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Dean's Blog

May 10, 2013
 
A Year of Transition
 
As this academic year draws to a close, I've been reflecting on how I would sum up this year. One word comes to mind: transition. This year was marked by numerous transitions, many of them seismic.
 
When the year started, we found ourselves on an entirely new campus with an entirely new landscape. While the digs in the Financial District were an upgrade over the Empire State Building, the swap did not come without hiccups. We've spent the last nine months working out kinks in our facilities (and will continue to do so this summer), adjusting to the commute, and struggling to figure out how to build community in our new setting. We've made tremendous strides on all fronts, but it's been no cake walk.
 
If that weren't enough, we lost our president mid-year, the reverberations of which were felt throughout our community. Fortunately, we quickly found ourselves under the capable leadership of Andy Mills, though this meant yet another transition. Days later, Hurricane Sandy slammed into New York and our campus was in the dark for a week, creating yet another disruption.
 
Not an easy year. I commend you all for weathering the storms.
 
Remarkably, it's also been a year of accomplishment: students stepping up to serve others in need in NYC during the hurricane; adding additional lounge space; securing housing downtown; deepening community through House retreats, traditions and events; a record number of students securing great jobs and internships at top organizations—United Nations, Morgan Stanley, NBC, CBS, Oppenheimer, UBS, SiriusXM, Penguin, to name but a few.
 
As the year comes to an end, we bid adieu to one group who deserves special recognition—the 72 graduates of the Class of 2013, our largest graduating since the College reopened in 1999. They’ve weathered more than the rest of us these past four years—and grown much. We wish them all well as they move on to new endeavors.
 
As we turn our eyes to this fall, we look forward to receiving another 150-170 bright-eyed, eager freshmen into our midst—our most selective incoming class to date. We will no doubt experience new transitions—shifts in housing; a reinvigoration of spiritual life; new student leaders; and a perhaps a new college president. But the disruptions should be nothing like this year. Rather, I look forward to a year of stabilization, of refocusing on who we are, going deeper into the things that make us unique, strengthening our brand, and enriching the experience for all students.
 
Congratulations on finishing an arduous week of finals. Now go get some much deserved rest. Wherever you find yourself—here in the City, back home, China, Turkey, or Israel—I pray you have a great summer.
 
See you back here in a few months.
 
David K. Leedy
Dean of Students
 
March 28, 2013
 
A Quest for Home
 
Over the past five months, we’ve been on a quest to secure high-quality student housing in proximity to our campus. Ultimately, we want our own building—or buildings. As an interim solution, we’ve aggressively worked to secure apartments in Lower Manhattan. I’ve personally spent hundreds of hours on this. Other King’s staff invested countless hours. We left no stone unturned.
 
Securing 100 apartments in Lower Manhattan proved more challenging than expected. Most buildings, even after Hurricane Sandy, had less than 1% vacancy. Other buildings with vacancy aren’t sprinklered, making it illegal for us to lease their units for students.
 
However, I’m pleased to announce that we have secured apartments in two luxury apartment buildings within a five minute walk from campus. We’ll have 110 beds between these two buildings. This allows us to accomplish one of our key objectives—to replace our Ludlow Residence with more desirable housing. After this semester, men will no longer reside in Ludlow. (I already hear a roar of applause arising from the Lower East Side).
 
Even so, 110 beds in the Financial District is only one third of our housing need. That means, for the upcoming academic year, we’ll keep the units we have in the Vogue, Herald Towers, and Clark Street. While this implies a commute for most students, our current housing continues to provide comfortable living environments.
 
This is only a step—albeit a sizeable step—toward our ultimate goal of securing housing close to campus. We’ll take additional steps as we move forward.
 
Not everyone gets to reside in Lower Manhattan, and that’s a disappointment to some. I ask you to remain flexible. At the end of the day, we have a place to lay our heads—for which we should all be thankful.
 
Rather than renting more apartments in the Financial District, we’re turning our energies toward finding a long-term housing solution. Given the brutal realities of the NYC housing market, this will take enormous capital and determination. But this is a pressing need for the College, so we’re committed to making it happen. God has a plan—we will continue to do everything in our power to discover that plan.
 
David K. Leedy
Dean of Students
 
March 8, 2013
 
Real Influence
 
Last week, King’s students elected a new Student Body President. Peter Flemming, a junior majoring in Business, will serve as president for the 2013-14 academic year. Congrats, Peter!
 
At most schools, few pay attention to student body presidential elections. In contrast, nearly everyone at King’s—students, faculty, and staff—pays attention. In fact, 67% of students voted in this year’s election. At most universities, 10-25% is typical.
 
