University of Evansville President Chris Pietruszkiewicz and the Changing Perception of College Education-Part 2

Rev. Dr. Brad Miller [: 00:00:00

One thing both of you, president Peay and, bishop Trimble have mentioned about, you know, basically some of the positive side, but of the United Methodist relationship with U of E and other colleges. But the reality is United Methodist Church is going through a schism right now, and it's going through, you know, just affiliation and some hard feelings people have. Is any of that at all impacting what you do at U of E? Is any of that getting getting to you folks.

sident Chris Pietruszkiewicz [: 00:00:29

Well, you know, the, the day after the first time that the conference got together and then we kind of learn more about kind of the schism regarding sexual orientation. I sent a message out to our campus community And said we are the same university on Monday as we were on Wednesday. And that is that we believe in welcoming all people to the University of Evansville. It did not have a significant impact because I think we sent that out so quickly that we said, we're we're not any different than we were before. And I'm glad bishop Trimble is on, on the welcoming side along with us.

Rev. Dr. Brad Miller [: 00:01:03

What I think is a kind of a general observation and basic rule, institutions that deal with younger people, the issues of human sexuality is really a done deal. It's already been dealt with. And we, and church circles and other sometimes political circles are dealing with things that maybe college age students, you know, have already put behind them in many ways. And so I appreciate that. I think kinda had sense that this this has a profound impact it would be, like the calls at the local churches that that, bishop Trimble and I deal with. Let's talk about, for a second here, about in the university setting and about how work gets done these days. And what I mean by that is there's a lot to talk, a lot of articles are written about the the the value of a college education is not what it once was. That you know, why do you really need to go to college? You know? You can with AI and other things that are out there, technology and Internet and everything else that you can do you can achieve just as much if not more, on your own or through other learning ways rather than going to college.

Rev. Dr. Brad Miller [: 00:02:15

What would you say is the value for some of our listeners or maybe some of our listeners, high school aged children, about a college education now and how things like technology can not only be a some it's so maybe a bit of a threat, but could be an asset here to what we're doing here.

sident Chris Pietruszkiewicz [: 00:02:34

k is Is most troubling, is in: 2013

sident Chris Pietruszkiewicz [: 00:03:31

And in: 2023

sident Chris Pietruszkiewicz [: 00:04:19

You know, our our price tax, $40,000 a year, but the average amount of debt when somebody leaves the University of Evansville is 27,000. Average starting salary is a little over 50,000. And so I think it's translating into some of the political climate that's happening across the United States. And if you think about the underlying reasons why you go to college for 4 years, which is to grow and develop, you might learn something else along the way that, might affect the mind, but it really is developing the person, the whole person, and hopefully, responsibility that they have back to their communities to, to make us all a little bit better. So to those 54,000,000 people that change their mind, come on back. We think that we have some value and it doesn't cost as much as you think it does.

Rev. Dr. Brad Miller [: 00:05:02

And you must be doing something right, president Peay, because it's, you were named by Money Magazine one of the best colleges in America, that's a pretty good, pretty good thing, I would say. And, what went into that? I mean, what what were, what do you think made, U of E, arise to that level that they were noticed by a national magazine, and therefore, I know that can be a selling point to potential students.

sident Chris Pietruszkiewicz [: 00:05:32

Well, what I like about that one, there's lots of them out there. What I like about that one in particular is it's a lot more objective. It looked at outcome measures. It looked at what our students are doing after 4 years of college. Do they do they have jobs in the areas in which they went to the university for. What's their average what's their debt load like? What is their average starting salary? All of those kinds of things, I think had an impact, for for Forbes. But, actually, there's one I like a little bit better, that happened last week. It happened last week that the New York Times, designated the University of Evansville, as number 41 of the 282 colleges in they're most selective in economic diversity.

sident Chris Pietruszkiewicz [: 00:06:17

So if you think of a private a private university like Evansville, the immediate perception is I can't go there because it's too much money. Mhmm. And 30% of our students have Pell Grants, which means they're in the lower end of the socioeconomic class. They're coming to the University of Evansville. About 20% of our students are first generation college students. It is trying to figure out how to make higher education more accessible for those that want it. And I like the idea that, be fit within the top 40 in the country, of allowing students access to education that they might not otherwise So bad.

Rev. Dr. Brad Miller [: 00:06:57

It goes a little bit back, a little bit too of our some of our discussion earlier in our conversation today about the affirmative action and that type of thing. But you're saying that you can speak against some of those intentions of that, legislation or that Supreme Court ruling by saying, here's what we are really actually doing, and it's, the metrics show it. That's pretty that's a pretty good thing. Right? Bishop, don't you think so?

sident Chris Pietruszkiewicz [: 00:07:24

Yes.

