Posted on Friday, August 25, 2023
Hearing a professor say the words, “you have worth,” can make a world of difference for undergraduates trying to find their sense of purpose as they work to attain their degree. History Professor Dr. Kevin Shirley, who served as the keynote speaker at Opening Convocation on Monday, shared how the college’s liberal arts tradition focuses on helping students reach their full potential.
“The liberal arts tradition is not just intellectual,” Dr. Shirley said. “It is also the realization of a student’s potential physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually.”
Prior to his address, President Susanna Baxter gave an introduction highlighting the impact Dr. Shirley has had on the college.
“Dr. Shirley has significantly increased the prominence of LaGrange College in the state and nation through his tireless work as a coordinator for National History Day Georgia,” she said. “It is his leadership, however, that sets him apart from others. He works on behalf of his students and his institution, serving when called or when he believes his skill sets are complementary to the work to be done.”
Dr. Shirley explained liberal arts comes from the Medieval Latin term “artes liberals,” which included seven knowledge branches: grammar, rhetoric, logic, music, geometry, arithmetic and astronomy.
“What those two terms represent is a fundamental component of the intellectual tradition of the West,” he said. “Rhetoric, known as the art of persuasive speech, was the essential discipline of study in the medieval curriculum.”
But Dr. Shirley argued the liberal arts tradition is not to be considered as just a curriculum.
“It is an outlook,” he said. “It is a fundamental way of looking at the world and of looking at people.”
People who speak against the liberal arts tradition are not taking the time to look at it in its entirety, according to Dr. Shirley.
“At its heart and soul, the liberal arts tradition argues that individual human beings have value,” he said. “It realizes through education the inherent potential of the individual so that person can serve and lead.”
In closing, Dr. Shirley offered a one-word answer to explain to students what happens when a fully realized, engaged citizen pursuing a life of integrity and courage commits to service and leadership.
“Transformation.”
Sunday, Aug. 20
Sunday Chapel Service
8 p.m., Chapel
Journey Oden — Why I Chose LaGrange
Senior Biology major Journey Oden came to LaGrange College specifically to play volleyball but discovered an entire world of interests and leadership opportunities available to her here.
3 – John Tures, Political Science
3 – Melinda Pomeroy-Black, Biology
5 – Dillan Bousquet, Athletics (Sports Information)
9 – Nickie Cauthen, Biology
14 – Laurie Ragan, Human Resources
16 – Pam Cox, Human Resources
16 – Ratoya Mason, Counseling
17 – Steffani Bowman, Business Office
17 – Margaret Reneke, Art & Design
18 – Cindi Bearden, Business Administration & Accountancy
19 – Ryan McArthur, Nursing
21 – Shelia Scott, President’s Office
25 – Georgia Pittman, Admissions
26 – Amber Leiker McGlawn, Exercise Science
27 – Ronald Stafford, Information Technology
28 – Greg McClanahan, Mathematics
30 – Lauren Knowles, Advancement (Development)
Cross country
LC starts its season on Friday, Sept. 1, at the Foothills Invitational in Jacksonville, Alabama.
Women’s Soccer
The Panthers won their first scrimmage 3-1 against Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College on Sunday, Aug. 20. LaGrange lost its second and final scrimmage of the season 4-0 at Georgia Southwestern State University on Wednesday. The team’s first regular season match is at North Carolina Wesleyan University on Saturday, Sept. 2.
Men’s Soccer
LC won its first scrimmage 3-2 against Truett-McConnell on Sunday, Aug. 20. The team’s next exhibition is at Sewanee on Saturday, Aug. 26. The Panthers begin their regular season against Birmingham-Southern on Friday, Sept. 1.
Volleyball
The Panthers begin their regular season on Friday, Sept. 1, at Fort Valley State University.
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Saturday, Aug. 26 – Men’s Soccer at Sewanee, 4:30 p.m., Sewanee, Tennessee
Category: Academics, Students, College
Keywords: History, Education