Truth be told, most student presidents have little real influence. When I was a student, the Dean of Students asked me to consider running for student body president. I was honored. But then I asked the current president what leverage he had in his role. His response was disheartening—“Not much. I mainly act as a voice to the administration. Sometimes they listen, sometimes they don’t.” I decided not to run.
 
Student leadership is a hallmark of the King’s experience. We entrust significant responsibility to students. Student leaders, from the Student Body President to House executive teams to the heads of student organizations, play an enormous role in shaping campus culture.
 
For instance, the House System, the central feature of our student life, is entirely led by students. Interregnum is run by students. Two thirds of Honor Council members are students. Our two-year-old Mock Trial team, now advancing to the national championships, has no coach. Our student government, The King’s Council, manages a budget of $80,000, tackles major issues on campus—spiritual life, campus events, student satisfaction—and has launched numerous student organizations. The current Student Body President, Sam Tran, is even a member of the search committee for our next college president.
 
Elections matter at King’s. Candidates run rigorous campaigns, discuss the King’s mission, raise pressing concerns, and debate bold proposals. Once elected, the student body president tackles real issues and implements real change. It’s incredible to witness.
 
The King’s mission is to shape strategic institutions. Student Body Presidents, along with other student leaders, put feet to that mission here and now.
 
David K. Leedy
Dean of Students
 
January 14, 2013
 
Satisfied with the Very Best
 
Welcome to the Spring 2013 semester! I trust you got good rest over the past few weeks and are ready for a new semester.
 
We spent the fall settling into our new campus. On the whole, the settling was smoother than anticipated. At the same time, we experienced some hiccups. Before the break, your study body president—Sam Tran—and the House Presidents relayed a number of student concerns to me. I relayed those to the College Executive Team. The Executive Team responded in earnest. Here’s an update:
 
1. Student Lounge: Many of you expressed concern that we do not have a comfortable student lounge on campus. As a temporary solution, we are converting Room 523 into a student lounge. When it’s completed, it will have several couches, comfortable chairs, and—yes—a ping pong table. Simultaneously, we're looking at options for creating a larger, permanent student lounge.
 
2. Student Housing: The move to Lower Manhattan means that campus housing is scattered around the city; consequently, community on campus is hampered. We hope to move the bulk of student housing to the Financial District this summer. We are working with a leading brokerage firm to secure apartments in nearby buildings. We’ll keep you posted as things develop.
 
3. Library: You raised a number of concerns about the library. We've begun to address these. - Power: By the end of next week, we will have power and lamps in the cubicles along the west wall of the library. We plan to install additional power outlets in the library by this summer. - Size and noise: To create more quiet study space, we are incorporating the "Quiet Lounge” into the library. You'll see a large study table in that area now. To reduce noise, we will place carpet runners in the areas of the library that have the most foot traffic. This summer, we plan more upgrades to the library, including adding more seating and determining best strategies for noise reduction.
 
4. Campus Hours: A number of you asked to have the campus open earlier. We now open at 8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday. The campus will close at 11:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
 
5. Entrance: Several of you noted that the broken tiles at the entrance of 52 Broadway do not live up to our standards. You're right. Last week, contractors were on site to size up the job; as soon as we have a week of decently warm, dry weather, they will get the repair done.
 
6. Microwave: A number of you asked for a microwave for Café Six to heat lunches, etc. We purchased and installed one for your use.
 
Other upgrades are in the works. It will take time to get everything up to snuff, but I’m encouraged by the progress we’ve made over the past month.
 
Winston Churchill once said, "I am easily satisfied with the very best." The very best is our standard. The King's Executive Team will not rest until we make King's a world class institution. I share that commitment, as do the faculty and staff. We sometimes fall short of that, but we're committed to making mid-course corrections as needed. Thanks for partnering with us to make King's a better place for all.
 
David K. Leedy
Dean of Students
 
November 4, 2012
 
A Kingsian Response to Sandy
 
Hurricane Sandy was an unprecedented disaster for New York. The devastation in the City and the surrounding region is stunning. Even so, the King’s community responded in a remarkable fashion. As I reflect on the aftermath of Sandy, these things stand out:
 
• Darkness: Half of our students were without power and water. Not for a day, but the better part of a week. Many of them had to walk down 20+ floors just to access running water—and then back up. Corinne Dubois, who lives on the 25th floor of the Vogue, did this four times one day! Our men in Ludlow had to walk 45 minutes to one of our other residence buildings to take showers and charge their cell phones. There was ample room for murmuring, or blaming others. But rarely did students complain. They took the situation in stride, and even used it as an opportunity to build community.
 
• Hospitality: The students with power and water were remarkable hosts to those without. Not only did students allow others to recharge computers and take showers in their apartments, they warmly welcomed their waterless brethren, baked cookies for them, fed them, and generally made the situation more bearable. One day, three students in one apartment in the Herald Towers hosted 30 others who needed to charge phones, etc.
 