Bishop Julius C. Trimble [: 00:07:25

Yes. I like can you get us a copy of that? I was it a New York Times newspaper or the magazine? Or would

sident Chris Pietruszkiewicz [: 00:07:33

it's in the newspaper, but, I'll I'll send you it after we're

Bishop Julius C. Trimble [: 00:07:36

done. Yeah. I I I have a New York Times ready

Rev. Dr. Brad Miller [: 00:07:38

Okay.

Bishop Julius C. Trimble [: 00:07:40

Yeah. So that that that's that's good news. Well, some some would say I wanna pick up on that question. You you were that was a great answer around the the value of higher education. Some say that there what there's no correlation between inflation And the way the rate of inflation for higher education. They also say that about health care as well. Other words, can you help help us understand some of that? You know, why why is the, in inflationary, impact on higher education higher than than just, normal inflation.

sident Chris Pietruszkiewicz [: 00:08:18

Well, I I don't, I don't think the University of Evansville has beaten inflation in terms of its increased costs over the course of the last couple years. We've been doing a pretty good job about tightening our belt and making sure we're doing it, the right way. And certainly, we have an increased tuition, at the rate of inflation over the last couple of years. I mean, rate inflation is and the last time we looked at our our tuition, we raised tuition 2.9% in an inflationary market that was about 9%. So I think we're we're we're trying to do a better job. But I think the other the other thing is that students are expecting something a little different less than they have in the past. You know, reverend doctor, you made a you made, mention of mental health issues

Rev. Dr. Brad Miller [: 00:08:59

Yes.

sident Chris Pietruszkiewicz [: 00:09:00

A little bit earlier, Bishop Trimble, I'm not sure that I said that directly to you that I have that I need 10 more, but I'll take 10 more, because I think we need them on our campus. Our students have different needs than they did before. Mhmm. The world around them is changing. Whether it's mental health counselors or whether it's career counselors, access to financial aid advisers, all of those things are part of the university's overarching overhead that, maybe didn't exist as much as it had in past. But those are part of the expectations of our students. So we've gotta figure out ways to to make sure that we have our our expenses balance our revenues, and at the same time, Providing students with what they expect, making sure that they have access to the services they want while they're here, and making sure sure that we're making connections in our communities so they have jobs when they graduate.

Rev. Dr. Brad Miller [: 00:09:54

I'd like to shift things just a little bit because I had to get a little personal side of things, how things work for you at the as a university president. What do you think, president p, that people kind of assume about being a university president, but they get wrong? What do they get wrong about being a, you in particular as a university president?

sident Chris Pietruszkiewicz [: 00:10:14

Well, I think most people think that, you know, you in your office and you make decisions all the time. And and that is not the case at all. I've got a great team of people, And who have lots of expertise, and I think the power of leadership is delegating that responsibility to people and trusting them. So I think that's first and and most important. Second is I spend a lot more time out of the building than people probably think I do. And a big part of what happens in higher education is friend raising and fundraising. Yes. And we're, you know, we're in the middle of a $125,000,000 campaign.

sident Chris Pietruszkiewicz [: 00:10:49

We've raised about 87,000,000 over the last 3 years, and, it's really hard to do that on Zoom calls. You get on a plane or you get in your car and you go you go and visit people in Indianapolis, in Chicago, in Los Angeles, in Washington DC, and you talk about our students in the university and ask them, to be able to help us make, life a little bit better for our students.

Rev. Dr. Brad Miller [: 00:11:10

That's my understanding. You've been doing relatively good in that area as well. So that's good because I know that's a huge challenge for every institution. Yeah. One of the things I learned about you, Przyby, I was really we're just kinda wondering about this when I read this about you because I'm such a basketball fan. You're you have a background as a referee. Is that is that right? And, Yep.

sident Chris Pietruszkiewicz [: 00:11:30

25 years of high school and college.

Bishop Julius C. Trimble [: 00:11:33

I just

Rev. Dr. Brad Miller [: 00:11:34

I just wonder what have you learned or what are transferable principles about being a referee, for high school and college basketball? What are some some things that apply to what you do as a university president in all these aspects here? Tell us about any relationship there.

sident Chris Pietruszkiewicz [: 00:11:51

It is a very simple philosophy that works really well, as a college president and a basketball official is make the right decisions at the right time for the right reasons.

Rev. Dr. Brad Miller [: 00:12:01

Yeah.

sident Chris Pietruszkiewicz [: 00:12:01

Right. And, you know, I think at a on a basketball court, half the people like you a lot and the other half don't like you so much. It may be 75, 25 depending on where you are, but you're still there to to do the the right thing and and, to make the game fair And and do their do it for the right reasons. And the the added benefit for me is that's where I went met my wife, refereeing a basketball game together 25 years ago. So Wow. I didn't know that. Couple 100 games couple 100 games together.

