This collection of writings and speeches focuses on the current state of higher education in the United States, based largely on the experience of the president of the George Washington University (GWU) for the past 10 years. Individual selections focus on teaching effectiveness and the need for academic change; searching for perspective in a de-controlled world; lessons from the humanities; productivity in academia; equity and equality; the importance of ancient history; the death and rebirth of empathy; race relations; the history of GWU; a vision for the reform of higher education; the consequences of "thinking marketability" in higher education institutions; and the sources of real power in Washington, D.C. The collection also includes short quotes on various issues related to higher education. (MDM)