[Alumni-chat] Saving Antioch By BOTH building on past greatness AND by Innovating

[Michael Brower]

Earlier this evening Mark Swanholm wrote, in partial appreciation of  
my earlier post that Antioch has sunk to its present situation not  
from any single cause or miss-step, but rather by a lack of  
adaptations that have left Antioch not equipped to survive in the new  
environment.  And, because in my earlier post I had listed 4 things  
that Alums could do to help with survival, Mark m,ay have gotten the  
wrong impression that I think that Alums alone can do the job.

Mark wrote:  "This is where I have to disagree with Mike and agree  
with   Mark P - looking for alums to save the college is not a viable
answer.  Doesn't mean we don't TRY, doesn't mean we aren't NEEDED,   
doesn't mean that someday we wouldn't be a large part of the  
SOLUTION . .   Antioch has to look forward for the answers. . .[Mark  
P's suggestion of]  Social Entrepreneurship is a great way but there  
are other possibilities as well.  The Plan [Antioch has adopted based  
on the Renewal Commission 2004 Report] has some of this  - but the  
Plan is also steeped in saving the college by looking  back."

Now this is Mike Brower again:
I agree completely.  In my earlier post I listed a condensed summary  
of only the first 6 of my 10 reasons why Antioch was, and will again  
be, America's best liberal arts College.  Since Mark Swanholm has  
brought it up so eloquently allow me to add here my 10th reason:

10.  Continuing Innovation.  Beginning with Morgan’s Co-op Education  
and Henderson’s Community Government, and now with freshman Learning  
Communities and upper class Co-op Communities, Antioch has always  
been an innovator.  There is every reason to believe that this  
history and spirit of innovation will continue and will lead to  
Antioch’s continuing to renew, re-birth and re-generate itself to  
keep pace with a rapidly changing world and thereby stay ahead of  
other small liberal arts colleges.

And, as an example, I do like Mark P's idea of Social  
Entrepreneurship, which he had already explained to me in some  
detail.  I would encourage others to learn more about this from him.   
And then Mark and others:  Go find a millionaire willing to endow  
Antioch with about $10-$20 million to get this going!

Does Antioch desperately need modern state-of-the-art computerized  
technology?  Well, who will take the lead in getting three giant  
computer companies and their founders and foundations to compete in  
taking the lead on this?   I refer of course to Microsoft, Apple and  
Dell.  THe Gates Foundation already knows the name of Antioch since  
they have twice given significant grants to Antioch Seattle for  
"Early College High Schools" on Indian Reservations.

No, Mark, just because I listed 4 things that ANY and EVERY Alum can  
do does not mean I think Alums alone can save Antioch.  Especially  
not in raising the several millions we need for the next few years to  
cover the current account deficits, plus then also raising scores of  
millions for a decent endowment.  But we can help!

Here's an idea.  Forbes just posted its list of America's  
BIllionaires.   Why don't we ALL go to that web site and read slowly  
and thoughtfully down the list.  Maybe a few of us know one of these  
richest of the rich?  Or know someone who knows one of them?  Or  
would at least get an idea from reading this list of a new Center or  
Program or focus for Antioch which would be a natural fit between  
Antioch and that Billionaire?

I know, I know.  The richest tend to be very conservative -- which  
Antioch is Not!   But 1-2-5% of them are probably quite liberal,  
maybe even radical.  Gates is very interested in using his fortune to  
help poor people and countries in Africa.  Maybe the right approach  
to them could turn up a few score million to help our new Coretta  
Scott King Center?  Or Mark P's idea of Social Entrepreneurs?

Here is that web site:   http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/54/ 
biz_06rich400_The-400-Richest-Americans_Rank.html

You think I am nuts, don't you.  Or joking?  Well, yes, maybe nuts.   
But joking?  No!  Let's get some creative talent working here on  
getting Antioch, finally, a decent endowment.  Personally, I'd settle  
for half a billion.  Maybe $100 million raised in each of the next 5  
years? For starters.  What do you think?  Check out the billionaire  
list and come up with some good ideas.  If that doesn't work, come up  
with some better ones.

Mike Brower '55