The University Concourse

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Liberal arts with professional training: the best of both worlds by Thomas E. Kelly I want to congratulate your publication on serving the Franciscan community in an intellectual manner. The Concourse provides a unique vehicle in which to engage in thought-provoking and intellectual debate. I am a new full-time faculty member at Franciscan University of Steubenville, currently serving as assistant professor of accounting in the Department of Accounting. Despite my "rookie" status, I have always been, directly or indirectly, involved with this great institution. My father, Professor Edward J. Kelly, was one of the "founding fathers" of FUS and served as Chair of the Department of Accounting and Business from 1949 to 1981. I received both of my academic degrees from Franciscan. Hence, one could argue that I am a rookie with veteran characteristics. I have noted with keen interest the continuous debate concerning whether or not the University is too "professionally" intensive. Some argue that the liberal arts contain all one should possess in order to achieve a thorough education and that this type of instruction will provide the student with all they need to think constructively. Some argue that professional education is useful, but if Franciscan University cannot possess the best of both worlds, then liberal arts education will still be able to amply supply students with the intellectual ability they will need to succeed in the world. I have the pleasure of advising business and accounting majors. It is abundantly encouraging to see several students majoring in both a professional and a liberal arts major. Some of these students are theology and accounting and/or business majors. It is my belief that these students have achieved the best of both worlds. Not only do they have an extensive education in the liberal arts, but they possess a valuable ingredient: the professional ability to implement their philosophy. Organizations survive only if operated effectively and efficiently. During my corporate and academic career, I have worked with individuals that possess the "liberal arts only" mentality. Because of this, unfortunately, they had very little concept of budgeting, finance, and/or management skills. This serious deficiency can and does lead to organizational chaos and demise. Some go it alone and lead their organization directly into extinction. Some are fortunate enough to hire professionals to assist them in financial and managerial tasks. But their lack of professional education still leaves them susceptible to total reliance on these professionals and limits their ability to choose the best possible professionals for their organization. These individuals possessed creative ideas, but simply did not have the professional education needed to complete the idea. I can remember my father stating on many occasions, "One can ponder ideas forever, but eventually one must pick up a pad and paper and strategically develop the means to implement the idea. If they lack the scientific ability to implement it, their idea goes nowhere." During the 1950's, when my father was injured and in the hospital, Fr.

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