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What compelled you to become a Ripon College Trustee? What
rewards does it offer?
I've volunteered for Ripon and worked in support of its mission since
shortly after I graduated. It was apparent to me very soon after I left
Ripon that I received an invaluable education. I entered law school at
Northwestern with a class filled with graduates from places like
Harvard, Princeton, Dartmouth, Duke and Northwestern. I was as well or
better prepared than all of them. I know my education in part was thanks
to Ripon alumni and friends who supported the College. I feel an
obligation to do the same, and, hopefully, contribute to Ripon thriving.
I didn't think much about the rewards or benefits of serving when
asked. But there are two that stand out. One is the energy I get from
being back on campus. I love to see the activity and feel great about
making a contribution. The second is the opportunity to interact with, and learn from, the talented group of Trustees we have.
Do you have any super powers?
I think I bring the skills that a lawyer brings to an organization.
Lawyers tend not to be great vision people, or long-term strategic
thinkers. But give us a problem that is here and now and we're all over
it. I also like to think I can bring people together, elicit their
views, and form consensus for a plan for working toward solutions.
What are some of your pursuits/hobbies/interests?
It seems my biggest hobby these days is dreaming about the day when my
practice will be less busy, my children older, and I'll have more time
to pursue hobbies. Living in Chicago, we're able to take advantage of
wonderful theater, music and sports opportunities. I try to do a lot of
bicycling in the summer, and every year during the week of Thanksgiving,
my family gathers in Tucson for horseback riding.
What do you see as the most significant challenges for higher
education in general, and Ripon in particular?
There is an evolution in learning that at times seems aimed at just
teaching a skill, in whatever impersonal manner sells. Online/distance
learning scares me. It's a bad trend in general and bad for tradtional
colleges and universities. At the same time though, there is a lot being
written about the critical preparation that a personal, liberal arts
education provides in a rapidly changing world. When the future is
unpredictable and change occurs rapidly, a particular work skill is not
nearly as important as being training to analyze, probelm-solve and
communicate. A liberal arts education teaches those skills. We learn
how to learn and therefore how to learn new skills. The key for schools
like Ripon is to stay true to these core principles but still evolve the
curriculum and the meaning of liberal arts in response to the current
world.
What excites you the most about Ripon College's future?
We sometimes struggle to get the message out, but what Ripon does has a
value that won't ever diminish. I'm very excited about all the
improvements that are happening on campus and the buzz that has
been generated in the College community and among alumni. It will help get
the message out. It is physical evidence of the great opportunities we
have right now.
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