May 18, 2017

USC Shows How Top Colleges Can Connect With High-Achieving Low-Income Students

Before my oldest daughter enrolled in the University of Southern California (USC) in fall 2001, I had three perceptions about the institution. I believed that the university had a great football team, that it was located in a rough area of Los Angeles and thus not safe, and that it enrolled primarily rich kids, thus earning the acronym University of Spoiled Children. One perception was accurate, but two were not.

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May 7, 2017

It Is Not Okay to Drop Your Dog’s Poop in My Garbage Can

With the arrival of spring, people are emerging from their domiciles and winter hibernation to enjoy the pleasant weather, biking or walking, often accompanied by their dog—or dogs. I am seeing more people with not only one but often two or three dogs. The number of dogs licensed by the city of Vadnais Heights has decreased the past eight years; however, I swear that the pet population is surging despite dog demographic data from the city indicating otherwise.

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April 3, 2017

State Higher Education Leader Richard C. Hawk Developed Programs and Policies to Ensure Access to and Choice of Education Opportunities

Scanning the Minneapolis Star Tribune obituaries in early March, I came across one for Richard C. Hawk who passed away at age 83 of a heart attack in Leawood, Kansas. The obit summarized Dick’s many accomplishments in business, higher education, and music. But perhaps his most significant achievements were the development of Minnesota’s programs to provide access to and choice of higher education opportunities. His legacy is important and impressive, but his passing appears mostly unnoticed in Minnesota.

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January 13, 2017

Welcome to Phil’s Focus

Greetings and welcome to Phil’s Focus, my new blog, which will provide a forum for sharing my experiences, reflections, and views on a variety of topics including education, sports, books, current events, fascinating people, and much more.

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