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Derek Gayle '11 |
Randolph-Macon College student
Derek Gayle ’11 rarely sits still. The
English major (with minors in
journalism,
film studies and
history) hit the ground running as a freshman—and he hasn’t slowed down a bit. “R-MC offers a ton of opportunities to make connections,” says Gayle, a Caroline County, Virginia native. “It was easy to get involved right from the start.”
Great Opportunities
Gayle joined the staff of R-MC’s
Yellow Jacket newspaper as a freshman and was soon named news editor. “Last year I was promoted to managing editor,” he says. “I really feel that I’ve been given a great opportunity to leave my ‘footprint’ through my work at the newspaper.”
A theatre buff, Gayle has performed in many R-MC drama productions. “I made my debut in
The Crucible, but my first major role was part of an ensemble cast in
The Boys Next Door,” he explains. “Since then I have had roles in
The Importance of Being Earnest,
The Collection,
Othello, and
Indoor/Outdoor. I also had what I jokingly refer to as a cameo role in
Beyond Therapy, and I will be working on the publicity for an upcoming show,
Fences.”
To read more Student Experience stories, click here.Gayle is a member of
Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed service fraternity, which has been “a fantastic experience. I’ve been able to connect with great people as well as have a hand in helping my community.” At the end of his freshman year, Gayle co-founded the R-MC Film Society, which promotes film studies and filmmaking. And in 2009 he was inducted into Sigma Tau Delta, the English Honors Society; he currently serves as the Society’s public relations chair. In addition, Gayle is a member of the Drama Guild and the Washington Literary Society. He also finds the time to work as a supervisor in the Butler Language Lab and as a tutor in the Writing Center.
Whenever possible, Gayle attends the college’s OSMA (Organization for Sexual Minorities and Allies) events. “The events that have dealt with issues surrounding self-confidence and self-awareness have helped me discover myself, and I am grateful that I took part in them," he says. "I am known as the guy who wears the Superman backpack with a cape. My time at R-MC has helped me realize that there’s nothing wrong with that, because that’s who I am.”
A New Outlook
The
Honors Program includes some of the most interesting classes I have ever taken,” says Gayle. “My favorite was ‘Monsters and Modernism,’ taught by Professor Jack Trammell, which combined sociology with literature and pop culture. The class introduced me to a massive amount of sociological concepts and amazing literature, films and even graphic novels. I felt like the class was made for me—it took all the things I didn’t expect to have in a college class and managed to cram them all together.”
Professor Marissa Cull’s “King Arthur in Literature” class was another of Gayle’s favorites. “I was introduced to a world of literature that is jam-packed with intriguing stories and mysteries,” he says. “It gave me a better understanding about many of my favorite stories, which I didn’t realize had a connection to King Arthur. The final project also allowed me to discuss one of my favorite cartoons and comics, Gargoyles, something I doubt I could have done in any other class.”
Gayle is excited about an upcoming Honors course, “Zen and Creativity,” which will explore the connections between Zen and the notion of creativity commonly used by visual and conceptual artists. The J-term 2011 course will include a weekend trip to a New York monastery. “I’ve heard great things about the class, and I look forward to learning about a new outlook on life,” says Gayle.
SURF’s Up
In summer 2009, Gayle completed what he considers a “dream”
SURF (Schapiro Undergraduate Research Fellowship) project. “My project was titled 'The Artist’s Kryptonite: Marketing and the Representation of Death in Superman',” he says. “I spent the summer reading Superman comics, watching Superman TV shows and movies, and reading dozens of articles and books on Superman, both scholarly and from the media. I studied various portrayals of death in the Superman franchise across numerous media, connected them to the marketing strategies involved, and argued how much of the creative and artistic side was influenced by marketing and corporate interference. It encapsulated major interests of mine—superheroes, the entertainment industry, and PR/marketing.” Gayle’s project culminated in a 51-page paper that he considers one of the best texts he has written. “I hope to eventually update it, expand upon it and get it published,” he says.
Leadership 101
As Gayle looks ahead, he reflects on his experiences at R-MC. “When I look back, I realize just how many leadership positions I’ve had at R-MC, and how many times I’ve had to step up and do ‘professional’ and ‘adult’ things that I never expected to be able to do,” he says. “I have grown in so many ways because of my involvement in campus organizations, and I feel confident that I can survive in the world after college.”
For information on R-MC’s Honors Program, visit
http://www.rmc.edu/academics/honors.aspx.
For information on R-MC's English Department, visit
http://www.rmc.edu/academics/english.aspx.
For more information about the breadth of programs and opportunities available at Randolph-Macon or to schedule a campus visit, contact our Admissions Office at (800) 888-1762 or at admissions@rmc.edu.