President » Published Writings

Living at the Edge of Risk

eighmys — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 19:22:35 +0000

Published by Daily Gate City, serving Keokuk, Iowa, and the Tri-State area, Dec. 6, 2012.

I set aside some time recently to watch the Ken Burns documentary series, “The Dust Bowl,” which aired on PBS. The promotional text describing the series reads…

The Search for Authentic, Relevant Community: The Journey of Young Adults

eighmys — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 20:46:56 +0000

President Mark Putnam thoughtfully reflects on deepening the relationship between the church and the emerging generation of young adults in Perspectives, a journal of Reformed Thought. What will it take? Read The Search for Authentic, Relevant Community: The Journey of Young Adults.

The Art of Relational Learning

eighmys — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 20:38:40 +0000

Relationships are Central. In Civitas, President Mark Putnam addresses Central College’s history of dedication in creating an environment for learning rich in relationship, active in engagement and increasingly without borders.

An Army of Activists

eighmys — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 19:34:13 +0000

In Civitas, President Mark Putnam shares stories of actively engaged citizens and the innovative culture of Central College graduates who value lives of service.

Education for Democracy

eighmys — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 21:22:23 +0000

Education For Democracy

This publication was developed out of a series of essays focused on education reform, originally posted on Mark: my words and written by Central College President Mark Putnam in spring 2012. As federal, state and local governments contemplate policy and funding changes for education at all levels, this publication is intended to provide some context for these discussions.

Integrated Learning

eighmys — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:14:47 +0000

President Mark Putnam introduces the new model of integrated learning at Central College in Civitas.

Conventional Wisdom Is Killing Us, Inside Higher Ed

eighmys — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:46:31 +0000

Inside Higher Ed, April 19, 2012

In a piece requested by editors at Inside Higher Ed, a national online source for news, opinion and jobs for all of higher education, President Mark Putnam speaks to his experience at Central College, the future of private liberal arts colleges and why people and relationships matter in education. Conventional Wisdom Is Killing Us, Liberal arts colleges should stop listening to experts’ gloomy predictions and calls for efficiency, and focus on building relationships with students, Mark Putnam writes. Read more

Education Reform Larger Than 1 Approach

eighmys — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 18:53:48 +0000

Published in The Cedar Rapids Gazette, March 18, 2012

The Gazette published a version of President Mark Putnam’s fourth essay in a series on education reform.

Let’s Go

eighmys — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:39:18 +0000

Published in Civitas, Feb. 17, 2012

International travel can be intimidating at first, but once you have crossed our nation’s borders, your life will be different. I know this not only from my personal experience, but also from students and alumni who eagerly tell stories of their experiences exploring the world. Read more

My president, my dad: Emma’s view

eighmys — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:33:33 +0000

Published in The Chronicle of Higher Education, February 12, 2012.

The inevitable conversations surrounding the fact that my dad is the president of Central College started the very first day of orientation and continued throughout my entire fall semester on campus. People would ask, “Where are you from?” and I would reply that I am originally from Boston but now live with my family in Pella. Read more