When asked to inscribe a few words about my alma mater, as a proudSt. Marian, I consented at once, not just out of reverence or loyalty but more so because of what this college meant to me - A place of true learning which provided me not just the knowledge, but the skills, mindset, and moral standards required for a successful career and life in general.
Thirty years ago I opted for SMJC not just for its academic rigor but also for its reputation of being a hip & urbane college and its emphasis on holistic education catering towards the growth of a student’s intellectual, emotional, and creative faculties. A lot has changed since then, but I am glad that the college did not succumb to the temptation of going the regressive way of other corporate colleges and stayed true to its core motto of providing well-rounded holistic education.
Hence, when it was time to choose a college for my son, even with a multitude of options available, the decisive choice was SMJC again. Now after a year, I am glad that my son is quite happy with the choice and he considers SMJC as his second home.
Although he regrets not having open spaces for physical activity, he is nevertheless content with the positive vibe of campus life, opportunity to engage in extracurricular activities, friendly and supportive faculty. A big shout-out to his favorite teachers:
• Ratna Mam (Economics) – For her out-of-box & inquiry-driven teaching approach and also for being a mother-figure to students with ever caring disposition.
• Deepa Mam (French) - For her engaging & passionate teaching style.
• Srinivas Sir (Accounting) – For being a committed mentor and providing constantsupport.
• Madhavi Mam (Principal) – For being a proactive administrator who has an ear to the ground with regards to all that transpires on campus.
At a time, when academic grades have become be-all and end-all means of gauging student’s capability, it is indeed comforting to know that for those parents who seek alternative to mainstream pedagogy for their wards, they can rely on institutions such as SMJC that go beyond academic rigor and offer true learning experience which teaches students not just for the test but for life and truly prepare them for the world beyond the classroom.
Sridhar