In October 2019, Otterbein University was honored to host the CNN Democratic Presidential Debate, which included welcoming 12 presidential candidates and more than 700 journalists from around the world to our campus in Westerville, Ohio. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Otterbein leveraged the event and related publicity as a means to promote higher education's role in helping our students learn about democracy, civil discourse in America, and the growing disparity in access and affordability in higher education. To this end, our president, Dr. John Comerford, used the spotlight on Otterbein to share his thoughts on why we need to rediscover the service ethic in higher education, especially during the current political climate. His op-ed piece, featured on TheHill.com, was published the day of the CNN debate at Otterbein, and focused on how we, as institutions of higher learning, have an obligation to provide access and affordability to all students. It highlights the need to sift through the myriad of rankings and so-called "prestige" in higher education to consider what should truly be at the core of our mission. TheHill.com is regarded as a "must-read" by those who influence policy in Washington and Congress. In addition to being published on TheHill.com, we sent the piece to more than 500 higher education journalists.
From the Judges
This op-ed was masterfully crafted and delivered at a time when the spotlight was firmly fixed on Otterbein University. It is especially effective because of its honesty, and for its call for increased scrutiny of higher education and its attendant problems.
