|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
05.02.07
From left, Josh Grimm, Jenny Blakely, Jennifer Duncan, Courtney Gates and Zach Davis participated in the student panel discussion on Erskine's mission.
Student panel discusses Erskine College mission A group of student panelists discussed the Erskine College mission during convocation this week in Lesesne Auditorium. Erskine Executive Vice President and Dean Dr. Donald Weatherman was the moderator of the panel, which consisted of students Jenny Blakely, Zach Davis, Jennifer Duncan, Courtney Gates and Josh Grimm. First, Weatherman asked, "Do you think Erskine's mission is being executed well? If so, how is it being done well? If not, what would you change?" Grimm said yes and no, that there are several mission statements and the mission should be more clear, academic discipline by academic discipline. Blakely said she believes Erskine carries out its mission well. "I think most Erskine students do strive to integrate their faith with their pursuit for knowledge," she said. She also said students are encouraged to ask questions, for example, in Bible classes, and professors respect students' opinions or thoughts. Duncan said she thinks the mission is being carried out and that the integration of faith and reason is taking place. "I haven't felt stifled in being able to talk about God," she said. Gates said she doesn't think the mission is being "articulated well," and there is no strategy communicated about student responsibility in carrying out the mission. "Students have to take ownership of that mission," she said. It is students' responsibility to seek God in all that they do by respecting their professors and being diligent in their studies, Gates said. Davis said Erskine exists to provide students with an education, but allows freedom within the academic setting. "You have the freedom to learn what you want to learn," he said. Weatherman next asked the students, "What do you think a Christian liberal arts education ought to look like?" Davis said a Christian liberal arts education should not look different from a secular liberal arts education, other than being a "better education." He said a liberal arts education should be diverse and overarching. Gates said she thinks a Christian liberal arts education should look "radically different" from a secular liberal arts education in that it deals with an entire lifestyle based on God's truth. "For me, a Christian liberal arts education is primarily defined by a freedom of study," Blakely said. "The purpose of this education is to explore all disciplines, in hopes of expanding the mind to encompass all possibilities of our world." She said the Christian part of the liberal arts education comes from the focus on the individual. "Here, I have never had a class that exceeded 30 students, and I have never had a class where a professor failed to learn my name," Blakely said. "When I broke my back as a second-week freshman, I was able to finish my semester because I had professors who worked very hard to help me." "One of the key assumptions should be that all reality is under the lordship of Jesus Christ under the authority of Scripture," Grimm said. "A Christian liberal arts education is striving for a different end. The goal should be to make us into whole persons who can flourish in our vocations for the glory of God." Weatherman asked the students, "How does being a Christian influence the way you think about your academic discipline?" Grimm said as a Bible and philosophy major, he is presented with a contrast, as philosophers believe reason is all that's needed in seeking truth, that God's guidance is not needed. Blakley said, "I do not agree with any scientist who would suggest that faith in God is ignorance, nor do I appreciate those who would suggest that Christianity cannot accept scientific enhancements that give insight into God's creation." Duncan said science and her faith are not diametrically opposed to each other. She said she is amazed by how God put such attention into every detail of His creation. Gates said her faith is part of why she's studying to be a scientist. She said she believes God calls people to explore His creation as an "act of worship." Davis said the goal of a Christian is the arrival of knowledge of the truth – "the truth of the Lord." Finally, Weatherman asked students, "How do we develop genuine Christian commitment in the classroom?" Davis said Colossians 3:23 provides instructions about that question: "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritances as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." He said the verse is directed to laymen, not ministers, and applies to anyone in any vocation and "it is our duty as Christians to be the best we can be." Gates said Christian commitment in the classroom is defined by students' conduct in the classroom. "That's what determines excellence in learning," she said. "Our commitment is determined by our effort…How much can I learn?"
|
Search | Netnews Home | College Home | Seminary Home | Academics | Alumni | Athletics | Mission | The Gold Campaign | The Drummond Center | |
Trouble viewing this e-mail? Go to: |
