Wye Academic Seminar Testimonials

Participant Reviews

  • I learned better how to engage views you've already heard, and to do so in a fresh and sincere way. I learned a better appreciate for what challenges are common to faculty regardless of institution size or status. Finally, I was reminded of how potent enthusiasm can be.

  • I've been reminded to look more deeply into the experiences of daily life - politically of course but also inter-personally. These themes of justice, power, man's will, democracy, transcendence frame so much popular culture and I'll be able to better recognize and interpret these ideas and the commentary being made. As a person interested in studying notions of the common good and how this value may or may not inform human behavior, I also have deepened insight into historical understandings of this notion in an important way.

  • I was reminded of why I got into academia in the first place. Discussing and thinking about the world's most pressing issues in an environment that is guided by great thinkers and stimulating conversation.

    • Classic texts have great relevance to those of us in the "health affairs" world and could be/should be more frequently referenced and even used in teaching; - Learning through highly interactive discussion and debate, particularly within a diverse group of individuals, provides a much richer learning environment than traditional, lecture-style approaches; I have already moved away from traditional, lecture-style teaching but this seminar underscored for me the reality that learning using a design similar to that of the Wye seminar is more engaging and likely more effective. ... and I will certainly advocate among my peers for greater and more frequent use of classic texts such as those we read for the Wye seminar.

    • I have realized I need to be more open about having conversations with people who disagree with me. I have realized how to provide a stronger rationale for the topics that I teach. I have also gained confidence in myself as an academic

    • I would love to integrate (at least a little bit) the model of discussion into my classes (engineering classes!). I feel that bringing one's own life experience and understanding to the topic greatly increases the motivation to learn.

      • The seminar reconnected faculty to the key documents, as it were, of the American ethos. It is easy in the academy to simply critique and analyze without taking a moment to stand in awe of previous generations' efforts to come to terms with problems and take new risks in a new country. The institute offered a chance to reconnect to what Emerson would call "the American scholar."

      • The seminar did an excellent job of situating our roles as educators/administrators within the broader citizenship project. The networking and diversity of views really opened up opportunities to see citizenship in a different light -- and created the ability the follow-up on the conversation with fellow participants.

      • This faculty seminar has…has reminded me what my job in and outside the classroom is. First, it is to foster and make sure that these students "talk and see one another" in dealing with critical issues. The "us" and "them" has to be left outside the classroom door. And second, I need to reach out to those with means to provide students with the opportunity to be involved in leadership and mentorship.

        • I am inspired to use what I learned from the seminar and the questions raised therein to develop a curriculum and programs on my campus that help produce informed and thoughtful leaders of the nation and world.