Summary:
Southeastern University seeks students who are committed to their faith and values and desire to integrate their spiritual beliefs into their academic pursuits. The university emphasizes its commitment to providing a supportive environment for academic, spiritual, and personal growth. To support this argument, the website uses the rhetorical style of ethos to highlight the university’s credibility as a faith-based academic institution, the skills of its faculty and staff, and featuring testimonials from students and alumni. It also uses case studies, showcasing the university’s facilities and surrounding community through high-quality visuals and multimedia.
Analysis:
Prospective students frequently rely on a university’s website to gather information and gain insight into the institution’s values, programs, and overall culture, but Southeastern University, a Christ-centered institution of higher learning, employs ethos to establish credibility and persuade prospective students that it is the right college for them. Through the use of rhetorical techniques and case studies, Southeastern University’s website successfully showcases their commitment to academic excellence, spiritual development, and community involvement.
Prospective students frequently rely on a university’s website to gather information and gain insight into the institution’s values, programs, and overall culture, but Southeastern University, a Christ-centered institution of higher learning, employs ethos to establish credibility and persuade prospective students that it is the right college for them. Through the use of rhetorical techniques and case studies, Southeastern University’s website successfully showcases their commitment to academic excellence, spiritual development, and community involvement.
One of the key strategies the website uses to gain credibility is ethos, which displays the university’s core values; spiritual growth, community involvement, and academics. For example, the “About” page on the website states that, “Southeastern University is a Christ-centered institution of higher learning” and that “our students are challenged to become servant leaders in their communities” (About SEU). These statements indicate the use of ethos by maintaining an environment that promotes spiritual growth and integrates Christian values and their commitment to make student leaders. By using their values, they create a trusted and credible source, which can be a persuasive strategy to attract students who share Southeastern University’s values. This approach can create a sense of connection and alignment with the institution which would motivate students to apply and enroll.
Another way Southeastern University uses ethos on its website is by displaying the skills of their faculty and staff. The university uses the accomplishments of their faculty to establish a reputation as a leading institution in higher education. For example, the website states, “”Our faculty members are world-class scholars and practitioners with real-world experience in their respective fields” (Faculty and Staff). This example indicates the university’s commitment to recruiting highly qualified professionals and experts in various fields. The expertise of its faculty and staff, establishes its authority and credibility in providing quality education to its students.
The quality of their education can be shown through the use of case studies in the form of student and alumni testimonials. They present prior experiences, for example, a current student testimonial states, “The professors here genuinely care about you as a person and want you to succeed in all areas of life. I have grown so much spiritually and personally during my time here” (About SEU). This testimonial appeals to prospective students who value individual attention and a supportive community, showcasing the university’s commitment to student success.
Southeastern University also features alumni case studies, providing evidence of the long-term benefits of attending Southeastern University. For example, one alumna states, “My time at Southeastern prepared me not just for a career, but for a life of service and leadership. I am grateful for the strong foundation of faith and character that the university provided” (About SEU). This alumna appeals to individuals who look for a college that will lead them to a fulfilling life, and also prepares them for responsibilities and gives them the opportunity to be a leader.
Overall, the Southeastern University website employs the rhetorical strategy of ethos, to persuade students that it is the best choice for those seeking a Christian-based education. The use of rhetorical style in addition to case studies provides evidence of the university’s commitment to academic excellence, spiritual growth, and community involvement. These strategies effectively appeal to prospective students who prioritize these values in their education, providing a persuasive argument for attending Southeastern University.
Response:
Although I am not judgmental towards others beliefs, I believe it’s quite contradictory for me, a Muslim to attend this University. I would not feel comfortable attending Southeastern University because of their strong belief towards Christianity. While I respect it, I would prefer to attend an institution that is welcoming towards different faiths and includes more racially diverse individuals; as Christianity is predominantly white/black or Hispanic.
Southeastern University’s focus on faith and service does not align with my personal values and academic interests. Even though community service and leadership is an important quality, I would much rather attend a college that offers more critical thinking and academic rigor. Although I’m unsure of my major I would like to direct my studies towards stem based programs and classes due to my interest in those fields. Looking at this college it seems that they only have a 40% graduation rate which makes me think otherwise about the students there and the opportunities for jobs and experience can be lackluster.
I would not want to attend Southeastern University due to the lack of program options in certain fields, such as my interest in stem as stated priorly. While the university offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, some students like myself may find that their desired majors are not available at the university. This may be a significant factor in a student’s decision to attend a particular college or university.
Another reason why I might not want to attend Southeastern University is because of the relatively small size. As I mentioned before, I would prefer a school that is more diverse, not just in terms of religion but more racially diverse. With its enrollment of 8,000 students, Southeastern University may not offer the same level of diversity, especially with its religious limitations; majority of them being white/black or Hispanic. In addition, with the institution’s location being a small town in Florida, it does not appeal to me, considering I like the energy of a larger city. Additionally, the location of the university may not provide a vibrant college experience. Which discourages my search for a lively campus with plenty of social and cultural activities.
Lastly, a main aspect of this college is its strive for athletics. As a person who is not particularly interested in physical sports this is a huge draw. Without a passion for their sports, I find that it may be difficult to fully engage with the campus and culture. This again gives a feeling of exclusion. Not only that, but because of their heavy focus on sports, the university’s resources and attention may be more shifted towards sports; rather than non-athletic programs. Which is a concern for me because I am not included in the athletic assembly.
Overall, while Southeastern University may be a good fit for students who share Christian values and commitment to service, it may not be the best choice for me. Due to its limiting factors such as diversity, religion and academic focus, it does not align with my area of interest. While the university’s focus on faith might work with other students, it does not fit with me. Furthermore, its location does not provide the desired atmosphere. Not only that but the heavy focus on athletics is another negative for what I would look for in a college. I believe that it is essential to consider these factors before choosing a college to ensure a fulfilling and rewarding experience.
