In our world of MOOCs (massive open online courses), certifications, badges and workshops, why would students want to enroll in a degree program? Why spend the time, effort and money? Well, let me tell you my answer, which may not be what you expect.

At Ringling College of Art and Design, we aren’t shy about our commitment to educating at the highest level the next generation of artists and designers. We proudly share the results of four years of rigorous study in our 13 disciplines. This includes Student Academy Award-winning computer animation, Emmy-award winning motion design, ADDY award-winning graphic and advertising design and so on. This is easy because awards and jobs in these disciplines are tangible and somewhat measurable—what everyone wants when they search for colleges.

What is not emphasized enough, however, is the other half of the learning equation. You see, we want our graduates to have more than the artistic and technical skills needed to create and to use the tools at hand. Technologies change. Disciplines change. Tools change. And resources, ideologies and values change.

This is why colleges and universities exist. Beyond preparing students for a job, we exist to teach students how to think critically, how to observe and see holistically and how to interpret information. Students create work that reflects their insights, their viewpoints, their perspectives. How do we do that? Well, at Ringling College it starts with our extraordinary faculty of working artists, designers, writers, scientists, scholars, etc. They challenge our students to ask why they are creating work in the first place. Then they guide them to the purpose and value of each project. They teach students the rules so they can first learn to work within them, and then encourage them to shatter those rules to achieve their creative objective. And of course, they demand our students master the skills to consistently and accurately create work that reflects thinking.

But where does the thinking come in? In addition to studio practice, our students, in order to graduate, are required to successfully complete a third of their curriculum from Liberal Arts courses. Shaping opinions and tackling global social challenges requires an understanding of the conversations that have come before. Without this background, it’s like stepping into a conversation about quantum physics without having even read a book or an article on the subject. Your opinion doesn’t matter if it’s not informed. Our students understand the critical importance that research has to any creative project, so, before entering any conversation—whether that be by creating artwork that addresses climate change or designing solutions for a regional partner—our students have a foundation on which to inform themselves and thereby deliver their artwork.

In his September SRQ Daily column, New College President Donal O’Shea discusses misconceptions about the liberal arts and the disconnect from the sciences. He asserts that the liberal arts “are usually classified into three divisions: the arts and humanities, the social sciences and the natural and mathematical sciences. The phrases ‘liberal arts’ and ‘arts and sciences’ are synonymous.” As such, we require our students to take courses in art history, math and science, writing and social sciences such as cross-cultural perspectives that give their work context. The dialogue promoted in these classrooms empowers students to read the work of scholars and discuss their emerging viewpoints in a safe, supportive environment. As their ideas and perspectives evolve, so too will their art.

Education is about more than the “how.” It’s about the “why.” So why invest in an in-person educational experience? To become a thoughtful, intentional, and resourceful professional—no matter which career path one chooses.  

Dr. Larry R. Thompson is president of Ringling College of Art and Design 

In the midst of today’s hurried world and constant chatter that turns news into noise for many Americans, the Education Foundation of Sarasota County is creating inspiration, unity and outreach that is shaping the lives of our students and our community in very positive ways.

Did you know that October was also College Knowledge Month? The Education Foundation kicked off the month with a viewing of the e-documentary Most Likely to Succeed. This film, which we will be sharing again in January, inspired us with a sense of purpose and possibility by stimulating us with ideas on how together we, as a community, can reimagine education in a variety of ways. Coffee and conversations will keep the invigorating dialogue alive and we invite you to join us.

We also launched a career interactive series program designed to help middle schoolers explore career options. This pilot program for eighth grade students will provide experiential field trips to illuminate ways that career interests may be aligned with students’ studies in high school and beyond. Exposing middle school students to careers early helps them understand the relevance of what they are learning and increases the likelihood that they will be better prepared for life. After all, as America’s Promise Alliance states: “How do we expect young people to dream if they don’t know what they can dream about?”

October also saw the launch of two major new programs. For example, one young woman’s life was irrevocably changed as teams of mentors, students and community leaders joined together over a weekend to make a difference. This Booker High student blossomed from a shy observer to an enthusiastic participant, helping design a mobile application created to help teens facing bullying or peer pressure. Hers was just one of many amazing stories that came out of the #SRQHacks Hackathon, a three-day event that combined 43 teenagers with more than sixty entrepreneurs, business leaders, educators and innovators from our own community. Men and women lent their time and talent serving as mentor volunteers by guiding teams through the process of creating a product addressing a specific community issue, from idea to planning stage to pitch. The weekend proved exhilarating and unifying to all involved—so much so, many of our mentors are helping student teams continue their work. Guided by mentors and encouraged by the relationships they developed, students realized their own potential and discovered new interests and opportunities. As one child commented, “The Education Foundation is creating a renaissance.”

