*** Reprinted by permission from the Virginia Intermont College alumni magazine, Winter 2010. ***
BRISTOL, VA -- With an eclectic mix of interests including running, fishing and poetry, Dominique Traverse found Virginia Intermont College the perfect place for "self-discovery."
Originally from nearby Buchanan County, Va., she began her college experience with an academic, and track and field scholarship. By her sophomore year, she was recognized for demonstrating character as well as running skills, as a runner-up for the NAIA Champions of Character Award on campus.
In addition, she excelled as an introspective and creative writer under the tutelage of English professors, including Dan Stryk, Judith Wylie, Mark Roberts and Edison Jennings.
They personally assisted as "I developed my voice as a writer," she says. She learned to hone strengths and diminish weaknesses, and "refine and redefine" her creative process. Faculty urged and assisted her to read and write ferociously, submit work for publication, attend writer's workshops and join writer's groups.
Dominique treasures the personal experiences. "Mr. Jennings would meet with me between classes in the Student Center and, over a cup of coffee, discuss my writing."
She recalls Wylie organizing a class trip to Barter Theatre, the professional theatre company in Abingdon, Va. After the show, students were invited to Wylie's home for refreshments. "Not many colleges can boast of that kind of camaraderie," Dominique says.
Through the experiences and with encouragement, Dominique became a literary leader on campus: editor of the "Moore Street Review," the annual magazine of student work; and she seized other leadership opportunities.
She also received personal references and endorsements from professors, which ultimately launched a literary career. She has had work in several regional publications, including poetry in "The Clinch Mountain Review."
As she applied to graduate school and developed a résumé, faculty also became excellent references. More than the traditional teacher-student relationships, Dominique says VI professors were true "confidants." They were influential and "always there," she says, "anytime I needed help or advice" even if it meant rearranging their schedules. "They always provided me with valuable, honest insight."
When she graduated in 2006, she says she had acquired much more than classroom knowledge.
"I learned life skills, social skills and thinking skills from professors and peers - skills that couldn't be extracted from any textbook."
With that, Dominique is well on her way. She lives in Castlewood, Va., teaches English on the secondary level, and coaches a cross-country and track and field team. She works at Twin Valley High School, where she graduated in Buchanan County. Additionally, she is earning a Master of Fine Arts from Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina.
Three years since graduation, she still hears from VI mentors. "I receive e-mails and phone calls from them referring me to writers conferences, job openings or just to stay in touch, " she says.
Her goal is to teach at the collegiate level and when she achieves it, she would love to be among the faculty of her alma mater.
"I credit my success thus far to my time and the people at Virginia Intermont."
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Poetry: Dominique Traverse 'Connects' with Readers
