[Alumni-chat] Antioch future vision

[Spock, Dan]

I think the general strand of the discussion established by Dr. Apter, Frank Adler (at the alumni meeting I attended in Minneapolis this weekend,) and I'm sure many others, is really going to be a key matter going forward: revive Antioch how? In what new, distinctive style that sets it apart from what so many other institutions have adopted? Adler urges more academic rigor (specifically, he urges raising the quality of graduates such that we reach something approaching the halcyon days when Antioch produced a larger proportion of students who went on to get grad school degrees than any other college.) I certainly won't argue against academic rigor, but it seems to me that this statistic was a byproduct of the generally high level of intrinsic motivation Antiochians had/have as lifelong learners and, by itself, it doesn't address the more compelling fact that Antiochians in high proportion have also devoted their lives and careers to service of humanity--a fact especially compelling to young people I should think. I like Apter's suggestions for using the Antioch curricula as an opportunity for deep exploration of chosen subjects, continuing in the vein established by the co-op program--e.g.: an experiential learning model. This seems to open the door to using the traditions of Antioch's progressive education ethos in fresh, creative ways. I also very much like Apter's idea of tapping the expertise, knowledge and experience of alumni in some way, through conferences or symposia. But let me make my pitch for an approach that is not limited to academics exclusively. For example, I have a 25-year career in museum management and museum learning theory experience and I know of at least 4 other Antioch alums who are toiling in the same fields to a high level of accomplishment. Much of what I am practicing now is rooted in the ideas of John Dewey and Wiiliam James, thinkers I was first exposed to by George Geiger at Antioch. I personally know at least half a dozen Antiochians working in public radio as producers and journalists. More are working in the music industry and in television and film. The number who have successful business careers must be legion based on the quick fund raising response to the exigency crisis. Add to this the fact that, in my Antioch experience, even more than the practical co-op experiences I had, the close interaction with faculty was by far the most durable and meaningful part of my education. Could we imagine a way of contributing to Antioch for us, the alumni, that involved gathering our expertise around multidisciplinary themes through symposia vehicles that students could access as part of their degree program? Co-op drew us out of the ivory tower and exposed us to learning through life. Might we also bring experience--the practical experience of seasoned alumni--into the ivory tower in new ways? And wouldn't this help to both restore institutional Antioch's vitallity in ways in keeping with its progressive traditions while at the same time provide students with very real life models for how an Antioch education and ethos informs a career and life path?

Daniel Spock, 1983
Director of Minnesota History Center Museum
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