One of the many alarming trends in our hyper-partisan and divided nation is the downward trend in how many Americans view higher education. Many of you saw the recent Pew survey results that reveal a majority of registered Republicans have a negative view towards universities.

Similar data released in 2017 motivated a Michigan State University colleague, Kathleen Fitzpatrick, to write her book, Generous Thinking: A Radical Approach to Saving the University (Johns Hopkins UP, 2019). Her message is helpful for those of us committed to higher education, and serves as a way forward; we can—individually and collectively—start to repair the damage to the tarnished perceptions of our work.

Picture a seminar of graduate students who expertly and eagerly shredded an academic article. Then picture the instructor asking these critics to back up a bit. “What’s the author’s argument? What’s her goal in the article? What does she want the reader to come away with?” (p.2). The response to the instructor (actually, Fitzpatrick describing her own course): silence. This example from East Lansing provides a lesson for us in Grand Rapids, in Allendale, and online. We must help our students be generous readers, and generous thinkers, as well as critical thinkers. “Generous thinking,” to Fitzpatrick, is similar to intellectually walking in another’s shoes. We’re not responding in constructive ways to one another if we’re not generously listening to one another. No, she is not naïve to the corrosive effects of hate speech—we don’t need to be generous about that. But we do need to open ourselves to criticism if coming from positive intent. We need civil discourse, but we need to be listening more meaningfully than merely “civil listening,” or politely waiting our turn to talk.

In Brooks College, you know all this. Still, you might consider the first chapter (or two) of this book, and how your teaching or student interactions might be enhanced by generous thinking. Even more important for our profession, perhaps, is taking that generous thinking out to the wider community: at the grocery store, on social media, political gatherings, your faith community. And pencil in the annual civil discourse symposium on your calendar for Tuesday, 19 November; bring your students, neighbors, friends, and family.

-Mark

Semester in Grand Rapids (SIGR) celebrated the completion of its inaugural year on August 6 with a showcase featuring presentations from seven students. Delaney McDonald, who interned at the Cook Arts Center, said, "The deep dive we took here forced me to reflect on where I came from and the parts that I was missing. I think that I have a new respect for Grand Rapids but also for my hometown. I'm leaving with a lot more questions than answers."

Kristin Moretto, SIGR Director, said, "This program is unique in that it combines multiple high-impact practices to connect learning to real-world experience in a particular place. Students who participate in the program learn about complex urban issues, develop professional skills and experience, and reported feeling more connected to the city of Grand Rapids as a result of participation in the program.”

Watch the updated SIGR video featuring new interviews with faculty, staff, and community partners:

A new study abroad trip to Spain was designed to accommodate the unique schedules and demands of student-athletes. The program combines online coursework with a 15-day trip to Spain, focusing on building intercultural communication skills and competence for careers in business, health, education and more. Students live with Spanish host families, experience the diverse language and culture of the region, and engage in discussions on cultural awareness. The 3-credit course offered during this program fulfills General Education requirements, making it attractive to students from any major. Watch the video documenting the first trip in June: