3 Drs Walk into a Podcast with Mark Sanders, Nicholas Tampio, and Daniel Harrison

Mike Palmer, Grant Balfour, and Megan Citron open up by discussing an interview Mike originally recorded in early March 2023 with three fellow New College of Florida alumni - Dr. Mark Sanders, Dr. Nicholas Tampio, and Dr. Daniel Harrison. The original interview took place shortly after major changes were announced at New College, including new conservative appointees to the Board of Trustees and the firing of President Patricia Okker. We note that the distance of time since the original interview in March provides some helpful perspective. The hosts highlight the academic backgrounds of the three alumni guests, who all went on to earn PhDs and become professors. Megan appreciates their "academic standpoint" in discussing the philosophy and history of New College. Grant jokes about his hazy memories of guest lecturing for one of Daniel's classes years ago... In the interview from March, Mark, Nicholas, and Dan discuss both the virtues of the New College model, like the freedom and responsibility it gives students for their own education, as well as some of its potential pitfalls and risks. We reflect on how well the model prepared them for future academic careers, but also acknowledge that some students struggled under the system's high demands and lack of structure. There is debate around whether today's students may need more support than the New College model provided in the 1990s. Don't miss this insightful glimpse into the alumni response to the changes at New College in early 2023, as well as a thoughtful discussion of the merits and limitations of New College's unique educational model. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Now also on Youtube.