R. Bowen Loftin: Aggie Pride Never Dies
It seems that university life is never going to look the same as it did once. The virus has moved many lectures online, but also a pressure is constantly being put on universities to deal with systemic racism that is still present at some places.
Today, I’m joined by the former chancellor of Missouri University, and 24th President of Texas A&M University, R. Bowen Loftin to talk about these issues, as well as what his life was like working at the University of Missouri.
We also talk about the pros and cons involved with opening up university sports again, and how different this will look like as social distance and safety measures are put in place due to COVID.
R. Bowen Loftin is a very clever man and he opens my eyes to a few things about the American University system that I did not know. And that is the purpose of every good conversation. Enjoy!
“If you look at the press you’ll find virtually every university president is criticized. The expectations are so different now to what they once were. With smartphones, every single thing you say or do is potentially captured by someone else, and that can be manipulated with and put out.” - R. Bowen Loftin
Time Stamps:
03:57 - Where Richard grew up and the college he went to.
10:54 - The differences between Texas A&M and The University of Texas.
17:30 - What Richard’s life looks like these days.
20:17 - How universities are moving online due to the pandemic.
32:41 - How Texas A&M have handled racial discrimination and diversity.
36:44 - The pros and cons involved with starting up college sports again.
42:32 - How Ferguson worked as a catalyst against systemic racism which was present at universities.
50:46 - The difficulty with finding an adequate university president.
57:32 - Richard's love of beef, wine and his experience in cooking.
1:05:20 - How to connect with R. Bowen Loftin online.
Resources:
Texas A&M University
University of Missouri
Texas Real Food
Connect with R. Bowen Loftin:
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