Hampshire College, a unique institution known for its innovative approach to liberal arts education, is set to close after this fall semester. The college’s model, which allowed students to design their own curriculum without traditional majors, faced challenges due to declining enrollment. The closure of Hampshire is indicative of a larger trend affecting private, nonprofit, four-year colleges and universities, with a report by the Huron Consulting Group forecasting that over a quarter of them might close in the next decade.
One of the college’s notable alumni, filmmaker Ken Burns, shared his thoughts on this development with NPR’s Leila Fadel. Burns, who attended Hampshire from 1971 to 1975, expressed profound sadness over the news, likening it to a funeral. “I do not recognize the person who entered in September of ’71 and the person who came out in the spring of ’75,” Burns said, emphasizing the transformative impact Hampshire had on his life and career.
During his time at the college, Burns crafted his first documentary, an experience he attributes to Hampshire’s emphasis on interdisciplinary studies and the integration of the arts with humanities. “There was a great deal of kind of humanist sense of responsibility and return,” he noted, adding that many graduates have made significant contributions to society in less visible but impactful ways.
Despite the impending closure, Burns believes the legacy of Hampshire will endure through the innovative spirit and transformational energy it fostered. “It’ll be in all the ways that it challenged ordinary assumptions about what higher education was about,” he remarked.
The closure of Hampshire also highlights broader issues in higher education, including declining college enrollment, cuts to humanities programs, and reduced government funding for the arts. Burns pointed out that these challenges stem from various factors, including demographic changes and a shift towards STEM fields at the expense of the arts. He advocates for the inclusion of the arts in education, arguing that they are essential for human wisdom and progress.
Ken Burns’ reflections on Hampshire College underscore the significance of preserving diverse educational approaches that nurture creativity and critical thinking. His latest work, “American Revolution,” is currently airing on PBS.
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