Dr. Palmer’s Update: September 2010

What do a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, the global expert on sea turtle migration, an All-American tennis player, the Wisconsin Economics Educator of the Year, a distinguished professor of the history of the Christian Science movement, and a current Cal Poly computer science professor teaching an online course have in common? They are all new faculty at Principia College this fall.

At the School, we’re welcoming a smaller group of extremely qualified new faculty. A newly established Faculty Leadership Team is implementing innovative teaching techniques and mentoring other teachers in differentiated instruction. (Learn more about the team.) In addition, the launch of a Freshman Experience at the Upper School will bring increased collaboration across subject areas, thematic instruction within core subjects, and more experiential learning opportunities.

September is an alluring clean slate in the world of education—a time of new beginnings and fresh challenges. I agree wholeheartedly with Principia founder Mary Kimball Morgan, who once told a group of faculty and parents, “I feel that when we came together in September this year, we were better prepared to feed the young thought than at any time before in the history of our school. This should be true of each year” (Education at The Principia, pp. 12–13). It certainly feels true this fall at Principia!

It’s terrific to have the students back on the campuses. They’ve been pushing themselves athletically during sports camps, tuning up their writing skills in College writing seminars, and getting back in the swing of classes at the School. The College is welcoming 534 students from 40 states and 30 countries; the School has 485 students from 32 states and 10 countries. This is a diverse, engaged, and dynamic group of young Christian Scientists who are ready to grab hold of the many opportunities for challenge and growth at Principia. I consider it a privilege to join them!

While I don’t put much stock in annual college rankings, I am still happy to note that Principia College is in the top group of national liberal arts colleges in both US News and World Report and Forbes magazines’ rankings. The rankings fluctuate quite a bit from year to year, and the criteria rarely capture the full range of what an institution offers. However, it’s one gauge of how we’re doing.

In Forbes, the College is ranked 68th out of 610 top colleges. Under the national liberal arts college category in US News, Principia College is a Tier 1 school with a ranking of 127.  In addition to the overall ranking, Principia is in the top 25 percent for students studying abroad and in the top 10 percent for students living on campus.

This year’s Principia-wide metaphysical theme is “Trust in the Lord, and do good” (Psalms 37:3). At the School, students from Lower through Upper Schools will be taking trust to new heights on a brand-new challenge ropes course that was installed this summer. Opportunities for growth and challenge abound at Principia, and I look forward to keeping you posted on all the good unfolding as the year progresses!