Saturday, December 22, 2012
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Monday, December 3, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Friday, November 16, 2012
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Monday, October 1, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Friday, August 31, 2012
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Friday, August 17, 2012
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Saturday, July 7, 2012
A Mini Monk's Tour of Western North Carolina Colleges
Several weeks ago in June I spent a week traveling the Western part of North Carolina. Starting in Charlotte and working our way out west to Asheville and beyond to God's country, I toured eleven private colleges and universities. I saw some beautiful scenery, some unusual creatures, and ate many a heavenly meal. Most days, even in the mountains were in the 90's.
Southern hospitality abounded at all of the educational institutions. My biggest challenge was reliving the days of dorm life. Only one night, the first one was spent in a hotel. After that it was a challenge to my creative and mental abilities to find creature comfort in spending the night in a dorm room. Needless to say, I now truly appreciate my two puffy pillows, my nice soft set of sheets, and my memory-foam mattress.
One soon forgets how much these simple things mean. Bare cinder block walls, hard plastic mattresses (to eliminate bedbugs!), one pillow, many times only one sheet, and one towel. Try making one little pillow feel like two big fluffy ones. Try taking a shower and washing your hair with one towel. The first night I needed to add about 12" to my legs. In order to get into the bed, I had to climb up on furniture. It was a long way down. Trying to keep middle-of-the-night trips to the potty to a minimum was important for my safety! The rocky desk chair that kept biting me every time I got near is not to be forgotten. I still have the bruises from it. Yes, I am a girly girl who needs my creature comforts.
The pool party that was going full throttle, in more ways than one, at the Charlotte hotel was also an eye opener. Having just been in Las Vegas, I thought that I had seen just about everything. People watching in the hotel lobby after the pool party made Las Vegas look modest--if you can believe that!
Now on to the schools. What did I see? We began in Charlotte at Queens University. This is my second visit to Queens. They are building a state-of-the-art science building (LEEDS Platinum Certified) and new student fitness center. The same dynamic president is running the show.There are wonderful study abroad opportunities through the John Belk Program. Queens is a school that is embracing its city environment.
Johnson C. Smith was our luncheon host. This is a HBCU located in Charlotte dating to 1867. This is best described as an ambitious work in progress. They are working to improve their retention rate, develop new majors, eliminate the Education major, strengthen freshmen academic skills, improve the safety of their campus and the surrounding neighborhoods. Blue Ocean Strategy was discussed relating to the competition among institutions of higher learning. This was an eye-opening presentation. New construction is designed to take advantage of commercial as well as residential useage of new buildings. Johnson C. Smith is trying to survive in the city.
We then moved on to Davidson College in Davidson. This is my second visit to this campus. Even with throngs of campers, it is still a lovely campus. Davidson offers a first-rate Southern education. They have some unique merit-based financial aid opportunities via The Davidson Trust. The atmosphere on this campus is governed by their strict Honor Code. Their motto is Explore. Connect. Engage.
A short drive from Davidson we arrived at Gardner-Webb University. Located in Boiling Springs, G-W is a Baptist institution. They stress their Christian environment with Christian faculty. Nursing, preaching, and teaching are their strong points .Home schooled students do well at this university. There is also a strong program to support students who are deaf, blind. or have learning differences.They offer an American Sign Language major. After enjoying a Greek-themed dinner and breakfast with faculty and staff the next morning, we traveled to Belmont Abbey.
Belmont Abbey College is located a short distance from Charlotte. They have a lovely, historic campus which shares its space with a monastery of Benedictine priests. Their acceptance rate for vet, pharmacy and graduate school is 100%. BA is the only Catholic college between Florida and Virginia on the East Coast. Their unique major is motorsports management. Their location is ideal to apply what is taught in this major. They are SAT/ACT test optional. Belmont Abbey has one of those dynamic presidents that you will not forget once you meet him! After lunch we were sent off with bags of gourmet flavored popcorn colored red and white just for our group.
We then traveled to Asheville and spent several hours touring the Biltmore Estate. Repeat visits always mean discovering something new about the house or the grounds. Then we went on to Brevard College, a Methodist institution, which is set in a quaint mountain town with lots of antique shops and restaurants. It is adjacent to Mt. Pisgah National Forest. We missed the Tuesday night square dancing on the town square. The town of Brevard is home to a passel of white squirrels. The live ones abound on the colleges campus. The town merchants display every other form of a white squirrel.
