Dear Editor,

Nothing at Calvin prepared me for my current employment as much as Dialogue did. Bringing copies of Dialogue with me to my interview provided a tangible example of my abilities and distinguished me from other applicants.

Having that physical book worked much better than a typed link on a printed resume ever could.

As I consider donating to the cause of Dialogue, I wonder why that is not synonymous with my support of Calvin. Why would Calvin cease to finance the program largely responsible for my success?

Why does the Dialogue budget reside under anything other than a solid, long-term commitment from Calvin?

Why would Calvin not prioritize a strong venue for empowering students to become culture contributors? A published student is more likely to continue submitting their work to other venues after graduating.

A published student will have more confidence in their ability to communicate and connect through their writing or artwork. Even students whose work was not accepted for publication learn from their experience.

Publishing only one issue of Dialogue allows the participants to make mistakes; having at least two issues enables Dialogue participants to learn from those mistakes and move forward.

Dialogue equips students to become the agents of renewal Calvin claims it wants them to be. Put your money where your mouth is, Calvin. Money talks, and so does Dialogue.

Tanice Mast, class of 2014