SMU Couch--community building!

Myron Rolle: Emerging Community Leader

Not all college football players take their studies seriously. Some do.

Among those who go "beyond serious" on the field and in the classroom is Florida State University safety, Myron Rolle.

The New York Times' Pete Thamel told part of Rolle's story in last Thursday's edition of the paper ("For Florida State Player and Scholar, Game Day Is Different"). I think y0u'll be inspired and encouraged.

Here's how the story begins:

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — By 5 p.m. on Saturday, Florida State safety Myron Rolle will find out if he is among the 32 winners of a Rhodes Scholarship, perhaps the world’s most prestigious postgraduate academic award.

At 7:45, Rolle’s Seminoles teammates will play at Maryland in a pivotal Atlantic Coast Conference matchup. Because Rolle’s final interview is in Birmingham, Ala., a private plane and about 700 miles will play an integral part in one of the most compelling story lines in college football this weekend.

Rolle’s decision to risk missing all or part of the game in order to be interviewed for the Rhodes Scholarship, and find out if he joins elite student-athletes like Bill Bradley in winning the Rhodes, has resonated deeply at Florida State. The university is in the final stages of dealing with an academic scandal in the athletic department that affected the eligibility of 60 athletes and resulted in three firings and self-imposed probation.

Read the entire report here.

Messiah College

My good friend, Richard Hughes, invited me to speak to students at Messiah College yesterday. So, I made the trip to Grantham, Pennsylvania, just outside Harrisburg, the state Capitol.

About a year ago, Richard and Jan left Pepperdine University to direct the Ernest L. Boyer Center at Messiah College. Founded by the Brethren in Christ church in 1909, Messiah is a thriving liberal arts college with a history rooted firmly in Anabaptist tradition that includes an enduring commitment to social justice, reconciliation, peace and compassion.

The students I met were special indeed.

One group, the Boyer Scholars, is a select collection of seniors who were chosen to be set on a robust academic track while at Messiah. Boyer Scholars, in keeping with the philosophy of their namesake, are trained to appreciate the opportunities for social change and renewal that come through careers in education.

Another group was preparing for a giant day of service next week in inner city Harrisburg. My stories about so many wonderful friends in Dallas seemed to be helpful to these young people who share a commitment to inner city renewal and redevelopment.

Even though it was very short, I enjoyed my trip.

A tip to travelers: this part of Pennsylvania is amazing.

Important footnote to my sons-in-law: The river running through the campus is rated as one of the top 10 trout streams in the United States!

I think I'll be back!

Race Matters. . .

On and on it goes.

A group of Clemson University students--white students--threw a "gangsta" theme party the weekend prior to the Martin Luther King, Jr. national holiday.

The party invited participants to dress and behave in a manner that could politely be described as a night of parody of African American racial stereotypes. Dress and behavior poked fun at blacks who were not present for the event.

A similar party took place at Tarleton State University here in Texas. Another convened at the University of Connecticut School of Law.

On each campus the events in question set off a backlash of disgust, disappointment and hurt feelings. In addition, on each campus formal talks and forums have been organized to discuss race, racism and the nature and current condition of America's racial psyche.

To a person the students involved in the parties claim they meant no harm or disrespect. And, above all, they denied any suggestion that racism was involved.

I must admit I have a hard time with that claim.

Further, it is the ease with which the group uses this sort of disclaimer as an easily accessible, default "fall back" position, when caught in an act of blatant racism, that continues to really bug, irritate and anger me. University students with, at a minimum, no more sensitivity than this is a phenomenon that I find preposterous.

We should not be fooled.

Racism and all that goes with it is very much alive and well in this nation.