PRES!DENT!AL PONDER!NGS
Earlier this spring, trustee Don Sheets reflected on the impact of his Albion education on his life and career in an op-ed column that appeared in the Midland Daily News. Because he eloquently describes the qualities that make the Albion experience so distinctive, I wanted to share his thoughts with the readers of Io Triumphe!, and also encourage each of you to help spread the word about Albion in your personal interactions with your friends, colleagues, and prospective students, and, where appropriate, in your local media. We can all have a role in attracting the next generation of Brits to Albion! Donna Randall President drandall@albion.edu
The College Decision: A Case for the Liberal Arts By J. Donald Sheets, ’82
A Message to Students Starting Their College Search I will admit it. I am a proud graduate of Albion College. I am neither “liberal” nor am I an “artist” of some kind. So what is this branch of higher education we call liberal arts, and how can it be relevant to your search for the right college? Like any other high school senior, I chose the school that felt right to me. I was influenced by my parents to look at highquality liberal arts colleges. I decided I wanted to be a well-read person, and a liberal arts education made sense to me. I chose Albion College because it has a strong liberal arts tradition, along with pre-professional institutes which direct career interests. I was accepted into Albion’s Gerstacker Institute for Business and Management. The Gerstacker Institute has its own course of study, and its students complete two off-campus internships. . . . I liked merging a liberal arts curriculum with the practical side of career preparation. I worked hard at Albion. In my earliest coursework it was obvious that much was expected of me, and I needed to actively engage in my education. My professors knew my name, and it was common to be invited to a home-cooked dinner or evening seminar at a professor’s home. I wasn’t so much sitting in class, absorbing the teaching; instead it 2 | Io Triumphe!
felt like I was in a conversation which lasted over four years and many professors. . . . [Beyond my classes,] my two internships were excellent experiences and helped focus my career interests. The liberal arts philosophy makes for a college experience of rigorous intellectual development in multiple branches of knowledge. Students are educated in a comprehensive way and are thus prepared to meet the challenges of a lifetime. . . . Students are challenged to write and speak, to debate, to experiment with new ideas in a setting which is at one level intimate—small classes with actual professors (not graduate assistants)—and at another level, infinite in the scope of ideas and intellectual thought explored. Private colleges which excel in delivering this educational experience are often not understood, even by college-bound seniors. These colleges cannot give you a BCS bowl experience or a chance during March Madness. They have quaint campuses tucked away in small towns, not the mega-university boom towns many associate with a college experience. But students in these smaller communities find plenty to do both on- and off-campus. When I started my career at Dow Corning, I was immediately struck by my ability to navigate the company and to communicate effectively with people. . . . I spent 15 years in our business organization
doing marketing and commercial management jobs in some very complex, technical fields like electronics. I was not born to do this. My liberal arts education helped me develop versatility and the ability to confront new situations. Let’s return to your college decision. The sticker price of a good liberal arts college can seem daunting. However, it can be affordable. Private colleges have financial aid programs and award merit scholarships in significant amounts. Almost 100 percent of students at these institutions receive some form of aid or scholarships. . . . So, my advice to students is: apply to the schools that interest you, regardless of the published cost. Once accepted, you can work on an affordable plan. What will you experience at a selective liberal arts college? • You will surround yourself with students who share your passion to learn and make the world a better place. • You will know your professors personally, and they will care about you. They will also challenge your mind as few have, or will. • You will have opportunities to serve your college and the community at large. • You will be able to participate in athletics, music, theatre, student government, and other activities. Sometimes all at once. Try to do that at a major university. • You will develop critical thinking skills and an ability to communicate your ideas. So, in the end, it matters to be trained in your chosen field. But, it also matters to be able to synthesize new ideas, adapt to new thinking, communicate your ideas, persuade others, and integrate the rush of new information into a world view which makes sense and which can be the core of a fulfilling life. Take a look at a liberal arts college—it just might be the right choice for you. J. Donald Sheets is executive vice president and chief financial officer for Dow Corning Corp. in Midland. He also serves as an Albion College trustee. This is an edited version of a column that appeared in the Midland Daily News, April 23, 2012.
To find out how you can assist in bringing students to Albion, contact: Admission Office: 800/858-6770; admission@albion.edu Alumni Engagement Office: 517/629-0448; alumniengagement@albion.edu