Almost every school in the US has a football team. It is immaterial whether they win or lose, they always face a full audience. When I first heard that the Horse Shoe hosts more than 100,000 spectators every game, I was surprised. But then this is Buckeye Nation, I was told. A place that knows only 2 colors - Scarlet and Gray, with everything else being so Michigan-like. Its no surprise that everyone in this nation cheers for their school team when it comes to competitive sports, more so when it is football.
So while watching the game, you are as likely to bump into a recent alum, as you are into an 70-year old lady who graduated with a degree from the campus more than 40 years ago. So it matters as to which school you graduated from - you get tagged for your entire life as a Buckeye, Spartan or a Wolverine.
Last Friday, our Dept celebrated the dedication ceremony of our new building, the Scott Lab. There was a small outdoor function, followed by a self guided tour into the labs and classrooms. Expected guests were likely to be alumni and donors. I volunteered to be in my teaching lab during this period, so that I could show the lab set-ups to these guests. I was really surprised to see a lot of people turn up for this program, many of them well past an age, the govt calls the retirement threshold. A lot of alumni walked into my Lab, curious to see how the labs have changed 20 or 30 odd years after they graduated. One notable instance was that of an old, well-built man who told me he graduated from this Dept more than 50 years ago. When I showed a sense of surprise and disbelief on my face, he quickly responded, "I know, you won't believe it". It left me thinking - What binds them to this institution, that they feel like coming back after 50 years to the very place they left, knowing well that time changes not only people, but their thinking and outlook as well
I have hardly seen this happen in India and very rarely heard anything like this. Though we pride ourselves as a nation built on 5000 years of culture and tradition, a bond of this kind with our educational institutions never seem be part of that great tradition. Does that reflect poorly on our ethos or simply speaks of the quality of institutions we have. A point everyone needs to ponder on.
So while watching the game, you are as likely to bump into a recent alum, as you are into an 70-year old lady who graduated with a degree from the campus more than 40 years ago. So it matters as to which school you graduated from - you get tagged for your entire life as a Buckeye, Spartan or a Wolverine.
Last Friday, our Dept celebrated the dedication ceremony of our new building, the Scott Lab. There was a small outdoor function, followed by a self guided tour into the labs and classrooms. Expected guests were likely to be alumni and donors. I volunteered to be in my teaching lab during this period, so that I could show the lab set-ups to these guests. I was really surprised to see a lot of people turn up for this program, many of them well past an age, the govt calls the retirement threshold. A lot of alumni walked into my Lab, curious to see how the labs have changed 20 or 30 odd years after they graduated. One notable instance was that of an old, well-built man who told me he graduated from this Dept more than 50 years ago. When I showed a sense of surprise and disbelief on my face, he quickly responded, "I know, you won't believe it". It left me thinking - What binds them to this institution, that they feel like coming back after 50 years to the very place they left, knowing well that time changes not only people, but their thinking and outlook as well
I have hardly seen this happen in India and very rarely heard anything like this. Though we pride ourselves as a nation built on 5000 years of culture and tradition, a bond of this kind with our educational institutions never seem be part of that great tradition. Does that reflect poorly on our ethos or simply speaks of the quality of institutions we have. A point everyone needs to ponder on.
6 comments:
Hi... came here via edulix!
Your post is really thought-provoking: and perhaps explains a basic difference in the educational setup of the two nations. For one, the University is more than a place where you got your degree and job: it is the place where you are emotionally bonded with for life. Back home, however, except the ones at the very top, very rarely do we see such dedication and attachment.
Liked your blog... will keep visiting!
You are most welcome!
You are wrong,the Duke football team never faces a full audience. They are lucky if they face a quarter of the stadium :). That they suck is an understatement.
Why are you advertising Zune on your blog????
That's because Duke has (one of)the worst football program(s) in the US! But that's more than compensated by your more than exceptional basketball team.
you still haven't explained why you are advertising zune on your blog. i might have to remove you from my blog roll.
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