012 Alumni Scholarship Dinner.
• Peer Tutor    2
  I have tutored students in various theatre, English, and biology courses.

 

Campus Activities

• Resident Advisor    3
  I have been a Resident Advisor for the last three years at Lafayette.  I have served in all-sophomore student single sex communities, all-first-year student co-educational communities, and all upper-level semi-independent co-educational communities.  I have coordinated programs and have won several Program-of-the-Month Awards, Program-of-the-Year Awards, and a Staffer-of-the-Month Award.  I also enforce policy regularly in the residence halls, manage records for entire residence halls, and promote the ideals of the Office of Residence Life among students.
• Lafayette Ambassador    4
  I have been a Lafayette Ambassador for all four years at Lafayette.  I have given tours, spoken at group information sessions, and helped with registration for major admissions events.  I was named Tour Guide of the Year twice.  I have represented Lafayette at various receptions for prospective, accepted, and enrolled students at alumni houses in the tri-state area.
• Lafayette Admissions Senior Interviewer    1
  This past August, I was selected to be a Senior Interviewer for the Lafayette Office of Admissions.  As one of two students initially selected, I underwent a training process to begin interviewing prospective students to Lafayette.  I meet with each student and their families to discuss they’re lives and their interest in Lafayette.  I also speak with them about Lafayette’s assets to get them more excited about the possibility of attending the school. I write up each interview for the Admissions Directors to read when looking over applications.   Afterwards, I manage follow-up conversations with the prospective students and their families.  These conversations have continued through their admissions decisions, where I am now speaking with accepted students about attending Lafayette.  Additionally, when six additional senior interviewers were hired, I helped train them to complete the job as effectively as possible.
• Williams Center for the Arts Usher    4
  I have served as an usher in the Williams Center for the Arts for all four years at Lafayette.  I have managed patrons, enforced Williams Center policy, and helped to handle the performers.
• Association of Lafayette Feminists Secretary    3
  I have been a very active member in the Association of Lafayette Feminists since my sophomore year.  I was elected to the position of Secretary at the end of my sophomore year.  As Secretary, I attended weekly meetings and monthly board meetings, and kept and distributed notes from both.  I also helped coordinate the 2010 Take Back the Night Week, dedicated to promoting awareness for and preventing the spread of violence against women.  Through that week, I planned the Lehigh Valley VIgil, which Lafayette was fortunate enough to host with the Turning Point Charity that sponsors Take Back the Night week.
• Questioning Established Sexual Taboos Member    4
  Throughout my time at Lafayette, I have been a very dedicated member of Questioning Established Sexual Taboos, our school’s most prominent LGBTQ organization.  I have attended weekly meetings, participated in regular events, and served as a leader in the organization.  Throughout the last two years especially, I have become a prominent resource and mentor for LGBTQ issues on this campus.  I am currently one of the leaders of the movement that is helping to bring a new faculty position relating to sexuality to Lafayette.
• Lafayette Admissions Panelist    3
  I have served on panels representing the student experience at Lafayette when speaking to prospective students and families at various points during my sophomore, junior, and senior years.
• Residence Hall Council: Building Treasurer    1
  During my first year at Lafayette, I served as the treasurer of Kamine Hall’s Residence Hall Council.  I planned several programs, collaborating both with other RHC members and the Resident Advisors in the building to not only coordinate events, but manage budgets and facilitate advertisements for them as well.
• International Students’ Association: Extravaganza Participant    1
  I performed in a scene representing North America with President Weiss during the Finale event of the International Students’ Association Extravaganza 2009 week.
• Psychology Laboratory Test Subject    1
  As a senior, I have aided the Lafayette Psychology Department by serving as a human test subject in some of the student laboratories.

 

