Best in the world, best for the world

 Recently, I listened to a TEDx talk on “the purpose-driven university.” The basic premise of the talk was that colleges and universities should not occupy themselves only with being best in the world, but also best for the world. 

At an institution like the University of Minnesota, that sense of the connection of the University to the state and world around it is central to our identity. And it is central as well for CLA, embedded in the Roadmap’s commitment to deepening the college’s culture of engagement with communities from the local to the global and with our alumni and friends around the world.

On the events of this week

(Message sent to CLA faculty, staff, and students on January 8, 2021.)

On Wednesday afternoon of this week, Americans, and indeed people around the world, looked on in shock and horror as rioters took the U.S. Capitol under siege. Across the political spectrum, these violent actions were appropriately denounced as an outrageous and vile assault on democratic norms, the republic, and the rule of law. I was angered and outraged, and also deeply saddened, by what was happening in our nation’s capital.

On Wednesday evening, the process of the transition of power resumed as the votes of the Electoral College were certified. It was what the country needed to see at that very time and in that very building.