Janelle Rouse of Washington, D.C. Delivers Inaugural Invited Student Lecture at Widener University

2014 Apr 9

Widener University junior psychology major Janelle Rouse of Washington, D.C., recently delivered the university's Inaugural Invited Student Lecture based off of an essay she submitted about her grandmother, Lillian Rouse-Thomas. Rouse read from her essay in front of the university community, her grandmother and her father.

Rouse described her grandmother as the thread in her family quilt. "She is the strong, silent and unseen piece that connects all of the members of our family in ways that we never think of," Rouse read.

This Inaugural Invited Student Lecture connected Women's History Month and the book chosen for the Widener Freshman Common Experience, The Beautiful Struggle. In the book, author Ta-Nehisi Coates describes his mother as a powerful person of quiet strength. All students who submitted essays to read as the student lecturer reflected on a strong, silent woman in their own lives. Rouse's essay was selected by a small selection panel.

Rouse is part of the inaugural class of Oskin Leaders, a cohort of undergraduate students selected by the Oskin Leadership Institute at Widener to receive leadership training and one-on-one coaching. In addition to being an Oskin Leader, Rouse is in the Widener Presidential Service Corps/Bonner Leaders program, contributing 300 hours of community service each year in the city of Chester and participating in training and enrichment activities that help develop leadership skills. Rouse earned a scholarship to Widener for serving a year with City Year in Washington, D.C.

Widener University is a metropolitan university that connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention, leadership development and experiential learning are key components of the Widener experience. A comprehensive doctorate-granting university, Widener is comprised of eight schools and colleges that offer liberal arts and sciences, professional and pre-professional curricula leading to associate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees. The university's campuses in Chester, Exton and Harrisburg, Pa., and Wilmington, Del., serve more than 6,300 students. Widener is proud to be a tobacco-free campus. Visit the university's website, www.widener.edu.