Academics Archives

The Danger of the Liberal Arts

“There is some danger in the liberal arts,” Dr. Fennell told us in that first lecture. “If you wanted to stay where you’re at, you should have become a dental hygienist.” I didn’t tell him that in my childhood, entering the world of cavities and dental chasms had been my modest aspiration. But something other than my idea of common sense propelled me into the astonishing world of Dr. Fennell’s classroom, and into an uncommon store of wisdom.

College Tips from a “Wise Fool”

Freshman year presents itself in a flurry of new faces, and unfamiliar routines. Freshman year will present challenges to all students. With this uncomfortable truth established, here are a couple of tips that might help.

The Joys of Hillsdale’s Theatre Department

When I auditioned, I wasn’t totally sure what to expect. I’d auditioned for plays before, but this was college. Surely the process would be far more competitive than anything I’d experienced so far. My audition was with a group of six other students and the talent I saw blew me away. I remember thinking that if I was up against them for parts, there was no way I’d be cast.

Why I Chose Hillsdale: Friendships and Contracts

At my Freshman Convocation, Dr. Arnn spoke of college not only as an institution of learning to foster wisdom and encourage virtue, but also as a contract. He explained that the word collegium, the Latin root word for “college,” was occasionally used in Roman culture similarly to the way we use the word “contract,” highlighting the nature of the relationship between student and teacher.

Welcome, Class of 2019!

Welcome to Hillsdale! We’re excited to meet you and to usher you into the tradition of education at Hillsdale College. It’s impossible to know exactly what your time at Hillsdale will look like, but I can assure you that it will be full of surprising challenges and blessings.

View of the Freshman Convocation attendees, outside.

What is the Freshman Pledge?

As an incoming student to Hillsdale College, the freshman pledge was a commitment to principles I already understood to be a crucial part of a liberal arts education. Hillsdale freshmen come to college with educational and moral standards already set in their lives. The freshman pledge does not contain concepts that are foreign to incoming students, and it is not for the sake of keeping students in line; it serves a greater purpose.

Beyond the Gate

I barely remember taking the Freshman Pledge during the Convocation ceremony at the beginning of the year. I do, however, remember the Convocation addresses given by seniors Morgan Delp and Matthew O’Sullivan. They spoke glowingly of Hillsdale, saying it was something special, sharing the types of guaranteed-to-please happy memories that one would expect to hear at an event attended by new students and parents, but nonetheless speaking earnestly and without any sentimental fluff.

The Truth, Goodness, and Beauty of Life as a Hillsdale Student

“The pursuit of truth, the love of the good, and the cultivation of the beautiful.” This is what every Hillsdale student promises to pursue when he or she takes the Freshman Pledge. The true, the good, and the beautiful are what Hillsdale is all about.

10 Things Students Should Know When Traveling Abroad

Passports are the most exciting things. They get you into strange and wild new places. They allow a smooth welcome back to the United States. The stamps and visas are like a “collect them all” for the nations of the world. Here are 10 things to know when planning your next overseas trip.

Biblical Narrative: The Summer Session to Take

Studying biblical narrative requires particular focus because of its unique challenges. As LaRae Ferguson explains, “I feel like we have to unlearn more things when studying the Bible than with other texts. We come to the Bible with many assumptions, primarily that it’s holy literature. We have to temporarily set those assumptions aside before we can bring them back and gain a richer understanding of the text.”

Reading Lists from English Majors

My summer reading list is quite extensive (and it just keeps growing), but here is a sampling.

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