6 hours Ago
Recent polls show that Americans have lost faith in higher education and have come to believe that college fosters indoctrination rather than genuine debate . This is why the University of Tulsa is proud of our designation as a top-ranked “free speech university” and why my College of Arts and Sciences takes so seriously its mission statement of giving students “the intellectual foundation for life in a free and democratic society.” Over the past week, we’ve walked the walk — literally — as we led 38 students through miles of trails along the National Mall in Washington, D.
C., to attend the inauguration of President Donald Trump. Although the “liberal” in colleges of “liberal arts” refers to the concept of freedom rather than political orientation, I think it’s safe to say there weren’t a lot of other deans among the crowds.
But the opportunity came to us in the form of an estate gift by the legendary Oklahoma newspaper man Jenk Jones Jr., who wanted students to witness history and specifically thought it was important to see how Washington, D.C.
, handled the transfer of power. People are also reading..
. 'Is this really happening?': OU softball newcomers recall first encounters with Patty Gasso Does Lincoln Riley bring Oklahoma a national championship with Brent Venables' defense? Another longtime Tulsa-area high school football coach switches jobs What did Ohio State's Jim Knowles say about OU defensive coordinator rumors? OU tennis player promised to try out for Sooners football team — on one condition 'Murder Under the Friday Night Lights' episode spotlights 1976 Sapulpa tragedy After a Jan. 6 conviction, Bixby man hopes Trump makes good on his promise to pardon him Bill Haisten: A significant and fascinating hire as Mason Fine joins Dale Condict Dale's Dayton Forsythe becoming an 'X-factor' for OU men's basketball in SEC play 17 unique and sometimes quirky things in Tulsa that are gone forever Bill Haisten: Owasso's Drew Frankenfield faces 'business decision' following coaching changes 8 best CBD gummies for relaxation and wellness Three Tulsa restaurateurs, Noche are named semifinalists for coveted national awards At least 15 with Oklahoma ties affected by Trump's pardons for Jan.
6 attack How Hauss Hejny's journey perfectly aligned with becoming Oklahoma State's next quarterback So long before the American people picked a winner, we asked our history and political science students if they would like attend, regardless of the election results. Their enthusiastic response provided the first of many lessons: Don’t let anyone tell you “the kids today” are insular, closed-minded or simplistically “woke.” Our TU students are incredibly curious, thoughtful and introspective, and they lean into different ideas and belief systems.
In just one of the many episodes that will stick with me, I watched the Jewish and Muslim co-leaders of our campus interfaith organization proudly tell one of our alumni about their work, inspired by his own story about how a self-described “New York Jew” moved to Tulsa in the 1950s and became roommates and best friends with a Muslim student from Afghanistan. Another clear lesson: Despite our political differences, the American project powerfully transcends politics. Everywhere we went — from the Museum of the American Indian to the Museum of African American History — we were joined by others whose regalia marked them clearly as Trump fans in town for the inauguration or protesters who came to register their discontent at the People’s March.
Regardless of the hats they wore, they were equally sobered by the Holocaust Museum and inspired by monuments like the Lincoln Memorial. At the same time, as President Barack Obama famously said, “Elections have consequences,” and those were also fully on display on inauguration day, when word came that Trump had halted the admission of refugees immediately for at least 90 days. As he signed the order, I was sitting with the faculty member who has headed up TU’s “Every Campus a Refuge” project since 2021, bringing dozens of students to Tulsa from Afghanistan since the U.
S. withdrew its troops. Three of those students, including one young woman who wants to work for the U.
S. intelligence community, were with us on the trip. All of them had questions about what this meant for the future.
This is why it was incredible to spend our final morning in Washington, D.C., with a TU alumnus who has worked at the National Security Council in the White House under Presidents Obama, Trump and Joe Biden — and who was preparing to transition to a second Trump administration.
As he told us, for the vast majority of people working in government, the mission goes beyond politics. If you’re committed, as he is, to the goal of keeping the country safe from “bad guys,” you have to consider that different administrations will take different approaches but the fundamental project remains the same. You also have to develop your own moral compass and be prepared, as many of his colleagues have done across the years, to defend it even to the point of stepping into another role.
This is the quality of mind we seek to cultivate in our students: the ability to focus on the big picture, to take the long view and to tolerate difference, even while identifying fundamental values that they will never compromise. From all I saw at the inauguration, they are learning it well..
