Mike Rowe, the Dirty Jobs star and host of How America Works, has recently unloaded on Gen Z. Rowe said that the importance of hard work is on the way out, and we have seen the last days of a … Continue reading
Gen Z—What’s a Paper Route?
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James Thrasher
Restoring Trust in Higher Education: Remembering Ross Foster
Image: (L to R) J. Howard Pew, Charles S. MacKenzie, Ross Foster Ivy League alumni and donors are disgusted and demanding change. They have had enough. The good news is that there is a way forward and it’s buried in a … Continue reading
Grove City Football: The Transforming Power of a Vision
Imagine being the new coach of one of the worst Division III football programs in the country. The program sat at zero wins and 20 losses after back-to-back winless seasons heading into the 2016 campaign, which garnered a national ranking … Continue reading
It’s Not Working
As you reached for the alarm this morning what were your first thoughts? Did this endless work ritual conjure up depressing emotions causing you to bury your head in the pillow? Did you immediately ask yourself, what is the point … Continue reading
Clocking In, Clocking Out ‘til You Die
These are alarming numbers: In its recent State of the Global Workplace 2022 report, Gallup concluded that only 21% of workers are engaged and invested in their work. Over 70% of the nation’s employees are looking for new jobs. Most … Continue reading
Pack It In – You’re the “Working Aged”
My new Human Resources/Medicare employment identity is “Working Aged.” Ok, sure, I get it—as in elderly, feeble, decrepit, ancient, debilitated, worn out and shot. Yes, I am 64 and approaching retirement age, but what a dispiriting designation. If I continue … Continue reading
The Self-Absorbed Nine and the One Who was Grateful
All the turkey-time trappings of the Thanksgiving holiday tend to numb our sincere reflection. But this is a perfect time to consider whether we are thanks-giving or ungrateful people. Being grateful isn’t natural. Gratitude, for all its merit, is not … Continue reading
“Cat’s in the Cradle” Father’s Day
The haunting refrains of Harry Chapin’s song “Cat’s in the Cradle,” like “planes to catch and bills to pay … when you coming home, dad?” started to play in my mind recently. A Fortune 500 company recruiter asked to join … Continue reading
Going Rogue for the Truth
Back in 1995, as a new director for a college office of career services, I attended the National Association of Colleges and Employers conference. One of the concurrent sessions was entitled “Going Rogue.” More and more students were formally accepting … Continue reading
Green Heroin vs. the Call to Work
Addiction to government handouts continues to be a significant economic and societal issue. Recently, some authors have sounded the alarm by tagging the current CARES Act freebies as a form of “green heroin.” This addiction to green dollars has caused … Continue reading
If the Dead Could Speak
Upon arriving back from visiting my parents’ gravesite, many soul-searching thoughts have swirled in my mind. I was starkly reminded that the length of our earthly life is a grain of sand in a pile of sand a mile wide … Continue reading
The Tim Tebow Controversy—It’s About Culture, Stupid
Everyone seems to have an opinion on Urban Meyer’s decision to sign Tim Tebow to the roster of the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars. The all-knowing Charles Barkley pontificated that Tebow failed as a quarterback in the NFL and as a Minor … Continue reading
The Theology of Losing
The coach angrily paces outside the locker room after losing an early season game. He steps on to the bus and says, “If I hear one word or see even a crack of a smile, you will pay for it … Continue reading
The Moral Dimensions of the Student Loan Crisis
The average price of a college education is $140,000. Very few people have the resources to cover that cost, so they must turn to student loans to make attending college possible. Often with caution thrown to the wind, 70% of … Continue reading
Colleges Deceive Students Financially
John and his parents head to their first college admissions visit. After the tour and interview, they hear the admissions counselor say, “John, we are so impressed with you both academically (John has a low B average) and personally that … Continue reading
Where Has the Truth Gone?
“Want to buy a new car with bad credit? No problem. Come into our dealership and we will get you approved—guaranteed! You will be pre-approved in two minutes—100 percent are accepted. You will not be denied, no matter your circumstances. … Continue reading
The Call to Sacrifice and Commitment: The Letters of a WWII Sailor
Since my dad’s passing, I have carried his dog tag on my key chain. I wanted a daily reminder of my dad and his sacrificial service to our nation in World War II. My dad was the classic WWII vet … Continue reading
The Call to Do and Act Justly
As I approached the county courthouse for jury duty, my unfocused mind was in many different places, including being sincerely burdened by the state of our nation. I had filled out the eligibility questionnaire, made arrangements with my employer, and … Continue reading
The Life-Changing Love of a Mother
If you would have known me growing up, your money would not have been on me to amount to much of anything. I was a self-conscious kid who was constantly teased for my small stature and my academic failings. I … Continue reading
Unprecedented Times—But Two Things Never Change
Leading a college Career Services Office department for nearly 25 years, you can imagine that I have seen some significant market fluctuations. During those periods, strategic alterations to our action plans were made based on established historical indicators. Well, today, any semblance … Continue reading