Whew... Today was quite strong. We covered issues related to governance and leadership or better put... governance AS leadership. Discussion involving how boards can be more effective and how CEOs/Presidents/Sr. Staff can help them get there. Watched a film clip about Gallaudet University. An extraordinary story and a wonderful case to examine when talking about governance and leadership. Strategic, Fiduciary, Generative thinking... is anyone making sense out of all the data, strategies, goals, objectives, rules, policy... At the end, or the beginning or even in the middle we should be asking what does it all mean? Again I'm reminded that organizations move in the direction of the questions they ask. What questions are we asking?
This afternoon we heard from the development director from Boston University. Coming from Harvard where he raised more than $500 million for Harvard Law, he is in the midst of a $1 billion campaign for BU. As you can imagine he had some advice on how to raise money. Reminded me of the good old days, raising money for the neighborhoods, running the campaigns and celebrating big gifts. Funny, I was never able to get much past 6 digits but I wasn't selling Harvard Law.
Cases today involved online education and faculty relations. Very interesting conversations about property ownership, academic freedom and online education generally. A wide range of approaches and applications of the online environment in higher education.
Before dinner I had a chance to grab a pic of the Continuing Education Division. It was nice to see the sign. I was also smiling to myself when Richard Elmore told his story about a new degree program here. Working with the extension/ConEd division at the Business School he collaborated with the Ed. School to develop relationships that led to further discussion about a new degree. A doctoral degree in educational entrepreneurship. The degree was presented and approved by the Board after 10 minutes. The first NEW degree authorized at Harvard in 73 years! They had 1000 applicants for 25 slots. Starts in August.
Cooked up, in the beginning on the continuing education side of the house.
Yep, I was smiling to myself.... the only ConEd guy in the room. 
2 comments:
Never under estimate the power of Con-Ed.
Be a sponge and absord,
Marion
I like Marion's approach-shall we start callin ya Sponge Stu? naahh..no dignity in that...Do you have classes on weekend or is that the sit & stew(?) & sort time. Seems like you should have that built into the course...absorption period. And-thank God for spell check-who Ever thought up absorb--absorption??
I'm glad you're there & getting to be a part of what sounds like...the best minds, talking about things you are passionate about!
xo
c
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