I have kept a diary since I became president and I make entries from time-to-time when significant events occur. This unfamiliar practice of blogging is very interesting and the number of those who have commented on the Web page our team has faithfully maintained is quite interesting to me. After this last post on the Route 66 2008 journey I am not sure what I will do to replace this daily “download” of events. Perhaps I will start by commenting on some of the notable messages attached to blog entries; in fact, that is exactly what I will do.

At the end of the day, this whole effort has been about relevance, leadership, and listening. Our students and alumni deserve no less. About half of our students come from California and the remainder from about 45 other states and many foreign countries.

As we contemplate the future of Pepperdine, all stakeholders should have a voice and we should listen. If Pepperdine can play a small role in enabling voices from America’s heartland to be heard, I will be very proud, and in that we supply leadership. In addition to the federal government, state government, accrediting agencies, and so forth, the hopes and dreams of parents, community leaders, teachers, and many others will help us keep faith and maintain relevance in the programs we offer our students.

Last evening, we held a final event with alumni on the famous Santa Monica Pier. Attendance was wonderful and the spirit was very encouraging. The event was populated by alumni, parents, and friends. There were also a couple of incoming freshmen. In my brief comments I singled out one young woman from Chicago to make this point: with a Pepperdine education a student can go anywhere, reach any goal, and enjoy success – real success – far beyond his or her wildest imagination. Several in the room last evening have already proved that. We are in the business of dream fulfillment; I saw that from Chicago to Santa Monica, and it feels very good indeed.

Thanks for riding along with me over the past couple of weeks. I continue to welcome your comments on this blog.

Very importantly, my thanks to all who made this trip possible and who supported various endeavors (many of whom are Pepperdine alumni):

CREATIVE GENIUS
Rick Gibson

TEAM LEAD-UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
Matt Midura

TEAM LEAD-PUBLIC RELATIONS AND NEWS
Jerry Derloshon

ROAD CREW
Allen Haren
Nate Pang
Ed Wheeler
Ted Garcia
Molly Drobnick

GROUND CREW
Maz Ameli
Kyle Dusek
Adam Spellbring
Jill McWilliams
Brett Sizemore
Megan Huard

TOUR MANAGEMENT
Tamara Dawson
Pam Miller

ALUMNI EVENT COORDINATION
Sandra Barsoum (Alumni Affairs)
Giuseppe Nespoli (Alumni Affairs)

We started with a prayer and, after I close this final entry, I will offer one privately for all who worked together on this project.

Thanks again.

You would think I’d know better than to start the day in Flagstaff and then follow Route 66 to Santa Monica before sundown. I did that last year and said I would not do it again! However, there is something about getting home and I am sure my colleagues would readily agree. It was an interesting final day on the road together and a beautiful drive to Route 66’s endpoint in Will Rogers Park in Santa Monica where our trip officially concluded.

We began the day at a fun little place in Williams, Arizona called Blondies Route 66 Diner that served as the site of our final meal together. A special commendation goes to Ted Garcia for surviving the Plaza Hurricane in Gallup and the Route 66 Breakfast Burrito in Williams. Both are presented as culinary challenges accepted by only the most gifted and intrepid diners. Ted finished strong, but only slightly ahead of Allen Haren and Nate Pang. Among other statistics recorded during our time together, I suggested we should have had a group cholesterol exam before and after the Route 66 excursion.

Before reporting the day’s activities, I need to add that blog readers’ comments on music shaped my selections from Santa Fe on and I will offer the final entry, as well as some travel information relevant to the journey, tomorrow. Today I found an “all Elvis, all the time” station on Sirius and so the King of Rock and Roll rode shotgun most of the way home.

We met in the Grand Canyon Hotel in downtown Williams with Donna Eastman Liddle, president/CEO of the Williams Chamber of Commerce. It was a fine opportunity to talk about the preservation of “Main Street” with one of the leading preservationists for the Western portion of the journey.

