What Is College For? A Reflection on Its Role in Society
An evening of discussion, food, drink and fun all in the name of building community and sharing ideas in the Twin Cities.
Date and time
Location
Yoerg Brewing Company
378 Maria Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55106Refund Policy
Agenda
5:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Arrive + Mingle
6:00 PM - 6:50 PM
Panel Discussion
6:50 PM - 7:00 PM
Break
7:00 PM - 7:50 PM
Small group discussion
7:50 PM - 8:00 PM
Conclude with toast and commission
About this event
- Event lasts 2 hours 30 minutes
Rising college costs and debates about access have sparked renewed interest in the question: What is college for? Should its primary focus be technical training for the workforce, forming engaged citizens, or cultivating whole human beings? Perhaps college is about credentials and networking, or even an elite cultural experience.
The university has a nearly 1,000-year history, evolving significantly over time. It has been a center for intellectual growth, a hub for social mobility, and a crucible for innovation. Yet today, its role is often reduced to a pathway to employment or a source of debt for many.
This discussion asks us to pause and reflect: What should the purpose of college be in a flourishing society? Is it a public good, a private investment, or something deeper—a place to foster wisdom, community, and a sense of the common good? How does its function affect not only individuals but also the broader culture and our local communities?
Exploring these questions helps us better understand the nature of higher education and its contribution to a society that values both practical skill and human flourishing.
Frequently asked questions
A place for neighbors to gather and explore the fundamentally human questions, and learn from one another while building community by sharing food and drink.
The panel is simply a means to start the conversation and get the juices flowing. The panelists set the stage but it is you, the participant, who makes the Lyceum special. It is your voice and experience that you bring to the discussion which really makes for an engaging conversation
The Lyceum does not endorse or support any political platform or politician. At the Lyceum, we believe the we are fundamentally on the same team and seek to explore what unites us while acknowledging and speaking through our differences.
1. Read - Neighbor’s words in the best light. 2. Talk - For understanding, not victory. 3. See - Everyone as fundamentally on the same team, even with those who disagree. 4. Acknowledge - We don’t yet know. 5. Talk - To build up community. 6. Look - For something to love in every person.
As a participant, these are the questions one is encouraged to explore: 1. Do we understand it? 2. Is it true? 3. Have we seen it in our life? 4. How does it relate to our community?