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The View from My Ship
Browsing All Posts filed under »Education«
Experiencing Capitalism
Don’t worry, this is not a piece about capitalists and socialists. You are bombarded enough with those pieces by both politicians and journalists who all claim to have the final say on the truth. I have been an academic, a professor all my working life, except for a couple of years in the Navy which […]
Moses in Exile
October 15, 2019
Not too long ago I read two pieces in the WSJ that struck some familiar chords with me. But it wasn’t so much what was in the columns, it was what was not. Stick with me. This is a puzzle of sorts and perhaps you can help me solve it. Both had to do with […]
Some Thoughts on the Firing of James R. Riley at University of Alabama
September 22, 2019
An announcement made on Sept. 5 was terse and expressed the opinion that the case was closed: “Dr. James Riley has resigned his position at the University of Alabama by mutual agreement,” Chris Bryant, a spokesman for the University, wrote in an email, adding “Neither party will have any further comments.” Case closed. I thought […]
Welcome to College, 2019 Style
May 26, 2019
Welcome to College, 2019 Style As I periodically review life inside of colleges and universities today, I’m not sure whether to cry or laugh hysterically. An article in the WSJ, “College Wouldn’t Cost So Much If Students and Faculty Worked Harder” (April 11, 2019) caught my attention. The author, Richard Vedder, wondered why colleges cost […]
On Dogs and Dating Services
December 2, 2018
As I was checking out a few weeks ago with my $uper duper dog food at one of the several pet supply stores in town, I thought back a bit to when I was growing up. I think all pet food was in the local grocery store and the big choice was bags or cans, […]
Grading and Branding
December 2, 2018
A few weeks ago, we directed some attention to the phenomenon of grade inflation in America in the past half century. Today students are thought of as “customers” and “clients,” rather than acolytes in search of knowledge, at least in theory. I’d like to examine another novelty in higher education, “branding.” My wife was reared […]
Grade Inflation
December 2, 2018
Some University of Alabama entering freshman statistics are noticeably good, like at least 36 percent had a high school GPA of 4.0 or higher. That’s not a typo. In our traditional grading system, a 4.0 was the highest-grade point average you could attain. How could you have higher? I think it was that statistic that […]
Bible Gateway’s Verse of the Day
- Psalm 40:8“I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.””
October 15, 2019
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