http://blogs.targetx.com/lasell/MarkSciegaj/ en Copyright 2007 Mon, 20 Aug 2007 17:21:00 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss This afternoon it appeared that Michael Vick has accepted a plea bargain to federal charges of conspiracy in operating a dog fighting kennel. Vick was the number one selection in the 2001 National Football League draft. Selected by the Atlanta Falcons, Vick soon became the face of the franchise and in 2005 he signed a 10-year $130 million contract extension with the team that guaranteed him $37 million in bonuses. Young, loaded with talent, and wealthier than 99% of United States citizens, Michael Vick chose not to simply finance “Bad Newz Kennels” or allow it to be housed on one of his properties, he (according to the co-defendants) actively witnessed and participated in a cruel and brutal activity including the destruction of dogs who lacked the proper fighting spirit. Michael Vick had a choice. Like the other major news figure of the summer of 2007, Harry Potter, Michael Vick had a choice between "what is right and what is easy.” Perhaps it was the wealth, his position, or his immense athletic ability that prompted Michael Vick to choose to support a barbaric activity. Maybe he thought he was untouchable or if discovered that he would not be implicated. As September draws near and hundreds of students arrive on the Lasell campus for the first time, they too will be confronted with a variety of choices. While it is expedient to “go with the flow” and to “go along to get along,” remember a second lesson from “the boy who survived,” that it is “our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” http://blogs.targetx.com/lasell/MarkSciegaj/2007/08/choices.html http://blogs.targetx.com/lasell/MarkSciegaj/2007/08/choices.html Mon, 20 Aug 2007 17:21:00 -0500 Welcome to my blog. As the days of August begin to move towards September, I become excited about the coming academic year. My 10 year old son is the opposite. He wants August to last longer than its allotted time span. September for him marks the return of required reading, math, and writing assignments. For me, September is full of fresh opportunities—new projects, new students, new colleagues. So in the blogs that follow, I will share my thoughts on some of the opportunities that September 2007 has presented me. So stay tuned and find out about: What the Red Hot Chili Peppers have to do with political theory. Why first year undergraduates need to begin to think about graduate education. The promise and perils of working with undergraduate research assistants. Professional associations and networking. Lessons from the Lasell Village nonagenarians (octogenarians, and septuagenarians). The Lasell College Social Accountability Project. The unique relationship between Lasell College and Lasell Village http://blogs.targetx.com/lasell/MarkSciegaj/2007/08/september.html http://blogs.targetx.com/lasell/MarkSciegaj/2007/08/september.html Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:31:49 -0500