Episode #15 The Evergreen State College: Starting A School Born To Be Different (featuring Kenneth Winkley)
Show notes:
Introduction: This episode's guest is a founding member of theThe Evergreen State College, in Olympia WA. Ken Winkley, age 85, joins us to talk history, and about the challenges of opening a new college in the late 60”s.
In 1971, the first class of students arrived at TESC, a brand new college that set about doing things differently. With collaborative learning, multiculturalism, integrative studies, a part of its core values, TESC blazed a new educational model. 20 years later, I would be among a graduating class. My experience at the TESC was nothing short of profound.
Attending my first core program, Human Health and Behavior, were other twenty somethings, Vietnam veterans, grandmothers, working professionals, exchange students, students of most races, religions, gender preferences, and political affiliations. I found myself immersed in diverse conversations with diverse viewpoints guided by faculty who cared deeply about the experience of integrated learning and were committed to the process of teaching students how to learn. It was exhilarating! I arrived a naive young adult with limited life experience and limited exposure to the world at large. The Evergreen State College ROCKED my world! I loved it and squeezed the pulp out of the opportunity. The Evergreen State College would graduate the likes of Matt Groening creator of the Simpsons, Michael Richards who played Cosmo Kramer in “Seinfeld,” Corin Tucker of “‘Sleater Kinney,” Macklemore rapper, Paul Stamets of Fungi Perfecti, Steve Thomas creator/producer of “This Old House,” activist Racheal Corey, and local artist Nikki McClure, to name a few among a lengthy list of movers and shakers.
As The Evergreen State College faces a time of redefining itself, adapting to cultural change, transitioning to new leadership, and a shrinking enrollment, Ken joins the conversation to share his wisdom as the original controller, and Vice President of Business Management for 22 years with the college.
How do we invigorate a renaissance to ensure that the opportunity of collaborative, integrative, inclusive learning cements its place in higher educational offerings for future students? A look back often gives valuable clues for ways to move forward.
I’m flipping through microfiche to welcome Ken Winkley to help us do that.
What I love about Ken:
I love and appreciate your humility.
I love your vision.
I love the careful meticulous manner in which you kept Evergreen in the black.
I love how you respected all of your colleagues and co-workers.
I appreciate your work ethic.
I love your determination.
I love and appreciate the compassion you brought to tough decisions.
I love your family.
I love your voice of reason.
I love that you are my friend!
Resources:
The Evergreen Sate College
www.evergreen.edu
