dean todd sherman
When I was in college I chose to
study art, but what I had to fight in myself was this nagging question of “How am I going to get a job?” My parents never asked me that. It was me and, in part, societal pressure. We seem to feel a need to have an end in sight, and many people share this impression that you go to college to get a job, and you’re going to work in that field for the rest of your life. I bet if you talked to a hundred people, you might find that to be the case for less than five percent. They’ve had to do one job and then they’ve had to change and learn to do something else. Life is not just one task.
Editor’s Note I’ve enjoyed watching the CLA magazine grow over the last few years. When fate came knocking I jumped at the chance to be more involved with this issue, and incorporate some suggestions from alumni and staff along with some of my own ideas. So what was once called “CLA Special Edition” maintains its editorial integrity, though the look is different and a new masthead is on the cover. The important things — the people, ideas and energy that make the UAF College of Liberal Arts so exceptional — are all still found in these pages. About the new name, clarity: When I graduated with my BA in social work in 2006 I remember hearing the name “College of Liberal Arts” for what seemed like the first time on graduation
The College of Liberal Arts is a microcosm of UAF, introducing students to the arts, languages, and social sciences. What we deal with is the human dimension, language and thought, and all these great things that are more human than anything. If a student were to come to me concerned with the logistics of finding a career and planning their next forty years, I’d tell them that in the end, it’s the love of life that you should pursue with your education. When you truly love what you do, you’ll never find yourself stuck in place. You’ll constantly grow and harvest all life has to offer you, driven by that wonderful curiosity nourished through an education in the liberal arts. — Todd Sherman, Dean
day. What better way to remind all of the alums and friends of the college that CLA is, in part, a vision of clarity for our futures? The dictionary defines clarity in an obvious, yet boring way: lucidity or clearness as to perception or understanding. But here’s how I define it: the feeling in my heart that I could actually achieve my dreams — a feeling that was sparked, flamed and fueled by the faculty of UAF’s CLA. We hope you enjoy the new look and continuing mission of clarity. — Naomi Horne, CFRE 2006 CLA Social Work, BA
above: Jim Brashear
The Human Dimension