Go Scots!

I do love my alma mater. I think I had a pretty good Christian college experience. As a four year liberal arts school, I got a fantastic education that more than amply prepared me for grad school. (And I tried out almost every major before I finally settled on two...and a minor.) It wasn't too fundy, basically the only major rules that affected my daily life were no drinking and smoking during the school term, go to chapel, and observe open dorm rules (and then I think there was the part about not returning library books late, but since I lived in the library, that only affected me a little bit). I made friends for life. I still keep up with a few profs. It really felt like the ideal experience. (And yes, it's on top of a mountain.)

I like telling people about Covenant College. If that's the kind of place you're looking for, then I hope you go there, because I don't think you'll do much better! At least...I think so. Truth is, I'm not sure. I've been kind of out of the loop. Their periodical news magazine reaches me every few years (despite the fact that I've only had two addresses since I graduated eight years ago). Sometimes I get postcards about new buildings. I definitely get phone calls and letters requesting money. And usually I'm happy to give even $10, because at the end of the day, it's the percentage of alumni giving that carries the most punch. These are two things I do to support Covenant College, an occasional (and I mean to make this more regular!) financial gift (no matter how small!) and telling people about it, so that they go there, too. (Like my little sister. *grin*)

Anyway, so good institutions grow and change. The economy forces them to make hard decisions. And gradually I start hearing weird things about Covenant, like huge faculty lay-offs and huge athletics boosts. It sounds strange to me, like I'm not looking at MY college. The important things to do when you start hearing weird things is to research and to talk to people who know more than you do.

I am so thankful for the people who have taken the time to talk to me during what is a very busy time on the academic schedule. At the end of the day, I feel like I know...not much more. But I do have reassurances from people who know more than I do that the College is not veering from its historical mission. I'm glad for these.

As I continue to talk to people, I find that things are more complicated than I thought at first glance. Things still don't line in my head as much as I would like, so a couple of friends and I thought we'd create a safe, constructive place to address the powers that be and to talk to other alumni. Hence, the Covenant College Alumni Round Table. This is NOT a place for a Vent Fest or for accusing. It is a place of collaboration and inquiry. We all have the good of the college and its people at heart. If you're a Covenant Alum, I'd encourage you to visit there. You may also be interested in signing the letter that we will submit to the leadership in a few days.

I think it's important for the alumni to stay connected (at least a little bit) with the major growths and changes of the college, since we are a little bit invested. On a personal note, one of my current fascinations is the changing nature of higher education in general. I'm excited to see where Covenant will go with that.