<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><item href="/parents-and-families/family-newsletter/essence-of-a-liberal-arts-education.html" dsn="news"><featured/><pubDate/><title>The Essence of a Liberal Arts Education</title><description>When you ask about classes, think about the broader ways these subjects are meant to connect with one another and build on the foundations of an F&amp;M education. The essence of a liberal arts education consists of the interwoven threads of knowledge and critical thinking that come in every course and are the bedrock of every assignment.</description><author>Jon Stone, Ph.D. F&amp;M Associate Dean of the Faculty, Professor of Russian</author><image><img src="/_resources/images/09-26%20Campus%2016%20dg.jpg" alt="The Essence of a Liberal Arts Education"/></image></item>