We are thrilled to announce that Philosophy and Education alum Jeff Frank, Ph.D. 2010, published a new book titled, Being a Presence For Students: Teaching as a Lived Defense of Liberal Education (Lever Press, 2019). Lever is a press committed to liberal education and publishing open access, so the entire book can be freely accessed.

Here is how Frank describes the project: “Defenses of liberal education are legion. What sets this book apart is that it asks that we offer a defense of liberal education to an audience that often gets ignored: students. What does it mean for a faculty member at a liberal arts college to live their defense of liberal education in a way that makes it appealing to students? This book offers a way of thinking about liberal education that renews its value to practitioners and students. Drawing on the work of John William Miller this book offers readers an opportunity to reflect on the values of liberal education and how they can be lived in the daily interactions professors have with students. Of central importance is the idea that liberal education offers students a chance to exercise self-critical stewardship of a world of value.”

Frank also recently published a short editorial on this book as it relates to teaching during the current Covid-19 pandemic.

Jeff Frank is Associate Professor of Education at St. Lawrence University.

To learn more about Professor Frank's book, please visit the book page at Lever Press.