The campus has a lovely setting with mountains in the background and a babbling brook running through it.The architecture of The Village buildings, upperclassmen housing, have an Adirondack feel to them with their combination of wood and stone.
Evening was spent having a Southern Bar-B-Q meal at the President's House. Breakfast the next morning was spent with faculty who discussed their areas of expertise. The unique major that was described in detail is Wilderness Learning and Experiential Education. Through the courses one learns to focus on self and their relation to the environment.
Another unique program is Voices of the River. Students with two collaborative faculty go to the source of a river and follow it to the sea.
The motto at this school is Learn in order to serve--step in and stand out. This is a place for someone who loves the outdoors and wants to conquer the earth.
The midday stop was at Mars Hill College. This is a Baptist institution set in a small mountain town. Mars Hill is the oldest higher education institution on its original site in Western Carolina. Their goal is to grow in size and become the premiere Western Carolina private college institution. Education is their largest major and only masters program. They have the only zoology program in Western Carolina. Art therapy is also offered as an undergraduate major. There is a large staff to support
students with learning disabilities. A $3,000 scholarship is given upon admittance. Ethics are emphasized across all aspects of campus life. Mars Hill is for people who live and maintain life on the mountain.
Traveling a little further west we arrived at Montreat College. This Presbyterian institution was founded in 1916 on top of Black Mountain. It is another lovely campus with beautiful stone buildings set amongst the hillside. The extremely enthusiastic staff emphasized that faith and education are inseparable. Home schooled, Young Life, Fellowship of Christian Athletes all would embrace this campus. The campus is across the lake from the Presbyterian Conference Center. There is also a unique gift shop, Ten Thousand Villages. Always the shopper, I found several lovely handmade items for purchase. The items are created by individuals in developing countries.
The motto of this school is Christ-Centered--Student-Focused--Service-Driven. Montreat is for people who are celebrating the earth.
Our evening was spent at Warren Wilson College. This is truly one of the most unique colleges of the group that we visited. With a working farm (see the picture with this blog article), students are required to spend 15 hours per week working on an assigned work crew. Crew assignments can range from plumbing to farm work and whatever else it takes to keep the campus running in top shape. Warren Wilson is one of seven work colleges in the United States. The emphasis is on service, sustainability and environmental living.
They describe their admissions process as gentle and do not have an application fee. Students here want to change the world. Many students are a bit older than your traditional student. This is a place where some find themselves after other failed attempts. This is where the "flower people" can be happy. Warren Wilson students are people who love the earth.
I will always remember the delicious food that was served at Warren Wilson. It came either from their farm or from farms nearby. Just a few items: bowls of fresh, sliced peaches with homemade whipped cream and shortbread cookies (YUM!), watermelon salad (to die for), the freshest scrambled eggs (I think they just plucked them from the chickens that morning.) that I have ever eaten and scones as good as those in Ireland!!
Their gift to us was a burlap bag with their signature tree on the front. It was filled with homemade items: lip balm, a healing salve, a pack of homemade tea. This is a very unique place and perfect for the right person. It is truly a little piece of heaven.
Our afternoon stop was at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk. This is a Presbyterian institution. It is in a small mountain town surrounded by ski slopes. It is the highest Eastern United States campus. The campus is scattered with stone buildings made from native stone from North Carolina and adjacent states. There is a gorgeous waterfall and river area. This is a pet-friendly campus with housing provided. They house the only wildlife rehab program in the Eastern U.S. With rolling admission, a 2013-14 tuition freeze, and test optional admission, Lees-McRae seems very inviting. Education is their strong major. Outdoor studies is another unique major. Their next new major will be nursing.
Our final stop was at Lenoir-Rhyne, a Lutheran university, in Hickory. We were given an overwhelming welcome by a large number of staff members. A yellow bus with a welcome greeting and everyone's name was chalked on the sidewalk. L-R has a great marketing video that stars the bear mascot and his cheerleader girlfriend. Look it up on YouTube.
Community service is an integral part of this campus life. Their focus is on small class size with intimate faculty relations and to be a faith-based institution that is part of the surrounding community. Their is a book each year that everyone on campus will read. There is also a visiting writers society. Nicholas Sparks is their next writer coming to campus. Strong majors are education, nursing, business and English (writing.)
We were each given a cookbook from the campus chef. He created a lovely dinner for us with a salad that included figs from his mother's tree. Berry cake and dessert coffees were included . Breakfast featured crepes with fresh berries, whipped cream and chocolate sauce.
