Drexel University is one of the most prominent institutions for higher learning in Pennsylvania for a multitude of reasons, chiefly its history, educational programs, urban location and remarkable architecture. Founded in 1891, Drexel remains a landmark in the great city of Philadelphia. Located a few blocks outside the city’s center is the university’s principal structure known today as the Main Building, which is situated at 31st and Chestnut. The university shares geographic proximity with the prestigious University of Pennsylvania among several educational and community partnerships. Founded on the basis of philanthropy by Philadelphia native the late great Anthony J. Drexel, the university remains one of the greatest institutions ever …show more content…
Majority, if not all, the institutions created prior to Drexel University were founded and operated by the ecclesiastical board. Anthony J. Drexel envisioned an institution where men and women could learn and advance with the changing dynamics of society, irrespective of their individual socioeconomic status. He fully believed that education and its attainability coupled with affordability and diversity was the only way forward and to ensure the city’s survival in a changing world. As a result of this idea, Drexel made a strategic decision to build the university at the epicenter of the city’s industrialized zone: the heart of Philadelphia amongst the plethora of factories, manufacturing plants and railroad. Though a strong and robust technical institute was created as a result of this vision, Drexel firmly believed that it is of equal importance to not only educate students based on industry (electrical, manufacturing), but to also teach them the arts and other sciences to achieve a well-rounded graduate. History in conjunction with cultures of the world was also an important part of the curricula. Drexel’s overall vision involved creating graduates who not only become technically educated and therefore land and sustain a job in the industry, but also compassionate, educated, and civic-minded members of society. These are people with a love and passion for the betterment of their fellowmen and are not afraid of changing
It may come as no surprise to some that a quality education has the power to provide, for those who seek it, the opportunity of personal and professional transformation. It can be said that a society which encourages higher education is more likely to yield a population of individuals who are civic minded and purposeful as opposed to a society which does not. In an article entitled “What Can College Mean? – Lessons from the Bard Prison Institute, author Ellen Condiffe Lagemann supports the importance of a liberal arts education but also presents the case that quality education in the United States is not available to all.
During the 1800s our country was experiencing a significant push for progress and innovation. Businesses were booming as a result of the Industrial Revolution, and the nation was facing the struggles that come with racial controversy. The need for education was considerable; however, higher education was limited to only prestige individuals. Moreover, the only colleges were either private or faith-based, making it even more difficult for working class citizens to be admitted. Justin Smith Morrill, a Republican legislator from Vermont, recognized this demand and initiated a plan to increase accessibility to advanced curriculum. Morrill pushed the idea to organize public institutions that offered agriculture and mechanic education and training. His emphasis on more practical skills instead of the arts was faced with much opposition. Angered legislators feared that creating A&M colleges would deplete the budget and jeopardize the integrity of established universities. They also expressed their view that the government should not make decisions regarding higher education. Among those who resisted Morrill’s proposal was President James Buchanan, who vetoed Morrill’s original plans in 1857. Fortunately, Justin Morrill would gain another supporter during the following presidential election.
For almost two hundred years, Historically Black Colleges and Universities or HBCUs have played a pivotal role in the education of African-American people, and negro people internationally. These schools have provided the majority of black college graduates at the Graduate and Post-Graduate level; schools such as Hampton University, Morehouse University, Spellman University and Howard University are four universities at the forefront of the advanced education of blacks. For sometime there has been a discussion on whether or not these institutes should remain in existence or if they are just another form of racism. There were also concerning the quality of education provided at these institutions. In my opinion, from the evidence provided in our own world today, HBCUs are very important and significant in the education of black people throughout the nation, and are essential to our society.
I always wanted to attend to an important college. To me, that meant that the smartest people has to be there and one that had good reputation. After research and research I understood that my life have changed since I got to the United States. As an international student my opportunities were less, since I do not qualify for financial aid. My choices were less, but i realized that that does not stop me in going to college and prepare myself to be someone in life. I do not need to be at the most important college to prove myself how worth it I am. A two-year community college would let me prepare myself for much less cost and with great opportunities. Glendale Community College a small college would be the best place for me as a student. It is a place where I can get more attention for the teachers and I could pursue my career in medicine.
