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Fall 2002 Volume 6 Number 1 |
Home » MSC Today Magazine » Fall 2002 » Upperclass
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Upperclass
By Sheron Smith Like many young adults right out of high school, Chris Hood was sold on the idea of “going away” to college. He did go away for a while, spending his freshman year at one of the state’s regional universities and taking advantage of the many social attractions of a big residential campus. He returned to Macon after his father became ill to help with his care. When he was ready to resume his studies, Hood thought about returning to a large university but ultimately decided to enroll at Macon State because he heard the College had begun offering bachelor’s degrees. Expecting a bland campus environment that offered none of the amenities of a residential university, Hood found MSC to be a pleasant surprise. “Macon State has a much different atmosphere from what I thought,” said Hood, 25, a senior communications major.
Five years after Macon State began offering bachelor of science degrees, MSC has become the college of choice for many Central Georgians who are looking for a quality academic experience in exciting career areas at a cost that is within reach of the average family. In growing numbers, students who a few years ago would have transferred to other colleges or universities after two years of study are remaining to complete their four-year degrees at Macon State. Students first had an opportunity to declare four-year majors in 1997 when Macon State introduced B.S. degrees in health information management, health services administration and information technology. About 200 signed on that first term. By the end of fall semester 2002, with the College having added business, communications, public service and nursing to its baccalaureate mix, the number of students focused on a four-year MSC degree is expected to include nearly a third of the College’s 5,000-member student body. This projection doesn’t include all of those who have indicated an interest in finishing their bachelor’s degrees at Macon State but have yet to officially declare a major. In a recent survey of freshmen, 41 percent said they planned to remain at the College for a full four-year program.
According to Bell, a metropolitan college is one that serves a region’s specific economic needs through focused baccalaureate programs while offering a rich academic and cultural environment similar to traditional campuses. Macon State, Bell said, is able to successfully serve two constituencies: so-called nontraditional students who must have local access to higher education because of job and family obligations and those students recently out of high school who choose Macon State over other options and expect a vibrant campus atmosphere. “One of Macon State’s greatest strengths is its appeal
to this broad range of students,” Bell said. “Central
Georgia will always have its fair share of students who want a traditional
residential university experience, and we should encourage them.
But this group represents only about 16 percent of the nation’s
college students. Millions of Americans are attracted to the new
model — institutions like Macon State that offer quality academic
programs at reasonable cost and still provide students with a rich
collegiate experience.” “I talked to the professors to find out what the program was all about, and they told me I could make the major work for me,” said Jackson, who transferred to Macon State from the University of Florida. “I’m focusing on psychology, information technology and foreign language, and all of those subjects are good background for what I’d like to do.” Jackson also said Macon State is satisfying her desire for a traditional campus environment.
As the percentage of Macon State’s four-year majors grows, juniors and seniors are assuming more leadership roles in various student clubs and organizations. Lynn McCraney, Macon State’s dean of students, said these juniors and seniors are adding to the College’s new vitality. “These students are more likely to build relationships with other students, faculty and staff,” she said. “They know they’re going to be here longer, so they’re more willing to invest in the College community.” Jackson, for example, is Student Government Association president. Hood is editor of the student newspaper, the Matrix. Robert Fahey, a senior IT major who chose Macon State over Georgia Tech, is president of the College’s student chapter of the Association of IT Professionals. Baccalaureate-level students, Fahey said, “know that in order to get the most out of a degree, they need to do more than sit in class, get a grade and get out.” For longtime Macon State faculty, the transition from a two-year to a four-year college has been especially rewarding.
Dr. Kevin Cantwell, an associate professor of English and coordinator of the four-year communications degree, said he’s noticed a “substantial increase” in the number of good students since the addition of baccalaureate programs. “We’ve always had good students, but because they left after two years, their effect on campus life was brief,” he said. “More students see MSC as a good place to be a good student, not just a steppingstone to one of the universities. Most of the faculty have been energized by upper-level classes and the quality of interaction we are having with students. Watching students go on to internships, good jobs or grad school has been gratifying.” Dr. Marie Pease Lewis, an associate professor of sociology teaching upper-level classes in the public service degree program, said students pursuing baccalaureate education seem more connected to Macon State. “When you leave school with a two-year degree, there’s not always that feeling of closure,” she said. “Now students can come to Macon State and realize their dream of getting a four-year degree. I think both students and faculty have a greater feeling of community now, and it’s due to a combination of things – the four-year degrees, the beautiful grounds and the Student Life Center. The idea of students being able to go to one place for all the services they need is so ‘big’ college.” Campus Evolution
When Carrie Mobley, a recent baccalaureate graduate, enrolled at Macon State a few years ago, she missed the beautiful grounds and “rich scenery” of the Central Georgia residential college she transferred from. But with the continued beautification of the campus through the botanical gardens and other landscaping projects, Macon State offered surroundings that Mobley enjoyed just as much. “The nicest place to me is outside the Student Life Center,” Mobley said. “It offers a warm environment that gives me a sense of calm amidst all the business of school. I understand that school is primarily a place to learn, but it should never be cold and unfriendly to the eye. The thought that has obviously been put into the aesthetics of Macon State shows that people have confidence in what is going on at the College.” While excited about Macon State’s evolution, officials remain committed to the College serving as a point of access to the University System. Dr. Barbara Frizzell, interim vice president for Academic Affairs, said Macon State is serving both baccalaureate and associate program majors well. “We’ll always have a large number of students in the associate degree transfer programs,” she said. “We’ve proven we can prepare our transfer students for success at Georgia’s flagship universities, and we’re going to continue to do that. But over time, more of our associate degree graduates are going to stay for our own four-year programs."
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