Carl Flink Associate professor and director, Dept. of Theatre Arts and Dance Education B.A, U of Minnesota; J.D., Stanford U Speaking as a teacher … "My goal is to inspire and be inspired by students. Teaching is not a one-way street." As a choreographer … "I try to bridge the gap between dance and sports by finding real risk onstage that isn't driven by competitiveness" His social mission: "Dance is about exploration of the human condition. I want to couple social commentary and observation with art." Works in progress: Formed Black Label Dance company; is developing an industrial opera, "Wreck," that examines how the Great Lakes oar boat crews create micro-cultures of people who are marginal in our society. To relax, he … Takes on construction projects such as building a cabin and renovating his house. His greatest satisfaction: "When I watch my 2 ½-year-old daughter move, I realize that dance is an absolutely primal art form. She explores the world through movement, and I've learned more from her about dance as a way of knowing than I'll ever teach her." His not-so-secret-passion: "I'm a Lord of the Rings geek. Always the books, and the movies are phenomenal. I even had a discussion with my wife about naming our daughter Tinwiel."