Many of our professors, especially those in New Jersey and Long Island, were without power (some still are). Those with power reached out to the King’s community. Several hosted students in their homes. Others cooked meals and donated food. Dawn Fotopulos cooked up pots of chicken and rice stew for the women in the Vogue. Brian and Krista Brenberg made meals for students in the Herald Towers—and even gave up their bed to a student with a broken leg. Anne Hendershott arranged for a bus to transport the women of the House of Barton to her home in Connecticut for their annual Barton Day Away. Steve Salyers had several students stay at his place. The list goes on.
 
• Service: Students seized the opportunity to make a difference. Ten responded to a call to help senior citizens stranded in high rises; they bought food and water at Costco and hand-delivered it to elderly individuals in need of nourishment and encouragement. Others passed out supplies at Nazareth House in the East Village. Others went to Queens to tear out water-damaged drywall at the food distribution warehouse for Here’s Life Inner City. Several students volunteered to work with the Parks and Recreation Department to reclaim damaged public land. On Sunday, students went to the Bowery Mission to serve a warm meal to those who have not had one in awhile.
 
• Sacrifice: Many sacrificed for our community. The Emergency Operations Team worked day and night to manage a difficult situation. Housing Directors—notably Nick Swedick and Shelli Cline—rode out the week in buildings without power and went to great lengths to ensure students were safe. As Sandy approached NYC, Eric Bennett (VP for Student Development) caught one of the last trains into the City from his home in New Jersey so he could coordinate emergency response on the ground. Yesterday, after nearly a week, he was reunited with his wife and four kids. The love and sacrifice we’ve seen is remarkable.
 
If you know of other notable stories from the past week, I’d love to hear them. Please send them my way.
 
Winston Churchill used to say, “When you’re going through hell, keep going.” The King’s community did just that in Sandy’s aftermath. And I, for one, am proud.
 
David K. Leedy
Dean of Students
 
October 25, 2012
 
Staying the Course
 
We lost our president last week. I’m saddened, especially given the circumstances and suddenness of everything.
 
Thankfully, The King’s College is not any one person. Yes, it’s painful to lose a key member of our community, which will no doubt test our young institution. Leadership matters, but no one person makes or breaks the College.
 
We’ve been here before. During my 12 years at King’s, we’ve had four different presidents (counting Andy Mills). It’s not preferable to have that much transition at the top. Even so, the College not only weathered those transitions, but grew through them—in population, in reputation, in academic rigor, in influence. I’m confident the same will be true of this season.
 
King’s is the same institution today as it was two weeks ago—same vision, same curriculum, same faculty. We’ll be the same institution next week—and next year with a new president. Only better. More seasoned. Perhaps more shrewd.
 
It helps that we have strong leadership in Andy Mills, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and now interim president. And a search committee is already forming to locate our next president.
 
I already see positive signs. Many in our community, prompted by the events of last week, are revisiting the mission and vision of the College; fruitful conversations are taking place about what King’s is and where we are going. And, having been reminded of our dependence on God, students are regularly gathering to pray for King’s; faculty and staff are doing the same. I’m genuinely encouraged by these developments.
 
My experience at King’s over the past decade tells me that we need to take the events of last week in stride. Classes are still in session. The business of the College goes on. Life goes on.
 
Let’s not allow this occasion to make us cynical and jaded. This would be the greater tragedy. Rather, let us be thankful for President D’Souza’s contribution to King’s these past two years. Let us band together around the ideals and values that have made King’s great. Let us continue to seek God’s face and favor in earnest.
 
And let us stay the course. As we do, we will be a better institution—and better people.
 
David K. Leedy
Dean of Students
 
September 21, 2012
 
What a Week
 
It’s been a fascinating week at The King’s College. I want to highlight a few things that underscore the dynamism of life on our campus.
 
Last Saturday, as the student body gathered for the ninth annual House Drama Competition, our community displayed its creativity. The House of Bonhoeffer portrayed what it is to be “drafted” by The King’s College. The House of Churchill managed to fuse Middle Earth with Men in Tights. I was semi-traumatized by Varut Chee’s (House of Lewis) embodiment of Elton John. Congratulations to the House of Susan B. Anthony on their win.
 
As we arrived to campus Monday morning, we made our way through a mob armed with placards and bullhorns. Occupy Wall Street (OWS) descended upon Lower Manhattan for their one year anniversary. (It is ironic that, three months ago, King’s ‘occupied’ their space. The former OWS headquarters is now the College’s street level entrance.). A number of bold King’s students—including Sam Tran, Sean Spurlock, Nadia Barduson, Jacob Cooper, Michael Sutton, Doug Holmes, among others—seized the opportunity to engage OWS protesters in civil discourse.
 
