I am sure people everywhere are sharing this graduation speech. That doesn’t mean it isn’t worth sharing. I can relate to the story of regret George Saunders shares in his speech. As one of the commenters writes, everyone everywhere should be required to read this.
Author Archives: Don Laackman
Debt Repaid
Harold Washington College was founded in 1962 as Loop Branch City College. The Chancellor at the time, wanting an experienced administrator to oversee the launch of the new downtown college, tapped Ernest V. Clements, Jr. (“Vint”). Vint was president of Wilbur Wright College. After overseeing the successful launch of Loop College (renamed in 1985 twoContinue reading “Debt Repaid”
There is No Food
That loud thud you may have heard at your office door was the sound of CCC’s 2014 budget book landing on your threshold. The product of hundreds of faculty and staff working over the course of five months, the FY2014 Budget Book highlights our accomplishments in the past year and plans for the coming year.Continue reading “There is No Food”
The Sounds of Silence
Things have been quiet here lately – not only at the schools, since we are on break, but also on Don’s Desk and on the Harold Lounge. My excuse is managing two schools has finally overwhelmed me during budget season. I am working on a post once the budget is made public, but for nowContinue reading “The Sounds of Silence”
Anecdotes
Immediately before starting as HWC president, I worked with CCC on the launch of Reinvention. I was on a project team poring over data comparing student outcomes against similar (large, diverse, urban) community colleges in the country. Our outcomes did not compare favorably. Upon starting at HWC, I interviewed dozens of people about what wasContinue reading “Anecdotes”
The Exonerated
“The Exonerated,” the current Loop Players’ production here at Harold Washington College, is not a great college production. It is a great production, period. I was riveted throughout. The cast was pitch-perfect, and they played their roles well. I experienced one of those transcendent moments in theater when you actually feel yourself believing these charactersContinue reading “The Exonerated”
Conferencing
I am sitting in the “Program for Presidents and Board Members” at the Higher Learning Commission’s Annual Conference. Over 200 fellow presidents are listening to challenging and provocative presentations on the future of higher education. Terry Hartle from ACE told us that the goals of federal education policy are changing from access to access ANDContinue reading “Conferencing”
Year Two
Today marks my second anniversary as president of Harold Washington College. People ask how it’s going. I sometimes reply, “Well, the place hasn’t burned down yet.” We have endured two floods during my tenure, one invisible to the college community (thanks, Rich) and the other dealt with in time to open 8 am classes (thanksContinue reading “Year Two”
Cognitive Dissonance
More than one friend has asked if I have heard This American Life’s broadcasts on Harper High. The show provides a summary: We spent five months at Harper High School in Chicago, where last year alone 29 current and recent students were shot. 29. We went to get a sense of what it means to live inContinue reading “Cognitive Dissonance”
Follow Me
I attended the last of the American Council of Education’s Institute for New Presidents last Saturday. We covered a number of worthwhile topics. I found the one on social media valuable. President Ángel Cabrera of George Mason University shared how he uses Twitter to connect with faculty, staff, students and alumni. While I can’t hopeContinue reading “Follow Me”
Don's Desk 