In 1984 a spur was added to Interstate 40 that led most travelers off Route 66 and away from Williams. The town began to die slowly, but today it thrives and a nice art colony is starting to develop along with some clever interpretations of life on Route 66. The Grand Canyon Hotel where we held our conversation is a very special place. Fittingly, its address is on Route 66 - 145 W. Route 66 in fact. The hotel was lovingly restored by Amy Frederickson and her husband and has all the charm and creaks that one would hope for and expect to find in a place that has served guests since 1891.

In the local museum there is a photo of Williams in its heyday and next year, as part of the celebration of Arizona’s Centennial year, they will recreate that photo with local townspeople. The city lives today because of people like Donna Eastman Liddle, the Fredericksons, and others who believe in Main Street. There is, in fact, a Main Street Association that meets to discuss the future of small towns and historic routes. I hope they thrive.

Donna speaks freely of a life that has not been easy in many respects. Her journey, however, has led her to pursue her interest in art and making friends in the city of Williams, both of which bring her joy. She also has two sons in whom she takes great pride. The special place of the individual in small town America is important to Donna and so are education, hard work, freedom, second-chances, and unconditional love. As you can see, we moved from the superficial to those things that reside close to the heart, and while I had just met her, she spoke to me as a long-time friend.

Donna’s personal journey includes a search for community. Earlier in life she found it in sports. Today she has found it in art and gardening and she has recently returned to prayer and meditation as strength-giving exercises. In conversation she refers to each element of the “fruit of the Spirit” as outlined in the New Testament.

I sense progress in Williams and, I suspect, Donna deserves a lot of the credit. Her work with the Chamber is much more political than most would understand. To preserve and protect things that are important, one must gain consensus, take risks, and speak up. It has always been that way and always will be.

We were driving into the Painted Desert this morning and I commented on the beauty of the horizon. It spread for a hundred miles and seemed to blend perfectly with the spectacular cloud formations. My friend Jerry Derloshon replied, “It looks like a cloud convention, and everyone showed up.” He was right. Anyone who dares refer to this part of America as the “fly-over states” speaks dismissively about a beauty they do not (and perhaps cannot) comprehend.

After leaving Santa Fe we agreed to meet for lunch in Gallup on our way to Flagstaff. Last year I found a diner in Gallup called the Plaza Cafe that is a bit hard to describe. The front half is white cinder block and the back half is a travel trailer attached permanently - more or less - to the front half. After a little uncertainty as to location, I found the diner again and enjoyed simple fare, presented with authenticity. Two of my young colleagues successfully challenged the house special called Plaza Hurricane. If they make it home, I will let them tell you about it.

After a pleasant drive - including a brief stop in Winslow, Arizona - we arrived at Flagstaff, which enjoys a bit of a bubble in this difficult economy. Sure there is some hardship, but the town bustles with promise. With a little time before our scheduled interview, I visited a rare bookstore in town called Starrlight Books on Leroux Street and left with four first editions. This will take some ’splaining at home.

Our interview was held at an impressive music retail shop named Custom Sound Instruments owned by Ryan Elewaut. He is also a music teacher and luthier (for those of you about to scramble for a dictionary - he makes guitars by hand). He asked his friend Chris Coyne to join us as well. Chris is a teacher of English and a musician who also teaches guitar. Both of these young men are representative of their generation and provided a helpful complement to other interviews.

Ryan and Chris are at the beginning of their respective careers. For Ryan, a new business and the challenge of early expansion is an invigorating experience tempered by the risk of failure. He is invested in his community and tapped into the welfare of all businesses growing near him. Local politics are tough and unpredictable at best. Chris is a Penn State and Wisconsin graduate who, for a time, made his living as a performing musician. Today as a teacher, he struggles to afford Flagstaff prices on a limited salary. Like so many teachers, he supplements his salary and wishes for more support as he influences young lives. Both gentlemen feel the need for change in state and national politics, but their comments were not partisan, just very sincere. I appreciated so much their candor and frank expressions; I also admired their optimistic outlook on the future.

