One Person Can Change the World
Farquhar Honors College
Teagle Foundation - Knowledge for Freedom Program
Places of Change
by Kevin A. R.
Kevin's Place
Hello Everyone,
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Glad that you are back to read my second zine. As mentioned in my previous zine, the Freedom of Knowledge program allows Change Scholars to explore and solve pressing issues in our community through Change Projects. What is the Change Project? The Change Project is a project that invokes change. Throughout our first week of class, we've learned many lessons and ideas and how to implement different strategies into our projects. But throughout this program, I've gotten to know that finding a space that allows students to process and understand their raison d'être, or their "why," the reason for why they should invoke change, is vital. While exploring my favorite spots on Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) campus, Mozart the Shark will accompany me, which you shall see in the photos!
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Our first stop will be the Healing & Medicinal Garden next to the sprawling lawn that the Alvin Sherman Library faces. Mozart decided to take a seat on the bench in the garden to see and process whether the area was good for him. I love to work in gardens because it is a place that never stays constant; flowers bloom, plants grow, plants die, wildlife lives, and I get to breathe fresh air. Mozart couldn't agree more, pointing out that this constant change is the beauty of life; although a flower blooms and later dies, another flower is always following. The beauty of nature is present in this area, allowing students like Mozart and me to obtain inspiration for our Change Projects. In the image below, you see the red flowers, the petals in full bloom, and Mozart sitting at the green bench, grasping the beauty of his surroundings.
As we continue our exploration of areas in the NSU campus that we find great to influence our raison d'être, we come across a fascinating mystery on campus, a circle pathway between the Don Taft University Center and Wolf Field. There's a saying that students shall hear the truth if they stand in the circle's center. Is that true? Not completely. This area is unique; when someone stands in the center of the circle, you hear your echo. Although there is a long explanation of how this works, in lay terms, the area around the circle is perfect for sounds to bounce off of and be sent back to the sender. You might wonder, "That's cool, but how does this space invoke your so-called raison d'être, Kevin and Mozart?” Coming up with change isn't only about thinking about ideas but committing and understanding the importance of your idea. For example, if Mozart were to stand in the center and say, "I plan on bringing world peace," he's not only saying some words, but they bounce back and will be heard by their creator. How the circle works is a great way to illustrate how Change Scholars, like myself, are similar to this space. Our change projects will impact the lives of those around us and ourselves; the vibrations that bounce back from the walls are the impact our change project shall bring and the fruit we shall bear from it.
These are just two of the many places me and Mozart love to use to explore our "why." Before Mozart departs, he has one question for you. Where is your place that allows you to discover your raison d'être?
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Happy thinking, and I can't wait to update you all very soon.
Read Kevin's Other Zines
5
How's It Going? What's Been Easy? What's Been Hard?
October 24, 2023
6
One Person CAN Change the World! Final Change Projects Revealed
March 22, 2024