<p>Read article on Swarthmore and how it is preparing students to be responsible citizens, to care about the world, and to serve others.</p>
<p>Thanks for the link, tommybill. I might have to get my hands on the book described in the article.</p>
<p>One of the traditions at Swarthmore that seldom gets mentioned is the book-ending of the 4 years with the First Collection and Last Collection in the ampitheater. The First Collection is a meeting of all first year students with a speech by a faculty member, often about challenging the professors, etc. The meeting includes a candle-lighting ceremony in which all of the incoming students light each others candles. At the end of senior year, the students gather again, with another speech, often about giving something back in the real world.</p>
<p>This year's last collection speaker was Bob Gross, and he was just wonderful. It was a spin-off of the orientation "No matter what you say or do to me," speech, and it meant just as much, if not more, for those of us heading off to face unknown challenges again. </p>
<p>Last collection is one of the few more optional events at graduation, but I highly recommend it all the same.</p>
<p>This year's last collection speaker was Bob Gross....."No matter what you say or do to me," speech.......</p>
<p>this summer after her 1st year my D could and did recite Dean Gross' "No matter what you say or do" </p>
<p>It's a good lesson for all of us.....</p>