True North: A navigational term that refers to the North Pole’s direction from the navigator’s location.
True North is a yearlong campus-wide discussion about the transformative power of education. Students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to share a short personal essay about the power of education—how it engages, how it transforms, how it enriches our lives. The essays, which will be featured on this site, will provide the foundation for our sustained conversation.
Northern Colorado President Kay Norton launched True North at the 2006 Fall Convocation. The idea comes from the National Public Radio program called “This I Believe.” In the 1950s, journalist Edward R. Murrow invited listeners of his radio program to write essays about their deepest beliefs. In spring 2005, NPR launched a reprise that’s still airing.
True North is intended to highlight many diverse perspectives within our campus community and to foster the mutual respect that comes from common understanding. It will also give us stories about who we are, what we do, and why it matters, so we can share them beyond campus.
Essays should be approximately 350 words, and writers are encouraged to write in the first person. Essays will be edited for grammar, spelling and syntax.
To become part of the conversation, e-mail your essay to truenorth@unco.edu.