This edition features articles about resources and opportunities at Houghton to assist your college student in his/her academic journey.  The articles provide helpful information about the resources available both inside and outside the classroom at Houghton to assure a quality educational experience for your son or daughter.

February 2006 Articles
Reflections on Academic Advising
What was Brad Pitt's Major?
Involvement on Campus
Family Support Checklist
Houghton News E-Mail Available from the Public Relations Office

 

	Reflections on Academic Advising Nancy Murphy, Director of New Student Programs In the world of higher education, academic advising is one of those tasks that is both critical to the success of students and yet often underutilized. Your son or daughter was assigned an advisor at the beginning of the Fall semester. On the first day of classes, advisors met with their advisees to  introduce themselves, to explain their role as advisors, and to invite students to take responsibility and ownership for their academic futures.   As a parent, you may be interested in knowing that frequency of student-advisor contact is a proven factor in student success.   Encourage your student to make contact with his/her advisor at regular intervals, not only when there is a specific problem.  Questions that can be explored with an advisor include everything from, “Is the major I have chosen the right one for me?,”  to “What courses should I take?,” to “How can I reconcile my desire to serve Christ through the career path I’ve chosen?”   For specific perspectives, two beloved faculty members have been asked to reflect on their advising philosophies.  Here’s what they said:
		Advisement gives me an opportunity to know my students in more casual ways while still keeping their educational goals a priority. We have some really meaningful conversations about God's calling in their lives and about how our faith impacts the ways we look at and decide about our futures. Their sincerity and commitment inspire me. When they struggle with confusion about these choices, it's good to see them valuing the counsel of Godly adults in their lives. Connie Finney, Professor of Education
		My primary responsibility to my advisees, as I see it, is to advise them, to counsel them. And so, in addition to what one would expect an academic advisor to do—making sure my advisees complete all their requirements—I try to persuade them to do things that, in my judgment, will make their college experience richer. I urge them, if they can, to sign up for one course each semester with no regard to what requirements it satisfies, purely for the sake of learning more about the subject. We say, at Houghton, that we are interested in our students as whole persons. I think the truest measure of our success is the sorts of books our students are reading in middle age, and beyond. And the humility before and affection for God’s world that keeps people reading and learning throughout their lives begins with the banishment of the checklist mentality: that reflection is something we do only because (and when) it’s expected of us. Benjamin Lipscomb, Assistant Professor of Philosophy