A wide-ranging conversation took us from technology and its wonders (and limits when it comes to interpersonal relationships) to teachers who influenced them greatly by touching their lives personally. We also talked about health care costs and the cold reality that some young people simply can’t afford basic insurance. I dared not ask about planning for retirement. Among astute comments about the students who are a part of their daily lives, both referenced the need for young people to advocate for themselves with greater conviction.

Our day’s journey ended with an afternoon rainstorm and robust table conversation over dinner. There is nothing quite like travel and shared experience to develop strong friendships. Such is the case for all those who have made this trip and made it possible. As we left the restaurant this evening, a young man and a young woman both stood and approached me and introduced themselves as Seaver College graduates. It makes me so proud to see our alumni and to observe their lives as they take hold of the future. They have been reading portions of this blog which makes me want to work harder and record this journey just a little better.

It occurs to me to end with a couple of questions aimed at those who have left formal education and are moving into the mainstream of life, work, and a full plate of responsibility:

1. What are the most significant issues you have faced since leaving college?

2. Can you give me some examples of how you have found a support/mutual interest community (related to work, music, service, faith, and so forth) and have become involved?

3. I would really enjoy hearing of some successes that have given you energy and confidence for the future.

Thanks so much. Tomorrow we’re off for Williams, Arizona.

Who has not heard of Cadillac Ranch just west of Amarillo? My colleagues and I stopped by today to pay homage to one of the most amusing and bizarre art projects of all time. Several decades ago the Ant Farm (a collective of artists) decided to take ten classic Cadillacs, dig ten deep holes, and then drive the cars in the holes, engine first, one after another. Stanley Marsh offered the land and passers-by have offered their graffiti and comments freely through the years. Some of us can identify the automotive icons built between 1949 and 1963 by their respective body types and fins. It is impossible to see this exhibit without smiling, especially since spray paint contributions are actually encouraged.

Our goal was to reach Santa Fe in time for an afternoon interview. Fortunately we also had time to explore another roadside diner along the way. It sold a brand of Route Beer (correct spelling), a deep fat-fried item I could not identify, and some of the best chicken fried steak I have ever experienced. I think a fat-free Route 66 tour is not practically possible.

I arrived in Santa Fe and met with the Honorable Cindy Padilla, cabinet secretary for Aging and Long-Term Services. Secretary Padilla went out of her way to make this interview possible and the La Posada resort in Santa Fe generously offered a room for our interview. Hospitality in New Mexico is most impressive.

Secretary Padilla will probably be the only cabinet-level official with whom we will meet. It has been terrific to visit with teachers, parents, school superintendents, preservationists, and small business owners. Cindy Padilla represents a government official who can make a difference in the lives of senior citizens and those who may need long-term care in this part of the country.

Any voter would be encouraged by Secretary Padilla’s approach to the position. She listens and cares deeply. Important to the conversation was the fact that she is positive about the future and the role of higher education. Her own college experience was at a small, private college and her world has broadened considerably from there. Education was very enabling for her.

Going forward, education needs to offer attention to not only young people but also seniors. I say that for reasons beyond the fact that I will be a “senior” in the not-too-distant-future (indeed, AARP is already in earnest contact). I am heartened by the spirit of volunteerism among today’s students and I hope that more public/private partnerships can be created to respond to those who are “at risk” in society. I am confident Secretary Padilla joins me in this aspiration. I was impacted by her use of the word “hope” and the importance she assigned to that word. We all need hope. Young people need hope to persist in high school, in college, and in life.

Secretary Padilla and I are both optimistic. There is a lot of good news out there if we will turn our attention toward it. Encouraging our nation’s young people, giving them hope, is an investment in the future.

Our merry band of travelers ended the day by discovering and dining in one of Santa Fe’s many traditional, and might I add excellent, Mexican restaurants. There we reflected on the journey thus far; the things we’ve seen and experienced, and the terrific people we’ve met - some we planned to meet and others we encountered along the way.

