Don Laackman

Feel Good

I have been snowed under as we drive toward finalizing our FY13 budgets. This link provided a nice pick-me-up. Thanks to Nikole Muzzy for the solid reporting on the student success stories.

A debate is raging right now about the correct approach to fix the struggling global economy. In Europe, the French and Greek electorate have just rejected German calls for more fiscal austerity and signaled their desire for more stimulus spending. We see a similar debate domestically as politicians advocate for more balanced budgets or more spendingContinue reading “Graduation Bonus”

Taking Credit

The problem with writing a blog, I am learning, is that occasionally someone reads it. Worse, he may even remember what I wrote. And in the worst of all words, he physically confronts me and asks about something I have written. At a recent party, the host came up to me and said, “I don’tContinue reading “Taking Credit”

The Imperiled Promise of College

Frank Bruni provokes with his Op-Ed piece today in the New York Times, “The Imperiled Promise of College.” While we in community colleges can take cold comfort in the fact that education at our schools is still affordable, the promise of increased wages at the end of the journey is at risk. Students today competeContinue reading “The Imperiled Promise of College”

Distinguished Professor

I have been busy the last few weeks putting the finishing touches on our draft operating plan submission, doing my best to advocate for our fair share of dollars to innovate, improve instruction and increase student success. Posting has fallen by the wayside. Now I am coming up for air to announce this year’s DistinguishedContinue reading “Distinguished Professor”

Victory – Or Is It?

From Inside Higher Ed comes word that we will soon be holding “Last Rites for Graduation Rate.” The article says, The Education Department has announced its plans to change how student success is measured in higher education, taking into account students who transfer, part-time students and students who are not attending college for the first time. The departmentContinue reading “Victory – Or Is It?”

Hail the Herald

For those of you who don’t read HWC Announce emails but do read the blog (I would love to see the Venn diagram showing those sets of intersecting populations), I happily and proudly recognize the outstanding achievements of our student-run newspaper staff at The Herald, with particular recognition for Greg Fairbanks, Editor-in-Chief, Rachel Banning, Managing Editor, andContinue reading “Hail the Herald”

Be Vewy Vewy Quiet. We’re Hunting Wabbits.

My father’s heart sank when he descended the basement stairs and found me, at 1 PM on a Saturday, still in my pajamas, watching cartoons. Only a father can understand the despondency of seeing his only son lazing about on a fine Saturday afternoon wasting his life away. Only with my easement into fatherhood didContinue reading “Be Vewy Vewy Quiet. We’re Hunting Wabbits.”

A Year of Magical Thinking

At a recent Jazz Ensemble concert of student performances, I noticed that Anthony Florez was the faculty member leading the event. Matt Shevitz had usually been front and center. Matt showed up later to show his support, but Anthony was the leader of this concert. It struck me that this is what happens when youContinue reading “A Year of Magical Thinking”

To Be Mad

I have struggled recently with the value of fiction. In conversations with friends, we note that as we age, non-fiction appeals to us more. Non-fiction is pragmatic. It wrestles with real-world problems. It informs our daily lives with facts and guidance and useful stuff. Biographies of people who have lived lives that mattered hold particularContinue reading “To Be Mad”