About 55 students gathered in the lounge of Erickson Residence Hall on Sunday, Nov. 10 to hear a “Pizza and Purpose” talk about living authentically and joyously by Dr. Kiki Kosnick, Augustana French professor and self-proclaimed “embracer of vocational crises.” Pizza and Purpose events are sponsored by the ALIVE (Augustana Leaders in Vocational Exploration) sophomore living and learning program.
Dr. Kiki told some “heavy” stories from their past, including the murder of a close friend while Kiki was in grad school. But they also described how “sorrow and joy” are not like “oil and water”–that you can find purpose, meaning, and even joy in the darkest moments of life. According to one ALIVE fellow: “I feel as though, following this talk, I have a new understanding of how to handle adversity. Whether a challenge presents itself as big or small, and whether you are able to overcome it, you are always able to learn from it.” Another ALIVE fellow said that the idea that “success and crisis are not exclusionary” is something that we learn as life goes on. Still, “it is important to hear it out loud, especially at a time in our lives that is faught with not only with academic failure and success, but also vocational, big-picture, whole-life ups and downs.” Another fellow took away “that every part of the journey is a gift, even when it doesn’t feel like it.”
ALIVE fellows were also struck by Dr. Kiki’s challenge to figure out which stories about their lives are life-giving, and which are “scripts” that get in the way of becoming themselves. One first generation student said, “I realized from Kiki’s talk that I don’t have to conform myself with the roles society and my family sets for me….I resonated with the fear and difficulty of living in college, and it meant a lot to hear them speak about their vocational journey.” Another ALIVE fellow said that “the struggles we face with being a part of the LGBTQ community is just another opportunity to thrive in those challenges. Kiki challenged me to keep pushing…”
Dr. Kiki also spoke about the power of taking a gap year between college and whatever is next, whether through Teach for America, a service year program, a barista job and time to think and be real, or other avenues. One ALIVE student learned that “it is okay to not immediately know which direction you are being pulled.” Another learned that a year “off”–which for Kiki is really a year on–“is a beautiful way to explore your interests. Some people worry that they may lose their academic or career momentum with a gap year, but that process is exactly how you can reflect and discover your true calling.”
ALIVE hosts Pizza and Purpose speakers twice per term.
Check out some of the photos from the event!!
