Mountaintop Learning for CUI Bono
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E H Inside... T Opinion From British Eyes Only pg. 2 Campus Astronomy Class pg. 3 oncordia Arts Hymnfest Recap pg. 5 Local/Global Getty Villa Trip pg. 6 Everything Eagles Top Ten pg. 7 ourierInvestigate. Inform. Ignite. Involve. Volume 7, Issue 4 Concordia University Irvine Tuesday, October 9, 2012 Mountaintop learning Adults return to earn degrees BRITTANI NAGY to-face meetings are held on campus and are either for CUI Bono STAFF WRITER weekday evenings or weekends. “This program is amazing. It really gives adults a way to go back to TAYLOR WELLS ting than a classroom where you’re counting on a This fall, Concordia’s Adult Degree Program school but not compromise their current schedule STAFF WRITER grade,” Reade said. (ADP) celebrates its 10th year of success as a place or family time. They can still go to their full time The close proximity of professors and students for adult students to achieve a higher education. job and their kid’s activities,” said Kellie Playter, In- To anyone unfamiliar with the program, “CUI fostered mutually edifying relationships based on “To make the decision to go back to school structor in both the Healthcare Management and Bono” may sound like an awkward juxtaposition academics and insight. “CUI Bono gives faculty is a huge step for the adult students,” said Paul J. Communication Studies programs. of syllables. But for students, it is an “academic so- an opportunity not only to get to know students Marquardt, Assistant Dean, School of Business The courses are taken one class at a time in a ciety on campus,” as four-year CUI Bono partici- better, but also to get more deeply into their dis- and Professional Studies and Assistant Professor cohort style. “The adult students start and finish pant, Mark Duerr, senior, described it. Pronounced ciplined conversations with each other,” said Dr. of Professional Studies. “This program is really an the program together, class by class. Most classes “kwee boe know,” its name is derived from a Latin James Bachman, Dean of Christ College Grad outreach to the 21st century student.” are capped at 20 students,” said Playter. The ADP phrase roughly translated as “who stands to ben- Studies. The ADP was established in 2002 for adult is advantageous because it not only gives them the efit?” For CUI Bono, the students’ benefit is the Dr. Susan Bachman, Assistant Dean of Arts and students, typically age 21 and over, to accomplish professor’s teaching, but also the experiences of the priority. This program develops well-rounded and Sciences, said, “CUI Bono is one fruitful way stu- a post-secondary education degree in order to other students as well. “In the business program, educated students through meaningful discussions dents can enter the stream of Academe by grabbing better their lives and attain a better job in about the students are in a business class with people who and relationships with professors. safe, fun chances to talk to professors about the life two years. The ADP has an 85 percent graduation are in the workforce already,” said Eugene D. Es- Dr. Daniel van Voorhis, Director of CUI Bono of their minds.” This close student-professor inter- rate. Four majors are offered: a Bachelor of Arts parza, Business Academic Program Director of the and Department Chair of History and Politi- action is perhaps the most famous aspect of CUI in Business, a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Liberal Adult Degree Program. “This program is challeng- cal Thought, hosted this year’s biggest CUI Bono Bono retreats. “One of the best things was outside Arts, a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Manage- ing, although very rewarding, but more difficult event: the annual retreat. On Sat., Sept. 29, a group of the structured times: spending time with profes- ment, and a Bachelor of Science in Organization than undergraduate classes because they require a of students and professors took a bus to Lake Ar- sors, picking their brains, and building those rela- Psychology. Many of the adult students need to lot more discipline and motivation to keep with up rowhead to stay overnight in cabins and engage in tionships,” said Reade. complete foundational general education courses the coursework.” academic discussion outside of the usual setting. “The students actually enjoyed seeing their pro- before they start their major classes; however, the “The life experience that is brought to each Van Voorhis calculated a grand total of “fourteen fessors out of the professorial context and talking ADP has made it easier for them to achieve this. “I class session by the student brings life to the subject professors, thirty plus students...and not a quiet like adults and friends,” said van Voorhis. Accord- am very excited that this past summer, Concordia matter. Most