Perhaps you may not be aware that there are six Fulbright Scholars at Mesa State, and the scholarship of many faculty are published in peer reviewed journals. There is a great deal of research happening at MSC of which you may not be aware. Is this at the same level as an Ivy League school, or even CU? Some of it is, but most of it not, but then again, MSC is not a research university, they are a college focused on teaching.

The students to which you refer are most likely in the top 10% of their class [sorry, no evidence here, but this worked for you in your recent Free Press article, so don’t call me on it. :)] I suspect these outstanding students do attend research universities to which you refer.

The US Census Bureau states that 50% of 18-21 year olds attend college, so that leaves 40% left to attend other colleges/universities. Let’s say half of those choose to attend other large universities. Great! I wish them the best of luck.

That still leaves 20% of 18-21 year olds looking for an institution. That is where MSC fits in. For some students, it is a better fit to be a big fish in a small pond before going to a larger university and be fed to the wolves!! Choosing a college/university has to be a fit, and MSC fits a niche for many types of students, especially those coming from smaller high schools.

Classof52 said: “As a four year college, highly vocationally oriented, Mesa State is probably one of the better ones”

This sentence is confusing, as vocationally oriented implies a two year degree. While WCCC is an important branch of Mesa State serving the needs of many people, a four year degree is not vocationally oriented, especially since MSC is chartered as a liberal arts institution. MSC and WCCC are two separate entities with two separate missions.

I think you, Sugarfoot and me agree on more things than we disagree!

As if an electronics repairman or what have you, has no chance of being extraordinary or leading an extraordinary life.

You infer from my sentences conclusions that are not implied.

“This does not mean that they cannot be productive citizens, but it does narrow substantially the possibilities they have in life.”

“productive citizen” implies someone who is just adequate, as does the assumption of substantially narrow life possibilities.

As if an electronics repairman or what have you, has no chance of being extraordinary or leading an extraordinary life.

I don’t believe that I implied anything like that Ashhugger. My comments were directed towards college students who either did not know or were not entirely sure about the area they wished to make their life’s work. Obviously there are plenty of people who formulated their goals in life in great detail and wish to be technically trained in some area such as electronics repair. Others have no desire to go to college and it would be a waste of time and money for them. This does not mean that they cannot be productive citizens, but it does narrow substantially the possibilities they have in life.

A college education is not for everyone although I believe in not closing any doors too soon. A college education offers you a range of opportunities which you may later wish to explore. I have seen too many people who later in life greatly regret not having had the education. Unfortunately too many high schoolers fail to realize that decisions they make very early on may come back to haunt them at a later date. None of us are the person we were at 16 or 17, either in our goals or our physique.

And just where did I do either of these things to which you allude?