In recent years, many have debated whether or not a college education is a necessary requirement to succeed in the field of a persons’ choice and become an outstanding person in society. On one hand, some say college is very important because one must contribute to society. The essay Three Reasons College Still Matters by Andrew Delbanco shows three main reasons that students should receive their bachelor’s degree. On the other hand, many question the point of wasting millions of dollars on four years or maybe more to fight for highly competitive jobs that one might not get. Louis Menand wrote an article based on education titled Re-Imagining Liberal Education. This article challenges the main thought many americans have after receiving a secondary education. Louis Menand better illustrates the reasons why a student should rethink receiving a post secondary education better than Andrew Delbanco’s three reasons to continue a person’s education.
Even before the eve of the Revolution, the colonists constantly had the image of independence lingering in the back of their heads. The colonists felt that they were first on a loose leash, and as that leash tightened over the years, the colonists began to understand their true culture and identity. As time passed, the colonists developed a greater sense of their identity and unity as Americans and by the eve of the Revolution, even though at first the colonists were unorganized and had problems with being united, they remained determined to gain their identity and unity as Americans.
How imperative is it that one pursues a traditional college experience? Although it might appear that Charles Murray and Liz Addison are in agreement that the traditional college experience is not necessary for everyone, Addison provides a more convincing argument that higher education is necessary in some form. This is seen through Addison’s arguments that college is essential to growing up, that education is proportional to the life one lives, and that community college reinvents the traditional college experience. Not only does Addison have her own opinions about college, but Murray does as well.
Williamson-Lot, Joy Ann. “The Battle over Power, Control, and Academic Freedom at Southern Institutions of Higher Education, 155-1965.” Journal of Southern History 79.4 (2013): 879-920. Academic Search Premier. Infohio. Web. 28 Feb. 2014.
This shift in university life has caused the emergence of a more focused and hard-working student body. There are those from past generations who will look at the happenings of colleges today and ridicule this change. And even after moving through the nostalgic haze that surrounds the memories of the past, the differences can still be seen, but it should be known that today's students are just adapting to the system that has already been established for them. This systematic change is to be expected. Considering that the world is not the same as it was in the 1960s, why would we assume that an institution would be exactly the same as it was
...hance the College Experience." Student Life. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2011. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 27 July 2011.
In order to fully understand the importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities as well as the importance of their preservation and need for continuation, one...
...Duke does not mention the necessity for liberal arts education in addition to science and math to enhance the creative mind and global competitiveness. Duke University however does agree with Friedman that the United States’ engineers and scientists are under-paid and under-valued which creates a lack of excitement or drive for students to graduate in the sciences. Duke University and Friedman agree that increased excitement, increased education strategies, funding along with ambition can create the American dream and increase individual and global competitiveness. (Wadhwa, 2007)
Roebuck, J. B., & Murty, K. S. (1993). Historically Black colleges and universities: Their place in American higher education. Westport, CT: Praeger.
Louis Menand, a professor of English and American literature at Harvard University presented three different theories for higher education in an article for The New Yorker named, Live and Learn: Why We Have College. Menand (2011) claims that the reasons for college are meritocratic, democratic, and vocational. These theories are great models for the purpose of higher education in our culture, at different points in our history. As a nation, there are definite intentions behind the way that instruction is conducted in our colleges and universities. The techniques adopted by institutions of higher education are no mistake and they are designed to serve a purpose. These methods evolve with time and shape the way that generations think and reason. In our generation, the purpose of higher education in our culture is to sustain the nation atop of the worldwide economy.
Rich people assume that College is important, but it is not a one way ticket to success, and happiness. However, Middle class people believe that education is important to be successful in the future. Education for middle class student is an important tool that is applied in the modern world to succeed, as it reduces the challenges, which are faced in life. “With nearly half of the nation 's undergraduates enrolled in community colleges,…….are playing an increasingly important role in higher education.”(David Hosansky). The information gained through education allows individuals’ future life to be optimally utilized due to training of the human mind. This eventually opens doors of opportunities for individual to achieve better chance in career growth. Education has played a major role in the modern industrial world. “This is attributed to the fact prospective employees must be qualified adequately to perform various tasks effectively.”(David Hosansky) Industries entail resources that are sufficiently equipped with the modern technology to suit the needs and wants of the society. This makes education to become a norm for services in all industrial