Reader Response Jim Gronefeld ’72

Reading the letters in the March/April 2019 BAM (“Diversity Divisions”), I was struck by the number of responses that espoused the strict imposition of high test scores and grades for admission to the University. Most of these were from graduates from 1966 to 1977. Since I am one of these curmudgeons, I expected to have the same opinion. I do not. I do believe that only the “best and brightest” should bother with higher education; and, needless to say, only the most stellar should attend Brown. It’s how we determine who those “light bulbs” are that is the problem. 

There seem to be inequities in our society which should be accounted for in determining intelligence. Those who have to scramble to find enough to eat on a daily basis, or work to help support the family after (or during) school hours, or sleep in their inadequate overcoats to remain warm at night will most likely not be the high grade earners in high school. 

If we can remove all of these inequities in our country’s society, then the light bulbs will indeed be those with the highest grades and test scores. This probably won’t happen in the near future, so there must be alternative means to determine who gets the best formal college education to lead the country or the world. Crass diversity may be the only means available. If we build up all segments of our population, our light bulbs just might enlighten the future.