A Blog on McConnell Center Life

I often wondered the nature of American cities like New York, Chicago, etc. during the age of our industrial climb. I pictured crowded streets, noisy construction, small vendors, and a universally-ambitious attitude. The same proved true of today's Beijing, China. If for no other reason, Beijing proved appeasing simply because of its genuine desire for economic advancement, no matter the cost. From professors to street-sweepers, Beijing citizens upheld the Chinese policy of economy first. China pressed forward despite the halt of the Great Recession or its discontinuing development in other nations. I found it reassuring to view progress even in a communist state. However, China's growth comes with costs. Beijing's grimy sanitation struck me as appalling. The government failed to guarantee the quality of air, tap water, or street food. Putrid smells accompanied me on a walk to school, as did the chance of being run down by unorganized traffic. In essence, I felt Beijing...

Yesterday I witnessed the drastic amount of poverty in China. I watched as a man with Downs-syndrome picked up plastic bottles for money. Other Chinese citizens threw bottles out of their vans at him, rather than walking them over to him. One of the Scholars gave the man an American dollar, which is about 6 yuan. It would be enough to feed him for a day. On the subway, I watched as a mother begged for money for her crippled son. She was packing him and his legs were completely mangled. Immediately after getting off the bus there were lines of people playing music, old beggars, and handicapped asking for money. Some handicapped sell things but others are so mangled they can not. China overlooks these people, disrespects them, and does not care. I watched as one old man was carried away by the cops out of the subway. This is a daily occurrence. I watched as one man rolled himself down the street by using large bricks to catapult the wagon he was on. His sign said, "Down with the...

McConnell Center Blog Readers- I'm not exactly sure what to write here without repeating what the other "bloggers" have already written. Here in China, we are not allowed to have access to this blog so I am unable to read previous posts. Stick with me-- I hope I'm not repeating too much that has already been covered! Things here in China have proven to be much different than expected, but in a very good way. I was expecting that things would be much harder to adjust to, but it hasn't been too bad! I am learning so much being here. It is so interesting to observe the culture and traditions of a place that is so much different than anywhere I have ever visited. Observations are being made that debunk the misconceptions that Americans have concerning the rising power of China in economics and strength. All of that is a bit complex to explain through e-mail, but if you're interested, I'd love to talk about it in person when I get back. My observations ...

The Lama Temple is a Buddhist temple that has several different temples within itself, where people make a pilgrimage to say their prayers and make their offerings to the gods. On Tuesday, we made our way to the Lama Temple. As soon as we walk out of the subway station you could smell the overwhelming sweetness of fragrance of the burning incenses from the offering bins. Of course, at the time, I had no idea what the amazing smell was at first. As we walked closer to the temple we began walking past the different stands and stores only selling incenses and idols of the gods so I began to understand the smell a little more. As we continued walking and we saw the entrance. The entrance was just as grand and beautiful as the rest of the grounds. There is a long walkway that you journey down before reaching the main temple; it is supposed to represent the pilgrimage that individuals take when they want to sacrifice parts of themselves to go bring it to their gods. Once we reached the m...

China is very different from the United States. We have truly traveled to a whole new world. Some of the Scholars discussed how you cannot be considered a "world traveler" until you've visited China, and no trip to China is complete without climbing the Great Wall. I am happy to say that we have done that and much more! In addition to daily field trips, we have attended lectures by Dr. Shiping Hua and a professor from Renmin University. Our studies have been focused around global superpowers, with opinions from both the American and Chinese viewpoint. It's interesting to hear each person's take on current events as well as a forecast of the future. Dr. Hua explained that when he was in school all of his expenses were paid, but he had to make sacrifices for the sake of education. The students were not even allowed to date. If they did, they would be replaced by someone that is also very capable, but was willing to focus more on their studies. The Chinese people ...

China's international posturing over the past few years established the country's reputation as a booming modern power. The fantastic Olympic ceremonies in Beijing showcased a thriving culture and the fruits of economic progress. The United States now looks over its shoulder and sees a rising superpower nipping at its heels. The topic of Chinese economic growth unnerves many American citizens who fear that the People's Republic will upset their nation's position in the global power structure. As an American traveling to China, these apprehensions colored my expectations of the country, but walking the streets of Beijing shed new light on the state of Chinese development. The scale and grandeur of the building projects in modern Beijing hide the unrest created by economic expansion. The growth of China's cities has displaced nearby farmers and country peasants. These rural people who lose their land to new factories enter the cities and assume the role of unemploye...

