Easter Thoughts

I’ve heard people described as “products” of some school or program, as if graduates are manufactured on an assembly line, uniform in appearance and quality. I recall a faculty meeting years ago when we were discussing how to make sure our students received a consistent educational experience. I commented that I believed uniformity was “neither … Continue reading Easter Thoughts →

Pull Together

Recently we watched “The Boys in the Boat,” a film about the 1936 Olympic rowing crew from the University of Washington. While there were many timeless lessons in the story, it seems to me the best was the idea that to win, the team had to learn to row as one. “Every man for himself” … Continue reading Pull Together →

Making the Grade

I required listening quizzes as part of my jazz history course. These consisted of 10 excerpts selected from the assigned listening. Students would choose from titles and artists on numbered and lettered lists. So, if I played, “West End Blues,” by Louis Armstrong, a student could answer the letter of the title and the number … Continue reading Making the Grade →