Bishop Julius C. Trimble [: 00:12:33

Do you still do that?

sident Chris Pietruszkiewicz [: 00:12:36

Well, we we call ourselves celebrity referees now. Oh, okay.

Rev. Dr. Brad Miller [: 00:12:41

Well, I think another piece of that is that, you know, when you blow a whistle, that's kinda making the decision, isn't it? You know, there comes a time when you gotta make as a university president, as a bishop, as a local church pastor, yeah, even in other aspects of life, parenting, and financial things, sometimes just gotta blow the whistle and make a make a decision. Not that Well,

sident Chris Pietruszkiewicz [: 00:12:59

I think that's really, I think that is really important for for colleges and universities. You know, you try to gather as much information as you can and make a good decision, but the information doesn't have to be perfect, because I think our our world around us is changing pretty quickly, and we have to adapt and change with it.

Rev. Dr. Brad Miller [: 00:13:16

Well, Kyle, so also just as a, a purple aces basketball fan of the men's and women's teams, I'm hoping some of the decisions we've made in the last year or 2 will lead us upward is sort of where we came from the last few years. So I hope that we do that.

sident Chris Pietruszkiewicz [: 00:13:32

I'm very in I, Well, I know the title of the podcast is be encouraged. I'm very encouraged.

Rev. Dr. Brad Miller [: 00:13:37

Okay. Good. Well, we're gonna get into that. For for what it's worth, for folks who are not familiar with university, that was what we've had our, basketball, men's and women's, definitely some big lows and big highs over the last few years here. So very good. Well, Bishop, what else do you have to share here? We want to, ask president Patrick Kepnick 1 or 2 more questions about being encouraged, but, what what do you wanna share here at this moment?

Bishop Julius C. Trimble [: 00:14:02

Well, you made reference to New York Times, and I'm a avid reader of New York Times, Washington Post. When I'm in when I'm in Virginia, I read The Washington Post when I'm in Indiana, I read New York Times as well as other thing. There was an article on September 7th, Deborah Satz and Dan Edelstein. And it's it's entitled By Dropping Civics, Colleges Gave Few to the Culture Wars. It's a pretty long article, but it basically said that throughout 20th century, many colleges and universities had required 1st year course it honed their ears skills. Typically, this course was known as Western Civilization. Such courses became standard. Obviously, the article goes on to read the reason some of that changed was because, you know, the world isn't just with western civilization.

Bishop Julius C. Trimble [: 00:14:54

But I think that I think the premise the thesis of of this the article is that since we stopped talking about, community responsibility in civics and understanding the democracy even in its in its in its wholeness that we've kinda bought into what people are easily become part of, tribal camps. That's my wording. Tribal camps that are that are that are culturally cloistered, if you will. And so we we end up in our own bubbles. So I I I I don't necessarily agree fully with this article at all that we can blame that on colleges and universities, but it's making reference to a period where we where there were basic courses that people started off with. I think there still are some of those kind of courses as people enter in school. What's what's say it thou about?

sident Chris Pietruszkiewicz [: 00:15:53

Well, I think I think 2 responses. 1 is that, we are a traditionally liberal arts So whether you're studying engineering or nursing or accounting, we still want you to have a broad foundation that helps you live the mission. Making sure that, they have an impact on a changing world, and the only way to do that is understanding our history and our past. The other way I'd say is that we're not only talking about it, but we're living it. Being out in our community, I don't think we can be a change maker campus by living on Lincoln Avenue. I think we have to get out in the community, and, and use the community as our classroom a little bit more. We've been doing that over the course of the last couple of years. And, there's one thing to talk about it, but it's another thing to do it, and our students are doing it pretty well.

Rev. Dr. Brad Miller [: 00:16:41

Well, president Peay and and Bishop, what their theme of our of our podcast indeed is to be encouraged. And so one thing is we always like to ask our guest is, what is encouraging you right now? It doesn't have to be confined to a university or church or anything else, but what is encouraging in your life right now?

sident Chris Pietruszkiewicz [: 00:17:03

Well, I surround myself with the 25 100 people everyday that that believe in a bright future. You know, that's the reason why we went to higher education to start with. That's the reason why I did it. People come to our university, with an idea that they can have a difference, they can make a difference, and it's our responsibility to be able to help them get there get there. I'm encouraged when I tell them I wander aimlessly around campus to talk to people, and it's to get their perspective on, on how they're doing and whether the university is making a difference in their lives. And I'm very encouraged by those responses. So we'll keep doing what we're doing and, and hopefully, people go out in the world and and have some responsibility and make a difference, and we'll do our part to make sure they get there.

