You can thank Darren Cambridge ’96 for this edition’s theme.
In March we posted on the Web site a PayScale.com survey that ranked Wabash third in “return on investment” among all national liberal arts colleges (and 50th among all colleges and universities) when cost is measured against the average income of graduates 20 years out.
It was great news, but a narrow measure. I wondered how alumni would respond.
Thanks to Facebook, I didn’t have to wait long to find out.
Tucked between mostly positive comments was this from Darren:
“The value I received from my Wabash education extends way beyond my earnings. This is an extremely impoverished measure of return on investment and a poor way to rank institutions. I’m glad to hear Wabash men are doing well financially, but I’m much prouder about the good work they are doing in their communities and around the world.”
That thoughtful point led me to ask a few alumni and others how they would describe the “return on investment” from a Wabash education.
My favorite response came from the first person I asked. An economist. President Gregory Hess. (Yeah, I know I work for him, but I’m not just kissing up here.)
When I asked him how he would define the Wabash ROI to a prospective parent, he summed it up in one word: “Heart.” (Read From Center Hall column, page 8.)
That reply became a pattern, as alumni gave answers that, at first glance, contradict what you’d expect given their vocation or field of study.
The doctor claimed “the ability to write.”
The advocate said “how to listen.”
The pilot described the things that keep him grounded.
The successful entrepreneur said he learned “to own my mistakes.”
The lawyer mentioned “the ability to navigate the grey areas” of the issues.
I was reminded of author and Nobel Prize winner André Gide, who said, “The only true education comes from what goes contrary to you.”
In this issue you’ll find these and other alumni defining the return of their investment from their Wabash education. You’ll also see how those same values are connected to the Wabash education of today.
But it’s just a small sampling. We’d love to hear from more of our readers—parents, spouses, current students, faculty and staff, as well as alumni. It could be the beginning of a fascinating and helpful conversation.
Thanks, Darren, for getting it started.
Thanks for reading.
Steve Charles | Editor