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Lourdes College is small Catholic school 10 miles west of Toledo that “caters to the nontraditional student,� offering “excellent academics� and “convenient� schedules. With a strong “spiritual component� and an “emphasis on service,� Lourdes is “a perfect environment for learning.� “The concept is to learn so you can give back,� says one student. Professors “teach with enthusiasm,� “are always there for you�---“One-on-one attention [is] plentiful�---and bring “real-world experience� to the classroom. “I know what I am learning from them can be applied to what I will be doing in the future,� declares one student. The library could use “extended hours,� but the “totally accessible� administration staff is “always there to listen and help.� “I feel like I can go and talk to anyone in the school about any subject,� relates a senior. “I love this college,� agrees another, “If I could stay, I would. Actually, I’m considering a master’s program.�

“Students range from new high school graduates to people in their sixties� and “from black to white to Hispanic and Asian,� but they are predominantly “around 25--30,� and “female� and “have families and other responsibilities.� Most chose Lourdes because it is “close by.� “They have previous careers and are coming to Lourdes College to seek their dreams or change careers,� states one student. People are “serious� here. They want “to get an education and to do well.� That doesn’t keep them from being “very friendly and easy to get along with.� “Everybody is so nice, and I’m not just saying that,� swears a junior.

“If you are looking for the typical college experience, Lourdes is probably not the place for you,� confides a student. “It’s not a party school.� “There are no dorms� on this “pretty little campus,� but “Students still meet, mingle, and study in the main building on campus.� “In warmer weather you can find students hanging out on the campus lawn.� Social life consists of “shows, associations, [and] intramural sports,� though the hours can be a bit weird---“Most activities are scheduled at odd times when people are working.� However, because “Approximately 60 percent of students are nontraditional,� many are “too busy� with other responsibilities to engage in much extracurricular life anyway. “Lourdes is a college that focuses on academics yet understands that students have a life outside of school,� says a business major. “I chose Lourdes College because it met my needs as a returning college student working full-time during the day.