Students and parents have varied expectations of higher education. Some are brand new, others haven’t changed. Debt: There will continue to be increased emphasis on student indebtedness and over-borrowing for higher education. When combined, 44 million students are on the…
Revised remarks from December 9, 2023, commencement speech at West Texas A&M University. At the height of the Great Depression, James Trustlow Adams first used the term “American Dream.” He said, among other things, in “The Epic of America,” that…
The Hechinger Report recently published a piece regarding rural college students feeling “overwhelmed on big campuses.” California State University, Chico is targeting rural students and working diligently to address their needs. A worthy and noble effort to be sure, but…
Flyover Country is where I live. This term is commonly used in the United States to refer to the central parts of our nation, especially the rural areas between the East and West coasts, you know, where all the “rednecks”…
Changes instituted by leadership often cause stress within organizations. Change is unsettling and creates uncertainty, making people feel insecure about roles, responsibilities and the organization’s future. There may be concerns about new processes, technologies or structures that could alter job…
The relevance of any curriculum at any university in the context of rapid technical and cultural changes is a pressing concern for all: educators, students, parents and employers alike. A traditional curriculum typically refers to a structured and prescribed course…
Penned over a decade ago, but an element of truth persists. Expectations, encouragement of them and their management are seeds of excellence. In a New York Times piece on February 18, 2009, by Max Roosevelt entitled Student Expectations Seen as Causing…
The term “alma mater” is used by thousands of graduates from universities worldwide to refer to the college or school they attended. Its meaning, derived from Latin, is translated as “nourishing mother.” The University of Bologna, founded over one millennium…
In a recent book from Harvard Education Press, former faculty member, dean, provost and president Brian Rosenberg summed up his thinking clearly in the title: “Whatever It Is, I’m Against It”: Resistance to Change in Higher Education.” Rosenberg says universities…
As students and families begin the annual search for universities next fall, I offer suggestions about what they might look for. Is the university accredited? What is its reputation? What programs and courses are offered? What is the cost, and…
Ivan Ilitch, a former Roman Catholic priest and philosopher, questioned technology’s benefits. His text, Tools for Conviviality, published in 1973, discussed the appropriate use of technology. One of his concerns was that technology might replace our ability to exercise free…
Since its inception, the GI Bill has disbursed multiplied billions of dollars in education benefits to millions of veterans and their families. Some elected leaders consider it the most important piece of federal legislation ever produced. After being signed by…
In the last 70 years, educators have gone from expressing a keen interest in teaching values to little interest, if any. I am not sure what makes this discussion so difficult, but I do know that students, even in graduate…
Over the past decade, several concerns have caused people to question the value of a college education. A New America study in 2022 revealed there are “lots of well-paying, stable jobs that people can find with only a high school…
The early part of the 21st century has rapidly shown us much about our changing world. It has taught us that the 20th century problem-solving models will not suffice in the new era. As a professor and leader at four…
A general, misbegotten perception that all universities are, or should be, alike pervades society. Nothing could be further from the truth. Such treatment diminishes the purpose of many universities. Rather, it is critically important to recognize different institutions have different…
Large organizations can exploit size to create an economy of scale. It is singularly, the best argument for bigness. This may be true when making automobiles, electric coffee pots, shoes, or growing corn or wheat. In human service organizations, and…
Fourth in a series on strengths in regional universities. The nature of university students is changing. According to the Education Data Initiative, nearly 16 million undergraduate students are enrolled in college as of 2020. That represents a 4.3% decline over…
Third in a series on strengths in regional universities. University admission standards have been a bone of contention in higher education for nearly two centuries. Before the progressive movement in the United States, admission to public and private universities was…
Second in a series on strengths in regional universities. The following quote was posted regarding a class I taught in 2015: I teach in a classroom that has students from Nepal, Benin, Moscow, Vietnam, and China, as well as first-generation…
First in a series on strength in regional universities. The quality of universities in America was considered the best in the world just a decade ago, according to the New York Times. Quality comes from the relationship of the university…
The following reflection is one of six focusing on the importance of university research initially posted a decade ago. The following, modified modestly here, appeared on January 8, 2012. Sixth in a Series on Research Escalating financial exigency increasingly encourages…
The following reflection is one of six focusing on the importance of university research initially posted a decade ago. The following, modified modestly here, appeared on December 11, 2012. Fourth in a Series on Research Research creates interest and value…
Above, speaking to students at Randall High School. I will resume the reflections on university research next week. University leaders are required to make bold and innovative decisions. Never has innovation in higher education been needed more. However, ideas are…
The following reflection is the third of six pieces focusing on the importance of university research. This series was initially posted a decade ago. The following, modified modestly here, appeared on December 4, 2012. Third in a Series on Research…
The following reflection is the second of six pieces focusing on the importance of university research. This series was initially posted a decade ago. The following, modified modestly here, appeared on November 27, 2012. Second in a Series on Research…
The following reflection is one of six pieces focusing on the importance of university research. This series was initially posted a decade ago. The following was published on November 20, 2012. First in a Series on Research Learning creates ideas…
West Texas A&M University walks with veterans to create a better University and a better Panhandle. While serving all students is in our heart and soul, there is a special place for veterans. They have put their lives on the…
A study of West Texas A&M University’s economic impact in 2017-2018 was carried out by Emsi, a labor market analytics firm that has in the last 20 years conducted 2,000 economic impact studies. They are national leaders. WT’s contribution to…
In 1976, at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, a young man came into my office with significant concerns. He was from a small town on Bayou Lafourche in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana. It was not far from Houma and Thibodaux,…
Rural folks produce the food, fuel and fiber that powers our state and nation. Texas dwarfs all other states in the nation in the number of beef cows produced, with over 4.6 million. Texas ranks fourth nationally in milk production,…
On Feb. 2, Bill Cofer, a retired Pampa business leader, committed a $1.5 million endowment to create a scholarship that will be given to students from White Deer and Pampa high schools in alternating years to attend West Texas A&M…
I have talked about the problem of student debt and have diligently worked for West Texas A&M University to be part of the solution to over-indebtedness. All the while, Texas is losing students to other states where out-of-state costs may…
The challenges facing universities as we approach the mid-21st century are growing. Despite those challenges, United States institutions frequently top international rankings. And that perch reveals other nations aggressively mimicking our nation’s leaders. Competition is positive, and this is why…
To label West Texas A&M University, or any university, as a manifestation of American Enlightenment thinking might be seen as hyperbole or plain old bragging. However, it is worth reflecting on enlightenment principles to serve our region well. For nearly…
The season of decision-making for many college students is upon us. Applications have been prepared and sent to universities. Discussions with family and friends have been pursued. Assessments of costs, financial aid and scholarships are being deliberated. A major factor…
Fewer expressions bring greater disappointment, trepidation and remorse than “I quit.” Vince Lombardi helped create the anxiety of “I quit.” You know the quips: “Winners never quit, and quitters never win.” Or, how about this one “It’s not whether you…
The worth of post-secondary education is increasingly questioned, according to Forbes. The return on investment of bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees and doctoral degrees are all the subject of much discussion. Many corporations no longer require a bachelor’s degree: Apple, Google,…