Sam Tran, Student Body President, shares his interactions: “It was fascinating to me that each person had a specific issue they were protesting. The first, a libertarian anarchist, feared that we were relinquishing our liberties. The other, a self-employed mother, worried about corporate greed. The movement was a great reminder that people [in America] have the right to protest whatever they desire.”
 
The Empire State Tribune surveyed 120 protesters on how they plan to vote in the presidential election. The results are intriguing.
 
On Tuesday, in one of most bizarre episodes I’ve seen in NYC, freshmen Jesse Owen was struck by a mattress that fell out of the sky. Though temporarily knocked out, Jesse is okay—and even learned something about manhood through the ordeal.
 
This week brought some distinguished campus guests. The Media, Culture and Arts department featured Jennifer Lahl (Center for Bioethics and Culture) and a screening of her latest documentary. Anonymous Father’s Day explores the troubled stories of the children of sperm donors. The House of Truth hosted Patty Montgomery, who discussed the disturbing global trends in human and organ trafficking.
 
We ended this week with our annual duty—the Interregnum test. As your dutiful Dean, I joined you in your suffering. Thankfully, I managed to pass the test and thereby avoided public humiliation. However, having spent so much time in the dark tragedies of Antigone and King Lear, I’m now thoroughly depressed. Thankfully, the weekend is here and I can watch Saturday morning cartoons with my daughter.
 
David K. Leedy
Dean of Students
 
August 28, 2012
 
New Year-New Campus
 
Welcome to the 2012-13 academic year—and to the new King’s campus.
 
Compared to five months ago, everything looks and feels vastly different. Having vacated our subterranean dwelling in the Empire State Building, we’ve moved out of darkness into the light. Yes, we have windows—lots of them—which has prompted a number of you to sing the Hallelujah Chorus.
 
There are additional upsides. We have more classrooms, an expanded media lab, and an art room. We’ll soon have our own street-level entrance to the College. While we do not have one large lounge, there are more hang out spots on campus: on the 6th floor, Café Six and the Lion’s Den; on the 5th floor, Café Five and other small nooks. When the main entrance is completed in September, we’ll gain another lounge. And, though it is not operated by King’s, there is a large cafeteria on the 3rd floor with inexpensive food (even more so if you get a meal card).
 
We’ve arranged the campus with you in mind. One significant change is our “one-stop-shop” model. We’ve located all key services—financial aid, I.T., registrar, bursar, counseling, housing—on the 6th floor, which means you can take care of your business in one place rather than running all over campus.
 
The campus is still a work in progress, so I ask you to be patient. It will take a little more time to get everything up to speed.
 
We’ve also upgraded our surroundings. I love the vibe here in “old Manhattan” compared to Midtown. We’re a stone’s throw from the Stock Exchange and Federal Hall, Alexander Hamilton’s grave, the 9/11 Memorial, Battery Park, and a host of other sites. It’s fun to explore the narrow streets on foot.
 
Did I mention the food trucks? The Financial District trumps Midtown when it comes to tasty, inexpensive edibles. I’ve been getting fat this summer eating sandwiches at Sam’s Falafel at Zucotti Park.
 
Though it feels like a different King’s, it’s not. Much remains the same: our mission; our rigorous curriculum; our excellent faculty; our Houses; our dress code; the honor system. The pulse of the College is unchanged.
 
As we enter a new era of The King’s College, we are more committed than ever to strengthening the King’s experience. I look forward to working with you to continue shaping King’s into the most unique Christian college in America.
 
See you all at Convocation tomorrow night (8:00 PM, St. Georges Church, 16th Street and Rutherford Place).
 
David K. Leedy
Dean of Students
 
May 4, 2012
 
The End of an Era
 
It’s the end of the year—and the end of era. Our little college, re-founded in the Empire State Building in 1999, vacates its iconic surroundings in a few short weeks. When you return to campus this fall, the landscape will be entirely different.
 
Before we mentally settle into King’s-Lower Manhattan, we need to bid a fond farewell to the Empire State Building. After all, much good has come to The King’s College in our 13 years of residing here. It’s been remarkable. To highlight just a few:
 
  • Rebirth – It’s a miracle we exist. In 1995, King’s died and the earth over her grave was cold and hard. Then came Stan Oakes, the founder of Christian Leadership Ministries who would later serve as our fourth president, with an audacious vision to resurrect the College and move it into New York City to compete in the marketplace of ideas. Many thought the idea ludicrous. Yet here we are.

  • $70 Million and counting – In the past 13 years, God provided 70 million dollars in donations to launch and sustain the College. Incredible.

