Crucible Series

crucible noun \ˈkrü-sə-bəl\

1. a vessel of a very refractory material (as porcelain) used for melting and calcining a substance that requires a high degree of heat

2. a place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development, e.g. a crucible of ideas

What is this?

The Crucible Series is a lunch miniseries inspired by the website iOnPoverty. It will bring together local alumni and students to discuss the critical skills and experiences necessary to be effective citizens and professionals. Each session will feature two or three select videos from iOnPoverty, which aim to spark discussion around various themes.

Why should I come?

Do you want to:

a) Save the world?  --or--
b) Just get a job?

After we graduate, our life plans may be based on moral imperative or financial need. Either way, if we'd like to become effective citizens in the "real world" there will be certain skills and experiences that are critical along the way.

These small-group discussions are essentially a crash course in the professional skills critical to do either of those things. The videos provide boiled-down, straightforward life lessons of successful social entrepreneurs around the nation. As a soon-to-be young professional, this is a great opportunity to sit down with your peers to discuss and share what is important in the "Real World".

What are you waiting for? RSVP!

Space is limited to 15 student per session, but we encourage you to attend multiple sessions to get the complete arc of the series. To RSVP, sign into iEngage and RSVP to the sessions under the "Events" tab.

» iEngage login for current students

The sessions

Session #1

Theme: Interact with each other, with your community, with mentors. All these interactions shape your journey and can prove to be important - or not important - stepping stones along the way.
Alumna: Julia Leavitt has worked as a community organizer with Commitment to Community in Walla Walla for the past three years, building relationships and providing underlying infrastructure to support neighborhood residents in Walla Walla. 
Details: Noon, Reid G02. Wednesday, February 20th

Session #2

Theme: Investigate the skills and experiences critical to building your organization and career.
Alumnus: Chris Garratt is the Executive Director of the Providence St. Mary Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation committed to providing a broad spectrum of high quality health care services to people living throughout Southeast Washington and Northeast Oregon. 
Details: Noon, Reid G02. Wednesday, February 27th

Session #3

Theme: Initiate the changes in your world. Stories of startups, successes, and failures.
Alumnus: Daniel Clark is a retired attorney who has started and participated in numerous local community organizations, including Sustainable Walla Walla and the Frenchtown Historic Site.
Details: Noon, Reid G02. Thursday, March 7th