Tales Of Two Harvards
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Reference Education -> subcategory Weather.
Tales of Two Harvards
Summary:
Journalist Hanna Rosin has penned "God's Harvard," a compelling book about Patrick Henry College, which its chancellor dubs "a Harvard for the home-schooled." This insightful narrative, possibly unsettling to more moderate or liberal readers, explores a college aiming to cultivate an "evangelical elite" poised for political leadership.
Keywords: education, politics, colleges, Harvard, Patrick Henry, academics, university
Article Body:
Hanna Rosin’s "God's Harvard" offers a fascinating glimpse into Patrick Henry College, a Christian institution aspiring to be "a Harvard for the home-schooled." Rosin, renowned for her coverage of religion and politics for the Washington Post, has crafted a thought-provoking narrative that might provoke discomfort among some moderates or liberals. The story delves into the college’s mission: developing an "evangelical elite" ready to assume political leadership.
Before reading "God's Harvard," I was unaware of a religious institution so singularly focused on such a mission. While historically religious colleges, including universities like Notre Dame, were founded to train spiritual leaders, they now also embrace broader academic agendas, attracting diverse faiths for comprehensive education. For instance, Notre Dame and its counterparts, Boston College and Georgetown, have prestigious business and law schools open to individuals of all faiths.
Patrick Henry College emphasizes a literal interpretation of the Bible and classical literature in its curriculum, seeking faculty committed to this vision. Though this aligns with practices at the 105 schools within the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, Patrick Henry distinguishes itself by its determination to position its students and alumni within the upper echelons of political and media institutions.
Founded in 2000, Patrick Henry is a small, selective college with around 300 full-time students, whose SAT scores rival those of Ivy League students. Rosin’s account suggests that Patrick Henry students are just as bright and inquisitive as those at Harvard in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
For curiosity, I read Rosin’s book alongside "Excellence Without A Soul" by Harry R. Lewis, a critical reflection on undergraduate education at Harvard by its former Dean. Although Rosin is a journalist and Lewis a mathematician and college administrator, both authors offer intriguing contrasts between Patrick Henry College and the nation’s oldest, most prestigious university.
Harvard, originally established as a divinity school to train ministers, has long been regarded as a secular institution. Dean Lewis identifies several issues at Harvard, such as its struggle to define intellectual and moral purposes in a consumer-driven educational market. Professors, valued for scholarly accomplishments rather than mentorship roles, add to the institution's challenges. Lewis also emphasizes the need to infuse civic values into undergraduate education.
Contrastingly, Patrick Henry College exhibits none of these problems. With a liberal arts program, Harvard grants significant freedom in course selection, while Dean Lewis advocates for a comprehensive education that prepares students for life as responsible citizens.
Lewis notes that while liberal arts education is undervalued by some students and families, the Harvard name remains respected. Concerns about "helicopter parents" demanding return on investment reveal the tension between financial expectations and educational practices.
Lewis champions liberal arts as a liberating force, enabling students to overcome biases and pursue personal life paths. His writings enhance my appreciation for Harvard students and alumni, who exhibit brilliance and motivation despite grade inflation and minimal faculty recognition.
Conversely, Patrick Henry needs to engage with parents since its students, primarily home-schooled, haven't shared traditional educational experiences. As a parent, I’d want assurance that my values endure at my child's future institution.
Both Harvard and Patrick Henry seek students who can make an impact, yet Patrick Henry actively promises such outcomes, providing guidance and support as needed. From my experience working with higher education institutions amid technological and values-driven changes, I'm impressed by those that carve out a niche rather than attempting to cater to all.
Colleges like Patrick Henry, which embrace their unique missions, excel. Though I may not align with its politics, I recognize its cohesive mission uniting students, parents, faculty, and administrators. Evangelical political leadership will persist, with graduates poised to influence as aides, journalists, researchers, and lobbyists awaiting White House opportunities.
Harvard's academic prowess is indisputable, but traditional institutions shouldn't imitate Harvard indiscriminately. Unique paths, like Patrick Henry’s, prove more beneficial. Let Harvard remain Harvard, while other colleges discover and follow their distinct paths.
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