New Franklin and Marshall president to appear

Monday, 31 October 2011 16:32

New Franklin and Marshall president to appear

Written by Scott LaMar, Director of Radio Smart Talk

Radio Smart Talk for Tuesday, November 1:

Daniel Porterfield, PhD, was inaugurated as Franklin and Marshall College's 15th president in late September. On Tuesday's Radio Smart Talk, we'll get an opportunity to meet Dr. Porterfield to discuss his vision for one of Pennsylvania's most respected institutions of higher learning.

Dr. Porterfield comes to F and M as the school has assumed a role as one of Lancaster's leaders in economic development. Porterfield also arrives as some have questioned whether a traditional liberal arts education is relevent in today's world. He has definite opinions on that topic.

Although he's the president of the college, Dr. Portfield still still teaches classes at F and M.

Be sure to tune in.

LISTEN TO PROGRAM:

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# Robin Lupinacci 2011-11-01 09:43

I appreciate the case you are making for the university's value to the community but i have to ask how we can justify the increase in a Liberal Arts College in the last generation. For instance Elon University a Liberal Arts school in the Piedmont of North Carolina, cost approximately $2100 in 1972 when I went there, at the that time my dad, a building trades crane operator made $6 per hour.
Today, a similar Liberal Arts school like Franklin n Marshall or Elon must cost $20000 - ten times in 38 years - I don't believe a building trades worker makes ten or eleven times what he/she did in 1972.
Are LA schools just for the elite now? How can we argue that a liberals arts education isn't a luxury just for the well to do given the enormous debt acculmulated - how will that be paid off.

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# Wendy Gardosik 2011-11-01 09:48

I am really enjoying your show this morning and find Dr. Porterfield very inspiring!

There is an organization (NGO) Dr. Porterfield may find helpful for his course scheduled for Spring 2012: Free Minds Book Club. I encourage him to check out the website: http://www.freemindsbookclub.org/. This is an organization that helps teens in the DC jail who are convicted of adult crimes. The director, Tara Libert, would be an excellent resource for Dr. Porterfield's course. She was a professional News Producer (aware winning) who saw a needs in the DC jail for teens and youth. She helped to start the organization an has drawn many famous authors to the kids to help them develop their "free mind."

I Very much enjoy your program and this program will be at the top of my list of favorites! Thinking about taking the course in the spring!

Thanks Very Much!

Wendy Gardosik

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# Dwayne Sudduth 2011-11-01 09:49

I have enjoyed hearing your comments, but I have to say that I often question how we push toward college and ignore other vital career fields. The world still needs plumbers, electricians, and other trades that do not require or even benefit from a college degree. Do you think there is too much emphasis on college to our youth? If so, how would you address this in our schools and provide aid to those who do not desire to pursue a 4-year degree?

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# Dale 2011-11-01 10:14

F&M is to be commended certainly, however, not all is rosy, though through no fault of the current president. Shortcomings precede this president. Despite F&M’s considerable investment in the community, they do not support their city with tax dollars. Ridiculously, that burden falls primarily to individual homeowners. Also, more attention should be given to campus infrastructure. Currently, a great many students are relegated to parking on unsecure streets. Adequate provisions have not been made as more on-campus housing has been developed. Consequently, affluent students’ vehicles on city streets, and enticing contents, as experience holds, attract crime to the surrounding neighborhoods. Adequate, readily-accessible parking next to where students reside ‘on campus’ is the easy remedy. Lights and cameras on the periphery of F&M’s campus are not adequate substitutes for secure parking. The college owes these considerations, not only to their students, but to the surrounding community.

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# Philip Lienert 2011-11-17 17:49

Let me know if you'd like to see the letter I mailed to Dr Porterfield in August that he has totally ignored.

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