Advancing our Public Liberal Arts Mission:
A Strategic Focus on
Distinctiveness & Distinction
A Participatory Keynote Session
GC&SU, October 21, 2005
By David G. Brown
Professor and Provost Emeritus, Wake Forest University
Interim President GC&SU (Fall 2003)
Chancellor UNCA (1984-90)
http://www.wfu.edu/~brown
brown@wfu.edu
My Intended Agenda
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Planning Criteria
Objective of Planning (i.e.-- Self Respect)
Threshold Features (yours then mine)
Opportunities for distinction
Comments and Questions (yours)
Personal Remarks (mine)
The Five Criteria
(THE BEST I’ve ever seen!)
1) Centrality to mission
2) Potential for capitalizing on
existing strengths
3) Potential for gaining broad
faculty support
4) Potential for external
recognition as exemplary
5) Potential for sustainability.
Self Respect
STUDENTS LEARN MOST WHEN
THEY THINK…
…their college is great
…their curriculum is terrific
“We educate
every student as
if one of them
will someday be
the leader of the
free world.”
GC&SU
…their professors are competent and caring
…their facilities & equipment are up to date
…their fellow students are capable future leaders
…they can succeed doing the unthinkable
…of themselves as intellectual and social leaders of
the emerging generation
Your Goal in Planning
• Increase Self Respect!
• Increase the likelihood that GC&SU
graduates will expect as much of
themselves as the graduates of Davidson,
Amherst, Swarthmore, and Reed!
The Steps
1/ Already committed as a PLAC
• For 3 centuries, LACs have graduated a
disportionate share of the nation’s leaders.
• As the % of private college grads has
plummeted from 50% to 15%, you are
committed to preserving the strategy.
2/ What are the features of PLACs?
3/ How can GC&SU become known as
one of the best of the PLACs?
The Bundle of Attributes That Differentiate
PLACs from Most Regional Universities
1. On a notecard, write down 3-5
attributes.
2. On the back, sign it & list your
school or university affiliation
3. Masking tape your card to the wall.
The Bundle of Attributes
That Differentiate
Public Liberal Arts Colleges
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Small (less than 5000 students)
Statewide (< 25% home county)
Undergraduate (<5% graduate students)
Selective (above SAT/ACT average)
Free-standing Campus (not branch)
Liberal Arts Emphasis
Extensive Co-curricular Programming
Future of Public Liberal Arts Colleges
• Competition from Converting Regionals
• Apex for Economic Development
• Networked with Flagship University
• Highly Interactive, Collaborative
• Intense Campus Community
• Emphasis upon Full Time Faculty
Future of Universities
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Customized Learning Alternatives
Student-Centered Database
Project-Centered Learning
Like Insurance Broker. Investment
Advisor.
• LLC Residence Halls
• 3 of 5 Courses On Campus
• Global
Pillars of Distinction
-Provide Institution-Wide Self Respect
-Capitalize upon Existing Strengths
and/or Comparative Advantages
-Potential as one of top 5 in the
nation
-Visible and marketable
-Workshop for other COPLACs; Brag
Points
Each Pillar of Distinction might be promised
enhanced funding for each of the next 3 years,
plus an all institution advisory committee, plus
special attention from the development office.
Your Ideas Re Candidates for
Pillars of Distinction Status
1. On a notecard, write down 2-3
possible candidates for
differentiating pillars of distinction.
2. Masking tape your card to the wall.
Possible Pillars of Distinction
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Universal professional internships
Universal certification in “historical literacy”
Universal global experience
Universal Undergraduate Research
Famous Women– artists, business leaders, civic
leaders, educators, etc.
• Partnership with Flagship University
• Unique campus-community relationship
• 4-1-4 calendar, Flannery O’Connor, Liberal Arts in
the Middle Schools
My Keynoting Charge to you-•
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Maximize Self Respect
Relate to the Five Criteria
Think “Students First”
Identify/Support 2-3 Pillars of Distinction
Nurture/Support F2F Interactive Communities
Create a pervasive understanding of the Pillars
of Distinction
• Think Big: Expect to become the #1 COPLAC
This is a very special place!
Your Comments and Questions