Tony Sarda

03/20/20 • 45 min

Ken chats with Tony Sarda, Director of Recruitment for Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. Some are called to serve with a whisper, others with a boom of thunder... in the case of Tony, it was both. Learn about the importance of being open to grace, and giving grace... and why it's really hard to be whay you cannot see.

Rapid Descent

Walkout song: Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood by Santa Esmeralda (from the best scene in Kill Bill Vol. 1) and Lose Yourself by Eminem.
Best recent read: Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Beverly Tatum.
Eager to read next: Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
Favorite thing to make in the kitchen: Ropa Vieja for Christmas Eve.
What he uses to take and keep notes: Whatever's around
Memorable bit of advice: From Beverly Wheeler to Tony, who said to her, "I want to be like you when I grow up." Her response: "You're going to fail. You don't need to be like me. You need to be the best version of you."
Bucket list: Run a half marathon. (Ken recommends Hal Higdon's training program).

The ALP is supported by RHB. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment

Rapid Descent

Walkout song: Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood by Santa Esmeralda (from the best scene in Kill Bill Vol. 1) and Lose Yourself by Eminem.
Best recent read: Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Beverly Tatum.
Eager to read next: Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
Favorite thing to make in the kitchen: Ropa Vieja for Christmas Eve.
What he uses to take and keep notes: Whatever's around
Memorable bit of advice: From Beverly Wheeler to Tony, who said to her, "I want to be like you when I grow up." Her response: "You're going to fail. You don't need to be like me. You need to be the best version of you."
Bucket list: Run a half marathon. (Ken recommends Hal Higdon's training program).

The ALP is supported by RHB. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment

Previous Episode

Jon Boeckenstedt

Ken chats with Jon Boeckenstedt, vice provost for enrollment at Oregon State University, and the mind behind Higher Ed Data Stories, a treasure trove of data-driven (and data-visualized) observations about the state of higher ed. Jon shares some views about his recent career move as well as surprises about his reading and writing habits, as well as the unusual upside of the imposter syndrome.
Shout-outs & Links

A couple of other places to get your Boeckenfix: jonboeckenstedt.net and Out Here In Oregon.
The Test and The Art of Thinking a documentary about standardized tests, their role in college admission, and how they do (and don't) predict academic success.
Jon's early influences that inform his wonderment about the absurdity of life: Mad Magazine's Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions (Vol. 1-3); The Stranger by Albert Camus; and Monty Python.
500px and Flickr, two collections of Jon's photography
An investigative report on whether Alex Bello is, in fact, Marlon Jackson's
Episode sponsored by InitialView and their latest development, Elevator Pitch.

Rapid Descent

Walkout song: Won't Get Fooled Again by The Who.
Best recent read: A Wikipedia entry about Norman Borlaug, which inspired him to name March 25 (Borlaug's birthday) National Test-Optional Day.
Eager to read next: The Years that Matter Most by Paul Tough ("Apparently I'm in it...")
Favorite thing to make in the kitchen: Semi-homemade killer chili: Hormel chili + extra sharp cheddar + Frank's Red Hot + bacon bits.
What he uses to take and keep notes: Not much of a notetaker, but Jon loves a good fountain pen. Though he owns a Montblanc, he prefers his Sheaffer (for writing in black) and Lamy (for writing in blue).
Memorable bit of advice: "Everybody is an imposter."
Bucket list: "I do not and never have had a bucket list."

The ALP is supported by RHB. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment

Next Episode

Mary Beth Petrie

Ken chats with Mary Beth Petrie, Dean of Admissions at Lawrence University (who works just two doors down from Ken). Beth reminds Ken what snowstorms can teach admissions folks about coping with pandemics, how to keep a team healthy in the midst of chaos, and, in an unusual twist, switches the typical ending of the ALP, much to Ken's surprise.
Many thanks to Rick Bailey and Sam Waterson of RHB for sharing their advice during this episode about how we can "imagine voraciously" during this time of uncertainty.

Rapid Descent

Walkout song: Independent Women by Destiny's Child and Into the Unknown (because she's watched Frozen II like 6 times).
Best recent read: Dare to Lead by Brene Brown.
Eager to read next: This is Chance! The Shaking of an All-American City; A Voice That Held it Together by Jon Mooallem
Favorite thing to make in the kitchen: Apple pie
What he uses to take and keep notes: Blueline Notepro and a Pilot VBall pen.
Memorable bit of advice: You don't have to seize the day." from Glennon Doyle's Don't Carpe Diem | Momastery
Bucket list: Travel to Turkey