South Mountain College receives Mellon Foundation grant
In its first year, Lehigh University’s South Mountain College is already gaining strong support of its unique cross-disciplinary approach to higher education. The College announced that it recently received a $555,400 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support the program over the next three years.
South Mountain College, a residential academic program in the College of Arts and Sciences, is dedicated to the exploration of ideas and issues in a fluid, interactive environment that sets the stage for life-long learning. In its inaugural year, the program is challenging 21 students to assume greater responsibility for their educational pursuits. In addition to a unique liberal arts curriculum, the students continue the classroom discourse through a shared residence. Ongoing core seminars and theme-based projects cultivate continued conversation and collaboration.
“We are extremely excited about South Mountain College and very grateful for the Mellon Foundation’s support of it,” said Lehigh President Alice P. Gast. The grant will fund the development of the program over three years through such activities as the annual summer planning retreat for students and faculty, faculty development seminars, events, lectures, and student projects.
“South Mountain College is about the exploration of ideas,” said Peter Zeitler, professor of earth and environmental sciences and director of South Mountain College. “One of our applicants wrote that South Mountain College seems to be ‘just what college is supposed to be about.’ The development of the College was a team effort, and it’s gratifying to see support from the Mellon Foundation for this exciting new program.”
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, based in New York City, currently makes grants in six core program areas: Higher Education and Scholarship, Scholarly Communications, Research in Information Technology, Museums and Art Conservation, Performing Arts, and Conservation and the Environment.
--Tricia Long
South Mountain College, a residential academic program in the College of Arts and Sciences, is dedicated to the exploration of ideas and issues in a fluid, interactive environment that sets the stage for life-long learning. In its inaugural year, the program is challenging 21 students to assume greater responsibility for their educational pursuits. In addition to a unique liberal arts curriculum, the students continue the classroom discourse through a shared residence. Ongoing core seminars and theme-based projects cultivate continued conversation and collaboration.
“We are extremely excited about South Mountain College and very grateful for the Mellon Foundation’s support of it,” said Lehigh President Alice P. Gast. The grant will fund the development of the program over three years through such activities as the annual summer planning retreat for students and faculty, faculty development seminars, events, lectures, and student projects.
“South Mountain College is about the exploration of ideas,” said Peter Zeitler, professor of earth and environmental sciences and director of South Mountain College. “One of our applicants wrote that South Mountain College seems to be ‘just what college is supposed to be about.’ The development of the College was a team effort, and it’s gratifying to see support from the Mellon Foundation for this exciting new program.”
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, based in New York City, currently makes grants in six core program areas: Higher Education and Scholarship, Scholarly Communications, Research in Information Technology, Museums and Art Conservation, Performing Arts, and Conservation and the Environment.
--Tricia Long
Posted on:
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
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