There is no doubt that my liberal arts education positively
affected my life, in ways I had hoped for and in some ways I did not
expect.
My hope when I started college as an older student was to fulfill a
simple dream to become a college graduate, the first in my family to do
so. That dream came true and in and of itself was a major
accomplishment for me.
Although earning a degree was satisfying, benefits that I had not
foreseen were even more fulfilling: a heightened awareness of the world
outside family, friends, and community; a connection with the past
through the study of ancient literature and philosophy; and a sense of
continuity to the future as I began to understand the true purpose of
education for the first time.
My strong impression is that independent liberal arts
colleges attract faculty who are more willing and capable of interacting
with the individual student.
I had always thought that the route was, you attend college, you
graduate, the learning process ends, and then you go to work. My liberal
arts experience taught me that learning never has to stop. Many times
over the years I have drawn on that experience for the discipline to
make better use of the creativity that I discovered in myself.
Professors definitely played a major role in my liberal arts
experience. My strong impression is that independent liberal arts
colleges attract faculty who are more willing and capable of interacting
with the individual student.
Unlike most traditional students, I did not pursue a career after
graduation. I enrolled at a nearby university and attained a master of
arts degree with a concentration in English literature. My master’s
thesis was the first in decades to receive a Pass with Distinction. I
recall clearly how convinced I was (and still am) that the foundation I
had built at Barton College was in large part responsible for my
success.
I would say to any high school student that a liberal arts
education is the very best basis for their future. I believe that all
professions or careers are enhanced by the well-rounded education that
is offered in a liberal arts program.
I would say to parents that the choice of a college is one of the
most important decisions they will ever make for their children. My
advice to any parents would be to consider an independent liberal arts
college because that experience will go a very long way in preparing
their children to successfully cope with the inevitable personal and
professional challenges that will arise in their future.