EDITORIAL

It is a natural thing for individuals to act in their own best interests. Toddlers are known to bite other toddlers over control of blankets, stuffed animals, or anything that they perceive as theirs. Young children argue with their siblings over access to their toys, privileged seating arrangements, or a whole host of other issues. Learning to share and to respect the needs and desires of others is an important life lesson that we all must learn. Looking after our self-interests is the natural norm, while being concerned about public virtue is the exception.

Public virtue is defined as, “the voluntary willingness of individuals to prioritize the well-being of their community or society over their own personal, financial, or partisan interests.” It is a big ask to request that citizens place the needs of the broader society over their own self-interests. Such selflessness is an intentional, learned behavior.

It is not only children that act selfishly. Many adult relationships, both personal and professional, are damaged by selfish behaviors. In fact, even organizations can take on either selfish or virtuous characteristics that are reflected in their organizational cultures. Whether in children, adults, or organizations, these underlying impulses manifest themselves in the overt behaviors that shape the reputation of the respective subjects.

If public virtue is a learned behavior, then it can be taught. That is exactly what we do at Weatherford College. Service is one of the three pillars of the higher education mission of teaching, scholarship, and service. At Weatherford College, we approach service through the lenses of our culture of caring. Through various service opportunities to both the college and the broader community, we teach our students to use their talents and abilities in the service of others.

Such public virtue is being increasingly modeled by some of the respected pillars of our community. Through transformational financial gifts, they are transforming both Weatherford College and the broader community into something even more special. Just as the former politician can become the statesman by serving the interests of all citizens, both our students and our community stakeholders are increasingly learning to successfully balance their self-interests with public virtue…and our home is becoming even better because of it!