The American Dream

"He is at home in any society, he has common ground with every class; he is able to listen; he can ask a question pertinently, and gain a lesson seasonable, when he has nothing to impart himself he is ever ready, yet never in the way; he is a pleasant companion, and a comrade you can depend upon; he knows when to be serious, and when to trifle, and he has a sure tact which enables him to trifle with gracefulness and to be serious with effect
             " (Newman, 1852). This establishes an idea that University helps define every individual as a person, and aids in development. To become a personage who can confer with anyone, about any given subject, is one of the aims stated. With those characteristics, one also becomes a friend, a companion that everyone aspires to have by their side.
             Today's high school juniors and seniors apply to hundreds of college and universities a year, but why? What is the purpose of higher education in today's world? Is it to obtain a degree in hopes of establishing a flourishing career, in order to make money and have a successful, content future? Is it to grow as an individual? On the other hand, is it for something as superficial as being able to attend the parties? .
             Young men and women choose to further their education with aspirations of achieving the American Dream. However, the American Dream is a vague outline of what everyone wants to be. It is someone who attains this who is an individual established in a thriving career, and has a loving and caring family. It is someone who is socially fit, who does not have to worry about financial troubles. A person who is a friend of many and disliked by few has come across this dream. Finally, the most significant factor to meeting this goal is that a person is pleased with the way life is.
             After looking over the mission and vision statements for University of Minnesota, Morehouse College, Evergreen State College, California State University, Thomas Aquinas College, Duquesne University, Drexel University, and Robert Morris College, it seems that the colleges themselves are agreeing with the ideas of Newman.