Article: Ball State professor on "most dangerous" list
By: Hilary Brown
MUNCIE, Ind. (NLI) - Ball State University professor George Wolfe is a saxophonist and a peace advocate, but his somehow controversial beliefs have branded him as "dangerous" in a new book.
Wolfe gives students terrorist friendly and anti-American ideas, according to the book "The Professors: The 101 Most Dangerous Academics in America," by David Horowitz. But terrorism does not fit into a class that focuses on peaceful conflict resolution, Wolfe said.
"I always try to point out that there are no non-violent terrorists. And what we teach in peace studies is really the antithesis of terrorism," Wolfe said.
The student Web site BSYou.net has complained about Wolfe before.
Ball State student Kyle Ellis is the editor of the site, and although he has not taken a class with Wolfe, he has attended one of Wolfe's lectures.
"I think it's alarming he won't accept any alternative other than a peaceful resolution to any conflict. Obviously peace would be the preferred method," Ellis said. "(But) that's not realistic, but he doesn't seem to realize that."
The site also featured the complaints from Ellis's friend and student Brent Mock about Wolfe's grading bias. Horowitz contacted the site about some of these comments and has previously published one of Ellis' pieces.
"I don't necessarily agree with all of (Horowitz's) methods, but I think he has the right idea," Ellis said.
Horowitz bases some of his opinions on Mock's complaints, but does not include both sides of the story Wolfe said.
"He doesn't tell the whole story I'm afraid, when you know the whole story you realize that I've been very fair as a teacher," Wolfe said.
And Lauren McNichols, a current student of Wolfe, said she agrees.
"He's very good about not actually taking a side, but explaining, well, Why do these different issues exist?'" McNichols said.
Wolfe named several administrators who have supported him in the past.
"I think the administration has really set an example for what other schools should be doing to support the faculty," Wolfe said.
Horowitz alleged in his book that Wolfe does not have sufficient background in the subject to teach peace and conflict studies, according to a book review.
"He is a saxophonist. He has his degree in music. But he teaches peace and conflict studies and has no qualification for that," Ellis said.
But the director for the Center of Peace and Conflict Studies is an administrative position. Wolfe said he received his doctorate in higher education administration. He also studied Ghandi for 15 years, visits India and is often asked to speak.
"I received my degree for music performance in 1972, and sometimes what people fail to realize once you get into the academic world you grow and continue grow," Wolfe said.
Wolfe is expected to return to teaching in the music department full-time, according to an e-mail issued by Ball State University. He was only teaching the introductory peace and conflict studies course, according to the Ball State Web site. The change in teaching subjects is not related to the book, according to department officials affiliated with the peace and conflict classes.
Wolfe's commitment to the non-violent philosophy is part of what makes him a better teacher, McNichols said.
"He's really passionate. He completely lives and believes what he studies," McNichols said.
Wolfe said he is taking everything in stride.
"If you look at the record in the past four years and with the current administration I think we need another saxophonist in the White House and if he keeps giving me this wonderful publicity I might just be able to run in 2008," Wolfe joked.
MUNCIE, Ind. (NLI) - Ball State University professor George Wolfe is a saxophonist and a peace advocate, but his somehow controversial beliefs have branded him as "dangerous" in a new book.
Wolfe gives students terrorist friendly and anti-American ideas, according to the book "The Professors: The 101 Most Dangerous Academics in America," by David Horowitz. But terrorism does not fit into a class that focuses on peaceful conflict resolution, Wolfe said.
"I always try to point out that there are no non-violent terrorists. And what we teach in peace studies is really the antithesis of terrorism," Wolfe said.
The student Web site BSYou.net has complained about Wolfe before.
Ball State student Kyle Ellis is the editor of the site, and although he has not taken a class with Wolfe, he has attended one of Wolfe's lectures.
"I think it's alarming he won't accept any alternative other than a peaceful resolution to any conflict. Obviously peace would be the preferred method," Ellis said. "(But) that's not realistic, but he doesn't seem to realize that."
The site also featured the complaints from Ellis's friend and student Brent Mock about Wolfe's grading bias. Horowitz contacted the site about some of these comments and has previously published one of Ellis' pieces.
"I don't necessarily agree with all of (Horowitz's) methods, but I think he has the right idea," Ellis said.
Horowitz bases some of his opinions on Mock's complaints, but does not include both sides of the story Wolfe said.
"He doesn't tell the whole story I'm afraid, when you know the whole story you realize that I've been very fair as a teacher," Wolfe said.
And Lauren McNichols, a current student of Wolfe, said she agrees.
"He's very good about not actually taking a side, but explaining, well, Why do these different issues exist?'" McNichols said.
Wolfe named several administrators who have supported him in the past.
"I think the administration has really set an example for what other schools should be doing to support the faculty," Wolfe said.
Horowitz alleged in his book that Wolfe does not have sufficient background in the subject to teach peace and conflict studies, according to a book review.
"He is a saxophonist. He has his degree in music. But he teaches peace and conflict studies and has no qualification for that," Ellis said.
But the director for the Center of Peace and Conflict Studies is an administrative position. Wolfe said he received his doctorate in higher education administration. He also studied Ghandi for 15 years, visits India and is often asked to speak.
"I received my degree for music performance in 1972, and sometimes what people fail to realize once you get into the academic world you grow and continue grow," Wolfe said.
Wolfe is expected to return to teaching in the music department full-time, according to an e-mail issued by Ball State University. He was only teaching the introductory peace and conflict studies course, according to the Ball State Web site. The change in teaching subjects is not related to the book, according to department officials affiliated with the peace and conflict classes.
Wolfe's commitment to the non-violent philosophy is part of what makes him a better teacher, McNichols said.
"He's really passionate. He completely lives and believes what he studies," McNichols said.
Wolfe said he is taking everything in stride.
"If you look at the record in the past four years and with the current administration I think we need another saxophonist in the White House and if he keeps giving me this wonderful publicity I might just be able to run in 2008," Wolfe joked.
1 Comments:
Wolfe made the statement that we need another saxaphonist in the White House in order to achieve peace.
Question: "Where was Wolfe when Clinton changed the markings of American jets to 'United Nations' insignias and blew up half of Yugoslavia to cover up Monica Lewinski's giving him 'Oral Dissertations' in the White House?
But that particular killing and carnage was okay with Wolfe because Clinton was one of his Liberal 'fishing buddies.'"
Keep exposing these hypocrits, David!
Post a Comment
<< Home