Miami University Dolibois European Center Recycle Mania

I'm delighted to report on the fantastic new recycling initiative taken on by Dr. Kay Sloan's "Literature of Social Activism and Change" class in Luxembourg. This initiative is based on a commitment to put thought and action together in active learning. The students read Giono's The Man Who Planted Trees and then used this inspiring short story as a back-drop for action designed to save the environment. The story tells of a man who single-handledly restores the natural environment in the Provence area of France following the devastation of war at the beginning of the 20th century. It is a story of a simple man who takes simple and purposeful action, thereby returning Provence to the natural beauty it is now widely known to reflect.

Hats off to Dr. Sloan and her students for tackling a real issue, actively engaging in learning, and helping to make the world a better place.

Pretty phenomenal

I've just returned from back-to-back conferences of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and the American College Personnel Association. The first conference was actually during Miami's spring break so it didn't interfere with work. ACPA overlapped Monday and Tuesday and then I came home early so that I could begin catching up Wednesday (today, March 22). I saw many, many good friends and colleagues over the last two weeks. It reminded me how rich and full my life is - richly filled with imaginative and committed professionals and full of support and encouragement. A picture of three of my most important life supporters is to the right/below - Linda Clement (University of Maryland), Ron Slepitza (Xavier University), and of course Diane (wife).


I had a pinnacle experience Monday when I received the Esther Lloyd-Jones Professional Service Award at ACPA. This was something that, in many ways, I don't feel I deserved. As a friend said to me - I should just enjoy it and be grateful so I will. I've spent a good deal of time studying Esther during my professional career. In addition, I've sought to bring her name back into regular discussion in student affairs work. It's deeply gratifying to hear her name more often these days. She was a woman of sweeping proportion and genius. She was one of the founders, if not the principle imagination, who inspired the work I am so blessed to fulfill. I was humbled and will never forget the moment that her presence became part of me - March 20, 2006. A picture of Susan Komives, the person who initiated my nomination for the award is to the left/below. Susan also received the ACPA Contribution to Knowledge Award this year as well as the NASPA award for the same.


During her memorial service on December 7, 1991, Donald Cutler, Esther's minister said of her, "I heard it said once that she wasn't necessarily at the superior level with respect to having common sense and I was reassured to hear it because I have precious little myself and cherish confirmation that one can survive, indeed prosper - without it. Her feminism was deep and balanced. Ahead of its time and not adversarial or bitter. Through her accomplishments one sees what a frequent mentor she was, and she bore the stuff of all great mentors -- that they are not competitive but rather luxuriate in the accomplishments of their proteges."

This memorial statement and the life Esther lived is an inspiration to me and I only hope to fulfill a small portion of the model of professional and personal presence Esther left as her legacy.

Holy discontent

I haven't posted on my blog for about a month - sorry for those who might be watching. Miami activities have kept me very busy and preoccupied. I have struggled to return to writing Deeper Learning in Leadership but plan to begin again today. I had a couple of other writing projects that had to take precedence so I had little choice.

I recently attended the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators convention in D.C. I had a very interesting time attending sessions, greeting long-standing friends, and watching where student affairs is as a field. My roommate was Ron Slepitza, a fellow graduate school colleague who has been a life-long friend. I also caught up with Dave Doyle, a former Miami ASG President. One of the sessions I found most interesting was one on "Discovering a Calling: How Colleges Enable Students to Discover Meaning and Purpose." I went to this session partially to see if they were aware of either Sharon Daloz Parks' or Senge et al's work. Parker Palmer was referenced but not the others. In some ways I was surprised but in other ways I was not. Hopefully, Deeper Learning in Leadership will help bring these other names into common awareness. The point of the session was that college students are more interested in spiritual journey and the discovery of purpose these days. No one seems to be able to determine why but perhaps that doesn't matter. The shift to greater interest in finding purpose is something that educators should embrace but exactly how we do this is the question.

One of the ideas that Frank Shushok from Baylor mentioned was that their programs foster "holy discontent." Actually, I don't know if the spelling should be "holy" or "wholly." Either would work. What he was saying is that, in order for students to discover things that really matter to them, they need to become discontent with something in the world - discontent enough that they will give theit best talent, time and energy to resolve it. This concept is very similar to Senge et al's "presencing" process and it is also related to Parks' admonition to nurture big questions and worthy dreams (check former blog posts on these topics). I don't know if Baylor's "wholly" was one based on the notion of "entire" or "complete" dissatisfaction or if it was "holy," meaning that there is something that is deeply spiritually compelling about it. Perhaps Baylor is attempting to foster both and they would both likely be relevant.

This idea left me wondering about my own holy/wholly discontent - what is it and how far will it take me? It also left me wondering how I might stimulate this level of discontent in others. Further, what can I do to respond to others' discontent? Sometimes discontent is a very powerful thing and not easy to deal with. I know what it feels like to have students, staff, and others who are dissatisfied with something. Particularly when it's something about which I'm not particularly annoyed, it's an inconvenience to encounter their passion. However, I know how important my discontent is and I seek to keep that alive in me - therefore, I should seek to keep it alive in others. I'm not sure I can answer my own question today but at least it's hear to ponder...