In his preface I think to Travels With Charley, John Steinbeck’s autobiographical account of a road trip he took with his faithful standard poodle Charley, Steinbeck noted that sometimes we take journeys and sometimes journeys take us. On that note, we look forward to moving further westward tomorrow and see where our journey leads.

Today was a blur of activity and distance traveled. We had some fascinating conversations and also moved horizontally across Oklahoma and Texas with great efficiency.

Oklahoma City is enjoying a rebirth and a renewed economic vibrancy. There is a lot of civic pride and engagement. Our first session included Randy Grau, a 1998 Seaver graduate who is now a lawyer and the 2nd Deputy of Oklahoma County’s District Three Office (his boss is Ray Vaughn, a friend and mentor of mine from my Oklahoma days); Dean Bogle, a Pepperdine parent and a life insurance and financial planning professional; and Leslie Spears, communications manager for the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. We met at the museum - one of the city’s true points of pride - and toured its remarkable, permanent Dale Chihuly exhibit.

One participant in this first meeting spoke earnestly about the importance of government trusting the people, and another encouraged government to speak less and to listen more. The indomitable spirit of Oklahoma continues it seems.

Despite my best efforts to squeeze out a criticism of higher education (constructive or otherwise) the comments were favorable about our work. More attention to encouraging good citizenship, financial responsibility, and an understanding of economics were offered as topics that would enable the student upon graduation. This is another interview where more time with the actual transcripts will yield depth and nuance.

On to Weatherford and a meeting with T. E. “Ed” Tippens, Jr. and Jim Lovell. Ed Tippens is the proud father of Pepperdine’s provost Darryl Tippens. Ed is also a farming and ranching innovator, a long-time vocational agriculture teacher, and a resident of the area since Route 66 (as we know it today) was just a dirt trail. Jim Lovell is a retired professor, who focused his career on the environment and now leads the Heartland Museum in Weatherford.

Ed is a storyteller of the first order. Before beginning this trip I read his recent book, Along the Way, and I found his story compelling and familiar. His stories and his prose are reflective of the lives of all who made their lives and their living from hard work in the soil of this nation. While visiting, one of Ed’s former students joined the discussion. The affection and the warmth of shared memories were perfect for the occasion.

After lunch we made a brief stop at the museum Jim Lovell is curating. Once again, in Ed Tippens and Jim Lovell we found people proud of their heritage and eager to honor it. We also found individuals unafraid of hard work and long odds. It was a visit filled with great stories, a lot of laughter, and a vision focused on the next hill, the next challenge, and the joy of it all.

We made our way to the historic U-Drop Inn (no, I am not kidding) in Shamrock, Texas. There we met Wes Beck, a 28-year veteran of Texas public schools and now superintendent of the Shamrock Schools, and Pam Halliburton, a junior high English teacher (there must be a special place in Heaven for junior high English teachers), whose husband is the athletic director and football coach at the high school.

In some ways this part of the nation is untouched by the faith neutrality of the past decade or so. A “minute of silence” begins each school day and most students know this means prayer. Shamrock does not struggle with the importance of God, faith, and personal conviction. There was a plea to avoid the intrusion of the Bush administration’s No Child Left Behind initiative and further an articulated desire to be left alone to do their work with students. As hard as the job is already, “legislators who are not educators” complicate the task considerably.

Across the street, my colleagues found a first-year high school student, an engaging young woman who could not have been more positive about her hometown, its schools, or her future.

Shamrock has a big heart and a lot of good values firmly in place. At this point the small town offers a strong appeal and different perspective from what I hear in Washington, D.C. One voice resounds from the vortex of power and policy development, and the other, powerful in a different way, is offered firmly and with no less conviction, from Main Street. A question I would like to explore with you if you’d care to respond, is whether they can co-exist?

