On the second floor of the Dr. Alvin Woods Building, right when you exit the elevators, you might have seen a display before you. This display, conceptualized and organized by the student support and engagement initiatives manager, Crystal Shadwell, exhibits the lifetime of the average Laurier Arts student. From initial registration to graduation, the display collects different items that students are habituated to seeing and using throughout their journey through the Arts. In addition, the display showcases unique items from Laurier’s history: printed timetables, old photographs, and even an old Laurier jersey. On the left, another display highlights different Arts faculty and their achievements.
We are finally, says Shadwell, in a place where we are celebrating Arts instead of defending it. We are now given the opportunity to visualize what our students and alumni have achieved, and can confidently boast of our faculty’s nationally recognized publications and accomplishments. After all, says Shadwell, just like how all departments at Laurier have originated from the Arts department, an education in Arts can lead to many paths and opportunities. The display is an open celebration of the Arts and their profound impact on the world – an impact too often underestimated.
Shadwell wanted to build off of celebration. She and her team had first spent 8-10 months working on the ‘‘1925-2025 100 Years of Arts’’ timeline located in the Peters Building – an extensive display of Laurier’s history. Looking at the timeline, you could learn that in fact, in 1925, Laurier consisted of only 11 faculty and 36 students, and today boasts of 5000 students, 120 faculty, and 50,000 alumni. Then, thanks to good reviews, Shadwell and her team decided to initiate another project: the ‘‘Celebrating the Life of an Arts Student’’ display case.
Students may gain some pride, says Shadwell, in beholding the display. They may gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be an Arts student. An awareness of the history of Arts at Laurier would lead to a realization that things have not changed very much. We still use some of the same things, think some of the same thoughts, and dream some of the same dreams as our predecessors did 100 years ago. Though the world changes rapidly, and the Arts student alongside it, there still exist creativity, a love for humanity and culture, and a fascination for human creation.
The Dean of Arts, Sophie Lachapelle, has shared a new and exciting outlook on the faculty of Arts and its future alumni in an interview:
What hopes and aspirations do you have for the future of the Faculty of Arts here at Laurier?
“The Faculty of Arts at Laurier just celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025. As we mark this milestone, we also look towards the future and the challenges and realities of a rapidly evolving world with the hope of building an even more inclusive, engaged, and forward-looking Faculty that empowers students, researchers, and communities to shape a better future together.”
What skill sets do you believe Arts students gain that put them on a different, yet equally valuable, footing with other disciplines and paths?
“The Faculty of Arts at Laurier is committed to empowering students to thrive in a rapidly changing world. From our newly accredited co-op program and innovative graduate school pathways to our international partnerships and study-abroad experiences, as well as hands-on research and teaching opportunities, our goal is to equip students with the skills, confidence, and perspective to succeed in meaningful careers and lasting success beyond graduation.”
Contributed photo by Santosh Chandrasekar & Crystal Shadwell
