When Nicholas Kristof speaks at the Elizabethtown College Ware Lecture in April, his inspiration will already have been imparted across the College campus in various means.
One way has been shared through the College’s resident assistants (RAs). As a portion of their training to be an RA, they watched part of Kristof’s documentary “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide,” a film about investing in the health and autonomy of women around the globe.
Viewing the documentary was a means of inspiration for the RAs to get involved in active change and to inspire their residents to do the same.
He offers tangible ideas; his stories are relatable. He’s very real.”
“The subject of the documentary is about being involved in service and in change,” said Kristen Vieldhouse, assistant director of residence life. “It fits in well with the College.”
In addition, the Residence Life professional staff is reading, together, sections of Kristof’s book “A Path Appears: Transforming Lives, Creating Opportunity,” written with his wife Sheryl WuDunn. “It shows ways to take baby steps toward change,” Vieldhouse said of the book.
In turn, they are using the chapters as inspiration by sharing the ideas with the RAs. “It gave momentum to begin to inspire the students to be involved in service,” she said. Along with the discussing the book, the “A Path Appears” documentary, which premiered with the first episode Jan. 26 and continues through Feb. 9, is on the televisions in the lounges of the residence halls. “It’s not a requirement, but it’s available. They are watching it.”
Required, however, is attendance to Kristof’s, April 13 lecture. “We strongly encourage (the RAs) to attend, and we asked them to encourage their residents to attend, as well as get involved in some of the programs before or after,” said Vieldhouse.
“He’s a practical author,” she said of Kristof’s books. “He offers tangible ideas; his stories are relatable. He’s very real.”
His calls to action—innovative strategies for making a difference—Vieldhouse said, “are very sincere.”
“The students ask themselves ‘what can I do where I am to help someone else’.”