Alumni: Classical education counters the excesses of secular culture
Jared Cochrum
Jared Cochrum was a student at Greenhouse the day its doors opened in 2001. Today he is an associate pastor.
Years at Greenhouse: 2001-04
College: Wheaton College
Major: Applied Health Science
Grad School: Trinity International University
Degree: Masters of Divinity
Employer: Hope Fellowship Church
Job: Associate Pastor
Living in: Winfield, IL
Family: Married to Megan, 2 kids
Worships at: Hope Fellowship Church
In my recollection, Greenhouse was formative in a couple main ways. First, it was a helpful transition for me, both in a social context and a classroom context. Neither were areas in which I was comfortable, and Greenhouse gave me an excellent training ground to learn what it meant to be in a classroom and to engage with my peers socially.
Second, Greenhouse planted the seeds (or perhaps nourished what was already planted) of a deep appreciation for a classical-style education. I’m convinced that a classical education is one of the best-situated styles of education for a time when individualism and self-expression are such dominant cultural ideologies.
Classical education roots learning in truths and virtues that are external to oneself, which is a critical component of the Christian worldview. I know there are good educations to be found elsewhere, but I am convinced that this educational model is uniquely equipped to counter some of the excesses of our secular world and culture.
–Jared Cochrum