“Hail, Berea!” The Lexington Herald-Leader reviews Berea College: An Illustrated History (Kentucky.com)

Meeting the Challenge: America’s Independent Colleges and Universities since 1956 was recently published by the Council of Independent Colleges to celebrate their 50th anniversary. It contains a great essay by historian and University of Kentucky educational policy professor John Thelin that should be required reading for anyone interested in higher education. In “Small by Design: Resilience in an Era of Mass Higher Education” Thelin writes:

The enduring–and endearing–characteristic of American higher education since the 17th century has been its diversity. While the large universities gained resources and publicity, the small private liberal arts colleges not only survived but thrived on their ability to provide affordable, high-quality undergraduate education to new generations of American students.

Thelin goes on to trace the variety of ways that independent institutions have evolved to promote access, maintain affordability, innovate, and thrive over the last 50 years. Particularly interesting are his analyses of the importance of science education and the connection between campus life and student success at the independents. Thelin’s essay points to several AIKCU member campuses in his examples, including Berea, Lindsey Wilson, and Centre. The book’s second essay focuses on current trends and initiatives by CIC members and includes a nice write-up of Georgetown College and President Crouch’s entrepreneurial spirit. Find the book here.