Choosing a college can be a very difficult task. Many highly rated colleges and universities are worth looking into. I wanted one that would enhance my spiritual, social, and academic values. My parents had little influence on my college decision. I was alone. Just one of the many who had to decide where to spend the most formative years of my life.
I once held the belief that selecting a Christian Liberal Arts College would prevent me from being a witness to the unsaved, and jeopardize my education. Several churches that I attended and friends I respected supported a Non-Christian education for two basic reasons: Academic standards could be lower at a private college and there would be little or no opportunity to win others to Christ.
I have learned through my first few weeks here at a noted Baptist University, in the Fall of 1986, that this theory about no witnessing opportunities is absolutely untrue. First of all, there are more rules to be broken on this campus, so the men of the world who want to be radical are going to try everything they can to break them without getting caught.
That’s where I come in. These guys may be cool with the majority of the guys on my dorm wing, but when they come around me they know I stand up for my Christian beliefs. I may have a priestly nickname by the end of the year, who knows? When guys come down the hall cussing up a storm at one o’clock in the morning there needs to be some kind of mediator. Those sources and associates that had me believing everyone in a Christian College was saved must have been on L.S.D.-”A Low on Common Sense Diet.”
The second belief that concerned me the most was low academic standards. Many students are paying almost seven grand a year to attend college, why on earth would a Christian teacher fail a student? This would lower enrollment, make the school look bad to the public, and give teachers a bad name. Academic standards must be lower in a private college, right?
Wrong! Professors who teach here at our Christian University have degrees from Baylor University, Pepperdine, University of Southern California, and University of Illinois, to name just a few. I enjoy listening and learning from those who have had hard core “upper class” educations and include this into their Christian faith. Also, with low academic standards it would have been very difficult to receive the accreditation that this college has obtained.
Miraculous changes can take place on a Christian campus. Continuous Bible reading and teaching leads to greater knowledge. After all, Solomon in the Book of Proverbs does state: “The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” The students, professors, and faculty that I’ve met in my first few weeks here on campus have been people whose sole purpose is to serve God with all their heart.
That’s big for me, because I believe that without the positive influence of Christian friends I do not believe that I can reach my full potential in college or in my life’s goals and dreams for that matter.
Though once led astray, I now believe that the Christian Liberal Arts Education is superior to universities that are based solely on academic standards. My decision on this issue may sound very one-sided. I have to agree with you. However, my thesis is summed up most eloquently in the book of proverbs: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all knowledge.”
Having an opportunity to attend college was one of the life’s experiences that will always have an impact on my journey through life. With that experience and becoming a little wiser (older is a more applicable description), expressing pride in my institution is something that I really enjoy and feel is essential. I have no problem becoming a walking, talking billboard for my institution (Southern Illinois University – Go Salukis!) including sharing my stories with many during my journey. This activity has a dual effect. For me, it offers a reciprocal reaction which states that my institution is fortunate and grateful to have an alumnus that offers contributions to the world and demonstrates commitment and discipline to his craft. These types of characteristics continue to benefit my institution.
My college experience was fabulous. It seems like it was yesterday that I was on campus either heading to class or meeting many friends enjoying a great pizza or playing football on a frigid Saturday morning before we began our tailgating ritual. Yes those years were certainly memorable and quite an impact. As I continue to reach higher levels in my career, I will always reflect on my college experiences, classes, instructors and friends. Each reflection increases my admiration and pride for Southern Illinois University. With many of us unanimously agreeing that our college days were instrumental in where we are today, we must continue to express pride and make a commitment to our institution. There are many ways to express pride in your institution. Let’s take a look at some of the basic methods:
Alumni Giving – Alumni financial giving is at the core of any institution’s survival.
Participation/Alumni Groups – Each college/university has alumni located in the majority of large cities. Locate your local chapter and get involved.
Personal Story – Just a simple conversation about your experiences during your college days could create interest in your institution.
Institution Merchandise – Shirts, banners, bumper stickers, hats are additional ways to express pride in your institution. Also, by purchasing university merchandise, a source of revenue is provided for the institution.
Attend Athletic Events – Many institutions have well established athletic programs that create a wealth of revenue for the institution. Purchasing tickets, tailgating, participating in activities all contribute to the bottom line.
Volunteer to speak to youth groups – Middle and high school students are influenced by individuals that actually display effort to help. When you speak to a youth group, you provide an impact beyond measure.
Now many alumni ask the question “Why Should I Express Pride in my institution?” Many alumni feel that they have given enough to the institution via tuition. However tuition only covers a percentage of the overall cost of operating an institution. Many institutions rely on alumni giving to provide day to day operations. Our higher-ed institutions are the backbone of creativity for this global environment. Continued support for our institutions is crucial to our children’s success. Let’s give them an opportunity to experience some of the simple pleasures in which their memories will last a lifetime. I will always cherish my short period of time at SIU. From the beautiful campus and an invaluable education to the social events and life long friendships, my time at this institution will always be a part of my fabric. Express Pride and Commitment to Your College/University! Support Your Institution!
Melvin Anderson is VP-Business Development for Movitas Corporation. ExpressYourPride.com is a brand of Movitas. http://www.expressyourpride.com. ExpressYourPride.com provides products that allow students/alumni/fans/supporters of colleges/universities the opportunity to express pride and commitment to their individual institution. Each personalized/animated product is dynamically created with your first/last name, year of graduation, name of degree, etc. Express Pride and Commitment to Your Organization!
Augustana College is situated in Illinois, one of the beautiful states of US. Augustana College is a liberal arts and science college. Swedish settlers started Augustana College in 1860. The college is associated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The college offers bachelor degree of arts and science, pre- professional programs like law, medicine, and veterinary medicine. The ratio of student and teacher is 13:1 in this college. The College provides good campus facilities for their students. It is the main attraction of Augustana College. The college provides student supports. The college provides hostel facilities for students and faculty. It also provides international and domestic study opportunities. The college also gives latest technologies and equipments. The Augustana College offers good study environment for their students.
Swenson center is a center, which is located in Augustana College. This Swenson center is a national archives and research institute. This Swenson center includes all the information for the study of Swedish immigration to North America. The college also offered library facilities for their students and their faculties.
In this competitive world every persons should be so skilled. Augustana College prepares their students to take leadership and to contribute their services to this competitive world. The college offers large percentage of the student to participate in various arts programs. These arts programs are conducted by Augustana College. This college also supports to enhance the talents of all the students and also supports them in extra curricular activities. Augustana College contains so many other features and facilities for its students. This college has a museum and a planetarium. The name of the museum is Fryxell Geology Museum it is named after Fritiof Fryxell. The museum has huge collections of rocks, minerals and fossils. The name of the planetarium is John Deere Planetarium. The Fryxell Geology museum, and John Deere planetarium in Augustana College helps in enhancing the knowledge of all the students. The Augustana College has an excellent library, which helps the students and faculties of the college in their studies and references. The name of library is Thomas Tredway Library. The Thomas Tredway library of Augustana College has won the “Excellence in Academic Libraries Award” in 2006. The Augustana College has a music group on campus, which is for students. The name of music group is Augustana Symphony Orchestra. The music group is started on 1875. The student of Augustana College performs music concerts in art festivals.