[Xmca-l] Re: WaPo article on higher ed: "Elitists, crybabies and junky degrees"

[HENRY SHONERD]

Gente,
Thanks to Peter for citing Letters to Vera, especially to Robert and Cathrene for editing the book, to which I contributed a little piece. I am so grateful to Vera for being mentor and friend to my wife Judy and me, starting over 35 years ago. I came to New Mexico 40 years ago to work on the Navajo Reservation and found that Vera was there before me. I enrolled a few years later in the Educational Linguistic doctoral program at the University of New Mexico, founded by Vera and Bernard Spolsky. I have benefited in so many ways from Vera’s ground breaking work. Of course, there are many, many stories out there of grateful people like myself who are Vera’s legacy. 
Vera, you embody creative collaboration. 
Henry

> On Nov 26, 2017, at 9:34 AM, Peter Smagorinsky <smago@uga.edu> wrote:
> 
> This is probably a good time to remind everyone of this lovely tribute, which includes essays from many in the xmca community:
> R. Lake & C. Connery (Eds.), (2013) Constructing a community of thought: Letters on the scholarship, teaching and mentoring of Vera John-Steiner. New York: Peter Lang.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: xmca-l-bounces@mailman.ucsd.edu [mailto:xmca-l-bounces@mailman.ucsd.edu] On Behalf Of mike cole
> Sent: Sunday, November 26, 2017 10:08 AM
> To: eXtended Mind, Culture, Activity <xmca-l@mailman.ucsd.edu>
> Subject: [Xmca-l] Re: WaPo article on higher ed: "Elitists, crybabies and junky degrees"
> 
> A LOT of people are thinking of you Vera. Generations of scholars are in your debt, and Working to continue along the paths you have us to.
> 
> Mike
> 
> On Sun, Nov 26, 2017 at 4:38 AM Peter Smagorinsky <smago@uga.edu> wrote:
> 
>> I second that emotion!
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: xmca-l-bounces@mailman.ucsd.edu [mailto:
>> xmca-l-bounces@mailman.ucsd.edu] On Behalf Of Alfredo Jornet Gil
>> Sent: Sunday, November 26, 2017 6:24 AM
>> To: 'eXtended Mind, Culture, Activity' <xmca-l@mailman.ucsd.edu>; 
>> vygotsky@unm.edu
>> Subject: [Xmca-l] Re: WaPo article on higher ed: "Elitists, crybabies 
>> and junky degrees"
>> 
>> Best wishes for you, Vera; for many of us seeing your name in a 
>> message is also always a joy.
>> Alfredo
>> ________________________________________
>> From: xmca-l-bounces@mailman.ucsd.edu 
>> <xmca-l-bounces@mailman.ucsd.edu> on behalf of Vera John-Steiner 
>> <vygotsky@unm.edu>
>> Sent: 26 November 2017 07:59
>> To: 'eXtended Mind, Culture, Activity'
>> Subject: [Xmca-l] Re: WaPo article on higher ed: "Elitists,     crybabies
>> and junky degrees"
>> 
>> Annalisa,
>> 
>> I was glad to see your name on a message. I have been doing very 
>> poorly, I am now in hospice. They are very kind. Cathrene just 
>> visited, and I am particularly tired. He has recovered well.
>> 
>> I just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you.
>> 
>> Do let me know what is new with you.
>> 
>> Love,
>> 
>> Vera
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: xmca-l-bounces@mailman.ucsd.edu [mailto:
>> xmca-l-bounces@mailman.ucsd.edu] On Behalf Of Annalisa Aguilar
>> Sent: Saturday, November 25, 2017 3:39 PM
>> To: eXtended Mind, Culture, Activity
>> Subject: [Xmca-l] WaPo article on higher ed: "Elitists, crybabies and 
>> junky degrees"
>> 
>> Hi fellow Xmcats,
>> 
>> 
>> Saw this in the Washington Post. It's not a short read.
>> 
>> 
>> Basically encapsulates the conservative mentality that is shaping the 
>> future of US universities these days.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/national/2017/11/25/elitists-crybabie
>> s-and-junky-degrees/
>> <
>> http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/national/2017/11/25/elitists-crybabie
>> s-and-junky-degrees/?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_rigged-college-131pm%3A
>> homepage%2Fstor
>>> 
>> <
>> http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/national/2017/11/25/elitists-crybabie
>> s-and-junky-degrees/?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_rigged-college-131pm%3A
>> homepage%2Fstor
>>> 
>> 
>> 
>> <
>> http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/national/2017/11/25/elitists-crybabie
>> s-and-junky-degrees/?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_rigged-college-131pm%3A
>> homepage%2Fstor
>>> 
>> 
>> What safeguards are in place to secure liberal arts education? Why 
>> must everything be centered around creating revenue? Ugh.
>> 
>> 
>> There is also mention of a Pew study here:
>> 
>> 
>> http://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2017/07/11101
>> 505/07-10-17-Institutions-release.pdf
>> 
>> 
>> (Though I figure that you likely have already seen it from last July, 
>> given how connected everyone is on this list! 😊)
>> 
>> 
>> And also mentioned:
>> http://news.gallup.com/poll/216278/why-republicans-down-higher.aspx
>> 
>> 
>> If you haven't seen these, forewarned is forearmed? At least in terms 
>> of the soundbytes, you may want to get used to hearing them so the 
>> shock wears off and you can then get behind the mule and plow.
>> 
>> 
>> Just I thought I would pass this on.
>> 
>> 
>> Kind regards,
>> 
>> 
>> Annalisa
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>