In approximately one hour from now, I will be sitting in a classroom taking an exam–a typical college experience. However, the thing that is not so typical about this event is that the class I have this exam in is taught by an award winning professor who genuinely cares about his students and their academic success. Oh, did I mention that this class is titled “Society, Culture, and Rock & Roll”? Yes, Purdue has that class, and it is easily one of the most insightful, mentally stimulating, and engaging courses I have ever taken.
One of the many things I love about the College of Liberal Arts at Purdue is the opportunities I have to take courses that are taught by the best. I cannot describe how much I love sitting in a class with 20 other students and having a professor who actually cares about their students and how they are doing academically. While these professors make their classes so entertaining and effective, they are some of the most challenging, but in the best way possible.
I never used to have much confidence in my ability to write or create projects, but the professors in these classes have encouraged me, led me, and challenged me to do the best work that I can. I no longer was the only person holding myself accountable for producing good work, my professors had the same expectations for me. When I took my first class that was like this, I was refreshed. I was worried, initially, about coming to a large university, and how my coursework might suffer if I didn’t have someone to help keep me accountable for being a good student. Within my first semester here though, I realized that I didn’t need to worry. I was immediately in classes with spectacular professors who were professors because they loved their job. I was pushed academically to take risks that I hadn’t even considered, and when I faltered, I had my professors to back me up. I finally began to see my potential and began to pursue goals that had only been dreams before.
When I first signed up for a class with a well-known professor, it was daunting. I didn’t believe that I would be able to keep up in their class; however, I was proven wrong. Purdue, and the College of Liberal Arts especially, has been blessed to be able to have multiple award winning, intelligent professors who genuinely care. I now make it a priority to attempt to fit their classes into my schedule, and they have been some of the most interesting topics, as well–I assure you that they don’t teach the boring things!!
So when making your decision to come to Purdue or not, consider if you want to take classes like Society, Culture, and Rock & Roll, American in the 1970s, Living History, World War II, America from 1914-1940s, Gender and Communication, Narrating 9/11, and American Food-ways. These are all courses I have taken, or will be taking, that have been taught by PHENOMENAL professors. Most of them have nothing to do with what I want to do when I graduate, but they each have been great sources of entertainment, information, discussion, and even friends. The good thing about Liberal Arts at Purdue is that, it doesn’t matter! Every class can count for something!!!
Boiler Up!
Elizabeth Hudson
Professional Writing and American Studies
May 2013
