I am a teacher, so I may be biased. Education taught me to be a critical thinker. One of my greatest professors was a professor of Islamic architecture. I did a summer abroad with him in Istanbul. I remember going with him to the Edirne Mosque, one of the most beautiful of Sinan's mosques. Inside, he told us there were 18 "mistakes" or unlikely changes made to the mosque over the years. Our job was to find them. We spent a long time looking around the mosque, coming to him with our ideas. He would often just ask us more questions such as, "What did you expect to see?" or "How do you think that they should have done it?" . And I remember the feeling of pride when he looked at you said, "That is very insightful."
This became the model for my teaching for the last 38 years. Ask questions, rather than making definitive statements. Be able to justify your thinking. And propose solutions, don't just criticize. A master teacher who went beyond having us memorize and then identify the typical characteristics of a 16th century Ottoman mosque.
My college experience enriched and enlarged my life. I went from a small Southern town to a world-class university in a huge city on a scholarship, where some of the best teachers and scholars on the planet were my teachers. Richard Ellman. Ted Fujita. William McNeill. I learned to think well and thus, how to write well. When I was graduated, the president shook my hand, handed me my diploma and said, "Welcome to the fellowship of educated women and men." In college, before an argument, I learned one had to "define your terms," whether those terms are "family values" or "terrorists." I think no one in the Trump administration took anything from their college "education" but a diploma, a credential.
My dad was a professor at Harvard more than 50 years ago. One of his feats was to provide through early satellite transmissions surgical techniques of Harvard med school faculty to doctors in Africa. I can’t confirm but believe federal grants allowed this to happen. My own educational experiences provided me free speech opportunities for my entire life. I hate book bans because when a government abridges our First Amendment rights we become subservient to ignorance. Thsts a recipe for disaster.
Higher education saved my life. A junior college (through a federally funded program) gave me opportunity to pull myself out of poverty. I excelled in the courses and was tracked to a 4 year State college. I excelled there and encouraged to go to graduate school. I went on to pursue my advanced degree and excelled through the programs and went on to take my doctorate degree. From there I was an accomplished researcher and my applied work ultimately influenced public policy and helped to change lives for the better. Ultimately, I went on to become a successful entrepreneur. As a woman in her 70’s I continue to be a lifelong learner. Without a doubt, education has been the single most valuable thing in my life.
We need to tell our stories over and over again to help educate people about the value of education. It seems like the dumbing down of America is a political strategy to take control of people.
Stories like ours need to be told over and over again to help people understand the value of education. The dumbing down of America is part of the plan to
When I was little, my Grandma told me: "Get all the education you can, study hard, do well: That's one thing they can't take away from you.' Grandma, like all my grandparents, was an immigrant. She had to quit school before 8th grade because she had to go to work. That was the family's expectation. Grandma was right. I did get a good education, first in public schools, then in university (scholarships), then in seminary. I would not trade my education for anything. Not that I'm rich in possessions, but wealthy in knowledge, experience and relationships. The world is a marvel, education opened my eyes. Thank you Grandma!
It's at least as important that students and faculty at public, not just private schools, are free to think and speak freely. And it's a harder fight for them, especially in red states with with overseers appointed by right-wing legislators.
I became a registered nurse. My career in nursing has provided me personal growth through enhanced empathy, critical thinking skills, and improved communication skills. After one year on a general medical floor in a local hospital, I chose to focus on Critical Care. I had an excellent mentor - the director of nursing at a Chicago teaching hospital who encouraged me to travel. Her support and her letter of recommendation helped me to work and live in six states in six years. I was able to drive across this beautiful country dozens of times. Over 75% of respondents in Gallup’s Most Honest and Ethical Professions Poll consider nurses to be the most trusted profession (Jan, ‘25).
I’m a graduate of Indiana University. This month, Indiana University’s Bloomington faculty council followed in the footsteps of Rutgers University in passing a resolution to establish a pact with all 18 universities under the Big 10 academic alliance to defend academic freedoms. This is great news!
Education is one of the bedrock foundations of civilized society. This oppressive regime (I can’t believe I’m even using those words about a U.S. executive branch) is severely damaging that foundation by attempting to dictate what universities teach, and by dismantling the Department of Education. Trump can have his way with public Universities, I suppose. But that creates a whole different issue, the migration of many new admissions to more expensive, private schools that manage to dodge Trumps edicts, creating unmanageable debt for so many.
My dad caught malaria in WWII, and it destroyed his heart. He died at the age of 34. I went to college paid for under War Orphans benefits. I was the first in my family to go to college. It has made a world of difference in my life. Yes, I was trained for a career that I would never have been able to have - but I also learned to think. Every time we are exposed to new ideas, we make neural connections that stay with us and help us understand things on a deeper level. Education helps us build those neural network of ideas and experiences that will help us understand, create and navigate through the world. I feel that education has helped not only me to understand the world more - it has also helped me to help others to understand the world more. As you can probably tell my degree is in Psychology. :) I worked in crisis-intervention - and now, in my retirement, I teach at a university part-time. Education encourages curiosity. I am still curious - I want to know more - to understand more. Life is about change. It bothers me that after I die, I won't know what happens (I won't continue learning)- LOL
A quote I use in my class about "change"
Clemente, E., Attitude is Your Superpower. (2021); Igniting Potential?
