TAKING ON THE WORLD CHAMPLAINERS GO FOR IT ON A GLOBAL SCALE
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efore families and friends bid their farewells and sent warm wishes to their first-year students on Champlain’s Aiken Lawn on a fine summer day this August, President David F. Finney gave his last opening speech at Orientation to the Class of 2017.
He boldly stated, “As part of our LEAD [Life Experience & Action Dimension] program, which is committed to helping you learn more about this global village we all inhabit, when you return for your sophomore year next fall, if you have a 3.0 GPA [or higher], I will pay for you to acquire a passport. Study abroad is the best and quickest way for most
undergraduates to recognize the complexity of the world—to come to appreciate the validity and power of other narratives. We want you to go abroad—we’ve even set up sites for you to make it easy. One year from now: a 3.0 and a brand new passport, on me. For those of you who already have passports: great— we’re happy you do!” This is the first of many opportunities that Champlain students will hear about over the course of their academic experience; it just goes to show the overarching philosophy of having international experiences as a student at the College.
In a secluded area of China, dividing the Municipality of Beijing and Hebei Province, Champlain College students hiked unrestored parts of the Great Wall in the fall of 2012.
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Champlain View | Fall 13
Story and photo by
Kayla Hedman ’14