The University

Polymath or Renaissance Man is the same as “Homo Universalis” - translated from the Latin as “Universal Man” or “Man of the World”. A few centuries back, the universal man was one who was knowledgeable in math, science, philosophy, literature and music. Furthermore, he would be familiar with the military arts and would be athletic. In fact, the term “university” came about because it was the place where the “universal” man got his education. How universal is today’s university education? Certainly the opportunity to have a broad education is available but in today’s educational environment in America, the student tries to get the general requirements out of the way so as to focus on the requirements of his/her major. University is probably the last time to have the freedom to pursue knowledge for the sake of knowledge - that's Academia, and academia is what the U.S. excels in the world for. Life after college is never simple.  There are jobs to obtain and maintain, families to raise, aging parents to care for, houses to keep up, and so on.

Taken from a writing by Deacon John Bacon. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Hammond, INDIANA, USA.