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History and Ideals of the Society
The Society of Educators was organized
in April 1976 when Jay W. Stein, the founding member, called together a group of
scholars to discuss the failures of the current mass educational organizations. Several shortcomings were noted.
These organizations ran formal conferences
dominated by cadres of elites with little opportunity for fledgling scholars or
persons from other fields to receive the recognition they deserve.
In a time when all knowledge is integrated, subjects were divided into distinct
subject areas. Therefore, presentations
and publications were characterized by overspecialization. Less conventional scholars
were given short shrift and were thus unable to properly display their unique talents
and gifts. There was a lack of sensitivity
to individual needs. These shortcomings still prevail in American higher education.
It was in answer to these failures
that the Society of Educators and Scholars was born.
From its beginning, the society was dedicated to the blending and integration
of ideas from all fields of human endeavor.
It provided maximum visibility to younger scholars and educators, paying attention
to their own career objectives. It
furnished opportunities for presentation and publication and help in the techniques
of research and publication. It devoted itself to bridging the gap between scholarship
in other subject fields and education.
It steadfastly avoided inside group dominance of ideologically correct ideas. Instead, complete openness to all ideas
and opinions, avoiding the uniformity of thought so dominant in higher education
today. The Society of Educators and
Scholars fosters flexibility and creativity.
The Society of Educators and Scholars
achieves these goals through the annual conference developed by a Conference Director
and illustrating his or her creativity. Relying on the Conference Director's integrity
and creativity keeps our conferences fresh and relevant.
Each conference produces
Interdisciplinary Studies in CD version.
Representing the proceedings of the conference, Interdisciplinary Studies, enables
each conference participant publish a chapter in this volume.
Scholar and Educator is the refereed
journal of the Society. Published since 1977, Scholar and Educator blends the work
of major, mature scholars, some celebrated authors, with the contributions of more
junior scholars. For example, the great
American historian, Henry Steele Commager, co-author (with Samuel Elliot Morrison)
of the magisterial The Growth of the American Republic, contributed. The Popular
Ending of Two Cultures to Scholar and Educator.
William L. Shirer, the famed author of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich
gave us. The Impact of Personality on History for the journal. And in my favorite
piece, Sir John C. Eccles, Nobel prize winner in Physiology and Medicine wrote The
Mystery of Personal Existence for Scholar and Educator.
It is an anthem of human freedom and aspiration.
Richard A. Kruse,
President
When I became president in 1984,
I looked to develop a logo that encapsulated these ideals.
The Latin maxim “Docendo Discimus seemed to fit.
It means we learn by teaching.
The word doctor in Latin means teacher not physician.
The Latin word educo
means to draw out or lead. Hence ,
“teacher of the love of learning Ph.D.; teacher of the drawing out
or leading Ed.D. Professor itself means to affirm openly.
The Society of Educators
and Scholars affirms openly our pursuit of freedom and love of learning.
---Richard A. Kruse, President
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