Senator Amy Klobuchar’s (D-MN) lecture about the challenges and future of the country drew large crowds Monday night. Her lecture, hosted by the McCarthy Center for Public Policy, focused not only the legacy of Eugene J. McCarthy but on education,
internationalism and independent spirits.
“We have to go back decades, all the way back to the 1960’s, to find another time when we were confronted by so many issues which will decide the future of our nation,” Sen. Klobuchar said. “We can’t simply rely on exhausted ideas from the past. We need to forge new political models to suite the challenges of our times.”
Klobuchar’s remarks on education and the economy hit home with many Bennies and Johnnies in the wake of higher tuition costs and a poor job market.
“We have much more to do,” Sen. Klobuchar said. “We need to increase money for grants and increase programs like AmeriCorps to help students today.”
For many, however, even recent legislation has not been enough to cover rising costs.
“It takes almost more focus to work on staying in school than being here,” sophomore Tucker Mithuen said. “I don’t have the finances to do experiences like study abroad which would be exciting and good for my resume.”
Administrators at CSB/SJU are doing what they can to help lessen the burden on students. After cuts were made to Minnesota grants, were made to Minnesota grants, both schools helped to try and cover the lost grant money.
“Both St. Ben’s and St. John’s rallied for the cause,” said Jane Haugen, Executive Director of Financial Aid.
While money may be tight for students, the both schools have maintained a good retention rate, Haugen said.
“Families have really been willing to commit to schooling being a number one priority,” Haugen said.
Even so, many students are faced with an imposing domestic job market, along with threats from other countries. Sen. Klobuchar said America was ready to take on the challenge.
“We have some of the best students in the world,” Sen. Klobuchar said. “Other countries have made education a huge priority, and I think we need to do that in this country.”
Klobuchar also said getting research into the market would help lead to innovation.
“We can’t just let it sit on a shelf,” Sen. Klobuchar said. “We need to get these ideas into the market.”
While Sen. Klobuchar focused much time on the advancement of science, she also acknowledged the importance of the humanities and social sciences.
“Unfortunately, there has been a 50 percent drop in liberal arts majors over the past generation,” Sen. Klobuchar said. “It doesn’t do much good to graduate with science and engineering degrees if they lack the ability to read with fluency, write with clarity, or think with imagination. Someone with a narrow education risks having a narrow mind.”
To close, Sen. Klobuchar focused on McCarthy’s legacy and what we should take from his life.
“He would call for a more thoughtful and piercing discussion of the issues before us,” Sen. Klobuchar said. “He would push for action.”