LOOKING BEYOND OURSELVES
James Michener, in an address to the students of Macalester College some years ago, told them: “Specializing is not enough; what the world needs for the big jobs – historically, culturally, morally – are well-rounded human beings.” “I remember a day in 1942 when the U.S. Navy was hungry for talent. Four of us were shivering in our shorts in a small room. A grim-faced selection committee asked the first would-be officer, ‘What can you do?’ and the man replied, ‘I’m a buyer for Macy’s, and I’ve trained myself to judge very quickly between markets and prices and trends.'” “When the board asked the next man, a lawyer, if he would do anything practical, he had to confess, ‘I can weigh evidence and organize information.’ He was rejected.” “I was third and when I answered, ‘I know language and a good deal of history,’ the board groaned and I went shivering away. Then the fourth man said boldly, ‘I’m a…
To view this resource, log in or sign up for a subscription plan