Tomorrow is Sunday and we have lot of distance to travel early in the day. Among the benefits of this trip, I have particularly enjoyed the opportunity to know some of my younger colleagues better. They are good and talented people who have found Pepperdine to be a place where faith and vocation coincide. I just finished reading the Letter to the Galatians and those thoughts will travel with me in the morning.

Today was very memorable. We got an early start and took off for Riverton, Kansas and the famous Rainbow Arch bridge. I believe this is the last remaining arch bridge of this nature along Route 66.

I missed a turn to Riverton and ended up in Baxter Springs, Kansas. Wanting to be on time for the rendezvous with my colleagues, I stopped a “local” in Baxter Springs (known better, I think, as Radiator Springs in the movie Cars) and asked for directions. It turned out that I had approached a man known as Craig “Crazy Legs” Walker who was the inspiration for that movie’s character Mater. One never knows what blessings will abound along the highways of life. Sometime ask me why they call him “Crazy Legs” or better, let me show you.

The first interview took place on stage in the beautiful Coleman Theatre in Miami (pronounced Mi-am-uh), Oklahoma. The staff was delightful and the property is without peer. Initially we asked Chuck Chestnut, a third generation local attorney, to visit with us. When I learned that his son Michael is coming to Pepperdine’s Seaver College as a freshman this fall, we invited Chuck, his wife Shirley (a family physician), and incoming Wave Michael to all participate. Having parent and child engage in this discussion was very productive and interesting.

Michael wants to come to Seaver to study religion and eventually to become an attorney. He is leaving a loving home and a strong Oklahoma tradition to come west, primarily he said, because Pepperdine is a faith-based institution with a strong tradition of service. His affection for his family and his community is apparent, as are his sense of self-confidence and desire for new discovery. His parents support him in his decision.

I asked Shirley to imagine taking a future grandchild for a walk to discuss timeless values she would like to impart. She spoke of self-reliance, courage, and faith. Chuck, in response to the same question, focused on encouragement to enjoy life, nature, and people.

This is a family that communicates remarkably well. Good for them. I asked Michael what he would miss in terms of family traditions and “family meals together” was his first response. Again, good for them.

Later in the evening we hosted an alumni/friends event at the Skirvin Hilton in Oklahoma City. So many important people in my life attended and made this homecoming complete. At the end of the day, it is people who make this world a meaningful place.

Today I made friends with a new Pepperdine family, reconnected with some wonderful friends, and had my picture taken with the real-life Mater. Topping this day will not be easy but there is always hope and there is a lot of road between Oklahoma City and Amarillo.

I was doing research for a speech a few years ago and ran into a quote that went like this: “The number of breaths we take in life is not nearly as important as the number of moments we experience that take our breath away.” For some reason that sentiment just came to mind as I finish this entry and look forward to a new day.

A quick breakfast, a brief meeting, and we were on our way to points south and west, ever west. I remember this part of the trip last year and I knew that there would be a number of interesting reminders of how things once were. Not much has changed in one year and today afforded a little more time for the exploration of things I missed the first time through.

The first two stops included the Hooker Cut - once the deepest excavation through a rock formation in the U.S. - and then Devil’s Elbow. The complete departure from the highway and associated noise allowed for a devotional moment along the creek whose formation inspired the name Devil’s Elbow. All that could be heard was natural: birds, insects, and a flowing stream. It was a magical moment.

The next stretch of driving allowed us to arrive at Carthage, Missouri, and a brief visit to a delightfully restored drive-in movie theatre. I hope it is a profitable enterprise and that a new generation can enjoy the simple pleasure of a drive-in movie on a warm and pleasant July evening. Wall-E was showing last night. I must say that the Carthage Court House is magnificent and a must-see on any Route 66 trip.

The interview at the Joplin Family Y included Pat Crespino, South Family Y branch executive director; Morgan Ramsey, the youth and family director at the Y; and Victor Knowles, minister of Peace on Earth Ministries and a frequent guest and speaker at Pepperdine.

