From the Associate Dean
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s I reflect on the past year, I am very grateful to all of you for your efforts in making Emporia State University and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences the outstanding place that it is. Your commitment to our students and your efforts in making the college experience a transformative event in their lives cannot be overstated. I would like to thank, in particular, those of you who work so hard to make the general education program successful and in providing research opportunities to our undergraduates. A strong liberal arts education is the backbone of a civil society and perhaps offers the best chance of truly engaging our students, increasing their love of learning and quality of life, and of minimizing the divisiveness and polarization that is undermining social and political discourse in contemporary society. The prevailing message spread by so many people these days, including members of the media is this: If you disagree with me you are either stupid or evil. A liberal arts education, correctly taught, instills in students the essential belief that wonderful, intelligent, and honest people can have beliefs and opinions that are different from their own; and these differences should be discussed in an atmosphere of mutual respect and good will. A strong liberal arts education not only prepares students for an ever changing labor market, but arms them with critical thinking skills that prepare them for proactive, informed citizenship. Let us strengthen our resolve to do all we can to ensure that our general education program remains strong. We on the General Education Council appreciate so many of you who give your students your best effort in the classroom. A number of you have gone out of your way to provide mentoring experiences to our students by allowing them to work with you on genuine research projects. I have had the opportunity to interview a number of these students about their experiences and I was impressed by how meaningful it was for them. Many students described their experiences working with a faculty mentor as the most significant academic experience they’ve ever had. These students are truly engaged in the life of the mind. Thanks so much for making this happen. I wish all of you the best and I commit myself to doing anything I can to join with you in continuing to improve our college and the experience our students have. Thanks for so much for all you do. Sincerely, Gary Wyatt
Emporia State University
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