The Distinctive College: Antioch, Reed, and Swarthmore

by John A. Meacham (Editor)

The factors contributing to the greatness of a first-rank liberal arts college are difficult to analyze. Hidden from view in the mysteries of tradition and institutional aura, the insistent questions remain: How has it been done? Can it still be done? In an intensive analysis of three highly regarded liberal arts colleges, Burton R. Clark uses a developmental approach to formal organization to seek out answers to these questions.

294 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Matt Ely · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good overview of the founding of three well-known liberal arts colleges. Since the research for the book ended in the early 1960's, there's a lot more to the sagas of each school. But the text does a good show of showing how each school went from being simply a college to being colleges known for something specific. It is particularly focused on issues of governance and the relationship between administration and faculty. What I found compelling was how school's define their purpose, attract faculty and students who align with that purpose, and maintain that purpose over time, often in the face of financial adversity. The text is great if you're interested in these particular schools, certainly, or if you're interested in the general question of how some schools become well-known for their curricular programs while others don't.