Hating Excellence

Too many public organizations gravitate towards performance at the lowest common denominator. Private organizations do too, but mediocrity’s poison is more prevalent in public settings. There is something stifling in dense bureaucracies.The causes of challenges in public higher education are varied.

Quinn Minute - Aunts, uncles and cousins

My friend Mel just got back from an aunt’s funeral, where he met family members he did not know he had.Personally, I’ve met more relatives at funerals than I have at weddings…but maybe it’s because weddings require an invitation.Last month, my uncle told me that my third cousin had died.

Summer fun in the Texas Panhandle

For those not having time for a vacation, there are some summer day excursions that are worth exploring to have a little fun in the Texas Panhandle area.It is time to gear up for the Texas Route 66 Festival set for June 6-15.

Quinn Minute - My frog drawing

In my long and unproductive life, I’ve encountered several disgusting things… and I’ve stepped in a few of them.But few gave me more displeasure than dissecting a frog. This was a school requirement, and I dreaded it for weeks.

Student Leadership

Overwhelmingly, the 7,400 state lawmakers nationwide attended and graduated from public universities. Again, overwhelmingly, these elected officials attended schools in their home states. All but four of the 535 members of the United States Congress have a post-secondary education.

Performing

No two universities are the same. No university was the same last year as it will be next year. Ditto for students. George Bernard Shaw wrote this in “Man and Superman”: “The only man I know who behaves sensibly is my tailor; he takes my measurements anew each time he sees me.

Quinn Minute - Short history of long film strips

Not long ago at a class reunion, several of us got to talking about “film strips.” If you attended elementary school during the 1950s through 1970s, you may remember these visual learning tools.Because there were so many of us, states quickly constructed schools to contain us.

Texas Insurance Tips

Numerous factors affect the cost of claims that insurance companies pay as their obligation under an insurance policy, according to the Texas Department of Insurance.These factors include inflation, riskier driving, weather events and reinsurance.

Quinn Minute - Special Abilities

I’ve always been jealous of people who discover their talents early.There was this kid in my middle school class named Karen. She drew still nature scenes better than anybody.

“I’m mad too, Eddie”

Communities of every type, near and far — social, geographic, political and professional — have legitimate expectations about the universities they are married to. Hold on, you may not like much of this.