“Think. Do. Lead.” is the Hakuna Matata of Connecticut College. If you entered Conn in the class of 2018 or 2019, there is probably a shirt bearing the three punctuated words in your closet. If you’re like me, you have worn that article of clothing and contemplated the true meaning of this campus philosophy. Like the implementation of Connections, the philosophy of “Think. Do. Lead,” has gotten much use by the College. Most recently, it has become the name of a podcast hosted by President Katherine Bergeron in which Bergeron and her guests discuss “where creative ideas come from and where they lead… shaping a new generation of thinkers, doers, and leaders.” In an interview with The College Voice, Bergeron discussed her new podcast and future episodes to come.
The College Voice (TCV): Thank you so much for sitting down with me to talk about “Think.Do.Lead.” Can you tell our readers about the genesis for the podcast?
Katherine Bergeron (KB): It probably started with the Forbes podcast “The Limit Does Not Exist,” hosted by Christina Wallace and Kate Scott Campbell. They invited me to be a guest on their show in June and it was a lot of fun. It made me think that a podcast focused on the College could be a great thing to do. There is such vibrant intellectual and creative energy on our campus and in our alumni community, and, the more I thought about it, the more it seemed like a good idea to do a show that could capture some of that energy in a form that people can listen to anytime.
TCV: How has the reaction to the first episode been from the campus community?
KB: The reaction has been quite positive. A number of people have told me that they loved hearing more of David Dorfman’s story and that they were inspired by what he had to say about the importance of the arts for the liberal arts.
TCV: Has anything surprised you in releasing a podcast?
KB: I’m not sure it’s necessarily a surprise, but it has been fun hearing from alumni or friends of the College who heard the first episode. It’s interesting: if you send people a long letter, they may not read it. But if you send a podcast, they are more likely to listen.
TCV: You are a seasoned performer. What has the recording process been like?
KB: The recording process was pretty easy, thanks to David! He is such a wonderful interlocutor. We sat together in a small studio right off Fortune Recital Hall, and just started talking. And the result was what you heard. We did the interview in one take—didn’t have to go back to edit anything.
TCV: As a Dance minor, I was drawn to your interview with my mentor and advisor, David Dorfman. What in particular stood out to you in your talk with him?
KB: I loved the way he talked about trying to build the audience for his work. David is always opening doors for people, and it is no different in his choreography. His dances are designed to let people in. And that inclusive attitude extends to his audience.
TCV: I take it you saw Indecent on Broadway. Were there any moments that you pinched yourself, and thought wow?
KB: Yes, there were so many moments like that it is hard to recount them all. I found the rain scene with the two women particularly moving.
TCV: Who can we expect to hear from in later podcasts? Will students be featured?
KB: We have a list of potential speakers we are working on. Right now, they include alumnae and alumni along with guests and friends of the College. I have received a couple of suggestions recently about how we might feature students in the future.
TCV: Where did the title come from?
KB: Think. Do. Lead is a slogan derived from Connecticut College’s mission of educating students to put the liberal arts into action.
TCV: Is there anything else readers of The College Voice should know?
KB: You can find the first episode of Think.Do.Lead on my website http://www.conncoll.edu/at-a-glance/meet-our-president/thinkdolead/
We will let you know when the next episode comes out. Stay tuned!
