PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
THE SPIRIT OF INNOVATION
STEM initiative reflects our commitment to preparing students for changing world
O
u r t h r e e n e w pro gr a m s in
other programs,
engineering, neuroscience and data science
providing an
are exciting in and of themselves, not least for
even richer
their intellectual rigor, but also for their strong appeal to
experience for
prospective students and to prospective employers.
our students.
These programs are even more encouraging and
The faculty is
important for the spirit of innovation that they represent.
also working
Monmouth has always been a place that seeks to serve its
to describe the
students more effectively, but the energy and action around
outcomes for
that spirit have grown significantly in the last few years.
students in their
The development of the three new programs has been
programs in ways that are more compelling, to prospective
a model of creativity, discipline and teamwork—all
students and prospective employers. The intellectual
three necessary ingredients to any successful effort at
energy and sense of possibility are infectious.
innovation. In the fall of 2017, I encouraged the faculty to
Most encouraging is the fact that, at the heart of all
propose new or significantly modified academic programs
of this, rests the desire to prepare young people more
that strengthened our liberal arts and sciences mission,
effectively for rewarding and contributing lives in a world
that would prepare students for fields with strong career
changing by the second. The faculty is guiding our students
prospects, and that would broaden and deepen the
through evolving fields of inquiry so that our alumni will
College’s appeal to bright and motivated students.
thrive in, and create, emerging fields of endeavor. By
We received several excellent proposals, and then
enhancing the quality of the Monmouth Experience in this
moved them through a thorough and purposeful process
way, we are placing the College on a stronger foundation
of evaluation by the faculty, through rigorous market
for the long run, and empowering our students to be of
testing, and consideration by the Board of Trustees. At
even greater service to society.
each step, we were increasingly encouraged by the promise of these programs, and were able to move ahead with implementation through a special commitment by the Board of Trustees to provide start-up funding.
As always, Lobie and I thank you for all that you do to support this gratifying work. My Best,
This process is also inspiring existing academic programs to look at themselves anew, to consider how they can augment and modify their offerings and how they can link their particular perspectives and methods to those of
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MONMOUTH COLLEGE MAGAZINE
Dr. Clarence R. Wyatt President