students are working professionals moment” on this retreat. ing to Dr. Jack Schultz, Professor of Anthropology, signed a partner agreement with a new company who balance school, work, and family,” said Brooke During their time in the mountains, this group the feeling was mutual. “Professors appreciate stu- called Straighterline, to be able give our students a Benda, Resident Faculty in Sociology. “The benefit studied, discussed, and debated the obligations dents engaging with them in topics not addressed convenient, flexible, cost effective way to get their of this program for the student is the structure of of the educated mind. The three main facets dis- in the classroom, yet essential to life,” he said. general education classes finished in a way that was each class. Small class size, supportive faculty and cussed were obligations to the family, church, and These relationships last long after the bus ride not possible for them before,” said Marquardt. staff, and the accelerated pace are some of the rea- state. “This specific topic was easily applicable to down the mountain. “Many of the professors here Most adult students do not have the time tra- sons why this program is for the working adult.” everyday life because everyone, at one point or at Concordia are more than willing to have conver- ditional undergraduate students have to complete “The ADP allows students to get careers with another, has to interact with these three institu- sations with students who hunger for more knowl- their degrees. “Concordia knew that there were low employment and in high demand,” said Play- tions,” said four-time CUI Bono retreater Kathleen edge,” Duerr said. “The CUI Bono events have adults that needed degrees and had no way to do ter. “I always tell my students in the very beginning Clausen, senior. helped me develop relationships with professors the traditional format,” said Marquardt. The ADP that there are going to be times that are challeng- For each of the three sessions, a professor began and have helped me develop a drive to learn.” courses are offered in two formats: a completely ing, but you will get through it. We will get through with a question, debated with other professors, and Professors too are encouraged by the program. face-to-face way and a hybrid way, which combines it together. Don’t give up.” then opened up the discussion to students for fur- “The whole CUI Bono enterprise is refreshing to face-to-face meetings and online work. The face- ther questions or comments. “I really enjoyed this me, because it reminds me that the next genera- retreat since it not only dealt with an academically tion, our students, has some remarkable thinkers stimulating topic, but had many practical purposes who are definitely putting their minds to work on as well,” Duerr said. “In everyday life, we can use the challenges facing us in church, world, and our what we have learned to benefit others.” personal lives,” said Dr. James Bachman. Cassidie Reade, freshman, described the retreat For more information about upcoming CUI as a “more relaxed [and] very informal” learning Bono events or next year’s retreat, contact van setting. “It’s a great opportunity to learn and to ab- Voorhis at [email protected]. sorb a lot of information in a…less-pressure set- Concordia secures ‘Top Tier’ rating TAYLOR BUNDY over 50; faculty salary; number of full-time profes- STAFF WRITER sors; student to faculty ratio; and alumni giving rates. For a third consecutive year, Concordia earned Deborah Lee, Institutional Research Analyst, a Top Tier Regional University ranking from the said, “It’s unfortunate that U.S. News primarily U.S. News & World Report. looks at quantitative data, but it is still a great re- This year, Concordia placed 66 among all west- source tool for benchmarking purposes.” Consid- ern universities, while last year it ranked 57. To put ering the U.S. News scores can help strengthen these rankings in perspective, U.S. News evaluates universities by looking for areas of improvement. approximately 1,600 schools nationally. Although However, the U.S. News Top Universities list Concordia’s rank went down, its overall score went draws some controversy. Because the list favors nu- up from 33 points last year to 36 points this year. merical data, some believe the list should be taken U.S. News calculates this score using their own for- lightly. Joe Nocera of The NY Times said the rank- mula to combine all other subscores. ings are imbued “with an authority that is largely “We’re proud of our ranking,” said Dr. Peter unjustified. Universities that want to game the Senkbeil, Associate Provost and Professor of The- ranking can easily do so.” Unfortunately, colleges ater. “It’s an external assessment of what we do like Claremont McKenna and Iona College submit- here, and it helps us see areas for improvement.” ted false data to U.S.