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.
When the president’s daughter is a student: Dad’s view
Posted February 13, 2012
Published in The Chronicle of Higher Education, February 12, 2012. With the fall semester in the rearview mirror, I can honestly say that balancing the roles of college president and college parent was not as easy as I thought it would be. It’s not that my daughter and I ran into any major problems, but […]
My president, my dad: Emma’s view
Posted February 13, 2012
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 […]
Perspectives: Are We Asking the Right Questions?
Posted February 11, 2012
Mark Putnam addresses the similarities and differences between the challenges we faced 23 years ago and the challenges we face now in higher education in the January/February 2012 issue of Change magazine. Read more
A Look at the Resolutionists
Posted January 18, 2012
Published in Dyersville Commercial A few years ago I was a consistent user of a fitness facility near my office in Boston – a proud member of the dawn patrol arriving at 6:20 a.m. At that hour only the truly dedicated were present. We were all creatures of habit arriving at the same time, greeting […]
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