Campus Spirtuality

Interesting article at Inside Higher Education. A group of non-religious students at Tufts want an institutionally appointed spiritual guide, just like the Christians, Jews and Muslims have. Is this the next wave of campus clergy? This question presented is one that secondary private schools have been doing for a while. I do like that [...]

Good for the University of Mississippi

The University of Mississippi has shortened its fight song, hoping to discourage fans from responding to the song with a traditional chant of “the South will rise again,” the Associated Press reported. The student government has been trying to change the chant to “to hell with LSU,” citing the way the phrase about the South [...]

Campus College Fair

The campus lawn outside the performing art center and mustang corral  were empty Friday morning as many students arrived early to meet various representatives from across the country.

As a school that encourages students to find a college that is a fit for them, our reputation with national schools continues to grow. Houston Christian had over [...]

Faculty Diversity and Schools

Above: Sam Mendazibal of Bolivia and the chairman of the Foreign Language Department chats with me after playing  basketball with students during a recent campus retreat.
I received an email today from a group looking to organize a sub meeting on independent school campus diversity; one of the topics to be addressed is that of comfort [...]

European History Reading and Debating the Drinking Age

Above: Downtown Fort Collins
For the third year in a row, I am spending the second week of June doing European history work and reading at Colorado State University.  It is safe to say that I love this college town; it has all of the ingredients one would want: shops, bookstores, restaurants, bars, live music, and [...]

Just Another Day on Campus

This particular section of AP European History spent time on the inner lawn of HCHS; I am a sucker to say the least. They needed additional motivation on what is an absolutely gorgeous day. We discussed World War II and the motivations that drove the likes of Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin to seek greater power; [...]

Campus Beauty

I am off to Princeton University in less than two weeks. Thus I thought I would pull this post up again with the number of college letters arriving daily; I have enjoyed writing recs for a number of students I care about. My trip to Princeton will be my fourth to the prestigious New Jersey [...]

On Campus with Carson Part II

Above: This is today; ignore the date. Do not worry about the few files hidden under the desk. That is our secret.
Below: That was yesterday.

On Campus with Carson

I am excited that I have actually marked most of the essays in my brief case; I completed the writing of my AP European history exam which one section took yesterday, and the other will do today; I still need to finish writing my United States history take home exam. With that stated, I hope [...]

Tenure, Race, Academic Freedom, and Religion

Addressing matters of faculty, academic voice, tenure, and promotion has long been an interest of this blog; I do believe that good schools — be it a university, boarding, or day school can be measured in status by the intellectual freedom and voice permitted on its campus. Honestly, it is what separates elite schools from [...]

School Leadership

The unfortunate reality of modern day schools can be found in their leadership approach. A number of schools have placed great emphasis on campus leadership. This leadership can be found among both faculty and students. Two local Houston private schools that have made leadership a focus are that of Houston Christian and the Second Baptist [...]

Being a Minority and Attending Houston Christian High School by Josh Adam Farris

Below is a piece written by Josh Farris, a recent graduate of Houston Christian High School. Because of my interest in students/teachers of color and independent schools, I wanted to get the point of view of a minority student after three years of HC. Josh was a student in my world history course during [...]

My Davidson College Experience by Lerin Rutherford

Lerin Rutherford, a student in my AP European History course, shares her academic experience after a summer of study at Davidson College. She is one of my elite students who will have a number of college options come April. You can also read Lerin’s last post on Political Correctness and Happy Feet here.

Davidson College is [...]

Campus Construction

     Above: Houston Christian School Campus

                          Above: Court Yard
I spent a little time on campus today working on an AP program manual and trying to finish my fall syllabus for AP U.S. History; I have not started on AP European History or World History’s syllabus. The challenge I face each semester when drafting a syllabus is balance. [...]

Campus Beauty

I am off to Princeton University tomorrow morning. This will be my third trip to the prestigious New Jersey college. In preparation for the work that I will be doing at Princeton over the course of four days, I thought that I would share my top “most attractive campus” list. Of course this is a [...]

Thoughts on Duke, Class, and Race

The District Attorney recently exonerated all members charged with sexual assault in the Duke University lacrosse case. There were clearly no winners here. Moreover, the Duke lacrosse case illustrates both the racial and class resentment that exists in America. Just like the O.J. murder case, Duke lacrosse brought to life both the social and economic problems Americans tend to ignore. [...]

College and Post-College Students Please Stand UP

I first posted this piece back in October. Since many of my students are receiving their acceptance and rejection letters, I thought I would revisit this post again. I need many of you college graduates and college going students to tell me what important point I missed. Better yet, I need to know what point [...]

Discussing Richard Hofstadter on the Lawn

So, because it was my last section of class on a warm Houston afternoon, I felt it was only best that we enjoy our seminar on one of the lawns surrounding the HCHS campus. And, because it was a Friday, students have what we call free dress (no uniforms). A quick thanks to Patricia Jonesi [...]

My Top College Towns

 
 

Duke University
Since I am almost done writing letters for students who are attempting to gain admission into a number of colleges and universities, I thought that I would draft a list of my top college towns, as requested by a few students. It is very difficult to define a college town; however, we all have [...]

Some Thoughts on Final Exams

 
 
It has been a number of years since I finished undergraduate and graduateschool. And, even longer since high school; however, I do believe that I amqualified to give some advice on surviving semester exams. For those students around the country and here on campus, I offer this practical advice on managing your week. Note: I [...]