by Robert Walsh, Hamilton
April is National Community College Month. Across the nation, more than 1200 community colleges have good reason to celebrate. Community colleges in the U.S. enroll more than 12 million students—almost half of all U.S. undergraduates, according to the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). We should be proud of our excellent community colleges here in Montana. Education is always a good investment.
But residents of Ravalli County have a special reason to celebrate National Community College Month this year. Our own Bitterroot Valley Community College (BVCC) is the first community college in Montana ever to be created all-new from the ground up. An historic event! I am proud to have played a small part in bringing BVCC into the world.
I have been a professor of philosophy and psychology for more than thirty-five years, an educator for more than forty years. Thousands of students have come through my classroom. My specialty area is Ethics and Human Development. When I discuss with my students the many problems and challenges in our world today, I inevitably come back to one hopeful solution: education.
For it is our ability to learn that allows us to better ourselves, to advance and fulfill ourselves, to grow in wisdom and justice as a community, and to develop the practical workforce skills needed to be successful in the 21st century. Education is the backbone of our great nation.
Celebrate National Community College Month! Vote YES for the BVCC levy.