by Jeanice Brad, photographed by Erica Jackson
Derrick Wilder was "scared to death" when he first entered GS five years ago. It’s hard to believe that, having been an accomplished dancer and performer, he was ever scared of anything. However, his good friend, fellow GSer Amy Rodgers convinced him to apply to the program.
Despite initial fears that he might not fit in, Derrick’s social transition was a smooth one. Instead of feeling alienated from the rest of the university, Derrick has fostered friendships with students who come from most of the schools on the Morningside campus. "It is the same for my friend base outside of Columbia. I have friends from every walk of life."
However, he does acknowledge that there are those in "our University who fail to [acknowledge] GS’s existence." He’d like to see GS as a bigger presence on campus starting with the GS flag. He believes it should fly right beside the College’s or the university’s — or at the very least in front of Lewisohn Hall.
Like many GS students, Derrick has had to struggle with self-doubt, wondering if he’d be capable of handling a rigorous academic environment. The Program for Academic Leadership and Service (PALS) scholarship recipient has learned that he can do well while balancing his personal life and a full schedule of five classes. In addition, he performs community service to fulfill the service component of the PALS program. His professional life as a dancer prepared him for success at Columbia. "As a former performer, I understand discipline, hard work, and overcoming adversity."
When Derrick graduates with a BA in Anthropology, he’ll join the faculty of The Lawrenceville School, where he was recently named Director of Dance.
Derrick has had nothing but a positive experience at GS. "I would not change a thing about it." His advice to incoming students is “Hang in there! It’s only a matter of time [before you graduate]. Do not let the length of time that it takes scare you. You belong."
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