Higher Ground: Ethics and Leadership in the Modern University (review)

With this book, Nannerl Keohane has shown why her name is synonymous with all that is ethical and reflective in the college presidency. The book is a collection of essays, speeches, and thoughts representing twenty years of writing by this former president of Wellesley College and Duke University.

Her work addresses the state of American higher education and the role of the president as an organizational and ethical leader with responsibility for establishing the moral compass of our contemporary colleges and universities. In the introduction, Keohane acknowledges that many individuals assisted her in the editing and update of her work, but it is clear that the core is her own.

Keohane introduces the book with an extensive overview of the themes to be addressed. In the introduction she presents herself as a "practical political theorist," a term used interchangeably with "political scientist," "historian of ideas," and "political philosopher." Her perspective, nevertheless, is that of a scholar trained and knowledgeable in the process of viewing human beings in history and how they interact with social and political situations. In this case, the situation is leadership of higher education institutions.

The introduction serves as a synopsis of the entire book and could stand on its own. After the introduction, the book is divided into two parts. The first includes papers as well as speeches given to organizations such as the American Council on Education, special lectures, and presentations at campuses other than Duke University. The second part consists of speeches given by Keohane at Duke, starting with her first opening convocation address and ending with her final Founder's Day Address.

Her message is that higher education leadership must take responsibility for addressing the ethical challenges facing the colleges and universities of today. Within this message, she emphasizes that the purpose of the university has remained the same through history even though the players and situations have changed.

One might expect the point of view presented in Keohane's writing given her background. As a practicing political theorist, a scholar with a distinct perspective on the foundations of our institutions as well as an almost uncanny view of the future, she presents a vision that can be achieved only by a reflective practitioner—a president with heart, conscience, strength, and a keen sense of observation. She notes that her favorite philosopher is Alexis de Tocqueville, whom she called a "gifted observer." That term could apply to Keohane as well.

I found Higher Ground refreshing and insightful, even though it seemed repetitive at times. In the introduction, Keohane states that her editors tried to eliminate repetition; but since her view remains the same throughout the book, the restatement of major themes is to be expected. From beginning to end, the ethical issues for higher education are consistent—use of technology, access to higher education, diversity, the value of a liberal arts education, the role of women in the academy, internationalization, and accountability. While Keohane develops common themes in the volume, her remarks are tailored skillfully to the audience. When she addresses faculty, it is clear that faculty concerns are taken into consideration. In her speech to new students, she uses their language. Of course, what is directed to presidents is clearly the voice of a peer—part advice, part instruction.

The impact of this book could be quite significant in addressing one of the major challenges facing presidents of colleges and universities: when to use the power of the presidency to take a controversial stand. Keohane refers to this challenge in her chapter on using the "bully pulpit." Here she concludes that presidents should speak out when an issue can affect colleges and universities as an obligation to all those who value higher education. The dilemma of presidential advocacy remains, however, if presidents do not view societal events as having direct impact on their own institutions.

Repeatedly, Keohane acknowledges the importance of community on college campuses. She presents the campus...