  • King’s Who? In the early days, no matter who I talked to, nobody knew a thing about King’s. Today, wherever I go, I meet people who know about King’s—many of whom wish they could study or work here.

  • Seventeen – This was the number in the student body in 1999. A brave lot. From these meager beginnings, the student body has grown—approaching 600 this fall—with students coming from all over the country, and even other nations, to study with us. We’ve also gone from one full-time professor to 30.

  • Politics, Philosophy, and Economics – Before 2004, the academic core of our College did not exist. There was no PPE program and academics were lackluster. Thanks again to the initiative of Stan Oakes, the PPE program was catalyzed as the core of the College curriculum, forever setting apart our educational experience.

  • Student (non) Life – Between 1999 and 2002, student life was virtually non-existent. There were no student organizations, no Houses, no King’s Council. Today, King’s boasts a dynamism greater than any other college I know.

  • Graduates – In the past decade, we’ve graduated 308 students. They’ve spanned out into notable institutions in NYC, across the U.S. and other nations, and are exercising influence wherever they go. Tomorrow, we add another 56 outstanding graduates to their number. A hearty congratulations to each of you!
 
As we bid adieu to the Empire State Building, we will miss some things: walking into the world’s most iconic building; bypassing lines to the observatory; the three-minute commute for the residents of the Herald Towers and Vogue.
 
Of course, there are things we shall not miss: stumbling over hoards of tourists; the severe lack of windows; dodging the six-legged denizens of the basement (I still have nightmares of the horrid, little beast that climbed up my pant leg).
 
I look forward to a new era. What will the next 13 years hold for us? I’m convinced the best is still ahead. Our surroundings will be different, but our DNA remains the same, as does our audacious vision. God wants to do much more. We’ve already defied the odds. Let’s trust him for great things.
 
I look forward to being with all of you in our new home this fall. Have a great summer.
 
Warmly,
 
David K. Leedy
Dean of Students
 
February 16, 2012
 
A Vision Bigger than the ESB
 
The King’s College will move out of the Empire State Building (ESB). This comes as a shock to some and all of us are trying to get our minds around what this means for King’s. For some students, and graduates of the last few years, The King’s College and the Empire State Building are virtually one and the same. It’s hard to fathom a world beyond the bowels of the ESB.
 
The ESB has served us well these past 13 years. In the early years, the ESB brought a degree of notoriety to an otherwise unknown university. It also provided an unconventional campus for our unconventional college. I must admit it’s been cool, over the past twelve years, to walk through the lobby of the world’s most iconic building on my way to work.
 
But there is a time for everything under the sun. There was a time for us to be in the ESB, and there is a time for us to move out of the ESB.
 
The ESB is only a building. The vision of The King’s College is bigger than the Empire State Building—and goes beyond it. There was a TKC before the ESB. There will be a TKC after the ESB.
 
Our mission and vision, however, will not change. That vision is what drew me to King’s—and that vision is what compels me to stay beyond our tenure in the ESB.
 
Yes, we will experience the loss of an iconic building, which will be painful. But new vistas will open for the College elsewhere in Manhattan. I’m even excited about the prospect of finding something that better serves our purposes and that allows the College to grow for years to come.
 
Plus, after twelve years underground, I feel like one of the mole people. Perhaps we’ll get some windows out of the deal.
 
David K. Leedy
Dean of Students
 
January 30, 2012
 
Honor Requires Guts
 
In June of 1978, Alexander Solzhenitsyn was invited to deliver the commencement address at Harvard University. True to form, he gave a thoughtful—and somewhat scorching—critique of Western society. Solzhenitsyn noted: “A decline in courage may be the most striking feature that an outside observer notices in the West today. The Western world has lost its civic courage.” He even had the audacity to describe this decline of courage as a “loss of manhood.” (Remember—he’s speaking at Harvard, the bastion of progressivism, not a Baptist potluck in the deep South.)
 
Over the past several weeks, I’ve been reflecting on courage and its link to honor. Courage—one of the four cardinal virtues—is inextricably tied to what it means to be an honorable man or woman. Honor requires guts. It is more than passive piety, an avoidance of bad behavior; this is a truncated view of honor. Courage propels individuals to stand for what’s right when others cower, to speak the truth when truth is unpopular, to fight for justice for the vulnerable and weak.
 
In December, one member of our community demonstrated such guts. On a Sunday evening, Josh Durnell, a freshman in the House of Reagan, witnessed a man roughing up a woman on the street. Josh walked up and asked if there was a problem. The young woman said there was and asked Josh to call the police. The guy responded, “I can make it your problem” and began punching Josh in the face. Thankfully, Josh was not seriously injured in the scuffle.
 
Take a minute to read the full story here. You’ll be glad you did.
 
