As Case Western Reserve University turns 200, President Eric Kaler discusses higher ed challenges

Case Western Reserve University turns 200 One of Ohio's oldest colleges, Case Western Reserve University, just turned 200 this month. It traces its founding to Western Reserve College in Hudson in 1826, named after the region which was known then as the Western Reserve of Connecticut. At the time, Northeast Ohio's population was growing, and the Industrial Revolution was leading to opportunities for technical and scientific advancement in Cleveland, with the help of philanthropists like Leonard Case Jr. 200 years later, colleges and universities across the country are facing a completely different environment, from threats to federal and state funding, major enrollment decline, population loss in Ohio and changing attitudes over whether a four-year degree is worth the cost of admission amid major workforce changes and the rapid integration of artificial intelligence. Several long-standing universities in Ohio have had to merge, severely cut staff and programs or close completely as they deal with financial uncertainty and debt. On Thursday's "Sound of Ideas," we'll start by talking to Case Western Reserve University President, Eric Kaler, about the role of higher education today, and how he plans to not only weather the current storm but lead on a global level. Case Western Reserve University was recently named one of the top 30 colleges in the world by Time Magazine. Guests:- Eric Kaler, Ph.D., President, Case Western Reserve University Frederick Douglass' historic speech resonates todayThe power of education and the ability of young people to reshape the world were among the broader themes of a historic commencement speech delivered by abolitionist Frederick Douglass in Hudson in 1854 at what was then known as Western Reserve College. The speech sharply debunked so-called scientific racism, the belief that different racial and ethnic groups have innately differing levels of physical, intellectual and moral development that distinguish them as superior or inferior. Douglass' words are getting renewed attention in an award-winning documentary that features academy students. The film, "Just and Perfect" is being shown as part of this year's multi-city Black History Festival which begins this weekend. CeCe Payne the writer and producer of the film, and Iiyannaa Graham-Siphanoum, the Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging for Western Reserve Academy spoke to us recently about the film and how the speech still connects to students today. We originally had this conversation on Jan. 21 in advance of an event at the school commemorating the speech and a campus visit by a descendant of Frederick Douglass. That show was pre-empted by President Trump's speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos Switzerland. Guests:- CeCe Payne, Writer & Producer, "Just and Perfect"- Iiyannaa Graham-Siphanoum, Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, Western Reserve Academy The Menu: Fish Fry Lent began this week. It's the 40-day reflective period observed by Catholics and with that another cherished community tradition has returned as well: fish fry season. From church halls to local breweries, diners will be filling plates with beer-battered cod, fried Lake Erie perch, pierogies and coleslaw. We're talking fish fries on this installment of The Menu, our biweekly look at Northeast Ohio's food scene in partnership with Cleveland Magazine. We're going to talk about where to participate, what to expect, and why this tradition continues to bring people together year after year. Guest:- Dillon Stewart, Editor, Cleveland Magazine