Tartan Community Day Enriches the CMU Experience
Students, faculty and staff took a break from their normal routine to relax, recharge, enjoy the company of others and have fun during the inaugural Tartan Community Day.
Initiated by the Task Force on the CMU Experience, Tartan Community Day (Friday, Oct. 25) included a variety of exciting activities for the mind, body and spirit — from an insightful conversation with alumna Renée Elise Goldsberry and student talent show, to riding a zip line, yoga and the comedy of Michelle Wolf.
Ayana Williams, a sophomore acting major, said she Ioved the conversation with Goldsberry.
"I have loved Renée since ‘Hamilton.' It was so inspirational to hear from a black woman who went through the same process that I’m going through right now," Williams said. "It was almost like looking at what I want to be in the future. I just loved how she talked about not only being a black female in the arts community and theater world, but about her experience at Carnegie Mellon and balancing her work and life.”
Take a look back at Tartan Community Day.
Goldsberry spoke candidly to students about her career, her work-life balance and her experience at CMU, including some of the most valuable lessons she learned as a student.
"The first thing I learned was how not to be the most talented person in the room," she said. "That’s why I tell people to go to college. In the real world there’s always somebody more prepared, more intelligent, more talented, more beautiful, more connected. You have to be comfortable in that situation and figure out who you are.
"I loved being here because I learned how to work. It wasn’t ennough to be talented. I met people who were talented that worked really, really hard. I learned a work ethic watching other people. That’s one of the best things I learned being here," Goldsberry said.
The exercise sampler adventure included a tai chi class.
Professor Andrea Ritivoi, head of the English Department, is a regular participant in group fitness classes at CMU.
"I come as often as I can. It does wonders for me. It’s what keeps me healthy, not just physically but mentally," Ritivoi said. "I enjoy it, I like the music, the instructors and the variety. I’ve done yoga, Zumba, strength, and I tried tai chi for the first time today and loved. It. If I had more time I would sample everything on a regular basis."