Joplin is a city that enjoys community. In an era when many cities are fractured and disengaged, Joplin seems to have turned the tide. Their churches, community groups, Boy and Girl Scout organizations, and other civic and social entities seem to be thriving. Several examples of local philanthropy supporting local charities were shared.

I was heartened by how easily this group spoke of the importance of faith and timeless values. The notion of prayer in school was a welcome concept and not threatening. When it comes to those things that students should be encouraged to attain in the course of their academic curriculum, we discussed the need to learn about money, good manners, social conduct, and a strong sense of self-reliance and responsibility.

Not surprisingly, parents were cited as indelible influences in the lives of those interviewed. I say “not surprisingly” because of the apparent and close connections shared between generations in a community like this one.

We discussed technology, adolescent influences, the economy, and a range of interesting, relevant topics, but the open conversation about the significance faith can have in our lives was one more positive attribute of this trip to America’s heartland.

I would like to add another question to the five I proposed last evening for my blog-along friends:

6. In your opinion, what role should public secondary schools play in shaping values among their students?

Tomorrow offers an all-too-brief, 12-mile foray into Kansas and then a return to Oklahoma and an alumni event at the Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City.

Your blog comments are very interesting. Thanks very much. Wish you were here!

What a perfect summer day in Missouri. Hot, humid, and completely clear. A seasonal thunderstorm would be spectacular to behold, but one should not complain about weather like this.

We left Illinois yesterday on schedule and drove straight (well, to the extent that any trip on Route 66 is straight!) to Rolla, Missouri, where we took video of local sights and had an interview with John Butz, the city administrator; Scott Grahl, the communication coordinator for Rolla; and Trish Watson, the director of the New Student Program at Missouri University for Science and Technology (formerly University of Missouri at Rolla).

The participants seemed to forget the cameras and spoke personally and with conviction. And they were ready for us, with hospitality we did not expect and a generous gift of time. Rolla is a university town with some of the same challenges we face in Malibu. The participants were each public servants and we learned how they found their way to public service and, in one case, higher education.

Looking for influences in their lives, we discussed parental impact, mentors, and, in one case, a mother who defied the odds to provide opportunity and a bright future for her daughter. All three participants were parents and two had college-age children. They expressed hope that in addition to the academic curriculum, their children would emerge from college with a strong work ethic, a desire to serve others, and an understanding that success is about much more than material things.

The group also expressed a desire that our federal government focus on its own strengths - defense, commerce, common national interests, and the like - and avoid too much local intervention. When asked to comment on the strengths of our nation, the discussion was deep and meaningful.

Frankly, since I cannot easily take notes as we visit, I look forward to experiencing each of these recorded sessions when I get home to be reminded of all that was shared. With conviction I can say that Rolla is in good hands and this appears to be a community very proud of its accomplishments and its future.

It would be interesting to have the benefit of what many of you might say in response to some of today’s questions. I invite you to please respond to one or all of them. I plan to read all of your comments.

1. Reflect on someone who was influential in your life.

2. What do you hope college students (perhaps even your college student) will gain from their educational journey beyond a degree?

3. If you could design a required course for all students, what would it contain and how would it benefit them after graduation?

4. What do you admire about our nation and its citizens?

5. If you could take a young person for a long walk, what timeless values would you like to impart?

I have more questions, but let’s start there. Thanks for joining me in this rich conversation.

In the land of Lincoln, I am emboldened to say that I think Abe would like this undertaking very much. Route 66 roots the journey, but otherwise the experiences are genuine and free-flowing. An early breakfast in a delightful Joliet cafe this morning was followed by a short trip to a park dubbed “Route 66 Park” and the first interview of the day.

If this genuine American experience survives (in Illinois, at least), it will be owing to the effort of people like John and Lenore Weiss. For nearly 20 years they have worked tirelessly to assure the Route 66 experience. The museum in Joliet, the park in which our interview was conducted, the Red Carpet corridor they have developed, and the books they have written are evidence of their labors to preserve our heritage and to improve modern day experiences. I will comment on our interview a bit later.

