Count Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, among those who think the selection of former Sprint Nextel CEO Gary Forsee as president of the University of Missouri is a good one:
State Sen. Gary Nodler, a Republican from Joplin, said a businessman was actually better suited to carry out the duties of university president.
“I don’t believe the president’s duties involve any academic role whatsoever,” Nodler said.
“The University of Missouri is a very large, complex corporate entity with national and international connections, responsibilities and relationships. I absolutely prefer somebody who has the skill set that matches the job.”
Ah, the old Corporate Model is God approach and with a CEO from Sprint, King of the Outsourcers, no less. Better hop into the old blind faith (no questions or opposition allowed, please) mode fast.
ReplyDeleteWell, Gary, it's like this: You need to have an advanced degree and academic experience in order to be in charge of a University, because you are dealing with people who will laugh at you if you don't have these credentials. Also, if you want any credibility at all, it will be extremely difficult to move in the circles you need to move in, without this experience and degree.
ReplyDeleteBusiness accumen and knowledge of how a corporation works is very useful. But you can't discount the importance of having an academic background.
Well Gary you are right and Anonymous2 is out of touch. The University of Missouri has joined the growing number of progressive institutions rejecting the bigoted academic elitist view that you have to have an advanced degree and academic experience to be the president of a university system. No one laughed at Dwight Eisenhower or David Boren when they became university presidents and in both cases extremely successful ones. This is just an attempt by academics to keep a monopoly on employment in a management position that has nothing to do with academics at all. I love this small minded comment that "people will laugh at you". No one cares about the laughter of the rude or the bigoted, that just shows how childish that point of view is. Let me guess, Anonymous 2, you are an academic aren't you, or an unaccredited idiot? So Anonymous2, you join a long list the KKK: “only whites can understand enough to vote”. Hitler: “only Arians are truly human”. Countless chauvinists: “only men should run companies or hold office” Now you “only academics can be university presidents”. Grow up and grow out of your bigotry and prejudice!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would have used Boren as an example for a couple of reasons. For one thing, his academic history doesn't entirely support your thesis.
ReplyDeleteBoren does not have a PHD, He has a Masters in politics and Law degree. He does not have an advanced degree in education (academics) at all. He has done a fine job as president. He is a pretty good example.
ReplyDeleteHe was a Rhodes scholar and he had some previous experience in the academic world as Chairman of Political Science and Division of Social Services at Oklahoma Baptist University.
ReplyDeleteAnd then there's the interesting fact that although you would think the position of President of OU would involve a high level of intensity and be extremely time-consuming in addition to being a very heavy responsibility, Mr. Boren has also found time to simultaneously participate as a member of the Board of Directors for Texas Instruments and Phillips/Conoco Phillips Petroleum as well as possibly (?) still a Member of the Board for American Airlines and Torchmark (whoever they are) according to his different bios.
And that's without even going into the scandal section of his bios. No. I wouldn't consider him a good poster boy at all.
Yes he was a Rhodes Scholar that experience not leading to a terminal academic degree at all but supporting his political education. His membership on corporate boards is another example of a vibrant life outside of academics. Your comments sure sound like an envious academic, jealous of those with broader experience in the world. No need to confess openly that you are an academic elitist bigot, your own words already convict you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the compliment. I only wish it were true.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, his "vibrant" life looks more like skimming along picking up cash without engaging in responsibility to me. And I see you can't bring yourself to admit that he at least had some academic experience prior to taking the position. But since you decided to push it, you want to talk about the allegations that he's gay?
ReplyDeleteNo I don't want to talk about rumors about his private life, but that comment makes it clear where and what you are.
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