The Class of 2021 graduates are all about the business of breaking barriers, challenging norms, and disrupting old ways of doing things. We salute their success and are proud to share a few of their stories.
Everyone Deserves to Dance
Ally Ferry is passionate about dance and wants others to be moved by the art form as well. On and off the stage, she’s been a force on the GCU campus.
As a dance major, Ally had many wonderful moments in the GCU studios, but found great joy in performing at the Strand Theater in downtown Lakewood each year, as well as traveling to American College Dance Association events and competitions.
Engaging people and making them feel welcome at Georgian Court was one of her passions, and she was a four-year member and recent president of the GCU Campus Activities Board.
“It brought me so much joy putting on activities for the whole campus. I also loved being an Orientation leader, getting new students excited about their journey, and sharing my love for GCU.”
The pandemic presented unthinkable challenges for performers like Ally. But she, along with other dancers, found innovative ways to showcase their talent, including works performed on the beach and in other outdoor spaces. In a few months, she will continue to pursue her passion in a way that connects with audiences in a different way—this time via the Ed.M. Dance Education program at Rutgers University.
“I chose this program because I want to teach dance in K-12 schools. I believe that every student should have access to dance education,” says Ally. “Dance is a way for children to express themselves and it is important for children to develop skills not just in academics, but in the arts as well. Georgian Court’s Dance Department has prepared me well for my next journey and I am excited to start this next chapter in my life.”
Doing It for the Children
Britney Jones is known by professors and staff alike as a devoted TRIO Scholar and a diligent student. Britney, who achieved the Dean’s List and the President’s List during her studies at Georgian Court, also served as president of the Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society and was a member of Women and Leadership in Development (WILD), and Phi Alpha Honor Society.
Although she had a challenging home life before college, she tapped those difficulties to fuel her passion for helping children and families in crisis.
As a peer educator intern with GCU’s Office of Violence Against Women, Britney coordinated programs and referrals for victims of sexual assault or stalking. She was an assistant for the Office of Student Life, and as a Campus Ministry intern, promoted Rice Bowl fundraising campaigns to address world hunger. She also volunteered with Catholic Charities to bag food for needy families. A true testament to her interest in helping others came during Spring Break 2020 in the early days of the pandemic. That’s when Britney could be found working on a Habitat for Humanity construction crew in North Carolina.
Now, Britney is on her way to Howard University to earn her master’s degree in social work and take the next step toward becoming a pediatric social worker. “Helping children is the most rewarding job I can think of,” she says, adding, “I want to bring happiness and hope into a child’s life. I want to be part of the messy, amazing learning process.”
