The Honors College Presents a Taylor Swift Colloquy
Swifties in Azusa Pacific University’s Honors College were enchanted to get together for an evening of rich conversation surrounding the world’s most renowned popstar: Taylor Swift. Students couldn’t shake off their excitement when it came to celebrating and diving deep into the lyrical intricacies within Swift’s writing.
On Feb. 2, students gathered in Mary Hill classrooms to listen to their favorite songs, enjoy “Welcome to New York” style pizza, and engage in discussions analyzing lyrics. Each student received a ticket resembling Swift’s Eras Tour, with an assignment for one out the three colloquy options. The glitter gel pen, fountain pen, and quill pen colloquies, refer to playlists Swift created with Apple Music, categorizing her songs into separate themes. According to Swift, glitter gel pen songs “remind you not to take yourself too seriously,” fountain pen songs are “modern, personal stories written like poetry about those moments you remember all too well where you can see, hear, and feel everything in screaming detail,” and quill pen songs are “like you’re a 19thcentury poet crafting your next sonnet by candlelight.”
The masterminds behind this event were Amanda Dominguez ’25, Emily Wahl ’25, and Natasha Zimmerman ’24. The three students, alongside Curtis Isozaki, Director of Strategic Initiatives & Enrollment in the Honors College, planned an evening Swifties will remember forevermore. Their attention to detail, from a polaroid photo op, to “paper rings” ring pops, and a board with lyrics color coded by era, brought fans together, revealing the tight-knit community that exists both in the Honors College and among Swifties.
“The idea came at a time when we were looking for ways to have fun while also recognizing we are a school filled with people who love Taylor Swift,” Dominguez said. “Natasha and Emily have brought the creative vision of the Taylor universe to life through their commitment to making the event true to her lyrics and eras.” Rocking a red scarf, Dominguez led students in the quill pen colloquy to explore deep themes of romance, exile, and nature.
“I am so proud of both Amanda and Natasha for the work they have done to make this event happen, and I am so happy that we could provide a space to bring Swifties in the Honors College together,” Wahl said. She fearlessly facilitated discussion in the fountain pen colloquy, where students interpreted vivid imagery and poignantly written scenes.
“Putting the event together was so much fun. It was great to get to see so many people celebrating the same artist together,” Zimmerman said. “We had the time of our lives!”
As leader of the glitter gel pen colloquy, Zimmerman made the whole place shimmer, channeling upbeat energy as students drew connections between some of Swift’s most popular songs.
As a long-time Swiftie myself, I am beyond grateful for the team that brought us together to join in our love for Swift’s music. Like any colloquy, the event provided a time for intellectual thought that is enhanced and supported by the people who participate. Being both a Swiftie and member of the honors college lead me to conclude one vital lesson: community is ultimately at the heart of growth and finding oneself. Even from something as seemingly insignificant as discovering that someone resonates with the same line in a song as I do attests to the fact that when we gather to discuss art and literature that moves us, friendships deepen, bonds form, and many feel less lonely. We lovingly cultivate connections when finding those who are willing to engage in rich conversation, in both agreement and disagreement about a topic. The Taylor Swift Colloquy was a reminder that conversation, whether about a classical text or pop culture icon, never goes out of style.
Posted: February 13, 2024