In the heart of Viroqua, Wisconsin, nestled within the serene Driftless Area, lies Thoreau College, a microcollege that defies the conventional higher education model. This small, self-governing institution offers an immersive, nature-centric experience, where students embrace a life of experiential learning, minimal technology, and a deep connection with the land. With a student body of just eight this semester, Thoreau College is a microcosm of the future of education, offering an alternative to the lecture halls and dorms of traditional colleges.
What makes Thoreau College truly unique is its founder, Jacob Hundt, whose own educational journey was shaped by experimental schools. Having attended the state's first Waldorf school, Pleasant Ridge, and later Deep Springs College in California, Hundt brings a wealth of experience to the table. His vision for Thoreau College is to create a community where students are not just passive recipients of knowledge but active participants in their learning and the running of the school itself.
One of the key features of Thoreau College is its focus on experiential learning. Students engage in a wide range of activities, from butchery and maple tapping to growing vegetables and tending to livestock. They also spend several days alone in the woods, a nod to the college's namesake, Henry David Thoreau. This hands-on approach to learning fosters a deep connection with nature and a sense of self-reliance.
The college's curriculum is designed to be tied to its geographic location and history. Students learn about the seasons and soils of the land, and they are encouraged to notice the natural world around them. This emphasis on observation and engagement with nature is a stark contrast to the never-ending news cycle and the constant stimulation of social media.
For Soren Powers, a student from Minnesota, Thoreau College has been a transformative experience. After struggling with mental health issues at Reed College, he found a new sense of purpose and calm at Thoreau. His average phone screen time has dropped from up to five hours per day to about 30 minutes, a testament to the college's emphasis on minimal technology.
Thoreau College is not just about learning in the classroom; it's also about building a community. Students are encouraged to have a say in the running of the school, and they are involved in decision-making processes, from voting on field trip destinations to choosing the lunch menu. This sense of ownership and responsibility is a key part of the microcollege experience.
The college's dorm life is also unique, with students sharing a two-story white house and caring for chickens. This fosters a sense of stewardship and responsibility, as students learn to care for living things. The optional slaughters led by Hundt, using pigs, chickens, and lambs from his family farm, are another powerful learning experience, raising ethical and moral questions and creating a rich context for conversation.
Despite its small size and precarious finances, Thoreau College has the potential to grow. The explosion of homeschooling during the pandemic and the anti-technology movement among teens have expanded the pool of students who might find a microcollege attractive. The intimate environment and relationship-rich nature of microcolleges are also selling points, with research suggesting that students who find a mentor on campus do better academically and are more likely to stay.
However, the question remains: do microcollege grads make it in the real world? Thoreau College believes that the skills and experiences gained through its unique approach to education are highly transferable. From hog butchering to sausage-making, the college teaches manual skills that teach the body and the mind, and problem-solving skills that are valuable in any career.
In the end, Thoreau College is more than just a place of learning; it's a community of like-minded individuals who are seeking a deeper connection with nature, themselves, and each other. It's a place where students can find their purpose and build a future that is meaningful and fulfilling. And for those who are seeking an alternative to the conventional higher education model, Thoreau College offers a compelling and inspiring option.
