Maura and I were lucky enough to invite ourselves to join a recent lunch appointment with Sheldon Steinbach and Fr. Charles Currie. As Maura commented, it sounded like the setup for an amazing joke... a Father, a lawyer and two women sit down for lunch in
Actually, we had a wonderful meal and talked about every topic under the sun including politics, families, junior kindergarten entrance exams, and higher education du jour. When discussing acquaintances in common and trend-setters in higher education, I was struck by the number of repeated names and connections. The conversation induced flashbacks to The Tipping Point, by Malcolm Gladwell.
At Elizabeth's suggestion I read the book and took particular interest in the discussion of "connectors." The author discusses the concept and relates it to the game of Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon. Well, I'm willing to give my suggestions for higher education's equivalent J. Not all of those below were discussed during lunch, but I can say that I've had positive conversation that included their names over the past weeks.
My nominee for Presidential Bacon is Gordon Gee; in the blog world I am nominating Andy Careaga and Karine Joly for Baconhood; Rae Goldsmith and Tim McDonough for association Baconness; and Larry Lauer and Tom Hayes get nominated for marketing Bacondom.
Do you agree with me, or do you have others you would like to nominate for my newly created designation? Those most commonly mentioned will get a year's supply of SizzleLean (remember that stuff?? Is it even still around??). Or, they decline the processed meat and just get my sincere respect and appreciation!
Let me know what you think J.
Thanks for the nomination. I do remember Sizzlean. I think it's gone the way of Sanka coffee. (Speaking of connections, there's one for you -- to the '70s.)
From what I can tell, Elizabeth is a pretty good nominee in the marketing category as well. I'd also not overlook Bob Sevier, though his engagements have been a bit more limited lately.
Consider the pound of Sizzlean "in the mail," JB!