Does this sound like the gourmet trip through Western North Carolina?
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Monday, July 2, 2012
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Friday, June 8, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Thursday, April 12, 2012
On the Road Again in Tennessee
Several days were spent traveling between Nashville and Memphis. The main purpose of this trip was to visit seven schools and explore their program and/or services for students with learning differences (LD.)
If you want to study music and anything related to the music industry, Nashville is the place to go. Belmont University is set on the grounds of an old Southern estate. It has a beautiful setting with a diverse academic offering. The school owns their own music studios on Music Row. Some famous alum of their music industry major are Brad Paisley and Trisha Yearwood. Belmont is a medium- sized school hoping to cap enrollment at 7,000. There is a one-person disability staff with limited capabilities
Trevecca Nazarene also set in Nashville has a population of 1,000. They have a wonderful support system that is in place and continues to grow for LD students. Music is a strong component of their campus environment. Trevecca is a good fit for a student who needs a strong, supportive educational setting.
Vanderbilt University is also located in Nashville. As with so many schools that have arrived, little additional information was gained from my visit. They are ranked #1 in the US for their education major. They have limited resources for LD students. A very independent student might succeed at this institution.
O'More College of Design is in Franklin, Tn. Franklin is a lovely, little Southern town. Tucked away on an old estate, you will find a treasure. O'More is small, 200 students, with a very young academic staff. Their goal is to produce artists that find employment upon graduation.
The University of Memphis was the next stop. For a public institution, they had a strong staff with a wide variety of supports in place for an LD student. There are 17,000 undergraduates with only 10% living on campus. This is set in an urban environment with many varied programs. Fed Ex and the Kemmons family (Holiday Inn) founders have strong ties to this school and have contributed heavily.
Suwanee University, The University of the South is an experience unto itself. Set in the teeny, tiny town of Suwanee-- it is the town. It is lovely in all aspects of its campus. Prep school leading to the country club comes to mind. They still are tied to the Episcopal Church. There are many unique traditions such as gowning. If you are an LD student here, you would be hard-pressed to find many supports in place with the counseling center.
Rhodes College in Memphis was one of those that gets a star. It is one of the most beautiful campuses that I have visited. All of the schools were lovely. With the early onset of spring there were dogwoods and azaleas in bloom everywhere. Rhodes is one of the Colleges That Change Lives. It is set in Memphis right across from the zoo and many cultural amenities. They have a very small LD staff, one full-time person. You would need to be willing to use the resources throughout the campus. There is no central place for assistance. Rhodes is academically challenging. They offer 4-credit courses which meet 3 times a week.
No trip to Tennessee would be complete without a visit to Graceland. Our group visited Elvis' home, had dinner, entertainment, and dancing before we called it a long, long day.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Day Nine--Eckerd College
Yeah! The marathon is over. We got to spend a morning in St. Petersburg. This wonderful area has many things to explore--beaches, shops, museums. The Dali Museum was a worthwhile cultural experience.
This is my second visit to Eckerd College. The campus looks very similar. Now there is a new science building under construction and five pet dorms, instead of one.
Marine science is still their strong major. The Eckerd Edge allows recent graduates to come back and take four additional courses at no charge if it will assist them with gaining employment or admission to graduate school. Their freshmen orientation program of three weeks in length has won awards.
Writing portfolios are mandatory for all graduates. General education credits are fulfilled through their prospective groups. Community service learning, study abroad, and green initiatives define this campus. Students are also required to attend 16 program series events. These are a variety of cultural events.
Traveling the campus is done on a yellow bike. Need one, just pick up the closest one that you can find.
Saturday proved to be a good time to visit and see a large student body on campus involved in many activities from a rugby game to waterfront activities. I really liked what I saw and heard on this campus. They have a vision to specialize in undergraduate education with a goal of producing a well-rounded, involved global citizen. They are succeeding quite well! They really do live up to the label of one of the Colleges That Change Lives.
ThinkOUTside is their motto and it is certainly true. The unique large white tented pavilions are used for many things including outdoor dining and recreation.
If you don't need Greek, and you want to have some life-altering educational experiences, consider Eckerd .
DAY Eight --Saint Leo University and University of Tampa
Saint Leo's University is the epitome of a campus with Florida architecture with its lakeside setting and widely-spaced red tiled roofs on its buildings. This would be a good choice for a student who needs few distractions. Basically there is very little around St. Leo's except a beautiful view. It is the largest Catholic college in Florida and it is also the oldest college in Florida.
