Now that July has passed, in cities and towns all across America students are preparing to enter or return to college campuses. This pilgrimage to institutes of higher learning, with Washington College among the first, has endured since the founding of this country.
Today, in its 230th year, Washington College has 1450 students, close to 55 of which are from nations around the world. Approximately 400 freshmen will be welcomed to its historic and hallowed halls.
Dr. William Smith, leading founder and advocate for the “College at Chester” had challenges raising funds to support the institution, finally resorting to a lottery to secure enough to get the college started and functioning. Dr. Smith traveled the entire Eastern Shore on horseback asking for financial support from planters and merchants.
The college suffered a disastrous fire in 1827, when the entire campus was destroyed. For a number of years classes were held in rented homes and buildings. The college finally opened its doors again on College Hill in 1845.
As students and faculty return to college campuses this fall, many institutions face shrinking balance sheets. This results in increased tuition and heavy long term debt for students. This trend is not healthy for our country and the leaders we are educating for tomorrow. These factors are a blight on our nation and a reality for too many colleges and students as well.
Yet a college education, and I believe a liberal arts education, is essential in producing good, informed, contributing citizens, as it is for many today who must find a second career or use these acquired skills in their latter years.
It is essential for alumni, both old and new, to support their colleges. If percentages of class giving increase, college budgets can be healthier, tuitions can remain at more reasonable levels, and students can have less significant debt. Parents will also feel some relief from their commitments, support and sacrifices.
Next spring at commencement time I will celebrate my 50th year as an alumna of Washington College. Yet my loyalty and support remain. My college years and the lessons and values I learned at Washington College have lasted a lifetime.
As that event becomes nearer, and the campus readies for this falls activities, I am remained of a short poem I wrote after visiting campus several falls ago:
Returning to Campus
Walking familiar hallways
Exploring new ones
Remembering rooms and faces from long ago
Feeling old, yet young in spirit
Realizing how fast time passes
Yet memories always linger
Memories which grow fonder with age
As campuses across the land open anew, let us hope our traditions will continue and our efforts to reach new educational heights and understandings remain a central component of the American dream.
Fletcher R. Hall is Chairman & CEO of F.R. Hall, a public relations and corporate relations company with offices in Chestertown and Potomac, Maryland. He is a graduate of Washington College, class of 1963.
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