Feb. 18, 2005
www.giiilfordian.com
Bryan Series concludes with talk by Beschloss
Continued from Page 1
said he used to think of Guilford as the "Williams of
the South," but after visiting, he now thinks of
Williams as the "Guilford of the North."
Beschloss's speech was full of presidential anec-
dotes and historical facts. He
told the audience about Lyndon
Johnson's "atrocious taste in
interior decorating" and fascina
tion with "Muzak."
He retold one incident where
the transcripts of Johnson's
tapes were not accurate.
Johnson had said that the
Pakistan ambassadors were in
his waiting room, but the tran
script read that the waiting
room held a "Pack of bastards."
This led to a discussion of a modern historical
problem. Advisors encourage modern presidents not
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to keep diaries, memos, or other records of their
activities so that they can't be subpoenaed. This
leads to a lack of sources for later historians who
write about the presidents.
Beschloss also discussed his opinion that "histori
"We have to get people to understand
what that historical moment was like ...
We really need presidents who are
willing to ... be unpopular."
-historian Michael Beschloss, Bryan
Series Lecturer
issue of presidential leadership, Beschloss said, "We
really need presidents who are willing to ... be
unpopular," and pointed out that if Franklin
NEWS
Roosevelt hadn't prepared the U.S. for war in the
1930'5, the U.S. would be a very different place
today.
A question-and-answer session followed his
speech, and he concluded the presentation with a
lesson from Lyndon Johnson. After his career was
over, Beschloss explained, Johnson showed regret
about not spending enough time with his family.
Beschloss asserted that what we learn from Johnson
is "What really matters is your friends and your fami
ly," inspiring resounding applause from the audience.
Guilford Political Science professor Kyle Dell, who
teaches "The American Presidency" course, said of
Beschloss's visit, "He was extremely intelligent. He
had a real gift in the sense of not just knowing histo
ry, but being able to communicate it in a way that
was interesting, Insightful, and funny."
Following the presentation, Chabotar announced
the Bryan Speakers for 2005-06: Karen Armstrong,
Desmond Tutu, and Bill Moyers.3€
ans don't
always do as
well as they
should," say
ing, "We have
to get people
to understand
what that his
torical
moment was
like."
On the
Chabotar visits
Community Senate
Continued from Page 1
explained the need for a
heavier emphasis on Quaker
values. Chabotar proposed a
possible Sophomore Year
Experience, much like FYE,
but intended to focus on the
Quaker values and testi
monies.
On the subject of steward
ship, Chabotar said, "We've
got to turn over to our suc
cessors a college better than
when we came into it."
Stewardship was a big
point as Chabotar empha
sized that he "wants students
to be proud of our campus."
The initiative calls for not only
an upgrade of the facilities,
but also an expansion of fac
ulty and staff in both numbers
and salaries.
Chabotar's last point
involved community. Although
intent on making the campus
more cohesive and content,
Chabotar also said "this is not
going to be the Stepford
College."
The plan is to target points
of discontent and rectify them
as they come about, while
trying to bring the entire cam
pus together. Not only intend
ing to pacify student unhappi
ness, Chabotar also is look
ing to bring students, faculty,
and staff together via added
community meeting time on
Page 3
Greensboro. N.C.
Wednesday afternoons next
semester.
Planning on celebrating the
kickoff of the SLRP just
before spring break, Chabotar
said, "We don't have enough
parties here!" No specific date
was mentioned.
After taking a number of
questions from the remaining
senators on environmental
plans, the rift between CCE
and Traditional students, and
the possibility of more majors,
Chabotar addressed what he
saw as his biggest challenge,
that of maintaining the
College's 'specialness.'
"Most of the country doesn't
know how special this cam
pus is," he said.
Ending with a slight sigh,
Chabotar thanked the Senate
for letting him come, and
spoke to a few students per
sonally before leaving.
Senior Kate Doom,
Community Senate's Mary
Hobbs representative, said
afterwards,"You can't meas
ure a problem by the number
of complaints ... if everything
he said went through, Guilford
would be a better place."
First-year Noah Collin
agreed. "I feel like there are
efforts to retain that special
atmosphere ... sometimes
numbers can't say everything
though."*