College: What It Was, Is, and Should Be

     Andrew Delbanco is an American Studies professor at Columbia who became interested in the history of colleges and universities, and wrote a book about his research and some thoughtful observations about the direction of higher education in the future.  It's a great 'semi-beach' read, that made me think about how we prepare our own students at Blair for college and beyond.  Delbanco discusses the evolution of admissions procedures, curriculum, the development of the university model, and a whole host of other topics as he mounts a defense of the traditional liberal arts college and the need to keep access open to everyone rather than the reserve of the relatively rich and connected.