Education as an Afterthought

James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal ^ | May 29, 2026 | Adam Ellwanger

[karpov]

One of my most memorable experiences as a college student was an insult I received from my professor. I had missed an exam due to work, and I asked him if I could make it up on another day. He reluctantly agreed. But when the day for the make-up arrived, I forgot about it. I needed an excuse: if I got a zero, I’d fail the course. I should have told him the truth and asked for mercy. But I lied. I told him that I had to work again. To my surprise, he looked at me and said, “If your work interferes with college, then you shouldn’t be in college.”

I was offended (which is ridiculous, since I had lied). His remark struck me as “classist” and “exclusionary”—words I wouldn’t have used at the time. How much students are required to work in college depends on their family income. Should people be excluded from higher education because they can’t afford to study full-time? What an elitist!

The thing was that I didn’t have to work much in college. My parents made sacrifices to pay for my tuition, room, and board. They didn’t give me any discretionary money, so I had to work some. But about ten hours a week at the library was enough to keep the drinks flowing and a pack of cigarettes in my pocket.

In truth, my anger at Dr. Johnson’s quip was a way to ignore the humiliation I felt. Humiliation for lying, yes. But more for the assertion that I shouldn’t be in college. Me? I was a budding scholar! A student of promise!

“I’ll show him,” I thought.

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TOPICS: Education
KEYWORDS:

[rhoda_penmark]

An excellent read, thank you for posting. A sadly grim view of today’s higher education system.

[ealgeone]

Having finished my Masters I learned academia does one of two things to a student.

You become enamored with academia and go on to persue your phd and teach.

OR you realize it's a bunch of nonsense and get out into the real world.

[PeterPrinciple]

His rebuke played a small role in transforming me ........................

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have you rebuked anyone lately?

[econjack]

Students will only do what you ask them to do. I never had to teach an online course, so I can’t speak to that. In the upper-level and graduate courses, I graded essay exams (in Econ) for content, but used a red pen to also correct their grammar. They were furious. I told them I did not take off for the grammar corrections; that was done for their own benefit. Still, they complained. I explained to them that they have no concept of how things work in the real world. They think they are going to be eating lunch with the CEO shortly after being hired. Bull crap! I told them there’s competition for advancement and for the first several years they will be evaluated on how they write. If you turn in a rambling 5 page report and your competition turns in a one-page, bullet list, report with the same information, guess who gets the promotion.

They started reading the corrections and writing better essays. If I had not asked them too, trust me, they would not have made the effort.

[Seruzawa]

I rebuked my dog for jumping on the couch yesterday.

[Retain Mike]

That is soooo true. I did the budget and investment reports as the finance VP at the college. Get it down to one page and ask for questions.

[MosesKnows]

I forgot about it says all that need be said.

[ARB]

As a Freshman student at Memphis State University in 1962, I quickly learned that, as a Senior, I would be required to write and PASS the University English Proficiency Exam. Regardless of personal grades, failure to pass the exam would not allow Graduation.
Such Exam was given once a year to all Seniors. However, all lower classes were advised and allowed to take the exam as practice only.
In essay format, the subject would be revealed on the date of the exam and only when all Seniors were seated.
The English Department had earned the name ‘The Cave Of Winds’ as, it was said, many grade qualified Senior were ‘blown’ away and failed to graduate on time.
I did pass the exam as a Senior and graduated. I personally never knew anyone to fail as a Senior and suspect the Cave Of Winds was really a ‘Cave Of Motivation’. I worked for me.
As to my writing herein, please don’t grade me.
Regards,
RossB

[ARB]

As a Freshman student at Memphis State University in 1962, I quickly learned that, as a Senior, I would be required to write and PASS the University English Proficiency Exam. Regardless of personal grades, failure to pass the exam would not allow Graduation.
Such Exam was given once a year to all Seniors. However, all lower classes were advised and allowed to take the exam as practice only.
In essay format, the subject would be revealed on the date of the exam and only when all Seniors were seated.
The English Department had earned the name ‘The Cave Of Winds’ as, it was said, many grade qualified Senior were ‘blown’ away and failed to graduate on time.
I did pass the exam as a Senior and graduated. I personally never knew anyone to fail as a Senior and suspect the Cave Of Winds was really a ‘Cave Of Motivation’. I worked for me.
As to my writing herein, please don’t grade me.
Regards,
RossB

[ARB]

As a Freshman student at Memphis State University in 1962, I quickly learned that, as a Senior, I would be required to write and PASS the University English Proficiency Exam. Regardless of personal grades, failure to pass the exam would not allow Graduation.
Such Exam was given once a year to all Seniors. However, all lower classes were advised and allowed to take the exam as practice only.
In essay format, the subject would be revealed on the date of the exam and only when all Seniors were seated.
The English Department had earned the name ‘The Cave Of Winds’ as, it was said, many grade qualified Senior were ‘blown’ away and failed to graduate on time.
I did pass the exam as a Senior and graduated. I personally never knew anyone to fail as a Senior and suspect the Cave Of Winds was really a ‘Cave Of Motivation’. I worked for me.
As to my writing herein, please don’t grade me.
Regards,
RossB

[econjack]

My college required you to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) in your major, regardless of going to grad school. To graduate with a degree (and not an attendance certificate), you had to score in the top 70% of those taking the GRE in your major...which meant most of your competition were going to grad school. My class had 23 majors, and the lowest score was the 90th percentile and 18 went on to grad school. I had no idea how good my school was until after I graduated.

[poconopundit]

Great story, econjack