Rev. Dr. Brad Miller [: 00:17:45

We'll we'll leave you with 1 more question, then we'll give bishop Trimble the last word as we usually do. And that is simply, if you're speaking to a 18 year old senior in high school or even maybe a 2nd career person or perhaps the parents are same, why U of E? Why should they even consider U of E and they need to close that by letting people know how they can, get a hold of UofE, and learn more about it.

sident Chris Pietruszkiewicz [: 00:18:13

You know, when people come on campus, you know, a lot of people talk about statistics and those things, and ours are very good. But I ask, I ask them, I think, a simple question. I don't ask them what do they wanna do. I ask them who they wanna be. And who they wanna be is gonna set the tone for what it is they wanna do in their life both as a professional and as a person. And if you want to gather all of the information that you need to be able to lift up your mind, your body, and your spirit, this is the right place for you. Very easy to get in touch with us, evansville.edu. And, of course, I'm all over the website.

sident Chris Pietruszkiewicz [: 00:18:49

So, send me an email message, and I'd be more than happy to respond.

Rev. Dr. Brad Miller [: 00:18:53

Well, thank you president Petri Kefics. Bishop, what's your encouraging word of the day, and how can you also offer a word of thanks to president Petri Kefics he may be close this with a prayer.

Bishop Julius C. Trimble [: 00:19:05

Absolutely. Thank you, Prayers Pete, my president, for, coming on our podcast. And I would like to, to make a promise and and and and if you'd like to and then promise an invitation, I'd like I like to pull together some, University of Evansville. I've run into several of them in recent weeks, alumni who who I encounter in our churches and in in the community here. And, I'm gonna be on renewal leave in October in in in November. But, sometime before my before my term ends ends next August, to pull together a gathering and invite you based upon when your schedule permits, to come in and for us, we'd like I'd like to host the host a meal for you to be, speak to some U of E alumni here here in Indianapolis. So that we'll we'll draw them from other places as well, who are also connected with United Methodist Church. And if that's if that's, a worthy invitation, I certainly would wanna extend it to to press p.

sident Chris Pietruszkiewicz [: 00:20:15

Well, I'd I'd love to be there.

Rev. Dr. Brad Miller [: 00:20:18

Well, thank you, Vishen.

Bishop Julius C. Trimble [: 00:20:19

Let me go yeah. Let me go ahead and close with a couple of things I'm encouraged by. I'm encouraged by the kinds of the kind of leadership that's open, to the possibility of doing more, and sometimes we end up having to do more with Les Perez p has led the University of Evansville in a very challenging time. If you think about the COVID, you think about the economic pressures on universities, you think about the declining population of the of the of the student body pool of students to draw from, and you think about going through strategic a lot realignment and implementing a strategic plan and a major capital campaign, that's a lot for president. And pres p is you know, I don't know what the average are. Or at one point, I heard it was 4.2 years or something for college presidents, and he's already he's already surpassed that. So we we we the fact that we have good leadership at University of Evansville, and excellent students who are coming out of that university is proof that you they say that proof is in the pudding or the proof, is in the product or the proof is in the fruit. We like to use the terminology of, of the tree producing good fruit, and University of Evansville continues to do that.

Bishop Julius C. Trimble [: 00:21:39

So I'm encouraged by that. We believe that god loves and is present with every single person, even before they are aware of it, god seeks to make us whole as and holy. That's our firm belief as United Methodist. We affirm that. We affirm much of the old and new test all of the old and new testament. I think of one particular verse, Brad, and that is Micah 6 8. What does the lord require of you? What does the lord require of us but to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. I don't think that's in conflict at all with University of Evansville or the historic relationship between Methodism and the United Methodist Church and liberal arts universities and colleges.

Bishop Julius C. Trimble [: 00:22:25

So I give thanks to god for, U of E for PRASP, for our relationship in Indiana to colleges and universities that have a history with our Conference in our denomination, and I look forward to continuing to be an advocate, for students to consider, schools that will see them as whole persons and help them reach their highest potential. Let us pray, loving God, for the gift of life. And for those who may listen to this podcast know nothing and know nothing about the school, but they do need to know that you love them. They may have already passed their time for going to college, but they knew need to know that you love them. They may be considering college or may have students or children or grandchildren. They need to know that you love them and that we have advocated for places where they can attend school and not only achieve their goals, but grow as persons and whole persons, in society. So we give thanks and praise for this time together, And we want people to be encouraged and to know that they are loved by you, god, and welcome to in our churches.

Rev. Dr. Brad Miller [: 00:23:43

We thank you for listening to the To Be Encouraged podcast with bishop Julius c Trimble. Our guest today has been the president of the University of Evansville, Christopher m Petroskiewicz. Speaking for the To Be Encouraged podcast, I'm reverend doctor Brad Miller. Thank you for joining us, and remember to always do all the good that you

sident Chris Pietruszkiewicz [: 00:24:10

can.