And that is only common sense since the essence of liberal arts education is to assist our students in envisioning and crafting their futures as citizens, professionals, parents and lifelong learners. We are all engaged in visioning, to use the buzzword, for ourselves, for our students and, of course, for our institution. Vision is part and parcel of the founding idea of Hiram and liberal arts education. Our motto, Fiat lux. Let there be light - describes the most fundamental visionary moment, the creation of the world and humankind as they are set on their existential and evolutionary path.
Many traditions converge on the subject of vision and human endeavor.
Hinsdale evoked the Disciples principle of faith aided by sense to describe the complementarity of faith and learning. In a similar vein, the Jewish tradition of tikkun olam the perfection of the world invokes the moral, educational and social mission of humankind to envision a better world and to work toward its actualization. I have taken a moment to gloss the term because it is today too clouded and obscured by managerial jargon that captures only a part of its importance and impact. Education is where visioning ought to be at its best and strongest. It is the essence of our mission and thus must grow out of the collegial life.