J. Walter Sterling is a current faculty member and former dean at St. John's College, Santa Fe (perhaps the youngest dean they've had).

I first met Walter as a graduate student at St. John's College, and have been impressed with his theoretical and practical intelligence.

In this conversation, we talk about:

• Following in his father's footsteps
• Raising two young boys
• Non-profit work at Project H.O.M.E. and remaining grounded as an intellectual
• Annapolis, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Santa Fe
• St. John's College and the value of a liberal arts education
• His advice to teens and the people that love them

WALTER'S CV:

• B.A., St. John's College, Annapolis, 1993
• Jacob K. Javitts Fellow, U.S. Dept. of Education, 1993-97
• M.A. Philosophy, Emory University, 1997
• Doctoral Candidate, Philosophy, Emory University, 1997-
• Philosophy Instructor, Loyola College in Maryland, 1997-99
• Philosophy Instructor, Gwynedd-Mercy College, 1999-2000
• Intellectual Heritage Instructor, Temple University, 1999-2000
• Adult Learning Instructor, Project H.O.M.E., Philadelphia, 2000-03
• Tutor, St. John's College, Santa Fe, 2003-
• Dean, St. John's College, Santa Fe, 2011-14

SHOW NOTES

• The story of coming to St. John's College and following in his father's footsteps [1:47]
• On becoming Dean of St. John's College, Santa Fe at age 40 [7:24]
• On being a student again [12:23]
• Project HOME in Philadelphia and making a difference [14:43]
• Fatherhood and education [22:45]
• Instilling a love of learning [28:35]
• Technology and the classroom [35:20]
• Annapolis [39:44]
• Atlanta [42:00]
• Philadelphia [44:00]
• Santa Fe [47:55]
• St. John's College and the virtues of a liberal arts education [59:08]
• How to have the right kind of conversation with a young person about their education [1:19:26]

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

• Learn more about St. John's College
• Learn more about the Santa Fe Community Seminars Series - Walter is teaching "World Order, Henry Kissinger" (March 2016)
• Learn more about Project HOME
• Santa Fe dining - Bouche, Geronimo, Izanami, The Shed - always make reservations