Anchored by the Classic Learning Test

On this episode of Anchored, Soren is joined by Clark Durant, cofounder and former CEO of the Cornerstone Schools in Detroit. The two discuss how Durant’s work as a lawyer led to his founding of the Cornerstone Schools, and the transition of those schools to a classical educational model. Durant expands on the school’s mission to build a broad and beloved community of friends to deliver an excellent charter school education that is rooted in the gospel. Durant also explains the meaning behind the names of the schools and discusses the inspirational power of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s urging to “save Western civilization in her darkest hour.” 

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Father Jordan Zajac, Dominican priest and assistant professor at Providence College (PC). The two discuss the role of Dominican priests in establishing PC in 1917 and maintaining its enduring Catholic identity. They defend the universal nature of Shakespeare’s works to show what is real and the nuanced discussion surrounding his religious affiliation. They also discuss the importance of college students observing the joy and sustaining power of a life fully surrendered to Christ.

On this episode of Anchored, Soren is joined by Daniel Buck, teacher, senior visiting fellow at the Fordham Institute, and author of What Is Wrong With Our Schools? The two discuss the importance of maintaining certain traditional practices despite changing technology. They explore the impact of John Dewey and other educational theorists’ varied views of human nature on the philosophy of the current public school system, advocating for a student’s education to focus on content rather than acquiring skills. The two also talk about the necessary balance between student-directed techniques and models as well as boundaries that are crucial for student growth and accountability. 

On this episode of Anchored, Soren is joined by Chuck Fuller, associate professor of Christian Studies and director of the Honors Program at Anderson University. The two discuss the AU Honors Program, modeled after the Ph.D. seminar-style classroom environment and in pursuit of answering Tertullian’s famous question: “what has Athens to do with Jerusalem?” They also theorize the possible reasons for why Christian universities are thriving amid population and COVID-related problems – particularly the increasing difficulty of navigating secularism. In addition to enrollment benefits, the two expand on the merits of a curriculum that acknowledges hard questions about faith, death, and transcendence at the heart of learning rather than pushing those central human questions to the periphery. 

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Margarita Mooney Clayton, speaker, author, and associate professor at Princeton Theological Seminary. Clayton talks about her educational journey as a bilingual, achievement-oriented, Ivy League graduate. The two also discuss her books, The Love of Learning and The Wounds of Beauty. They explore the unifying nature of Great Books to reach people of all racial and socioeconomic experiences and address the inherent questions of all human beings. She also explains the dangers of unmasking the powers of oppression without presenting the good, the true, and the beautiful as powerful, unifying forces in themselves. 

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Andrew Ellison, director of the Saint Ambrose Center and Senior Advisor for Enrollment and Classical Education at University of Dallas (UD). The two discuss Ellison’s own classical education and early involvement with the movement. Ellison explains the beginnings of UD and its commitment to upholding a liberal arts core curriculum as well as an ecumenical environment. The two make predictions about the future of college education, and Ellison expounds upon his future in education as a newly hired UD staff member. A previous Anchored episode featuring Andrew Zwerneman is mentioned in this episode. 

On this episode of Anchored, Soren is joined by Paul Spears and Fred Sanders, both of whom are authors, speakers, and faculty members of Torrey Honors College at Biola University. The three discuss the unique features of the Torrey Honors College and the integrated academic engagement that equips students to move beyond an unhealthy focus on scholastic performance and sink their teeth into meaningful learning. They explore the dangers of the catchphrase “critical thinking” and rethink the label of “gen ed” classes. Spears and Sanders also share wisdom about the power of leaving classes “on a comma”: unresolved, unsettled, and inviting further inquiry. 

On this episode of Anchored, Soren is joined by Jef and Starrla Fowler, cofounders of Veritas Academy in Austin, Texas. The three discuss how the Fowlers’ failures led to their pioneering of a collaborative educational model while learning the importance of business savvy in the process. The Fowlers explain how Veritas holds a unique position as a resource school, equipping parents to steward their roles as teachers of their children and other classical academies to follow their example. The couple also provides wisdom to those who feel called to start a classical school.

On this episode of Anchored, Soren is joined by Reverend Jennifer Ryden, senior chaplain at Hope College. The two discuss the changing educational and cultural landscape and its effect on the relationship between identity and belonging. Ryden also talks about the intersection of her English major and her work in ministry and Hope’s unique way of grounding vocational work in the liberal arts. She walks Soren through a day in the life of a college chaplain and some of the best and most challenging parts of her job. 

On this episode of Anchored, Soren is joined by Reverend Robert Ingram, a founding member of the Geneva School, and Dr. Stephen J. Nichols, President of Reformation Bible College (RBC). The three discuss the beginnings and mission of the Geneva School and of RBC and how the Christian, classical education movement has changed over time. They also explain the dangers of failing to follow up a classical K-12 education with a classical college education. Ingram and Nichols expound upon the need for leadership in classical education, and the importance of character formation and critical thinking in a world with artificial intelligence. Nichols shares how Ingram has played a large role in supporting the growth of the new Reformed Classical Education minor at RBC.