Consider this your introduction to the liberal arts and sciences through a collection of works by first-year students in the fall 2021 semester, with knowledge shared in podcasts, websites, fine art, 3D models, videos, poetry and photography. First-year students use their time in First-Year Seminar; Academic Writing and Critical Inquiry; and Humanities: The Ancient World classes to explore new ideas, develop meaningful questions, and express themselves through different creative formats.
It's the perfect introduction to a UNC Asheville liberal arts and sciences education.
Students Emma Lueders, Dejah Gallagher, Cason Bethea and Malachi Williams presented their idea to add representation of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to the familiar "Appalachian Stage" sculptures located outside of Harrah's Cherokee Center in downtown Asheville.
Several students wrote moving essays about the works that have inspired and transformed them. For Elijah Jefferson, that work was Wonder by R.J Palicio. Jefferson wrote that he connected with the protagonist over their mutual desire to blend in with others.
"I connect with this because as I had cancer when I was younger I have always been bullied for it and sometimes I just wish I was invisible and was not different from everyone," Jefferson wrote.
"The book gave me a clear sense of my identity because just like Auggie I came to understand that my past and my differences are what makes me the person I truly am."
For Oli Ingledue, the song "Clean" by Taylor Swift holds special significance. "When I first heard the song, I was only 11, yet even then, I was longing to be 'Clean' of things that I had not even realized were tarnishing me," Ingledue wrote. "But that was the day I began to grow from a confused and scared child into a broken teen and eventually a healing young adult, and 'Clean' led me the entire way."
Ingledue wrote music to cope with challenges from mental health issues to addiction, and eventually came to a place of wellbeing and peace.
"I don’t think I would have ever gotten there if I hadn’t spent years of my life writing my way through pain. I don’t know if I would have ever realized that being Clean was an option if the song hadn’t told me it was something worth fighting for."
When student Klara Esau was writing her autoethnography for her Academic Writing and Critical Inquiry, she decided to explain how yoga has positively impacted her mental health. But she found words just weren't enough. So she turned to art to try to capture the emotions she experiences while practicing yoga.
"In my pieces, I wanted to have bright colors and different patterns everywhere, because when I practice yoga, my mind blooms with new ideas and overall calmness," Esau wrote. "I also wanted to incorporate black and gray because of the negative thoughts that everyone gets and how it is completely normal."
Students Colton Bruner, Daphne Homen and Sailor Williams created an infographic to explain the various types of writing used in the environmental sciences, from research papers to field journals.
Student Ash McKim created a podcast featuring an imaginary conversation between Krishna and Confucius, who weigh in on a dilemma: “My parents and I cannot agree. What do I do?”
Student Maddox Harrison was inspired by a class trip to the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and a fascination with forensic science to create this painting of U’tlun’ta, or Spearfinger, a frightening figure from Cherokee legends.
Student Duncan Frazer created a documentary exploring the history and impact of "stroads"—large, highway-sized roads that serve where small city streets should be—on urban development, and their financial impact on communities.
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