When did it begin, and what is it?

In the fall of 2001, IMPACT learning community began on the 10th floor Of Offenhauer Residence Hall. The objective is to give students an intellectual experience that will enable them to compete effectively with the very best college students in the country. IMPACT should prepare its members to obtain admission at top-level schools after they leave Bowling Green and to qualify for highly competitive jobs. But perhaps even more important, IMPACT is dedicated to encouraging commitment to intellectual values and moral development. IMPACT would like to create and share the message that membership in learning communities can paradoxically promote the development of individuals who experience their greatest fulfillment in empathy with and commitment to those outside their communities.

How are IMPACT members chosen?

Interested applicants complete an application form that can be obtained from Neil Browne, nbrown2@cba.bgsu.edu (419-372-8060). Then the faculty of IMPACT and existing IMPACT students will decide who is admitted based on who they feel would best be able to grow in and contribute to IMPACT. Academic ability, academic performance, work ethic, and intellectual aspirations will be the primary criteria for selection into this highly competitive program.

Is IMPACT open to and appropriate for all majors?

Absolutely! IMPACT is intentionally organized to be available for all majors because the actual required coursework in IMPACT is very small. Most of our learning and cohesion will stem from study and conversation beyond the classroom and regular coursework. For example, we will as a community do the following:

Regularly monitor newspapers to find issues for study and contribute letters to the editor reflective of that study.

Invite selected faculty (IMPACT Faculty Scholars) to provide workshops on their special areas of interest to learn from them and to excite them about their own teaching. Our first IMPACT Faculty Scholar provided a seminar, addressing the question: Why should a citizen in a democracy be fascinated about evolutionary genetics?

Solicit alumni interested in offering on-line workshops with IMPACT students in their areas of expertise. Four alumni have already expressed such interest.

Hold Sunday Morning discussion sessions stimulated by the political talk shows.

Sponsor simulated discussions among historical figures as a stimulus to take greater interest in their ideas. Adam Smith and Sigmund Freud are our first discussants.

Plan visits to cultural events off-campus and then integrate those experiences into our activities on campus.

Participate in learning opportunities to build our skills and understandings beyond what is provided in classrooms. For example in the fall, one group read and discussed the implications of The Prince, Spinoza's Ethics, and Richard III. Another group learned how to make Power Point presentations, but more importantly evaluated the use of Power Point as an impediment to careful reasoning.