Extra Muros - Liberal Arts and Sciences study association

The 16^th of December was a remarkable day in the history of the Liberal Arts and Sciences program. It is important to remember this date because our founder and spiritual mentor of our program professor Willem Witteveen departured from his duties as the first dean. During the evening Liberal Arts and Sciences students gathered in the foyer of the Dante building to hand over presents to him as a symbol of gratitude and appreciation. The new dean from the fist of January 2012 onwards, Alkeline van Lenning, was welcomed as well.

During the farewell drink, W. Witteveen particularly mentioned that it was a very long way to establish and to strengthen the idea of multidisciplinary and “team teaching” education in Tilburg University, however challenges were only motivating him. “Now," Willem Witteveen said, "the Liberal Arts and Sciences program is like the Athenian ship of Plato and all students and teachers are the crew of this ship and we must be ready for every difficulties and our ship must stand any storm”.

After the speech of Willem Witteveen our new dean took a stage and told about the first meeting with the LAS program founder and shared with the audience about their first experience of the presentation of Liberal Arts and Sciences program in Tilburg University. “They looked puzzled and did not know what to say or think” mentioned Alkeline van Lenning. After Willem Witteveen has received his gifts a speech was given by the rector magnificus of Tilburg University, Philip Eijlander.

By the end of the evening, while all guests were enjoying pleasant talks with each other, student organization of Liberal Arts and Sciences program Extra Muros ( yes, yes! Its`s us) gave the gifts to Prof. Willem Witteveen on behalf of the organization and the students; and as representatives of the board Lars and Marleen also had a chance to say “thank you” to the founder of our program.
Luckily professor Willem Witteveen is not leaving UvT and we are sure that our new dean, together with her colleagues, will devote her time into the development of Liberal Arts and Sciences education, and succeed in that respect!