Branch Campuses and the Planting of Seeds: A Local Story
Last time I wrote about planting seeds and suggested that the mission of branch campuses is to plant seeds in the lives of their students and then nurture their growth. Keep in mind, however, that a “campus” is just a place; it is people who plant and nurture those seeds. In that context, I want to acknowledge the importance of individuals who had the vision and determination to establish those branches and launch the opportunity for their contribution. Anywhere you see a branch campus, you can be sure that the campus reflects someone’s vision for reaching out to serve place bound students. The motivation for that vision may have been financial, political, or pushed by some other force. Regardless, a seed was planted, an idea was nourished, and it made a difference. I feel drawn to offer a “shout out” to a few individuals who launched and built Ohio University’s branch campuses. None of these men has a branch building, let alone a campus n...