Education

September 3, 2014  by

Flood the Market

“What we want is not more little books about Christianity, but more little books by Christians on other subjects—with their Christianity latent. You can see this most easily if you look at it the other way around . . . it is not the books written in direct defense of Materialism that make modern man a Materialist; it is the materialistic assumptions in all the other books. In the same way, it is not books on Christianity that will really trouble him. But he would be troubled if, whenever he wanted a cheap popular introduction to some science, the best work on the market was always by a Christian.”

C.S. Lewis

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September 2, 2014  by

Local Ministry Will Host Former Planned Parenthood Manager

Located downtown at 115 W. Mulberry Street in Kokomo, Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center helps families in the midst of unexpected pregnancies. Whether it’s a listening ear, parenting advice, or baby clothes, the staff and volunteers at Living Alternatives are committed to helping pregnant women and girls during their journey of motherhood. The Center is open Tuesday through Friday and visitors can make an appointment or stop by. For more information, see their website and Facebook page.

Each year, Living Alternatives hosts an annual banquet to share what the Lord has done through their ministry and to cast a vision for the next year. This year’s banquet will be held at First Church of the Nazarene (2734 S. Washington St., Kokomo) on Tuesday, September 23rd, 2014 at 6:30PM. These banquets are an excellent way to learn more about their work and get involved. It is free and open to the public. This year’s theme is, “..He rescued me…” from Psalm 18:19, which is directly related to the story of this year’s keynote speaker, Sue Thayer.

092314-sue-thayerSue Thayer worked at the Planned Parenthood clinic in Storm Lake, Iowa, in 2002 when a deceased infant was found in the county’s recycling center. Law enforcement subpoenaed pregnancy records from all local medical providers, but Planned Parenthood was the only agency that refused to supply patient information. Sue was directly in the crossfire of what became a national controversy regarding the privacy of medical records. Then, in December 2008, Planned Parenthood began introducing webcam abortions in every clinic in the state. Sue was fired from her role as the Center Manager when she refused to offer this new “on demand” product.

Sue has gone on to become a strong voice for life. She is a tireless advocate for children, with a special love for the unborn. As the founder and director of Cornerstone for Life Pregnancy Resource Center, Sue is dedicated to advocating for the unborn, beginning at conception. Her story is living proof of God’s mercy and grace.

To RSVP for the banquet, call (765) 454-5566 or email kokomo@hopeforafuture.com.

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April 16, 2013  by

A Tale of Two States

We’re not in Illinois anymore, Toto. And that’s a good thing. In Illinois, governors go the Big House. In Indiana, they become college presidents.

Since moving from Illinois to Indiana, I’ve noticed other stark differences between the two states. Like money, and vision. When I was at the University of Illinois, our college president (who has since left) lectured us on “shared sacrifice.” In the Q&A afterward, a student brought up the fact that he made more than the President of the United States and asked how he planned to share in our sacrifice. A redder face I never saw, but it was anger, not embarrassment, that flooded his answer. Let’s just say “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need” remained a hypothetical.

At another townhall meeting, college administrators outlined a gloom-and-doom picture of the university’s future, since the state’s funding was less than forthcoming. Trying to be helpful, I gave some ideas of how to encourage entrepreneurship in the faculty. I thought requiring faculty to start a company or write a book with mass appeal as a condition of tenure would be a good start, since the professor and the university could broker a partnership with mutual benefit. My enthusiasm was met by blank stares and a few words about not wanting to run the university like a business.

The U of I may not have been ready for a new approach to higher education, but Purdue University is. Here’s an invitation President Mitch Daniels sent just this week (emphasis added):

President Mitch Daniels invites all faculty, staff and students to join him for a President’s Forum at 8 a.m. April 25 in the East and West Faculty Lounges, Purdue Memorial Union.
The forum will feature remarks and a panel discussion about innovation and commercialization and steps Purdue is taking to encourage entrepreneurism among faculty, staff and students.
The forum will be webcast via Windows Media Live Stream at mms://video1.itap.purdue.edu/PresidentsForum
It will be archived on the President’s Website after the event at mms://video1.itap.purdue.edu/bns/General/Forum130425.wmv

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February 5, 2013  by

A Student’s Complaint

Students, poor students. Here’s a letter my Grandpa received when he was Chairman of Math and Science almost twenty years ago.

