Trinity University

Sharon Jones Schweitzer '75
sjones@trinity.edu
210-999-8406
Sep. 15, 2011

All-campus Retreat Continues Momentum of Re-envisioning a New Curriculum

Trinity’s Curriculum review supported by grant from The Mellon Foundation

SAN ANTONIO - On Friday, Sept. 16, Trinity University takes the next step in a re-envisioning process to redefine a liberal arts education. Faculty, students, and staff will come together in Laurie Auditorium to begin to outline the first principles of a Trinity education in small and large group discussions throughout the day. "Our aim," says President Dennis A. Ahlburg, "is to weave critical thinking, creativity, innovation, international awareness, and interdisciplinarity through a curriculum that engages students in bold, imaginative, and multi-dimensional ways." President Ahlburg cancelled classes and all University events on Sept. 16 to enable as many Trinity community members as possible to participate. 

The all-campus retreat follows last week's curricular review symposium, which featured a panel of innovative thinkers who discussed  "What is the value of the liberal arts in the world today?" and "How can liberal arts education prepare students to address the challenges of 2022?"   The result of that symposium provided food for thought for the all-campus retreat as  the University  adapts its curriculum to  prepare students for the world of 2022 and beyond.

Following the all- campus retreat, a faculty committee will conduct a series of dialogues and "idea labs" leading to a new Trinity general education curriculum. A component of Trinity 2022, the University's strategic plan,  the re-envisioned curriculum  will "define the new liberal arts experience"  and include the integration of professional and pre-professional programs. Explains President Ahlburg, "Trinity University has an opportunity to design an educational experience for the future that will go beyond the traditional classroom while reaffirming our liberal arts mission."

Trinity's curricular review and re-visioning process is being funded in part by a grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. More than 125 liberal arts colleges benefit from the Mellon Foundation's Liberal Arts Colleges Program, which provides assistance to colleges as they review and refurbish their curricular offerings, among other key academic priorities.