Liberal Education and America's Promise
LEAP Tool Kit: Speeches and Articles
Featured Article
President Burris notes in his Spring 2008 Beloit College Magazine column that the “hallmarks of a Beloit College education” were the very practices that employers endorsed in the 2008 LEAP survey. He notes their approval of “community-based projects, supervised internships, advanced senior projects, and essay tests” and their rejection of “multiple choice tests.”
News Articles and Programs on Liberal Education
Op-Eds and Editorials Making the Case for Liberal Education
Speeches Making the Case for Liberal Education
Series of Articles in Liberal Education
"Meeting New Challenges at Home and Abroad: Liberal Education's New Premium" (Liberal Education, Summer 2006)
By Barbara Lawton
"Teachable Moments: Advising as Liberal Learning" (Liberal Education, Spring 2006)
By Ned Scott Laff
"Liberal Education and the Specialist-Rich Workplace" (Liberal Education, Winter 2006)
By Lee Dudka
"What Really Matters in College: How Students View and Value Liberal Education" (Liberal Education, Summer/Fall 2005)
By Debra Humphreys and Abigail Davenport
"Liberal Education for the Twenty-first Century: Business Expectations" (Liberal Education, Spring 2005)
By Roberts T. Jones
News Articles and Programs on Liberal Education
"Emergency Management Training Must Include Liberal Arts Education," by Bob Jaffin (Government Technology, March 27, 2008). In arguing for the importance of a liberal education, this emergency management instructor writes, "I've become increasingly discouraged as more and more students demonstrate they can't apply conceptual thinking to relatively simple scenarios. And this is compounded by their inability to write coherent sentences and paragraphs that can be assembled into cohesive, focused and comprehensible papers."
"Make Engineering a Liberal Art With Social Relevance, Report Suggests," by Jeffrey Brainard ( The Chronicle, December 14, 2007, subscription required). This article about the report, "Engineering for a Changing World: A Roadmap to the Future of Engineering Practice, Research, and Education," summarizes that "engineers should receive a liberal-arts education as undergraduates and then pursue graduate degrees as a standard route into the profession."
"A Core Curriculum for Tomorrow's Citizens" by Harvard professor Harry Lewis (The Chronicle, subscription required, September 7, 2007) discusses the purpose of a core curriculum in light of recent debates in higher education.
A feature article in Hispanic Outlook, "Broader Skill Sets Needed in Global Economy" (pdf, August 27, 2007) reports on finding and recommendations from AAC&U's report, College Learning for the New Global Century.
An article on FOXNews.com (August 16, 2006) examines the benefits of a liberal education combined with practical experience.
An article in Inside Higher Ed (July 28, 2006) explores the pitfalls of a narrowly focused engineering degree.
An article in New Jersey's Daily Record (April 29, 2006) outlines the plans of Drew University's new president, Robert Weisbuch.
A program on NPR's Diane Rehm show (April 14, 2006) discusses what students are and should be learning in college.
An essay (pdf, March/April 2006) in International Educator explores ten characteristics of a liberally educated person and discusses liberal education in Asia.
An article on Rediff.com (March 9, 2006) by FastCompany writer Alison Overholt encourages us to "Embrace the Liberal Arts (Again)."
An article in Southern Illinois University Carbondale's student paper the Daily Egyptian highlights the benefits of a new program that aims to diversify areas of liberal arts study.
An article posted to MSN Careers explains how communication skills can give liberal arts graduates an edge in today's workplace.
in an article in LIBERALARTSONLINE, James T. Knauer argues that civic engagement should be a central part of liberal education.
The Winter issue of Phi Beta Kappa's Key Reporter features an article (PDF) by John Churchill about the relationship between liberal and vocational education (starts on page 2).
in an article in LIBERALARTSONLINE, Jeffrey Nesteruk addresses what the liberal arts can offer professional programs in light of his department’s recently redesigned business program and suggests ways institutions can successfully integrate liberal arts and professional education.
An article in the Daily Pennsylvanian (February 3, 2005) discusses a new book that makes a case for the practicality of a liberal arts education.
The Atlantic Monthly (October 2004) features an article by Northeastern University President Richard Freeland arguing for a new integration of liberal and professional education. (Subscription required.)
Op-Eds and Editorials Making the Case for Liberal Education
President Burris notes in his Spring 2008 Beloit College Magazine column that the “hallmarks of a Beloit College education” were the very practices that employers endorsed in the 2008 LEAP survey. He notes their approval of “community-based projects, supervised internships, advanced senior projects, and essay tests” and their rejection of “multiple choice tests.”
