Harding graduate David Condolora will be visiting Harding on Thursday, Feb. 28 and Friday, March 1. Condolora graduated from Harding in 2006, worked for Disney Animation and is now an assistant editor for Pixar. Condolora worked on the animated films “Tangled,” “Brave” and “Wreck-It Ralph.”
The department of communication is hosting Condolora in hopes that his story and message will inspire and educate students, according to Ginger Blackstone, instructor of electronic media production.
“David has a really fresh story when it comes to getting out there and landing the job of your dreams,” Blackstone said. “We think that’s really relevant to our students.”
Having worked in the Oakland, Calif. area, and now based in Los Angeles, Condolora has been a valuable connection for electronic media production students. Over the last few years, many students have reached out to him for guidance, advice and contacts. Condolora has always been very helpful and eager to assist Harding students who contact him, Blackstone said. That was the main reason the department of communication asked Condolora to visit campus.
While much of Condolora’s visit will be geared toward communications students, he will also be bringing his story to the university as a whole.
“His story is an example of a broader story,” Blackstone said. “He can describe the struggle of maintaining faith in a nontraditional environment.”
Condolora’s visit will start with an informal welcome meet-and-greet at Starbucks in Legacy Park at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28. On Friday, March 1, Condolora will speak with Dr. Shock in both chapels as part of the “Roaring Lambs” series, detailing his experience and his faith. At 11 a.m., he will speak in the Reynolds Recital Hall, telling about his role at Disney and Pixar and what kind of work goes into making an animated film. At 2 p.m. in the Reynolds Recital Hall, he will give advice on how to start off in the field after college; he will give resume advice, describe how to look for job openings and detail what certain positions’ responsibilities and job descriptions are. Students that are interested in a career in film or animation will be able to sign up for a one-on-one meeting with Condolora starting at 4 p.m. on Friday.
To read Condolora’s blog, view some of his work or find more information, visit his website at www.davidcondolora.com.