Josh is not seeking public acclaim. In fact, the week after the incident, he told me, “I don’t think I should be viewed as a hero simply for doing what’s right.” You won’t hear him bragging about what he did. But I’d like to—Josh demonstrated real courage and honor, not only by intervening on behalf of the young woman, but also by handling himself with dignity in his response to the guy who assaulted him. Josh’s courage and grace are an example for all of us.
 
I am not advocating that we all go out and intentionally put ourselves in harm’s way. Let’s not be foolish. But I am saying that becoming a person of honor sometimes involves taking risks to stand for what’s right. Josh demonstrated that. We should celebrate such acts of courage.
 
David K. Leedy
Dean of Students
 
Decmber 15, 2011
 
Looking Back
 
The Fall 2011 semester is over. Congratulations! I know it’s been exhausting, but the countless number of hours of reading, writing, and preparing for tests have paid off. Well done.
 
Now it’s time for a well-deserved rest. You’ve earned it—now enjoy it.
 
As I look back over the past few months, I'm very encouraged by what has taken place this semester. Much has occurred that is worth celebrating. Here are just a few of those:
 
  • In August, we successfully welcomed our largest incoming class ever (220)—and they’ve already added much to the life of our community.
  • We survived an earthquake and a hurricane—both within the first two weeks of class.
  • In September, the majority of the student body journeyed to PA and upstate NY for two Fall Retreats—a refreshing time of connection and teaching.
  • Students have done more to engage NYC than in years past. Students filled an entire van with food, including two dozen fresh turkeys, and donated it to the Bowery Mission. Last week, students and faculty gifted 82 toys to needy children through Toys for Tots. Others have volunteered with Operation Exodus, local food pantries, and the mayor’s Cool Roofs program.
  • The House Basketball Tournament was epic. Thatcher and Reagan walked away with their first-ever victories—and nobody died.
  • The King’s Mock Trial team competed in UPenn’s Invitational. Jonathan Irwin won the Best Attorney award and was ranked fifth out of 120 who competed.
  • Students did some cool internships, including working with Governor Chris Christie (5 students), UBS, MTV, and Advancing Human Rights.
  • The King’s Debate Society made it into the quarter finals at the U. of Vermont—and are ranked 25th in the world. After Christmas, Josiah Peterson and Burk Ohbayashi are headed to the Philippines to compete at the World Universities Debate Championship (the ‘Olympics’ of debate).
  • The Spiritual Life Project launched daily noontime prayer and daily 8:30 a.m. devotions. More students have committed themselves to seeking God through prayer, fasting, and Scripture than I’ve seen in years.
  • King’s athletic teams have gone head-to-head with over 30 universities this fall, scoring wins against a number of those schools. A remarkable 20% of the student body competed in athletics this semester.
  • Sixteen outstanding King’s students just became King’s alumni. A hearty congratulations to Sarah Ruth Boyer, Betsy Brown, Heidi Capnerhurst, Nick Dunn, Laura Herrod, Barbara Jones, Maria Laino, Haley Manning, Logan McDonald, Shelby Nobles, Karla Preisser, Fallon Prinzivalli, Daniel Salazar, Bria Sandford, Stephen Wesley, and Joy Wilkie.
 
Much more could be mentioned. But you’ve read enough this semester. Now go veg and daydream about how you would modernize 6th Century English society. I’ll do the same from the Florida Keys.
 
I’ll see you all in a few weeks. Have a restful Christmas.
 
David K. Leedy
Dean of Students
 
November 10, 2011
 
Am I My Brother’s Keeper?
 
I met recently with a group of House leaders. They expressed to me their frustration about the fact that a number of students are apparently unwilling to confront others when they see them committing a clear violation of community expectations. One leader observed, “If students are not willing to confront something they see happening in front of their eyes, the whole process breaks down.”

She’s right, of course. She also underscores an aspect of our honor system that is difficult. On the one hand, the Honor Code is relatively easy to follow. Most of us are able to recognize when we are inclined to lie, cheat, or thieve someone’s iPad—and choose to avoid such improprieties.
 
The problem is the second half of the Code—the piece about not turning a blind eye and being honor-bound to confront others. These responsibilities, admittedly, make our Code challenging to follow, no matter who you are or how morally astute you aspire to be.

Frankly, it’s much easier for me to turn a blind eye than to confront. Confrontation is uncomfortable and difficult. Who likes it? I don’t like to confront anyone—nor do I find it enjoyable to be confronted (you can ask my wife).
 
On top of this, our society tells us to mind our own business. Live and let live. Don’t interfere. Don’t impose your morality on someone else. Don’t judge.

This is nothing new—the same sentiment seems to have plagued humankind from the start. When Cain killed Abel, God asked him, “Where is your Abel, your brother?” Cain retorted, “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” In Cain’s mind, the answer was obviously, “No.”
 
