The Courage to Inquire: Ideals and Realities in Higher Education [Hardcover]

Thomas Ehrlich (Author), Juliet Frey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 22, 1995

"President of Indiana University from 1987 to 1994, Ehrlich offers an earnest, brief valedictory on his experience, dispensing well-considered wisdom and also putting some tough issues into play." —Publishers Weekly

"These recollections shine with the wit and wisdom of one of our most experienced and admired university presidents... " —J. W. Peltason, President, University of California

"Tom Ehrlich—a distinguished scholar, public servant, and university president—has written a lucid, provocative, and intensely personal account of the challenges facing higher education... " —Harold Shapiro, President, Princeton University

A university president gives an insider's view of the goals and problems of higher education from athletics to political correctness and tenure.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Courage to Inquire: Ideals and Realities in Higher Education contends that the most difficult challenge for university presidents is to avoid diversions -- such as athletics. In Thomas Ehrlich's words: "The challenge is to keep athletics in their place and not let them wag the whole institution. A president can focus on only a few key goals over a period of years, and the choice of those goals is the single most important determinant of success in office. " He describes a run-in with Indiana's Bob Knight, one of the most successful (and controversial) basketball coaches. In The Courage to Inquire Ehrlich stresses that a president cannot succeed without a "deep-textured involvement" in academic matters, which is the heart of a university. This involves nurturing great teaching, advancing knowledge through research, and building bridges among disciplines. He favors contracts rather than tenure for faculty who do not engage in scholarly work but who, for example, are exemplary teachers of introductory language courses or directors of law or health clinics. He is committed to ethics instruction, but believes also that a university is no place for moral absolutes. Ehrlich describes five qualities a university president need to succeed: a willingness to help others, an ability to ask the right questions, an openness to new perspectives, the determination to choose key priorities and stick to them, and the aspiration to dream big dreams and make them a reality. -- Midwest Book Review

About the Author

Thomas Ehrlich is President Emeritus of Indiana University and the first Distinguished University Scholar of California State University. He is the author, co-author, or editor of five other books. Juliet Frey has earned degrees from Yale University, Smith College, and Indiana University. She is currently Director of Information Resources in the Office of the President at Indiana University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 168 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press; 1st ed edition (November 22, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253329132
• ISBN-13: 978-0253329134
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,245,209 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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