Josh Maxwell's typical day includes going to classes, conversing with friends on the mall, attending meetings with the many organizations he is part of and doing homework.
Lots of homework.
If he's lucky, the junior at Marietta College spends some time hanging out with friends.
Compare this to the lifestyle of a typical Marietta College student in 1835, and only one similarity exists.
Lots of homework.
As Marietta College celebrates its 175th anniversary during the 2009-10 academic year, it's interesting to compare the past with today. The college's earliest students had to wear formal clothing all day, every day. Classes were hours long and focused on Latin, Greek and mathematics. Meals were held at specific times, and strict curfews were in place.
"I can honestly say I couldn't imagine going to school back in the 1800s," Maxwell said. "To think of going to school where I studied all day, had curfews and dressed up everyday just sounds weird.
"Today's Marietta experience is just as much about social learning as it is about academic learning, in my opinion. And I wouldn't trade that for anything," he said.
Marietta is now home to more than 1,400 undergraduate students. Faculty members, whom you could count on one hand in 1835, now number more than 100. New buildings have sprouted up across campus, while some that were built before the turn of the century still stand. There are more than 40 majors that one can strive to obtain, which has grown from the single liberal arts degree one could originally get.
But why is turning 175 important?
"The fact that the college has reached its 175th anniversary means that it has survived and thrived through changing times and a variety of challenges," said Jean Scott, president of Marietta College. "It has done so because it stands for timeless values, including liberal arts education, personal and professional integrity and the pursuit of knowledge and truth. It has also changed so that the education it offers remains relevant to the times in which its graduates live. Those are achievements worth celebrating."
There aren't a whole lot of colleges and universities that have been around this long. Or longer, if you consider that the Muskingum Academy, the first school of higher learning in Ohio, was founded in 1797. Marietta College's roots are within the Academy.
The college has had a lot planned to celebrate the occasion.
"There are a number of events that took place in the fall semester to help kick off the celebration, including the Pioneer Pride Day, Looking Forward-Writing Back and a Door Decorating Contest in December," said Tom Perry, director of college relations. "The college also took advantage of existing events and gave them a 175 twist. Some of those events included Family Weekend, Homecoming and the 'Messiah' performance."
And there are still plenty of events to mark the milestone throughout the rest of the academic year.
"There are a few big events planned for the spring semester, including Founders Day speaker Ronald C. White, the nation's leading Abraham Lincoln scholar, as well as a cake and ice cream celebration in April," Perry said.
Perry also wanted to remind the community that most events are open to the public.
"Community members are invited to most, if not all, of the 175 celebrations throughout the rest of the year, but our friends in the community should also remember they are welcome to many of the events that happen on campus throughout any academic year," he said. "So it's important that they know they are allowed to attend events such as Esbenshade, choir and band performances as well as many of our guest speakers free of charge."
But, after the celebration and special events, what happens next?
"I see Marietta continuing to give its students the benefit of a residential college experience in the face of our rising dependence on technology," Maxwell said.
"I feel that the college has realized how crucial it is for students to have excellent people skills and will continue to help students develop them. But at the same time, I also do see Marietta doing everything it can to remain on the cutting edge of both education and technology."
