This is in response to Connor Delaney’s opinion piece in the September 18, 2014, edition of The Bulletin entitled, “The Crook Center.” While Mr. Delaney’s comments are intended as an opinion, his choice of title is explicitly defamatory as to the integrity and administration of the Koch Center for Leadership and Ethics at Emporia State University. It is one thing to have an opinion about something, but to be fair, it is quite another to have an informed opinion. Mr. Delaney’s opinion is based on incomplete information at best. He did not ask to speak with us at the Koch Center for Leadership and Ethics before writing his piece, and we are not aware of any request from Mr. Delaney for information about our mission, our goals, or about any aspect of the Center and or its operations. His comments are largely based on his personal political points of view (which is perfectly permissible), which readers will either agree with, disagree with, or in which they perhaps have no real interest. His views about the Koch Center are speculative and incorrect.

A particularly unpleasant statement Mr. Delaney made begins with, “I find this hard to believe …,” thereafter asserting his skepticism that the Koch Center’s work is grounded in academic freedom. Mr. Delaney appears unaware that the Koch Center’s mandate, and the ardent commitment of its leadership, includes an absolute protection of academic freedom for involved faculty, students, staff, and community participants. Indeed, we believe the protections of academic freedom are crucial to the success of the Koch Center’s investigation of how ethical leadership can improve people’s lives and increase prosperity. It is reasonable to acknowledge there are those persons, such as Mr. Delaney, who may not share our vision, or who may be critical of the Koch family or various Koch enterprises. However, and most indispensably in an academic environment, there should be room for everyone’s opinions to be heard through reasoned discussions.  When we voice our opinions in an academic setting where teaching and learning are the hallmarks of our environs, we should take care to express our opinions thoughtfully and, if possible, after an honest attempt to gather factual information. Mr. Delaney (and whomever else may be interested), is kindly and sincerely welcomed to come visit the Koch Center and spend some time talking with us about the Center’s goals and vision.  ESU should be a place where we can all discuss and debate our views and opinions, however varied they may be, without the need to be disparaging, cynical, or insulting.  For our part, we do not think it is ever constructive, no matter what a person’s views may be, to trash an academic center here at Emporia State University with polemics. Constructive criticism, inquisitiveness, vigilance, and open communication should be our watchwords.