"Change is getting faster, it will continue to get faster, and it affects everyone... just ask the guy who manufactured desktop calculators! In our lifetime, we will never experience change occurring as slowly as it is today. Change will come faster tomorrow and every day after that. This is our reality. Do you find that daunting or exciting?"
Education enlighten me to understand that a disagreement or something I do not understand are not necessarily challenges, but may well be opportunities to learn something new.
Education is an investment in one’s self. It continues through life experientially. It can be found in the hallowed halls of higher learning or in the cramped confines of tenement houses.
It is important to recognize opportunities for education
are not limited to times and places, but are accessible where ever life brings us.
Of course, university education provides a basis for lifelong love of learning as it helps us expand our minds and move our boundaries.
Education is a gift we give ourselves and hopefully share with others.
I am a proud graduate of a Jesuit university that taught me to think critically and to integrate different ideas into a holistic approach to life. My graduate studies at a state institution were funded by a NIH training grant. I recently wrote the Republican congressman who represents my district to express my concern about cuts to NIH funding. I noted that such funding is not government “waste, fraud or abuse”. Rather, through the payback requirements of my training grant, I returned to my hometown (a small city in a red part of the state) to work at a non-profit healthcare institution. My work supported a clinical program that enabled patients to remain close to home to receive care. In a small way, my education contributed to the growth and vitality of our health care community. These articulated benefits seemed to fall on deaf ears, as the Congressman responded with form letter GOP talking points. Still I will continue to make the case that education and research directly or indirectly benefit us all as I attend the Rally for Science today.
I’ve always said that my liberal arts education taught me how to think, to evaluate, to consider. There’s nothing more valuable.
I am a teacher, so I may be biased. Education taught me to be a critical thinker. One of my greatest professors was a professor of Islamic architecture. I did a summer abroad with him in Istanbul. I remember going with him to the Edirne Mosque, one of the most beautiful of Sinan's mosques. Inside, he told us there were 18 "mistakes" or unlikely changes made to the mosque over the years. Our job was to find them. We spent a long time looking around the mosque, coming to him with our ideas. He would often just ask us more questions such as, "What did you expect to see?" or "How do you think that they should have done it?" . And I remember the feeling of pride when he looked at you said, "That is very insightful."
This became the model for my teaching for the last 38 years. Ask questions, rather than making definitive statements. Be able to justify your thinking. And propose solutions, don't just criticize. A master teacher who went beyond having us memorize and then identify the typical characteristics of a 16th century Ottoman mosque.
Thanks for sharing.
My college experience enriched and enlarged my life. I went from a small Southern town to a world-class university in a huge city on a scholarship, where some of the best teachers and scholars on the planet were my teachers. Richard Ellman. Ted Fujita. William McNeill. I learned to think well and thus, how to write well. When I was graduated, the president shook my hand, handed me my diploma and said, "Welcome to the fellowship of educated women and men." In college, before an argument, I learned one had to "define your terms," whether those terms are "family values" or "terrorists." I think no one in the Trump administration took anything from their college "education" but a diploma, a credential.
My dad was a professor at Harvard more than 50 years ago. One of his feats was to provide through early satellite transmissions surgical techniques of Harvard med school faculty to doctors in Africa. I can’t confirm but believe federal grants allowed this to happen. My own educational experiences provided me free speech opportunities for my entire life. I hate book bans because when a government abridges our First Amendment rights we become subservient to ignorance. Thsts a recipe for disaster.
Gary Balanoff
BSJ University of Florida
I wouldn’t be where I am today without the college education my father received through the GI Bill.
Education opened my eyes to how much there is to learn and I have become a lifelong learner with thriving curiosity as a result.
Higher education saved my life. A junior college (through a federally funded program) gave me opportunity to pull myself out of poverty. I excelled in the courses and was tracked to a 4 year State college. I excelled there and encouraged to go to graduate school. I went on to pursue my advanced degree and excelled through the programs and went on to take my doctorate degree. From there I was an accomplished researcher and my applied work ultimately influenced public policy and helped to change lives for the better. Ultimately, I went on to become a successful entrepreneur. As a woman in her 70’s I continue to be a lifelong learner. Without a doubt, education has been the single most valuable thing in my life.
Similar story - poor kid, Pell grants, pulled myself out of poverty, established a satisfying career without losing my soul. Education was the key.
We need to tell our stories over and over again to help educate people about the value of education. It seems like the dumbing down of America is a political strategy to take control of people.
