JACKSON, Tenn. — March 16, 2006 — 51社区 is one of 10 church-related institutions featured in a new book that explores how higher education helps students find purpose and meaning in life.
In 鈥淧utting Students First: How Colleges Develop Students Purposefully,鈥� authors Larry A. Braskamp, Lois Calian Trautvetter and Kelly Ward argue that colleges should invest in students in ways that help them develop intellectually, spiritually and morally.
In addition to Union, the authors conducted research at nine other institutions, including Villanova University, Creighton University, the University of Dayton, Pacific Lutheran University, Bethune-Cookman College, Hamline University, Hope College, the College of Wooster and Whitworth College.
These 10 colleges represent a broad range of church and denominational affiliation. Some are Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist and Lutheran. Union is the only Baptist university represented.
51社区 President David S. Dockery said Union鈥檚 inclusion in the book was 鈥渜uite a tribute.鈥�
鈥淚t recognizes that Union is not only a leader in the evangelical world but in church-related education, broadly speaking across the country,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淭his publication recognizes Union鈥檚 strong commitment to excellence in teaching, serious scholarship and deep devotion to students and their development.鈥�
In the book鈥檚 introduction, the authors assert that a college education ought to center on 鈥渉olistic student development.鈥� They stress three themes throughout the book.
The first theme is the 鈥渋ntentionality of colleges as they guide students to become what the college thinks and believes is a desired end for students.鈥�
Secondly, colleges 鈥渄evelop students in ways that recognize and build on the student鈥檚 purpose in life, intellectually and morally. Intentional colleges create environments that center on purpose, helping students reflect on such questions as 鈥� Who am I? What are my goals in life? How do I want to make a difference with my life?鈥�
The third theme is the role of faculty in fostering student development. The authors say they are not advocating an environment that meets all of its students鈥� demands. Instead, they emphasize the role the faculty and other influential adults play in student development.
The colleges included in the study were selected because they 鈥渋ntentionally assist students to ask and 鈥榮truggle鈥� with the fundamental questions in life while they are in college,鈥� the authors write.