https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-02-05/florida-liberal-arts-college-gov-ron-desantis-wants-to-take-over

The New College trustees could benefit from reviewing the actual current state of affairs. It’s easy to caricature New College as left and woke, indoctrinating students and not preparing them for careers. The college might take a random sample of students who graduated in 2012, 2002 and 1992 and summarize their experience, education and career results to provide some perspective.

I’ve taken my own non-random sample of 13 students from my time at New College: 6 that did a state legislature internship with me, 6 roommates/housemates and me. I’ll share their New College graduation status, major, senior thesis title, other education and quick career highlights.

Stephen Duprey. 1974. Public Policy. “The Concept of Representation”. JD, Cornell. New Hampshire State Representative. Investor. NH State Republican Party Chairperson. Advisor to many presidential candidates.

Josie Coster Martin. 1978. Political Science. “Candidates and the Mythic Presidency”. Republican New Hampshire State Representative. US House and Senate staff member. Lobbyist and communications director for a half-dozen national associations, including Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturing of America (PhRMA). VP, Communications, Steward Health Care.

Darcy Ashman. 1978. International Relations. “Neighborhood Action”. Masters, International Relations, Fletcher/Tufts. DBA, Organizational Behavior, Boston University. Prolific author of academic papers. 30 years as project manager and consultant to international agencies. Recently, Technical Director, Management Systems International.

Betsy Crabtree. 1978. American Studies. “Split Seeds”. Recently President, SF Arts Media and Board Chair, Head-Royce School.

Janet Weisenford. 1977. Public Policy. “Things We Dreamt We Died For”. Masters, Public & International Affairs, U. Pittsburgh. 20 years Navy program manager. Senior Director, ICF Consulting.

Rick Kint. Music and IT. BM, Music, George Mason. MS, Info Systems, George Mason. Systems engineer, including a decade at Google.

Tab Uno. Political Science. BS, Political Science, Utah. MPA, Public Administration, Utah. MSW, Social Work, Utah. Therapist, licensed clinical social worker, candidate for Utah House of Representatives.

Bryan Sachse. 1979. Economics. “Inflation and Consumer Behavior”. MS, Finance, Cornell. MBA, Cornell. Vietnam Vet. Salesman.

Bridget Patton. 1978. Economics. “A Direct Test of the Tiebout Hypothesis”. law courses, CWRU.

Julia Carrasquero. 1978. Political Science. “Chief Justice Warren’s Legal and Socio-Political Theory”. Legal and post-grad studies at Sanford University. 30-year Army veteran. Training supervisor.

Glenn Hendrix. 1982. Political Science. “Islam and Politics in Egypt and Iran”. JD, Emory. Chair, Atlanta law firm Arnall, Golden Gregory.

Jane Marie Pinzino. Humanities. PhD, Religious Studies, U Pennsylvania. Humanities Librarian, Tulane U and Earlham College.

Tom Kapostasy. 1978. Economics. “Determinants of Migration”. MBA, CWRU. CPA. Executive finance and operations roles.

Summary

Some serious academic work in this sample. Ten of 13 completed New College degrees and defended their senior theses. Eleven added graduate degrees, a professional certification and other post-graduate work.

We have an arts executive, therapist, librarian and home professional, somewhat aligned with the New College stereotype. But we also have an international consultant, systems engineer, lawyer, investor, lobbyist, accountant, salesman, Navy program manager and Army trainer.

New College in the 1970’s had little “wokeness” and no “indoctrination”. Given the opportunity to focus on relevant coursework, we were highly engaged in learning and building learning skills. We argued politics. The faculty made sure that we always looked at multiple perspectives. There is always “room for improvements”, but I urge the trustees to apply their critical thinking skills to the current situation.