News
Importance of Liberal Education
February 16, 2022
The Civic Learning Network is a great reminder about the mission of a public university. We teach at a time where The First Job after the Degree has acquired tremendous influence--never mind the fact that we teach students for a lifetime of learning, advancement, adaptation to change, and leadership, not only for the moment of entry level. Never mind that some majors that pay less right away catch up and pass others on this measure, which is not the only measure for a life's work. Never mind that perhaps 10% of the jobs available when the class of 2025 graduates don't even exist yet, and many existing jobs for which we could prepare students will by 2025 be disappearing. A university like ours, dedicated to liberal education, prepares its graduates for living, as well as a lifetime of change. A public university like ours has a special duty to prepare our students to be able, engaged citizens. The Civic Learning Network enhances the University's capacity to serve those goals. Students will get co-curricular opportunities that will combine with their curricular learning so that they might more ably pursue all these goals--to get a first job, and a second, and to continue to adapt to change in opportunities; to contribute as a citizen to the common good; and to live a deeply human life.
By: Fred Antczak (Faculty member in the English Department)