As part of my ongoing review of some of the literature and topics around the affordability of a college education, I happened to find a publication from the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education entitled The Iron Triangle: College Presidents Talk about Costs, Access, and Quality.  Prepared by John Immerwahr, Jean Johnson, and Paul Gasbarra, the report is about a unique piece of research in which 30 college and university presidents were interviewed for their perspectives on the three major issues of cost, access, and quality of higher education (and, the corners forming the Iron Triangle).

Read the rest of this entry »

This time of the year offers many opportunities for personal reflection.  For those of us raised in the Judeo-Christian faiths, the celebration of the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem and the birth of Jesus are events that mark centuries of traditions and religious faith.  For people of these and other faiths, the end of the year and the beginning of the New Year on January 1 are times to celebrate the passage of time and to mark new opportunities in the year ahead.

In America, we are transitioning the leadership of our government which we have done every four or eight years since 1792.  This year, the voters wanted change.  The Obama administration has promised change while facing the formidable challenges associated with stepping into the leadership role of the world’s largest economic engine during a global and domestic economic crisis which is unprecedented since the Great Depression.  By all accounts, the situation has not reached its bottom and it will be years before we climb out of a trough created by our own hands.   Even worse is the knowledge that many of the “solutions” may be politically inspired and not the “best” solutions for the situation.

Read the rest of this entry »

Holidays are often a time for family gatherings and homecomings.  I am fortunate to be part of a large and extended family.  When I was young, my parents would visit my mother’s parents on all of the major holidays; particularly Thanksgiving and Christmas.  My grandparents lived on a farm where eleven of their twelve children were born (my aunt, Christy, was the twelfth and the only child to be born in a hospital).  Six of my mother’s seven brothers served in World War II and the seventh served in the Korean Conflict.  An older sister served as a nurse in the Army Air Corps.  We were fortunate that all of them returned home safely at the wars’ end.

I believe that my grandmother viewed holidays as the opportunity to bring her family back together.  It did not matter that she had to coordinate the logistics of preparing food for over fifty people at a time; it was a labor of love.  Her daughters and daughters-in-law would bring dishes or specialties; and the grandchildren/cousins would sample them.  One year, I remember gathering a healthy helping of what I presumed to be mashed potatoes only to find out that it was mashed turnips after taking my first bite.  I always asked after that.  After dinner, some or all of the forty plus cousins would gather for a football game or kick-the-can.  We could usually count on a younger uncle or two to join us.  Philosophically, I would not say that those were “the best years,” but those years have a fond place in my heart and in my memories.

Read the rest of this entry »

In response to my article on Veterans Day last week, I received a note from a retired general, Brig. Gen Joe Schafer.  Joe is a professor at American Military University and an alumnus as well and he shared his thoughts about Veterans Day.  I thought that his piece not only embraced many of my thoughts about those who serve our country, but also provided a great perspective on the attitude of the professional soldier toward the change in administrations and our Commanders in Chief.  Given the orderly transition that we are currently going through after the recent election, you have to respect the way our democracy works regardless of who you voted for in the election.  With Joe’s permission, I have provided the text of his note below.

11 Nov 2008
           
It is a private matter who you or I voted for to be the President of the United States one week ago.  It is a public responsibility, however, no matter how we voted, to now offer our support and best wishes for the new President’s success in keeping this nation strong, ensuring the liberties we have fought and died for, and making the country better every single generation for the generation that follows.
 
I take great pride in having served under 7 Presidents while in uniformed service.  (I missed Lyndon Johnson by 2 months, but served under Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, James Earl Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, William Clinton, and George W. Bush.)  Though those 7 men were the Commander in Chief, as a member of the United States Army and the United States Air Force, I worked not for them as men, but for the American people.  My duty, my allegiance, and my sworn oath were to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.  I will do so until I draw my final breath, in uniform or not.    

Read the rest of this entry »

On November 11, 1918, the Armistice that ended World War I was signed.  One year later, President Wilson proclaimed that “Armistice Day” be celebrated on November 11th in the United States as a way to commemorate the sacrifice made by hundreds of thousands of American servicemen and women who served during World War I.  On that day, President Wilson said, “’To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.’”  It was only seven years later that Congress passed a resolution officially recognizing November 11th as Armistice Day.

Over the next several decades, Armistice Day was celebrated as a day to honor those who served in World War I.  Upon its conclusion, many referred to World War I as “The Great War,” believing that as horrific as it was, there was no chance that the world would see such a monumental conflict again.  As the United States found itself in the throes of World War II, it became evident that “The Great War” was soon to be undermined by the shocking events and total devastation of World War II.  Americans began to understand the importance of honoring all veterans, not just those who served in World War I.

Read the rest of this entry »

Today the United States Marines Corps is celebrating its 233rd birthday!  On this day in 1775, the Second Continental Congress established two battalions of soldiers to serve as the Continental Marines.

Before I provide you with the rest of the history of the Marine Corps, I need to disclose that our founder, Major James Etter, was an enlisted Marine in Vietnam and after attending college on the GI Bill after the war, became a Marine aviator.  He retired after twenty-six years of service.  When Jim founded American Military University, he solicited the assistance of General Al Gray, the twenty-ninth Commandant of the Marine Corps.  General Gray, a soldier’s soldier, not only provided guidance, but became a member of the AMU board, eventually the Board Chair, and continues to serve as a member of the Board today and as our Board Chairman, emeritus.  Writing about the Marines from information available on the web might trigger a call from either individual if I am not accurate, but I will attempt to get the facts right.

Read the rest of this entry »