Posted on 01/10/2013 3:24:03 AM PST by Kaslin
My undergraduate studies took place at Presbyterian College, a liberal arts school of about 1,000 students in Clinton, S.C. The town was so small that you had to leave it to find a McDonald's or go to a movie.
The campus was picturesque. Old, tall oak trees, brick buildings, a lawn where students played Frisbee and football, a girls' freshman dorm that had shared bathrooms in the hall and no air conditioning. When I started, I knew only one other student (the previous year's valedictorian from my high school), but I gained many lifelong friends along the way.
While the college's social scene was fun and active, its faculty set the institution apart. The professors were focused on students and teaching rather than publishing; the class sizes were small enough that the professors knew exactly who you were and exactly what you could do. They knew how to inspire students to get the most out of them.
One of them was my academic advisor, Dr. Fred Chapman. He had served as chairman of the school's Business Department and academic dean. He first taught me in an introduction to economics class. His practice of asking students questions and his willingness to use his dry wit on any whose answers fell short ensured I arrived at his classes prepared.
Anyone caught talking would be the next to be questioned, and he often asked that the responses be delivered standing. No slackers were allowed in his classes. He favored the Socratic method, prizing critical thinking and successful argument over rote memorization.
During high school, I had been a quiet student who sat in the back of the class, hoping to be overlooked. But Chapman pulled me out of my comfort zone and pushed me to be more vocal and outgoing in my academic pursuits. Under his tutelage, my confidence grew in my ability to stake out a position and defend it.
He guided me in the selection of my major as well as my classes, and continually challenged me by moving the bar a little bit higher each time. His quick wit and bright smile, as well as his belief in me, helped me believe in myself.
Known for tough classes and tougher exams, Chapman continually warned us students that we would soon be entering the world of all 8 o'clock classes and no cuts. He said that, as hard as we might view college to be, we would find life after college to be harder and less forgiving (he was right). While I often cut other classes (almost any class located on the third floor of Neville Hall), I showed up for his -- no matter how early they started.
He made sure we knew he had high expectations for us. I remember fondly a reception where parents were mingling with the staff and students. My parents were visiting, and Chapman told them that I was running on six cylinders, even though I had eight. They both laughed and agreed, and I resolved to work harder. In his understated way, Chapman had found a way to compliment me and challenge me at the same time -- a perfect example of his genius.
It was not so much what he taught that left such a lasting impression. Instead, it was his belief in his students and his belief that, in a world of all 8 o'clock classes and no cuts, we would not only survive, but thrive.
The motto of Presbyterian College is Dum Vivimus Servimus, "While We Live We Serve." Fred Chapman died this week. While he lived, he served others, and helped us become better people along the way.
To Dr. Chapman, thank you for your belief in others and your unwavering belief that we could be more and do more.
A brilliant eulogy. Too bad college is no longer this way - I wish my daughters could have experienced/be experiencing such a way of college life. Well, actually my 3L at Washington and Lee seems to have this type of caring/socratic thinking faculty, although I would say her time as an undergrad at SUNY Albany (State University of New York) was NOT like this.
Any recommendations for colleges that retain this atmosphere from FReepers out there for the fourth daughter? She is a freshman in High School, an honors students, and is relatively good at math and science.
I am taking my 17-year-old high-school-junior daughter up to Hillsdale College in Michigan for a campus visit in about a week and a half. Hillsdale has that kind of good reputation.
I hope your daughter goes there! I wish I was young enough to go there!
I work at the Naval Academy and the environment is most certainly like this. Although it is required that the Professors MUST do research and requirements for tenure, they do take students first and the expectations are very high. Missing a class is NOT authorized EVER!
Best of luck to both of your children. I start my journey of children going to college in 3 1/2 years. It will be certainly exciting. I have four so I will have a ton of visits. lol. I want them to steer clear of my alma mater’s...Florida State and George Washington...Although my employer the Naval Academy would not be too bad but I always think it is not a good idea for your child to go to the same University or college that the parent works...but who knows.
My son is also a junior at an excellent Catholic high school known for its rigorous academic curriculum. While we are leaning towards sending him to an (authenitically)Cathoic college, Hillsdale is also on our list.
BTW, the Catholic college at the top of our list is Christendom College in Virginia.
Regards,
While eating lunch yesterday at Chick Filet in Salem Virginia, I saw a strikingly attractive girl wearing a shiny new Hillsdale sweat shirt.
Although famed, the sight of an actual student this fae south was very very unusual.
BTW...... the tortillia chicken soup is fantastic.
While eating lunch yesterday at Chick Filet in Salem Virginia, I saw a strikingly attractive girl wearing a shiny new Hillsdale sweat shirt.
Although famed, the sight of an actual Hillsdale student this far south was very very unusual.
BTW...... the tortillia chicken soup is fantastic.
During the 2011 football season, Presbyterian, for some reason, scheduled the UC Berkeley Golden Bears. The Bears won 63-12.
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