This past Friday night, I joined faculty adviser Kamran Swanson for a joyous event organized by HWC’s own African Student Association. Aziz, the ASA’s president, did a masterful job as Master of Ceremonies, introducing several waves of students garbed in traditional African and contemporary urban fashion. Both male and female students walked an improvised catwalk accompanied byContinue reading “Fashion Show”
Author Archives: Don Laackman
The Innovator’s Dilemma
Clay Christensen made a big splash in 1997 with his book, “The Innovator’s Dilemma,” in which he argued that well-managed, profitable companies are vulnerable to disruptive technologies that attack the heart of the business model and put them out of business. Fifteen years later, we have seen the demise of Borders, the re-formulation of Blockbuster,Continue reading “The Innovator’s Dilemma”
The Life of the Mind
As a liberal arts graduate, I may have some understanding of the discomfort a few faculty express in the recent State of the Union and Mayoral discussions regarding the role of preparing students for careers. If we pigeonhole students into career-oriented tracks, are we robbing them of the ability to participate fully in a civic society?Continue reading “The Life of the Mind”
Student Success
HWC student Tim Bradford received a necktie signed by Governor Quinn at Illinois Education Foundation’s (IEF) “Suited for Success” event this past Saturday. As he is highly visible on campus, I already thought Mr. Bradford was a pretty sharp dresser. He’ll be even more dazzling after this event, which IEF describes thusly: Suited for Success isContinue reading “Student Success”
State of the Union
In my house, the State of the Union is required watching. I was pleased, then, to hear President Obama acknowledge the role community colleges should play in helping to close the skills gap between available jobs and potential employees. Lynn Sweet has a nice summary here. I give a tip of the hat to aContinue reading “State of the Union”
Flor de Caña
Not having grown up in academia, I admit to a uninformed view of faculty sabbaticals. My visions of faculty lounging on white sand beaches in comfy beach chairs, watching gorgeous sunsets, sipping sweet tropical drinks are perhaps best captured by Bruce Cockburn in his song, “Last Night of the World:” I’m sipping Flor De Caña andContinue reading “Flor de Caña”
Is College Worth It?
Two articles caught my eye this past weekend. The first is an article from The Atlantic, “Making It In America.” Adam Davidson of NPR’s “Planet Money” team wrote it. I still find the team’s work on the financial crisis, first broadcast on This American Life in 2008, entitled “The Giant Pool of Money,” to beContinue reading “Is College Worth It?”
Aegrotat
I subscribe to Oxford English Dictionary’s Word of the Day email (available through the HWC Library, available only to staff and students). I often enjoy the sly humor of the chosen word. Sounds like someone at OED may be aware that we are wrapping up registration and starting classes Tuesday. See the email below. aegrotat,Continue reading “Aegrotat”
Don’t Hate the Internet, Hate the Game
At the risk of losing the small number of readers I have managed to attract to this blog, I wanted to share a great piece from Lifehacker, “How to Boost Your Reading Comprehension by Reading Smarter and More Conscientiously.” The piece recommends winnowing your information sources down to a few select ones while maintaining aContinue reading “Don’t Hate the Internet, Hate the Game”
Starting the New Year
As we look to a new year with new rewards and new challenges, John Maeda shared a quote via Matt Goldman from George Bernard Shaw that sets a nice tone. This is the true joy in life, being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one. Being a force of nature insteadContinue reading “Starting the New Year”
Don's Desk 