FOR LEARNING’S SAKE
In an academic climate where students pride ends of means, the practice of academic auditing by GVSU students signals a triumphant return to the heart of higher education
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At Grand Valley State University and beyond, there are many different kinds of students with many different kinds of relationships with their academic courses. While some students rue the hour and fifteen-minute blocks of institutionalized learning, some don’t mind it. And if you’re like Junior Nick Mackstood, and other GVSU students and professors, you not only don’t mind class, you like it; In fact, Mackstood likes class enough to do the assigned readings, and attend and participate in the lecture for no academic credit.
It’s called auditing classes – sitting in on a lecture or course on campus but with no formally awarded grades or academic credits, audited classes leave no mark on your academic transcript.
Some people use them to “brush up” on entry-level courses they’ve become unfamiliar with, and some – like Mackstood – audit classes simply because they like to learn.
We cannot speak for the majority of GVSU, but we can speak for the majority of the Lanthorn staff; and the average student here – already struggling to balance 15 credits worth of in-class time and even more hours of homework and test prep, with internships, part-time jobs and social demands – take the “less is more” approach to course loads. We love learning, but maybe not always in the classroom.
“It’s one of a handful of classes (I’ve taken) that has meant something to me,” Mackstood said in a story featured in today’s issue on A1. “Whether it be grad school, or something else, it’s opened me up to an entire new world of academia.”
Suffice to say, students like Mackstood have caught on to a trend that reinvigorates the spirit of higher education as it was originally intended to be – not one that strives toward a perfect G.P.A., or puts high-earning degrees on a pedestal, but one that values knowledge for knowledge’s sake. One that seeks to explode our world into one million little pieces, and reconnect the dots into something that makes the world a brighter and more dynamic place to be.
This perspective is not only commendable, but also admirable. This is a perspective that students across all majors, in all levels of their education should appreciate and seek to emulate. Not everyone has the time, nor the work ethic to take on course work that doesn’t move them toward graduation, but our world is changing, and students are going to need to arm yourself with more than just your academic transcript to make their way post-graduation.
A love of learning, for learning’s sake would, perhaps, be a good start.
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Pictures of the Year 2012-2013
Courtesy Photo/Joe Kargula and Erik Peterson run the Marathon leg of the Ironman Triathlon
GVL / Robert Mathews Quarterback Heath Parling (12) leading the offense past Notre Dame College.
GVL / Eric Coulter Senior Jake Isaacson placed eigth in the Spartan Invitational. Isaacson's time of 25:04 was the highest among Division II athletes.
GVL/Jessica Hollenbeck Student Senate President Jack Iott speaks to the assembly during Thursday's meeting.
Courtesy / gvsu.edu President Haas and Montcalm Community College President Robert C. Ferrentino sign the transfer agreement
Courtesy Photo/ GVSU Athletic Department Sophomore Chris Cunningham lines up a putt at a past match.
Courtesy Photo / GVSULakers.com Andrew Darrell prepares to return the serve earlier this season.
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Archive Forward Briauna Taylor (31) chases down a lose ball in a game last season
Courtesy Photo / Dean Breest Sophomore Allyson Winchester was named the GLIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year after finishing first with a time of 20:48.8.
GVL / Archive GVSU's Breland Hogan rises and fires over three defenders last season.
GVL/Bo Anderson Briauna Taylor leads the fast break during a game earlier this season.
GVL / Robert Mathews Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning, James Moyer, leading a walk through of the Mary Ideam Pew Library
Courtesy Photo / GVSU DII Men's Hockey Jeremy Christopher chases down a puck during a matchup last season.
GVL / Bo Anderson Students and faculty danced under the spectacular light show in the Devos Place Ballroom
GVL / Robert Mathews Martin L�wenberg, holocaust survivor, speaking at the Genocide Awareness Night presentation in the Grand River Room.
Courtesy / Dean Breest Senior Sam Lockhart finishes her indoor career with two individual national championships in weight throw and shot put at the 2013 National Championships.
Archive / Robert Mathews Giancarlo Brugnoni (40) rounding the bases during a previous game.
GVL/Bo Anderson Seniors Christ Koppenaal, Bill Madsen, and Mitch Weber measure the exterior of the Wesley House as part of an energy audit.
GVL / Robert Mathews Senior Anthony Campanella pitching against Tiffin University during the Lakers double header.
GVL / Eric Coulter Brother Jed Smock, a member of Campus Ministry USA, speaks with fervor to a student. Many students, all with differing views, came to watch the Campus Ministry members speak.
GVL / Sean Mouton A passing walker stops to admire some recently constructed pieces of Art Prize 2012.
GVL Archive Senior Nick Gunthorpe follows through and watches his shot at the Ardenson last year. This weekend the team will be playing in South Haven.
GVL / Bo Anderson GVSU's Katie Martin points to her teammate after safely reaching second base.
GVL / Robert Mathews Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons under construction.
GVL / Archive The Grand Valley Rowing Team during Spring Training in Florida last spring.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
Upcoming Events
All day | The 5th Annual Scholarship of Teaching & Learning Academy
All day | GVSU Men's Golf at NCAA Div II Championship
6:00 pm | Academic and Student Affairs Faculty and Staff Retirement Celebration
All day | GVSU Men's Golf at NCAA Div II Championship
8:00 am | MBA Information Meeting: AM session
10:00 am | SAP Farm Stand
5:30 pm | MBA Information Meeting: PM Session
All day | GVSU Men's Golf at NCAA Div II Championship
11:00 am | GVSU Track & Field at NCAA Championships
No events for Fri
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