Featured Works
President Mark Putnam’s work has been featured in publications around the globe and in major United States markets, providing valuable perspectives on a wide range of higher education issues. His book, “Leading Across the Arc of Time,” reflects his deep commitment to thoughtful leadership as he shares insight to help institutions navigate complex challenges.
The Observations of an Educator
Posted December 19, 2011
Published in Hangzhou Weekly As a first-time visitor to China, I came with some knowledge of the country’s impressive history and some sense of how Chinese society has evolved in more recent years. My preliminary reading and conversations with those who have made trips to China were certainly helpful. I was encouraged to appreciate how […]
Christmas Grows On You
Posted December 18, 2011
Published in Cedar Rapids Gazette Christmas through the eyes of a child is always the best view. It’s not that the view is particularly clear, historic or even accurate. Christmas, as we know it today, has been a process of accumulation over generations. Read more
Advent Devotion
Posted December 5, 2011
Published at RCA.org History becomes legend and legend becomes myth. This is true for many commonly held ideas about Christmas. The images we have in our minds are either so sentimental or so commercial that our shock at the idea of an incarnate God is lost in a cloud of misconception. Read more
What in the world are we doing?
Posted November 25, 2011
Published in Civitas A bit of sarcasm? Not at all. I offer this question with great sincerity at an important time in Central College’s history. Perhaps now more than ever, the quality of the questions we ask is more important than a quick search for easy answers. The world has changed dramatically in the past […]
Making Choices Consistent with our Values
Posted November 15, 2011
Published in The Spencer Daily Reporter With increasing regularity, we are made aware of scandals in intercollegiate athletics. For some programs this surfaces in the form of recruiting violations, as others find ways to use money and other benefits to gain influence with athletes. A few push athletes beyond reasonable limits sometimes resulting in tragedy. […]
Values should guide college athletics
Posted October 23, 2011
Published in the Cedar Rapids Gazette, Oct. 23, 2011. With increasing regularity, we are made aware of scandals in intercollegiate athletics. A few even push athletes beyond reasonable limits sometimes resulting in tragedy… Read more
Division III Values
Posted October 13, 2011
Published on D3sports.com, Oct. 26, 2011. With increasing regularity, we are made aware of scandals in intercollegiate athletics. For some programs this surfaces in the form of recruiting violations, as others find ways to use money and other benefits to gain influence with athletes. A few push athletes beyond reasonable limits sometimes resulting in tragedy. […]
We Need to Listen to Our Young People
Posted August 17, 2011
Published in The Sport Digest, Aug. 17, 2011 Like most kids with raw talent, Eli began his athletic career playing catch in the yard. It was clear from his earliest days he had the speed, strength, coordination and competitive spirit to be a fine athlete. A kid with a good attitude, he could take coaching […]
What Shall We Talk About?
Posted August 8, 2011
Published in Civitas, Summer 2011 Heinrich Zimmer lived from1890 to 1943 and was a German-born professor of South Asian art, language and civilization. His best known work centered on sacred myths and symbols derived from the history and traditions of India. He has been widely quoted as saying: “The best things cannot be talked about. […]
The Interdependence of Global Health
Posted March 21, 2011
Published in Central Bulletin Earlier this year, Tammy and I were on our way to southern California for a conference. We boarded our second flight that day eager for warmer temperatures and a brief relief from the winter in Iowa. About midway through the two-hour flight, Tammy reached for my arm and quietly whispered, “I […]