That answer suits the spirit of our age. The hallmarks of our culture are relativism and indifference. There are no universal moral standards and, even if there are, why should I care if you choose another path? Few today have a sense of responsibility for, or loyalty to, others. I am no one’s keeper, no one is my keeper.
 
Some of us, embracing this line of thought, have adopted a murderer’s philosophy as our own. This philosophy leads us to do, or say, precisely nothing. We shirk our responsibility for our brother. We are guilty of what Eberhard Bethge, close friend and biographer for Dietrich Bonhoeffer, describes: “The sin of respectable people reveals itself in flight from responsibility.”
 
Why are we inclined toward flight? One reason is that confrontation involves sacrifice. Mark Whitacre, while an executive for Archer, Daniels, Midland (ADM), was involved in a massive price-fixing scheme. Whitacre was getting rich by making back-office agreements with other companies to artificially raise the price of products. Eventually Whitacre told his wife, Ginger, about what he was doing. She confronted him, saying, “That’s wrong. You can’t rip off people for millions of dollars. If you don’t tell the FBI, I will.”
 
Not long thereafter, the FBI came to Whitacre’s house and spent two hours questioning him. He had been coached by ADM management in how to answer their queries. After a couple of hours, the FBI agents, satisfied with his responses, got up to leave. Then Ginger stepped into the room. She stated firmly, “He hasn’t told you everything.”
 
Exposed by his wife, Whitacre spent the next four hours telling the agents the whole truth. When Whitacre was interviewed at King’s a couple of years ago, he wept as he expressed his appreciation for Ginger: “I became the highest level executive in corporate history ever to become a whistleblower, all because my wife was willing to do what was right.” Eventually, Whitacre went to prison for eight years—because his wife was committed to doing what’s right, regardless of the cost. (You can download the full interview, which took place on Aug. 26, 2009, here.)
 
It takes courage to confront, and confrontation often comes with a cost. Some of us are willing, like Ginger Whitacre, to stand up and pay the price. Others are still learning to count the cost. Many acts of courage have taken place this semester, as students have confronted others for underage drinking, lying, visitation violations, and so on. I celebrate their courage. These students comprise the moral backbone of our community.
 
They also epitomize the character that is paramount to our mission. What does it take to be prepared “to shape and eventually to lead strategic institutions”? It takes courage and conviction. And courage is not something you pull out of a hat. It is learned here and now—one difficult conversation at a time.
 
David Leedy
Dean of Students
 
October 13, 2011
 
Dressing to Code
 
There has been a degree of controversy of late surrounding the dress code. The brouhaha began when it was announced that athletes will be allowed to wear official team uniforms on days when they do not have time to change into business casual attire before class.
 
This has caused a degree of consternation. Some perceive this as an abandonment of the dress code—a divergence from what has been part of our culture since our re-founding 12 years ago. Others question the legitimacy of any variation on the dress code for athletes. Student athletes, on the other hand, find this a welcome solution to their dilemma. Let me address a couple of these concerns.
 
Are we diverging from our dress code? The answer is an emphatic “No.” Not only is the dress code appropriate for our context—the professional business environment of the Empire State Building—the dress code is an important part of our mission.
 
It easy to dress down; few people need to practice wearing jeans or shorts. But dressing in appropriate business attire—and becoming comfortable in that attire—is another matter. When I was an undergraduate student, I rarely wore a tie or suit. When I did, I felt like a fish out of water. Later I went to a graduate school that had relaxed dress standards. I spent four years in shorts and sandals, then moved to New York City and began working in the Empire State Building. Talk about an abrupt and painful shift. It took me a year to realize that cargo pants didn’t qualify as business-casual. It took me another three years to become comfortable dressing for my setting.
 
We want to impart those lessons to you now. When you graduate, you’ll recalibrate your attire to fit your work context. If you work for a dotcom company in Southern CA, you’ll likely relax your standards. If you work at Goldman Sachs, you’ll need to significantly upgrade your wardrobe. But while at King’s, business casual attire is what’s expected.
 
Why the allowance for athletic uniforms? A number of our sports teams practice in the early mornings. A handful of those team members have 9:00 AM classes and, hence, don’t have time to change before going to class. These students are permitted to wear official college athletic attire on those days. To put matters in perspective, we’re talking about a handful of students—a few members of the cross country and soccer teams who don’t have time to shower and change before their 9:00 AM classes on Wednesdays and Fridays. Since these students are taking part in official college-sponsored athletic programs, they are permitted to wear their team athletic suit.
 
