When I was at the University of Michigan I had the pleasure of attending one of Ralph Williams’ lecture courses: The Bible as Literature, I believe. He’s a legendary presence at Michigan, and has been there long enough that his lecture on Job had to be moved to another building and held on a weekend, because so many parents wanted to come. Probably many of them had been his students, too.
Williams is retiring this year. He gave his final lecture this week:
“The world will not much care, nor long remember that which you gather as capital,” said Williams to the mostly college-age crowd. “But it will remember and celebrate the beauty you create.”
Words to live by in an ugly age.
brian stouder said on April 23, 2009 at 11:40 am
agreed
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Hattie said on April 23, 2009 at 12:18 pm
That is wonderful.
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Gasman said on April 23, 2009 at 5:40 pm
I’m off to bring some beauty into the world; two guitar lessons, then host a guitar recital series. I love my job.
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brian stouder said on April 23, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Speaking of lectures, Sandra Day O’Connor gave a lively and challenging one to a packed house at IPFW, squarely addressing Executive branch prerogatives in war time, and the proper role of the Legislative and Judicial branches in concert with the Executive.
She also took questions for a good 10 minutes, including a funny one (made the Justice laugh, along with the house) from friend-of-nn.c (or at least of nn!) Mark GQ.
My lovely wife bailed on us as did Grant – but Shelby and I went, and got very good seats 10 feet above stage-left, affording a great tableau of the event…one that I suspect Shelby will remember longer than I will!
A very stimulating evening, all around
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Dexter said on April 24, 2009 at 12:59 am
All right Brian…glad you had a great evening.
I was in Cleveland part of the day as I drove a sick man to a hospital for tests…got home to watch the fabulous Detroit Red Wings kick Columbus out-D-rink…it’s so-over for the Blue Jackets. There’s nothing better than playoff hockey for intensity in televised programming.
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nancy said on April 24, 2009 at 10:13 am
I wonder if this is why Alan thought he heard gunfire last night. When teams win important games around here, it sounds like Baghdad.
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LA Mary said on April 24, 2009 at 11:22 am
I think my kids show flashes of becoming people who will bring some beauty into the world. If I’m lucky I’ll be remembered for that.
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