March 31, 2010

There were times this winter when I felt that the long and snowy days would never end.  Now, thankfully as the warmer days of spring have finally arrived, we’re entering the busiest time of year for our students and faculty. Beyond usual spring term classes and a slew of always impressive senior shows, we’ll be presenting a robust slate of dance, concerts, lectures, exhibitions and film screenings, the album release of MAD Dragon Records’ latest signing and a series of interdisciplinary and collaborative charrettes. What’s a charrette?  Read on and we’ll tell you.

We’ll host some of the the hippest agents of cool: House Industries, the edgy graphic and product design firm; hip-hop choreographer Clyde Evans; and Henry Chalfant, a chronicler of graffiti art. The Drexel Players will take on the camp 1936 propaganda film Reefer Madness in a Mandell main stage production. Ni Una Mas, Not One More: The Juarez Murders will be our most ambitious art exhibition since Ink Not Ink, and aims to examine art as a force for social change. Hollywood producer Howard Rosenman, fashion designer and Project Runway standout Althea Harper, the Spring Music and Dance festivals  are among the over three dozen events the Westphal College will present prior to June’s Commencement.

Many of this College’s proudest days are in the final weeks of the term when our students’ work in Digital Media, Fashion, Film & Video, Graphic Design, Interior Design and Photography are showcased in their senior shows. These are not to be missed events that are a dazzling testament to what our students have learned and to their talents and hard work. We hope you’ll make the effort to come out and join us.