Mark: My Words
A Twinkie is Intellectual Property
Posted November 21, 2012.
It’s been a long time since I have eaten a Twinkie. It’s not that I am particularly disciplined about sweets. I have celiac disease, which means I am among the growing population of citizens who have discovered they are gluten intolerant. No wheat. Not now. Not ever. It’s not been easy, but I’ve had to […]
Redefining Our Political Culture
Posted November 12, 2012.
Students will redefine our political culture. They will challenge each other on the issues and yet maintain the quality of relationships that reinforce a healthy community.
Deflating a Legacy – The Lessons of Lance Armstrong
Posted October 29, 2012.
When our older daughter Emma was in kindergarten 16 years ago she knew the rules for the classroom were set by her teacher. One day Mrs. Bentley had to step into the hallway to speak to someone as her students were doing quiet work at their tables. The instructions were clear – everyone was to […]
The Road Ahead: Learning is Central
Posted October 22, 2012.
For me, the relationship between teacher and student, master and apprentice, and parent and child, is the base element of learning. To be sure, the nature of those relationships changes through the course of lifespan development.
The Nuances of Confronting Childhood Obesity
Posted October 22, 2012.
We frequently read reports expressing concern about childhood obesity and the related impacts on our society and economy. Obesity in children leads to chronic obesity in adults and the impact is widely felt. The challenges for each individual who struggles with this health concern are sufficient alone for us to respond. But the costs associated […]
A Radical Idea for Transforming American Government
Posted October 12, 2012.
Given the incredible amount of time, energy and money we are devoting to this national campaign season, you would think that the outcome will produce meaningful and lasting results. Americans are looking for something decisive to happen. It’s the hope something will be settled once and for all. Key questions will be answered. Policies issues […]
The Road Ahead: Cost, Price, Productivity and Affordability
Posted October 8, 2012.
What we do as a residential liberal arts college is inherently expensive. Our aim is to provide the time and space necessary for well-prepared students and well-prepared faculty to engage in a shared experience of teaching and learning…Colleges and universities are not passing the full cost of operations on to students and families, nor have they ever done so. We simply can’t. Instead we are constantly refining how we do things and continually seeking the support of generous individuals, corporations and foundations to offset cost increases that cannot be fully supported by price increases.
Is There a Level Playing Field Among SAT and ACT Test Takers?
Posted September 25, 2012.
The College Board just released its annual report on the performance of the most recent class of high school students who graduated and now are enjoying their first years of college. The graduating class of 2012 nationally continued in a pattern of falling SAT scores, a trend manifested for some years. Since 2006, scores on […]
The Road Ahead: Do Colleges Really Ever Change?
Posted September 21, 2012.
A clearer lens of interpretation would reveal institutions of higher education have been designed for centuries to conserve and preserve deeply held values and pass them on to one generation after another. Colleges, much like the broader society, are built to last and slow to change. For some, this is a sign of incredible weakness sure to result in widespread failure; for others this is the source of strength that has preserved institutions for centuries.
Should We Be Regrowing the Human Body?
Posted September 17, 2012.
We used to say advances in science and technology were the stuff of science fiction. These days it seems a bit more like Harry Potter. The New York Times this week provided updates on medical developments in actually growing human muscle tissue and key organs that can be used for transplant. A First: Human Organs […]