Activities
Wade College offers a number of beneficial and stimulating activities aimed at increasing student involvement in the college, enhancing individual development, promoting desirable social interactions, providing recreational activities, and preparing skills for professional development.
Wade College Professional Portfolio Critique
Practicing presentation and interview skills is an important component of a student’s success in preparation for professional experiences in his/her chosen industry. The Professional Portfolio Critique (PPC), held at the close of each trimester, is an exciting time during which all graduating students can present and display the skills they have developed at Wade College during their course of studies. The PPC consists of each student presenting his/her portfolio to a professional industry panel, who will then offer valuable verbal and written feedback. The panel evaluates each student’s portfolio and presentation based on overall organization, knowledge of concentration, communication skills and professionalism, enthusiasm and energy, readiness for a professional interview, and greatest strengths and weaknesses.
Wade College Accessory Design Competition
Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary describes an accessory as “an object or device not essential in itself but adding to the beauty, convenience or effectiveness of something else.” This is the goal of the Wade Merchandising and Design Student Association’s Accessory Design Competition. Students are challenged to go beyond their fashion designs and think “outside the box” to come up with creative wearables, handbags, and jewelry. Design ideas come from vintage and recycled materials including deconstructed items of old denim, seashells, and metal. Judging is usually undertaken by Wade College alumni and industry professionals. Entries are judged for creativity and marketability.
Glass Slipper Project
Each year, students from all areas of the college band together to make or donate formal wear to underprivileged high school students who wish to attend prom. Many students make the garments themselves, and some design and create accessories to go with the outfits. Each year, students from the Wade Merchandising and Design Student Association select a local high school to which they donate.
Wade College Newsletter
Wade College publishes a newsletter several times a calendar year. Contributions are made by faculty, staff, and individual students and student organizations.
Field Trips
There are various course-related activities that take place outside the classroom and the college. Some of these activities displace regularly scheduled classes, and some are voluntary extracurricular activities. Students are required to provide their own transportation to field trip locations. Students who provide car pool assistance to fellow students should be certain they have adequate insurance coverage. All students who participate in a field trip are required to complete a release form to assure their understanding of the conditions established for such a trip.
Wade Holiday Bazaar
To help get ready for the holiday season, the Wade Merchandising and Design Student Association hosts the Wade College Holiday Bazaar. Students sell homemade foods, crafts, and artwork to Wade College shoppers. Students donate 10% of their profits to the Student Organizations fund.
Wade College Art Contest
Wade College holds art contests throughout the year for current students. Specific criteria change each trimester and are posted by the college.
Community Service
Wade College students have been volunteering for Attitudes and Attire for over ten years. The Dallas-based non-profit agency promotes personal growth for women seeking self-sufficiency. Clients of the agency are typically single moms who have experienced financial difficulty, abuse, addiction, and/or generational poverty. Attitudes and Attire offers tools and programs to help their clients build self esteem, promote ethics, and assist them in re-entering the workforce. Wade College students offer much needed support to the organization through volunteering. Volunteer opportunities range from sorting donated items, assisting clients with styling advice, visual merchandising for the Attitudes and Attire boutique, and assisting with various events such as the annual Kim Dawson Attitude Award Fashion Show and Luncheon. For more information on volunteer opportunities contact the Merchandising and Design Student Association.
