The freshman class of the year 2000 is now enrolled in our universities. What are they like? What will happen to them? How will they change? And how will they change the world?

    The new freshmen in America’s colleges may be significantly different from their predecessors. Miriam Weinstein has written a book (Michael Marriott, “Taking Education Beyond the Classroom,” New York Times 4 August 1996: Section 4A [Education Life Supplement]) about colleges which make a real difference in their students’ lives. She reports, “The 80’s are really gone, and now [students] are much more willing to go into service careers…” (p. 39)

    Indeed, there is growing evidence that college administrators, faculty, and students are rethinking the very purpose of higher education. Since the days of Plato and Aristotle, education has always had a moral and ethical component, but over the years that component was dropped. Now it is being restored at many institutions.

    According to Professor Michael J. Sandel at Harvard, “There is a hunger among students to sort out what they believe and why, to sort some kind of…moral perspective.” (Gustav Niebuhr, "Colleges Setting Moral Compasses,” New York Times 4 August 1996: Section 4A [Education Life Supplement], p. 31) Fortunately, students are being helped through a holistic approach that allows them to PRACTICE what they have learned—through community service. Some are serving in inner city kitchens, homeless shelters and nursing homes. Still others tutor those who cannot read or build homes for the poor in places like Mexico.

    Some private colleges are rediscovering their institution'=’s original spiritual mission—to teach students that life is more than knowledge. A full life requires SPIRITUAL fulfillment and civic duty. Of course, problems remain on today’s campuses, but we can be glad that an awakening in the class of 2000 is occurring. Perhaps there is hope for the 21st century after all!