A week later, the Education Foundation teamed up with America’s Promise Alliance, which selected Sarasota as one of 100 cities across America to host a GradNation Summit. Did you know that 90 percent of all jobs by 2020 will require a high school diploma and 65 percent will require some form of post-secondary certification or degree? Just getting students to the starting block requires our collective effort to raise the high school graduation rate. Recent reports show the national high school graduation rate at 82 percent, and in partnership with Sarasota County Schools, we are striving for 100 percent. With support of community organizations and area educators, the Education Foundation of Sarasota County brought together over 100 students from five area high schools to hear speakers and participate in panel discussions on posthigh school education paths that include college and vocational training. Students worked together to develop ideas on how to improve graduation rates, ultimately competing for $500 grants.

The Education Foundation of Sarasota County is fortunate to be able to support area youth thanks to a generous community that understands the long-term benefits of education and is willing to give back to ensure the long-term health of our community. As we close out College Knowledge Month, we know we are drowning out the noise with inspiration, unity and outreach that is possible only because of organizations and individuals from Tampa to North Port who advocate tirelessly for education, giving their time and financial support to ensure our youth have opportunities to reach their potential.

Jennifer Vigne is president of the Education Foundation of Sarasota County. 

On October 22, individuals with Down Syndrome along with friends and family joined in the 15th annual Manasota BUDS Buddy Walk. With more than 1,200 participants, this year’s walk was the most successful ever and raised more than an $95,000 for families touched by Down Syndrome. The Buddy Walk takes place each year in October during National Down Syndrome Awareness Month and donations are being accepted through the end of October to help the organization reach its Buddy Walk goal of $100,000.  

Manasota Buds

Florida Studio Theatre has broken ground on the Kretzmer Artist Housing Project located on Cohen Way in the growing Rosemary District. The project will include five new townhouses built to help fill the pressing need for quality housing that is safe, accessible and within close proximity to downtown. Florida Studio Theatre currently houses over 100 guest artists and interns a year. These new townhomes will provide a total of 20 bedrooms for FST visiting artists and young theatre professionals participating in the educational internship program.  

Florida Studio Theatre

United Way Suncoast is accepting volunteer applications for its VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program, providing free tax preparation assistance to low- to moderate-income families at 33 locations in the four county region. Last spring, nearly 300 IRS-trained volunteers helped to file 8,484 federal tax returns, with more than $12.8 million in refunds returned, including more than $4.6 million gained from the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) alone. VITA is a popular community volunteer opportunity, especially among retirees and college students who use their IRS training to help qualifying families prepare and file their income tax returns, as well as offer financial planning and counseling on how to best use their refunds. Volunteers receive between four and 30 hours of training depending on the volunteer position selected and volunteer during the tax–filing season from mid-January through mid–April.  

United Way Suncoast

Meet award-winning author Sheba Matheu on November 5 at Molly’s! A Chic & Unique Boutique from 1pm-3pm. She will be signing copies of her book 10 Secrets of Being a Lady, winner of the 2016 Moonbeam Children’s Book Award in the children’s self-esteem category. A custom-made, drawstring knapsack will be given away with each book purchase and 25 percent of all proceeds will be donated to Girls Inc. of Sarasota. 10 Secrets of Being a Lady was expressly created to encourage dialogue and impart wisdom through family generations.  

Molly's Sarasota

The Orioles announced their 2017 Grapefruit League schedule, opening February 24, with an away game in Lakeland against the Detroit Tigers. The Orioles will play their home opener two days later on February 26, against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Ed Smith Stadium. The club’s Grapefruit League season will conclude at Ed Smith Stadium with the club’s Spring Training finale on March 30, against the Tigers. The 2017 season marks the eighth consecutive Spring Training season for the Orioles in Sarasota and the seventh at renovated Ed Smith Stadium.  

Orioles

The American Cancer Society and Tervis have partnered to create an exclusive series of tumblers, featuring the handprints of cancer patients and their families. The artwork illustrates the lives of people touched by cancer, the hands that comfort and the human stories of hope, courage, passion and life. The tumblers are now available and Tervis will donate 10 percent of sales to the American Cancer Society.  

Tervis

To celebrate National Family Literacy Month in November, Goodwill Manasota has partnered with local historical author Lela Hartsaw to appear at three Goodwill bookstores on November 12 and 19 to discuss and autograph copies of her popular new children’s novel, The Adventures of Abigail Rose - Ida Patten's Antebellum Doll. Researched and written by Hartsaw as historical fiction, the book entertains readers while candidly detailing just a brief moment in 19th century Florida. The author will dress in Civil War-era attire while she reads passages from the book. Children’s toys from that era will be on display, and there will be crafting projects and a raffle for children.  

Goodwill Manasota