The liberal arts make us free

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Rolf_Wegenke_PhD Rolf_Wegenke_PhD
WAICU President Rolf Wegenke, Ph.D.

I would like to talk about the liberal arts. The liberal arts are not just found at liberal arts colleges, and they are not just the “core courses.” The liberal arts also do not refer to the left side of the political spectrum.

The word “liberal” and the word “liberty” have the same root. I would argue then that the liberal arts make us free. A liberal arts education, worthy of the name, will help you to learn to transcend the boundaries of your discipline or major and to make connections, so you see more. A liberal arts education worthy of the name will help you to “see through” political and commercial advertising, so you choose better. A liberal arts education worthy of the name will help you to prepare to make independent judgements, to lead with the heart of the servant, so you will do more. A liberal arts education worthy of the name will help you to rightly value the wisdom of the past and today’s and tomorrow’s new insights and innovations, so you will have more.

Moreover, what every parent wants to know, a liberal arts degree will help you get a good job, and a good job can be a route to independence and more liberty. A national survey shows that employers most value the five Cs: creativity, critical reasoning, communication, collaboration, and character. A liberal arts education worthy of the name will help you develop all five.

The liberal arts will make you free.