China, by nature of its character and its people, has been both vastly different and strikingly familiar. Describing my reaction to the small sample of Chinese that I have interacted with (which by my qualification of “sample” may sound unnecessarily arrogant; I am not testing, but merely enjoying my surroundings) would be as complicated as describing the multitude of opinions and personalities that manifest themselves in Americans. That in itself was unexpected. Yesterday, the 21st, I met an international relations student that was not only hard on America for our wealth disparity but even more critical of the Chinese government, its foundations and its policies. The day before our guides would hardly feel comfortable enough around us to give the group an opinion of even the most insignificant issue. There have been moderates, a few Mao loyalists (although as our experience at the Mao Mausoleum testified to, the reverence is fading with age), and a good number of democratic sympathi...

The trip thus far has been extremely interesting, to say the least. Although the plane ride was shorter than the one to the Philippines, it seemed much longer. I think that had something to do with the fact that the plane had no individual televisions. When we first arrived in the Beijing airport it was somewhat odd that there weren't that many people (besides the ones who had just gotten off of the plane) in the airport. In addition, the people in the airport were really quiet. We came in on a pretty foggy day so all of our pictures from the first day were quite cloudy. The dinner we had that night was setup family style like most of our meals have been thus far. We had traditional Chinese foods, and even had some very good Chinese beer (YanJing). This week we have visited: Tienanmen, Mao Mausoleum, the Forbidden City, Wang Fu Jing street, Chinese Ethnic Culture Museum/Park and the Pearl Market. Tienanmen, Mao Mausoleum, the Forbidden City, and Wang Fu Jing street were all on ...

China so far has definitely lived up to the hype and the excitement we have felt for the last three years. Beijing is an amazing city. My favorite place we have been so far has definitely been the Forbidden City. We first went through the Forbidden City on our first full day in Beijing, May 18. Our wonderful student guides took the ten of us from the South Gate at Tienanmen Square to the North Gate. The views of the ancient city were breathtaking. Many of us had never seen a human structure that large and expansive. Sean Williamson, Kurtis Frizzell and I were so impressed with the City that we went back on our own on our first free day, May 20. We explored the various areas and halls to the east and west of the main route through the City. We had no idea that there was so much we had not seen the first time through. The whole place was beautiful. It was a humbling experience to think that we were exploring an area that was a thousand years old and that was off-limits to almost all of...

When we first began reading “The Education of Henry Adams” for our autobiographies seminar series, I must say I was not excited. When you pick the book up, it doesn’t immediately jump off the shelf as a book you would enjoy reading during your leisure time. The voice of Henry Adams, at times, is not extremely entertaining or interesting, making it a hard one to get through. However, with the visitors that we had speak on the book, it became increasingly more interesting to me and affected how I view my education. The two conversations that shed new light on this book for me were those with Patrick Deneen and Judge John Heyburn. Deneen spoke about how troubled Adams was as a person because of the ways of thinking, such as Darwinism and an atrophic idea of history. He also struggled with his faith and the ideas of Catholism. He had great anxiety over the fact that past generations were able to do so many extraordinary things without the technology of his time, however, future generatio...

And they're off! Safe travels to our 10 McConnell Scholars currently en route to the People's Republic of China. Under the tutelage of McConnell Center Fellow Dr. Shiping Hua, the group will spend the next five weeks studying in and touring Beijing, Xian and Shanghai. In addition to studying China's economic, foreign, domestic and communication policies and customs, the group will visit Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Lama Temple and the Terracotta Army, among other places. The pack of 10 will return to the United States June 20. Check back regularly for more posts and pictures from the group. The McConnell Center started the summer study abroad program to China in 1998.

Thanks to a former student who recently gave me C.S. Lewis' The Weight of Glory, I just read his essay "The Inner Ring." How I wish I would have read this when he gave it to me and before I finished teaching "Political Leadership" this spring. Originally written as an address to college students, it is a timeless warning against the very natural inclination to be "in." We too often dismiss such warnings as those appropriately aimed only at teens warning them of peer pressure and dangerous cliques. But Lewis does a profound job of explaining how this drive to be part of "the inner ring" consumes the lives of many adults--and perhaps this writer (me) and this reader (you) particularly so. Every community, every business, every school, club, association, and family has its "inner ring." Those outside desperately want to be inside. Those inside desperately want to hold their positions inside the invisible line and many want to ...