Down the road is Funks Grove. I am a bit uncertain about the apostrophe (or lack thereof) and, I think, the community is too. Nevertheless, I met with Mike and Debbie Funk who are fifth generation Maple Sirup (this is not a typo) producers. They are also parents of three children who have experienced higher education in America.

I feel I heard from Middle America today. When asked what they are most proud of about America, both couples used the word “freedom” almost immediately: the freedom to make choices, to choose a personal pathway, to succeed or fail depending upon how much effort we are willing to supply. When asked about those who have been influential in their lives, three pointed to a family member or a family friend. Another said simply “no one.” It turns out that his formal education ended with the 8th grade and, with a difficult family situation, he actually grew up as a street kid. He learned the lessons of what not to do and today he is an author, a preservationist, and without significant roots of his own, he fights to conserve the story of Route 66. He is successful without the usual trappings of success.

I asked if there were any messages to Washington that I might be able to deliver from these four residents of Main Street. One said, “Don’t forget the little guy.” Another said, “Protect our troops and bring them home.” My new friends from Funks Grove expressed concern for the environment. I observed their farm to be a model of sustainability and think we all would do well to do half as well. Their observations about how tough circumstances sometimes yield positive outcomes were based on their own real experiences.

Both interviews focused on the importance of instilling in our students a sense of responsibility and common sense along with an understanding of how our economy works and the need to learn solid personal financial practices.

It was a good day and an interesting day. The values discussed related to hard work, self-discipline, the impact of good mentors and models, and the oft-forgotten gift of freedom that is ours. I was inspired.

Tomorrow’s travels will take us to Devil’s Elbow and other places with intriguing names, and then into Missouri where we have a group interview in Rolla.

P.S. The Funks Grove Maple Sirup is remarkable. Makes me want to go find some pancakes.

It is significantly different traveling with a group than basically going it alone. Democracy is sometimes not a pretty thing to observe. Still, sharing the road is a special delight, especially when your colleagues prove such wonderful ambassadors along the way.

We held our first alumni reception this evening. After a light presentation and some questions I invited our guests to comment on what there is about Pepperdine they thought we should keep and what we should change. We didn’t get beyond what to keep, and one perfectly wonderful challenge. A current MBA student expressed satisfaction with his faculty and a former parent spoke of a caring community. The challenge came from a former teacher who asked that Pepperdine (and schools like Pepperdine) act and lead in a manner that would encourage a “third grade teacher.” I liked that very much.

Earlier in the day we held our first group discussion. Our participants included a school superintendent, a professor involved in placing his university teacher-education students in inner-city positions, and a minister with roots in England and Australia. All hold terminal degrees and the discussion was reflective of that fact.

We talked about the importance of encouraging our students not to lead insular lives where cell phones, PDAs, and iPods distract from earnest face-to-face encounters. I asked that they identify a course that should be required of all college/university students. They underscored the importance of a course integrating analysis and critical reasoning and one added that it would be important that it encompass values and ethics.

One participant expressed the opinion that “no child left behind” places metrics above all else and is disrespectful of teachers who give deeply of themselves. Another urged attention to better communication between and among K-12, college/university, and governmental interests. More support and funding are needed and the present “finger pointing” is not productive of much good. Generally there was a lot of interest in bringing to bear forces for good - parents, churches, teachers, colleges and universities, and government - in a manner to support America’s youth.

All of this leads me to want to summarize a lot of thinking that has occurred in various conversations held over the past few months. I may try to do that while experiencing tomorrow’s drive to Funks Grove and Springfield. One thing I hoped to find on this journey was opinion - deeply held, carefully considered opinion. I am confident there is a lot of that ahead. Today was productive and, I might add, blog comments are also proving to be very interesting.

Closing this brief entry, I want to observe the joy of spending time today with an alumnus who is living our “purpose, service, and leadership” mission, while hosting two families who will begin their own journey with us this fall. Both are sources of pride and joy.