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Steamboat Springs — The Hollywood perception of the stereotypical scholar paints a picture of the hallowed halls of the university, where the professoriate sits in the proverbial ivy tower and engages in research that contributes to society's vast body of knowledge and wisdom. This perception may have had some validity in the early days of the university, when professors were expounding their knowledge amidst a predominantly illiterate population of the time. There certainly is a history of mystique around the professoriate. But in our modern society with a highly educated and literate constituency, there is no mystery surrounding the acquisition of knowledge. Scholarship is an attribute of everyone who independently investigates and researches problems.

In stark contrast to the Hollywood version of scholarship, intellectual investigation is not confined to higher education but is an inherent ability of the human species. It is an attribute that can be applied to every profession, vocation and avocation. The purpose and value of intellectual investigation and research is to correlate the findings with problem-solving. Those with altruistic motives will further correlate the solution to benefit the greater good.

Northwest Colorado is home to a vast community of scholars that extends far beyond the walls of Colorado Mountain College. The collective examples of intellectual investigation in our community are too numerous to mention all. Here are some examples: The Steamboat Springs Economic Development Council's hosting of a series of public economic development forums to explore the affordable housing issue; Yampa Valley Partners with on-going research for compiling the community indicator index and the organization of the annual energy summit; and the Chamber Resort Association's upcoming annual economic development summit.

Additional ongoing forums and venues devoted to the intellectual investigation include the religious, such as "Exploring the Sacred" interfaith dialogues; the arts, such as Steamboat Springs Art Council gallery talks and Steamboat Art Museum guest exhibits; the political and intellectual, such as the Seminars at Steamboat series and CMC's Alpine Enrichment Program; and numerous forums on green construction and ecology, transportation, and a host of other venues and opportunities organized by government agencies, philanthropic organizations, nonprofit organizations and private businesses - notwithstanding the personal intellectual investigation and research that takes place in individual lives.

We have come a long way from the proverbial ivy tower. As we start seeing the signs of spring bringing a rejuvenation of life, it is good to also take notice of intellectual and creative rejuvenation. People from every walk of life are busily engaged in intellectual inquiry to solve problems and improve the quality of life. We truly live in a community of scholars.

Kerry Hart is dean of Colorado Mountain College's Alpine Campus in Steamboat Springs. Contact him at 870-4414 or khart@coloradomtn.edu.