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Bellarmine Magazine_Fall2012

FroM THe PreSiDeNT Whycollege? In TouGh eConomIC TImes, ques- But while such a motivation is a good and meaning- tions always arise about the value ful one, the personal, intellectual, social and spiritual of higher education. is it worth the outcomes of a college education are just as important, expense, effort and time? if not more so, in preparing one for a successful and The answer, of course, is that meaningful life. an undergraduate education is an My concern about quick, career-only education curr- immensely valuable and worthwhile icula is twofold. First, these narrow curricula prepare investment over a lifetime for many someone to enter a specific career at a specific point and different reasons, and yes, it is worth it – on a profes- at a specific, low level. Very soon, however, that educa- sional and career level, for sure, and more importantly, tion is obsolete and one is left unprepared for new or on a personal one. higher-level jobs. And second, the person being educated in its coverage of Sallie Mae’s recent annual survey, is a human being, not an economic cog, so focusing only “How America Pays for College,” the American Council on limited career preparation is short-sighted, short-term on education reported that 70 percent of students and and incomplete. parents agreed that “postsecondary education is essential A liberal arts education, on the other hand, educates for earning more over the course of the student’s future to the center of a person – to one’s heart and mind and career,” compared with 59 percent in 2010. Further, soul. Whether by itself or integrated with a professional 90 percent of students strongly agreed that “a college education, it prepares a student to be creative, flexible education is an investment in their future,” up from and resilient and allows him or her to create on an 84 percent in 2010. ongoing basis great value and meaning in his or her These perceptions are grounded in an extensive body personal and professional life, regardless of fast-paced, of research that clearly establishes the value of higher relentless change within professions and among careers. education attainment to individuals and society. College This most valuable and enduring kind of college graduates are more likely than others to have jobs with education focuses on understanding one’s self, the world pension and health benefits. They have healthier lifestyles and one’s place in the world. it does this by strengthen- and lower health-care costs. They earn more money. ing intellectual and reasoning capacity and the ability Now, does all of that mean that a college education to gather, analyze, synthesize and understand necessary is required for us to be good people, to earn money, or information; to work in teams; to make good decisions; to create and live meaningful lives? of course not. But to be able to communicate in many media, clearly, eff- for those so inclined, a college education helps make ectively and personally – while also building the moral, both professional success and personal growth easier, ethical and spiritual dimensions of one’s character and deeper and more sustained. one’s sense of responsibility to others. one thing that particularly concerns me in discussions is higher education worth it? in my opinion and of the value of postsecondary education is what i believe experience, if it is thoughtful and of the highest quality, is an exaggerated emphasis on the career/financial value the undergraduate education that includes the liberal of such an investment. Certainly, i’m well aware that arts is a dependable, reliable and essential prerequisite individuals and families sacrifice a great deal to pay for a successful and happy personal, social, intellectual, for a student’s higher education, and it is reasonable to cultural and professional life. expect that there will be a return on this investment in the form of success in making a living. Dr. Joseph J. McGowan president@bellarmine.edu fall 2012 5


Bellarmine Magazine_Fall2012
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