Routines anchor my life. These days it's reading the Minneapolis and Washington papers online after breakfast. Typically about 10 a.m.Trygve and I head for the field. But today provided a delightful detour. It's homecoming weekend (virtual) at Luther College. As part of the festivities the Phi Beta Kappa chapter invited Luther College graduate, Dr. Bonnie Gunzenhauser to lecture on the future of liberal arts education. Through the wizardry of modern technology I was able to listen to Bonnie's lecture via zoom. Bonnie is wise, erudite and articulate. As an undergraduate she completed three majors, philosophy, political science and english in four years. Currently she is dean of John Carroll University, Cleveland, OH.
Her lecture was followed by question and answer. When I heard the questions I wondered "now what will she say." Without a pause she gave precise, articulate and profound responses. She made a spirited defense of liberal arts education quoting studies and research to defend her assertions.
So, living in The Little House on the Prairie, in a tiny town, remote from any major population center I have easy access to such erudition! How different it is from pioneer days. In the very early records of admissions to the North Dakota State Hospital, Jamestown, N.D., is the record of a woman who was admitted. Her diagnosis? "Too long on the prairie." It is certainly a new day!
Happy Halloween, or better, blessed All Saint's Day!
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