“Years from now you won’t remember what a teacher taught but
you’ll remember how they made you feel.”
- The Rev. David Ng, Professor, Christian Education
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| CCSF Graduation, 2009 (Photo by Jim Wong |
As I reflect on Spring 2014 graduation, I remember three
college teachers who inspired me at City College of San Francisco and beyond. In 1974 I was barely an average high school graduate at CCSF with no clue for the
future. Three teachers inspired me in my
journey of lifelong learning as I earned a BA in Political Science, a MA in
Educational Psychology, a Masters in Divinity, and completed 75% of a MA in
Political Science after CCSF!
Guerrilla not Gorilla
CCSF's Mr. Edward Taylor gave me my first college “A” in Political Science 1. An elderly man,
short beard, classic tweed jacket and hat, he walked me through the basics of
American government and early 1970’s current events.
Social Studies was always my favorite school subject and Mr. Taylor gave me an academic harbor and
encouragement for my passion. I was
excited about defense and world events and he indulged me like a grandfather
would their grandchild. He let me talk in
class and gently challenged me to see issues from different perspectives. I was unpolished as a rough stone: “James,
you spell insurgents types 'g-u-e-r-r-i-l-l-a' not apes.” How he must have chuckled at my naivete when I told him I
wanted to be Secretary of Defense or State after City College.
We missed you at dinner
Mr. Henry Ingham taught me History 17B Post Civil War to
the Present and thought more of my talents than I did of myself. A friendly wiry thin man with a goatee, he
taught history with care and interest.
Social science majors love history and Mr. Ingham kept me interested and
talking endlessly in class. Years later,
a stranger came up and said, “Hey, weren’t you in Mr. Ingham’s history
class? Yeah, I remember you – you
wouldn’t shut up.”
Mr. Ingham honored me and I disappointed him. He was a West Point graduate and he reserved me a place at a West Point dinner event hoping I might consider his Alma mater in my
future. I was so socially awkward I was too
frightened to attend. The look of
disappointment on his face in class after my no-show still stings. Nonetheless, I earned my “A” and lifelong appreciation
for his recognition of my intellectual skills long before I did.
Andy (and Me) - A Scholar's Heart
.jpg) |
| Photo by Jim Wong |
Andrew Bacevich,
Professor of International Relations, Boston University, retired this spring.
Nationally renowned and respected as an expert commentator and scholar
he was often seen on
Bill Moyers,
the PBS New Hour, a regular guest on distinguished
think tank panels, and even an
expert witness before Congress.
He was gracious to me an unknown student of
national security issues amidst his fame as a respected Iraq war critic.
After reading his 2005
The New American Militarism: Why Americans Are Seduced by War, I
was captivated by his intellect and skillful writing.
As a West Point graduate, Vietnam War
veteran, distinguished scholar on
American defense issues, Bacevich's
criticism of the Bush Administration’s War on Terror could not be dismissed and was one of the few
war critics with gravitas within the defense community.
In 2007 Bacevich lost his son a Marine Lieutenant in Iraq.
Afterwards, he wrote
a heartfelt Op Ed around
Mother’s Day wondering if he hadn’t done enough to criticize what he
called an unnecessary war.
Afterwards, I
was moved to write him offering my condolences that both he and his son did
their duties as best as possible.
He was
gracious to reply to me a complete stranger.
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| Bacevich arranges access my access to NPS, 2008 |
I got to meet my intellectual idol in 2008. He graciously arranged my access to hear him speak at the Naval Post Graduate School in Montery, CA, a tightly guarded military educational facility. In the years since, I’ve gone out of my way to see him speak
in the Bay Area whenever he promoted a new book.
Over time, I’ve met a Doctor, a casual
acquaintance at a party, and an Iraq war vet, all knew of Bacevich’s work and it
sparked long interesting conversations and friendships.
Afterwards, we called ourselves “Friends of
Andy” and kept each other informed of his latest published commentary or media
appearances.
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| Bacevich promoting Limits of Power, Capitalola Bookstore, CA, 2009 |
I evangelized Bacevich to all my graduate Poli Sci instructors at SF State highlighting his scholarly excellence and to anyone who liked intelligent discourse. My hope is to write and speak as articulately and conscientiously as he does – a high and worthwhile
goal to strive for.
This month, Bacevich retires from college teaching and looks to new adventures. However, he’ll continue writing as he shared
with me a possible future book on America's long misguided adventures in the Middle East. I have no doubt his
mind and spirit will continue working at his usual high standards.
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| Andy and me, Capitola Bookstore, CA, 2009 |
My lifelong gratitude
Thank you Edward Taylor, Henry Ingham, and Andrew Bacevich for
being men of letters and supporting and encouraging young and curious minds a
long time ago and now. Without you,
I’d be a very different person.
Sample Bacevich Resources
