The annual Common Book Program introduces new students to the university’s community through a shared reading that encourages critical thinking, meaningful dialogue, and engagement beyond the classroom. For 2026, the university has selected Ben & Me: In Search of a Founder’s Formula for a Long and Useful Life. This book…
By Michael Brunson* Photo by Michael Brunson One of my tried-and-true tools in my teaching toolkit is a field, or nature, journal. Whether I am teaching a class on natural history, environmental interpretation, or outdoor recreation, having students keep a field journal throughout the semester has not only improved engagement and helped link classroom learning to the real world, but…
By Emily Moore* It takes a village. Despite its almost droning ubiquity, there is a truth to that phrase that delves into the very heart of sustainability as a global societal framework. In order for our planet to maintain healthy systems in the spheres of nature, economy, society, and well-being, we humans must work together at multiple levels. One sustainable practice…