Won’t this lead to slippage in our dress standards? If the perception in the student body is that the dress code is going by the wayside, yes, this will happen. But that is not the direction we’re headed. It is only students who are taking part in official college sports programs who are permitted to be in their official athletic suit—and even then they are only permitted to do so on days when they cannot change before class. There are no other exceptions. Moreover, Sean Horan, Athletic Director, assured me the team captains are committed to monitoring their teams so that the athletic dress variation is not abused.
 
There are times, traditionally, when we relax the dress code—namely finals week and homecoming. We will continue to do that. But during normal business hours (M-F, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM), our commitment to business casual dress remains the same.
 
It is true that some rebels—who shall not here be named—have been spotted in jeans on campus. What you may not know is that students and staff are confronting such lawlessness on a daily basis.
 
For the dress code to work, it needs to be a standard everyone in our community upholds—from staff to faculty to students to athletes.
 
David Leedy
Dean of Students
 
September 30, 2011
 
The Barrenness of Busyness
 
We are five weeks into the semester—and it’s already been a full year! In August, we welcomed 220 outstanding new students into the King’s community, causing the student body to reach a new peak at 465 students. Then came the earthquake (thankfully minor) followed by a hurricane (a first in my 12 years at King’s) and the evacuation of half of our student body.
 
September didn’t slow down much. We had the drama contest—the image of Ray Davison in a skirt still haunts me—and the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. The following weekend, the majority of the student body was in Pennsylvania or upstate New York for the annual Fall Retreat—the most successful in 10 years by all accounts. This weekend is Homecoming. In the midst of all this, my wife and I adopted a baby girl. Samaira has brought much joy to our lives—and a hurricane to our schedules.
 
Thankfully, the intensity of the semester’s start is beginning to abate. As this happens, it’s a good time to settle into a routine that will serve you for the remainder of the semester. I want to offer three brief suggestions to help you do that.
 
Stay focused on your top priorities. Marie O’Conner observes, “It is not so much how busy you are, but why you are busy. The bee is praised; the mosquito is swatted.” Life is busy—something will fill your schedule. But will it be the right things? Your time and energy are limited, so you must keep top priorities in front of you.
 
You’re studies obviously should be at the top of the list. But even those must be prioritized. Do you work on your Western Civ paper today—or study for your Logic exam? I find it helpful to take a little time at the start of each week to determine priorities for the week ahead; doing so enables me to allocate time during the week to tasks on the top of my list.
 
Say no. Jim Collins, author of Good to Great, prescribes having a ‘not-to-do’ list. There are many good things that we can do, but they detract from the things that are vital. Consider creating a list of things to stop doing in order to make time for the things that are crucial.
 
Remember Sabbath rest. Several years ago, I discovered the power of Sabbath. As a recent college graduate, I was working 60+ hours per week with no days off. I was continually stressed out. My schedule felt out of control. Then I heard a sermon on Sabbath rest, something about which I had never given much thought.
 
I began to set aside a 24-hour period each week, generally Saturday 6:00 PM to Sunday 6:00 PM, to rest. I would only do things that recharged me—including naps, leisurely reading, journaling, and exercise. I refrained from tasks that drained me, including anything work-related. That practice, which I’ve continued for 20 years, revolutionized my life. Every week, I gain fresh perspective, recharge for the week ahead, and commune with God. I cannot recommend the discipline highly enough.
 
Corrie ten Boom once urged: "Beware of the barrenness of a busy life." Her words are still timely.
 

Dean Leedy's Bio
 
David Leedy
Dean of Students
 
August 19, 2011
 
Welcome Back
 
The Fall 2011 semester is upon us. Where did the summer go? It seems it was just a few weeks ago that we finished the spring semester. Gone are the long days of summer. A new year with new possibilities awaits us.
 
While you were away, we shook things up. You already received an email from Eric Bennett announcing me as the Dean of Students and his promotion to VP for Student Development. Now meet the new members of the Student Development team and learn about shifting roles for the old-timers by clicking here.
 
Of particular interest to you are the expanded services of the Counseling Center, now located in the 330 space (in Dr. David Corbin’s old office); the soon to be launched King’s intramural program with sports like soccer, dodge ball and Ultimate Frisbee; our upgraded strategy to help you achieve your academic goals – the hiring of a Student Success Coordinator in Student Services; and the revamping of the Honor Council (see page 44 of the Student Handbook).
 
We’ve put all of these things—and more—in place to foster the best student experience in North America.
 
I suggest you keep up with the latest developments and opportunities at King’s via Twitter, the Career Services Facebook Page, the soon-to-be-released TKC-Weekly, and the Student Handbook (really). Also, you can expect to hear from me regularly via email on various subjects.
 
With a reenergized Student Development team and improved services, we are ready for the 2011-12 academic year. I look forward to serving you this year.
 
Enjoy your last weekend before the start of the semester.
 
Warmly,
 
David Leedy
Dean of Students
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

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