IWU introduces hands-on experience program

Posted on March 25, 2018
The First-Year Experience Program offers freshmen a chance to leave the classroom and get some hands-on experience. (Photo courtesy Illinois Wesleyan University)

By Patrick Baron

BLOOMINGTON – College freshmen looking to test the waters of their planned major will have an opportunity to leave the classroom and gain experience outside this fall.

Illinois Wesleyan University is introducing the First-Year Experience Program for the fall semester. The program has freshmen work intimately with their professors in their respective field of study. IWU Provost and Dean of Faculty Mark Brodl explained the 150 freshmen that will be involved in the program are provided hands-on experience.

“The kinds of experiences are ones that are actually pretty interdisciplinary,” Brodl said.

Brodl added the First-Year Experience Program is complimentary to a senior year experience, which offers much more individualized projects. He said the program emphasizes learning by doing.

“It’s a time for [students] to explore outside of the boundaries of a normal classroom experience with faculty guidance,” Brodl explained.

Brodl said the program will also allow students and teachers to take alternate spring breaks in order to work in their respective field. Those trips, Brodl explained, are covered by the program. The program itself is funded through a fellowship. Brodl noted the university plans to expand the program in the coming years.

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…