Pen Points – Question everything! Think!

Last week I attended several public functions which provoked thoughts for this week’s column. Through them all I could see a common thread in the community spirit fabric of this community.

The first event was hearing Dr. Allen Berger, recently appointed Dean of the University of Alberta, Augustana Campus, when he addressed the Probus Club of Camrose. Dr. Berger, in his amiable and winsome style, captivated his listeners as he described ambitious plans for Augustana students’ opportunities in international studies, research, and community service learning. I will not report on all that except to say that he made his listeners very much aware that Augustana is an exceptionally valuable asset and is making a difference for good here and beyond.

How is Augustana, or any other liberal arts and sciences university, making a difference? Dr. Berger said the goal is to help students learn to question and to think. That is what will facilitate change in ways which have the potential to make conditions better; help us to sort out what works, what does not work; guide us to save what is good, to change what is not. Dr. Berger said that he instructs his students to throw away their highlighter markers. He doesn’t want them to simply accept what others say; he wants them to question everything and ask if we really do know the truth. If we feel with certainty that we do, we, of course, stop searching for it, eliminating the prospect of ever achieving any improvement.

I also attended the Camrose Chamber of Commerce Awards Night. That was refreshing as it reminded me again that business and professional entrepreneurs are continually questioning old ways and always striving to better serve their clients and better support a variety of community service projects.

It was also my privilege to be one of over four hundred people who attended the Battle River Community Foundation dinner to recognize community builders Norman and Betty Mayer. The generosity of this couple has truly made a difference for good in this community. By choice, they live modestly and give generously. Sometimes they get their picture in the paper for making a charitable donation. Often their gifts are made anonymously with no fanfare.

At week’s end I watched CBC’s Peter Manbridge’s One on One interview with Dr. Samantha Nutt who is a longtime, dedicated aid worker in Somalia. She is passionate about trying to ease the pain and suffering of people who lack food and shelter.

The problem, she says, is complex and goes far beyond inadequate food and shelter. It involves lack of educational opportunities, health care, peaceful co-existence with one’s neighbours, environmental protection – those kinds of things, too. Generously throwing money at poverty is admirable, kind and helpful but it is not the cure.

This takes me back to Dr. Berger’s address. “Throw away your highlighters,” he said. “Question everything! Think!” Truly we need to find new ways  in which to solve some of our world’s continuing problems. We know that monetary contributions do indeed alleviate much of the hardship endured both at home and abroad. We also need to think of new ways in which to provide equal opportunities for people to help themselves.

Let’s question and think!