Stories like ours need to be told over and over again to help people understand the value of education. The dumbing down of America is part of the plan to
When I was little, my Grandma told me: "Get all the education you can, study hard, do well: That's one thing they can't take away from you.' Grandma, like all my grandparents, was an immigrant. She had to quit school before 8th grade because she had to go to work. That was the family's expectation. Grandma was right. I did get a good education, first in public schools, then in university (scholarships), then in seminary. I would not trade my education for anything. Not that I'm rich in possessions, but wealthy in knowledge, experience and relationships. The world is a marvel, education opened my eyes. Thank you Grandma!
It's at least as important that students and faculty at public, not just private schools, are free to think and speak freely. And it's a harder fight for them, especially in red states with with overseers appointed by right-wing legislators.
So true.
I became a registered nurse. My career in nursing has provided me personal growth through enhanced empathy, critical thinking skills, and improved communication skills. After one year on a general medical floor in a local hospital, I chose to focus on Critical Care. I had an excellent mentor - the director of nursing at a Chicago teaching hospital who encouraged me to travel. Her support and her letter of recommendation helped me to work and live in six states in six years. I was able to drive across this beautiful country dozens of times. Over 75% of respondents in Gallup’s Most Honest and Ethical Professions Poll consider nurses to be the most trusted profession (Jan, ‘25).
I’m a graduate of Indiana University. This month, Indiana University’s Bloomington faculty council followed in the footsteps of Rutgers University in passing a resolution to establish a pact with all 18 universities under the Big 10 academic alliance to defend academic freedoms. This is great news!
I was surprised the University of Iowa joined the alliance. They are Republican in a Republican State. Maybe there is hope for them yet!
Indiana is as red as Iowa! There a a few blue spots in the state - where the universities are - but yes! We’ll take it.
Education is one of the bedrock foundations of civilized society. This oppressive regime (I can’t believe I’m even using those words about a U.S. executive branch) is severely damaging that foundation by attempting to dictate what universities teach, and by dismantling the Department of Education. Trump can have his way with public Universities, I suppose. But that creates a whole different issue, the migration of many new admissions to more expensive, private schools that manage to dodge Trumps edicts, creating unmanageable debt for so many.
Bravo to Claire Shipman and her support people. These stances against the dictatorship are crucial if the US wants to regain their democracy.
My dad caught malaria in WWII, and it destroyed his heart. He died at the age of 34. I went to college paid for under War Orphans benefits. I was the first in my family to go to college. It has made a world of difference in my life. Yes, I was trained for a career that I would never have been able to have - but I also learned to think. Every time we are exposed to new ideas, we make neural connections that stay with us and help us understand things on a deeper level. Education helps us build those neural network of ideas and experiences that will help us understand, create and navigate through the world. I feel that education has helped not only me to understand the world more - it has also helped me to help others to understand the world more. As you can probably tell my degree is in Psychology. :) I worked in crisis-intervention - and now, in my retirement, I teach at a university part-time. Education encourages curiosity. I am still curious - I want to know more - to understand more. Life is about change. It bothers me that after I die, I won't know what happens (I won't continue learning)- LOL
A quote I use in my class about "change"
Clemente, E., Attitude is Your Superpower. (2021); Igniting Potential?
"Change is getting faster, it will continue to get faster, and it affects everyone... just ask the guy who manufactured desktop calculators! In our lifetime, we will never experience change occurring as slowly as it is today. Change will come faster tomorrow and every day after that. This is our reality. Do you find that daunting or exciting?"
It’s possible that you will continue to learn, in some as yet unknown fashion, after you die!
I truly hope so
Education enlighten me to understand that a disagreement or something I do not understand are not necessarily challenges, but may well be opportunities to learn something new.
Education is an investment in one’s self. It continues through life experientially. It can be found in the hallowed halls of higher learning or in the cramped confines of tenement houses.
It is important to recognize opportunities for education
are not limited to times and places, but are accessible where ever life brings us.
Of course, university education provides a basis for lifelong love of learning as it helps us expand our minds and move our boundaries.
Education is a gift we give ourselves and hopefully share with others.
I am a proud graduate of a Jesuit university that taught me to think critically and to integrate different ideas into a holistic approach to life. My graduate studies at a state institution were funded by a NIH training grant. I recently wrote the Republican congressman who represents my district to express my concern about cuts to NIH funding. I noted that such funding is not government “waste, fraud or abuse”. Rather, through the payback requirements of my training grant, I returned to my hometown (a small city in a red part of the state) to work at a non-profit healthcare institution. My work supported a clinical program that enabled patients to remain close to home to receive care. In a small way, my education contributed to the growth and vitality of our health care community. These articulated benefits seemed to fall on deaf ears, as the Congressman responded with form letter GOP talking points. Still I will continue to make the case that education and research directly or indirectly benefit us all as I attend the Rally for Science today.
Education is my life.