Throughout my time at the McConnell Center, I have had many teachers. Some in the traditional, professor sense, others friends who have taught me about life, and still others who have helped me to appreciate what is right in front of me. Dr. Kleber is one of those teachers that showed me the beauty of my home state, the wonderful solitude of silence, and how to appreciate life off the grid. As a graduating senior, I feel privileged to have had four years to get to know Dr. Kleber, four years of books, seminars, lectures, and camping. While all events with Dr. Kleber are a wonderful experience and I will carry all his lessons with me into the future, my most favorite memories with my fellow classmates and Dr. Kleber are those spend miles away from the twinkle of city lights, cell phone reception, and paved roads camping. It is through these weekends spent along the Green River and cliffs of the Daniel Boone Forest that I began to truly appreciate the rich history of Kentucky and all tha...

The spring of 2011 proved to be a very rewarding time for me, especially with my crowning as KY Derby Queen for the Derby Festival. It will certainly be an experience I will never forget! The Derby Princess Program is an initiative put forth by the Fillies, Inc., which is a group of 250 women in the Louisville community that act as a support group for The Kentucky Derby Festival. Every year, the Fillies opens the application in the Fall for young women ages 18 and older who are attending either college or graduate school in the state of Kentucky, or who are Kentucky residents. Once the online application is received, all girls are interviewed by a panel of around eight or nine judges for five minutes. This past year, over 120 girls applied for one of five positions on the royal court. Out of the first round, 15 semi-finalists are selected for a ten - fifteen minute interview held by three out of state judges in January. The evening after the final interview, the final five girls are a...

As I stepped into the McConnell interviews during my senior year of high school I had a pretty good idea of what the program had to offer - prominent speakers, all expense paid trips to Washington DC and China, and a full scholarship. However, I failed to realize some of the experiences that I would have, and what they would mean to me. I realized just how unique these opportunities were when I presented the Louisville Slugger bat to Joe Biden for his signature. We spoke with him for quite a while covering current events to words of wisdom. He was personable, candid, and genuine in our small group meeting. At times, I had to remind myself that he was one of the most powerful and influential leaders in the world because of the way that he interacted with the Scholars. I look forward to traveling to China in just over one week, yet another opportunity that I am thankful for. The world is changing rapidly and China will be a key player in the future. I'm glad that Senator McConnel...

From meeting the Vice President of the United States to becoming President of the Student Government Association, my year has been filled with politics. The year went extremely fast as many of the initiatives I worked on seemed to devour my time. My only regret was not being able to spend more time in the McConnell Center. There is so much I could write about, but I want to focus mainly on one thing about the McConnell Center that has changed the direction of my life. Dr. John Kleber recently retired from his 8 year service to the McConnell Center. It was a sad day to watch him go, but the imprint that he had on all of us will last forever. He helped me in understanding that we all have many lives to live and to never get to comfortable in one place. He encouraged me to read more Kentucky Literature, which has now become a passion that lines many of my bookshelves. He encouraged me to live a life in the arts, by taking me to performances and encouraging me to pursue acting and wr...

This summer, I will be completing my required internship as a McConnell Scholar. My internship will be with the Kentucky Democratic Party. I will be serving in three capacities: First, I will be the Volunteer Coordinator for the KDP throughout the summer; second, I will be an assistant to the campaign managers for all the lower-ticket races (sub-gubernatorial); third, I will be dressing as Kenny Rogers and following David Williams around while singing "The Gambler," highlighting his hypocritical stances on gambling in Kentucky (and no, I'm not kidding, haha). This is going to be an awesome opportunity for me, and I hope to bring my experiences learned here back to the McConnell Center (and perhaps make a few contacts for our local leaders program). Big thanks go out to our fearless Chair, John Weber for introducing me to the people that made this opportunity possible. Also, I get to meet Jack Conway again, and that guy is one tough son of a b****. Max Morley

When I began my education at the University of Louisville, I never dreamed that I would complete the experience with a five-week adventure to China. The preparations for the trip have built a familiar, hopeful anticipation. The feeling reminds me of the few weeks before I entered college, the growing understand that something new and life-changing waited for me. As I reflect on all of my cherished memories of Louisville, I find that those reflections do not spark the same excitement that their anticipation once did. The anticipation of a future event holds a pure and wonderful character. Anticipation allows the future to be in a simultaneous state of unity and endless multiplicity. As I look forward to my departure, I think of the China trip in its entirety, as a unified whole. Although I know the different activities I will undertake while abroad, the anticipation enables me to compress my hopes into a single, positive emotion. The multiplicity of the future derives from the endless...

In less than two weeks, I depart to China. This will be a first for me — my first time out of the country; my first time to China; and my first time away from home and family for such an extended period of time. As the time to depart comes closer, I find myself looking forward to this new experience. I expect that it will improve me both as a person and as a scholar. But today, I am anxious. Ben S.

