Thursday, May 31, 2007
Not just a girls school . . .
So, my alma mater, founded as Randolph-Macon Woman's College, is admitting 57 men this coming fall. I am actually in favor of this decision, though I am sad to see the institution change so much. It came down to revising the admittance policy or going under. (The underlying issue is that we have fallen way under capacity for the past decade or more. We simply need more students and this is a good way to get them. Not just men, but women as well.) The emphasis of the curriculum is changing to a global perspective and we are adding several graduate programs in education. Who knows, I might end up back there someday!
It will be a strange next four years as these men and their classmates work out the new status quo. I had the pleasure of meeting one of them, Adam, who will graduate from King George High School in a week. I was subbing for one of his classes. We were both bowled over and unsure about how to approach the situation. But I enjoyed talking to him and officially welcoming him as an alum to a new student. It was a good feeling and it gives me hope. Still, it will be odd for him. I had hundreds of mentors in the form of alums and fellow students. Who will he turn to? It will take openess and a sense of humor, but I think we'll all be fine.
It will be a strange next four years as these men and their classmates work out the new status quo. I had the pleasure of meeting one of them, Adam, who will graduate from King George High School in a week. I was subbing for one of his classes. We were both bowled over and unsure about how to approach the situation. But I enjoyed talking to him and officially welcoming him as an alum to a new student. It was a good feeling and it gives me hope. Still, it will be odd for him. I had hundreds of mentors in the form of alums and fellow students. Who will he turn to? It will take openess and a sense of humor, but I think we'll all be fine.
