The Meaning of Academic Life

This address reports the findings of a survey of higher education colleagues on the degree of happiness associated with personal definitions of “meaning of life” and “purpose in life.” Using a unique sliding scale, the survey draws items from the Oxford Happiness Project among other sources and began with all ASHE members (N = 1,904) with a final response rate of 38%. The highestscoring responses were “serving others” and having meaningful relationships. Responses from graduate students and emeriti faculty/administrators showed particularly interesting patterns. The article includes the original survey so that those who did not participate initially can still take the survey and calculate their own ratings.