For many decades, even centuries, liberal education has been thought of as the gold standard of higher learning. But current economic trends and pressures have led many observers to question the usefulness of a liberal education and the viability of the liberal arts college.
- How should liberal education and liberal arts colleges adapt to a changing society?
- Is it time to revise our notions of what a liberal education means? Or, on the contrary, is it time to return to what a liberal education used to mean?
- Is online education a threat to liberal education, or is it to be embraced as part of the solution?
- Is the financial model of liberal arts colleges viable? If not, how should it be changed?
- Do the governance structure and organizational model of liberal arts colleges need radical reform?
We, the organizers at Lawrence University, hope that some creative answers will emerge from our day-long, intensive conversation and the collaborations that follow.
Garth Bond, John R. Brandenberger, Scott Corry, Craig L. Gagnon, Adam Galambos, David Gerard, Monica Rico and Timothy X. Troy