The Wisconsin system used leap year and leap day to promote LEAP on their campuses. Donna Silver, assistant director in the office of professional and instructional development in the Wisconsin system, wrote "LEAP program vital to education in the state" in The Capital Times (February 28, 2008). Scott Furlong, dean of liberal arts and sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, wrote "LEAP promotes liberal arts education" in the Green Bay Press Gazette (February 29, 2008). John Koker, dean of the College of Letters and Sciences at Oshkosh, wrote "Promoting a 'liberal' education, as in 'liberating' the mind…." in The Northwestern (March 4, 2008).
An opinion piece in the Denver Post (August 11, 2007) by Larry K. Meredith of Western State College cites College Learning for the New Global Century when asserting that "students need to hear from their future employers that narrow learning will limit, rather than expand, their opportunities."
"The Academics’ Lament and the Traditional Liberal Arts" (May 2007) by David C. Paris, senior fellow at AAC&U and professor of government at Hamilton College, posits that "it is important to look more closely at the academics’ lament about the liberal arts...specifically, what understanding of the liberal arts is threatened by more pragmatic views and contemporary pressures on higher education and how should proponents of the liberal arts, traditional and pragmatic, respond?"
An opinion piece in the Arizona Daily Star by James Gentile, a member of the LEAP National Leadership Council, highlights and advocates for the learning outcomes in the LEAP Report.
An opinion piece in Arizona State University's online newspaper (October 9, 2006) argues that "the pursuit of the liberal arts and humanities is absurdly practical and shockingly important."
An op-ed in the Hartford Courant (October 9, 2006) by Leo Higdon, president of Connecticut College, states that "a good liberal arts education is the best preparation for any career - in any job market."
An op-ed in the Washington Post (September 4, 2006) by Richard H. Brodhead, president of Duke University,
argues for more investment in liberal education as the best way to meet 21st century challenges.
John Churchill, secretary of Phi Beta Kappa, wrote an op-ed for the Seattle Times (August 20, 2006) linking the benefits and skills gained from a liberal education with the health of American democracy.
An editorial in Inside Higher Ed by W. Robert Connor, president of the Teagle Foundation, looks at "the other, untold story" of liberal education and its important global future.
An editorial in Cayman Net News (February 7, 2006) by Arni Arnthorsson, a professor at the University College Cayman Islands, states that the "lack of understanding about how the holistic, comprehensive view of education will enhance the individual has to change."
A letter from Michael Bassis, President of Westminster College, explores the important role liberal education plays at his own college and the impact it has in the world.
An editorial in the Star-Telegram (December 5, 2005) by Jake B. Schrum, President of Southwestern University, states that a liberal arts education can provide students with both emotional and financial riches.
An interview of a Colgate University alumna in The Colgate Maroon-News (November 4, 2005) highlights the importance of Liberal Arts in her diverse career history.
An editorial in the Modesto Bee (October 16, 2005) by Hamid Shirvani, President of California State University, cites reasons why colleges should be more demanding of their students, stating that "a liberally educated person should develop character and examine his or her values as part of the educational process."
An editorial by columnist Adele Horin in the Sydney Morning Herald (June 18, 2005) argues that "It is time for Australia to rediscover the value of a liberal-arts education." (Registration required.)
An editorial by Jeffrey Nesteruk in Inside Higher Ed (May 18, 2005) links his contentment in life to his liberal education, stating that his ability to think critically allowed him to separate himself from societal standards of happiness and focus instead on what really matters.
An editorial by columnist Tim Aylsworth in the Texas A&M Battalion argues that an emphasis on the liberal arts enriches undergraduate education and can improve a school's standing.
In an editorial originally published in the Community College Times, Western Nevada Community College President Carol A. Lucey argues that emphasis on vocationalism should not come at the expense of attention to liberal education outcomes.
In an editorial in the Journal of College and Character, Wesley College President Scott D. Miller discusses how higher education can best prepare graduates for an independent, successful life.
In an editorial for the Daily Collegian (March 25, 2005), student Mike Anmuth makes a case for the merits of general education requirements.
In a Seattle Times editorial, Thomas Cronin explains why "liberal-arts learning is so critically important for developing the brainpower we need for solving 21st-century challenges in every field ranging from international diplomacy to nanotechnology inventions" (April 25, 2004)
In an editorial on the Annapolis Group's Web site, Dale Marshall questions the usefulness of college rankings.