[Date]

Dear [Instructor’s Name]:

Today I came to Math 104, with the intention of taking an exam. After a few minutes a medical emergency, unknown to me at that time, guided me to the hospital emergency room instead.

The day I was to return to class, you reviewed the exam with the class. Knowing I still had to make up the exam, I decided not to go to class that day.

The following day when I asked you about re-taking the exam and showed you my doctor’s excuse you informed me that you would not let me make it up because I had already seen it (the day I got sick). You went on to tell me that this exam would be the exempt low score that you offer your class.

I have a real problem with this. I feel I have the right to make up an exam if I have a legitimate excuse for missing the original one. Especially with an authentic document from the emergency room physician.

I still want to make up this exam. I would like to resolve this problem as soon as possible, but I will not hestitate to go to a higher authority if necessary.

Sincerely, [Student Name]

cc [Name, Chairman of Math and Science]
[Name, Director of Math and Science]

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February 5, 2013  by

The Evolution of the Math Problem

I found this among my Grandfather’s papers on a dot-matrix-printed sheet of paper. I’m guessing it gave him quite a chuckle, which is why he kept it. The author is unknown.

Take a simple math problem, subject it to thirty years of new, improved teaching methods, and deduce the formula to yield our average yearly drop in SAT scores.

In 1960
“A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of this price. What is his profit?”

In 1970 (Traditional Math)
“A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of this price; in other words, $80. What is his profit?”

In 1970 (New Math)
“A logger exchanges a set L of lumber for a set M of money. The cardinality of set M is 100, and each element is worth $1. Make one hundred dots representing the elements of the set M. The set C of costs of production contains 20 fewer points than the set M. Represent the set C as a subset of M, and answer the following question: What is the cardinality of the set P of profits?”

In 1980
“A logger sells a truckload of wood for $100. His cost of production is $80, and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20.”

In 1990
“By cutting down beautiful forest trees, a logger makes $20. What do you think of this way of making money? (Topic for class participation: How did the forest birds and squirrels feel?”

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September 25, 2011  by

Non Discrimination: Lead by Example

While re-registering for this coming school year, I found myself carefully reading the statement of Non-Discrimination:

“The commitment of the University to the most fundamental principles of academic freedom, equality of opportunity, and human dignity requires that decisions involving students and employees be based on individual merit and be free from invidious discrimination in all its forms, whether or not specifically prohibited by law.

“It is the policy of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign that registered organizations shall be in full compliance with all federal and state nondiscrimination and equal opportunity laws, orders, and regulations.  Registered organizations shall not practice discrimination against a member or prospective member on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, unfavorable discharge from the military, or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era, except as specifically exempted by law.  Among the forms of invidious discrimination prohibited by University policy but not law is sexual orientation.  The official name of a registered organization shall not be construed or interpreted as denying open membership or prohibiting participation in any program or activity.  Each registered organization must agree to the Pledge of Nondiscrimination when applying for registered organization status.

“Registration is dependent upon the organization’s compliance with the above Article, and all conditions of the Student Code.  By signifying you agree with this document, the authorized agents of the named Registered Organization agree to abide by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Student Code, and to have the organization adhere to the Student Code.”

Student Code:  Article 2 – General Policies and Regulations

Part 3. Registered Organizations and Organization Fund

I, of course, agree with this statement and had no problem signing it. What I found striking, however, was that the University takes such pains to ensure that we as students do not discriminate, while school administrators use “positive” discrimination to ensure diversity in the classroom. It’s time to stop the absurdity. Let’s all treat students as individuals, not as members of this or that class. On non-discrimination, it’s time for the University to lead by example.

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