Prescott
College is a unique institution, but at times we get so intensely sucked in by
our work that we forget to step back and recognize just how special it is.
After a tough semester full of research papers, essays, volunteering, and tons
of reading, I attended the undergraduate baccalaureate ceremony, where I had the privilege of hearing a dozen senior
projects presented in detail. Traditionally, a baccalaureate ceremony is given
by faculty or community leaders selected by the graduating class, but Prescott
College prides itself on being student-centered, and selected twelve students
to present their senior projects. This ceremony was a stunning reminder of just
how incredible and driven our students are, and how powerful the work they do
is.
One student
designed an eco-friendly building that is actually going to be built on campus
over the Summer. It is an outdoor classroom facility, complete with sustainable
materials, solar panels, passive solar heating and cooling, and a whiteboard/projector oscreen n
the inside.
Another
student did her interdisciplinary senior project at our Kino Bay center in
Mexico. She interviewed fishermen about the overfishing and degradation in the
bay, and also created a stunning photo exhibition to accompany their stories.
Instead of imposing her view on the matter, she strictly gave them a voice and
let them speak for themselves.
Another
student reexamined our wilderness orientation, and created an alternative
orientation option and a workshop to train the leaders of that orientation. It
will be implemented for the first time in the Fall.
These
Prescott College students had great ideas, but what makes these presentations
spectacular is that they truly put them into action. That building is actually
going to be built on campus over the summer, and that alternative orientation
is actually going to be implemented in the fall. At Prescott College, we learn
by doing… and we put our thoughts into action.
Ruby Teegarden 5.9.2013
