TBers, Jim Mills' Reading suggestion ("Only Connect: Goals of a Liberal Education" by William Cronon) struck a chord. This piece by Dr. Groth illuminates an unexpected aspect of that for me. While we may be near powerless to revamp a university system to conform to our view of an ideal liberal education, Groth identifies some qualities of true agents of change. Without denigrating "smart classrooms" and other bells and whistles of 21st century education, he makes an insightful distinction between what students want and need from professors and the university as institution. http://www.nea.org/assets/img/PubThoughtAndAction/TAA_07_05.pdf Rick Jagels Education Specialist College Assistance Migrant Program 111 Wilsbach Hall State University of NY College at Oneonta (607)436-2297 [log in to unmask]