This semester I decided to participate in the McConnell Center's debate society. I figured that since I enjoyed moot court so much last semester, I would feel the same about debate. At the first meeting I realized that moot court and debate were quite different. I became frustrated, as debate challenged me to think in a way that I was not use to. With moot court I was able to plan everything I wanted to say, I could anticipate questions, and I was able to practice before the competition. With everything else in my life I am a planner, I do not like not knowing. At the first debate meeting I realized I had no way to plan. I could write my side, but I would have to think on my feet having no idea what my opponent would argue. For most of the semester, I dreaded debate meetings. I wasn't catching on and felt completely lost. However, I kept at it. When the tournament arrived I was terrified. I did not want to debate in front of professors as I still was having trouble arguing...

On April 18, 2011, Judge John Heyburn joined the McConnell Scholars to discuss to the third and final portion of The Education of Henry Adams . Judge Heyburn received his Bachelor’s Degree from Harvard University and his J.D. from the University of Kentucky College of Law. Heyburn serves a federal judge for the United States District Court in the Western District of Kentucky. He has also worked on several committees for the Judicial Conference of the United States. Judge Heyburn began the seminar by reviewing the notes from his original reading of The Education of Henry Adams . Since his time as an undergraduate, Heyburn kept a book journal. The journal allowed him to elaborate and reflect on the books he read, capturing a snapshot of his thinking. The judge explained that he started the journal to supplement his education. This desire to improve one’s education fit well with the discussion of Henry Adams. Adams lamented throughout the work that his eighteenth-century education failed ...

In the fall I will be finishing my last year of undergraduate and receiving a Bachelor of Science in Justice Administration. An exact week after I return from China I will be starting my summer internship with the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice. The Justice Administration department offers an internship as a three hour course also, so this is somewhat the best of both worlds for me. I was ambitious enough this past spring and actually found the internship position on my own. I was called back for an interview and was offered the position at the end of the interview. This summer I will be shadowing multiple people, and getting exclusive access to the juveniles at the Audubon Youth Detention Center in Louisville. I will be doing house visits, and might get the chance to shadow officers from the Louisville Metro on bench warrants. I'm extremely grateful for this upcoming internship, and I think that this will heavily influence my future career decisions.

Its the end of the semester so let us begin a poem for the blog, yes I'm at it again. A whole year at the Lou and oh boy has it flew. Our time as McScholars a fourth of the way done, but still three more years to have oodles of fun. In Dr. Gregg's class there was sure lots to say, but all of that talking could not get me an A. We had so many big books, I think I read six. At seminars we ate much more than Chex mix. For community service we helped out with kids, sorted clothes into boxes then topped them with lids. To Dr. Kleber we said goodbye, or was it see you later? I've never met a man whose spirit was greater. Senators, Congressmen, Vice Presidents aplenty. The coolest scholarship program in the country. So to all the new scholars: hello and welcome, get ready for fun, can't wait to call you my chum. As the storm of our finals clears to a fog, I'll give you some advice: don't forget your blog! Its getting kind of late so my poem is done, but I'll make u...

Reading Wendell Berry this semester and visiting with the author himself at the state park, made me think about sustainability in my own state and community. One of the essay’s Berry wrote, The Whole Horse, points out that due to globalization and mass production, most Americans don’t even know where their food comes. Worse even, most of the ingredients are impossible to pronounce or find the origin of. These mystery ingredients and factories are not only harming our bodies, but our communities as well. By outsourcing and globalizing things like food, we are tearing about our communities and loosing valuable relationships. The future of food was the first topic that Berry brought up with the scholars during lunch. Kids are being raised in an environment where prepackaged junk food is presented to them at almost every turn, from vending machines to school lunches. But, many have heard the call from authors like Berry and want to save our farmers and agricultural communities. Fro...

Having just completed Wendell Berry's Jayber Crow this morning, it saddens me to know that I missed the opportunity to discuss the many themes and lessons that I found in this book with an expert on the text and those very lessons that the McConnell Center provided earlier this semester. At the time of the seminar, I had something that conflicted and was unable to attend. Looking back at it now, and now that I have finished the book, I wish I would have made time. The discussion that went along with this book would have been fantastic. This book touches on everything from love to community to work. This book did a wonderful job of making all of these lessons apparent while still making the book quick and fun to read. The flow of the book, thanks to the narrator Jonah, was great. It was another shining example of the great work done by Wendell Berry. I also missed my opportunity to meet with the incredible Wendell Berry this semester, and that is an opportunity that I will always ...