Henry Ponder: A Life's Vision on Economics, Social Justice, and the Future of Higher Education

Dr. Henry Ponder, a distinguished economist and university president, reflects on his extensive career, beginning with his early studies in agricultural economics at Oklahoma State and Ohio State, where his research evolved from grain elevator operations to optimizing supermarket checkout lines. His work consistently intertwined economic principles with pressing social issues, particularly focusing on the economic plight of African-American farmers in Virginia, advocating for their inclusion in social security and analyzing the challenges of part-time farming. He later conducted a seminal study for the American Farm Economics Association on the historical land loss and systemic discrimination faced by African-American farmers, predicting their eventual demise without federal support, and also explored the economic costs of segregation in local communities.

The conversation shifts to contemporary challenges, drawing parallels between the current pandemic and historical health crises like infantile paralysis. Dr. Ponder highlights the persistent disparities in healthcare access and treatment for African-Americans, recalling his own research from the 1970s and 80s that revealed unconscious bias in medical diagnoses and care, even when income and insurance were equal. He contrasts the fear and lack of knowledge surrounding past epidemics with the current era's scientific understanding and the public's capacity for informed individual action, expressing optimism that this knowledge and leadership will guide society through the COVID-19 crisis.

Dr. Ponder shares profound insights gleaned from his interactions with global leaders, including Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela, emphasizing the importance of helping the most vulnerable and never being too busy to connect with those who can amplify a message. His encounters with U.S. presidents reinforced his belief in a unifying American identity, transcending political and racial divides, and the critical role of leaders in maintaining a common touch and inspiring collective action during times of crisis. He stresses that true leadership involves mobilizing courage and a shared vision to help everyone find their 'best self' amidst fear.

Finally, the discussion delves into the transformative impact of the pandemic on higher education. Dr. Ponder foresees an acceleration towards more online learning, the obsolescence of traditional textbooks in favor of technology schemes, and a significant shift in university administration and faculty structures. He predicts the rise of highly paid IT professionals, the decline of tenure in favor of more adjunct professors, the necessity for universities to justify every course offering based on outcomes, the consolidation of academic departments, and a move towards three-year bachelor's degrees. He also notes the evolving role of university presidents, who must now prioritize fundraising to offset reduced state and private funding.

"my master's thesis was uh on grain elevators i was talking about how they operated and how they preserved the wheat for later on in time and that turned out to be very well"

"I did an article that later appeared in the american eco farm economic journal on the status of african-american farmers in this country and uh i traced it from back just after slavery until the present time."

"it was my prediction that if they didn't get some kind of support from the federal government and the state governments that they would eventually lose lose all of their land."

"I discovered that an african-american with the same income the same job and the same health care policy health policy with a caucasian going to the doctor with let's just say diabetes the doctor would not make the same diagnosis and tell him what he should get versus what he told the white person."

"We need to be able and want to help the people that need it the most that's what i got from her."

"you just never never should be too busy to talk to someone that can help you put forth the message that you're trying to put forth to the people you're trying to put it forth with."

"in this country we are all americans we are not republicans we are not democrats we are not black we are not white we are not chinese we are not hispanic we are americans and as such we ought to do all we can for each other."

"I think that one one thing i i really believe is going to happen is that tenure is on the way out."

"I think universities must reduce the degree time by at least one year I think we will be getting bachelor's degrees in three years rather than the four years that it now takes."