Our final day on campus at Earth University has arrived. A little bitter sweet as most of us are ready to go home to see our loved ones (and pets), but I feel like I speak for all when I say we are not ready to leave paradise just yet. This experience has been full of activities, classes, tours, and I dare not forget, RICE AND BEANS.
Earth University thrives on 4 cornerstone values that include Social and Environmental Awareness and Commitment. Personal Development, Attitudes and Values. Ethical entrepreneurship as well as Scientific and Technical Knowledge.
Our final day began with a very enlightening visit to the Earth University President’s office. President Jose Zagul has been at the helm at EARTH since April 1, 1989, the year Earth laid its first cornerstone brick. Many changes have been witnessed by students and faculty alike. In those days, one single telephone could be found on campus and it went through a switchboard operator to reach the surrounding outside world. Today the campus has over 400 students and is on the cutting edge of agriculture research and development. Students from over 40 countries buzz about with rubber boots in tow and rain gear never more than an arm’s reach away. “An education at Earth is more than planting crops. It’s about diversity and responsibility.”
The message delivered by Jose Zaglul has resonated with me throughout the day. “You can teach ethics but if you do not practice it, you will not be able to succeed.” Walking around campus, it is evident that the students, faculty and staff at EARTH are living it every day. Ninety percent of students at EARTH return to their countries and work in relevant fields. Eighty two percent of students have a positive social impact on their countries and eighty percent have a positive environmental impact on the planet in many different ways. These numbers speak to the importance of the mission at EARTH. For each graduate at EARTH, four jobs are created in their home countries.
Earth University believes that individuals, in the end, will change the world. I have spent some quality time thinking and listening to some of my favorite musicians on this trip and one in particular has a great message that simulates the feeling that I have on my last day at EARTH.
I leave you with this…..
“When many little people in many little places do many little things then the whole world changes………You see, I’m just a little man tryin hard to understand, what kind of livin is a life if I can’t stand on my own two feet?………We are looking for the same things. We are tryin to survive. But I know each day in life don’t get much easier than the last, so today I’m just glad to be ALIVE!” (Michael Franti 2010)
Thank you EARTH UNIVERSITY for a wonderful and enlightening experience. Chatham University is honored to participate in your MISSION.
Scott Marshall
Chatham University, Falk School of Sustainability
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