TU to host “Dear World” interactive speaker series
The program provides the campus community an open forum to share their unique stories and portraits.
By Kyle Hobstetter on September 11, 2017
Towson University's Division of Student Affairs and the Office of Student Activities will bring the “Dear World” interactive speaker program to campus on Thursday, September 14 at 7 p.m. in Chesapeake Rooms 1 & 2 in the University Union.
“Dear World” is an internationally recognized portrait storytelling project that has visited hundreds of college campuses across the world and has captured over 70,000 stories from students, celebrities and even former United States presidents. The program has also been featured by USA Today, CNN, NBC and Buzzfeed.
When Student Activities presented the idea to TU’s Vice President of Student Affairs Deb Moriarty, she was all on board. In fact, this won’t be her first experience with “Dear World.”
“This is a program I saw at a NASPA Conference, and I was impressed with the buzz it created at the conference,” Moriarty said. “When I heard that Student Activities wanted to bring it to campus, I was fully supportive.”
Stay up-to-date on what events Student Activities is bringing to campus by visiting their Twitter and Facebook pages.
“Dear World” works as two parts. One will feature a live storytelling session with the campus community. Organizers will provide participants with markers, which will be used to write a word or phrase on a participant's body part. That word or phrase will inspire the participants’ stories, that they will share with the audience.
Organizers will then also professional portraits of the participants featuring the phrase or word they wrote. There will also be an after-party in the Chesapeake Rooms from 7–8 p.m.
One of the more unique aspects of “Dear World” is that it’s not just for students. The entire campus community is encouraged to share their stories to explore the subtle and powerful connections between students, faculty and staff.
This is what excites Moriarty about the event and is way to help Towson University continue to be an inclusive campus.
“Every member of our Towson University community has a unique story,” Moriarty said. “And without creating space to begin to share our stories, it becomes hard to become a truly inclusive community that seeks to understand the wide variety of backgrounds and experience that makes us OUR campus.
“This program is just one example of our efforts to provide that kind of space.”
Learn more about Dear World by checking out their Facebook page or this informational video.