Richard Long
B.A. Liberal Studies, 2007
 Ask Richard Long what he'd say when recommending Antioch to prospective students and his response is especially thoughtful.
"This is a place where you can bring your past and, by opening your mind and your heart, turn it into your future," Long says. "The people are caring and strongly qualified, the classes are small yet intense, and the experience not only will provide you with the knowledge that is necessary, but also will change you as a human being for the rest of your life. I came here for the degree, but I leave with the degree and the desire to change our world in any positive way I can."
"I came away with not only the foundation of what it truly means to be a liberal artist, but also an extraordinary example of the type of teacher I strive to become some day."
Before he arrived at Antioch, Long was a member of Actor's Equity Association and performed in more than 60 professional theater productions for young audiences in Louisville, KY. His dream is to teach high school theater, which he says encompasses the expression of human experiences of all types.
"The focus here at Antioch on the human condition, and our responsibilities to the world around us, have provided me with a sense of empowerment that I have never felt before," he describes. "This empowerment will certainly enable me to become a much more effective teacher, both in and out of the classroom. If I have grown as a person, then surely I have grown as an educator."
He says it was the caring atmosphere, the commitment to social justice and solid support from faculty and staff that made him choose Antioch when he, his wife Natalie and daughter Sarah moved to Seattle to be close to family in the area.
"After looking at several schools to complete my degree and gain my teaching credentials," Long notes, "I chose Antioch because of it's commitment to adult education, and it's social ideology, which has become my own as well. If the concept that a student, through study, research and relationships, obtains the basic philosophies of the institution they attend, then I am a better student, friend and person because of Antioch University Seattle."
He explains the valuable inspiration he received in Liberal Studies I with instructor Charles Morrison. "I came away with not only the foundation of what it truly means to be a liberal artist, but also an extraordinary example of the type of teacher I strive to become some day. Charles Morrison's extensive knowledge was inspiring, his firm guidance through some very difficult material was refreshing and his passion for teaching simply changed the way I look at education and learning as a whole. He became the teacher that I will never forget, and that I will always aspire to be."
His best memory? "I will always remember a class called 'Vocal Bliss' with Deborah Shelton at the helm. She graciously inspired me and several other adult learners, to 'find our voices' through the art of song. It was the first time I have ever felt as though I took a real, calculated educational risk that paid off extensively. I experienced a new sense of freedom and confidence that I had never felt before, even after 10 years of acting onstage. The sense of community I experienced with the rest of class was remarkable, as I watched others face the same fears as I, and the effect that overcoming those fears would have on us all. It was an unforgettable experience."
Opportunities for independent study are another plus at Antioch, according to Long. "I am so pleased with the opportunity to create such a personalized learning experience, and to have the solid support and guidance that I am receiving. One of the strongest aspects of the University is its understanding of the value of individualized experience, and I am very pleased with what I have learned through the process," he says.
For those who have concerns about the cost of Antioch, Long says, "It's easy to put a price on a solid education, but the extrinsic experiences here that change you as a human being are limitless. I am sure other institutions are more affordable, but the immeasurables you experience here are well worth the small additional costs involved. Here at Antioch, you truly get what you pay for."
He suggests Antioch's Financial Aid Office has been a big help to him. "I have received financial aid at every institution I have attended, and Antioch's Financial Aid Office is by far the easiest and most supportive experience I have ever had," Long says. "The staff here have been efficient, communicative and mistake-free and I would simply not have been able to succeed without their assistance."
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