A college education is more than memorizing formulas and definitions.

Today’s college students strive for more than an A or a B. Their ultimate goal these days is to take what they learn in the classroom and use it in ways that will not only benefit themselves, but their town, their state and even their world.

Students who will help at the Upper Green River Biological Preserve in Hart County will certainly achieve that goal.

The university, through a $1.1 million grant from the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Board, has purchased land for the preserve. Students and faculty in the biology department – as well as other academic departments – will help save the land that contains several unique natural features as well as endangered species.

Western has called for more civic engagement from its students. This project is civic engagement at its best.

This preserve will also provide a more hands-on learning environment for students. What better way to examine plants and other species taught in the classroom then viewing them in their natural environment? Students working at the preserve will certainly have more valuable experience that will benefit them when they are out of Western and are in the workplace.

It’s a win-win situation. With the skills they learn in their classes, students are able to contribute to an important segment of society – the environment. In turn, the preserve illustrates to a student what they learn in class more clearly.

This editorial represents the majority opinion of the Herald’s 9-member board of student editors.