Striking a Balance Between Art and Technology
Published Apr 15, 2004
The new Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College.
Can a liberal arts college exist – and thrive – in a high-tech environment? You bet. Even though the region’s technical schools tend to get most of the buzz, liberal arts colleges are creating curricula and programs that ensure that students are well-equipped to succeed in the 21st century.
With nearly three dozen liberal arts colleges in the region, well-rounded graduates are learning everything from Faulkner to fiber optics, from Michelangelo to microchips.
“As much as any specific skill, employers are seeking individuals with keen critical thinking and analytical skills,” says Mark Primoff, director of communications at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson.
At Bard College, students find themselves immersed in an intellectually stimulating environment. Best known for the academic rigor and innovative structure of its undergraduate programs, Bard offers popular programs in languages and literature, the arts, and social studies. And its natural sciences and math division graduates a great number of successful pre-med and research-oriented students who go on to graduate studies in those fields. Bard also offers respected graduate programs in curatorial studies, the fine arts and environmental policy.
At historical Union College – which was founded in 1795 as the first college chartered by the Board of Regents of the State of New York – the emphasis continues to be on creating enlightened leaders for the future. It does this by weaving a commitment to general education and international and cultural understanding through all its degree programs, including political science, economics and mechanical engineering.
“At Union College we have prided ourselves on educating individuals to be contributing members of the global community,” says Roger H. Hull, president of Union College. “As a residential liberal arts college with engineering, we appeal to students who aspire to see the big picture. As much as we need skilled lab technicians and research scientists, we must have an abundance of people who can communicate, learn and think critically.”
Clearly, successful technology companies are going to need creative people to market them and financial whizzes to track the profits. And the region’s many liberal arts colleges are prepared to meet that need.
“Our niche is to provide a large segment of workers for these tech companies who will need accountants, lawyers, those in the marketing department or the human resources department,” says David B. Smith, vice president of community relations and public affairs at Siena College in Loudonville.
Along with equipping students with exceptional job skills, Smith says Franciscan and Catholic Siena College offers a spirit of community surrounding its first-class academic programs. Known for its School of Business, School of Science and School of Liberal Arts, Siena College also instills a sense of service in its graduates. By taking a holistic approach, well-rounded graduates are prepared for anything from the boardroom to the operating room.
But beyond providing high-tech companies with top-notch employees, the liberal arts colleges point to another benefit they bring to Tech Valley – culture.
“Bard is an excellent resource for those marketing the region … as an intellectual and cultural resource for anyone considering living or working in the area,” says Primoff, noting that Bard offers a diversity of cultural programs, performing arts, lectures and conferences to Tech Valley residents.
So as you can see, the future is solid for the liberal arts college.
Besides, whom do you think is going to write the next chapter in New York Tech Valley’s history? An English major, of course.
Story by Joanne Mamenta
Photo by Peter Aaron/ESTO
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