Forum

Let Us Remember the Teachable Moments

By Mark Wm. Radecke 'P06

Those of us who have been blessed with the gift of parenthood understand how the world turns upside down for those who lose a child. In 2002, Susquehanna University lost four young alumni to cancer, leaving their families and friends to struggle with terrible grief and to search for answers about their illnesses. Some families began to question whether there could be a possible environmental link connected to Selinsgrove. Sharing their concern, the university quickly engaged a variety of knowledgeable sources to see if students were indeed living and learning in a safe environment. Every source, every finding showed no common cause or link, and offered assurances regarding the safety of our community and our region.

On March 4th, a Harrisburg, Pa., newspaper published a highly speculative and emotional story about these issues, and the understandable immediate result was confusion and fear. In the days and weeks that followed, the great power of a liberal arts education was never more valuable for Susquehanna students – and for our entire community. Faculty from biology to communications, ethics, logic and statistics made theory real to help our students analyze and understand the claims made. This type of open and critical examination lies at the heart of a Susquehanna education, preparing students for whatever future challenges they will surely confront, long after graduation.

What follows are a few insights and lessons that members of the campus community have taken from this chapter of the university's story.

The cure for ignorance is knowledge.

Ignorance means literally “not knowing.” When an institution of higher learning is ignorant as to the veracity of certain claims, it seeks greater knowledge. In this case, learned faculty, independent experts, and governmental departments have undertaken appropriate research so all might have accurate information and increased understanding. The data to date have consistently shown Selinsgrove to be a safe place to live.

Caring = Compassion + Competence.

The university community has consistently responded to this issue with heart and mind. Following the Golden Rule, university leaders heeded concerns with compassion, which has been reciprocated by alumni, parents and others. The university provided accurate information; resisted the temptation to panic; communicated clearly, openly and frequently; and pursued the truth wherever that pursuit might lead. Competence strengthens our minds even as compassion softens our hearts. True caring sacrifices neither compassion nor competence.

Educated people recognize logical fallacies.

Post hoc ergo propter hoc is Latin for “after this, therefore because of this.” A post hoc fallacy would argue thus: “John was scratched by a cat while visiting his friend. Two days later he developed a fever. Therefore, the cat scratch must have caused the fever.” Non-sequitur means “it does not follow.” For example, “Susan lives in a large building. Therefore her apartment must be large.” Newspaper speculations about a “cancer cluster” in Selinsgrove provided teachers of journalism, logic, and ethics abundant examples of non-sequiturs and post hoc fallacies.

“You shall not bear false witness.”

Benjamin Disraeli once said that there are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics. To the British statesman's trio we could add a fourth and a fifth: half-truths and statements juxtaposed so as to imply things otherwise unsupported by facts. Students have learned to read and evaluate news articles with an eye to what is not said as well as to what is said. Their professors have helped them recognize what the writer is leading the reader to infer by juxtaposing certain quotes and statements.

The pursuit of truth does not have to be adversarial.

There are collaborative methods of seeking the truth that do not require people to choose sides, advance only the data that support their position, and muster only those arguments that further their cause. Just as truth does not have “versions,” the pursuit of truth does not have to result in winners and losers, victors and the vanquished. The university has consistently shared all of its reports and data, and asked others involved in related investigations to do the same.

There are mysteries we cannot understand.

Deadly diseases take loved ones from us too soon, and we want to know why. That is a perfectly human and natural response. The university community understands the intense grief of the families involved. No matter how much we want or how hard we seek answers, however, there are times when none are available. At such times, we draw on those resources of faith and affiliation that sustain us. At such times, we come to value even more greatly the sense of community that makes Susquehanna University such a special place for young people to learn about the world, its struggles, and the importance of justice and truth.

The Rev. Mark Wm. Radecke has served as Chaplain to Susquehanna University since 1997. He and his wife, Tami, live on campus. Their daughter, Lauren, is a member of SU's Class of 2006.