Renaissance Man
Florida Institute of Technology
Civilizations I – Professor Lusty
December 15, 2012
Think about the qualities of a Renaissance Man. Choose a man/woman/profession from the late 20th (or early 21st) century --even someone still alive today-- that you think encompasses the spirit of the Renaissance ideal, and give 2 specific areas/aspects that connect to this ideal. Be as specific as you can.
What are the qualities of a renaissance man? According to the dictionary, a renaissance man is “a cultured man of the Renaissance who was knowledgeable, educated, or proficient in a wide range of fields or a present-day man who has acquired profound knowledge or proficiency in more than one field” (Dictionary.com, 2012). Using this definition, there is one who comes to mind as a renaissance man; Patrick Bryne. Patrick Bryne, Overstock.com’s Chief Executive Office and Chairman, “has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chinese studies from Dartmouth College, a Master 's Degree from Cambridge University as a Marshall Scholar, and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Stanford University” (Forbes, 2012). His quest to improve the academic quality for America’s children has resulted in his appointment to Co-Chairman of the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice. He has founded numerous schools internationally – 19 to be exact - and implemented programs to help fund education by directing funding directly to the teachers and in the classrooms. To date, states such as Georgia, Texas, Kansas has implemented the 65% rule, agreeing that 65% of every dollar will be used for classroom instruction. Other states such as Dakota and South Carolina are considering implementing the same program for the schools in the states.
As a former professor, Bryne, accompanied several Dartmouth students to Beijing, teaching a course on the economic conditions of the country while there. Bryne has also taught several classes at Dartmouth. Brynes achievements, which also include having a black belt in Tae Kwan
Civilizations I – Professor Lusty
December 15, 2012
Think about the qualities of a Renaissance Man. Choose a man/woman/profession from the late 20th (or early 21st) century --even someone still alive today-- that you think encompasses the spirit of the Renaissance ideal, and give 2 specific areas/aspects that connect to this ideal. Be as specific as you can.
What are the qualities of a renaissance man? According to the dictionary, a renaissance man is “a cultured man of the Renaissance who was knowledgeable, educated, or proficient in a wide range of fields or a present-day man who has acquired profound knowledge or proficiency in more than one field” (Dictionary.com, 2012). Using this definition, there is one who comes to mind as a renaissance man; Patrick Bryne. Patrick Bryne, Overstock.com’s Chief Executive Office and Chairman, “has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chinese studies from Dartmouth College, a Master 's Degree from Cambridge University as a Marshall Scholar, and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Stanford University” (Forbes, 2012). His quest to improve the academic quality for America’s children has resulted in his appointment to Co-Chairman of the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice. He has founded numerous schools internationally – 19 to be exact - and implemented programs to help fund education by directing funding directly to the teachers and in the classrooms. To date, states such as Georgia, Texas, Kansas has implemented the 65% rule, agreeing that 65% of every dollar will be used for classroom instruction. Other states such as Dakota and South Carolina are considering implementing the same program for the schools in the states.
As a former professor, Bryne, accompanied several Dartmouth students to Beijing, teaching a course on the economic conditions of the country while there. Bryne has also taught several classes at Dartmouth. Brynes achievements, which also include having a black belt in Tae Kwan
References: Dictionary.com. (2012, December 14). Retrieved from Dictionary.com: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/renaissance+man Forbes. (2012, December 14). Retrieved from Forbes.Com: http://www.forbes.com/profile/patrick-byrne-2/