The College of Fine Arts congratulates our John V. Roach Honors College 2020 Senior Scholars! Selected by faculty consensus in their respective schools and departments, these exceptional seniors represent academic excellence and outstanding achievement.
While Senior Scholars are typically honored at the Convocation of Academic Excellence in April each year, we are proud to recognize this year’s students virtually. Learn more about 2020 Fine Arts Senior Scholar, Rose Kotopka, and her future plans below.
Rose Kotopka, School for Classical & Contemporary Dance
Senior Scholar Rose Kotopka
Degree: BFA in Ballet
Hometown: Lincoln, Neb.
Why did you choose TCU for your education?
I was drawn to TCU because of how welcoming everyone was on my initial visit, especially in the School for Classical & Contemporary Dance. I liked the balance between the two dance styles, the variety of performance opportunities and the amount of leadership opportunities TCU has to offer.
Why did you choose to major in ballet?
I chose to major in ballet get a well-rounded education and a variety of skills and experiences that I can bring into a career in the dance world. Throughout my time here, I’ve learned about the ever-expanding ways dance can bring us closer, and I’m excited to explore this further.
Tell us about some of the experiences you had as a student.
In addition to getting a BFA in ballet, I also minored in Arts Leadership & Entrepreneurship and earned my Pilates Teaching Certificate through the SCCDance. I served on Chi Tau Epsilon’s executive board as a co-director for community engagement for two years. A few of my favorite guest artists I worked with were LeeWei Chao, Summer Lee Rhatigan and Gabrielle Lamb. With grants awarded by the SCCDance, the College of Fine Arts, and the Intern Scholarship Program, I was able to attend Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s repertoire intensive last summer.
What are your proudest accomplishments while at TCU?
My proudest accomplishment at TCU was coordinating the annual AIDS Outreach Center Benefit Concert through Chi Tau Epsilon. This allowed me to combine my passions for dance, community engagement and arts management, and it was so fulfilling to see everything come together. The concert was a beautiful night of community and awareness, and it was an honor to lead this collaborative effort and be a part of such a meaningful tradition.
What will you miss most about TCU?
I’m going to miss dancing with and spending time with all of the wonderful people I’ve met through the SCCDance and TCU. However, I know that these are lifelong friends that are only a phone call away.
What’s next?
It’s hard to say what the near future holds in this situation, but I’m looking forward to a life full of dancing, teaching Pilates, being involved in arts organizations and continuous learning. I’m excited to see what life has in store for me and the class of 2020!