Shad White, State auditor, seems to have a grand vision for the future of higher education funding.
Much like Don Quixote tilting at windmills, White's vision is misguided and towing the line toward plain harmful to the state’s future.
Shad White's proposal to change how universities are funded reeks of a profound misunderstanding of the diversity of human ambition and potential. Not everyone aspires to be an engineer, or many do not seek a profession just because it pays well if that were true there would be no teachers to help the children forward into the future. It is the hallmark of a free society or a place that wants to grow to recognize and nurture this freedom of choice.
Our educational institutions are not, and should never be, factories churning out identical products. They are places of intellectual exploration and personal growth, where young minds are encouraged to discover their passions, refine their skills, and chart their unique paths in life. To suggest that every student should be funneled into the narrow confines of engineering is to stifle the very essence of education itself.
Moreover, it is deeply troubling to see a public servant advocating for such a heavy-handed approach to educational funding. White's proposal to link funding to students' choice of major not only undermines the autonomy of universities but also undermines the fundamental principle that education is a public good, meant to serve society as a whole, not just the narrow interests of the job market.
This is not to say that we should disregard the importance of certain fields or discourage students from pursuing careers in high-demand areas. Engineers, like many other professionals, play a critical role in our society. However, we must also recognize that not everyone possesses inclination for such a career. We need artists, philosophers, historians, and writers as much as we need engineers and scientists.
In his quest to reshape university funding, Shad White seems to have forgotten the very essence of education—to empower individuals to pursue their passions and dreams, to expand their horizons, and to contribute to the rich tapestry of human knowledge and culture. Instead of imposing one-size-fits-all metrics on our universities, we should be investing in the well-rounded development of our students, encouraging them to think critically, communicate effectively, and adapt to a rapidly changing world.
Shad White's vision misses the mark by a long shot and would hurt Mississippi rather than help. If he wants to change how education is funded maybe he should get on board with getting teachers’ pay increased or help solve the challenges facing PERS.
If he wants to get involved in such things outside of the auditor’s purview to build up his resume for running for higher office one day maybe he could support ideas that will actually make Mississippi better instead of spending a bunch of time on twitter telling people who worked hard on a degree because that is what they have a passion for that their degrees are “garbage degrees”.
Let us continue to champion the ideals of a vibrant educational system—one that recognizes that not everyone wants to be an engineer, and that's perfectly fine.
Editor’s note: Joseph McCain is the publisher of The Star-Herald and has over 30 years’ experience in newspapers. Call or email to report a news story idea or to place your ad in the best local and longest serving ad medium in the county. He may be reached at 662-803-5236 (text or call) or 662-289-2251 or news1@starherald.net (email).
