Castanias ’87 has it Right on Men and Wabash
It was just recently that National Association of Wabash Men president and member of the Class of 1987 Greg Castanias delivered a chapel talk on the implications of what it means to be a Wabash man, and how the prevalence of Wabash men is so small, yet far too unique to discount. He delivered the following statistics that would humble the positions of many ‘gender studies’ advocates.
Bachelor’s degrees will be earned in the following statistical manner this year: for every 2 men, 3 women will receive degrees. Women are earning 60% of master’s degrees. 51.4% of professional positions in America’s workforce are held by women, yet 75% percent of jobs lost during the recession have been positions held by men. In the coming years, however, 13 out of the top 15 positions projected to grow will have a majority of female employees.
As Wabash men, we must examine ourselves in this new world we live in. Men no longer dominate the workforce as they used to, and they no longer have such a powerful presence in the home. Some argue this is bad, most argue this is good, and some argue that it’s not good enough. Regardless of the position, Wabash men must take seriously the unique education that is in front of them. It no longer is about a degree, but a cultural, life-changing overhaul. In a society of declining morality, increased self-righteousness, and drastically reduced loyalty, the demand for a gentleman in the workforce, country, and world is so incredibly great. We must embrace the exclusiveness of this campus, and never neglect the responsibility it brings in permanent life-growth. Wabash College is the place that changes lives, and forms the gentlemen that take on this changing world!
But, I would argue that most Wabash men have neglected to realize the full potential this institution can do in their lives. In fact, many have neglected to even acknowledge the challenge (and duty) to mold themselves into true Wabash men (whatever positive change that means for them personally). I will try awaken some of the men on this campus through the valuable insights delivered by Greg Castanias ’87. The following outline is where we must proceed to fully value the unique brotherhood we have within the Wabash Community.
- We must first realize that we are an elite society of men that will be spread all over the world once leaving this institution. Many will become doctors and lawyers, some will serve the American public, some will serve the world in some capacity, and some will contribute in the private sector. Yet, we all will remain lifelong thinkers and learners. It’s inherent in all men that walk this red-bricked campus. As a result, we must realize that Wabash men are rare, and commit to loyal friendships and loyal professional networks. Castanias pointed out that there are more undergraduates at Indiana University Bloomington this year than Wabash men in the history of the college since 1832. Therefore, the potential for lifelong friendship (even in the future days) is much more likely.
- “In a college of this small size, everyone should and can lead something sometime. You can’t hide at Wabash. You should never hide—not at Wabash, not anywhere!” Castanias called students to step up the game and take on a leadership role of some sort. Wherever these roles may be, public knowledge or not, take them on!
- In addition, Castanias took bold steps to ensure that all Wabash men are recognized and cherished in this elite society. As a college, we have welcomed the Malcolm X Institute with open arms. Wabash has always been ahead of the game in including African Americans on this campus. Over 100 years ago, Wabash College admitted and graduated the first African American man on campus, John Evans. Our student organizations represent all major nationalities on campus, and the Dean and the President of the College just recently traveled to China to work toward expansion in the Asian Studies concentration.
Yet there have been few official efforts on behalf of the College to include gay Wabash men. Castanias went on the record to address this for the first time publically. “Now, in 2011, some of my very closest friends within the alumni body and some of the most passionate supporters of this college in financial terms, and otherwise, are gay men and their partners.” As Wabash men, our society is far too small to exclude anyone who wishes to uphold the sacred traditions of this college and call it his home. We should always continue to welcome debate, think critically, and ask the tough questions with all of our Wabash brothers. It would violate the tradition of this college to not take on and embrace these issues with our fellow Wabash brothers, just as it would violate the tradition of the college to settle on one ideology or the other without vigorous questioning and debate.
With these outlined principles in mind, the mission and presence of Wabash will never die. We are to change our lives at this school. Over the course of 4 years, we should pay more attention to the growing demand for who we are as people, as opposed to what we know. It’s clear that in a liberal arts institution broad knowledge is highly regarded. To that point: it’s not all about books and theories; it’s who we are when we walk down the street or when opening up the door for folks. People notice, and they spread the word.
Perhaps that’s why our application rates are rapidly increasing each year, but our standards are not lowered. The message resonates in the Midwest. The demand for an all-male school is certainly not dwindling—in fact it is increasing. Yet, we do not take in exponential increases in students on a yearly basis. This Wabash society will remain small and elite for eternity. This is a result of our passionate supporters that give this college one of the highest endowments per student in the nation.
Wabash College is a shining beacon of hope in the United States of America. As Wabash men, we must never forget how we will shape the world, and the responsibility associated with that task. More importantly, when we lose sight of our call to be gentlemen, we lose an enormous amount of hope. The American workforce is changing, the American family is changing, the American culture (for better or for worse) is changing. However, the tradition of Wabash College will be kept sacred by this publication and other organizations, by this student body, and by the alumni around this small world. Let us move forward as a college in this changing world by leading, becoming closer as a student body and alumni association, and through lifelong openness to character improvement. Cheers to a traditional Wabash College with a traditional close-knit brotherhood that acknowledges all brothers!
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