Junior's self-designed major reflects personal interests

RELEASED: March 22, 2007

DANVILLE, KY—Ben Ray, a junior from Finchville, Ky., came to Centre with an interest in making the most of a liberal arts education. While the College offers many traditional majors, none of them fit perfectly with his academic interests. So, with the help of faculty advisors, Ray designed his own major in criminology.

Combining elements of psychology, sociology and government, Ray's academic program will meet the College's liberal arts objectives, as well as his own. As part of his self-designed major, Ray is required to complete upper- and lower-level classes in each of several disciplines as well as an independent study.

A self-designed major isn't meant to take the place of Centre's liberal arts environment; it's meant to enhance it.

"At any other college, I would have applied to a criminal justice program," Ray says. "However, Centre has a broad liberal arts program and outstanding psychology, sociology and government departments, providing me with the makings of a degree far greater than the sum of its parts."

By completing a major in criminology, Ray's ultimate goal is to understand the various facets of the criminal mind, the attitudes of society and how government chooses to deal with deviant behavior.

Ray says, "The existing majors of the College can independently reveal a small part of my chosen study. The three disciplines together result in a study of the criminal experience that will be unmatched."

After graduation, Ray, who is also completing a minor in history, hopes to pursue a doctorate in history before moving into the field of academia.

For more information about majors at Centre or other academic programs, contact the Admission Office at 1-800-423-6236 or e-mail: admission@centre.edu.

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Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/

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