Evergreen State College

Evergreen State College is a public liberal arts college located in Olympia, Washington, that was founded in 1967 by the Washington State Legislature. The college is known for its unique approach to education, which emphasizes interdisciplinary studies and student-centered learning, similar to Hampshire College and Bard College. The college has a strong focus on environmental studies, social justice, and community engagement, with many students going on to work with organizations such as the Sierra Club and the American Civil Liberties Union. The college's curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, with many students participating in study abroad programs at institutions such as University of Oxford and University of Cambridge.

● History

The history of the college is closely tied to the counterculture movement of the 1960s, with many of its founders being influenced by the ideas of John Dewey and Paul Goodman. The college's early years were marked by a focus on experimental education and innovative pedagogy, with many students and faculty members being involved in the anti-war movement and the civil rights movement. The college has also been influenced by the ideas of Ivan Illich and Deschooling Society, with a focus on self-directed learning and community-based education. Many notable figures have visited the college, including Noam Chomsky, Angela Davis, and Howard Zinn, who have spoken on topics such as anarchism, feminism, and socialism.

● Academics

The college offers a range of academic programs, including Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees, as well as Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees in fields such as environmental studies, public policy, and teaching. The college is known for its interdisciplinary programs, which combine coursework from multiple departments, such as biology, chemistry, and physics, to create a comprehensive understanding of complex issues. Many students also participate in internships and research projects with organizations such as the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and United States Environmental Protection Agency. The college has a strong focus on experiential learning, with many students participating in study abroad programs at institutions such as University of California, Berkeley and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

● Campus

The college's campus is located on 1,000 acres of forest and wetlands, with many buildings designed to be sustainable and energy-efficient, similar to those found at University of British Columbia and University of Melbourne. The campus is home to a range of facilities, including the Daniel J. Evans Library, the Communications Building, and the Longhouse Education and Cultural Center, which is modeled after the Longhouse of the Native American Tlingit people. The college also has a strong focus on outdoor education, with many students participating in hiking, climbing, and kayaking trips in nearby Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier National Park. The campus is also home to a range of art installations and public art projects, including works by Maya Lin and Andy Goldsworthy.

● Student Life

The college has a strong focus on community engagement and social responsibility, with many students participating in volunteer work and community service projects with organizations such as the American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity. The college also has a range of student organizations and clubs, including the Evergreen Student Union, the Environmental Club, and the Queer Straight Alliance, which are similar to those found at University of Michigan and University of California, Los Angeles. Many students also participate in protest movements and activism, with the college having a long history of student activism and social justice movements, including the Civil Rights Movement and the Anti-Apartheid Movement.

● Controversies

The college has been involved in several controversies over the years, including a 2017 incident in which a professor was targeted by conservative media for his anti-racist and anti-fascist views, similar to those expressed by Cornel West and Ta-Nehisi Coates. The college has also been criticized for its handling of sexual assault cases, with some students and faculty members calling for greater transparency and accountability, similar to the Title IX cases at University of Virginia and University of Southern California. The college has also been involved in disputes with the state legislature over issues such as funding and academic freedom, with many students and faculty members participating in protests and rallies at the Washington State Capitol.

● Notable Alumni

The college has a range of notable alumni, including Rachel Corrie, a peace activist who was killed in Gaza in 2003, and Matt Groening, the cartoonist and animator behind The Simpsons and Futurama. Other notable alumni include Winona LaDuke, a Native American activist and environmentalist, and Jesse Appell, a comedian and writer who has performed at Comedy Central and The Second City. Many alumni have gone on to work with organizations such as the United Nations, Greenpeace, and the National Geographic Society, and have been recognized with awards such as the Pulitzer Prize and the MacArthur Fellowship. The college's alumni network also includes many notable figures in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including NASA astronauts and Nobel Prize winners.

Category:Universities and colleges in Washington (state)