Campus Pulse on Dalai Lama

By: Jennifer Hogan

     With His Holiness the Dalai Lama visiting Western Connecticut State University in the next few weeks, the anticipation is growing on campus.  Although many students cannot wait for the arrival of this “rock star,” some students did not know who he was. 

     When asked about the Dalai Lama’s visit, Heather Williams, a 19-year-old sophomore and volleyball player at WCSU, said, “I know that he is coming but I am not that familiar with who he is.  I just know that he is very famous and speaks to audiences around the world.  Even though I do not know much about him, it is pretty extraordinary that he chose WestConn because he is very famous.” 

     Shirley Rodriguez, 19, a sophomore at WCSU said, “It’s so cool that the Dalai Lama chose to come to WestConn.  I’m really jealous that I won’t be there!”

     Even students who do not know what the Dalai Lama does are ecstatic about his visit.  His name is so famous that even those people know it is a huge deal for him to visit WCSU.  Xheni Tema, who is 19-years-old and a sophomore at WCSU, said, “I do not know who he is, but I know it’s a big deal for him to come to WestConn.  It’s really cool.”

     Some people were shocked that the Dalai Lama is visiting WCSU.  Jordan Smith, 20, a junior at WCSU said, “It surprises me because you would think he would go to a bigger school, like Yale or UConn, but he chose Western.”

    His Holiness the Dalai Lama will speak on Oct. 18 and 19 at Western Connecticut State University, and the public is invited to a free showing (video simulcast) in the Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St. To help promote this opportunity, WCSU students in the Writing, Linguistics and Creative Process Department's Advertising, Copywriting and Promotions class created a blog and a Twitter page.