"Core Fifth Hour activities are a great way to ease into college life. You're introduced to academic life through intensive reading assignments, but through these out-of-classroom experiences, you're introduced to other students and to the wide range of activities on campus. This includes basketball games, career fairs, lectures, art shows, performances, and movies. After the event, you're asked to write your reflections on it."
-Kelley Johnston, VU Class of 2004

"In the Love unit, we discussed the differences between "falling in love" here at college and back in high school. We looked at contemporary authors, philosophers, and theologians to get to deeper ways of looking at these relationships. It was a very eye-opening conversation!"
-Kristine Martin, VU Class of 2004

"Core allows freshmen to bond with each other by talking about serious, in-depth issues that many people have strong feelings about. I'd never been exposed to such differing opinions and didn't always agree, but I definitely learned tolerance and respect for other's opinions no matter how much they differed from my own."
-Jennifer Bonner, VU Class of 2003

"Now when I write an essay, I don't take the material at its face value. I try to evaluate it from several different aspects and points of view. The new level of work and higher expectations that were required in Core made me stronger as a writer and that will help me in future schooling and career endeavors."
-Josh Sickinger, VU Class of 2005

"What makes the Core program so good is that the professors make each class unique and guide conversations that really spark interest in students who aren't big fans of reading! Many times I was motivated to read the texts because I wanted to participate in class debates about the interesting topics that came up."
-Sarah Peck, VU Class of 2003

"We explored many texts and I didn't like them all. But, because I've read and been exposed to them, I'm a much better, well-rounded student and person. One of the biggest advantages Valpo gives its students is a Core class that develops a broad background in each freshman."
-Laura Stellfox, VU Class of 2005

"I don't just speak for myself when I say that Core really helped in my transition to college life. When you go to any of the Fifth Hour events, there are always at least ten other freshmen there. Knowing other Core students is a kind of safety net for shy students and an opportunity to meet more people for those who are outgoing. Because of the Fifth Hour requirement, you can't help but become aware of all that Valpo has to offer!"
-Tim Brown, VU Class of 2003

"Core is a little unusual. The professors don't lecture or stand above you. Instead, they facilitate and participate in every discussion of text. By doing things like facing two book characters against each other and holding a debate over gender issues as seen in vocation, religion, era, etc., everyone is brought into the conversation."
-Patrick McClory, VU Class of 2005