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“We don’t even know what skills may be needed in the years ahead. That is why we must train our young people in the fundamental fields of knowledge, and equip them to understand and cope with change. That is why we must give them the critical qualities of mind and durable qualities of character that will serve them in circumstances we cannot now even predict.”
John W. Gardner
President
Carnegie Foundation for Advancement of Teaching
Gardner’s words are as true today as they were when he first published “Excellence” in 1961. He was a leader, an activist, an author and a reformer, who understood the value of the liberal arts and sciences as a foundation for successful careers, but even more so as a preparation for life-long learning.
Liberal arts and sciences studies do not train students for specific jobs, but they do offer graduates tools that are adaptable and transferable to all professions. They are the skills that employers want and graduates need to be successful, both on the job and as local, national and global citizens. The National Association of Colleges and Employers’ Job Outlook 2003 survey of 1,339 employer members clearly showed that a liberal arts and sciences education can position graduates for success by offering a firm foundation in the transferable skills that employers rank as the most important, such as communication, honesty/integrity, teamwork skills, interpersonal skills, motivation/initiative; and a strong work ethic. In a world that is rapidly changing with each new discovery, obsolescence of technical skills is a foregone conclusion. but the ability to effectively communicate through written and spoken word, to analyze and synthesize information, to be open and adaptable to change and diversity, and to relate a variety of knowledge to a bigger picture will never be out of vogue. A liberal arts and sciences education helps students expand their worlds to prepare graduates to appreciate the beauty and challenge of life as individuals and as members of society throughout their lives.
In this issue of Arts & Sciences Today, we bring you the stories of CAS graduates who have utilized the skills they learned to make their marks in a variety of business, non-profit, and legal settings. We also take a look at some alumni who have left the “9 to 5” routine, but who remain active and challenged in retirement.
I invite you to read their stories and to share your own story with us. Every success, whether professional or personal, is a reason to celebrate with your arts and sciences family.
Kent Neely
Dean
