FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 3/20/02

CONTACT:
The Associated Colleges of Illinois
Lisa Spathis
(847) 831-1367
Victoria Mitlyng
(630) 420-2043

Private Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Develop Leaders, Say Winning Essayists, ACI's Liberal Arts for Leadership Contest

Chicago, IL - Five seniors from Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI) member colleges and universities have earned $4,500 scholarships for winning essays written for ACI's Liberal Arts for Leadership Essay Contest. The students wrote about the value of liberal arts education and how it developed their leadership skills. The contest winners are: Rebecca Disrud (Monmouth College, Monmouth, IL), Justin Greiner (Lewis University, Romeoville, IL), Aaron Karstetter (Eureka College, Eureka, IL), Amy Rymer (Principia College, Elsah, IL) and Christopher Wagoner (Illinois College, Jacksonville, IL).

Funded by grants from the Foundation for Independent Higher Education's UPS National Venture Fund and E.R. Moore Company, the competition was open to all seniors at ACI's 24 member colleges and universities in 22 communities across Illinois. A panel of Illinois' business, civic and philanthropric leaders, as well as English and journalism professors, served on an anonymous judging panel. They evaluated the essays for: 1) best illustration of the link between liberal arts and leadership; 2) most compelling case for liberal arts education as a leadership development tool; 3) clarity of ideas; and 4) quality of writing (grammar, spelling, vocabulary and punctuation). In addition, they reviewed each essayists contributions to campus and community leadership.

"The contest showcases the skills acquired through liberal arts education, including evaluating and synthesizing knowledge and experience," says Jim Dennis, president of ACI's Board of Directors and president of McKendree College (Lebanon, IL). "But what we really wanted to know was what makes liberal arts education work for this generation of future leaders, so their challenge was to convey in writing their understanding of the liberal arts approach and the meaning of leadership."

Aaron Karstetter, 22, an accounting and business major at Eureka College (Eureka, IL), defines liberal arts education based on Latin roots from which the term derives: "liber" meaning "to free" and "arts" meaning "ability" or "skill." "The two words embody the definition of liberal arts education: the skills that set us free," he writes in his essay. "An education in the liberal arts is important, if not essential, to develop leadership skills. The integration of knowledge and the opportunity to apply classroom experience have been instrumental in helping me achieve my goal of becoming a demonstrated leader," continues Karstetter. "I am grateful that my leadership abilities have been set free with an education in the liberal arts."

Christopher Wagoner, 22, who majors in biology and chemistry and minors in German at Illinois College (Jacksonville, IL) writes in his essay, "The liberal arts teach us to think critically about what we are told, create a solution to a problem, and demonstrate that solution to those who look to us for answers." Wagoner says that his liberal arts education initiated what he views as the "life-long process of accumulating an arsenal of critical thinking tools that I will use in order to analyze and solve any problem that comes my way."

In her essay, Amy Rymer, 22, a business administration major at Principia College (Elsah, IL), says that her liberal arts education not only taught her about human history, the world, other cultures and the physical laws of the universe; it also enhanced her understanding of her role in the context of the wider world and prepared her to inspire others: "As a result of gaining knowledge in different subjects, I have also acquired the confidence to share it with others," writes Rymer. "Through confidence in my own knowledge, I am able to lead others, encouraging and empowering them to be leaders themselves."

Rebecca Disrud, 23, who majors in English and music at Monmouth College (Monmouth, IL), describes the impact a professor's mentorship had on her development. "The choir director...impressed me with his dedication and passion for teaching," she writes. As Disrud matured under his leadership, she came to understand that her choir director was "giving his students the tools to help them themselves become better musicians, and by his example, he was showing me how to be a more influential leader."

And Justin Greiner, 23, who majors in radio/TV broadcasting and minors in criminal justice at Lewis University (Romeoville, IL) puts it this way: "By providing individualized attention and hands-on experience, by offering courses that provoke thought and demand input, and by creating an environment in which the student feels secure and important, a liberal arts school instills a sense of pride and enlightenment in all who attend." Greiner concludes: "Liberal arts professors develop and produce leaders by being leaders."

While each essay tells a unique story about the author's experience at an ACI member college or university, as a group, the winning essayists share some important insights about private liberal arts education. "A liberal arts college is a nesting place to hatch ideas and nurture individual growth," writes Rymer. Greiner says, "Liberal arts schools are breeding grounds intended to nurture talent and develop potential in everybody; this producing creative minds, powerful personalities and effective leaders."

"For years we've described ACI member colleges as a group of private institutions that blend technical and professional competence with a core of liberal arts studies," comments Jerry Fuller, ACI's executive director. "Personal attention is the hallmark of ACI colleges, where class sizes are small, and teaching is the faculty's first priority. We believe that these colleges are where the next generation of leaders learns to think critically and creatively and acquires the values, knowledge, and skills essential to life-long service to business and community. The winners of ACI's Liberal Arts for Leadership Essay Contest have amply validated our beliefs," concludes Fuller.

All five ACI essay contest winners are high-achievers, who have taken leadership positions on campus. Disrud has worked in Monmouth College's Music Department as the choir accompanist throughout her college career. She is now primary accompanist for the college's auditioned groups and takes a leadership role with the choir. Greiner has worked at Lewis University's radio station, WLRA, since his freshman year and has served as music director, program manager and general manager. Karstetter holds leadership positions on Eureka College's Student Foundation Executive Board, Democrats of Eureka College and the college's Residential Life Staff. He has served as an Admissions Ambassador, a Freshman Seminar Peer Leader and a mentor to fellow students at Eureka's Learning Support Center. Rymer has focused her extracurricular activities at Principia College on student organizations that address social and racial justice, working with the Latin American Student Organization, the Black Student Organization, and Principia's Organization for Women's Rigths. Wagoner has been active on Illinois College's Student Activities Board, presided over the campus chapter of Tri-Beta, a national biology honor society, and served as head secretary of the Modern Language Department.

"The results of ACI's Liberal Arts for Leadership Essay Contest demonstrate what we've always known - that the next generation of leaders is studying right now at ACI member colleges and universities," comments Pete Willmott, president and CEO of Willmot Services and chairman of ACI's Board of Trustees. "These essays reveal that our students truly understand the responsibilities of leadership. The example they set gives me great confidence in the role ACI colleges play in leadership development and in the ability of our alumni to guide our future."

The Associated Colleges of Illinois is a group of private liberal arts colleges and universities working with the public and private sectors to improve educational opportunities for first-generation, minority, and low-income students; to increase awareness of the value of liberal arts education and its capacity to develop leaders for the 21st century; to find creative solutions to society's most pressing problems; and to strengthen member institutions.

Founded in 1952, ACI is currently marking its 50th anniversary: Liberal Arts for Leadership celebrates the value and values of liberal arts education and recognizes the capacity of ACI member colleges and universities to develop the next generation of Illinois leaders.

Last updated: March 18, 2002