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Degrees of failure in idea that everyone needs to attend college
Denver Post - column
May 27, 2012
The college-for-all crusade has outlived its usefulness. Time to ditch it. Like the crusade to make all Americans homeowners, it's now doing more harm than good. It looms as the largest mistake in educational policy since World War II, even though higher education's expansion also ranks as one of America's great postwar triumphs.
State, private colleges ask N.J. for a $6B upgrade
Newark, N.J. Star-Ledger
May 27, 2012
The state's 45 college presidents have compiled a bulging $5.9 billion wish list in the hope that lawmakers and taxpayers agree to invest in a long-sought expansion and upgrading of New Jersey's public and private schools.The list of 300 projects obtained by The Star-Ledger was provided to legislative leaders and Christie administration officials as they consider asking voters to approve the first bond issue for higher education in more than two decades.
A lesson in sticktoitiveness — an amusing commencement speech by Garry Marshall
Washington Post - Answer Sheet Blog
May 25, 2012
Some commencement speeches are more amusing than others. Here is is one from the 2012 graduation season that stands out for attemping to impart a real life lesson - how not to give up - with humor. It was delivered by Garry Marshall, an award-winning television and film director, writer, producer, and actor, who spoke at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa., on Saturday, May 19. 
Other News
47 Colleges to Participate in $50 Million Science Education Initiative
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Website
May 24, 2012
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute announced today that it has selected 47 small colleges and universities in the United States as the recipients of grants totaling over $50 million that will enable the schools to work together to create more engaging science classes, bring real-world research experiences to students, and increase the diversity of students who study science.
Huffington Post
May 23, 2012
"I believe that it is a doomed form," Glass said right as he took to the podium. "Commencement speakers give stock advice which is then promptly ignored. The central mission of a commencement speech is in itself ridiculous, to inspire at a moment which needs no inspiration. Look at yourselves at this moment, something incredible is happening right now." Then he revealed a personal detail connecting him with Goucher on a more intimate level. "I lost my virginity in one of the dorms here," Glass said. "Not recently. I was 20 - it was still an all-girls school."
The Shoes of Lynn's 2012 Commencement
Huffington Post
May 23, 2012
As coordinator of Lynn University's Fashion Management program, I am always encouraging students to explore their sense of style as part of their studies. You'd think this philosophy of self-expression would hit a brick wall at our commencement ceremonies since everyone has to wear black robes and funny square hats, but that's not the case. Over the years, a tradition of wearing unique and flashy shoes has grown to where it is now become a semi-official event that students, staff and even the most studious faculty look forward to.
Yale Rivaled by Franklin & Marshall in Europe
Bloomberg News
May 23, 2012
While Franklin & Marshall College may not have the cachet of Yale University in the eyes of most Americans, for trendy European teens the Pennsylvania liberal arts school easily trumps the Ivy League icon. Among the hottest names in Europe these days is Franklin & Marshall, a name emblazoned on sweatshirts and other garb sold by an Italian company with an almost identical name.
Lon Morris College employees receive furlough notice
Jacksonville, Texas, Daily Progress
May 23, 2012
All but a core minimum group of Lon Morris employees received furlough notices Wednesday morning, and college President Miles McCall handed in his letter of resignation Tuesday, officials said Wednesday. While the furlough notice said the employees were "terminated," it was unclear whether they were formally discharged or furloughed. The decision was made by Bridge Point Consulting Company, an advising firm brought in on May 5 by the board of trustees to help restructure the school's finances, with intentions of reopening in the fall.
Did the Catholic organizations have to sue over the health care mandate?
Washington Post - Column
May 22, 2012
The federal lawsuits filed Monday by Catholic institutions against the contraception mandate under the health care law are not surprising, but they are unfortunate. There is certainly a case to pushing the administration to rewrite the definition of religious organizations under the health care regulations, but no reason to treat President Obama as an enemy of religious freedom. The bishops' "Fortnight for Freedom" campaign is looking more and more like a direct intervention in this fall's elections.

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