My old friend, John McChesney (take no offense at the "old," John :), who taught literature at Antioch for six of its most rambunctious years, went back for the annual college reunion last weekend and posted this story to "All Things Considered." More typically of late, John has been reporting from Iraq, where he's been embedded with the Arkansas National Guard (and worrying his friends to death).
I was not surprised to get a call from John when the Antioch news broke. Everyone who's ever loved the place is worried and talking...And the college chat rooms are running wild with rumor and innuendo. As an alum, I too grieve for the Antioch that we all loved; as someone who's served on the board and who's had to make hard business decisions, I am relieved that the Board of Trustees pulled a sinking ship to drydock before it took on too much water.
But, I'm very uncertain how to reach my fellow alums, who are disturbed, furious, and hurt about being left out of the decision. Process is very important, always and forever, but even when it's flawed, the right decisions often are made. We need all our diplomats to step forward now and work together to build a viable college for the 21st century.
