October 23, 2022
Learning from Gurus of Writing
In a culture, knowledge is passed from generation to generation. Purveyors of knowledge may be known as gurus.
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September 19, 2021
My Journalism Schools, Medill and Hubbard, Celebrate 100 Years
As a child, I woke up early every morning to practice my piano lessons. But before starting to warm up with scales and chords, I would pick up our daily Duluth newspaper from the front porch and read every word of the sports section.
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November 21, 2020
Keep College Rankings in Perspective
Americans are fascinated with rankings, whether they are for football teams, consumer products, or colleges and schools. Each fall, I eagerly look forward to the release of various rankings.
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November 14, 2020
David B. Laird Jr.: Senior Statesman of Minnesota Higher Education
Every two years, the governor and Minnesota Legislature appropriate funds for state government. Funds for higher education are allocated to the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota State System, and the Office of Higher Education (a cabinet agency), largely for need-based financial aid. The need-based state grants are awarded to low-and moderate-income students who choose to attend a public or private college or university.
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July 16, 2020
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of My University of Minnesota Degree: Striking Similarities between 1970 and 2020
In spring 1970, 50 years ago, I completed my bachelor’s degree at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and was ready to embark on graduate education and a career. Now, in spring 2020, I am a stay-at-home senior citizen respecting the coronavirus and reflecting on the two milestone years—1970 and 2020. Many changes have occurred in half a century, but disappointingly, despite some progress, much work remains to strengthen equality and opportunity for all citizens.
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May 24, 2020
Scandal Highlights Troubling Admissions Issues, Need for Reform
On March 12, 2019, authorities charged 50 people, including 33 parents, with facilitating fraud and paying a combined $25 million in bribes to get the parents’ children into elite colleges. The scandal, called Varsity Blues, drew in Hollywood stars, hedge-fund millionaires, and athletic coaches.
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December 4, 2019
Can a Leading University, USC, Rebound from Scandals and Build a Better Future?
Every
fall weekend, my oldest daughter, my son, and I gather in front of my TV to
watch the University of Southern California (USC) football team. My son and I
began this ritual while my daughter attended USC from 2001 through 2008,
earning two degrees; the Trojans ranked as one of the nation’s top teams under
Coach Pete Carroll.
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October 3, 2019
Education Lies
In How Schools Work, former U.S. secretary of education Arne Duncan writes about the big lies that pervade the education system. In fact, under the category “lies,” the book’s index lists 20 separate references such as lies about academic achievement, about college preparedness, about efficacy and preparedness, and so forth.
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June 24, 2018
Rethinking the Value of Higher Education: It Is Still Worth It, and It Matters
May is the most beautiful time of the year, with buds of our big front-yard apple tree exploding into wondrous white blossoms and the lilacs on the side of the house peaking in purple with their sweet scent. The reawakening of trees and flowers forms a colorful backdrop for celebrations of graduates and mothers.
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June 1, 2018
From Higher-Education Leader to Truck Driver: On the Road with David A. Longanecker
One should aspire to and pursue one’s dreams and goals. Recently, I was pleased to see that David A. Longanecker, one of my top bosses and a national leader in higher education, has achieved his goal of becoming a truck driver, a goal he had articulated for many years.
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