History of Learfield: Central Methodist

As I told you previously in this blog, Sue and I attended Central Methodist College (now University) in the little Missouri town of Fayette and that's where I caught the radio bug — doing jock shows, news programs and carrying the baseball broadcasts of the CMC Eagles live!  "How'd they do that?" was a question everyone asked. 

I was a trouble-maker in college — participating in anti-war demonstrations and the like.  So who'd ever thought that in 1981 I would be elected to the governing board of the college — and nine years later as it's chair? It was a fun thirteen years for me and years in which the college continued to strengthen and grow.  The friendships from that service were wonderful. Moreover, I learned a good bit about how to build consensus among divergent views on this 30-member Board of Curators. [Larger photo]

While I presided over a change in presidents, a growing endowment and pressing budget needs, the biggest challenge was my effort to change the mission of the academy.  Many thought the institution should model itself after what other, mostly tax-supported, institutions were doing.  I disagreed.  It seemed to me that with its rich church history, the college should establish itself as a premier church-related, and more importantly, Christ-centered, institution of higher learning; something most other schools couldn't do.  I made good arguments for the change, but wasn't successful.  I still argue that there are plenty of schools for those wanting a secular education, but few strongly Christ-centered institutions for young people to consider.  Yes, it diminishes the prospect pool, but I believe it offers a significant choice for the prospect.

–clyde