They are generous with their financial aid. For non-Florida residents, you receive $2,000 each year.
This is a good option for an average student who needs academic support and few distractions.
It is test optional with about 1800 undergrads on campus and a hope to grow to 3,000. They are also trying to grow from 35% out-of-state to 50%. Their biggest majors are business, education, criminal justice, biology, and a variety if pre-professional programs.
With enrollment you are given a new laptop. LEAP is their program for at-risk students. They have two professional staff members to assist LD students.
New construction includes a business building. The interiors of the building are refreshing, clean, and up-to-date.
University of Tampa
Tampa is set in a small urban setting. Since my visit several years ago, no remarkable changes were apparent to me. My campus tour offered the opportunity to explore parts of the campus that I had not seen on my prior visit.
All 50 states represented on this campus. Strong majors are marine science, education, nursing, film and media arts, dance and musical theater. Dance will soon become a major with the addition of additional staff.
Things that identify UT are experimental learning, travel abroad and research.
I had several good experiences on this campus. I got to explore the fine arts facilities and meet s dance professor. After dinner a small group of us stayed on campus to attend a dance program. It offered a variety of dance numbers, each of them excellent. The house was packed. Footloose was the final number. I'll always remember this inspiring event.
The bad experience was the professor who sat at my table at dinner. Everything revolved around him. Their was no conversation with the other five seated at the table. Pity the student who gets him. Compassion and understanding was never mentioned.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Day Seven-- Stetson University and Florida Southern
Stetson University wins the prize for most improved. It is amazing the transformation that has occurred since I last visited. The grounds are well-manicured with beautiful landscaping. It reminds me of Elon in appearance.
The primary emphasis at Stetson is to produce citizens who are not only engaged in research, but involved in the community. They want to produce students who will make a difference in the world.
Having met faculty, students, administrators and the President, each seems truly dedicated and excited about their learning community.
Some unique opportunities include music scholarships to non-music majors, the Bonner Scholars Program, student participation in the service-dog program New Horizons.
Pet friendly dorms are now available on campus. The next big new thing is Division I non- scholarship football coming in 2013.
Florida Southern College in Lakeland is truly by a lake. You can get a dorm room with a vista lake view. Their campus was named "The Most Beautiful US Campus" by The Princeton Review. The oldest part of the campus was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Many of the newer buildings also reflect this same architectural style.
Their motto is " Learn It, Live It, Own It, Love It. " There is a four-year residential requirement. Each student is guaranteed an internship and a study abroad experience. They describe their curriculum as transformational. Self-designed majors are the norm .
They have a diverse population. Lots of school spirit is evident in their gym with " The Viper Pit." Greek houses are on campus. Student Greek participation is 30-40%.
Strong majors are business, education,, nursing, fine arts.
Day Six -- Flagler College
Flagler College earns the crown jewel of colleges for the tour at this point. Situated in America's oldest city, Saint Augustine, it has breathtaking interiors in its historic buildings. Tiffany windows and a Harry Potter-type dining facility are some of the wonderful historical elements found on this campus.
This is a good fit for your middle-of-the-road student, not only academically, but socially. If you are a history buff, this place would be paradise. Also it is only 5 minutes from the beach.
This is a good fit for your middle-of-the-road student, not only academically, but socially. If you are a history buff, this place would be paradise. Also it is only 5 minutes from the beach.
Flagler is one of the few campuses that I have visited recently with no coed dorms. It is also a dry campus. If you are looking for the party scene, this may not be the place for you.
Some strong and unique majors: Business, communications, education, deaf education. This is not for science or math majors.
The best part of this the price tag--$22,500! WOW!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Day Five Embry-Riddle and Jacksonville University
Do you want to fly the skies? Then Embry Riddle Aeronautical University is for you. It is situated adjacent to the Daytona International Speedway and the Daytona Airport. There has been a lot of new construction since my last visit five or so years ago.
"Harvard of the Skies" is the place to go for aeronautical engineering and aeronautical science. There is a small number of females, a good number of non-traditional students, and quite a few foreign students in attendance.
The facilities are modern and up-to-date. Labs that you will see on no other campus are here.
Jacksonville University has an abundance of resources in the city and on the river. With it's new state-of-the art facility for its marine science program, it's a winner. New enhancements along the river include a beach, running track and more to come.
