I vowed never to write a corny column reflecting on my time spent at Iowa State, but I also vowed never to write in the first person without a really good reason. I also thought I’d never spend so much time at this lovely university and also that I’d never get a credit card.

Nevertheless, the rumors are true: There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

I had my doubts, and I suppose it’s still possible to fail the class I’m taking to fulfill my international perspectives requirement. Still, Iowa State University has cordially invited my family and me to attend commencement on Dec. 15, and I’m pretty sure they didn’t invite me to sing the national anthem.

Here I am, writing that column anyway. Without sounding corny, here’s my two cents worth of endorsements, criticisms and advice. With any luck, it’ll also cover that “good reason for the first person” exception above.

Looking back on what Iowa State has done for me, I think of some of the best instructors in higher education. I think about the experiences I’ve had – student leadership, the Daily, too much really cheap beer when I was too young to be picky.

I also look back on what could have been different. I could have been more involved, paid more attention, etc. But Iowa State could have done more to hold up its end of the bargain, too.

The fact of the matter is Iowa State University of Science and Technology is a great institution — for science and technology. But if you aren’t a scientist, a techie or an engineer, Iowa State leaves much to be desired.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences could certainly use more professors like Dirk Deam, senior lecturer of political science, who truly challenges his students; Charles Dobbs, history department chairman, who knows just about everything about history and always has a funny anecdote to go with any given history lesson; Ken Holscher, associate professor of entomology, who actually makes learning about creepy crawlers fun; and Mark Witherspoon, lecturer in journalism and communication turned Daily adviser, a self-professed aging hippie who cares deeply about teaching students to figure things out for themselves.

There are a few great educators, and there could always be more. But what these “soft science” curriculums really need is more critical thinking. Too many classes focus on memorization and busywork. Iowa State is in close competition with the Army for who can pump out the most PowerPoint presentations (Microsoft really is an evil corporation). There simply isn’t enough thought involved in the whole deal.

Despite my stunning good looks and my intellectual prowess, chances are President Geoffroy won’t heed my advice, and even if he does, old habits die hard. Instead, you’re going to have to seek out this education for yourself. Honestly, that’s the way it should be. So take some initiative, and become a leader. I’m not going to tell you how, because a leader doesn’t need to be told where to look, and besides, I said I’m not going to get corny – but I’ll give you a hint: You have to give up cheap beer.

Iowa State is a great place for a few years, if you play the cards you’re dealt. After all, one and a half of my five-and-a-half years at Iowa State were spent in Iraq, I never racked up too much debt with my credit card, and this column wasn’t that corny. With any luck, LAS majors, you’ll be as well off as I am when you finally graduate: Educated enough to know that you could have done yourself better, even if you can’t admit you have no one to blame but yourself.

– Aaron Gott is a senior in political science from South Amana.