Education: not about name brand schools.

I always try to make my op-eds somewhat on the lighthearted, humorous side. I don't feel there's enough of that in the world anymore, really.

But this week I am taking a detour from that approach to mark some serious ground.

Recently, some acquaintances of mine saw it as their duty to reproach something on campus my peers have worked very hard on.

These acquaintances are Erie-born and raised, and everybody within the county limits has a certain image of Edinboro University they like to cling to. That being said, it's not the best image.

I have often sided with their arguments and, yes, I have made lots of jokes and belittling comments at the expense of my college classmates.

But for all that can be said that's negative about Edinboro, there's a lot to be said that's positive.

Do great things happen here?

Well, look past the scandals that have plagued us through the years. Look past the stereotypes one is prone to associate with the typical "Edinboro student." See past the never-ending winters and the constant hazards of construction.

I believe that great things do happen here. And I have been fortunate enough to have witnessed a few.

Edinboro is notorious for its student apathy, that's for sure. Most people will see a flier, tacked on a wall on campus, and look the other way without a second thought.

But then there are the students who are putting the fliers up, investing their time in causes they care deeply about.

I have tried to rally my classmates sometimes, without much success. But then, I see the people who are dedicated, and I feel a surge of pride in my school.

Some people act as if a degree from any school that doesn't conjure images of ivy-covered gates and iconic colors isn't worth the time that it takes to get a degree.

Some act as if the only schools worth mentioning are those with the distinguished alumni lists that go on for miles, and tuition costs that make jaws drop. The Harvards, Princetons and Yales. Okay, they're great schools. No doubting that.

But you can go to one of these schools and do absolutely nothing. You can go to one of these schools and think the mere fact you walked away with a piece of paper with its name embossed on it is enough to get you by in life.

Screw getting good grades, screw getting involved.

You do just enough to guarantee you a mediocre curriculum vitae and you're set!

But then you can go to Edinboro, and you can get a 3.8 GPA when you graduate. You can work on the newspaper; you can work for the literary magazine; you can run for the track team and sing for the chorus. You can try to set up your own organization. And you can do all these things with an accessibility unmatched at more lofty schools.

You can try, as hard as you can, to shake up the status quo during your tenure here.

And maybe the student body won't be overly concerned, and you'll find it's difficult to try and cause a worthwhile change.

But you walk away with a shining resume and experiences that will affect you for the remainder of your life.

And how dare those who do nothing, who rely solely on the names of others and institutions, complain and condescend about those who try to make a name for themselves. No matter if they went to Edinboro, Harvard, Penn State or, hey, a community college, even.

What doesn't matter about your education is where you got it from, necessarily. It's what you do while you're there and what you proceed to do afterward.

However, Edinboro students are not off the hook. I get frustrated when I see my fellow students just walk on by all the ample and worthwhile opportunities.

That mindset has always infuriated me.

My fellow English writing majors need clips if they're going to land a decent job upon graduation, which is becoming increasingly difficult.

What bewilders me is when I hear them whine that it's so difficult to get published, when there are plenty of opportunities on campus! The newspaper, the literary magazine, and student publications like Silver Vision and Agent Provocateur.

There are clubs and organizations always seeking members, and the SGA could always benefit from more student body participation.

It's these little things that can go on to make all the difference later, when a pair of discerning eyes are scrutinizing every detail of your resume.

The little things differentiate you from the people who depend on name-brand prestige, and otherwise do not contribute.

So Edinboro's reputation will never be immaculate and gleaming.

There will always be those loafers who take the laissez-faire approach to their careers, academic or professional.

And then those virulent detractors-hovering with their critical smirks-will perpetually feel the need to put us down.

For them, dispensing criticism is vindication: they're the ones at the prestigious schools, after all.

But I'd?much rather have an Edinboro degree than join their league.

OCTOBER 21, 2009