Gordon in the News: last updated 10/29/2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2008
MEDIA CONTACT
Calen Rubin
Office of College Communications
978.867.4235
[email protected]
WENHAM, MA-After two years of witnessing the creativity flowing through Gordon College professors and guests, Jo Kadlecek decided it was time to expose the inspirations of her talented colleagues. The critically acclaimed author, journalist and senior writer for the Office of College Communications debuted her first podcast interview called Talk of the Muse in the spring of 2008.
"I've always had a secret radio fantasy," said Kadlecek, whose grandfather was a radio talk show host. "I've always been fascinated with learning what drives artists." Putting the two interests together, Kadlecek's regular podcast is recorded in the form of a free-flowing conversation and aims at answering questions such as what inspires us, why we create the things we do, and how our "muse," our creative energy, affects our lives, careers and stories. Guests have included author and 2007 Gordon commencement speaker Lauren F. Winner, novelist Joy Jordan Lake, sculpting professor Jim Zingarelli and biology professor Dorothy Boorse.
"It gives us the chance to see how the personal and the professional come together," said Assistant Professor of Communication Arts Nathan Baxter, who also explored his journey as a musician on Talk of the Muse. (Baxter's original guitar song also provides the show's introductory and closing score.) "You don't often get a chance to think about the kind of questions Jo poses. It's a different way to reflect."
While Talk of the Muse guests have the opportunity to dissect their inspirations, listeners get to hear the more human side of the Gordon community. "This show helps me to understand that even my professors struggle in their creative processes," said communication arts junior Natalie Ferjulian, who is also the show's student producer.
Thanks to placement on iTunes U, listening to Talk of the Muse is simple and easily accessible through the Gordon homepage. "Alumni have enjoyed reconnecting with the College through iTunes U, and prospective parents and students now have a chance to experience life at Gordon from afar," said June Bodoni, director of the Center for Technology Services.
With recent interviews that have included poetry professor Mark Stevick, actors Norman Jones and Paul Turbiak from the recent Gordon performance of A Number, and author and journalist Wendy Murray, Kadlecek is appreciative of Gordon's broadening reach.
"We have a lot of faculty and campus guests here who are great thinkers and creators," she said. "Their stories are inspiring and need to be told."
For more information visit www.gordon.edu/itunes or contact the Office of College Communication at 978.867.4235.
Gordon College is a Christian college of the liberal arts and sciences on Boston's North Shore. The college offers majors in 37 fields and has graduate programs in education and music education. Leading the way in Christian college merit, Gordon is nationally ranked for its excellence in academics and its role in character building. These achievements recognize Gordon as one of the nation's top Christian colleges.
