Featured Tigers is a monthly series wherein the spotlight shines on a few students, alumni, faculty and staff from our Crete, Lincoln and Omaha campus locations. These individuals stand out in the best way — as talented and driven leaders.
View all Featured Tigers here.
What is your name and graduation year?
Violet Ahrens (they/them) class of ’25
What is your hometown and high school?
Casper, Wyoming; Doherty High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado
What is your major or degree program?
Theatre
What do you hope to do after completing your degree?
Go to grad school, become a published playwright, have my name on the credits of a hit production in some way shape or form
How is Doane preparing you to reach your goals?
Not only developing the hard skills to pursue theatre, but also helping me discover who I am through the creative process of shows and the engaging community
Who has been a major influence for you during your education at Doane? How have they helped you?
Shandi (Walnofer) Anderson ’04, who has been one of my #1 supporters since day 1 and who has been not only a professor but also a mentor and a friend
What is something you're proud of accomplishing or achieving while at Doane?
I am proud of the sound design I created for the Delays (2024) and the costume design I am actively working on for She Kills Monsters (2025)
What advice would you give to an incoming student?
No matter what you do, there will always be someone out there who is proud of you for it. If things get hard and you don't know if you're going to be able to survive, there will always be someone who's willing to listen. Who is willing to extend their hand. You are not burden, you are not a disappointment. You are not incapable, and everything you are doing is something to be proud of. Keep doing things that make you happy. Because if you're making yourself happy, you can't be disappointing the people who truly want what is best for you.
What's something you like about yourself that other people may not know?
I like that I know how hard I've tried to get it here and how hard I've been working. A lot of my things aren't in the spotlight or seemingly important to the untrained eye, but I still have been doing things that matter. I like that I have continued to fight the good fight. And to pursue what I want to pursue and not what other people have told me to pursue.
What is something you've really enjoyed about your time at Doane?
I've enjoyed the ability to learn exactly who is on my side.
