Liberal education has provided a broad foundation for the fulfillment of the lives of many of its recipients. It has provided students with skills that help meet the needs of society, and it has contributed to the accomplishments of many in diverse fields. And yet a number of observers in recent years have articulated various challenges that liberal arts colleges face today. One of these challenges is the charge that a liberal education fails to prepare students adequately for applying their education to become powerful contributors to society, to become agents of positive change.
We believe that the incorporation of innovation and entrepreneurship into liberal arts curricula represents both a natural and a productive strategy that responds to these criticisms. Lawrence University has recognized the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in the liberal arts curriculum for several years. The Implementation Plan for the 2010–2020 Strategic Plan includes the following directives for the Curriculum Committee:
“Embrace and capitalize on the idea that our liberal arts education provides a strong foundation for innovative and entrepreneurial activity.”
“Expand the Innovation and Entrepreneurship program to other areas.”
We believe that the traditional liberal education continues to serve students exceedingly well. It continues to provide a strong foundation for students who wish to become major contributors to society and the economy. At the same time, a stronger emphasis on the following topics would help catalyze the process of producing accomplishments and results built upon liberal education:
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Help students identify and pursue personal passions;
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Take liberal education to the realm of action;
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Combine knowledge from different disciplines to solve problems;
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Practice rhetoric: cogently formulate and persuasively deliver ideas;
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Collaborate in teams.
