The Final Post

This blog was started in September, 2012, as a way for a provost to comment on new developments at the university, higher education more generally, with a little social science commentary blended-in from time to time. At this point, there are over 600 posts on the blog, one a week, usually on a Wednesday night.

It has been an outlet to fill the need to do a little writing each week. It has kept me honest about deciding whether I was spending my time on important issues rather than minutia. It provided a signal each week that the week was proceeding and much remained to do.

Over the years we increased the number of awards given to faculty and staff, so one of the pleasures of writing the blog was announcing the current winners to the community. This included the Provost Distinguished Associate Professors, the Sonnenborn Chairs for Interdisciplinary Collaboration, the Provost Distinguished Faculty Fellows, the Provost Innovation in Teaching Awards, and, most recently, the Provost Distinguished Staff Awards.

Another series of posts concerned the status and future of higher education. Here much time was spent on issues involving the engagement of students in classrooms, the dialogues among person with opposing beliefs, and the value of experience-based learning. In the early years, when the hype phase of online learning was present, we spent a lot of time discussing internet assisted education, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), and other developments that were being touted as the end of residential, in-person education.

Some of the discussion was about the life of the mind that is common to all faculty. Some observed the differences in research cultures across the fields. Others involved attempts to reduce the university’s bureaucratic impediments to research. Some others observed the crucial role that staff play in the operations of a modern university, making the work of both students and faculty more productive. We discussed the integrative role of graduate programs both for research productivity and for undergraduate mentorship.

Other posts focused on the changing landscape of human knowledge itself, the fact that formerly distinct fields of inquiry are being combined and blended in new ways. We observed that this was especially appropriate for Georgetown, given its mission to serve the common good. This led to many posts about how combining the strengths of multiple disciplines into centers, institutes, and new shared degree programs may increase the impact of higher education. It argued that networks of faculty and research centers may be a more productive organization than hierarchies, in which faculty have bosses who direct their research foci.

Finally, we spent a little time on social science issues of personal interest. This included worries about the increasing cost of measurements of large human populations (like that of the U.S.) threatening the loss of information about the welfare of the countries involved. It commented on what we used to call “big data.” It observed that trust in institutions and in science were experiencing notable declines over time.

I ended my provost service a few days ago, and, upon reflection, have decided to end posting on this blog. While all of these topics remain of interest to me, in my new role, I’ll find another way to share my observations. Thank you for reading these musings over the years.

15 thoughts on “The Final Post”

Dear Bob,

I have genuinely enjoyed reading your blog and will miss sharing it with the students. It gave me valuable insights into your passion for your work and offered a perspective on the university I never imagined. I look forward to your next chapter and am eager to help in any way I can. Joy and success will be your portion is my prayer,

Cheers,
Tracey

Dear Bob,

I genuinely enjoyed reading your blog and will miss sharing it with the students. It gave me valuable insights into your passion for your work and offered a perspective on the university I never imagined. I look forward to your next chapter and am eager to help in any way. My prayer is that joy and success will always be your portion.

Godspeed,
Tracey

I’ve been reading and enjoying your posts since I discovered the blog about five years ago. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and insights with the community!

Thank you for sharing your insights and reflections over the years. This blog has been a thoughtful and valuable resource, and your perspectives will be missed. Best wishes as you embark on this new chapter—I look forward to seeing how you continue to contribute to these important conversations

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and reflections over all these years – your posts always elevated my own thinking and spurred reflection. I was regularly reminded of my thoughtful and formative years at Georgetown and the reason I remain so attached to my alma mater. I often shared with my colleagues at the French Business School in which I have also been an administrator.

Best wishes for the new role and look forward to your future communications, in whatever form they shall take.

I’ve been reading these posts for the past five years and have enjoyed them. Thank you, Provost Groves, for all that you do for the University!

Hi Bob,

Thank you! This small token of our appreciation is not about the blogs, alone. Academic administrative work is a complex and thankless job. Yet, you have steered this community to the best of your ability and with steadfast resolve. Thank you for that.
Your blogs sometimes surprised me, given the wisdom of the message in light of the full days that characterize your routine. Your blogs also brought about a sense of getting to know you and a lens to your thinking as a colleague. All are deeply appreciated in a time and era that is defining our next steps toward the progression of our community.
Thank you for all you have done, are, and will be doing for Georgetown.
All the very best and Seasons Warm Wishes.

Thank you for these posts over the last dozen years. I have enjoyed reading your thoughts on a variety of important topics. I wish you well in your new role as interium president. I know this has been a challenging time with Jack DeGioia’s illness.

Dear Provost Groves, Thanks for this wonderful series of posts over the years. The perspectives you provided on a regular basis have been a great help in keeping a pulse on the Georgetown experience. They have provided a unique window into the life of this university and how it navigates today’s challenges while staying true to the core values which have made it such a special place. We will miss those weekly musings and look forward to the other ways you decide to share your observations. Meanwhile, best wishes to you in your new leadership roles.

Thank you, Bob. Reading your blog has helped me as I’ve been teaching. It also helped calm my nerves. You will be missed. Stay in touch. I have a newsletter that publishes roughly every three weeks. Best!

Bravo President Groves.
A job well done, and one that continues.
The Georgetown community is very fortunate to have you at its service.
JLR

They, like you, were always inspiring! Bon chance in your new role.

Thank YOU for initiating this regular post. I think it has been educative and also stimulated some thoughts and conversations that have been beneficial for the University. So thank you for taking that extra bit of time to do this and Godspeed for your current position.

I will miss these very thoughtful posts about academia in general and great updates and insights into our university. Best of luck in your new role . I am sure you’ll steward and will provide great stewardship to my Alma mater. We have much to be thankful for for what you have accomplished and I look forward to your continued dedication to.Georgetown! Certainly ONEHECKOFAHOYA! Mille Grazie !

I’ve enjoyed every one of these. Will miss your updates and insights. Wish you success and joy

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15 thoughts on “The Final Post”

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