Speeches Making the Case for Liberal Education
MaryAnn Baenninger, President, College of Saint Benedict
Liberal Arts Education an Antidote to Polarization
Allen Berger, Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost, University of Maine Farmington
Liberal Arts Colleges and the Well-Prepared Teacher (pdf)
Robert Caret, President, San José State University
Commentary on National Public Radio
Workplace Demands Broad Set of Skills
Rebecca Chopp, President, Colgate University
Keynote Address (pdf)
College Student Values Conference, Florida State University
Charles Dorn, Assistant Professor of Education, Bowdoin College
From "Liberal Professions" to "Lucrative Professions": The Civic Functions of Higher Education in America
William Durden, President, Dickinson College
Liberal Arts for All, Not Just the Rich
The Liberal Arts as a Bulwark of Business Education
Reclaiming the Distinctiveness of American Higher Education (pdf)
Bobby Fong, President, Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana
Inauguration Speech (excerpted)
Great Expectations for College Achievement (with Carol Geary Schneider)
The State of the University (pdf, an address to faculty and staff)
Dr. Adam W. Herbert, President, of Indiana University
Extending the Reach of Knowledge: Inaugural Address, April 15, 2004
Leo I. Higdon, Jr., President, College of Charleston
Liberal Arts Education Suits These Changing Times
Freeman A. Hrabowski, III, President, University of Maryland Baltimore County
Convocation Address, August 2002
Edward M. Hundert, President, Case Western Reserve University
Liberal Learning for the Twenty-First Century (PDF)
Shirley Ann Jackson, President, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Empires of the Mind (PDF)
(With kind permission from ACE's The Presidency magazine.)
Roberts T. Jones, President of Education and Workforce Policy, and Barbara Lawton, Lt. Governor of Wisconsin
Meeting New Challenges at Home and Abroad: Liberal Education's New Premium (AAC&U podcast)
Barbara Lawton, Lt. Governor of Wisconsin
Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton’s Remarks to the UW Board of Regents
Theodore E. Long, President, Elizabethtown College
The Civic Renewal of Liberal Education
Carol Lucey, President, Western Nevada Community College
Higher Ed's Other Goals
David Maxwell, President, Drake University
The Drake Compact for the 21st Century
Robert A. Miller, President, Nazareth College
Narrowing the Liberal Arts Destroys Degrees' Value
Michael Mooney, Former President, Lewis & Clark College
The Value of the Liberal Arts
Gary Olson, Chair, Department of Political Science, Moravian College
Moravian College Commencement Address 2006
Stuart Rabinowitz, President, Hofstra University
Inaugural Address (excerpted)
Kevin P. Reilly, President, University of Wisconsin System
Keeping the Public in a Public University
Richard J. Scaldini, President, Hiram College
Ohio's Problem Isn't Braindrain; It's Myopia
Carol Geary Schneider, President, Association of American Colleges
and Universities
Liberal Education: A for Creativity; D- for Communication...
Liberal Education and America's Promise
Liberal Education: Employers' Views and Yours
Making Excellence Inclusive: Liberal Education and America's Promise
Robert A. Scott, President of Adelphi University
State of the University (pdf)
John Strassburger, President, Ursinus College
Who Owns Our Values? (pdf)
Daniel F. Sullivan, President, St. Lawrence University
What is Liberal Education? (August, 2005)
Opening Convocation Address (August, 2006)
Welcome and Remarks, Commencement (May, 2007)
Tim Sullivan, Vice President of Finance and Information Technology, Smiths Aerospace Components Fabrications - North America
Indiana State University LEAP Campus-Community Dialogue
Ronald R. Thomas, President, University of Puget Sound
Truth and Consequences: The Role of an Educated Person
Robert Weisbuch, President, Drew University
Inaugural Address -- April 28, 2006
Katherine Haley Will, President, Gettysburg College
The Liberal Arts in America and the Globe: This Old World Just Keeps Spinning Around
Elisabeth Zinser, President, Southern Oregon University
Our Place in the Sunlight: Oregon’s Contemporary Public Liberal Arts University
If you are a leader within the academy or outside it who has written an article or delivered a speech promoting the benefits of a practical and engaged liberal education or you have seen such a piece, please submit it for inclusion on this page to Ursula Gross (gross@aacu.org).
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