In a September 12 commentary for the Chronicle of Higher Education, Augsburg University President Paul Pribbenow argues for the public purposes of higher education in response to a speech delivered by U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. He writes:
“In this time of social and political division and fear, many are questioning whether or not both higher education and our democracy will survive. Our cities, country, and world have been torn apart by violence fueled by all sorts of “isms” in recent years — racism, nationalism, fundamentalism. Colleges are not immune to these tides; in many ways, we are on the front lines. Instead of gatekeeping and closing ranks around an imagined history, we are called to pursue teaching and learning in ways that advance democracy not just as a political system, but as a way of life … This is our public purpose, and a public good.”
Read more via the Chronicle: “A Crisis of Academic Leadership?”