By H.J. Bates
Have you ever explored a mine shaft or wandered through an old Welsh village? One RSU student recently did just that. Cristen Burdell, a senior this year, is currently representing Rogers State as a Brad Henry International Scholar at Swansea University in Wales. Cristen is a Communication Arts major studying abroad this semester, to return this spring after her studies in the UK. Many know Cristen for her performances in the RSU Theatre Program, her participation in Greek life, and her involvement in the Honors Program.
Cristen’s greatest passion is the arts, she says, and she hopes to someday put her education to work by helping youth learn and grow through the performing arts. She is constantly working to be a good role model and example to follow. This can easily be seen in her involvement in her various volunteer work. When asked about her experiences Cristen said, “I have had several opportunities to volunteer in college, but I’d have to say my favorite, by far, is working with the Special Olympics. It’s incredibly rewarding and a fabulously happy atmosphere.” This positive attitude has carried over to her coursework and involvement in campus events.
An outstanding member of the Honors Program, Cristen has dedicated her time not only to being an excellent student, but also to being a great actress and Alpha Sigma Alpha leader. Besides the semester ahead at Wales, Cristen says her favorite college experience has been playing a major role in “The Sinker” last fall, a production where the cast was able to work with the playwright directly. Cristen has also been a part of the performance group J2Crew in Tulsa. While she expects to be in the theatre for some time after college, someday she hopes to own a small theatre or boutique. Others remark on her outstanding leadership offstage; as a sophomore, Cristen served as the Alpha Sigma Alpha President and has been very active in student organizations. Her achievements show just how well-rounded and exceptional Cristen is. When asked what her favorite play was, Cristen seemed dismayed, “There are so many great ones!” She finally managed to whittle it down to a few, including “The Fantastiks,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “The Last Five Years.” Her favorite book? She narrowed it to two: The Great Gatsby and The Picture of Dorian Gray, saying that The Great Gatsby took the win by a narrow margin. When it came to her favorite class, there was no hesitation; Dr. Mackie’s Creative Non-Fiction, a small and intense class, claimed its place in Cristen’s heart. With distinctive tastes and remarkable achievements, it’s clear that Cristen has a lot in store for her future.