First Year Experience—Common Reading Turns Into Something Wicked!

Sharing a common academic experience turned into something enticingly “Wicked” during fall semester when 358 freshmen seminar students were introduced to analytical reading using Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. The novel, written by Gregory Maguire, challenges generally accepted notions of good and evil by telling the story of Elphaba, the infamous Wicked Witch of the West.

In addition to common reading, students in chosen FYES 1000 classes attended a viewing of The Wizard of Oz and a lecture entitled “The Historical and Political Implications in the Wizard of Oz” by Dr. John Hutcheson, VP for Academic Affairs. Finally, in order to encourage students to share their perspectives with their peers, a contest was created for the submission of art and poetry, with 45 students submitting their work for judging.

Wicked contest entries will remain on display in the Roberts Library through the end of the semester. In addition to receiving DSC Bookstore gift certificates and t-shirts, 1st place winners will be published in the spring edition of Tributaries, the College’s student-led literary magazine. Judges for the contest included, Dr. Hutcheson; Dianne Cox, Director of Financial Aid; Randall Griffus, Dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; Linda Wheeler, Director of Academic Resources; Jodi Johnson, VP for Enrollment Services; and Angela Harris, Director of Admissions.

Wicked contest winners included, by category:

Art: 1st — Sami Dales
2nd – Maria Pena
3rd – Brittney Bracket

Poetry: 1st – Zack Berry
2nd – Christian Southerland
3rd – Corey Miller

Overall Winner: Sami Dales

Honorable Mention: Aaron Hobbs
Michael Rodriguez
Jesus Patino