Community Service

• The Vagina Monologues Director    1
  I directed a charity production of The Vagina Monologues in 2010.  This was not only a theatrical performance, but featured fundraising and collaborating with sponsors and coordinating events with the Turning Point Organization of Lehigh Valley (the Lehigh Valley sect of the national charity devoted to preventing domestic violence and rape).  In the end, I facilitated the giving of over $5000 to the charity.
• National Crane Project Assistant Coordinator    2
  Through my work with Professor Mary Jo Lodge, I became a leader in the National Crane Project.  I have coordinated several Lafayette crane folding events, and led the activities of others at them.  Also,  I have helped organize the storeroom for all of the crane mobiles downtown.  Additionally, I have met personally with the Heard family (whose son David is the inspiration for the movement) and supported them as they have gone through this difficult time in their lives.
• Miller-Keystone Blood Drive    4
  I have consistently donated blood every time that Lafayette has hosted a blood drive, as well as often on my own outside of Lafayette.
• Theatre for Young Audiences Troupe Leader    1
  During my sophomore year at Lafayette, I got involved in the Easton community by educating third and fourth graders about theatre.  I served as a Troupe Leader for workshops that began to teach them how to perform and improvise, and explained how these activities can further their success both on and off the stage.
• Hineini Film Screening Presenter    1
  I served as a presenter at a panel discussion after a film screening of the movie Hineini.  The film focuses on the trials of a Jewish homosexual teenager, along with her fight for social change and her path to self discovery.  The movie has been used internationally as a means to spark conversation on the Jewish religion and sexuality.
• Relay for Life Participant    3
  I have participated in the annual Relay for Life event consistently and raised a significant amount of money through it to help find the cure for cancer.
• Super Sunday Volunteer    2
  I have volunteered at the Jewish Federation of Lehigh Valley’s annual Super Sunday event, at which we try to raise as much money as possible for the Federation.
• Soup Kitchen Volunteer    1
  Through Lafayette Hillel, I went on a trip to Israel where I spent time volunteering at a soup kitchen, both as a server and a cook.
• Community Garden Worker    1
  Through my VAST Course, I was worked in Lafayette’s local community garden and helped facilitate discussion on how Lafayette can use the produce grown there.

 

Athletics

• Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor    3
  I worked as a Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor from 2008-2011.  I taught children and adults how to swim, how to be safe on the pool and beach area, and general health awareness.  I also made several rescues in the pool for adults and children.
• Senior Honors Thesis Choreographer    1
  As a component of my senior honors thesis, I have to choreograph a large dance number as a scene in a theatrical production.  I not only have to make up the dance, but I have to teach it to other Lafayette students as well and focus on how they can improve it for performance.
• Avid Lafayette Leopards Fan    4
  For my entire time at Lafayette, I have been very proud of our Division I Athletics.  While I have not competed on any of our teams, I have supported them by attending as many of their events as possible.  These do not only include football games, but basketball games, soccer games, swim meets, and tennis matches as well.  I have sang the national anthem and the alma mater at football games and basketball games, too.

 

Special Interest

 

• Hillel Society Religious Chair    4
  I have been an active member of the Hillel Society for my entire time at Lafayette.  I actually was a paying member before I was even matriculated into the College.  As religious chair, I have authored three religious services (for regular weekly services and for special holiday events), written and given weekly sermons (or D’var Torahs), attended and participated in regular Jewish events on and off campus, and participated (and led some) weekly board meetings.  I have also served as the Hillel representative to the Interfaith Council meetings.
• Theatre Underground Board Member    3
  I am one of the founding members of the Theatre Underground organization and have served on the board as the secretary in its inaugural semester in Spring 2010.  I took weekly meeting notes, coordinated monthly improvisational nights, performed in semesterly theatrical productions, and helped design regular theatre kamikaze events on campus.
• Five Actors Searching for A Director Member    2
  I participated in the extra curricular organization Five Actors Searching for A Director during both my first-year and sophomore year at Lafayette.  I participated in improvisation nights, weekly meetings, and one act play performances.  The group dissolved in the middle of my sophomore year, to be reformed into Theatre Underground (listed above).
• Lafayette Forensics Society Competitor    1
  During my first year at Lafayette I competed on the Lafayette Forensics Team.  I competed in eight events at nine different tournaments and qualified all events for the national competition.  I won the Pennsylvania State competition in one event and placed in the top five (final round) in four others.
• Marquis Players House Manager    2
  I served as the House Manager on the Marquis Players productions of Footloose and Once On This Island.  I handled audience members, managed the intermission raffle, and helped design the program for both productions.
• Family Weekend Volunteer    2
  During my first two years at Lafayette, I helped out at the Family Weekend events by greeting families and working at the registration tables at many of the activities.
• Lehigh Valley LGBTQIA Retreat Attendee    1
  During this past November, I was invited to attend the Lehigh Valley LGBTQIA Retreat as a result of my work with Lafayette’s organization of Questioning Established Sexual Taboos.  I spoke to other attendees at the conference about my personal experiences at Lafayette and shared insight on how to best facilitate discussion and manage concerns on the topic of sexual identity on the collegiate campus.  At the event, I led a discussion on the topic of helping students find their own identity.
• Lafayette Democrats    1
  I was involved heavily with the Lafayette Democrats during my first year here.  I attended regular meetings and helped coordinate events, as well as helped out off campus with the 2008 Presidential Election.