This is how orals work: A student will spend an hour or so with a professor from his major, his minor, and from an at-large department. A computer generates the list, so it's completely random. The teachers put together a game plan, and then begin to fire questions at the senior to test the depth and breadth of his knowledge. The questions are classic liberal arts in nature and range from specific questions about the student's major to current news and events items.
What the faculty looks for is a confident, reasoned response, and hopefully a truthful one. Since most Wabash men are pretty confident in their speaking and debating skills by this point in their careers, the sessions usually begin with jitters, but evolve into thoughtful conversations.
These exams are a critical component of the students' Wabash experience. And in almost every case, the students will remember their oral comprehensive exams fondly and with a sense of pride and accomplishment.
One senior already took his oral comps. Jesus Campos of Pharr, Texas, got a call he probably never imagined would come a little over a week ago. On the other end of the line was his Marines reserve unit commander telling him he had four days to wrap things up at Wabash and return to Texas; his unit had been activated.
Jesus busily arranged with Wabash officials to take his orals early, did so, and left abruptly not knowing where he was going or how long he would be gone. When he does return, he'll have a few courses to wrap up, but the hard part—the comprehensive exams—will have been completed.
It's an important week for seniors (and other students) for another reason. On Thursday, the Office of Career Services will host its Career and Internship Fair. Prospective employers will arrive on campus to size up the skills, knowledge, and attributes of Wabash students. Some employers will be looking to hire, others to offer paid and unpaid internships.
Either way, with oral comps and employers on campus, the seniors' suits will get a work out in the coming week.