They have an aeronautical major in the School of Business, nursing with a gigantic lab, a school of fine and performing arts, just to name a few. New with the freshmen class of 2012 is a guarantee to graduate in 4 years.
If you want a diverse campus, with a small undergrad population (2400) in a small urban setting, with a variety of majors, consider JU.
They are forming a marching band. Do you play and can you march?
Monday, February 13, 2012
Day Four FIT and Rollins
The weather is slowly warming up and the sun is shining. Watching the sun rise on the Atlantic Ocean this morning was too beautiful.
Florida Institute of Technology was our first stop. First we toured the aviation center which includes 55 airplanes. Then we moved on to their main campus. Bring your bike and skateboard. There are a large variety of majors, but engineering and aviation are strong here. With a price tag near $50,000, you have a smaller student body with less students in each class.
Their sports list is growing with swimming and diving, and football and lacrosse on the way. Some other things of interest -- a noted botanical garden, Florida's largest telescope, The Scott Center for Autism
Rollins College is one of the most beautiful campuses with its Spanish architecture. Arches, flowers, Virginia Lake, a private beach, a pool that reminds you of a country club are part of the campus. Preppy, attractive students abound. With a 10 to 1 student to faculty ratio and a class maximum of 24, the Socratic form of class works well. Study abroad is extremely popular.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Day Three Nova Southeastern University
What a surprise! Having never heard of this school, this is one that will gain a place on my Remember List.
The campus is ultra-modern with larger-than-life marble-fronted buildings surrounded by decorative fountains. Vision 2020 is the goal to become the premiere research undergraduate university. Their undergraduate enrollment goal is 7,000 to 8,000 on their main campus.
The panel of faculty who spoke to our group showed such care and compassion. They were very impressive!
Think of a super-sized High Point University and then you've got it.
Day Two of the Sunshine Tour
Barry University is located in Miami Shores. It is a Dominican Catholic institution with a very diverse student population. Learn--Reflect--Serve is their motto.
A variety of majors. Nursing will accept 75 in a new class. Diving industry is a unique major
A very good support service is in place with free professional tutors. COWS program is in place for LD students with a fee.
Set in a less desirable neighborhood, surrounded by black iron gates and a campus a little worn around the edges is part of what I remember.
Johnson & Wales University is located in North Miami. An urban campus with new buildings, it has a diverse student body. The SAT is not required. There are a variety of majors in the College of Business, Hospitality, and Culinary Arts. There are also a potpourri of degrees from AA to Masters. Golf management is offered exclusively on this campus. Other campuses include Providence, Denver, and Charlotte .
This is the place for a very career-oriented student. The small student population of 2100 has limited facilities for extracurricular activities
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Day One of the Sunshine Tour
Liquid sunshine followed us most of today. Northwood University in West Palm Beach was our first stop. This is the place for those who want a degree in business with a strong ethics component. The campus has a business- complex feel to it. The modern, sleek buildings are centered around a lake. Around 800 students attend, with a division among Florida, other states and foreign students.
Two distinct majors are Aftermarket Management and Automotive Management and Marketing . General education credits are integrated in to business classes. They have begun a new program which is a combined Bachelors/Masters degree in 4 years. Their motto is "Discover the leader in you. Many of the professors come from industry and do not have advanced degrees.
Lynn University was the next stop. Known for its strong support program, the Institute for Achievement and Learning, provides a nurturing environment for it's students. Founded in 1962 it is now led by the son of its founding President. Lynn has a large foreign student population.
Two distinct majors are Aftermarket Management and Automotive Management and Marketing . General education credits are integrated in to business classes. They have begun a new program which is a combined Bachelors/Masters degree in 4 years. Their motto is "Discover the leader in you. Many of the professors come from industry and do not have advanced degrees.
Lynn University was the next stop. Known for its strong support program, the Institute for Achievement and Learning, provides a nurturing environment for it's students. Founded in 1962 it is now led by the son of its founding President. Lynn has a large foreign student population.
Their 3.0 program allows students to graduate in 3 years.
They have received recognition for their core curriculum program with an emphasis on writing and critical thinking. There is a required freshmen citizenship project which involves working with community organizations such as Habitat for Humanity. Another unique program is their music conservatory.
Lynn is taking active measures to personalize their campus for potential and current students.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
On The Road Again
On Thursday, 2/9, I leave for my ten-day tour of Florida. I'll keep you posted as I tour the colleges on The Sunshine Tour. Hope to have lots to share with everyone.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
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