Chip Timmons - One more facet of our fall travel planning is our summer update sessions. We invite faculty and staff members to meet with the entire Admissions, Financial Aid, and Athletic staffs and provide updates on their respective offices/departments.  It's a great way for us to re-connect with old colleagues and as was the case yesterday, get to know some new ones.

Yesterday, we heard from Scott Crawford, Director of the Schroeder Career Services Center, and Gary Phillips, Dean of the College.  Scott just wrapped up his first year at Wabash while Gary just completed his first month.  

Scott and his team have made remarkable improvements to our career services program.  After listening to Scott, it's easy to understand how they accomplished so much in his first year.  "We're willing to help you with anything you need.  If you have an idea, the answer is 'yes'."

He introduced us to some of the new technology they've implemented this summer, their peer advisor program,  and provided some updates on the Class of 2006.  45% entered the work force, 45% will enter graduate or professional school, 5% accepted positions with the Peace Corps, Americorps, or other "bridge" programs, and the remaining 5% are looking or have yet to share what their plans are.

Scott also put in a plug for the Community Fair on Monday, August 28.  The event runs from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and is designed to introduce new students, faculty, and staff to all that's available in the Crawfordsville community.  

We concluded Monday's update session hearing from our new Dean of the College, Gary Phillips.  Gary shared his thoughts about the place of the liberal arts in higher education and the importance of community at Wabash.  

As an Wabash alum, Gary's words struck a cord with me.  I began to think about the relationships I developed with my friends, professors, coaches, etc. and how this community nurtured me during my undergraduate years.  

As an employee, I see that I'm now filling a role others filled for me while I was a student and what a rare opportunity we have working at Wabash.  We get to interact with some of the brightest young men in the world at a point in their lives when they are fully engaged in learning and developing an understanding of their place in the world.  

I left yesterday's sessions energized about the work ahead of me this year and looking forward to hearing from other colleagues later this week.