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HELP! The Office of Career Services and the Alumni Board are launching the first ever "Interview Week" for this year's graduating class. We are seeking alumni, parents, and friends of the college who may be in the position to make or influence hiring decisions to come to campus one day during the last week of March. If you know of any employment possibilities coming up in your employment area, would you be interested in participating? Houghton graduates are highly regarded in their places of employment due to their skills as critical thinkers, communicators, problem-solvers, familiarity with technology, integrity and strong work-ethic. If you would be interested in participating in this program (March 28-30) please contact me at timothy.nichols@houghton.edu or 800-777-2556, ext. 6230.
What was Brad Pitt's Major? Dr. Tim Nichols, Director of Career Services One of the most frequent issues that sends your daughters and sons to the Career Services office concerns the connection between academic major and career. "What can I do with this major?" "I've decided I don't like my major." "Whoops, I declared pre-med, but I got a D in Gen Bio!" "I'm a junior, but I've decided I want to teach." Many students are plagued by doubts and second thoughts about major and career decisions. Certainly it is true that some majors lock one in to certain positions while precluding others. It is also true that by the time one is a junior, it is getting late to change majors and still graduate in four years. But there is also good news! The liberal arts preparation that Houghton graduates attain is a versatile foundation for a variety of positions. The average member of the workforce undergoes seven major job changes during our forty-five+ years in the world of work. Barring the rapture, nuclear war, or meteor strike, the members of this year's entering class will still be working in the 2050s! It is nearly impossible to imagine what the world of work, technology and communication will be by then. And yet, there are a few things that a valuable employee will always need whether in 1900, 2000, or 2100 AD. How about analytical and critical thinking, problem-solving skills, research abilities and strong written and oral communication? These are all hallmarks of a liberally educated person. Add to that the integrity, loyalty, good interpersonal skills, and strong work ethic associated with followers of Christ. Throw in a measure of the technological expertise of Houghton students who are handed a laptop as incoming first year students and then use it daily in coursework and problem solving and to me that sounds like the recipe for success in any job market. Most Houghton College graduates go on to find employment related to their academic preparation. Yet many go on to excel in diverse areas that they could not have imagined when they were still in college. How about the 1993 Accounting Graduate who is a professional golfer? The 1976 Applied Music Major who is a stockbroker? We have art majors who produce and teach art, who design greeting cards, who edit Bowhunter magazine, and who are on the mission field. We have Bible major Vice-President for Finance who is currently in captivity at Houghton College. If your progeny has not yet decided on a major, don't fret, he or she is in good company. Most college students experience major indecision at some point - better earlier than later! We have interest inventories available in the Career Center which might help. You can access one of them on our website! The TypeFocus questionnaire is available at http://careers.typefocus.com and our site password is hc344. Ultimately, it will not be the major that lands the job, it is the broad preparation, the values, and the passion of the seeker. Did you know that both Arnold Scharzenegger and Sandra Day O'Connor were Economics majors? Alan Greenspan was a music major, Ted Turner a Classics major, Michael Jordan a Math major and Ashton Kutcher a Biochemical Engineering major. As a liberal arts student your child is in good company: Steve Martin, Barbara Walters, Madeline Albright, Condoleeza Rice, Hillary Clinton, and Martin Luther King Jr. were all undergraduate liberal arts majors. (Oh, and Brad Pitt? A Journalism major at the University of Missouri.)
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Involvement on Campus Greg Bish, Director of Student Programs Students at Houghton have the opportunities to get involved and connect with our community. Whether it’s through athletics, intramurals, in the residence hall, or finding a student organization that fits their interests—each student can find a place to connect. This year we are continuing our emphasis on creative, campus-wide programming. The student-run Campus Activities Board (CAB) provides opportunities for both on- and off-campus events. On campus this year we have enjoyed coffeehouses, movies, themed social events, and concerts. Off-campus opportunities have included an overnight bus trip to New York City at Christmas time, a Buffalo Sabres NHL hockey game, and an off-Broadway presentation of The Lion King.
	Our student organizations meet a variety of student interest--students can explore areas either related to their major or coursework or explore other interests through their involvement.  Whether they want to be a big-sister to a local child through Allegany County Outreach, want to perform in the opera workshop, or help to coordinate our New Vision Week (mission’s emphasis) – each student can find a place to be involved. Mary Claire, a piano performance major, says, "I have found many areas to use my music, even outside of the music building. There are so many opportunities to play for worship events, volunteer events, coffee houses, chapels, and church services. I have been able to develop and adapt as a musician, which will benefit future work in the music field." Are you interested in a bird’s-eye view of some of our campus programming? Check out the college calendar on our website to see what events are happening each day.
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Family Support Checklist Consider using the following as a checklist to help you in supporting your college student.  If you have any questions or concerns about your students’ academic, spiritual, or social development, feel free to contact us. We have checked with our student to make sure he has contacted his advisor. Our student and her advisor share responsibilities for making sure she is on the right track, and our student has shared this information with us. We give our student advice and counsel while respecting his need to make choices for him. We have encouraged our student to visit the Career Services Office in the Campus Center to explore options for the selection of a major and career. We have talked with our student about his classes.  We have a sense of his classroom comfort level and encouraged him to be an active participant in the classroom. We have encouraged our student to take all deadlines and test dates from her syllabi and to make a detailed time management plan for accomplishing her work. Our student has had an opportunity to share the specifics of his daily life with us so we understand where we may offer advice or support. We have encouraged our student to become as involved in campus as time allows. We have asked our student about her academic major and have encouraged her to talk to her advisor about her decision. Our student has shared his academic plan with us.  We are encouraging our student to monitor it every term with her advisor. When academic problems arise, we encourage our student to seek support from the Student Academic Services Office in the Chamberlain Academic Center.
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Houghton News E-Mail Available from the Public Relations Office. You can receive weekly e-mail news updates about events at Houghton College by subscribing at:  http://www.houghton.edu/news/list.htm
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Campus Store Gift  Cards make an excellent gift for your student.    Whether it is a stocking stuffer or a major gift, the card can be used to   purchase anything from a soda to textbooks in the Campus Store.  The Campus Store has gift baskets and balloon service for any occasion!    Birthday--Get Well--Thinking of You--Take a Break--Pamper Yourself, etc.    1-800-647-3158 for same day delivery.