“My professors have, by far, been the most inspiring, outstanding, empowering, and encouraging people I've ever known.”
Dorri Jones, an English major with minors in creative writing and music from Carrollton, Ohio, sees poetry in the world around her.
“I came to Witt with a love of words. As an avid reader rather obsessed with the magic of putting certain sounds together and creating a form of music that sings on its own, I wanted to build my abilities and develop my writing skills in an environment full of professors who positively radiated a passion for English. I knew I could hone my skills and create something beautiful and powerful with their guidance. As for the music minor, I grew up in a musical family and have been singing since I could speak. Music takes poetry to the next level by adding context to make the words I love so much even more resounding, and the way we can use our voices and other instruments to help the words tell their story is extremely powerful to me.”
After graduation, Jones will be working as a Naturalist at the Glen Helen Eco Camp in Yellow Springs for the summer, getting kids involved with the earth and helping them strengthen their whimsical and creative sides.
Reflecting on her time at Wittenberg, Jones thanks her professors for being sources of inspiration and encouragement.
“My professors have, by far, been the most inspiring, outstanding, empowering, and encouraging people I've ever known. They have pushed me to be a better writer and a better person through their warm but demanding expectations. Three particularly inspiring professors have been Jody Rambo, D'Arcy Fallon, and Cynthia Richards. They are three of the most passionate, genuine, and beautiful women I've ever known, and I owe each of them for cultivating pieces of myself that have helped me become the woman I am and will continue to grow into.”
Her advice for future students: “Talk to your professors. Enjoy their work, because it can be really fun if you let it be. Forget your high school self and be the person you want to be, because this is the place to do that. Smile at strangers on the sidewalk, because it's weird, but we do that here. Join everything that intimidates you. There are many schools in this country, but there's only one Witt.”
