Sense and Nonsense

Among the university and college presidents of this land, certain waves or cycles may be discerned. From causes in part conjectural but in part probably unknowable, in one decade there arises a set of college presidents drawn from among retired generals and admirals; in another decade, from among men of finance and commerce and manufacturing; in yet another time, from among men of natural science; and so on, and on. Once upon a time, most college presidents were clergymen; we may see a day when nearly all of them are lawyers.

Now, these waves or classes of college presidents vary widely in talents and character. It is my considered judgment that the worst set of college presidents took office shortly after the end of the Second World War—though of course honorable exceptions occurred during that era. People like James Bryant Conant, Clark Kerr, and Milton Eisenhower rejoiced in the prospect of a mass society, and aped the methods of American industry, misapplying mass production to the concerns of the mind.

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Russell Kirk

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Among the university and college presidents of this land, certain waves or cycles may be discerned. From causes in part conjectural but in part probably unknowable, in one decade there arises a set of college presidents drawn from among retired generals and admirals; in another decade, from among men of finance and commerce and manufacturing; in yet another time, from among men of natural science; and so on, and on. Once upon a time, most college presidents were clergymen; we may see a day when nearly all of them are lawyers.

Now, these waves or classes of college presidents vary widely in talents and character. It is my considered judgment that the worst set of college presidents took office shortly after the end of the Second World War—though of course honorable exceptions occurred during that era. People like James Bryant Conant, Clark Kerr, and Milton Eisenhower rejoiced in the prospect of a mass society, and aped the methods of American industry, misapplying mass production to the concerns of the mind.