The Wabash College campus was filled with a celebratory atmosphere Saturday.
It was the final day of the annual Wabash Liberal Arts Immersion Program. All of the 25 students who participated in the month-long program were students of color, Pell Grant recipients or first-generation college students. The program helps students adjust to campus life before officially starting their first semester in late August.
Faculty members and student mentors spoke to the families of the WLAIP students about their achievements. They stressed that students got a great head start by completing their first college credit of either college writing or public speaking as part of the program.
English instructor Dr. Jill Lamberton said students, at first, struggled learning to craft a good thesis statement and writing an essay persuasively.
“They definitely grew up and matured academically in class,” Lamberton said. “They started to actually rewrite their work instead of turning it in and thinking they were done.”
Rhetoric instructor Dr. Jeff Drury said students were challenged to focus and engage in critical thinking in many ways, which they were not accustomed to while they were in high school.
“I think that they have matured, quite a bit over the course of the month, just learning the habits that are needed to succeed in college,” Drury said.
Both instructors know students have not completely overcome their difficulties. However, they believe they were able to help students and show them what is expected.
Another goal of the program was is to build friendships.
“I didn’t really want to come at first, I was like forced to come here,” said Jordan Donsky of Westfield. “However, once I got here, I made a lot of friends and I enjoyed the program. I think I became a better writer because of the English program.”
His mother Inna Donsky was impressed with the entire program and the staff and the mentors.
“I just feel like this program is really setting him up for success,” she said. “I feel he will be really confident and comfortable when he starts his fall semester because he already knows the campus.”
WLAIP faculty and staff also conducted an awards ceremony for students to celebrate their accomplishments. Each student received a testimonial and a gift.
The program concluded with students singing the Wabash fight song “Old Wabash.”
“I hope that they do not forget the lessons and strategies of this month,” said Dr. Robert Horton, co-director of the program. “I really want them to try to remind themselves ‘what did I learn this month’ and ‘how can that be helpful in the fall,’ because I think there is a lot of value in what we did.”
Wabash will welcome all students back to campus for in-person learning in three weeks.
