Painting by Jef Murray

by Bradley J. Birzer

Almost half of a decade ago, I applied for an interesting position–to be the first head of a new liberal arts program at a Catholic college in New England. The college is old and venerable, but it’s gone through the typical changes toward the worse experienced by most small religious colleges in the last four decades.

In the last several years, however, the college has acquired a sharp new president and provost, and the school is turning around in every good way. Should it continue on this path, it will be a leading liberal arts college once again.

 I gave everything I had for this position, but the college administration and faculty committee wisely recognized that my vision outstrips my administrative gifts. [Read more...]