Advancing our Public Liberal Arts Mission: A Strategic Focus on

Distinctiveness & Distinction

A Participatory Keynote SessionGC&SU, October 21, 2005

By David G. BrownProfessor 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 • 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 mission2) Potential for capitalizing on

existing strengths3) Potential for gaining broad

faculty support4) Potential for external

recognition as exemplary5) Potential for sustainability.

Self Respect STUDENTS LEARN MOST WHEN

THEY THINK…

…their college is great…their curriculum is terrific…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

“We educate every student as if one of them will someday be the leader of the free world.”GC&SU

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 Steps1/ 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

• 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• 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

• 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--

• 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